It is more blessed to give than to receive.
To me, this is never more evident than in mine and mom’s September Box exchange. Once a year we exchange things we have been collecting or creating. Months or weeks or days of thinking about each other while readying our gift box. And then exchanging it in September, a precious time. We just recently exchanged our boxes for our 8th year tradition.
It was just weeks before our exchange. I saw a jar of “positive quotes” I saw at a craft fair. The idea turned and weaved and circled and eventually evolved into me typing up a booklet of selected Promises from God. One from each book in the bible.
Like most handmade gifts, it was a gift to me to create, BUT this one carried an extra blessing to me. I spent hours in God’s word. Reading the many blessing in each book and choosing just the one I wanted to use. God has given us so many wonderful promises! Even in obscure books like Zechariah “Return to me and I will return to you” says the Lord Almighty. 1:3 and Nahum, The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him… 1:7 and even our favorites, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7. There are over 5,000 promises in the Bible!
What a heart of gratitude I received while typing these scriptures. An incredible reminder of all He has promised us.
I know it will likewise bless mom as she reads it.
I typed (poorly sometimes on my old non-electric typewriter) them on old journal paper and bound them using a picture in this guide.
Other notables found in my mom’s box….
I found this sweet book, on instagram and immediately ordered in on amazon. I want to make everything in the book!! But I chose to start with a patchwork journal cover. Using scraps of liberty fabrics, shared fabrics and vintage pieces and various thread colors (I received in last years box). Some of the fabrics I had purchased on our England trip. I thought of the fun memories of driving to Tewkesbury to visit Alice Caroline’s shop. I stitched fabrics from the red and white quilt mom made me and remembered our trip to Texas and how each night mom added another bow tie square. I included fabrics gifted from friends and fabrics from an old apron.
Slow stitching gives your hands things to do while your mind can get lost in all the good stuff.
So much trouble squeezing all these good things in a little lunch box.
Mom oohed and ahhed taking her time with each little item. What joy to witness.
And then it was mom’s turn to present her box for me. You might think it was my turn but the turn is truly the giver!
Mom makes the best bows! A beautiful hand painted and then handwritten card graced the inside of my tin. Mom is queen of note writing.
All my little gifts were wrapped in wonderful liberty fabrics and scraps. Because “you make the sweetest things with all the little fabrics”. Little did she know.
Deddy contributed too… This amazing little tin with such history.
These were little Christmas tins given to the British Soldiers by Princess Mary (age 17) in 1914 filled with tobacco, confectionary, spices, a pencil, a Christmas card and a picture of Princess Mary. The history which is really a worthwhile read can be found here. Deddy knew just how much I would treasure it.
Layered lastly was a coverlet and a pack of needles. Mom had stitched me a coverlet using old embroidered pieces. WOW!
Some of which my grandmother stitched.
Some of which I had been collecting for her to use in a quilt. Little did I know.
Mom’s plan is for us both to quilt on it passing it back and forth.
Slow stitching.
Another year of expressing love to one another using our love language.
Another year I get to Love the Giver.
Katey
I always look forward to what is in each of your boxes. What a blessing you both receive.
Thank you Laura. We do too! katey
oh my what a lovely day together opening your hearts gifts. I imagine all the sweeter because she is your dear Momma.
Thank you Julie! You will most certainly meet her when you come for a visit! katey
Lovely words indeed! So sweetly put; so graciously worded; so heartfelt. This is one of our treasures…looked forward to, planned for, thought about , both before and after the event. A blessing equally shared. Thank you, Lord.
I’m very excited about my coverlet/quilt. Stitching back and forth will add even more specialness stitched in. love you bunches
This makes me miss my mom and wish i had come up with such a lovely idea while she was still living. Thanks for letting me vicariously experience the love you and your mother share.
Thank you Rose. Bless you. xo katey
Oh Katey, what a treasure you have with these traditions with your Mom. They are so precious and you are both incredibly creative. I love how you share this special relationship you have with so many. Hopefully, other Mom’s and Daughter’s will be spurred to give such thoughtful gifts because of your example.
Thank you Karen. How sweet of you to say. I’m so blessed to have such a great relationship with both my parents. Both of them are wonderful gift givers. Which I believe is a talent! Thank you. Katey
Passed my bedtime, just had to ck my email, and there you were, Love The Giver, and I always love reading your inputs.so, there again, you touched my heart. The boxes were beautiful, the love you and you mom and dad share is truly amazing, I especially love the idea of the quilt. Would love to do one! Thank you for your uplifting and sweet remarks. I loved the lil Bible memory book too! Love you! Jo
Thank you Jo. Hope a missed bedtime was worth it! I am indeed blessed to have my parents still living and a great relationship with them. I have never hand quilted so I am excited to give it a go. Katey
Your gift box exchanges are always so interesting. this one was especially moving to me. I can’t begin to tell you how much i enjoyed this post. (i’m at a friend’s, using her computer to read & see the photos. Don’t have much time – I have to run a couple errands & get ack home.) Thank you for sharing this. Your book of God’s promises was an awesome idea. And, of course I love and admire all things your mom creates – the coverlet of course is extra special for the history of the blocks. Everything! love it all.
I am glad that you had time and computer to read my post. I am hoping to get started on stitching this week. Thank you for always been an encourager. Katey
Love this!
Thank you Lynne. I have thought of you several times and wondered if you have a new dog in your life. Katey
Oh Katey, how I look forward every year to this exchange tradition of yours and Dians. You are right, better every year. The quilt is exquisite and what a terrific use of old linens. And then Deddy slipping in his personal gift warms my heart. I repeat: You have the most beautiful family and God has truly blessed you with the awareness of the important things in Life. I love you dearly and hope to meet you one day.
Thank you Constanza. I truly have been blessed with a family so precious. I would love to meet you one day. xo katey