Monday, October 3, 2011

The Boundaries of Faith


How extraordinary that my across the street neighbors in the Neighborhood with the Hills being Mormon, Christian Scientist, Jehovah Witness, Pentecostal Apostolic, Jewish, and Baptist would have the profound result of creating in me an unwavering curiosity about the Boundaries of Faith.


Rules of separation meant to keep me away only increased my desire to have a better understanding of why the Purcells had so many children? Why would the Kennedy's not go to the hospital. How did the Smith's speak in tongues and why did the Greenwalts go to church on Saturday?


As an adult I have been drawn to individuals whose faith shines through their very demeanor. I immediately feel as I did as a child wanting to know about the differences that keep their friendship with me at arms length. 


God must have known this about me in his sending Joe to find my Twirly Swirly Girl. Of all the faiths Joe's family could be, it is one with many boundaries.


Thirty-two acres of rolling Ohio landscape, not another house to be seen. A driveway cresting atop a ridge to reveal a home built to hold a very large family. Garage door entrance, remove your shoes, dozens upon dozens already lined neatly in a row. Handshakes only, one after the other, skirts to the floor, hair that has never been cut. Voices so sweet from faces made all the more beautiful unadorned, overwhelming curiosity trying to take it all in.


My daughter who has been through so much in her young life could only be loved by someone who understands what it is like to be so different from others.


It can't be by accident that the Boundaries of Faith have brought two mother's children together, one of whom wishes to embrace their differences. Wedding Picnic,  a very special day!

DO NOT PIN THIS PATTERN TO PINTEREST
I have made my own pattern of Bella Dia adorable mushroom house. It is for personal crafting purposes only. The red and white polka dotted fabric can be found at JoAnn's Fabric. The circle mushroom cap should be a 12" circle. (I have made mine 10" so that it will fit on my cute as can be gnome shelf.)

20 comments:

Denise said...

I love the thoughts of your post today,lovely words.Just as wonderful is your beautiful art.Ooooo would I love to have a home like your mushroom....Crafted or a real one.

Nan said...

Fascinating the differences in all of us, makes life so interesting. Love you little mushroom house dearie.

Mhairi said...

I find your thoughts both interesting and thought provoking. Your insights into life and family are so insightful that I look forward to reading your blog.
Today I was reading it with my children perched on each arm - this does not make it easy to type a message. My son (aged 3) looked at your mushroom and said "WOW, that is beautiful" filled with awe at your creation. He is thrilled that you have shared the pattern. Guess what I am doing this afternoon! :D

Pieceful Bits said...

What a lovely post and glad you had a very special day!!!
To answer your question about my screen saver..mine is the "windows" screen saver that comes with the computer set up.
The mushroom is adorable!!!
(~~)
Julie

Mary said...

Hello Elizabeth, faiths can be quite different can't they? I am in love with your mushroom home. I just may have to make one. I told my darling granddaughter that she needs to sew some little stuffed pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns. She will have fall break and be here on Friday. We will be crafting away. Your bluebird looks like he is a big guy. I just love your craft room friends! So cute!!

FELTRO POR MIM said...

I love your creations! That's so cute!

My Vintage Mending said...

Beautifully stitched. I have always admired Bella Dia. Can you believe that faith can be this different? Smiles...Renee

Musings from Kim K. said...

Beautiful and touching post, Elizabeth. Just as beautiful as the stitching on your toadstool house. All the little details are just exquisite. I'm always in awe of all your special embellishments. I shared how to make very basic fabric toadstools for my white feather tree last Christmas on this post:

http://kenward.blogspot.com/2010/12/fabric-toadstool-ornaments.html

I would love to try my hand and your beautiful creation.

Hearts Turned said...

Love your beautiful creations, as always, dear Elizabeth!

As a Mormon girl, I really appreciate and understand your story...written so perfectly, as usual...

Faith is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I'm sure you'll do very well helping all to embrace the differences, dear friend...

Julie

vivian said...

I love how you describe things. I can see very clearly what youre talking about! I'm so glad that Kelly and Joe have found each other!
xoxoxo

M.L. @ The House of Whimsy said...

What a sweet and gentle Post, Elizabeth. Your loving acceptance of all faiths will always be a blessing to Joe, TSG, and their future children.
With love, from another Mormon girl. : )
Mary Lou

dream quilt create said...

That is really sweet....I love how you appreciate the differences in all the faiths, realizing that each is a child of God.

Laura said...

Your post are always lovely, you have a way with words. You touch the hearts of others through your blog... you are a beautiful person.
...Your mushroom is so pretty! Thank you for sharing the pattern :)

Have a lovely week
Laura and Michele

Hope said...

i like this post especially as I am also very curious about others' beliefs. As a child, I spent much time in south Louisiana with my sister's in-laws who were Pentecostal and was fscinated by how differently they lived. Kudos to you for being open-minded enough to see the beauty in others!

Anonymous said...

Dresses to the floor... Did you know I lived 10 + years among Amish/Mennonite type peoples? Now there's some thoughts! :) I was just looking for family but I never found it. I did find a daughter in law, though! And boy oh boy can she bake a pie! :)

Your mushroom house is just adorable, Elizabeth! I was at Joanns recently but didn't see that fabric. I get so overwhelmed there though- almost panicky. Also, their stores vary in size and selection. But I do like my Joanns better than Michaels. The atmosphere is much better. My son gave me a gift card for Joanns for my birthday and I can't wait to use it!

Come by and say hi for Dotty Day! ♥

Joanne said...

What a cool post! I grew up in a very diverse community and I remember begging my mom to buy me a sari. To me the most beautiful outfit a little girl could have was a princess dress and a sari. I love looking at all your creations!
Blessings,Joanne

annemarie said...

Beautiful post - you have such a wonderful way with words. Love the mushroom home.

Unknown said...

In Faith there are no boundries only the ones Man has placed before himself. We all have one Father, one God. Being Catholic
and going to Catholic gradeschool and HS in the 60's and 70's I was very lucky. Parochial Schools were the only private schools in town, so those wanting to send their children to non-public school chose those. We had religion classes that taught the Catechism, but in upper classes they delved into Judaism and then into other Christian religions. In HS we had very interesting classes in Religion, Social Studies and History. The Teachers deftly mixing the secular with religious.
Alos, being from Ohio, My Dad's family is from the Hillsboro area and there have always been Mennenonite/Amish there too, growing up I never saw a difference, except no radio, Tv or Motor Vehicles....in todays world is that soooo bad. The hate mongorers on radio interview shows,
they miss out on the Springer Show and that ilk, and they were Green before it was chic...hey my Great-grandpa prefered to farm with Belgians til the 60's...but they did have a tractor.

Unknown said...

Oh E,
What a wonderful tribute to all of the faiths in this world. And the world you will only get to know better as time goes along.....Joe's Mom and Dad couldn't have asked for a better set of inlaws for their son.....Hope you all had a wonderful time....Love, Sandy

Nancy said...

Are they an Amish family, E? We used to eat at the Country Kitchen in Plain City, OH before it became the huge "Dutch Kitchen". The food was absolutely wonderful. Wishing you and your family all the best. xoxo Nancy