Quilt #32 Raeleigh donated by Sandra Chin

This beautiful quilt was designed and donated by Sandra Chin.She fussy cut all the little
bears and made this charming scrappy quilt. I will definately steal the pattern and
I continue to be awed by her generousity to me and The Duncan Project.

Quilt #32 was given to an adorable 2 year old girl named Raeleigh. This little one has cancer and is soon to go through what is hoped to be her last round of chemo. Her story is still being written.

Since I began this project, I have become so very aware of how many people are struggling with cancers of all types and varieties. My own mother had breast cancer less than a year ago. What I probably didn't fully appreciate is the number of children and young adults battling this monster.

My love and thoughts go out to this little one.

Love in the stitches....

       

Quilt #31 Kevin

I adore the prints in this quilt. Reminds me of home.

Quilt #31 was given to a friend of mine from high school. My friend was recently diagnosed with an aggresive form of cancer.  He will endure multiple rounds of chemo that are administered every three weeks or so.  The process of recovery after each round is exhausting. To that end, I let him know that we do not need photos or his story in his own words right now. He may choose to share some of his experience at a later date.

Thinking about the gift of this quilt caused me to begin pondering about what it means to turn our hearts in prayer on behalf of others. How many times do we respond to a troubled Facebook post with "sending prayers."

What is the value of this type of prayer? I know I have been on the receiving end of prayers in recent days. Knowing that others were praying for me as I faced our trials provided an extra measure of comfort. I experienced feelings of love and connectedness and my burden was made lighter as I knew I was not carrying it alone.

I started looking for articles on the subject and found a quote by David A. Bednar:

Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others...is also an important element of meaningful prayer. Just as expressing graittude more often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation, so praying for others with all of the energy in our souls increases our capacity to hear and to head the voice of the Lord."

Sandra Chin
My favorite binder.

In a message I received from Kevin, he said "Thank you for your prayers.  I feel such support from all those who do so. It strengthens my faith."

I echo his message. Love in the stitches...

Quilt #30 Britni Duke donated by Mary Duke

Miss Britni

Quilt # 30 was presented to Britni Duke on January 30 2017. Mary, her mother writes: Britni has struggled with depression and anxiety over the last several years. She has been in and out of hospitals for at least the last 10 years trying to find a way out of her darkness and get a grasp on the right treatment and the right meds for her condition. As her mother I have struggled with Britin's disease for as long as she has. It is hard to see your child in such deep pain. There are times when I have just had to get away because I just can't take it anymore. But then I feel guilt because she can't seem to escape it. I started this quilt for Britni several years ago but just didn't make the time to finish it. When Stacey told me about the Duncan project, I thought it would be the perfect time to finish it and present it to her. I didn't want to give it to her when she was sleeping in bed day after day. So it was finished about 2 weeks before I gave it to her. The last few days she has been up and seems to be doing great, setting goals and working toward them again. There is hope! This is not the end of her journey I am sure, but I am seeing improvement in her. I hope she understands that this quilt is a symbol of my love and support.
(Thus the hearts in the middle of each square) I am not the perfect mom, but I do the best with what I know. And I know she understands that. On the tag of the quilt there is a thought that my friend Joan Schneiter gave to me that I really love. It says... "The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of us, but those who win battles we know nothing about." Britni, You can win this battle, and you will.

Mary and her sweet Britni

The color and detail of these blocks
is so beautiful

I echo my support for this gentle hearted woman. Britni, there is love in the stitches not only from your mom but many others who support you and are cheering you on.