Wednesday, November 12, 2008

A Good Read

I get up every morning at 4:30am. I shower, dress, eat breakfast, then go over to my church building to teach 16 high school freshmen about the New Testament at 5:55am. I must admit, changing my life to an early morning schedule like this has been a hard adjustment. I try to go to bed earlier, but that's not always easy. (I wonder how Martha Stewart survives on very little sleep!) To make this change in my life has been so worth it, though. I am learning more than my students, I'm sure! My students are great. I'm not saying they are angels everyday, but they are great.

Let me share with you something I did in our class one morning. We were studying the story of the Rich, Young Ruler in Matthew, chapter 19, verse 16-26.A friend told me that the book "The Quiltmaker's Gift" is essentially that same story. From the inside cover: "This charming fable for our times celebrates the joy of giving. A generous quiltmaker, with magic in her fingers, sews the most beautiful quilts in the world, then gives them away. A greedy king, his storehouse stuffed with treasures, yearns for something that will make him happy...Will the quiltmaker sew a quilt for the king? Will the king ever learn to share?"

So one morning, after first reading the story of The Rich, Young Ruler from the Bible, I sat my sixteen freshmen on the floor around me and told them I was going to read them another story. They looked at me like I was crazy. One young man said, "What's this? Preschool?" I said, "No, but just sit and listen."
So, they did. It was one of the best lessons we've had! The students sat quietly and listened to the story. They understood it and it was a great parallel to the story in the Bible.

Have you ever read "The Quiltmaker's Gift?" If not, go read it today! Have you ever read the story of The Rich, Young Ruler from the Bible? If not, go read that one today too! They are both a "good read."

And speaking of another good read...

I received my copy of Anna Maria Horner's new book "Seams To Me." Beautiful photography, beautiful projects. Great instructions and patterns. Check it out!I ordered my copy from her website and she signed it! Yippee! I remember when I had the opportunity to machine quilt a quilt for her. Read about it here: Anna Maria's Quilt.

Next, a lovely quilt to share...

Made from Moda charm packs:

Check out the back. It was fun to quilt!
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Here's a request: Do you know of any other good children's books, based on quilting? If so, leave a comment for me and share some of your favorites with me!

11 comments:

erica e said...

thanks for the book reccomendation! i'm gonna have to get that one.

Martha said...

I don't know how you do it. I hope and pray I never get called to be an early morning Seminary Teacher. This quilt is so beautiful. Your work is very inspiring. I look forward to your blogs.

Sherri said...

I also love The Quiltmaker's Gift. A few other children's books about quilts are The Josefina Story Quilt by Eleanor Coerr, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson, and The Quilt Story by Tony Johnston and Tomie dePaola!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

That's a beautiful quilt, and such lovely quilting. I have read the Quiltmaker's Gift. Own it in fact. I've read a lot of other children's quilt stories. I like them all, but can't think of a single name!

Becky said...

One of my favorite children's book with quilts is Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon Quilt by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Their is another Quiltmaker book by the same author illustator called The Quiltmaker's Journey.

Unknown said...

The Moon Quilt by Sunny Warner is another excellent children's book with a quilting theme.

Beth said...

Becky beat me to it! Sam Johnson and the Blue Ribbon quilt is my FAVORITE! There are lots of quilt block used in borders and its a good story as well. I have been reading that book to kids for years! WTG Becky! I love seeing all your quilting. It gets my creative juices going!

Brenda said...

I will have to find that book for my gradnson and some of the others that have been mentioned on the commets.
Your quilting is beautiful.I would love to machine quilt.I plan on trying and maybe taking some classes in my area.
Brenda:)

Anonymous said...

Vivian -

How blessed are those freshman to have you get up early and share the Word with them. I'm also an early riser - 5:30am. It's not natural for anyone, but as a working mom, it's how I can fit everything in, including my spiritual life.lormas

Shauna said...

What a cute blog you have here :)

Anonymous said...

how do you do that fancy stitch pattern on the back?