Archbishop Demetrios' Visit (Oct 2006)

I made this quilt for Archbishop Demetrios as a gift from our community when he visited us last year.

SHIPPING ANGEL

About 3 years ago I needed someone to help me ship over 200 quilts to the Albanian Orthodox Church's Seminary and Children's Home in Tirana. I could not find answers in Nassau so when Cally & John moved to Charlotte, I loaded 11 LARGE trash bags of quilts into their container and sent them to the USA. Months later, after numerous calls, a warm , friendly voice said the wonderful words: "I can do that for you"! Ron Schimpf of Postnet on Providence Road, Charlotte, had the quilts packed ( for free) and delivered to Dr. Linderman in Albania, within 8 days, much to the joy and appreciation of the recipients. SO when I decided to ship my supplies to Romania, I simply loaded up 3 suitcases and brought them to Ron, who, once again, was an angel of mercy. The 123lb box , again packed for free, is on its way to Cluj-Napoca by Fed Ex and I am a grateful, and much more relaxed person! Fabric, batting, magazines, thread, books etc are on their way. Thank you very much, Ron, for you kindness, generosity and efficiency.

What the Lord Can Do Through Us

Father Anthony Coniaris quotes a Sister Cyprian who gave the following definition of what it means to serve God:
"Serving God is not what we do for God; serving God is what we let God do through us. God is seeking to carry out His mission on earth in us, through us, and with us. He needs each one of us."


St Nilus of Sinai: "Pray not to this end, that your own desires be fulfilled. You can be sure they do not fully accord with the will of God"


I am praying that this Quilting Trip to Romania will fulfill God's will and that we can be instruments of sharing God's love to His world.

May 27th, 2007

It's been a while since I had time to think about this blog. My grandchildren and daughter visited for a week-which kept me busy and in a few days I head to NC to visit them! It always helps to have the next trip in mind when we separate.

At last my itinerary is set for Romania. I am travelling from Nassau on the 26th July, via Ft. Lauderdale to Washington DC where I shall meet up with Joanne and Augustina, my team members. From there we will fly to Vienna and on to Cluj. It is all beginning to feel a little more real.

Two quilting friends, Ruth and Bonnie helped me to put together twenty packages of fabrics which I hope will form the basis of small quilts for each of our 'students'. My problem is more what NOT to take or teach rather than what TO take....Today Georgina, Georgia & Nicky helped me to sort embroidery floss!

I have received donations of $700 from the Ladies Philoptochos Society in Knoxville TN, $400 dollars from our local group and $100 from friend. I also received $1 from a man who sits outside our church every Sunday ...begging..."for my work! " Humbling. All this will go towards the supplies we need and work of the St. Dimitrie Project & Children's Center.

The next hurdle is to get visas - for Romania and Greece. I want to spend a few days in Greece in August with Calliope and her extended family of in-laws on my way home.

I made this King size quilt for the Stepping Stone Quilters Show in January 2007. I was delighted that it won Viewers' Choice Prize as well as sold for the amount I was asking....which is going towards my trip to Romania!

April 03

Holy Tuesday - the days fly by. I have started making up kits to take to Romania. It's difficult to work so blindly - not knowing who and how many 'students' I will teach. So much to think about....travel arrangements, visas ...good to know God is in control, not me!

Romania 2007

On March 29th, 2007 I turned 54. My younger daughter, Catherine, asked what I had planned for this year - my answer: Learn Byzantine Chant and go to Romania to teach quilting! Big mid-life adventures. This blog is going to be my diary of these journeys - if , as we say in The Bahmas, God spares life.