Lydia was a well to do Asian business woman living in Philipi. She was known for the fine purple dye she made. As Paul and others came to Philipi, they found Lydia, a Jewess,  at the water praying with a few other gals. The apostles told the ladies things of the Lord, and Lydia as well as her household became believers. Her home then became a meeting place for Christians. You can read about Lydia in Acts 16.

This block is called "Purple Cross". The purples for the fine fabric that Lydia was known for, and the pink is for the love she had for Jesus.

“Ladies’ Aide”

Dorcas, also known as Tabitha, was a disciple in Joppa. She devoted herself to good works and deeds, aiding the widows by providing them with clothing that she had sewn herself.  She loved and was loved, which became more and more evident when she became ill and died. It was then their turn to serve her, the ladies readying her body for burial. Peter was sent for, and found all the widows weeping upon his arrival. In the same fashion as Jesus with the young girl, Peter demanded that Dorcas rise, and she did. You can read about Dorcas in Acts 9:36-42.

I chose to do a block called “Ladies Aide” for Dorcas. She lived the prime example of a Christian life, by providing aide to those in need. The blue is for the tears poured out by all the people who loved her, the button fabric to represent her handy work. The stars in the background fabric represent all the souls that were saved because of Dorcas’ ministry in life and death.

“Garden Gate”

This week’s study is of Mary Magdalene. We know that Mary had lived in the prosperous seaside town of Magdala, and must not have been married as she was always referred to simply as Mary Magdalene and not “Mary, wife of…” or “Mary, mother of…” as Jesus’ other female followers were. She lived in a dark, dreary world, being possessed of seven demons, of which Jesus had healed her. (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2) Mary then followed Him loyally, providing for Him from her own purse, learning from Him, loving Him. She witnessed His torturous crucifixion (Mark 15:40; Luke 23:49; John 19:25), and followed Joseph and Nicodemus to the garden where they would lay Jesus’ body (Mark 15:47). At the end of the Sabbath, still dark outside, Mary Magdalene and others purchased spices to take to the sepulcher to further serve Jesus by anointing His body. (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1-18) What she found was the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Sad, scared, startled, she goes to get Peter and John, and they too find the tomb empty. As Mary sits outside the sepulcher crying, she sees two angels, who question her reason for weeping. It should be a time of joy and triumph, right? But she still doesn’t understand what has happened, and the grief and sorrow over Jesus’ missing body overcome her. So much so, that she did not even recognize Jesus through her tears as He approaches her. First mistaking Him for the gardener, she called Him Rabboni meaning Master as He called her name. Mary then became the “apostle to the apostles” and Jesus sent her forth to go and tell that Jesus has arisen.

C. Aus­tin Miles wrote a song in March 1912. It is what this week’s quilt block is based on. You can hear the music here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/g/itgarden.htm Get the tissues ready.

IN THE GARDEN

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

Refrain

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain 

This block is called "Widow's Mite" to represent the woman who gave her all spoken of in Mark 12 and Luke 20-21. Here is a poem about her:

Two mites, two drops, yet all her house and land,
Fall from a steady heart, though trembling hand :
The other's wanton wealth foams high, and brave ;
The other cast away, she only gave.

By Richard Crashaw 1612-1649

As I was laying out all my quilt blocks I figured that I need a few more to make the quilt symmetrical. So these are a couple of extras I did.

"Dove in the Window" for Noah's wife. Blue is for all that water, Brown for all that wood used to build that enormous ark, and Flowers for the faith her and her husband had to follow through with God's plan.

This block is called "Job's Troubles" to represent Job's wife. The blue is for the sadness of losing all her children and having the man she loved so afflicted; the orange is for the havok wreaked by Satan; the background is actually more representative of Job himself. Job demostrated the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

The background fabric was given to me by a very dear friend, who also is a shining example of the Fruit of the Spirit (even though I know she'll tell me she doesn't) :-).