Quilts and things

I have always loved beautiful quilts - especially the older more intricate ones. In the last couple of years, I have begun the art of quilt creation - and it really is an art. I did complete many small ones, and 2 bed size ones - now working on 3 more be size. It is relaxing (except when I cut or sew a piece incorrectly). My aspiration as of today is to finish the UFO's (unfinished objects) and embark on a more detailed one - the underground railroad quilt depicting all of the quilt blocks used as maps to safe houses during the Civil War. The women would make a quilt and hang it on hew clothesline or railing showing the runaway slaves the road to the next safe house. Quite a bit of history there. I need to research and see if any the original quilts still exist. The patterns are gorgeous and the colors are close to my heart - earthy colors! Did I mention that I also have a passion for history? Our park held it's annual quilt and hobby show this week with many awesome creations on display. I now fully understand the saying - you are only limited by your imagination. Also on exhibit were crafts that again are only limited by a person's imagination. One gentleman (he really looks like and plays Santa Claus) makes many things from metal - from alligators to tin men. Quite an interesting display. Some men were showing off their carving abilities - from walking sticks from swamp cedar (beautiful) to fish to gnomes to puzzle wall hangings. Lots of jewelry making displays (my downfall) and even beautiful card making.

this one made form her husband's service t-shirts and badges

Elvis anyone

beautiful colors

Miss Opal, 80 years old made this one - will be sold at the craft sale this week for the benefit of Winter Texan Amigos and Caring Hearts Ministry

actually a log cabin with a twist

some of Santa's tin people - see the alligator on the table?

                                            some of the prizes given away, including the quilts in the back

my favorite "attic windows" - on my bucket list

How is it possible for the temps to drop from 89 to 49 overnight? It certainly does happen as it did so here this week. From air to heat in less than 24 hours. We started out the day in a light coat, switched to hot weather clothing, then to heavy jackets and gloves by evening. This next week looks to be warming up though. This is nothing compared to the frozen tundra of the Northern part of our country.

The weather was so cold and rainy that the distribution to the colonias did not occur on Friday. The ladies who sort and pack the produce and food stand out in the cold even though they are under a protective roof. My hands were cold from just being in the outdoors - they would have been freezing. Some folks were as disappointed as we were but hopefully this is the end of the bad weather. We are again receiving donations of clothing and small bottles of shampoo, etc (you know, the ones you get at hotels). These are wonderful as Ida makes packets for each family - not full size bottles, but enough to keep clean and pretty for awhile. As some of the folks have had their government checks cut, these items are very much appreciated.

Short service this morning as we had communion and the last sermon on the fund drive to pay off the $1 million loan on the church building in 3 years. Actually a good sermon on giving though. In the time of Jesus, people we very much impressed in the giving in the Women's Court of the temple. There were huge cone shaped receptacles in the court with different signs on each one to indicate where the offering were going, such as temple funds, widows and orphans, the chief priests, etc. When people dropped their heavy coins in each receptacle, they would make loud noises - thus the more noise the more a person contributed. A widow came and dropped in two small copper coins, very thin coins called leptons. Just a small jingle as they went down the tube. Who gave the most though? The widow was alone with no means of support - what we would call "dirt poor" today, but she gave all she had. Those who contributed more actually gave of their abundance, not a sacrifice to them. We need to measure a gift not by count, but by what is kept. We measure a gift not by money but by spirit. Every gift, even the smallest one, is measured by the right spirit. The poor widow trusted God, so she gave according to her trust Can we do that? I don't mean giving to a church or ministry, but of ourselves to others for the sake of the Lord. Try it this week, you will be blessed.