Another Beautiful Day - Another Baptism Quilt

It was another beautiful baptism day for one of our grandchildren. This is the 4th baptism quilt that I've made and I always seem to make little adjustments along the way. I consider these practice pieces so I can perfect some of my techniques for a quilt I have on my mind to do, and they don't mind at all. They seem to really look forward to this special gift from grandma and grandpa. I love making them! It was a wonderful day, and he was so excited!

He chose the color scheme for his quilt. He had also picked green as a color to include, but when I laid it out with the green blocks, we both decided that it was not going to work. So glad I asked him about it before I started sewing it together. My friend stitched his name and his baptism date on a block so it will aways be a reminder of the day he made a commitment to our Father in Heaven to be baptized into his church and to follow Him.

There was this one year...oh wait...it was more like five years, when almost every week something would happen that would feel like this!  It's that 'oh my word - are you kidding me?' feeling!   (by the way, isn't she adorable)?

Why is it that we often can't see the blessings that come from walking through trials until we are through the trial - or at the least - towards the end of it?  It was five years of employment frustrations, health frustrations, worrying over many things.  It was HARD!  But these are some of the things that as we reflected back over that time that we learned.  These things that have become part of who we are.

• No matter what we have to do, we can't do it alone!
• Prayer works.  Our personal prayers and the prayers of others in our behalf.
• Faith is sustaining.
• God loves us, knows us and wants what is best for us.
• There is great power in priesthood blessings.
• Having righteous priesthood leaders is a strength - a bishop, a ministering teacher, etc.
• Personal revelation is real and necessary.
• The importance of relying on our family members and close friends.
• Forgiving is vital to moving forward.
• Recognizing that there is evil around us - the adversary won't stop at trying to get to us.
• It's ok to ask others for help.
• Our prayers - for ourselves and for others - need to be very specific and heartfelt.
• Those that be with us are greater than those that be with 'them'.  
• Ways are provided for our escape.
• Our burdens have been made light, and our ability to bear them has increased.
• Don't hold on to what is holding you back. Don't look back.  Move forward.
• Don't let how others treat us affect who we are.
• Let go and let God....  there are some things that we just need to turn over to Him.
• Don't let our doubts and fears block the blessings that our Father in Heaven desires to give to us.
• Look for and appreciate the blessings that we have.  Enjoy the vistas even when the journey is difficult.
• Fasting brings spiritual strength.
• The temple can bring peace and strength - answers and confirmation of answers often come while in the temple.    

What are some lessons learned or blessings you have received because of trials in your life?

Lather, Rinse, REPEAT

I love this picture of spring flowers.  I know as the snow is melting, the soil is getting warmer and the sun shines just a little brighter, that we will soon see the influence of spring in our valley.  It happens every spring.  And every spring it brings a little joy to my heart.  It's a rhythm that I can count on.  I watch for the early greenery to start peeking up through the dirt.  The cycle repeats each year.  

I heard a story once about a one word change made to the directions for using shampoo.  Up to this time the directions had just said: 'Wet hair; apply shampoo and lather well; rinse.'  Supposedly a marketing person suggested adding one simple word to the directions: REPEAT.  Did the company's income increase?  Yes, it did!

It got me thinking about the things in our lives that would be increased, or made better, if we continually repeated the process of doing them. 

Here are just a couple of my thoughts:

Kindness... If we were to be kind to everyone we came in contact with on a certain day, I imagine we'd feel pretty good about our day, and I'm sure the people who we had been kind to would have had a better day because of our kindness.  In repeating that giving of kindness every day the differences made not only in our lives, but in the lives of other people would be amazing!  

Prayer...  I struggle sometimes with my personal prayers.  We have great couple prayers, but often my personal prayers are just spoken in my head or out loud at various times during the day while I'm doing other things.  What if I set aside 10 minutes every morning and evening to have a real conversation with the Lord?  To thank Him.  To plead with Him for things and people that are important to me.  EVERY morning and evening!  20 minutes total!  I feel like I have a decent relationship with God - but how much would it improve if I really set aside that personal time EVERY DAY?!   It makes me excited to think about it.  I believe I'll write it in my planner and repeat it as a daily 'to do'.  

This list could be endless - the possibilities are never-ending. It's exciting to think about!

What could become of your life if you chose to consistently REPEAT things that are important to you that maybe you aren't giving persistent attention to?  

Start small.  Choose one thing.  Be mindful of it for the next week.  Record how you feel and if you've noticed any changes in your life.  As it becomes a habit and something you just naturally make time for, or do as part of your daily walk, select something else to make a priority in your life. Then notice what changes happen in your life.  

Be of Good Courage

 

We are often asked to do hard things.... 

• ....to say no to a marriage proposal because it doesn't feel right
• ....to say goodbye to friends who aren't really being good friends
• ....to walk away from a job that has blessed you and/or your family because...
• ....to struggle with a disease or injury that will be with us, maybe forever
• ....to lose a spouse or a child because of sickness or injury

These are just a few examples - so many more can be added to this list.  We've all struggled through them.  And usually, we come out with blessings that we couldn't even imagine would have come from the struggle.

President Thomas S. Monson once said this:

"I wonder how we would have felt if we lived in Nauvoo with our beautiful brick home with all of the comforts of life - and then heard the call to move westward, to leave our homes, to leave our families in some cases, to leave behind the beautiful greenery and put our vision westward to the valleys of the great Salt Lake, where one tree greeted us upon our arrival as pioneers.  Yet, where would we have been today were it not for the courage of the Latter-day Saints to expand the frontiers of the Church?"

Consider the hard things that you have had the opportunity to struggle through.  In the middle of the struggle, it's hard to see the blessings, but as you look back on the experience, what gifts were you given because of it?  Do you have more compassion and empathy for others going through something similar?  Do you more immediately recognize the hand of the Lord in your life or in the lives of your family members?  Have you come to cherish relationships more?  

"...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.  The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?"   D&C 122:7-8

Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Baptism Quilt

Grandchild #3 was baptized in May.  He told me that his quilt needed to be red!  It's his favorite color.  I did what I could to oblige.  He was so excited to get it, that when we went to his house after the baptism, he saw I was carrying the quilt and came running to me with arms outstretched and said: "Come to papa!  "Funny boy!

I cut each of the blocks 9.5" square, so when they are all sewn together they are 9" blocks.  I only chose one fabric that was minky.  The kids love how it feels, but I don't like sewing with it so the majority of the blocks are flannel as well as the backing.   I have a good friend who stitched his name and baptism info on a block and I chose a fun, coordinating cotton fabric to bind it with.  

I'm still not a great quilter, but I'm getting better.  I'm glad I can do this for our grandchildren and they genuinely seem to appreciate them!