God literally lit my path with rubies to get me to Illinois to share His Story. If you haven’t read my Ruby story you can read it here.

After declining an invitation to attend the Decatur Quilter’s Festival, A Ruby Celebration, because of a conflict on my calendar, I reached out to the quilt guild and was graciously added back onto the docket. I learned in years past, the quilt festival has drawn as many as 800 people.

The two-day event, April 8-9, was held at the Decatur Civic Center. Vendors were to set up their booths the day before, meaning for me, this was a three-day trip. My friend Mary traveled with me on Thursday and helped me to get a booth set up for the Immanuel Quilt Ministry.

Knowing that we would have Thursday evening free, I had contacted Melba, an Immanuel Quilt Ministry follower who lives in Decatur, to see if her church might be interested in having me come and speak. The Oreana Baptist Church in Oreana did allow me to go that evening and share the story of the Immanuel Quilt. It was a bizarre moment when the pastor’s grandmother told me she has my book. After a friend of hers had heard me speak, and told her of the Immanuel Quilt, she had ordered the book from the ministry website.

Friday, the quilt show ran from 10:00 -5:00. Throughout the day there were speakers giving demos on how to do different techniques. I spoke at 1:00. Though there were not many who came to sit and listen to the Immanuel Quilt Show and Tell, everyone present–heard His Story. My voice carried His Word through the microphone, into the speakers and out for all in the Civic Center to hear.

Faith comes from hearing and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)

For the few who did sit and listen, they grasped the Immanuel Quilt was inspired and designed by God. As His Story unfolded, I saw one shedding tears being touched by the Spirit.

Though I was not scheduled to speak on Saturday, the guild president came to me late in the day on Friday asking if I would. So, on Saturday, the same Gospel message, with a tie-in to the ruby-red blood of the Lamb was presented and went across the loudspeakers for all who were present to hear.

It was three days, three presentations, and blessings to abound.

I encountered many people who had heard of the Immanuel Quilt. Some had even heard me speak. I met Susan who came carrying her own signed copy of The Immanuel Quilt, a gift to her by a friend. She has never been to a presentation, but when she learned I was going to be there, she came. She told me she has read the book many times, looked up every Scripture, and it is her most treasured go-to book.

I got more than a dozen inquiries about going to speak at other places.

A talented artist wishes to incorporate designs from the Immanuel Quilt into her stained-art glass ministry. She would use The Immanuel Quilt book to tell His Story with pieces she creates.

An avid quilter who enters quilts in shows across a multi-state region, she and her husband wish to be Immanuel Quilt Ministry advocates to help get me invited into other quilt festivals to speak.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
​
The Immanuel Quilt Ministry gained some new followers, sold some products, and shared His Story. And, I believe, created a buzz that people are still talking about today.

I love this photo taken of the quilt at Oreana Baptist Church.

Quilt guild members pray before doors open for quilt show.

Fifteen minutes before doors to quilt show opens, a line to get in has already formed.

Dressed for the event in her ruby-red slippers, this little lady lured folks into the IQM booth.

This is Susan who came to tell me how much she treasures ​The Immanuel Quilt.

And last but not least, the image portrayed on the final page of the powerpoint–a ruby-red reminder of the passion Jesus has for us.

His Love Ran Red.

The words on the screen next to this pink-ish blood red gem are the words found in Scripture.

The Lord is forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to him. -Psalm 86:5.

This, my friend, is reason for real celebration!

I have fallen behind in journaling my journey with the Immanuel Quilt. Back in May, I took the quilt to Thorntown to speak to the Hoosier Heritage Quilt Guild. Because the quilt story keeps growing, another chapter being added all the time, I now have to pick and choose what to tell. So, needing to rely on the Spirit of God for guidance, I asked, “What should I share?”

“Made with Love,” the Spirit said.

I preferred more input; however, I added the phrase to my outline and began to build upon it. Once the content was formed, I sensed there was still more God wanted me to add. I said a prayer, asking, “What else, Lord?”

While reading my Bible, the Word of God said, “Teach what
is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) 

Isn’t that what the story of the Immanuel Quilt does?

This Word from God was a warning that I choose what parts of the story to cut, not remove the sound doctrine teaching. Yet, even after receiving this good advice, I sensed something was missing, though I didn’t know what.

I prayed, asking God to reveal His thoughts to me. Days passed with no response. Finally, hours before I was to speak on the day of the event, God answered me. The missing piece was in the name of the guild.
 
Hoosier Heritage

Heritage is something possessed by one person and passed on to someone who follows after. It includes the values of those before us, the traditions we have experienced, and the cultures we live in.

As humans, created in the Image of God, quilters have inherited their Creator’s creative gene, and therefore, quilters can make quilts, “Made with Love.” You might have a quilt with “Made with Love” inscribed upon it, but you also have an invisible inscription placed upon you that says, “Made with Love, by Love.”

GOD IS LOVE! Quilters stitch pieces of fabric together, making beautiful quilts. God stitches us together, making us into His beautiful image. We have a Godly heritage through Christ. (Ephesians 1:11-12)

To a crowd that was larger than expected, I sat on a stool, opened up The Immanuel Quilt, and began reading His Story.

The question I posed to the quilters that night, I present to you. What heritage and legacy do you hope to pass to your children, grandchildren, and future generations? Will they only receive a quilt, or will you leave something of eternal value–a legacy of faith?

Taking the book once again, I pointed to the photo on the back cover and read the verse below it: “We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deed of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” – Psalm 78:4 (NLT)

There is a song that sums up this message well, and though I didn’t share it that evening with the guild, I hope you will give it a listen.

Click here to listen to the entire song, Find Us Faithful.

 
P.S. My look-a-like puppet made her debut appearance at this event. The response was incredible. I was also surprised by the number of guests who attended because they’d heard I would be there with the Immanuel Quilt. Each of the guests, eight I believe it was, had heard me speak before but came to listen to the story again. I was even thanked for tying heritage into the message. Hearing what God has done never grows old.