Blessing #27

Blessing #26

On this adoption journey we have met some incredible people who have become "cyber friends" so to speak.  We may never meet in person, but we have a shared passion...children who need forever families.  Robin is one such friend, and she sent me these two beautiful pieces for Sophia's blessing quilt.  Thanks, Robin!

Blessing #25

The following fabric squares were sent all the way from Santiago, Chile, and were designed by dear Chilean friends of ours, July and Tito. I will translate what they say below each one.

On this square is a photo of the national flower of Chile, the copihue. On it July writes...

"For you this beautiful promise: Then he taught me and said to me, 'Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.' Proverbs 4:4

With love, Tito, July and children"

On this square is the Chilean coat of arms. On the coat of arms it says, "By Reason or Strength" which is part of the Chilean national anthem, as well. On this square July wrote the words from Psalm 4:8:

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety."

These are beautiful reminders of my childhood in Chile. One day we hope to take Sophia to visit!

Blessing #24

This adorable penguin fabric is from Sophia's grandmother, Gail Christian, who has collected penguins for as long as I can remember (she's my mom!). Here is what she writes:

"My Special Blessing for Sophia -

Sophia, my blessing for you is based on a special blessing in the Bible (Numbers 6:24-26)...

'The Lord bless you and keep you' (in the womb and throughout your life).

'The Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you' (The Lord knows you before you are born and knows your every need.)

'The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace' (We want you to be part of the 'godly seed' that our daughter and her husband seek to raise for the Lord.) (Malachi 2:15)"

Blessing #23

This whimsical fabric piece is from another one of Grandma Leah's church friends in Ohio. It was accompanied by a really lovely note to Sophia:

"Dearest Sophia,

My wish for you is that so far in your life you have known much happiness, love and joy. My wish for your future is that you continue to know these things, along with the knowledge that with God's love anything is possible. Also having faith and hope in your heart, will help you to better understand and accept God's plans for you.

The square I gave you is red and has teapots with the saying, 'Cup of Kindness' on it. I've always enjoyed tea and I also collect teapots. I find that in my quiet moments alone, sipping my tea, I feel much closer to God. I like to take this time to listen to what He has planned for me. Sophia, make sure you take time. Have faith and hope; He'll always be there.

Blessings,
Mary A. Willaughley"

Blessing #22

This bright and bold piece of fabric is from a gentleman who attends Dave's Grandma's church in Ohio. Grandma Leah said this dear widower wanted in on the act as well...he didn't want the ladies to have all the fun, I guess! Here is Lloyd's message to Sophia:

"May God bless you. Have a good life.

Lloyd G. Egbert"

Thanks, Lloyd, for joining us on this endeavor! Blessings to you, too!

Blessing #21

This beautiful, feminine piece of fabric comes from the daughters of one of my former undergrad and current grad school students. Actually, I taught both parents at one time or another! It is such a blessing to see how God is working in the lives of my former students, and in turn, they are blessing others...including us! That's the way it is meant to be...pass on the blessings!

Here is the note that accompanied the fabric:

"God made you special, Sophia! You are unique, just like the bees and flowers. Our fabric is some from our great-grandma. Maybe someday we can play together.

Love,
Emma & Rebekah Sweger

Psalm 139"

Thank you Emma and Rebekah (and Mom and Dad!) for such a special blessing for Sophia...I'm sure she will love to get together for play dates with you!

Blessing #20

Teaching runs in my family! This special piece of fabric comes from my Aunt Debbie who lives in NJ. It is special not only because it is from my Aunt, but also because it represents her valiant battle against cancer...it is a remnant from one of her many head scarves she is using as she continues to teach her school children during her cancer treatment. I am so very proud of my Aunt and her godly attitude during this trial she is enduring! Here is her note to Sophia:


"Sophia,

The piece of material I chose for your quilt has pictures of many things you will be using in school. I am a teacher, and I wish for you many successful years of studying in school so you can learn more about God from His Word, the Bible. May you come to know Him personally at a very early age. Keep trusting in Him for everything.

Love, Aunt Debbie (Lincoln)"

We love you, Aunt Debbie!

Blessing #19

This happy piece of fabric (the photo doesn't do it justice!) is from a family at our church. They have also been blessed through adoption. Karen loves to scrapbook, so her note to Sophia is ready to put right into the quilt album when I get around to it! Here is what the note says:

"Dear Sophia,

May you be blessed with a long, and happy life...full of love from your family and friends, but most importantly the love of Jesus. We pray that you will grow to serve the Lord with all your heart!

Love,
Andy, Karen, Rachel, and Molli Colver

'The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.' (Numbers 6:24-26)"

Blessing #18

This adorable farmyard fabric came all the way from Montana! That is really neat, because my brother-in-law is from Montana, and even though I've never visited, I feel a little connection to that beautiful state. Now, Sophia will have her own connection as well! Here is the accompanying note:

"Dear Sophia,

I chose this fabric for your quilt because it reminded me of visiting my Grandpa's farm when I was a little girl. I liked to watch him milk the cows the old fashioned way and then I'd help him gather the eggs the chickens laid. I also saw sheep and ducks on his farm. Maybe you will visit many farms some day.

Psalm 27:4: Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing.

Patricia from Montana"

Thank you so much Patricia, for joining with us in this endeavor. Blessings to you in Montana!

Blessing #17

This beautiful quilt square came from a family in Colorado who found our blog while surfing the internet. I'm very grateful for the new friends I am meeting on this adoption journey...thanks for participating in this endeavor with us! Here is the accompanying note:

"Dear Sophia:

This blessing comes all the way from Colorado! We have beautiful mountains and wildlife here that I hope someday you will be able to see. I hope as you grow older you will learn to appreciate nature and all the beauty God has gifted to us

I chose this quilt piece especially for you. If you look close, you will see many nursery rhymes depicted. There is The Cat and the Fiddle, Little Boy Blue, The Old Woman in a Shoe, Mother Goose, Humpty Dumpty, Hey Diddle Diddle, Jack and Jill and Rock a Bye Baby.

Nursery rhymes are fun because they help us to imagine and dream. They provoke creativity and teach us to have fun and enjoy life, and to always be a child at heart. I hope as you spend time reading with your parents, you will always treasure that special time with them.

Jodi, Alan and Leah
COLORADO"

Blessing #16

I love the picture on this fabric square...a mom and her little girl looking out the window--how appropriate! This was sent to us by Rev. Maureen Webber, who leads the congregation at First Christian Church in Brunswick, Ohio, where our Grandma Leah is a long-time member. Thank you so much!

Blessing #15

This unique patterned fabric came from another lady from Grandma Leah's church in Brunswick, Ohio. Here is her blessing for Sophia,

"Dear Sophia,

Welcome to God's country of great resources and opportunities. I pray that, as you grow, you will love and serve God. Walk with God, trust in Him and He will show you the way, the truth and the life.

Love,

Sandy Farrenholz"

Blessing #14

I just love this whimsical fabric piece! It is from yet another one of the ladies from First Christian Church in Brunswick, Ohio, where our Grandma Leah is a member. Carole writes,

"Dear Sophia,

Your blessings began when you were chosen to be part of this wonderful family. May God continue to bless you with good health, happiness and many talents. May you always use the wisdom given to you by our Father to honor His name.

Carole Cassell"

Blessing #13

This is another piece of fabric from one of the ladies at Grandma Leah's church. She writes,

"Welcome Sophia Elizabeth.

I pray that our good and gracious Lord God bless you all of your years and you will be a blessing to Him in return. God is good.

My prayers,

Jayce Lemley"

Thank you so much for your beautiful blessing!

Blessing #12

This piece of fabric came from Shirley Tomer, one of the ladies at Grandma Leah's church in Ohio. Shirley's note says,

"Sophia,

I wish you blessings to be strong and healthy.

In Christian Love,

Shirley Tomer - FCC"

First Christian Church (FCC) is Grandma Leah's church in Ohio. Thank you so much for your gift to Sophia!

Blessing #11

This fabric piece came from Sophia's Great-Grandmother, Grandma Leah, who lives in Ohio. Grandma Leah also got some of her friends from church to participate in our little endeavor...thanks Grandma! Here is her message to Sophia:

"Sophia,

It's loving and giving that make life worth living.

Grandma Leah"

We love you, Grandma!

Blessing #10

This blessing quilt square came from a dear friend at our former church in Manheim, PA, Kuk-Hui Barber. She sent the most lovely note along with this square. The verses she wished to dedicate to our family and little Sophia come from Psalm 144:12-15:

"May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace; may our garners be full, providing all manner of store; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mischance or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets! Happy the people to whom such blessings fall! Happy the people whose God is the LORD!"

Verse 15 is actually embroidered on the square, and Kuk-Hui sent along a matching pillowcase for Sophia as well. Thank you so much my dear friend!

Blessing #9

I love the purple color of this little floral piece of fabric from Uncle Matt and Aunt Ruthie (can you tell Aunt Ruthie likes to quilt?) Here is their blessing with this fabric piece:

"Sophia,

'The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.' (Psalm 121:5 NLT)

Uncle Matt and Aunt Ruthie Stephens"

Blessing #8

Here is another blessing from Uncle Matt and Aunt Ruthie:

"Sophia,

'Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.' (Psalm 119:35)

Uncle Matt and Aunt Ruthie Stephens"