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QUILTS THAT CHANGE LIVES...GIVE COMFORT...PROVIDE HOPE

Have you ever experienced something so sacred you feel you are walking on Holy ground? That is what we experience each time a family comes to pickup their memory quilt. One of the privileges we experience at Living Threads is the amazing people we meet and serve. Below is a rare look into the heart of a wife as she shares openly from the experience of losing her husband suddenly this past year.

I would like to tell you about the first time I met my husband Pete. It was Easter Sunday 1995. I had invited a large group of friends to my house for dinner and someone brought him along. I remember his incredibly kind, blue eyes and his smile. Over the next 21 years, I would have the great privilege of watching those eyes crinkle in laughter, shed tears of pain and sorrow, and be filled with love. Truthfully, I had counted on another 20 or more years to look into his beautiful, blue eyes but God had other plans for Pete. On January 8 of this year, Pete had a heart attack followed by a stroke and passed away. This was a very sudden and unexpected loss not just for me, but for both of our families. As I began to learn how to live without Pete, I stumbled upon Living Threads and intrigued with the idea of using some of his clothes for memory quilts. The idea of wrapping myself up in a quilt made from clothing he wore seemed very comforting. I met with Jill and we spent a couple of hours talking about him. I shared his love of gardening, reading, and fishing. I talked about his contribution to our family and about the little things that I missed. I left knowing that Pete’s clothes would be well cared for and lovingly made into quilts for me, his son, and his two brothers.

Receiving these quilts has been such a blessing. The talented Living Threads quilters made a quilt comprised of all of my favorite shirts and his blue jeans for me. As I wrap myself up in it, I can call up memories of him wearing each shirt and feel his presence through those memories. Quilts for other family members incorporate all of his favorite activities as I described to Jill. Each quilt is such a representation of Pete. Matthew 5:4 says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” It’s incredible that they were able to capture his essence with fabric and thread and I am indeed comforted. What a gift! It is important that we come together to enable others who grieve to receive these gifts of comfort through memory quilts. Living Threads still needs $26,300 to meet their operational budget. With our help, this important ministry can continue to offer a place for volunteers to contribute their talents, provide support to Kenyan Bible Clubs, give hope to the children in the slums of Kibera, and give comfort to grieving individuals and families in 2017. I am grateful for the quilt, with colors so similar to my husband’s beautiful, blue eyes, that will give me comfort through this first holiday season

and for years to come. Please join me by making a gift today so that others may also be comforted and this ministry can continue to share God’s love in such a unique way.

Blessings, Stephanie K. Baker

Ministry is never done alone, but is a joint effort of God’s people coming together for one common purpose, to glorify our great God by serving and loving others. As you consider your year end giving, we would be humbled and grateful if you would prayerfully consider a gift of any size to Living Threads. Every gift is important and I thank you in advance for your generosity!

Jill DannenbergExecutive Director

Son’s quilt Brother’s quilts

Stephanie’s quilt