When we wandered into a beautiful quilt store, these bundles were all packaged, ready for someone to create a thing of beauty.
Eight years ago on October, 22nd, 2007, we lost everything we owned in a wildfire that came through San Diego. More than 300 neighbors did as well and thousands others in surrounding areas from five wildfires that grew huge that week in Southern California. Ours was the Witch Creek fire. Now we’re launching a new vision for Live A Resilient Life™ with great resources for people making new beginnings. It reminds me of these quilting bundles I saw in Hawaii. They’re all ready to go, each one a different hue and pattern. Kind of like the experiences we’ve had.
It’s so exciting to see an unexpected dream coming true—out of those ashes and the myriad of lessons our family learned by moving often, and persevering through medical emergencies, living through our son being bullied at a very young age, and other difficulties. That dream is to help others and use each trying time, like one of those squares, to make something beautiful. In retrospect, the experiences seem like squares on an intricate quilt, with a divine hand stitching them into a beautiful pattern.
I love this square with the mountains of Kauai and the hidden turtles in the sea.
That’s how pain is. Some of the darkest shadows and trying moments can highlight the bright ones in front. Without the dark times, perhaps the happy ones would be undervalued or taken for granted. Once healed, it’s stronger having walked down the dark valleys of loss and death.
When my children need lots of homework coaching or laundry folded, I remember I GET to do this. These tasks aren’t meaningless or without order. They’re the stitches holding us together and enabling us as a family to transform loss.
If you’re tired on your journey and have found Live A Resilient Life™, welcome. This is a place to garner strength and insight from our experiences and others. Over the coming months, there will be numerous resources, interviews, and all kinds of insights to help kids and parents alike.
If you’ve been through a catastrophe or death, bring your squares and let’s find the path to the Master Quilter together. Together, we’ll search for shortcuts for healing. If you’re a frustrated parent, watch for monthly tips to remain resilient and turn them into opportunities with your young ones. If you need resources to regain your footing after sheltering someone through a crisis, come rest by the edge of the sand, and stick your toes in the water to regain your perspective.
The early morning in Kauai takes my breath away and renews my soul at its deepest points. I love watching my children in awe too.
When I got to meet the beautiful quilter who made many of the artwork hung from the ceiling, and our little square, I asked her what the images represented. We shared a moment captured in fabric and color. I got to bring a bit of her vision home too. Her insights made it even more special once I understood the message.
The wonderful quilting specialist who made our Kauai square!
Someday, I’ll get to ask the Lord about the patterns He’s sewn in my life through trials and pain. We’ll look at those black squares, the moments of death, and finally find them gone. For now, knowing beauty can indeed come out of ashes is helpful. When I encounter new difficulties I take time with the family to understand things before giving into frustration or defeat. I know that every experience can be made anew.
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You can read a full description of the 2007 wildfires HERE at MakeUsSmile.com and watch videos about our family’s gratitude website.
What about this did you find encouraging? What are you hoping to find in this website? I’d love to hear from you. Make a comment below to leave your ideas and feedback.
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