See that beautiful girl holding a quilt in the middle of the picture? That's Amanda, a member of the girls' basketball team at one of our local high schools. Unfortunately, she was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Deborah, a member of our quilt ministry (the pretty brunette standing next to her) heard about it, and I want to share with you the story of this quilt. What follows is in Deborah's own words...
I found out from a student, a couple of weeks before Christmas break, that one of her friends had just found out she has leukemia. I took down some information and began to pray for her. Later that day, I went and talked to the basketball coach and learned a little more background about Amanda, finding out that her treatment would begin the next day. On Friday, we had a pep rally at the school where I work and Amanda goes to school. Two of her teammates skyped Amanda and told the school to say hi and that we were thinking about her. Amanda's teammates were so emotional - but I knew I could do something for all of them.
God has given me a talent - creativity! And a heart for giving! I have been working with my church's quilt ministry for the past three years. It has grown exponentially each year but all through giving to those in need. All of the material and supplies have been donated. I just bring my talent and heart plus my sewing machine! I give God all the Glory!
I went through all our donated fabric and began a design. I didn't know what colors would appeal to Amanda the most, but I was drawn to some beautiful blue floral fabric to use as a focus fabric and also a print that had encouraging phrases on it. Little did I know that blue was Amanda's favorite color! I also wanted to include all of Amanda's teammates, so I took some white material to the school and her coach got all the teammates and other coaches to write some blessings and encouragement to Amanda. This became the back of her quilt.
During the Christmas break I finished the top and back of the quilt. I enlisted the help of Debbie, one of our long arm quilters, to pull the quilt together. She let me do most of the quilting, my first time on a long arm, and it was complete!
I got a text from Amanda's coach letting me know that Amanda would be coming to the next basketball game, so we decided that we would present the quilt to her with all of her teammates around. So after the game ended, I was taken back into the girls locker room to give Amanda her beautiful quilt. She was so stunned and surprised! She decided that it would be her treatment blanket to keep her warm.
Before we give any quilt away, it is prayed over. I just pray that the warmth of this quilt is giving Amanda a feeling of being loved and knowing we are praying for her healing!
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This is why we love what we do - seeing God's hand moving in people to bring comfort and healing to others! It always thrills me when I hear that a quilt we gave someone was the recipient's favorite color, knowing that God intended it that way. I'm thankful that Deborah was sensitive to God's leading in this whole process, especially involving Amanda's teammates in the quilt. I'm sure that gave them a feeling that they were helping Amanda out, too!
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| Here's Deborah with her very first quilt! |
Sarah
