Rough week but there is Light . . .

This has been a difficult week. On Friday the 11th, my sister's grandson, Kyle was in a snowboarding accident. The news came as "pray for a miracle" so for days, that is what we were doing. My earliest memory was him standing and bouncing on my knees at church ... for an hour! He was always happy and fell in love with Jesus, a very special young man.

Here is a copy of the message that came on the 16th:

To all our family, friends, and those who loved Kyle,

Kyle went to be with Lord today, December 15, 2020. He went peacefully and without any pain, surrounded by his family. He was prayed for, worshipped with, and heard many scriptures. We sang his favourite songs and held his hand as he walked into Jesus’ arms. We rejoice that Kyle is truly home, and that he will not experience the pain of this world. Kyle is now praising his Saviour for all eternity, and we can imagine him now with his hands raised in worship. We are hurting and we are raw, but we do not mourn as the world mourns, because we have hope, like 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 says:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

 We know that we have a promise to see him again, and we look forward to that day.

Kyle’s life was full of joy, as he was always looking to get people to laugh, and also to meet their needs in life. Very recently, Kyle had been discussing eternity with his mentor, and we know that Kyle believed what Revelation 21:4 says: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

 Thank you all for being a part of this journey with us. We know you will support us as we grieve his loss. We appreciate every one of your prayers, calls, and texts. Please continue to pray. God promises us a peace that transcends all understanding, and while we do not understand all of this, there are so many things to be thankful for still.

Kyle, until we all meet again. We love you! __________________________________ 

Kyle was 22, and even though he has passed from death to life (John 5:24) the grief has been shattering. I've had many tears. His parents, (my sister's middle boy and his wife and who were her caregivers), are remarkable in their faith yet this is a devastating loss. Kyle's organs went to several people. He would be overjoyed that his leaving would mean extra life for others.

We are in a city with huge lock-down - no Christmas gatherings allowed - all in attempts to flatten the curve, but Covid is rampant anyway. Some major protests over mask wearing. We ordered those made in Israel with zinc in the fabric and able to block the virus. Remarkable. The air smells fresh when we put them on. I cannot imagine why people are refusing to distance/wear masks. Our grandson/wife/three-year old came down with it last week even obeying all the rules, but didn't tell us until two days ago. They are recovering. 

My quilting is almost not interesting, yet pressing on with something creative is helpful. I'm working on two small items and will try to post once a week. 

May all the craziness of 2020 not mess with the joy of celebrating that Jesus came to earth to be the Savior and Light of the World!

God's richest blessings 

at Christmas and in the New Year!

 

White Christmas

We are going to have a white Christmas. It is softly snowing, quiet and simply beautiful outside. I could have walked to the wildlife park and taken a few outstanding shots instead of these from my steps, but I'd rather be quilting. 

Actually, I'm working on the Nativity pattern and found a way to make it digital so that anyone who wants it that way can save postage and pattern costs by printing it on their own printer using Adobe Reader. This is an exciting discovery. Getting the directions perfectly clear for making the quilt takes time though. I will also include directions on how to print it!

Nativity Two - Progress

Canadian Thanksgiving was lovely and leftover turkey means less time in the kitchen and more time in the studio! Here is the progress on the Nativity Quilt...

The first one is the left side, the other on the right. I'm hoping not to buy any fabric. Some of the pieces are tiny, but fused down and will be stitched. It is sort of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Fun. 

May your Christmas be full of His joy!

Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Maybe next Christmas?

Some time ago, our local quilt shop asked me to help one of the staff with CorelDraw so she could improve their newsletters. What fun! She was an eager learner, a delight to work with. 

The shop paid me in gift certificates. I bought a new book, but then pondered what to do with the rest of it. Then, a couple weeks ago I was looking for a pattern for someone else and found one called "Splendid Stars" that I liked myself. 

The LQS had a Christmas quilt on display with a lovely wintery border by Jayson Yenter (In the Beginning, no link. I may have bought the last yards left on the planet)... so putting the two together, I have a king-size in mind... and used the remaining certificates for the fabrics below. Maybe it will be done for next year?

Merry Christmas

The quilting is nearly finished on Mariner's Sunset. I'm about 1/3 finished stitching another Celtic Table Runner for my daughter (she specifically requested it). So no new pictures. 

This is the Christmas quilt finished last year and now hanging in the foyer of the church I attend. I received copyright permission to sell the pattern for this one, so am refining that. If you are interested, let me know. I can offer only a few copies.

(ALL PATTERNS ARE SOLD. Sorry to those who wanted one. Email me if you want to be notified when I have other patterns available and include your contact information. This pattern will not be repeated.)
Jan 1, 2016 UPDATE. This quilt was based on a painting that was used for a Christmas card. The copyright holder gave me permission to use the design in a quilt and sell a few patterns. I complied (this is a legal requirement). With so much interest, I tried to get added permission so I could sell more patterns. However, the original copyright holder no longer owns it and could not tell me who does. I tried to find out, but was not able. This means I cannot sell any more patterns for this quilt. So sorry, but I value the right of the owner of the original art to restrict its use. Hope that explains why there are no more patterns!

THE BEST NEWS! As of April 8, 2016. I've managed to secure worldwide, exclusive copyright to use this design in a quilt pattern... so this pattern is for sale again. Please check my Etsy Page for details! 

To all who read this blog, I wish you a Christmas filled with joy, knowing that God so loved the world that He sent His only Son...!

Joy to you

This tree has no decorations but the snow, and for me, that is more lovely than a bunch of lights!

Tomorrow could be busy, so today I wish you a Merry Christmas, with blessings beyond count and joy in your hearts.

"When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son." Galatians 4:4

Joy to you!

Merry Christmas!

I know this is such a standard greeting (where it is not banned for being politically incorrect), yet I use it anyway because I'm joyful this morning celebrating that God sent Jesus, and my desire is that everyone knows that same joy!