Spring Showers

Spring has come (and almost gone)! This Spring was showers of blessings. We were blessed with beautiful supplies and giving hands to make them into wonderful, wonderful items.  Although I haven't had a chance to update the blog, we were no less busy!  The first Saturday of each month amazing women show up at my home (as young as 3....) ready to have a wonderful time of fellowship while making a difference for others.  There are others who are unable to join us, but they contribute supplies and most importantly they pray for this ministry.  We were able to send an awesome delivery to ACH at the beginning of May.  And I can't wait to wrap up all the started items in our June meeting and have another bounty of blessings to deliver!  Check out the photos.  You will see all sorts of fabrics!  And, some of you will recognize items made from what you have given.  Thank you.  You make a difference!

Just wait until you see what the June update will have!!!  I look forward to sharing it with all of you!

Remember, everything you do makes a difference.  It doesn't matter what you intend, it matters what is done.  Will you allow your difference to change the world or keep it to yourself?  Will you choose to make sure the difference you make is positive?  Be intentional with the difference you make!  You will find it quite exciting when you do!

See you in June!!!!

God Math and Christmas

Well, I have to say there is simply nothing like God math.  If you haven't experienced it, you are missing something quite remarkable.  Hopefully this post will give you a glimpse of God math.  It's pretty simple actually... you take a little bit of your time and/or resources + a little bit of from several others + God's blessings = an incredible abundance!  If you will just say yes to an idea or plan He has for you, He will add it to others and you will experience INCREDIBLE!  It's a lot of fun!

So, with all that said, the delivery for Christmas to the CVICU was wonderful.  And, with as full as they are (unfortunately) this was needed.  We delivered the following:
48 flannel blankets - these are used also as the bedding under the baby for a pretty and soft bed
22 fleece blankets - these are made a little smaller than the big ones at the store so they can be used in the small area
23 lovies - these ultra soft and cuddly blankets are the ultimate snuggling item and they were all backed with Christmas red and green satin
3 flannel quilts - these are so precious
15 hats - cute, cute, cute!
35 shirts - all done in Christmas fabrics so the babies will have cute outfits to celebrate

And of course - a big box of chocolate for the amazing staff of the CVICU!!!

Spending Christmas in a hospital makes it VERY hard to feel like Christmas.  And, it's hard to have joy when you are in the worst circumstances you can imagine enduring.  These gifts let these parents know that someone cares about them and cares about their little one.  What a wonderful way to show the meaning of Christmas - God loves us so much He sent his son.

Have a very Merry Christmas and may you enjoy many, many blessings!!!  Love you all!  Thank you for being part of this group and working to make a difference in this world.  Enjoy the photos of the items delivered!

What a Fall!

It has been a bit since I had a chance to post an update!  Since the last update, 2 good size shipments have made their way to ACH!  I know I say this every time, but I mean it from the bottom of my heart and with all the passion possible to convey in writing - because of the love and generosity of you, a difference is made in the lives of many, many families.  THANK YOU!

We do not like to think about babies and families hurting.  To know that each minute things change and more prayers go up asking for healing, love, and hope.  The roller coaster of being a patient (or the family) in the hospital is indescribable.  It is in the midst of this up and down and back and forth and sideways that your gifts arrive.  You give a smile in a world that needs lots of them.  For this I personally am truly thankful and hope that you understand just how special you are.

This last shipment to ACH included 40 flannel blankets, 22 shirts, and 14 lovies!  Wow!  You made this happen.  You make a difference.  And, someday I will get to stand beside you in front of our amazing God as he smiles at us for showing His love.  I don't know of a better reward...

May you be blessed and I look forward to seeing and hearing from you as we prepare for a Christmas delivery!

Summer Update

Our July meeting finished many items and by the August meeting we had even more!  We were able to send a package to ACH that included 15 flannel blankets, 7 snuggles (or lovies), 4 fleece blankets, 15 hats, 6 Beads of Courage bags, and 24 shirts!!!  And with all the work from those meetings along with the September meeting, another even larger load is about to head to ACH too!

Fall activities have begun and that means many of us are running kids and grand-kids to all sorts of sports and school activities.  That also means many of you that are typically able to join us won't be able to for a few times.  I want to let you know that you are missed, but I also believe that family always comes first.  Enjoy your family and the blessing of time you get with them.  We are never promised tomorrow.  If you find you have time in between things and would like to work on something, please contact me and I can bring you some items to work on at your leisure.

I look forward to our meeting in October.  It will be October 5 from 9-12.  Join us for all or part of the meeting!  We will start working on some things for Christmas for the babies.  Such a special occasion is hard to celebrate in the hospital, but perhaps we can at least give a family a moment of a smile and let them know they are loved.

Thank you as always for your love, your support, your prayers, and all you do so that together we can bless many, many families.  You are a blessing and give such blessings!  Thank you!

July Blessings

Our July meeting was such a blessing!  We have a lot of things finalized and they will be going to ACH this week!  I will post the totals and information as well as photos at that time so everyone can see the impact!  We had a great July meeting with several wonderful women!  We were even blessed by one bringing fruit and cookies!  How much better can a Saturday morning get?!?  Food, fellowship, sewing, and making a difference!!!  If you missed it, don't despair.  We would love for you to join us Aug 3 at our next meeting.  Even if you can only be there for a short time, your presence makes a difference!  Put it on your calendar now so you don't forget!

There may be some that read this post and feel that they can't contribute because they don't sew.  I want to take a moment and encourage you!  God uses everyone that is willing to make a difference and show His love.  If you are willing, we have tasks that need done!  We can use everyone and every skill level.  Even 0!  So, step out and join us.  I guarantee you will be glad that you were a part of such a special Saturday morning.  What a great way to kick off each month!

I look forward to our Aug 3 meeting!  Make plans to join us!  You will be blessed and be a blessing!!!

Ready for Summer!!!

Well these last few meetings have been extremely productive.  We have cut out and started so many items!!!  It would not be possible without the love and support of many hands working together.  It is a blessing that is beyond words when you finish a meeting and see the work of so many.

The July meeting looks to be absolutely WONDERFUL as we will be able to finish up so many items and get them delivered to ACH!  The package that has gone now includes 21 blankets (used as a sheet for beautiful beds), 6 fleece blankets, 15 crocheted hats/headbands, and 11 Beads of Courage bags.  Photos will be uploaded later today.  I hope you take the time to check them out!  There are some very special fabrics and work that went into creating these items.  The families and babies receiving these gifts will be blessed and encouraged to know they are loved.

Even if you only have a little time to give, we hope that you will consider joining us on July 6.  We will be blessed and know you too will be blessed by the fellowship of working together and making a difference!

See you then!!!

April 2013 Ready...Set...Go!

There comes a time when you must stop for a moment and do some prep work!  Our April meeting was a "prep work" meeting and we got so much done!!!  Items were cut out for bags and shirts, flannel prepped for edging, fleece cut for blankets, and strips made for blanket bindings.  Everything takes time but when you do it as a group, it is phenomenal how much is accomplished!!!  I look forward to the May meeting where we can sit and sew and wrap up a ton of items for delivery to ACH!

One of the things you will see noted is "bags" were cut out.  The CVICU is part of the national program called Beads of Courage.  It is a non-profit program where patients receive beads for milestones they conquer.  Patients are very proud of their collections as it is a testimony of their journey and how far they have come.  The beads are on strings like necklaces.  It is overwhelming to see a strand of these beads and know what that patient has fought through to be able to show them to you.  What a fantastic program.  To protect the beads, fabric bags are made by volunteers.  Sounded like a perfect fit for our group!  So, we began with our April meeting and look forward to getting the finished bags delivered for use!  If you would like to know more about the program, please check out www.beadsofcourage.org and see for yourself!  We are please to help in this endeavor.

Although our May meeting will be a lot of sewing, there is also a LOT of work for non-sewers to accomplish!  We need to iron items, finish items, and always cut out more things!  Please join us regardless of your skill level.  Come and be blessed with a wonderful fellowship of ladies working together to make a big difference in the lives of others.  To top it off, we are encouraging everyone to bring a dish and we will have a potluck brunch together as we work!  Women (of all ages!), sewing, helping, and food!  What could be a better way for you to spend your Saturday morning?!?!  We look forward to seeing you there!