Half way around the world...

                                                                         
                                        "This is Angel.  She and her husband, Barack, live in Arusha, Tanzania, E. Africa.  Both Angel and Barack are handicapped.  They have been studying the Bible with some missionaries, Stephanie and Allie, and their translator.  They would like to be able to attend church at the Arusha Church of Christ, but they don't make enough money to be able to afford the bus fare.  (A bus that accommodates handicapped people.)  Angel can sew, so Allie and Stephanie came up with the idea of supplying Angel with fabric and commissioning her to sew aprons.

Angel has made at least 30 aprons and we hope to commission her to do more.  Angel's aprons are $15 an apron.  If you have any interest in purchasing an apron, you can contact Allie's Mom - here in the states - at 580-799-1556. 

Angel was very happy and very appreciate to receive the adorable dress and sent her "Asanta Sana" - Thank you very much!"

This story is true.  I know...because I made that dress. 

"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."  Matthew 25:40

My Grown Up Christmas List

 

            The holidays have always been very special to me.  I remember decorating the Christmas tree every year with my Dad.  Mom was always in the kitchen making hot chocolate for us for some reason.  We had music playing on the record player and as soon as the tree was finished out would come all the wrapped presents.  Then the anticipation started.  Could this be?  Maybe this is?  No, this is too large for… I would shake the packages and mash them and study their size and shape, but to no avail.  My Mom was a master wrapper.  I do not ever remember making a successful guess.  But I knew what was going to be there because I had made a Christmas list. 

            I still make a Christmas list, although most of the time it is what someone else wants now instead of what I want.  But I began to wonder if I made my own Christmas list, would it really have changed that much? 

            I remember wanting a doll for Christmas.  Not just any doll, but a Barbie doll.  She was cute and smart and had great looking clothes and beautiful hair.  I wanted her because I wanted to be just like her. 

            I still want to be just like her in that I am not just any doll.  What I want is to be gracious, kind, and beautiful inside.  I want the knowledge I have earned in all these years and the wisdom to know how to use it.  Yes, I still want a doll, but this time I want that doll to be me.  And instead of me being the owner, I want it to belong to God.  I want to be His child.  Nothing much has changed, but the reasons have.

            I also wanted a doll house so that I could have a family and take care of them.  I no longer want just a house, I want a home.  I had no idea at that point of what it took to change that house into a home.  I had no idea of the love and patience that would be demanded.  I had no idea of the laughter and tears that went into building those memories called home.  But I’m glad I wanted it.  I am glad that as a little girl I was beginning to build that dream and that as a big girl I never gave up.

            I wanted a teddy bear.  I still love teddy bears.  The same little teddy bear that was on our tree when I was that little girl, still adorns our Christmas tree to this day.  I love it and in many ways, I would like to be just like it.  You see everyone loves a teddy bear.  They are never considered old, they just get move valuable.  And best of all, they are frequently trusted to be someone’s very best friend.  What a privilege. 

            I wanted a bicycle.  Oh and it was to be a special bicycle.  But I wanted it because it gave me wheels to go places I had never been and see things I had never seen. 

            Now I need a car, because it will give me wheels to go places I have never been and see things I have never seen.  Some things just never change.

            Yes, in many ways, I am still the same little girl.  I became the young woman my parents loved me into becoming.  I became the wife and mother that my experience and training taught me was best.  I am now a grandmother and I have the privilege of becoming my mother.  My grandsons decorate the Christmas tree every year.  The Christmas CD’s are playing and where am I?  Well, I am I the kitchen making hot chocolate.  Some things never change.

Just Do It!

Today is election day.  Today will change this country for good or for bad for at least the next four years.  I am a Christian and I pray that it will redirect our attention to the Christian values for which it was created and for which thousands have given their lives in order to preserve.  

Some are voting for what they hope to be given. Some are voting for what they believe that we can accomplish.  Some are voting for the future of their children and grandchildren and others are voting for a person.   

To some the vote is very clear.  I am one of those.  It is very clear to me, if for no other reason, than the platforms of the two very different parties.  As a Christian I cannot vote for anyone who supports abortion, partial birth abortion, same sex marriages or gay rights.  It is not that I have any hatred for anyone who chooses that lifestyle or to support that lifestyle....I don't.  I just personally cannot support it.  Nor could I ever live that way.  

I do not know how someone who claims to be a Christian and believes in the Bible can claim that status and vote for non Christian principals. As Abraham Lincoln once said:  "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on my side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

A friend for whom I have a great deal of respect, recently posted this on her FB page:  "I will vote for the most pro-life candidate, because God hates the shedding of innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17). I will vote for the most pro-Israel candidate because God blesses those who Bless Israel & curses those who don't (Genesis 12:3). I will vote for the most pro-debt reduction candidate, because the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). I will vote for the most pro-work candidate because God says if a man won’t work let him not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) I will vote for the most Pro-Marriage candidate because God is for marriage as defined in (Genesis 2:24). I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes government's purpose is to reward good & punish evil (Romans 13). I will vote based as closely as I can on God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16)."

One of the most difficult prayers that is ever said is:  "Thy will be done."  It is also the only worthy prayer and the only one with full trust in the Lord God Almighty.  

Not every day do we get an opportunity to make a major difference in this world but we do today.  Don't miss it!!  Life has no remote.  Get up and change it yourself!!

Survival, I Think!

Back in February I was going to write a scenario about the challenges of moving. Perhaps the fact that you have not heard from me since then is its own best description.

Yes, we survived - I think. We are here. Furniture is in place and the pictures are finally up. The clothes are in the closet. The dishes are in the kitchen - most of them anyway. But the garage is still full! Our most popular household phrase is: "What is? It's in the garage."

One important thing I have learned from the move: life is short and some things are more important than instantly having all the boxes open. Things like going on a train ride with my hubby 2 days after the moving van arrived because it was a beautiful day and our anniversary. Or helping our daughter with a quick move she had to make. Or making time to help paint our grandson's apartment. Or going on a drive in the beautiful Ozark mountains just to see the fall leaves.

Everybody has different priorities of course, but right now mine are to make memories. The boxes - they will get unpacked - someday -maybe. But for today, think I will ride the golf cart with my fantastic husband.

How To Move Without Losing Your Mind!

Maybe the title of this should be: "How To Move Without Losing Your Mind - Or Your Husband's!"

Yes, we are moving - or sort of. We have bought a home in Branson, MO and we will be moving up there in the next few months but we will be keeping a condo in OK as well...so during those next few months I am going to be blog about how to do all of this and survive at the same time.

So many of you followed me as I wrote a book last year in 26 days, I thought perhaps you would enjoy this process as well....so here we go!

Robert and I were born in OK and have spent the majority of our lives as Okies. We love this part of the country and never thought we would live anywhere else. Of course, we both spent part of our childhood in Texas (me more than him) but ended up back in OK over 40 years ago. (How could it have been so long?!?!?) Toward the end of their lives, all four of our parents were here once again and so were our children.

Well...that has all changed. Our parents are all gone now and our children are in different states and last year Robert began to talk more consistently about completely retiring and things just began to evolve.

I finished writing How To Get and Keep A Job about the first of March in 2009. About that same time Rita Goad and I reconnected after they moved back to OK and the Lord lead us to this creative and ever expanding project of putting together books of stories and advice for Christian women from Christian women. (Check out teafortheheart.com)

Both projects exploded about the same time and I (we) signed a contract for both books in June of that year. Little did I know what a year it was going to be.

Back to April: Robert and I decided to take a little holiday and went to Branson. On the way up there we began to talk about his retirement once again and that it would be nice for him to be very close to lakes (there are 5 very close to Branson) and lots of good golf courses, lots of good entertainment in a Christian atmosphere and since I can write anywhere I can get to a computer, where I am doesn't matter. (Except I very much prefer 'pretty'.)

Since we had a couple of free days while we were there...some interesting things began to happen....but that is for next time.

Hope you will join me on this journey. I think it will be fun and I "think" we will survive!!

Preemie Quilt Patterns or Baby Luv Program

They love seasonal quilts!




This is a picture or what is called
"cheater" cloth put together with
borders.
This quilt is simple squares sewn together.

If you can sew, you can make preemie quilts. You DO NOT have to be a quilter and certainly not a master quilter. Preemie quilts can be as simple or complicated as you choose to make them. Whatever they are, when they are made with love they are appreciated and give cheerfulness and hope to the families of those most precious, tiny babies.

The quilts are made of three layers of fabric. The top can be as simple as an interesting square of fabric or as complicated as a quilt top square with borders. (Many quilters make preemies out of the ‘extra’ or ‘practice’ squares they have left over from their projects.) I like to use a picture square and simply put borders around it. What the NICU’s are looking for is something that is colorful and cheerful. They are trying to make the sterile environment of these preemie babies look a little more homelike.

The second layer is made of cotton batting. Polyester batting is too fluffy and these quilts are frequently placed under the babies and need to be sturdy and flat.

The third layer is the backing and can be a solid piece of fabric, flannel or even scraps of fabric that have been sewn together to make a larger piece.

The goal is to make a quilt approximately 22’ square. Sometimes they are a little larger and sometimes a little smaller, depending on the design of the fabric but I usually use ½ of the fabric width (44” fabric) for the backing and by the time I take ¼ inch seams, the quilt is finished at 21 ½ inches.

When we first started, my friend Enid and I bound each quilt and finished them by hand. Our need has grown so rapidly that most of the volunteer quilters are now making then in a pillowcase fashion. Simply lay all three layers together – batting first, quilt top facing up and then the back facing down. Stitch around three of the sides and most of the 4^th side and then turn as you would a pillowcase. Easily close the small opening by hand. Then press the fabrics and machine quilt.

It is necessary to have simple quilting done on each of the preemies to keep them together – as they are washed frequently. One simple way to make it look as though it has a binding is to stitch about ½ inch from the edge all the way around the quilt. In the center of the quilt you can stitch in the ditch around your borders and/or designs or you can cross-hatch the entire quilt or stipple it.

The important thing to remember is to check your quilts to be very sure that no pens, loose strings or raw seams are present. We have to be very careful that there is nothing there to harm these tiny little babies.

The quilts need to be delivered to the Edmond Church of Christ office at 9^th and Bryant in Edmond, OK (if you live in that area) or mailed to me at Donna Watson, Box 3452, Edmond, OK, 73083. I need to receive them no later than the 20^th of each month as I have to wash them, package them and deliver to each of the three hospitals by the 1^st.

We are currently taking care of NICU units at OU Children’s Hospital, Baptist Hospital and Mercy Hospital. They have a combination of 168 beds – which means that they may have as many as 225 babies pass through their units each month. Currently we are delivering 110 quilts each month, so you can see how great the need is for this program. There are potentially 115 babies who don’t get a quilt from us each month.

Once the baby receives the quilt, it belongs to him/her and they get to take it home. The nurses love these quilts and – so I have been told – will frequently “fight” over which one “suits” their particular charge. They are also asking if I happen to be a day late in delivering. Yes, these are important.

Not only are they important to the staff but they are very, very important to the families. These babies are in such a sterile environment that sometimes it is hard to remember that these are real little babies who prayfully will soon be going home. The quilts are a reminder of that and also give hope to those who are struggling. They particularly love to have “seasonal” quilts as those truly represent “hope” to many parents. The head of one of the departments told me that more than one parent has commented upon receiving a Christmas quilt on the 1^st of December…”Does that mean that my baby is going to live until Christmas?”

When I hear comments like that…well…I just go back to my sewing room and create some more. I pray you will too.

If you have any questions, please contact me at dswphd8@cox.net.

Thank you very much for your interest in the Baby Luv project and may God continue to bless you.

Lazy Days of Summer...

It is hot!! Have you noticed that? Have you also noticed that when it is hot it makes you want to do nothing but lay around a pool and soak up the sun or curl up in the cool and read a good book? That's me!!

But wait...I have work to do. I still have a 'To Do' list and it doesn't go away just because it is summer. One of the things on my 'To Do' list is to get back into my exercise routine. I have this wonderful, cool, comfortable, cushioned floor, easy access, close to my house, full scheduled gym - that I can't seem to get to. Hummmm. Must be the lazy days of summer. I can't seem to come up with any other excuses.

Sooooo I went today!! I am so proud of me!! I found out very quickly that I am really out of shape and couldn't survive very long even in all of that luxury. Makes me very aware of what I need to do.

Speaking of schedules....we have a pretty short deadline on the stories needed for the next book
of the 'A Cup of Tea for the Heart' series. This one is titled: "Plans Are Made To Be Changed ~ Expect the Unexpected." I haven't written my story. Have you? We don't you to miss being in this book...and maybe...if you get your story in, I will get on the ball and get mine in too! :) How about it????