Quilt #86 Ben Kalish

Ben received treatment at UCLA

Early this summer I received a text from our good friend Colleen Low. Her son Carter had received a  Duncan Quilt as he battled cancer a couple of years ago (thankfully he is now in remission). She wondered if a quilt could be created for Carter's boyhood friend, Ben Kalish.

Ben was a 21 year old college student due to graduate next year, when he was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma. This type of cancer is rare and aggressive. He soon learned that his course of treatment would last a year consisting of 16 rounds of chemo.

Reading a little about Ben, I learned of his love for hiking and the outdoors. His quilt has map fabric incorporated into the design.

The last update showed that his numerous tumors are shrinking. Ben has wonderful family and friends supporting his on this difficult journey.

We hope this quilt is a reminder to Ben of the many people who love him and are praying for strength and comfort for him and his family.

Love in the stitches....

Quilt #84 Mary Ann Liefting donated by Book Club

Quilt #84 was given to Mary Ann Liefting by our Book Club.  This spring, Mary Ann lost her beautiful son Josh

I asked Mary Ann if I could share her post on Facebook when Josh passed:

I can't believe I have to post this. The world lost a kind, beautiful soul yesterday. We lost our sweet son, Josh Burdette. He was one of the kindest and funniest people I knew, if you were lucky enough to know him well, you know these things to be true. The world will be a sadder place without him in it.

Josh and his loving sister Mikel

Please say hello to your dad and mine. Love you pooch/posh. Until we meet again. Mom

It is so clear from her words how much she adored this sweet son. We attended the funeral and many family members spoke to honor Josh.  The stories of this clever young man made many laugh through the tears. He was truly one of a kind.

Through her loss, Mary Ann, shows extraordinary grace and strength. She knows that Josh is loved by our Heavenly Father and is now with loved ones on the other side.

Members of Book Club decided at lunch after the funeral that we wanted to make a quilt to honor Josh and to express our love and support for our dear Mary Ann. There is so much love in the stitches....

Quilt #83 Kiley and Chandlor Issacs-Inn

Spoiler Alert: This one is a story with a very happy ending.

Most of the recipients of the Duncan Project quilts are navigating through difficult trials. I wanted to make a quilt for these beautiful newlyweds to honor the hope and joy we all feel when two beautiful friends marry.

I remember Kiley showing me a picture of this very handsome missionary that she hoped to date one day (her best friend Savannah was serving in New Zealand with Chandlor and hoped to line them up when he finished his mission).

I recall her optimism and thinking that the odds of it happening were pretty slim. i guess age has made me jaded. Boy, was I wrong. They did end up dating and they married this August.

If you met this couple you might notice that they both radiate goodness in the same way. They both have bright smiles and gentle, loving hearts.

In a world with so many hard things, theirs is a hopeful fairy tale. So happy to witness their
beautiful sealing and hope they feel the love in these stitches.

Quilt #82 Josiah Beach donated by Terry Powell and Stacey Tate

Josiah with his quilt at the bowling alley

Quilt #82 was given to Josiah Beach to celebrate his baptism. Josiah is Duncan's older brother. Over the last few years I have heard a few tender stories of how Josiah misses his younger brother Duncan and a sweet testimony that he is looking forward to reuniting with his younger brother. Josiah has a sure and tender faith that confirms his understanding of where Duncan is now and often talks of being with him again.

Josiah received this quilt quite by coincidence on Duncan's birthday. His mother Alisa shared with me that on the morning of Duncan's birthday, Josiah told her that he had had a dream about Duncan. He couldn't remember what happened but he told her "Mom, this is my lucky day! I got to dream about Duncan last night."

Terry Powell donated this quilt top to The Duncan Project a few months ago.  When I saw it, I immediately noted the airplane fabric. I remember seeing videos of Duncan and Josiah watching videos of airshows with their Grandpa Duncan and I thought it would be a perfect for Josiah to remind him of his brother in heaven and celebrate his baptism. It also had a large orange sections of fabric which was Duncan's favorite color.

 I decided to machine quilt this quilt with a star pattern only to be reminded by Josiah's mother that each member of this family has a symbol (Duncan's was a palm tree). What I didn't know was that Josiah's is a star in the middle of a firework. Another sweet coincidence.

The Jensens, Beaches and Duncans at the bowling alley celebrating Duncan's birthday

Duncan loved to bowl and their family continues to celebrate his birthday at the bowling alley each year. Such a beautiful way to remember him and his loving influence during his short time on each.

I hope Josiah will enjoy this quilt and that it will serve as a reminder of the eternal nature of families. There is a strong connection between these brothers and I hope Josiah will feel the love in these stitches...

Quilt #81 Elisabeth Hagan

Quilt #81 was given to Elisabeth Hagan in June.
A month or so earlier. I received a message from Elisabeth 's mother Tessa saying that she had come across The Duncan Project and wondered how the recipients are chosen.

She shared with me  information about her beautiful daughter Elisabeth and her love for quilts.

Elisabeth was born with the CMV virus (see Quilt #60) and as a result she has a number of health challenges, the most prominent one being Cerebral Palsy.
Sweet Elisabeth is quadriplegic and non verbal, but in her mother's words, "she eye gazes everything and we've never understood why, but she's always had a love for quilts."

Elisabeth's parents have loved and cared for her since her birth but this year they were able to officially adopt her. Elisabeth turned 15 in June.

Such a beautiful smile. She blesses many lives!

Tessa, Elisabeth's mother shared with me that Elisabeth loves bright colors, being around people, being in the outdoors and just life in general. Just looking at her photos you can see the light she brings this world.

This quilt was waiting for her.

There is love in the stitches for Elisabeth and her wonderful family,

Quilt #79 Jarek Archuletta donated by Mary Duke

Quilt #79 was donated to a young man named Jarek Archuletta. Jarek was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma in March of this year. This type of cancer is rare and develops in the womb. The malignant cells mimic the developing skeletal muscle of the embryo.  It is the most common soft tissue sarcoma occurring in children and is aggressive and fast growing.

Jerek turned 18 in December and graduated from American Preparatory Academy this past spring. He has undergone some pretty horrific surgeries and is halfway done with his chemotherapy treatments. 

Things are looking good. He has faced this bravely and is such a trooper. No sitting around feeling sorry for himself. This summer he is working at  the Hinckley Boy Scout Camp. He works hard all week then comes home for chemo treatments and after a few days is back up to work at the scout camp. This kid is amazing.

Jarek is blessed with a loving supportinve family. Jarek's mom wrote:

Jarek is smart, funny and strong. He is always so positive and willing to fight for what he knows is right. He knows he can accomplish whatever he puts his mind to.

This quilt was pieced and hand quilted by Sue Rogers, a woman who knows more than she wants about having a child with cancer. Her son is currently fighting brain cancer. 

There is truly love in the stitches for this courageous young man...

Quilt # 80 Toni Martin donated by Book Club

Quilt #80 was gifted to Toni Martin from our entire book club to celebrate Toni's remarkable life on her 60th birthday. We want to thank Toni for her goodness and listening ear. Our book club has been meeting since January of 1995 and Toni was a founding member.

60th birthday

Toni has a gift of making people feel special! She has been an example of strength to all of us a wonderful wife and mother. She also taught school for over 30 years and was a beloved teaching, including teaching children of members of our book club.

Team Toni at a 5K. She has so many adoring family members and friends.

Currently, our dear Toni is battling stage 4 melanoma. She is in the fight of her life to beat the beast.She is definitely not on the "fun bus." However, through it all she continues to show us how to bear this with grace, dignity and a huge dose of humor. She continues to make us smile. Her devoted family is helping her through this difficult trial. We love and adore Toni, and want her to know we are with her during this challenging time.

Book Club friends with Toni, her daughter and granddaughters

Joan Schneiter wrote a poem celebrating our dear Tones:

For Toni On Her Sixtieth Birthday, June 18th, 2019

Whenever I think of Toni, 

I think of TOE, KNEE, CHINN.

I think of a row of sister in church 

With meticulously coiffed, gorgeous auburn hair.

I think of Tonette, Tonz, teacher, sister, mother, grandma 

Aunt, friend, and the best wife ever!

When I think of Toni,

I think of cookie dough fights in college-- 

Toni rolled over with laughter!

Back in the day, Barbra Streisand belting

During late nights and pure listening--just chatting

Solving the world’s problems.

When I think of Toni, I think of Mrs. Martin

Pursuing perfectly crafted pedagogical practices 

To enlighten the minds of hundreds of children.

Mrs. Martin always the student completing hundreds of hours of 

Professional development well beyond her Master’s degree

Inspiring her students to become teachers.

Mrs. Martin--My favorite teacher! 

“Oh captain, My captain!”

  

When I think of Toni, I think of a fun bus to “you know where!”

Loaded with family in the front seats 

Book club gals swinging their bras out the back windows--

Even the bus jiggling, giggling, dancing to the music! 

When I think of Toni,

I think of young adult literature: 

Wonder, Flipped, The War that Saved My Life and The War I Finally Won--

Intense discussions regarding

Themes and imagery.

I think of Toni with both hands over her heart

And sighing at the beauty of words floating off the page and landing gently 

Under her lovely hands taking up residence in her heart.

When I think of Aunt Toni,

I think of reunion!

Preparing all year for auction

Nine square and unga bunga initiation--saved for the chosen few

Lucky enough to be part of the Chinn Clan.

I think of an auntie and sister with the fiercest of loyalty!

When I think of  Tonz,

I think of fun-overs.

Granddaughters dashing to Grandma Tonz

Wanting to cozy up with a seasonal children’s book.

I think of the prayers of angel grandchildren for their Tonz!

I think of expertly crafted quilts for beloved babies.

I think of generations yet to come--

Blessing momma Tonz. 

When I think of Toni,

I think of strength and patience at fighting 

The beast of melanoma! 

I think of courage, love, peace, and pain.

I think of thousands of prayers asking for a 

Miracle to keep our Toni with us.

I think of Heavenly help when she is alone--

Which is practically never 

Since Grant Man won’t leave her side.

I think of the strongest men I know bowing to our maker pleading for our Toni’s health!

I think of sons giving complete devotion to their momma,

And I think of mother and daughter and their blessed relationship.

When I think of Toni, I think of music, art, literature, and

The loveliness of our earthly state.

I think of peonies, roses, and a profusions of flowers 

Tumbling out of pots greeting visitors.

I think of genuine spirituality--true Christlike living!

I think of her immense influence,

Tiny Pieces of lives all connected

Through Toni’s loving hands

Now wrapping her in a graceful quilt of strength, devotion, and tenderness--

Making a collective creation of her love.

The love in these stitches cannot be measured...