Quilt #51 Julie Elmont Barr

Julie receiving her quilt.

Quilt #51 was presented last week to Julie Barr. Julie is the sister of my dear friend Marilee Davis.

Marilee shared her story:

Julie Barr is a single mother of three grown children and lives in Vernal, Utah. One of her best friends had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was nearing the end of her battle. Julie traveled to Colorado to be near Kristen's side as well as help her children through the difficult time. On August 26th,while traveling to the hospice center, Julie was hit head on by a truck that veered into her lane. Both vehicles were going 55 mph. Miraculously Julie survived.

Julie and Kristen

Julie was in the ICU from August 25-September 18th while they repaired her torn abdominal wall, her broken elbow, tendons in her left hand. They reconstructed her entire right knee, set her broken femur, repaired her tibia and fibula in both legs, as well she endured a tracheotomy tube for over a month. She suffered a number of strokes caused by blood clots from the accident. Miraculously, she did not sustain any brain damage.

Julie with her two sons, daughter, and
daughter in law.

Julie remained in the hospital in Colorado until November 9, 2017 when she was medically transported to Orem, Utah . She is now closer to family and friends. After many months of rehab and therapy, Julie will test out her new knee and repaired legs for the first time on December 22nd.
Julie has remained so positive and optimistic throughout this ordeal. Her daughter Kennadi has remained by her side everyday, as well she has had incredible support from family and friends. Julie's friend Kristen passed away on September 8, 2017. It was a blessing for Julie to serve her friend before the accident.
Julie and her entire family are so grateful for the miracles they have witnessed and the strength Julie has been blessed with. She is amazing! 

There is love in the stitches for the courageous, compassionate woman.

Julie the night of the accident.

Julie's Maxima after the accident.

First day with trach removed.

Quilt #52 Eloise Beach donated by Hickham Quilting Charity Cooperative

Eloise. Isn't she adorable

Brother Duncan Beach

Quilt #52 was given to the Eloise Beach. Eloise is a rainbow baby. Which means, she is the next to be born after a child has passed. I felt confident that she and Duncan had a few discussions before she came to earth.

Alisa, Duncan's mother send me a sweet message upon receiving the quilt. I asked is I could share a portion:

Stacey thank you so much, this came at the most perfect time. We had just come in the house after taking some family pictures when I saw your note. This is one of those things that has been a little difficult. It didn’t bother me so much having pictures of Josiah and Ona without Duncan because even when he was here they had plenty of their own pictures. But it has been hard taking pictures of Josiah, Ona, and Eloise without Duncan and thinking we’ll never have a picture of Eloise with him. Of all the things I don’t mind and the things that don’t bother me at all, I feel so silly stumbling over this small thing. I know Eloise’s connection to Duncan is stronger than ours right now anyway, but opening this quilt tonight was perfect. It’s a connection between her and her brother that I get to see. One more little coincidence that shows He loves us and keeps us in mind.
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Kay is a master quilter and I love her blue hair.

 One of my favorite parts of this project so far, have been the fellow quilters that have donated to the project and taught me so much, not only about quilting but about giving in general.

This particular quilt was donated by the Hickham Quilting Charity Cooperative. This group meets every Sunday to sew quilts for charity and they have a goal to creat 100 quilts this next year. They donated 3 quilts to The Duncan Project. They have a FB page @HickamQuiltingCharityCooperative.

I get to quilt with many of these great women on Thursdays and I particulary love that they are a military group since the military brought the Duncan/Beach family to Hawaii.

This project has been such a source of comfort and learning for me and numerous others. There is love in the stitches for sweet Eloise Beach.

Quilt #50 Zola Given

Isn't her smile infectious?

Parents Jeff and Cortney with Zola and sister Gray

Quilt #50 was presented to Zola Given by her Aunt Cassidy. The quilt was sewn by a family friend in their ward. The family friend wanted to sew a quilt as bright and happy as this little one.

Zola is a miracle baby. At 18 weeks pregnant, the parents, Jeff and Courtney Given, were informed that Zola had a heart condition called Left Hypoplastic Heart Syndrome, a rare and complex cogenital heart defect which caused the left side of the heart to be critically underdeveloped.

This sweet girl was born in March and lives up to her special nickname, "Super Zola."

She has already had numerous major procedues and her family continues to show great faith in God's plan for this little one.

They have many hundreds of prayers on behalf of Zola. There is love in the stitches and continued support, love and concern for this joyful, miraculous little one and her family.