SEWING MACHINE MIRACLE” WEEK 25
This week we presented a service project idea of sewing very simple newborn stretch hats to the local Surakarta Stake LDS Womens global Relief Society organization and the Stake President who is the church leader in the area. To participate in a project that is of value to others in the community you live in is uplifting to everyone. It doesn’t matter how much money you have personally, but to be able to be involved in an activity to give to others a gift is a meaningful opportunity. The cost of the fabric is minimal, the cutting and sewing levels in the project are simple enough that all ages of women can participate and many girls and women will learn a new skill. When the idea was discussed I asked if there was a sewing machine available in any of the church buildings in the stake or area. This was a Wednesday afternoon. No one knew the answer. The RS President took home a sample to sew on her sewing machine, 5 cut out little hats, and they were finished a short time later. She sent me a photo and said that the project would be great.
On Sunday there was much excitement because a church leader investigating found hidden away in a storage closet a sewing machine covered in cobwebs on a sewing machine table that was swollen from moisture. We pulled it out of a deep dusty corner, pulled off an old cardboard box, and underneath the box we dusted off this beautiful sewing machine, plugged it in and the light went on immediately, we pressed on the control foot and the machine hummed beautifully and it worked!!! WE were laughing and smiling and cheering!! We decided after guessing that it hadn’t been seen in 10-20 years. The President of the Womens Organization for all women in the area her dress was covered with dirt from leaning against this hidden miracle machine and we were consumed in delight at the blessing this machine will be for the many women who will learn a new skill and the gift to the hospital of the newborn hats and many other sewing projects. No one at this time had any idea that this Janome machine existed and it was the final step in moving forward a great project for all women and a gift to a hospital in the area.!!!
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| It was worth the dust and dirt! The dress will wash up perfectly!! |
WEEK 26 LEBARAN HOLIDAY…..”WHAT IS MY NAME?” Lots of photos because it is so interesting!
Ha Ha Ha it didn’t seem much better yet with the language. Yesterday we attended a wonderful Lebaran holiday celebration at a friends home in a beautiful village. There were approximately 50+ people and I began the introductions by asking everyone, “What is my name?” It was hilarious. We are all disappointed that we can not communicate with each other very well but a smile goes a long way.
Ramadan is an impressive 30 days. The final celebration is called Lebaran. Families gather much like Thanksgiving. This is a holiday of eating and something “new". We were invited to the beautiful home in a village of our wonderful friend who was baptized 30 years ago. The gatherings move from home to home and this is her home. Her nieces and nephews are her children. Her husband lives in America. Her entire family is Muslim. They respect her Christian faith as she does her families Muslim faith. She explained that for Lebaran many buy something new at the end of this fast. Traditionally new clothes, she told us maybe if some have more money they might purchase a new electronic, a new car or even a new house.
There is also a tradition of giving money to children. Instead of candy like Americans do at Halloween, a small amount of money is given to children at Labaran. It must be new money, new bills. Actually on the streets the money in packages is sold. We bought 100,000 rupiah for 120,000 rupiah. So others are making a good profit on the money!! The older the child is the more money they are given. We took our money to the party. The children lined up and we handed the money. It was a lot of fun the children were so excited. At the end of the line, I had 4 bills left 8,000 rupiah and i didn’t know what to do so I threw it up in the air oh did the kids love that!!
Our new friends
Our wonderful friend and her little red car. She is an angel who does something kind for another person almost every day. Especially with the use of her car which so few people own. She takes women to Dr. appointments, children to lessons, friends to anywhere and everywhere . Her name from me is “Angel”!
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| The siblings together |
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| What a lovely home. There are beautiful needlepoint art pieces everywhere “Angel” does! |
Food and more food
so precious
FAMILY HISTORY
A very intense support area that we are doing right now is helping members register into lds.org and then to register in family history. Family History is something we have found that everyone is interested in. To be able to look at your family tree is important to all we meet. Robert bought a little “hot spot” internet device so we can take his computer into a home and have the internet. "A good way to begin gathering information about our ancestors is to see what we have in our homes. We may have birth, marriage, or death certificates. We may also find family Bibles etc. In addition we can ask relatives for information they have.”
It has been very interesting for some families there may not even be a picture of a grandparent. Others can produce photos that they have guarded for many years. To photocopy and get these historical records into the computer program brings so much happiness to people. This is a great support as we focus time in this area of interest for the members. There is also a family history expert and a computer to use in each church building who can help members in a more detailed way than we can. There actually is a senior couple on a mission in the Indonesia, Jakarta Mission and their entire focus is training family history consultants. Our mission title is Member, leadership support so we do a little of everything.
We can accomplish much more as we work together with other family members! Think about what you can do to preserve your own family history! xoxox
