Quilt #100 Soliven Family

Quilt #100 was gifted so the Soliven Family. 

Last fall I received a message from Alisa Beach, Duncan's mother.. She had heard that the Soliven family from her former Wapiolani Ward has lost their little boy named Dan. She asked me to create a quilt for them. Alisa knew the painful road they would travel and wanted a quilt to show her love and support.

I had a quilt top with Hawaiian fabrics that I had started years before and decided this might be the right quilt to finish and gift.

I had a couple of spiritual experiences with this quilt that continue to remind me that we are all connected

The first has to do with the quilting on the quilt. After putting together the quilt top and bottom, I sent the quilt off to a woman named Donna who does longarm machine quilting (the sewing that holds the layers together). Donna is a true artist . She adds so much detail to each quilt.

I was puzzled when I picked up the quilt. She had added little fish between the squares, something I hadn't intended. I wondered if this was the right quilt for this family. After praying about it, I decided to let go and just trust that it would work out. I have had a number of these experiences where I thought I knew what to do only to be guided in a different direction.

A few days later I received a text from Dani Soliven thanking me for the gift, part of it read::

This is Dani Soliven, Baby Dan's mother. The quilt you made is beautiful. When I opened it up, it immediately made me think of my little local boy. How he loved the beach, looking for fish and just being outside in general. 

One of the patches on the quilt is the same fabric as a pair of shorts he had as well.

I had tears running down my face as I texted back about the addition of the fish. It almost felt like a little heavenly wink.

The second has to do with the timing of the quilt. When I received the request, I was working on Quilt #97. This should have been finished as #98. I completed the quilt and had it sitting ready to be gifted. One night as I walked across my room, the quilt was in my sight and the words came so clearly to my mind, "It all begins and ends with a little boy." This project, that has spanned nearly 5 years and has been source of healing and connection for me and so many others, would be book ended by these two amazing Spirits, Duncan and Dan. I know that these two boys are busily engaged in God's work on the other side of the veil and will be reunited with their earthly families in the future.

It is my testimony as the official project has reached the goal of 100  that God is in the details of our lives. He knows us, loves us and looks to comfort and bless us with comfort often accomplished by the hands of his children here on the earth.

This quilt in honor of Baby Dan has so much love in the stitches from all those who have experienced loss and come to understand the eternal nature of families.

 

Quilt #98 Marta Chapman donated by Mary Duke

Mary Duke writes:

Quilt #98 goes to a dear lady, Marta Chapman.

Marta has blessed our lives through the years with her kindness and generosity. She is a person who is always looking for ways she can bless those around her. I have been the recipient of that love and kindness, but my oldest daughter has been a recipient of her goodness over and over through the years. My daughter suffers with depression, and when she gets really down Marta sends love and prayers and little gifts that make my daughter feel special and love.

A few months ago Marta told me she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. I immediately decided that I wanted to make her a quilt. I was excited to give back a little of the love she so freely gives. Ironically, when I took the quilt to her, she, her husband, and son were super sick with Covid 19. But as you can see from the picture, they are recovering well. Her oldest grandchildren are pretty cute too don't you think?

Before I could even create this post, Marta had written a long, loving post about Mary Duke and all she does for others on Facebook (which is absolutely true).

This started to make me wonder about how these type of people are drawn into our lives. Those who are gifted at selfless giving. Does it come naturally or is it a talent that requires practice. I don't know the answer but I do know that the more we acknowledge these "hands of God" with gratitude the more we see the goodness in our lives. The more connected we feel to God and each other.

There is love in the stitches for not only Marta Chapman but also dear Mary Duke who has donated so many quilts to The Duncan Project and blessed my life personally in so many ways.

Quilt #99 Jaelyn Faye donated by Mary Duke and Terry Powell

Quilt #99 was given to this adorable 9 year old girl Jaelyn Faye by Mary Duke and Terry Powell. The quilt  was requested by previous quilt recipient  Heather Welch.  

This girl with the infectious smile has been dealing with the effects of her cancer for 4 years now. Heather Welch writes:

Jaelyn was diagnosed with a stage 3 supratentorial anaplasic ependymoma brain tumor July 17, 2017. She had a 6 hour surgery where they removed the entire tumor. Before and after surgery Jaelyn started losing mobility in the right side of her body. She then traveled to Seattle with her mom for treatment. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald house for 2 months while Jaelyn received 33 round of proton radiation. She goes to physical therapy to work on walking and waking up her right foot. She has very little mobility from her ankle to her toe. She has had clean scans since her surgery. She is 3 years cancer free! She now has MRI appointments every 6 months. With all that, this kid does not let all of this stop her from doing fun things with her family. You will see her running, ice skating, bike riding, doing gymnastics, singing and so much more! She's absolutely amazing!

She loves her purple quilt.

This little gal just inspires me. There is sunny love in the stitches for this amazing girl.

I also want to give a shout out to Mary Duke. She has been such an important part of The Duncan Project. I don't know the exact number she has donated but it is significant. In addition, she has inspired me to keep going. I remember one day when I came to her home with a quilt that I had machine quilted only to find out that the stitches were too loose. I knew I needed to unpick the entire back (hundreds of thousands of stitches). I was teary and my friend Mary grabbed two seam rippers and helped me unpick a large portion and sent me off with renewed energy to complete the quilt which became one of my favorites.

I am so grateful for all the talented quilters who has participated in The Duncan Project. You are my mentors, heros and friends. I have been richly blessed.

Quilt #96 Pat M.

Quilt #96 was gifted to Pat M. The quilt was requested by his sister in honor of Pat's son.

Pat's son was an amazing man. He served his country for almost 15 years. He served at the highest levels of the Army starting his career in the 82nd Airborne Division then becoming a ranger in 75th Ranger Regiment, and finishing his career as a Green Beret at 7th group . He was deployed for a total of six overseas assignments and was awarded the Silver Star, the nation's third highest honor for "his gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life."

Pat's son lost his life in July of 2020. 

It is my hope that this quilt honors this brave soldier and comforts his family. Love in the stitches... 

 

Quilt #97 Vaughn Belliston donated by Charlene Duncan

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Quilt #97 was given to Vaughn Belliston and was donated to The Duncan Project by Charlene Duncan, Duncan's maternal grandmother.

A few weeks ago, Charlene Duncan contacted me and let me know that she was able to complete a quilt for donation to The Duncan Project. The process of her completing this donated quilt is worthy of a separate post.

I had just had a conversation with a dear friend that week about the possibility of making a quilt for her sister who had gone through some recent difficulties. I expected that she was likely the recipient of Charlene's quilt. However, when I received the quilt, I knew it was meant for someone else.

I have received these types of impressions numerous time during The Duncan Project. I have learned at this point that whenever I feel this way to take a step back, be open and just wait for the whisperings of the Spirit. 

While pondering where the quilt should be go, the name Vaughn Belliston kept coming to my mind.

We recently moved to a new ward. Due to the COVID 19 restrictions, we haven't been able to meet many members in person. A month or so ago, I received a mass email to the ward, sharing that Sister Sue Belliston had passed away from cancer. I had never met her but each person that spoke of her, remarked on her devoted service and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The impressions that this was quilt was to go to Sue's husband Vaughn were strong and consistent throughout the day. I began to wonder how to give Vaughn the quilt since we have never met  I contacted my ministering sister to ask a little more about the Bellistons. She reiterated once again what an amazing example of service Sue had been. She also shared that Barbie and Steve Young. close friends of the Belliston's  might be the right people to deliver the quilt.

I reached out to the Young's with my request. They shared with me that Sue had battled cancer four times and she had confidence that she would be healed again when she was taken from this earth. I also learned that Sue was a gifted quilter. 

I had the fleeting thought that perhaps Sue had found one more way to remind her sweet husband of her love for him with this quilt.

Through this project, I had become so aware and convinced of how connected we all are. We are God's hands. Love from him flows through us to touch his sons and daughters. 

Many thanks to Charlene and Steve and Barbie Young. There is such love in the stitches for Vaughn and Sue Belliston.

Quilt #95 Suzanne Storer donated by Mary Duke

Quilt #95 was presented to Suzanne Storer by Mary Duke.

Mary writes: 

Duncan Quilt #95 goes to Suzanne Storer. Suzanne is a woman who is an awesome example of charity. It seems she always has someone she is loving and serving.

There have been several times in my life that she has been a strength and sounding board for me. When she lost a dear friend a few months ago to cancer, I decided she needed a Duncan quilt.

Suzanne's dear friend, Teresa, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer about 6 years ago. At the same time Teresa was going through an awful divorce. So Teresa was left alone with her two daughters to fight this battle. 

Suzanne was there with her all along the way. She took her doctor's appointments, cleaned her house, cooked many meals and helped with her girls (and teenage girls can be a handful).

In the picture, where I presented Suzanne the quilt, there is a sign about her head that say, "Simply." In Suzanne's quilt are squares spelling out the word love. When I looked at the photo later, I realized that the picture explains perfectly what Suzanne is good at...Simply loving all she meets.

Love is literally in the stitches in this quilt. It is quilted with so much love, and LOVE is literally stitched into the quilt.

Anyone who spends any time with Suzanne will feel of her kindness and generosity.  There is truly love in these stitches for this amazing woman.

Quilt #94 Heather and Zoey Welch donated by Mary Duke

Quilt #94 was presented

to Heather Welch by Mary Duke. 

Mary writes:

Most Duncan Quilts go to someone who is going through a difficult time. But not this one. This is a celebratory quilt.

Heather was pregnant last year and lost her baby. Such a hard thing to go through, especially with the first pregnancy.

But just last month, 

Heather was blessed with a beautiful, healthy, little baby girl. Welcome to the world Zoey.

Writing this post touched my heart this morning. It reminds me how full the joy is that follows our hard things. 

The binding on this quilt also reminds us that we are bound together in love. In the words of Bonnie Oscarson, "Oh, how we need each other."

I add my love to these stitches for Heather and baby Zoey.