A Quilt for Shemsa

Last April many of us were deeply affected upon learning that Shemsa's husband, along with two other brothers were murdered. As we were grieving and praying for Shemsa and her young children the Lord put on my heart to make a group quilt representing the prayers and love of her sisters in Christ around the world.

Mark left yesterday for Turkey with this quilt tucked into his luggage, along with some notes from women that contributed to making this quilt. 25 women from 3 continents sent blocks for this quilt. It has been amazing to see the outpouring of compassion and love from so many women. After I put in the last stitch on the binding and spread out the quilt I got quite emotional. I pray that God continues to comfort Shemsa and that she feels God's presence as well as the love of her sisters in Christ through this token of our love.
For a recent update on Shemsa and the children here is an interview with her. http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&length=long&lang=en&idelement=5049

The Village Quilter Quilts

Quilting is one of my great passions in life. I love the feel of soft cotton fabric, the excitement of putting colors and textures together and the inspiration that comes to me in the middle of the night for the next quilt. Sometimes quilts make me weep. Last year my dear husband good-naturedly tagged along with me to a major quilt show in Lyon, France. One exhibit featured quilts all with the theme "I Remember Mama". We both cried looking at some of the fabric art we saw. All of that to say that quilting is much more to me than cutting fabric up into little pieces and sewing them back together. It is a way that I express love, celebration and mourning.



My sewing machine is on a desk at our bedroom window and I have a great view of our village and the valley and town beyond. When I am sitting there it is one of the times when I am still, contemplative, serene. I pray for the person that will receive the quilt.



This week I am on a quilting rampage. Evenings, I am handstitching binding on a Log Cabin quilt for our guest bed; after posting this message I will cut out the borders for a giant Dutch Rose pattern baby quilt for Souad and Mamdou's baby they adopted in Morocco; and I just ironed the fabric for a coffee-themed Irish Chain quilt for a friend graduating from lycée--going off to America for University. It is all so energizing!



I am the Village Quilter!