I met the lady who bought Twisted Sister. Here is the story. Last Summer all the quilts sold at auction except a pink black and white quilt called Twisted Sister, I made another one similar about three years ago for a teacher who suddenly left BISI... Any way. I met her at Woodsview International Preschool

She was washing dishes for the days events and I went up there to meet her. She called me after the auction had finished and asked if all the quilts had gone, I told her all had gone but one, she asked which one I told her Twisted Sister. She exclaimed that that was the one she wanted. I won't reprint her story as to why that quilt was so special to her, but I can tell you why it was special for me. Through quilting I have been able to express love. The quilts have also made it possible for others to show love too. I feel blessed to be able to make a difference in people's lives.

I will continue to do so and I hope God continues to bless the work of my hands inspired by the love in my heart.
Thanks for stopping

Troye

Well it has been long time since I have taken time out to write anything but that doesn't mean things have not been going on. I don't know what the latest news is on Melisa so I am going to find out and post it. Recently though my cousin John was visiting and made a generous contribution to us for Melisa. I am happy to have been able to help and with the prospect of giving up my job I can maybe do a little bit more before we leave these shores. I am nervous about letting go but that is because I want to try and do everything. it is ok to let others do their part I keep trying to tell myself but I am not listening.

A sad day yesterday. You really have to stop and take stock and make sure you let the people in your life know that they make a difference to your very existence. I want to make it my business to help the people I love really understand that I care about them. I want to do that because I know how encouraging I find it when people reach out to me. I have one friend I will always love no matter what because she loved me even when I was unlovable and even mean to her. She did it because she said she knew I loved God. That made me stop and think. She only told me after we had been through a thing or two and got my senses back. I never looked at her in the same way again. She doesn't know it but she really made me think very long and hard about how i show love.

I will tell her today though.

More later

Troye

Well today is the 10th of January. Nothing extraordinary, beginning as most days do. Today however is the opening of the Art Exhibition "Prisms of Creativity" at the Antik Hotel here is Istanbul. The great thing is two quilts are in the exhibition. YIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPEEEE. I am nervous I can tell you but I am really excited. I really put my heart and soul and a few pieces of real treasure into Salome; Here is what I wrote on the back of that wall quilt:

Salome, the girl who danced for the head of John the Baptist,

I heard it said that while Jesus walked the earth more miracles happened at that time than other time in history. It would stand to reason then that the influence of evil would have been present in equal measure. As I thought about it after having one day read the account of John the baptist, I thought what kind of dance could a woman do that would make a man promise up to half his kingdom? Upon further reflection I thought perhaps Salome did not dance alone. Who then really did dance before Herod Antipas? Who entranced him to the point of delirium that he promised to give her after her dance whatever she wanted even up to half his kingdom which was considerable by any standards. How was a man so ensnared that he was responsible for with bringing an end to the ministry of a man the who was cousin to Jesus? Was it Salome who danced or a greater adversary of Christ?

at the very bottom I wrote what I remembered of a quote from the usual suspects:

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing people that he didn't exist Verbal Kint/ Keyser Soze.

What is my point? I have decided to offer this quilt for sale to help Melisa!!! I have made a promise to help her until I leave Turkey and what a great opportunity to do that!

I really do feel priviledged to be able to do this. I hope it goes really well. Wish me luck

Troye

Well it has been a while but I am still at it!! I get yet another opportunity to raise money for Melisa. I am entering "Salome"into an exhibition and on faith I am going to offer her for sale for 1000 dollars!!!! Am I nervous am I fearful? Heck yeah but I am faithful and hopeful too!!! 20% will go the the exhibitors charity the rest goes to the Melisa fund. It is hard to describe how energized I feel about helping this little girl.

Seeing her and the joy of her father really does make it all worth it. It really truly is better to give an it is to receive.

Stay tuned will post pictures here.

Here is an excerpt from an email I received from Barish who went to the hospital with Melisa and her father:

The check-up with Melisa went very well. We took her to the American Hospital to the Children's Clinic where the head of the unit, a pediatrician and oncologist saw her. She is really one of the best doctors in Istanbul in her field. Her father brought all of the previous records and MR Scans related to Melisa's condition and the Doctor had a careful look at them. She knew immediately what her condition was, and how her brain tumor was related to the spots and blemishes on her skin. She said it was a benign tumor but in a very difficult area to operate on, and that it did have the potential to become malignant if I am not mistaken.

What she recommended was that Metin have Melisa see three other specialist doctors at a research hospital in downtown Istanbul. She personally recommended and phoned up these experts in the field to refer Melisa to them. Basically there is a new non-invasive injection technique that she is recommending to reduce whatever is causing the tumor to grow. She wants to get these other doctor's opinions as well on what to do, and they know about this technique. The goal is to prevent the tumor from getting any bigger and if possible reduce it. An operation is not currently on the table. Metin and Melisa need to now see these other doctors for more tests and check-ups in the next few weeks.

The good thing is that the doctor we went to is connected with the best institutions in the city and knew all the doctors who had seen Melisa before. So it was excellent that we went to see her.

Please keep Melisa in your thoughts and prayers. To me this seems hopeful. This new procedure would be less invasive. That has to be a good thing.
Troye

I am still at it. My middle finger on the right hand is permanently sore and swollen these last few weeks. Who knew?? It is all for a great cause and I don't have any regrets. Andy may do but I don't.

The kids leave this weekend for various destinations and while I think I might be glad of a quiet house I will miss them dreadfully. I am glad they have exciting new adventures to experience, but in the deepest places in my heart I want them to stay with me. But then i know they are not mine to keep so off they go.

I will have more sewing time I hope so watch this space

Have great day today what ever you do where ever you go

Love

Troye