Day 2–Off to Paducah

We were all anxious to get going this morning.   Many were up early waiting for breakfast.  We loaded onto the bus and off we went. 


We were invited to the Pinewood Hunting Club in rural St. Anne, Illinois to enjoy their beautiful setting and to enjoy a wonderful lunch of venison and pheasant soup.  It was a real challenge to pick a favorite, we are looking forward to getting the recipe's!  They can also make some mean cookies!!! 
WE enjoyed visiting in the lodge but the grounds were beautiful – green! – I know that might not be a big deal to some of you but we left brown and snow banks at home!  Many of the women got chances to have lessons in trap shooting and also how to handle and shoot a pistol.  You would be surprised how well they did.  I know there were some emails sent while we were there bragging to family members about what and how well they were doing.  I think there were some surprised husbands and sons.




I am going to apologize up front because I was way too busy enjoying myself to take the notes that I need in order to get names right, but I want to tell you about the wonderful people that we met. 
The people at the hunting club are determined to support their local soldiers and veterans.  They have sons, nephews and neighbors that are active service members.   The club has an annual shoot that raises money that is then used to make the soldier's lives a little better while they are on active duty.  The pictures and stories of some of the things these young men have done and continue to do for this country and us individually, is very humbling!

Before we left we gave a short explanation of what we do as members of QOV and showed them a few examples of the
quilts that we have made.

 

We were also able to make 3 very special girls happy by giving them a short ride on the bus, to their home.  I apologize I didn’t get a picture of the oldest sister - I am sorry! -  We hope they enjoyed themselves.

WE are staying in Paducah tonight and will be off to Fort Knox bright and early tomorrow.  Some of the quilts will finish their journey tomorrow.  How exciting.

Off we go!

Our day started out with coffee and warm caramel rolls. The Legion Commander, Wayne Gschwend  welcomed everyone and explained that over the last 4 years over 2500 quilts have been made by this group of women , with the support of many Otter Tail county businesses and individuals,  and that after this trip they will all have been presented to deserving soldiers.  He then presented Pastor Phil                  who shared the following-
There are two long journeys that will intersect this week.  One is a journey that began in homes across this country as young people grew up caring deeply for this country and for the way of life they received from their parents and communities and nation.  They joined our armed services and trained and traveled to embattled places across this wide world.  They served bravely and paid a heavy price, for they were injured and returned home needing healing, in body and in spirit. 
And another holy journey began in Otter Tail County, in homes and meeting places, where you worked alone and together to fashion these quilts, piece by piece, stitch by stitch.  And today you will take your journey on the road, across the Heartland to Fort Know and Fort Campbell, Kentucky.  An expedition of love and healing, with 37 quilters and 950 quilts.

And this week, those two life-lines intersect.  These quilts of valor, and you quilters too, will reach out and touch those men and women of courage.  You will deliver and place your labors of love into the scarred hands and around the bent shoulders of wounded veterans.  Now we know that these quilts will delight the eyes of those veterans, but even more they will calm the hearts of those who have suffered hurt on our behalf.
Sisters and brothers, today we seek God’s blessings as we dedicate these quilts to the glory of God, and the good of God’s people in need.
Let us pray:  Blessed are You , O Lord our God, King of the Universe.  Your gifts are many, and in wisdom you have made all things.  Be with us now and bless us that these quilts of valor, these works of our many hands, may enfold and embrace those who have paid such a high price.  May these quilts join together with reunited families and health professionals, and most of all with your healing touch, to heal those who have been broken.  Amen
Therefore, with thanksgiving to God, with deep gratitude to the sacrifice these veterans have made, with deep sympathy for the injuries that they have suffered, and with all the love in our hearts and hands, we commission these quilts of valor to the glory of God and to the healing of our veterans.

We were escorted into Wisconsin by Patriot Guard riders. 

Our day was spent catching up with old friends from past trips and making new ones.  We played several games of Bingo to help pass the time. 
Once again just wearing our shirts has made it possible to tell others about QOV.  While eating tonight one of the gals was questioned on what her shirt was all about.  She explained about our mission.  He stood and shook her hand giving his thanks and saying that he had an uncle that had been at Fort Campbell.  He was very touched that such a wonderful thing was happening. 
Here are some pictures to give you an insight of our day.  Thanks for your thought and payers.

Getting the quilts ready to go!

As of right now the quilts are on the bus - all 910 of them!!  The quilts go through a spa treatment in order to go.  First they are packed with 9 other friends in a beautiful clear bag.  Next comes the shrinking process (yes we did discuses if this would work on us!)  to ensure that everyone would fit in the bottom of the bus.  On down the line they went to the shrink wrappers.  Kind of like Spanx for quilts!  They were all then gently loaded into an enclosed trailer for their trip to pick up the rest of the quilts in Perham and then onto the bus!!!  Enjoy the pictures of the process. 








Saturday April  27th at 7:00am there will be a short program, blessing the quilts and the trip before the send off at 7:30.  If you can come please join us on the beginning of this adventure.

St James ladies busy working

The ladies at St James were busy finishing up things for delivery in May.  Take a minute and imagine the sounds of the day -  Machines humming, the sounds of friendship and laughter.   Feel free to join us anytime!

A typical work day

We had a work day in Fergus Falls yesterday and I thought you might enjoy seeing for yourself a little bit of what goes on.  I can’t share a sound track or you would have hear lots of laughter and chatting.  I hope you enjoy seeing a few pictures.

Our 2013 Mission

I want to let you know that just because there hasn’t been any activity on this blog  doesn’t mean that our QOV groups haven’t been hard at work!  There has been lots of activity at our normal work days for QOV plus all of the work done at home.  Our mission continues!!!
We have also been blessed with a wonderful fundraiser that was sponsored by the Underwood American Legion and the Underwood Lions.  We would like to thank them along with everyone that made donations, worked at and attended the fundraiser.  As you can see from the following pictures it was a wonderful success and everyone had a great time.





100% of the proceeds from the fundraiser go towards purchasing supplies to make the quilts and to pay for the cost of delivering them.  
We are in the process of preparing for a delivery of over 800 quilts to Fort Knox and Fort Campbell Kentucky.  We will be leaving April 27th.  There will be a blessing of the quilts at 7:00 am and we will be leaving at 7:30.  You can join us on the journey by following along on this blog. 
Quilts will be presented to Soldiers on Monday April 29th  at Fort Knox and Wednesday May 1  at Fort Campbell.