Quilt #12 Vince and Karen Faggioli

Quilt #12 was presented to Karen and Vince Faggioli. This beautiful couple is in my ward and Karen worked with Charlene Duncan (Duncan's grandmother) in the Stake Primary.

I started working on this quilt with someone else in mind but I was pondering the next few quilts to work on and I had a distinct impression to give this to the Faggioli's. The pieces of fabric on this quilt are placed in such a way as to create contiguous plus signs.  This makes perfect sense that this quilt belongs to them. They are positive people.

Eleven years ago Vince was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was given two years to live.  He is a living miracle as he surpassed all expectation.  The cancer has now moved to his bones and is inoperable. Next month Vince will begin an experimental course of treatment that cures 1 in a 100. With his determination and spirit it would not surprise anyone to see him beat those odds as well.

Vince and Karen talked this morning about the connection that Vince has with a sweet 2 year old granddaughter who prefers Vince to anyone else. They are connected at the heart and she is a source of joy and healing to them both.

Throughout this illness, Vince and Karen always appear upbeat and smiling.  Vince has a calling as one of Gospel Doctrine teachers with Doug. Most people going through cancer treatment would opt out of this calling. This is not the case with Brother Faggioli.  Whenever his health permits, he is standing teaching and bearing testimony.  They live what they believe.  I hope this quilt will be a source of comfort as they begin this course of treatment. There are many on both sides of the veil cheering for them both. There is "love in the stitches."

Quilt #11 and 11.5 Alisa and Ona Beach

Quilt #11 was given to Alisa Beach on the day of her son Duncan's internment August 20, 2016.  I sent the quilt to Alisa's mother Charlene who is also my dear friend.  Charlene contacted me and asked what I thought about the family placing the quilt on Duncan's casket prior to the internment. 

Such a sweet and tender gesture. I did a little research and the placing of casket quilts was a common practice in pioneer times and has begun anew.  The article I read talked about quite a number of quilts being 
placed on caskets at the funerals of 9/11 victims and how it is becoming more common today.

Ona's Doll Quilt

At the completion of the grave dedication, Charlene presented the quilt to Alisa.  In addition, a small doll quilt was given to Duncan's sister Ona made from the scraps of the original quilt. 

There is no way to describe the relationship I have with Alisa. We have shared tender moments where the Spirit has testified of Duncan's mission, not only on this earth but his continuing work in the Spirit World. Concern, love, prayers, tears, forgiveness, God's mercy, sorrow, healing and enlightenment have all been a part of our shared journey. I am so deeply grateful for the faith of this young mother.

Charlene presents the quilt to Alisa and Chris Beach

Look at Onas smile. She is more grown up every day.

The quilt is a disappearing nine patch with orange and turquoise fabrics. Duncan loved clementine oranges and the turquoise reminds me of the water at Bellows Beach which is special to the family.

  

Quilt #9 Amy Little

Amy Little with Barbara Holt's beautiful quilt.  Upon receiving that quilt,
she told Barbara that blue was her favorite color.

Quilt #9 was presented to Amy Little by my dear friend Barbara Holt. It is the third quilt donated by a volunteer.  Barbara said she has a no photo clause in her contract so I will honor that fact that she is not pictured. Just know that she is one of the most amazing and thoughtful people on this planet.

Here is the story of the Little Family in Barbara's words:

In the early summer of 2014 the Matt Little Family moved to Utah from Illinois. Lucky for us, they chose to build a home in our neighborhood in Saratoga Springs. Our children were in marching band together and we were in the same ward (congregation). We immediately loved this dear family and my husband, Ken was assigned to be their home teacher, so we got to visit with them every month. (They were living with Amy’s parents in Draper while their home was being built, so they would stop by our home and chat after church.)

At the beginning of September Matt wasn’t feeling well and went to the doctor and got the horrible news that he had leukemia . He was admitted to the Huntsman Cancer Institute that day and began chemotherapy. His official diagnosis was Acute B Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Matt and his sweet wife Amy and their four daughters, Brittany, Olivia, Jessica and Megan fought with everything they had for the next 16 months. He never gave up and went through every procedure and chemo round like a

Matt before chemo

champ. The day after Matt was admitted to Huntsman, his oldest daughter Brittany received her mission call. She opened it at the hospital. She was called to serve in the same country Matt had served in many years before: Argentina. (different missions). They were both so excited and she was scheduled to leave on January 14. As time went on, Brittany realized her family needed her here to help with her younger sisters and be a support to her family while her parents were dealing with doctors, procedures, and side effects. She asked to postpone her mission. Matt had a bone marrow transplant in March and everyone thought he was going to beat this awful disease and Brittany resubmitted her mission papers, but within a few weeks had to recall them, as the cancer had returned. In December the doctors told Amy and Matt there was nothing more they could do. Brittany submitted her mission papers for the

third time and was hoping she would be assigned to the same place she was originally assigned. Everyone was so excited when she was called, again! to serve to in the Argentina Neuquen Mission.

She was to report to the MTC at the end of January. Matt was determined to speak her farewell on January 24 th . Prayers were heard and answered and great faith was exercised and he was able to give a wonderful talk and share his testimony at that meeting. It was such a wonderful experience and such a blessing to all who were able to be there. Matt passed away just 2 weeks later, on February 7, 2016.

Amy Little has been an unwavering example of faith and courage to all who know her over the past 2 years. She is one of the most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of being friends with. I love her and her family so much and when Stacey asked me to participate in the Duncan Project, I knew right off I wanted to make a quilt for Amy to commemorate her first 6 months without her dear and wonderful husband. I am honored to be able to remember little Duncan, to offer my love and support for Stacey,and to hopefully give a small measure of comfort to my dear friend Amy Little in remembrance of Duncan and our friend Matt.

I hope the Little family feels the "love in the stitches" and will find comfort from both sides of the veil.

Quilt #10 Marilyn Eyre

Our beautiful Marilyn receiving her quilt.

Quilt #9 was presented last night to my dearest friend, Marilyn Eyre.  We have known each other 38 years and she is a member of my beloved BOOK CLUB.  I am putting this in caps because it is not just a book club not "the" bookclub.  Over twenty years of sharing and deep connection.  This is the space for many of us where "our hearts sit down."

 Just over 5 years ago, Marilyn started to experience some shaking while raising her arms.  After a lengthy process Marilyn was finally diagnosed with a rare disease called Multiple System Atropy. MSA is a progressive neurological disorder that affects both the autonomic nervous system (blood pressure and digestion for example) and movement. The estimated prognosis is 7-9 years.  We have watched our Marilyn lose so much of her physical capability but her spirit remains so strong.  Through it all she continues to have a great sense of humor and has so much spiritual insight to share.  She has been a lesson in grace and dignity for all of us. At this point she is our teacher.  How to deal with hard things and still express faith and gratitude.  We are all better people because we know Marilyn. I hope she finds great comfort and there is "extra" love in the stitches for this beautiful woman who is still the same on the inside and has influenced me so deeply.

Also in the picture is Marilyn's best friend, Mary Duke.  Mary delivered this quilt for me.  She shared that she had no intent to be in the photo but she was reminding Marilyn to sit straight.  We all need a friend now and then to remind us to sit straight.

This photo was taken approximately 5 years ago when Marilyn and Mary
came to visit me in California.  Marilyn just
 joked with me about having "chubby cheeks."  I guess every thing is
perspective. She was never chubby, always gorgeous.  It made me smile.

First quilt with no pattern

Quilt #8 Jake and McKensie Rasmussen/Melanie Sims

Aren't they a beautiful couple?

Kensie and Mel

Quilt #8 is my second Hawaiian Postcard quilt and was given as a wedding gift to McKensie and Jake Rasmussen.  Kensie is the daughter of my dear friend Melanie Sims.The charter of this project was to create 100 quilts to provide comfort for those in transition. Getting married is certainly a very happy transition.

As I talked to Kensie about the project, we were chatting about how the postcard quilts are put together. As we talked, we realized that some of the fabric for the postcards had been given to me by women in our ward that had been Kensie's Young Women leaders. The backing for the quilt is a batik print of pineapples which has a special meaning for her.Many sweet coincidences.  It brings me joy to think that she will take a little Aloha from many sisters that loved her back here in Hawaii to her home in Orem. 

Pete, Kensie, Jake and Mel.

Another reason that I chose to make this quilt is to honor my dear friend, Melanie Sims.  At the time of Duncan's passing, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the Beach/Duncan/Stark and Tate families. She has a unique gift in times of crisis.  She doesn't just say, "call me if you need anything."  She looks for space to provide relief and just does it.  A diet coke and a space to have a truly "ugly" cry without any judgement.  A soothing discussion about God's will.   A trip to the beach to get away for an hour or two. Going with me to find materials and take them to the artist who would help us create a special remembrance for Duncan's parents. Mel is a "balm of Gilead" in difficult times.  It is HER GIFT and I will never forget her kindness. I reached out to Charlene Duncan for her thoughts.  She sent the following


Melanie Sims, such a dear sweet friend. Since the moment of Duncan's accident Melanie was one of the key people quietly orchestrating the fulfilling of every need for me and my family. Many times before we realized the need ourselves. And not just during the time we were in the hospital and for Duncan's service. She took care of us for six weeks until we moved off the island. Working with others to provide, organize and schedule meals, rides, errands, the cleaning of our home we were moving out of and inviting us all (that's 9 people) into her home after our pack out until our flights.  Into a home filled with peace and the Spirit...just what we needed rather than being in a hotel. Many special quiet moments of visiting shared and testimonies strengthened. She also help orchestrate the making of a very special memento. A mold of Duncan's hands we will treasure always. I will always cherish our time together and look forward to when we can be together again! I will hold her close to my heart! Love you Mel!

   

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