Quilt #36 Monica Waitz

Monica with her quilt

Monica Waitz is the 36th recipient in The Duncan Project. A good friend here in Hawaii, Terina Holmes, recommended Monica. The two women met while the Holmes family was stationed in Colorado. One thing I have experienced here in Hawaii with these wonderful military wives is how they love, support and care for each other. These relationships, which by necessity are formed quickly, often last long after the family has moved to the next duty station.
Monica is battling breast cancer.

Terina writes:

Love this fabric

I met Monica when we were in the same ward in Colorado Springs. I was assigned to be her visiting teacher. We had both recently had our third baby. Over time, we became friends. I got to know a little about her past and discovered what a strong woman she was. Then, with 3 small ones at home, she started the BYU Pathways program. While going to school, her husband got a great job offer, and they moved to Oklahoma to their dream property. She kept up her school, as well as homeschooling her kids. A few months ago she discovered she had breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and it now in the process of chemo therapy.

Monica seems to roll with whatever is thrown at her. She is realistic about how much it sucks, but she always has a positive attitude about whatever it is. Four babies back to back?? Great, she spent years unable to get pregnant, so she's grateful. Seven people in a tiny house? She's grateful to have a house that is all theirs. Two flat tires on the van? No big deal, she's glad to have a van to have the flat tires and a husband that will come home and take care of it. Breast cancer? Her trademark attitude doesn't fail. She gives herself a blue mohawk before her hair falls out.

I hoped Monica could receive one of these quilts to remind her that even though many of her friends and family are far away, we support and love her. A quilt is a physical reminder of not just me, but all those that love her from afar, and wish they could be closer to bring in a meal, watch her kids, or clean her house. Or hold her hand during chemo.

 I wish I knew this woman personally. I am grateful for Terina's inspiration. It is my hope that this lap quilt will provide a small measure of comfort. There is "love in the stitches" for this woman warrior.

Quilt #35 Matt and Rachel King

Baby blanket for the Kings

Quilt #35 was presented to Matt and Rachel

Rachel reading with Duncan and other children

King at the request of Alisa Beach, Duncan's mother. After many years, the Kings have a baby due this month.  They have chosen to wait  to see if it is a son or daughter. Alisa asked me to make a quilt using both Rachel's favorite color blue and Alisa's, orange. I found it interesting that Duncan and Rachel are wearing these colors in the photo.

Alisa wrote:

Matt and Rachel became part of our adopted family when we were living in Hawaii. At first, we began eating holiday dinners together. From there it grew until we created a tradition of sharing Sunday dinners most every week! 

Then Rachel asked if I could be her work out buddy...at 5am...doing the "Insanity" workout videos. Our friendship lasted through even this test.

Without fail every time they came over both Matt and Rachel would end up with a child in their lap, reading and play games while we spent the evening together. They are absolutely amazing with little ones, and our children were always asking when the Kings were coming over to play!

Matt reading with Duncan

As many of you know, Duncan's accident took  place on one of these Sunday evenings with our house full of friends. Rachel and Matt were there, and were a steadying presence throughout the experience. They drove Josiah and Ona back and forth between the hospital and the homes of our sweet friends who were watching them, so they could visit their brother (Duncan) and we could see them every day without leaving the hospital. I am so grateful for their friendship, their love and support.

Rachel carving pumpkins with Rebecca

I remember the night Rachel texted me to let me know she was pregnant. I called her immediately and had to run outside to avoid waking everyone up as I squealed with excitement for her! 

Rachel and Duncan had another special relationship as he was in her nursery class.  I am so happy for her to receive a "Duncan Quilt" to welcome her own  little one.  My heart is full as we celebrate these amazing friends welcoming their first precious baby into the world.

I felt Duncan very near as I worked on this quilt for the King's.  I hope they enjoy being a part of Duncan's legacy.

Love in the stitches...

Quilt #34 Parker Holt

Handsome Parker

Quilt # 34 was presented to Parker Holt.  Parker is the son of my dear friend of well over 20 years, Barbara Holt. Barbara also made and gifted quilts #9 and 26 for The Duncan Project.

Elder Holt, left

Barbara, Parker's mother wrote:

Parker was serving a mission in Salem Oregon for the LDS church, and was out only about 2 months, when he started having numbness in his left hand  from time to time. After several months, he also began experiencing spasms on the left side of his face along with the numbness in his hand. After 2 doctor visits and lots of physical therapy, it was determined that he needed to see a neurologist and have an MRI done. So after serving for 13 months, he was sent home January 7th. 2017.  He loved being a missionary and enjoyed the sweet people in Oregon and the great missionaries he got to work with. At home he had several MRI's on his neck and head  and on Friday, January 13 (not our lucky day) we got the results that evening--that Parker had a brain turmor.  Parker had surgery on January 23rd to remove a golf ball sized tumor from the right side of his head and we got biopsy results 2 weeks later.  

The official diagnosis is a Diffuse Astrocytoma, grade 2; stage 2.  We learned that it is quite rare; only 1,500 people (young adults) are diagnosed worldwide with this type of tumor annually. He had a 6 week follow up MRI and we are waiting for those results.  Chemo/radiation will probably be the next step. This will be something he will live with for the remainder of his life.  But he is optimistic and planning to work and start school in the fall, and move on with life as best he can.

Handsome Parker before
his mission

Parker, age 3, middle front at Tate kids 101 Dalmations
 Birthday Party, Spencer Tate, far back.

This health issue is not over for Parker or the Holts. Prayers continue for this valiant servant of God as he and his family face what comes next.

I adore Parker and his family. I hope he
will find some small measure of comfort in this little lap quilt.  There is so much "love in the stitches," as they face the next chapter.

One third of the Duncan
Project is complete.

Quilt #33 Pei Pei and Jennifer Grover

This little girl has the most adorable smile. Just looking at her makes me happy. 

Jen shared that Pei Pei already has them
wrapped around her finger. No surprise.

Quilt #33 was presented to adorable Pei Pei to celebrate her adoption by James and Jennifer Grover which was finalized on Valentine's Day 2017. They began the adoption process nearly a year ago and the family is absolutely thrilled to have her finally in their home.

This is Melanie, Jen's sister and my
buddy Emmett. They are here with me
 in Hawaii.

I first heard about Pei Pei from my dear friend, Melanie Willis back in December. I knew immediately that I wanted to make a Duncan Project quilt for her.

The Grover's have 10 children from 4 different continents. Four from the US (biological), two from the Congo, one from Kasakhstan and three from China (including Pei Pei). I can only imagine the questions they must field as this large, colorful family travels together.

Pei Pei is two years old and has  Down Syndrome, as do her two other adopted Chinese brothers.  All three Chinese children came from the same orphanage in Hangshou Province.

The Grovers are indeed a special family and I hope this little quilt will become a prized treasure for Pei Pei as the years go by. Somehow the bright colors just seem to fit this little spark of a girl.

There is aloha and "love in the stitches."

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.