Quilt #26 Shauna Barnett Uri donated by Barbara Holt

Quilt #26 was given to Shauna Barnett Uri by Barbara Holt on Saturday, November 20, 2016.

Shauna with her quilt.

Let's talk missionary service.  Not the young men that serve, but the mothers that stand behind them in faith. When a young man or woman decides to serve it is joyous .  And while the mother feels that joy as well and knows there is no where they would rather have their son/daughter, she also begins her two year walk of faith. How will her child handle the rigors of missionary service? Do they have the clothing, food, etc they need and how to communicate when news at home is bad.

Enter a wonderful proxy missionary mom, Shauna Barnett Uri. She loves and serves the missionaries in the Salem Oregon Mission but equal to that she has served the mothers of these missionaries even more.

Barbara's son Elder Parker Holt on left.
Sister Uri and Elder Thompson on right.

From Barbara:

Shauna told me she was so excited to get Parker.  She had seen the photo of the whole group and she said she picked him out to come to her ward.  Unfortunately 3 days after arriving in Oregon, Parker experienced severe chest pain and was rushed to the hospital where he spent 3 days. He was diagnosed with pericarditis and myocarditis (which has resolved itself), but during his hospital stay Sister Uri took time from her busy schedule to visit him several times. She called me and spoke at length with me and made sure that he (and his companion) understood all of the directions the doctors gave when he was discharged.

 It really was such a comfort to know that someone was watching over him.  

She feeds the missionaries who are serving in Dallas, Oregon three to four times a week.  She takes them on hikes on p-day.  She makes sure they have goodies for all of the holidays and takes them out to lunch on their birthday. Recently one of the missionary moms posted on the parent group that her 24 year old son was killed in a car accident and her son who is serving in Salem is struggling with his brother’s death. Shauna and her good friend went right to work finding out what his favorite things were. They put a huge care package together and drove an hour to his apartment to give it to him that very day!

Shauna hiking with missionaries.

She will do anything for the missionaries serving in the Salem Oregon Mission!  She is amazing.  They rely on her and call when they need advice or have questions as to what they should do.  If they need an urgent message sent to their mother (pants emergency! Shoes emergency! etc) they let Sister Uri know who then lets their mom know.  She also takes lots of pictures of every missionary she can and texts them to their mother.  I have so many photos of my missionary she has sent me!  It was so fun to get them!!


Shauna is a single mom of 4 children.  Her oldest is married, and she has a daughter attending college in Virginia.  So she only has 2 boys in high school left at home.  She owns her own cleaning business and goes to school.  She teaches early morning seminary. She is remarkable and would do anything for anyone.  She is a HUGE blessing to the parents of the missionaries who serve in Oregon.  We all love her!  I’ve been blessed to have lunch with her TWICE!  when she came to Utah.  If I need anything at all I can text her and I know it will be taken care of.  She is one remarkable woman and I wish I could do more than this quilt to thank her for all she does for these young men and women.

One of many Facebook posts that mades Parker's mom smile

I love honoring this beautiful sister with a quilt.  The "love in the stitches" echoes the love and concern she shows for missionary families and reminds us that we do not need to be called to serve.  It reminds me of the Camilla Kimball quote, "Never suppress a generous thought."  Shauna exemplifies this and puts those thoughts into action.  I am inspired.

Isnt this back gorgeous!

Quilt front

Quilt #23 Debbie and Asher Worthen Gilbert

Quilt #23 was presented to Debbie Worthen Gilbert for her newly adopted son (final today!!) Asher. Spoiler Alert: This story has a very happy ending.

Darling Frog Quilt donated by Sandra Chin

Debbie is the sister-in-law of my dear friend Maidy Worthen. When I talked to Maidy a few months ago about The Duncan Project, she shared with me a little of Debbie's journey to add another child to their family. 

Here is Debbie's story in her own words:

Asher on adoption day!

For years we wanted more kids! Since we already had two girls we could not figure out why we weren't successful.  After a miscarriage 2 years ago  (and turning 40) we knew we needed to go another route.  A few months later we were invited to a scholarship dinner for 'at risk' kids.  Kids who had beaten the odds and had made it through high school.  One kid was homeless, one girl had a baby when she was 15, kept it, and managed to get good enough grades to get accepted to college.  It was so inspirational.  That night I told my husband we are supposed to do more.  We didn't know exactly what that meant.  Since I work on TV we thought it might mean I use my high profile position in the community to become some kind of advocate for troubled youth.  A few days later (and I'm actually crying while I'm writing this which is surprising me) I was getting my hair cut and my hairdresser mentioned another client who was a foster parent.  It was a total answer to a prayer.  I KNEW that's what we were supposed to do. 

I called my husband and told him to think about it.  His exact words were,"Isn't it only weirdos that foster kids?"  I actually still laugh at that because the truth was, I had never know anyone who HAD done it!  But, he's an awesome guy who basically follows every single prompting I get with a smile on his face. 

We started the process the get licensed and about six months later we got our license.  Three days later we had our first baby... just in time for Christmas.  His name was Julian and he was two months old.  Absolute blessing!  (Anyone who has ever had a baby knows the feeling that child brings into the home is nothing short of a gift from God.)

A couple of months later we gave him to his grandma where he is loved and thriving.

Two weeks later we got another call.  Another baby boy needed us.  His story was much worse.  He was three months old, severely neglected.  Couldn't make eye contact or hold his head up.  His head was stuck to one side.  (Likely because he wasn't held.  Just stuck in a car seat.)  He didn't cry (sign of neglect) and his arms and legs were limp.  We found out his parents panhandled with him in his stroller in 20 degree temperatures.  They would leave him at the homeless shelter while they left to sell drugs.  He had pneumonia and whooping cough at six weeks.  This was all after detoxing from heroine and meth at birth.

Gilbert Family

After a couple of weeks at our home he was smiling and making eye contact.  After several physical therapy sessions he could turn his head.  Three months later doctors told us he showed no signs of missing milestones. 
Our adoption is final 10 days before his first birthday.  He's a wild man that is always happy.  We named him 'Asher' after finding out that name means 'blessed, fortunate happy one'!  The reality is, we needed him a lot more than he needed us.  God is good.  He answers prayers and there are no mistakes when it comes to his children.

I love how the blessings come when we respond to the promptings of the Spirit.  I am so happy to share this beautiful story.

There is "Love in the Stitches."

 

The quilt was sewn and donated by my

mentor Sandra Chin

Quilt #24 Doris Bosworth

Quilt #24 was presented to Doris Bosworth by Kaye Cox on November 5th, 2016. Kaye Cox is the mother of my good friend Cherie Johnson. While the Coxes were visiting here in Hawaii, we met up at McDonald's and started talking about The Duncan Project. When I talk about the project, I always ask if there is anyone they know of that has been going through a difficult trial/transition and might find comfort in a quilt. Kaye told me the story of their dear friend Doris Bosworth who recently lost her son Daniel.

Doris with her quilt and a picture of  her beloved son Daniel

This is her story.

During the holidays last year (2015), Doris and her husband were on a lengthy cruise around South America when they received word that their son Daniel had been hospitalized and was in critical condition.

They made every effort to return home to be with him but unfortunately Daniel passed away before they could get back home. The loss of a child is difficult enough but what followed afterward made their grief even more profound.

Daniel and his wife were separated at the time of the Daniel's injuries. However, his wife was still the one making decisions about Daniel's care. Upon his passing and before his parents could get to the hospital, his wife had his body cremated.

The Bosworths were never able to see their son or his body again in this life.

His ashes were left at the Bosworth home but one day when the adults were not home, his wife retrieved the urn and spread his ashes without care for the wishes of his parents. She has never shared with them the location of their sons ashes.

This series of events has made it incredibly difficult for the Bosworths to process the passing of their son Daniel. I cannot imagine saying goodbye to a son without being able to see his body and have the closure that brings.

When Kaye finished telling me about Doris, I immediately started thinking about a quilt for the Bosworths.  Kaye told me their family loves being on the ocean and that they have a home in Florida. In addition, she shared with me that Daniel had a special love and gift with animals, especially dogs. The paws on the quilt are the first time, I have attempted applique and I love how it turned out, almost as if a dog is walking onto the quilt.

The sacrifices of our Savior give hope to us all and everything I know tells me they will see their dear son again. In the Spirit World, Daniel has the opportunity to continue to grow in his knowledge of the Savior. I hope when Doris looks at her quilt, she will find comfort in this knowledge.  And that it will remind her of the many loving friends and family on both sides of the veil that surround her, including Daniel. Reminds me of the hymn, "the time is far spent, there is little remaining" till she will be reunited with the son she loves.

There is love in the stitches for this grieving mom.

Update on Quilt #20 Michele

Today Michele (Recipient of quilt #20) commented on her post and shared a little of her story. I am reposting her comment here. The comments don't always show and I think those who follow the blog will be inspired by her testimony, courage and faith:

This is Michele,
I don't even know how to tell you how much this means to me! You are one of the most amazing, selfless people I have had the honor to come in contact with. This quilt has meant so much to me and I have found it to be a comfort, as well as your letter on some dark days. Like you, we have received so much love and support from friends and acquaintances. It has helped us through some of the healing.
The day I received the quilt I was shocked that a loving sister that didn't even know me would do this. This project is wonderful and I am so thankful to you for sharing your story about Duncan with me. His family sounds amazing and very forgiving. I know first hand how even when they know it is an accident, it is still so painful. I was not ready to share my story the day I received the quilt but I can share some of it now.
My 20 year old son had been home from his LDS mission for 10 days. He was driving late at night, fell asleep and was in a car accident. The two teens in the other car died and my son only received a bump on his head. We have had so much heartache because of this night. This is something he will live with his whole life and as a Mother I want so badly to take this away. We personally knew both families of the teens and they are suffering so much. Publicly one of the teens Fathers said he knew it was an accident and forgave my son. We have a long road of temporal trials to get through, but I can honestly say that we know our loving Heavenly Father and our Savior are looking out for this boy! There have been some really hard challenges but also some wonderful blessings. Would I take this away if I could? Of course! But it is through people like you, (that don't even know us), friends, neighbors and family reaching out that have made such difference in his life. He will be okay eventually, I have felt that through some pretty powerful answers while on my knees.
It truly does help to know other people's stories and know we are not alone. Thank you so much for you loving kindness. I would love to help in any way that I can.
I love you❤️ Michele

Thank you Michele for this tender mercy.