by Martha June

Two years ago I prayed in frustration,

Lord please help me find a hobby.

It felt silly to pray at the time. I grew up a life long reader, and after pursuing an English degree, I needed a break from the written word. I felt the same about writing. Those were the only two hobbies I had every really pursued.

Lord, I just need something to do, something to put my hands to, something that is not scrolling on my phone.

Not long after praying that prayer, my sister and I began talking about quilts. We loved their colors, style, and how they made a room look like home. I began scrolling through different websites, trying to find a quilt, suddenly wanting one for myself. As I looked at different styles, prices, and sizes, I thought I can make these.

I texted the only quilter I knew, my Grandma, asking if she could teach me how.

“Can you thread a needle? “

I think so!

“Come on over.”

It was the height of August in Missouri, when I drove up her long driveway. It was lined with blooming pale pink surprise lilys. We spent three days together making a simple quilt, she was easy going about it, and I was hooked.

Her sister-in law- (my great aunt) has also been a life long quilter.

“Let’s go see Marian!” She said. “She has more fabric then she knows what to do with“

About two hours later, I left Marian’s house with a big container of fabric.

I had everything I needed, and I started quilting immediately. It is all I thought about, all I was inspired by, and all I wanted to do.

God answered a silly prayer for a hobby, one that I love. He also provided a way for me to spend time with my Grandparents and create lasting memories. It turns out my Grandpa liked sewing too, so he sat in the sun room with us as we chose what colors would look best for the small lap quilt we were making.

Eventually, I started an instagram page to share the quilts I made (@surpriselilylane) and I plan to share more here.

So, “Surprise Lily Lane” was born in memory of those August afternoons, sewing with my Grandparents and passing those lovely flowers on their drive.

The Lord has been kind, and I have learned I love making things that someone can treasure; just like memories.

Martha June