Another Miracle Story!

Another great example of how our Sew Much Love blankets positively affect people close to home:

A couple of weeks ago, one of our committee members, Nancy Peterson, her son, and family came home to an electrical fire in their apartment.  No one was hurt, but their kitchen was destroyed and most of their belongings had smoke damage. 

We were able to give them quilts and help get them on the road to recovery.  The family was so touched.  Her little grandchildren hugged their quilts and wouldn’t let them go!  Her son and his girlfriend were touched to tears.

It’s so nice to hear how our hard work and effort blesses the lives of people.  It’s extra special when it’s a member of our committee, who works tirelessly each week, keeping us organized throughout our service.  We were so happy to help Nancy’s family! 

Interview with Dalene Seegmiller

I interviewed Dalene Seegmiller, a member of the White River ward, about her experiences with Sew Much Love over the last several years!

Dalene has been involved with Sew Much Love since January of 2012. She was first called to be the coordinator which was just being there, getting everything going, and keeping things flowing. She helped with new projects, got more people interested, and helped get ward representatives. She said that she loved to go around and make sure everyone felt welcomed and included.

When I asked what she likes to do at Sew Much Love, she said she just loves being there and mostly working on the tied quilts, but helping wherever she's needed. Her favorite part is just being there and the fellow shipping with everyone else. It has given her a chance to get to know so many other sisters in the Stake, and it's great!

I loved this response from Dalene: "Why do I choose to be there and serve?  Because it is a way I can spend several hours a week serving those who are in need, whether it's making quilts for Children in ICU, giving to families whose children have passed away, making and giving quilts of love to the homeless, victims of home fires, making hygiene kits for the food bank, or the homeless, comfort kits for parents who have lost a child, girls day supplies, we have even sent quilts to other places after disasters!  Where else can you go just a short distance from your home and do something that would have such a wide impact on so many others?!  I Love it!  It has become part of my life!!" 

Dalene's favorite scripture about service is Mosiah 2:17, "....that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."And also, D&C 4:2 " O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, mind, and strength...."  She said she knows that is a missionary scripture, but it also fits with any service we give. So true!

Her last words of the interview were: "I love this project that we do each week.  It brings us closer to the Lord as we focus on those less fortunate than ourselves and strengthen our Sisterhood in the Stake!"

What an amazing example of service! Thanks for your responses, service, and faith, Dalene!

Interview: Dawn Merritt

It's fun to interview different people attending Sew Much Love to find out why they go and what they love about it! I talked to Dawn Merritt of the Lake Holm Ward this week. 

She has been volunteering with Sew Much Love since 2013 and is a ward representative. A ward representative coordinates the stake efforts with the wards, organizes set-up and take-down of supplies during their designated months, and is just a general amazing helper in our program. Her favorite project to help with is making donor quilts. Her favorite part of showing up every Tuesday is getting to see her friends she's made there. She loves that she can give her time to such a great cause and find new talents. 

Dawn's favorite scripture about service is Alma 3:26-27

26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their ^arewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.

  27 For every man receiveth ^awages of him whom he listeth to ^bobey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the fifth year of the reign of the judges.

Thanks, Dawn!

Reminder that today 10-12 we have normal service hours followed by a potluck at 12:15, and representatives from Life Center NW will be there! For those who are ward representatives and committee members, the meeting will be today, too!

Girl's Camp Teeny Tears!

I was a 1st year leader at Girl's Camp this summer, and I was thrilled when the second day of service was indoors! (YAY for cooler temperatures for a largely pregnant lady!) I was even more thrilled when I realized that the girls were doing humanitarian service projects for Teeny Tears, one of our new projects with Sew Much Love! Here are some pictures of the girls making tiny hats and diapers for this worthwhile project! 

We will be continuing this project, along with many others, Tuesday, September 12th from 10-12 at the Auburn Stake Center, along with all of the following Tuesdays.

Quilt Miracle

Making these quilts, we never know exactly to whom they will go or how they will be received. We're always pleased when we hear back from someone about how one of our quilts touched their lives. We recently heard this story about one sister in our stake's nephew, and how our quilt helped his family.

Carrie Heighton is a member of the Game Farm Ward in our stake. Her nephew, Dallon, is 4 and was run over by a van. He was helicoptered to Harborview following his tragic accident. He had surgeries, and once he was settled in the ICU, the nurses gave him a blanket. He likes the colors, and while his mom and grandma were admiring the quilt, they noticed the tag. They were very touched by our quilt.

Additional Info on Angel Babies

We are excited to announce a new addition to the Sew Much Love (our stake Humanitarian project), Angel Babies. We will be working in connection with the Teeny Tears organization as well as local hospitals. We are looking for individuals who would like to come on Tuesdays or do some projects from home. If you know how, or are interested in learning, to sew or cut tiny diapers, make mini blankets, hats (no sew, knit or crochet) or simple beading we invite you to join us and would love to teach you! 

Teeny Tears

We have a new program that we are working with now as a part of Sew Much Love called Teeny Tears! 

Here is some information from their website:

"Approximately 26,000 children are stillborn in the United States every year, about 1 in 160 births. A significant number of these angels are preemie or micropreemie infants.  Many of these angels are far too small for even the very smallest commercial diapers.

Teeny Tears is a service organization that provides tiny flannel diapers at no charge to hospitals and bereavement support organizations for families that have suffered the loss of a preemie or micropreemie child through stillbirth or NICU loss.

Our wish is to bless families that suffer the same heartache, providing their angel with a soft, beautiful diaper in which to be photographed and laid to rest. WE PROVIDE TWO MATCHING DIAPERS PER FAMILY (and that's really important), one for the baby and one for the family to keep in a memory box. When possible, we will also make tiny micropreemie blankets that are appropriately sized for their beautiful little bodies. For the smallest of angels,too fragile to dress, we provide mini blankets with pairs of teeny hats.

Grieving parents often feel very lost, alone, and confused. Every special effort to honor their loss goes a long way. It is very difficult for a family to say goodbye to their child before they got to say a decent hello. These diapers, made with love, tell parents that someone understands that their child existed, that they are special, loved, real, and that they matter. The love that goes into these diapers tells a grieving parent that someone understands that their loss is tremendous. Because a 'person’s a person, no matter how small'."

This is just a snipet of information from their website, which is http://teenytears.blogspot.com/

It is wonderful to look through, filled with stories, pictures, information on how to make these, and why the need is so great. I learned a lot reading through their stories, and I recommend visiting their website to learn more!

Jessica Smith is going to be one of the leaders of this new project for Sew Much Love, so hit her up if you have questions or want to participate! 

General Women's Broadcast

I hope many of you were able to view the General Women's Broadcast this past Saturday night, and if not, it's easily accessible on LDS.ORG to view those 4 talks! 

The text isn't yet available, but you can view the video of the 1st talk here:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/media/session_0_talk_3/5372724733001?lang=eng

The first speaker, Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, the 2nd Counselor in the General Primary Presidency, spoke about how we should center ourselves on Christ, leaning not to our own understanding. She gave 3 ways that we can center ourselves and trust in Christ, including 1) Feasting on the Words of Christ, 2) Praying, and 3) Serving.

She shared a very touching story about a woman who was extremely ill and only felt OK 1-2 days a month, while being in extreme pain, exhaust, and nausea the rest of the time. Although many people would've seen her situation and felt that she was exempt from service, her husband encouraged her to serve. On those few OK days each month, she and her family would deliver Get Well kits to others going through similar circumstances and perform other acts of service for those in the community. 

The point of this wonderful story is that we often put excuses as to why we aren't serving. It's easy to fill our time with other important things that get in the way. It's easy to not feel so great and not feel like we're in a great place to serve. However, at those moments when we feel the crummiest, when we feel that we need to just focus on ourselves, those are often the moments that we can greatly benefit from serving others. This woman and her family were brought great joy, peace, and comfort through serving others, and it was her greatest source of happiness during those dreadful times. 

I absolutely loved this lesson from Sister Cordon's talk, and I'm guessing it applies to many other women besides just me. As a young, busy mom, of course I can find lots of excuses to not serve, but I'm always happier when I choose to serve. Service is one of the greatest ways to lift our spirits, improve our perspective, and bless the lives of others, along with our own lives.

So, if you're feeling happy and wonderful and have lots of time, of course you are welcome to serve on Tuesdays with us. However, if you're feeling down, hopeless, depressed, or busy, and like it's hard to serve, it's probably a wonderful time to join us as well :)

6 Year Celebration!

On Tuesday, February 28th, we celebrated our 6th anniversary by doing what we always do every week...giving service!  Many hygiene kits were put together, quilts tied and quilts hand quilted.  In addition to our regular 2 hours of service, we celebrated with a wonderful potluck luncheon.  Wonderful food was enjoyed by everyone!

We enjoyed hosting our guests from Life Center North West!  They shared a picture of a completed donor quilt with the hand prints placed in the blank blocks.  It was touching. We also showed them how to put a quilt on the frames and they enjoyed seeing and learning that process.  We always love it when we get together with this wonderful team from Life Center.  They are caring women who are dedicated to their careers and are so compassionate with the people that they serve.  It is an honor to partner with them. 

Debbie Christian, Executive Director of the Auburn Food Bank, also joined us for our celebration.  She shared a story with us about a homeless woman who was given one of our hygiene kits.  She was so thankful for the washcloth that was included because for the last 10 years, she had been washing her face with paper towels.  It felt so good to her to have a wash cloth touch her face.  We were all moved to hear that our hygiene kits are needed.  Debbie said they are one of the first things to go at the food bank.  She said, "keep them coming!"  And we will!

We also honored Sister Sara Crabtree, our former Stake Relief Society President, with a hand quilted quilt.  This quilt was designed by Sister LaRay Barrett. Sister Barrett was an important part of our humanitarian committee and taught us many things, but most of all loved all of us and had a smile and kind word for each of us every week.  We certainly miss her.  We thought it fitting to honor Sara with a quilt that she designed and worked on.  We appreciate Sara for having the vision to start Sew Much Love.  It has provided many sisters with a weekly  service opportunity.   We have seen sisters reactivated and sisters go to the temple because of their association with Sew Much Love.  Hundreds of quilts have been made and donated, as well as many other items to people in need in our community and in our stake.  Thank you, Sara, for you vision, for your hours and hours of service and for your dedication to your calling!

Sew Much Love has certainly evolved over the years.  We look forward to what the future holds for our Humanitarian efforts.  We are confident that with faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ we will continue to influence lives and serve as He served.  Thank you to all who are serving, all who have served and those who will be called in the future to help us in this great effort!

Interview with Sara Crabtree

I interviewed Sister Sara Crabtree, who was one of the beginning influences in starting Sew Much Love! What a fun way to celebrate our 6 year anniversary!

1. How long have you been involved with Sew Much Love?

A year into my calling as Stake Relief Society President, we were discussing ideas for meaningful service opportunities for the women of our Stake during Pres Mtg;  Sis Andrea Ellis, then 1^st counselor, told us her mom had mentioned a weekly Humanitarian Service they had there in Utah and I remembered such a meeting being announced in MY mom’s UT ward also  --so my next trip to UT shortly thereafter, I contacted the person in charge of the Humanitarian  service in  American Fork, uT and spent a morning with her seeing what they did and asking questions.   Pres Miles wholeheartedly approved of the idea when I brought back my suggestions of how and why we should introduce a like service in our stake.  So realistically, I guess you could say I’ve been involved with Sew Much Love almost a year more than it’s officially been in existence because it took 10 months to get the initial organizing approved and functional, plus the supplies needed in place to begin!

2. What is it that you do?

For the past 6 years, I have been the Chief Financial Officer and Official Representative of the Humanitarian Service for not only our Stake, but the Auburn Community and the organizations we have partnered with to provide our services.  With my recent release, we are in the process of determining what my official role will be on the Humanitarian Committee, but I will always been involved in furthering the amazing things we can accomplish together as women in this great service!   What we need to do next is bring the women of our Auburn community to come participate with us!!   

3. What is your favorite project?

The Organ Donor Quilts we make for LifeCenter Northwest hold a very warm spot in my heart. We were asked to design and make a quilt that would symbolize and commemorate the gift of life-giving organs donated by the families who unexpectedly lose a young child.   It has been a great privilege to be part of the service this wonderful organization provides to the families at a very traumatic time in their lives.  There is a sweet spirit of Christlike love and caring that permeates the friendships we have developed through our association in this selfless work.

4. Why do you love to go?

I LOVE the opportunity to get to know sisters of all ages throughout the stake as we visit together while providing worthwhile service!  Laughter echoes throughout the Cultural Hall from the joined conversations of the sisters and the young children who play together as we work.  It is a divine setting!

5. What miracles have you seen?

Having reached 6 years of service and seeing the liaisons we have developed with organizations like Harborview Pediatric Critical Care Unit and LifeCenter Northwest are miracles we could not imagine happening when we first started!   There have been miracles CONSTANTLY along the way; every time we needed someone or something the way opened up –it’s been unbelievable!!  For example:  After we had been going along OK for a couple years, we reached a point where we were dangerously low on supplies we needed to continue making quilts and no funds available.  As we contemplated launching another request for donations from the stake, we were informed that a member of our committee had a neighbor ask her if she knew anyone who could use large quantities of fabric from their recently passed mother’s sewing room.  Shortly thereafter, 2 vans loaded floor to ceiling with primo quilting fabric arrived at the Stake Center;  we are still using some of the fabric to produce quilts today! 

6. What blessings have you seen?

Being involved and belonging to a group providing such worthwhile service has changed the lives of women in our stake, including my own!  Some sisters who struggled with finding their place in the Church family have found a “home” where they feel needed and appreciated; young mothers can bring their children and associate with and learn from women of all ages while getting a break from their continual routine of childcare at home; non-sewers have participated in our beginning sewing classes and learned a new useful skill; sisters who cannot attend weekly meetings are still able to contribute and participate in the creative experience of making quilt tops at home.

On the other side of this service is the feedback we get from the families who are so appreciative of the time and selfless service given for their benefit.  For some reason, the idea that a quilt or item is made by a bunch of “church ladies” strikes a chord with the recipients!  They universally express the sense of warmth and caring they receive that comforts them at a trying time in their lives.

7. What do you love most about Sew Much Love?

I LOVE SEEING WHAT WOMEN CAN ACCOMPLISH IN FAITH WHEN THEY SET THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS TO THE EFFORT!

8. Your testimony

From the first time the idea of an ongoing Stake Humanitarian Service came up, I KNEW it was what the Lord wanted to happen for our women.  Through the rather daunting task of starting something not done before, His help was greatly needed and constantly requested—ideas came, solutions were found, people caught the vision, support was received, progress was made, MIRACLES HAPPENNED!!  When concerns arose, I KNEW that because the Lord’s Hand has been present constantly through every level of this service a solution would be found.  I KNOW He blesses us in whatever way is needed when we are willing to go out of our comfort zone to stretch and serve.  And I know with the Lord’s help, women of faith can accomplish absolutely astounding things!  I look forward to working alongside the dedicated women who serve so faithfully and valiantly in this service as we continue to seek ways we can help and bless lives in our community.

6 Year Anniversary Celebration

All sisters are invited to join us in celebrating our 6th year of Humanitarian Service on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 from  10am -12  at the Stake Center!

There will be various projects to work on and we'll enjoy a potluck lunch following our service activities.  Please bring a main dish, salad or dessert to share!  In addition we'll enjoy a display honoring our history and we'll be hosting a group of women from our organ donor quilt sponsor, Life Center NW.  As always, children are welcome!  

If anyone has photos of our service, please email them to Arlene Housman in the White River Ward. Thank you!

We hope many of you will come and join in our celebration!

Interview with Jennifer Miles

The best part of the Auburn Stake humanitarian project isn't a blanket; it's most definitely the people. The people we serve and the people with whom we get to serve. Today we get to learn a little more about one of our volunteers, Jennifer Miles, newly called into the Stake Relief Society Presidency this past month.

Jennifer has been participating with Sew Much Love since it first began! She learned to sew through 4-H when she was 8 years old and continued learning in Home Economics in high school. Sister Barrett started a sewing class in her ward, and that's how Jennifer learned how to piece a quilt. Typically when she comes to our Tuesday service days, Jennifer works on tying quilts and our Days for Girls project (the project where we make hygiene kits for girls in countries where feminine hygiene products are hard to come by). 

Jennifer says that she loves to come to Sew Much Love because she loves getting to know the sisters in the Stake. She says, "I love spirit that I feel when I'm there and I choose to go because I love that I can contribute a small amount of my time along with the other sisters in the Stake in a great effort that helps and blesses the individuals in our community and the world."

Jennifer's favorite scripture about service is Alma 37:6, which reads, "Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

We are sure grateful for Jennifer, her testimony, and the small and simple ways that she serves with us at Sew Much Love.