Delivered!!!

On December 11th, the first load of quilts were delivered to family members of the men who served with Travis. Thank-you to Toby Yoder and Greg Birr of Wakarusa Missionary Church for taking the quilts down for us! The men report an overwhelming reaction to our gift of love and support...pictures will be made available to me soon for posting...check often for updates!

Steve and Ronda and family will be taking a few more with them in January when the men return to base. Our next goal date is March, 2009 for a substantial number of quilts to be donated. Three have already been turned in with the promise of more once the holidays are over. Thank-you again to the many, many people who have helped make this mission a reality! God bless you richly this Christmas season.

As December 25th approaches, please keep the men and women who are serving our country in your prayers. Pray for safety as well as peace and comfort and a real sense of His love this year. Pray God's blessings upon their families too. And let us not forget those who have given their lives this past year so that we don't have to...

Merry Christmas from my family to yours, and may the Lord bless you with a happy and healthy 2009.
~Dawn

More quilts. . .

Janet Abbott and Sally Gaugler, both co-workers of mine, looking at one of the quilts I made. Both of these women have contributed ALOT to the Project!


Travis' aunt, Lynette BeMiller with the quilt top she pieced for the Project.


Travis' aunt, Mary BeMiller with the quilt top she pieced for the Project also.



Myself, working on a quilt.

Nineteen!

Jeanette Prenkert with the
quilt she made and donated.
Thank-you,
Jeanette for allowing us to use the store
for so much of the Project!!!


We have nineteen quilts now!! Not all are completely finished but they will be by next week.
Thank you to all who have helped see this first phase come to be!
Now...can we keep this project alive? I certainly hope so. There are so many more I'd like to reach.


Enjoy a few pictures of some of the recent quilts.




Michaela Abbott, one of my co-workers,
who has done alot of the machine quilting on the
the donated quilt tops. Thanks Michaela for all your
time!!!

Counting down. . .

Well, the first phase is nearing completion and it is amazing! I have 11 completed quilts, 2 that need the binding, 3 at the quilters, and one quilt top still out. That makes seventeen. We need nineteen. I have three cut out and am working on them, plus we had a Quilt Guild from Nappanee in the store this evening and three of the ladies took fabric with them to do 4 more quilt tops/complete quilts. I'd really like everything wrapped up by December 9th. It looks like it's going to happen!! Did I doubt it would? At times. . . but not really. A few donations have come in and that will help with the remaining expenses, although more is still needed. My digital camera is not working, but as soon as I can, I will post pictures of the newest quilts. They are wonderful and I want to share them with you! I apologize for the short length of this post, but I have been burning the candle at both ends and really need to call it a night, but knew I needed to give an update. Many thanks for all the support and encouraging words!!
God bless you all! And...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

Quilters have huge hearts!

Women who quilt and sew are a unique breed. It's a sisterhood of sorts, hard to explain, but if you're a part of it, you know what I mean. Let me explain. . . I'm trying desperately not to let the events of the past month get "in the way" so to speak, but it's hard not to be affected. Someone I loved dearly is gone from this life, and while I know Lisa is in the presence of God, my heart still aches. I won't "get over this" in a few weeks, or months, this has had a profound effect on our whole family. I'd be lying to say I haven't asked "why?" Why Lisa? Why now? But I'm straying a bit. . . today I went into the store on my day off to work on some of the quilts for the project. There were three waiting for the binding to be put on. A task that would take about an hour for each one, maybe more. Some of our "regulars" were there for monthly club and offered their sympathies and asked what they could do to help me. I told them why I was there and immediately two spoke up and said, send them home with us, we'll do it. One of them has already given a monetary donation and the other has already donated a finished quilt, but they saw my need, and were there for me. Thank-you, thank-you, Carolyn & RoseAnn, you blessed me so much today. Two of my nieces and I started putting together a memorial quilt the day before Lisa's viewing, we were pushed for time, Janet, a dear co-worker, volunteered to take it home with her that night and finish the piecing so it would be ready in time. I just got it back from Sara, who quilted it for me, free of charge, as a gift to me. Jeanette had already donated the fabric as her gift. I was struggling with having to finish it so. . . Janet took it home tonight to bind it for me. Incredible friends, incredible people. People I may not have met if it were not for our love of quilting. I was interviewed this week by a gentleman from the Elkhart Truth, he asked "why quilts for the soldiers?" Well, what better way to show care, concern, and love. It's what we know, it's what we do. My hope and prayer is that every time they use one of our quilts, they will be reminded that someone cares, someone supports them. . . just like my quilter family has done for me in these past few weeks. God bless you all!

Many to thank...

Well, I have managed to finish two quilt tops and give them to Michaela to quilt, and I have a third one started. Sally and Debbie each finished quilt tops as well as Travis' aunt Mary. (I will put up more pictures soon!) Sherryl Tobias from Nappanee has offered to quilt some for us at NO CHARGE, which is a tremendous blessing. I am extremely grateful to the many people who are taking time to give of themselves and their talents to help with this project. Many others have offered to do more after Christmas which encourages me to know this will go on...
I'm doing my best to stretch the donations that have come in, but there are still some expenses to be met, such as batting and backing fabric. Please pray that these needs will be met in a timely manner.

I'd also like to thank the many who have prayed for our family during this difficult time. It has been felt and is truly appreciated.
God bless you all! and...
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

More quilts

When I got to work today a few more finished quilts had been turned in. I'm so excited! It's great to see tangible progress. I know people have committed to making them, but having them in my possession is a comfort :) Now to find time to do some sewing too! I have five quilts cut out and ready to piece, just need to sit down and do it. Pray I will be granted some "down" time in the coming weeks so I can accomplish this. I know I will feel much better when I have met my own personal goals. I received a call from a gentleman with the South Bend Tribune. They will also be doing a story on our project sometime in the next couple weeks. I'm adding pictures of the most recent quilts. Enjoy!, and have a great rest of the week!
~Dawn

A long week. . .

There are very few words to describe the gamut of emotions our family has been through this past week. The viewing for Lisa was Thursday and was supposed to run from 2 - 8, at 1:45 there was a line formed already and it remained constant all day until the last person went through somewhere around 10:15. What a testimony to the life she led, to the people she touched, not just her, but Jeff, Chelsea, Cassie, & the extended family. How humbling it was to be on the receiving end of so much love, concern, and caring. Our family is close. . . we will get through this. Many times throughout the day one of us would express how we felt the prayers of others upholding us and carrying us all through. At her funeral on Friday, wow, what a tremendous worship experience, just what Lisa would have wanted. A true celebration of her life and the love she had for her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. Yes, we grieve, but we know she is safely in the arms of the One she served so faithfully, and we cling to the knowledge that we will see her again some day. Please continue to pray for Jeff, Chelsea, & Cassie in the coming days & weeks.

Today's Sunday edition of the Goshen News featured an article of our project. Nicely done, Justin! Thank-you!! It's time for me to turn my attentions back to quilting. My deadline for the first set of quilts is 6 weeks away and I need to get busy!! I'm updating the photo display with a few more pictures. Be sure to check it out.

On September 30th, the boy's Soccer team at NorthWood High School honored Travis by retiring his jersey number (16), and also by creating a new award, the Travis Hunsberger Defensive Player of the Year Award. This picture shows Travis' parents Steve & Ronda along with his brother, Kyle, sister Kelsey, Coach Dykstra, A.D. Norm Sellers, Head Coach Brad Duerksen, and Coach Bell.

A heavy heart. . .

This post will having nothing to do about the project. It is all personal. Around 1:00 this afternoon I received a frantic phone call from my niece to come quickly, my nephew's wife Lisa, was gone from this life. She had a bad migraine and was sleeping in, around noon her 18 year old daughter went to check on her and could not wake her. She called her father and he raced home to find that his beloved wife had already passed on. I'll probably get her age wrong, our family is so large I lose track, but she was late 30's maybe 40 at the most. Needless to say, we are all in shock. . . numb. . . and at a loss for words. My immediate family is large there is around 114 of us. Other than the deaths of my parents, this is our first loss, and it's hitting hard. God has blessed us in so many ways over the years and I know there is a message here, I'm searching to find it. All day, the song "Our God is an awesome God", has kept going through my mind. Lisa was a prayer warrior, a true woman of God. She loved our Lord & Savior with her heart, soul, and mind, and I am confident she is sitting at His feet right now and smiling that lovely smile of hers. She has no more physical pain, no more emotional pain, she's free. She and Jeff overcame alot of obstacles in their married life, and they had a strong, loving marriage. Her daughters meant the world to her. The Compass Ministry at our church was her passion, she loved kids and reached out to many in ways only she could. She will be missed SO MUCH! Please pray for Jeff, Chelsea, and Cassie, as well as the rest of our family, as we go through the coming days and all that goes with it. So many have stopped in already today with love, support, and prayers. It is greatly appreciated. Make sure your loved ones know you love them, you never know what day is your or their last . . .

Fabric, fabric, fabric...

I have bags of fabric, stacks of fabric, fabric cut and ready to piece into quilts, fabric waiting to be the "back". I probably have enough right now to make another 6-8 quilts, which is great! I still need backing fabric and batting, or the funds to purchase them, and of course, we will ALWAYS accept more Quilt tops, finished Quilts, and fabric :)
I have to tell you another "God sighting". . . there is a website that I like to shop from for fabric from time to time. Their prices are good, and the selection is awesome, especially of Patriotic prints. I hadn't been there in awhile, but last Wednesday when I got home, I had a message on my answering machine from the company, giving me a Promo Code to use for future purchases, which would give me a nice discount. Naturally, I decided to shop some, especially since there were a couple pieces I'd had my eye on for our quilts. I figured it would be better to pay with our Quilts of Honor checking account instead of my credit card if possible, so I left a message asking for a call the next day. Bill, (I cannot remember his last name, sorry) called me back, I explained why I had called and what our project was about. He suggested a bank check or money order, and then said that because of what I was using it for, he would increase my discount. Our project touched him because he is a retired Army Sargent Major. Amazing how God brings people into our paths, isn't it? He also told me to call if I need anything else! So Bill, if you read this, you really blessed me last week, in ways you don't really know. . . Thank-you!
A lady from a knitting group one of my co-workers is a part of donated a quilt. That was unexpected and added to what we need for December. . . another customer was in today and asked when the quilt tops needed to be turned in, another one I wasn't aware of that is being made. . . last week, again, a customer from the store, gave me some fabric from her "stash" to use for the quilts. . . two of Travis' aunts are piecing quilt tops for us, neither have ever sewed a quilt although they both have sewing experience. . . a lady from Nappanee (another store customer) told me she'd help with the machine quilting. . . and the list goes on. Our lives have been touched by the response, and I know it's only the beginning.
On a personal note, I truly believe the coming weeks are so crucial to our country. If you are a praying person, pray harder, if you are not, start! "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sins and heal their land." 2Chronicles 7:14.
The men & women who are daily risking their lives to protect our freedoms, depend on us to uphold them, support them, and believe in them. They are our sons & daughters, brothers & sisters, nephews & nieces, grandchildren, uncles & aunts, mothers & fathers, our friends. . .God bless them & their families, and God bless America!!
~Dawn

Updates. . .

Just wanted to give a quick update on our progress. . . It looks like all 15 quilts we needed by Christmas have been committed to being made/donated. Praise the Lord! Donations of cash are still needed to pay for the finishing of some of those, and to keep this project rolling. I had the opportunity to talk with Steve and Ronda this week and Ronda received an email from her contact at Fort Bragg. They are excited about what we are doing and look forward to receiving the quilts. She also thought of a couple more people we should've included in our original count, plus three more men have joined the Unit. So, if possible (of course it's possible!) we're going to add another 5 quilts to our total for Christmas. And, I really pray that people remember and realize, that this project shouldn't stop with this first round of quilts. So many more men and women need to know we care and are praying for them and are supporting them.
Articles about us were in the Wakarusa Tribune and the Advance News the past two weeks. I have a meeting with a gentleman from the Goshen News this week, and Steve and Ronda also gave information to the Elkhart Truth (haven't heard from them yet). Pastor Jon Andrews stopped in to see me yesterday and asked for brochures to give to a Quilt Guild in Lakeville, and brochures were also printed to be distributed at the Farmer's Market on SR19. If you have a Quilt Guild or Church that may be interested in more information, have them contact me.
Another thought I had was to set up an email newsletter to inform of urgent requests/needs. Not everyone reads a blog every day, but most of us check our mail. If you are interested in being on that list, just send me an email with "add to QOH newsletter" in the subject line.
I must confess that at times I feel overwhelmed and inadequate, but I know God laid this on my heart and He will see it to completion, whatever form that may be.
Remember Ronda in your prayers this week.
God bless you all, Dawn

Quilts update

Home again . . . knowing how I feel about that, I imagine it must be quite a feeling for the men and women serving our country, returning to American soil, planting their feet on familiar ground. Maybe even breathing a sign of relief. And yet, willing to do it all over again if need be. Gives me chills when I think about it . . .

It is with gratitude that I report a nice response so far to this project. Our first quilt was turned in while I was gone, I've added a picture of it for you all to see. I also opened several envelopes containing contributions for expenses which is a tremendous blessing as well! The sign-up sheet passed around at our clubs produced commitments for 4 complete quilts, 3 quilt tops, and offers of cash donations. And I also received a couple of emails offering help or donations. We're on our way! My greatest burden is that this doesn't end with just the first 15 quilts, I'm hoping and praying that the exposure in the papers and the brochures I'm updating, will spur this on.
I'm very new to this "blogging" experience, and with much frustration, tried to create a slide show of pictures. Well, I wasn't able to get it to happen, (guess I need to wait on Jolinda to get home from Africa & help me with that part), so I added them in the regular way. Watch for changes later as well as more pictures as we move along.

I want to share part of an email I received from Jade Wiggins, one of Travis' High School friends. She sent the picture of the rainbow you see pictured on here. This is what she had to say in explanation of it: Before Travis left for boot camp a group of us from high school all went to South Bend and hung out for the night in honor of Travis. On the way there we stopped our cars and all got out (at least three cars of people). There was the most amazing double rainbow. I think the girls cried and the boys just stood there . . . but we all considered it a sign that Travis was going to be ok. It was HIS rainbow. I have had the picture on my computer for years now and finally printed it after Mullet (Travis' nickname) passed. I hope it gives you goosebumps like it does me.
God uses many ways to show His love and care for us. Sometimes we're too busy to see what He's showing us, may our eyes always be open to what He has for us to see.

Thank-you again to those who have already contributed, and to those who are working on their quilts. And thank-you as well for your kind words in the notes you've sent, I appreciate it very much!
God bless you!
Dawn

Greetings from North Carolina...

What a busy week it's been! It was great to see Amanda and watch her play soccer, and get to spend some time with her!! And as always, time spent with family is a time treasured. After many laughs and lots of shopping :), we headed for North Carolina with plenty of stops along the way. I researched local fabric stores and enjoyed seeing how other stores are set up and what they have to offer. Some were really nice, others I probably wouldn't go back to. Tonight we had supper with Michael and tomorrow we are driving into Charlotte for part of the day. Gotta be back in time to watch the Notre Dame game :)
Reports from home tell me things are rolling along and I am excited to get back and start sewing! Articles should soon be appearing in the local papers. Thanks Steve & Ronda! If you have a friend or relative you think may be interested in what we are doing, please send them information.
As I listened to tributes yesterday on the anniversary of 9/11, I was faced with a variety of emotions. Anger again at those who took so many innocent lives, sadness for those left behind, pride in the way our country came together in those days following the attacks. . .thankful to still be living in a place we can call free. Free because of men and women like Travis. . .and even more committed than ever to see this project through. We cannot let our fellow Americans keep serving without some small token of appreciation, some reminder that they are thought of and prayed for. What we are trying to do here is just a drop in the bucket, but maybe it will catch on. If not this idea, then another.
Keep praying for safety and for a sense of peace for those who serve.
I was blessed by an email from one of Travis' High School friends, but that's a story for another day. . .

A little rest...

We're taking off Saturday morning to visit Amanda and watch one of her soccer games. Then on Sunday after lunch we head to Gatlinburg with my sisters & brother-in-laws to meet up with other family for 5 days of hopeful rest and relaxation. From there we will visit Michael in North Carolina before returning home. I plan to take the laptop along and keep up with my "work" on this project. So far, we have some offers to help make quilts and some cash donated. Thank-you very much!! Still have a ways to go, but I am not concerned, God is faithful. I'm looking forward to visiting some quilt shops while I'm gone for some ideas and maybe a few bargains. :)
On Monday, Jeanette Prenkert is presenting the project to the ladies in our sewing clubs for me. I'm anticipating a good response from there.
I'd also like to ask that you pray for Dr. Chuck Ware of Mishawaka Orthopedics. He is the doctor I've been seeing for my shoulder problem. He leaves the first of October for a tour of duty in Iraq, and will be gone until March. Pray for his safety as he uses his gifts and talents to serve our country and our Lord.
It's nearly 2:00 a.m. and I should've been asleep a long time ago. . .keep praying for this project and for the men and women who serve our country as well as their families. And as always, let us never forget those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. . .

Getting started...

Where to begin...at the encouragement of my niece, Jolinda, I'm setting up this blog. I'll do my best to keep it up to date and informative.
I want to start off by offering a big "Thank-you" to Steve, Ronda, Kyle, & Kelsey, for allowing me to go forward with this project. They readily agreed and have been very helpful and supportive and are working with me to get things going. I love to quilt and have made several as gifts. As I shared with Steve & Ronda, several have encouraged me to try selling quilts, but I hadn't pursued it. I had visited the websites that asked for donations of quilts for soldiers who had been wounded and thought it was a good idea, but never got around to sending one. Then we lost Travis...God spoke to me and told me to begin this project. Not to wait for men and women to be wounded, but to use these quilts as a way to show love, support, and honor for the daily sacrifices they make for you and me and our families.
So now we come to our first "mission" so to speak. We are going to make 15 quilts by Christmas for the men Travis was serving with at the time of his death. Seem impossible? Not with lots of prayer and help. Four are already underway with one almost completed. I need people willing to donate their time or resources to see this first phase to completion. Please prayerfully consider how you can help.
I just want to share a story yet on what I fully believe to be an affirmation that God's Hand is in this....
The morning after I visited Steve & Ronda and gave them their quilt, one of our good customers came into the store. She shared how she had been on a website for a product which we carried and came in to buy it. While on this website, she noticed a link to another site to make quilts for wounded soldiers. She decided to print out the pattern and make one to donate. The only problem was that the website didn't give a specific place to donate to, would I happen to know of a place she could donate hers when she was finished? Well, yea!! Oh yes, the pattern she printed...was the exact same one I used for the quilt for Steve and Ronda. Go God!! I look forward to the many more "God stories" I'm going to be blessed with in the weeks to come!
Have a great rest of the weekend!
~Dawn