Emma Strong

Day 26

Wednesday 27th May Sometimes life gets in the way of our intentions.  I am often encouraging others that it's okay when things don't go according to plan.  I've had to remind myself of my own words this last week, as only a week ago my mother-in-law, Nita, went to hospital, and just days later she went home to be with the Lord.  Whilst Nita was ready, and we know she's now pain-free, it's left a big hole in the family and we'll miss her.  She fought the good fight, faithfully trusting the Lord her whole life, and always longed for the day she'd meet Jesus.  My role as a School Chaplain is not about telling this to others in words, but about living a life that speaks such faith through action, just as Nita did. Share

Day 19

Wednesday 20th May Yesterday I collected another cross-stitch that I completed after finding it half finished in my mum's house.  So in the words of Blue Peter, "Here's one I made earlier."  The title is Emma's Garden, so although my mum doesn't remember buying it or starting it, she clearly bought it with me in mind.  Both my mum and Country Framers did a beautiful job, and I did my best.   Share

Day 18

Tuesday 19th May I added the sparkly pattern on the dress yesterday.  Working with the metallic thread is super time-consuming, but the result is great. In my work as a Chaplain for YouthCARE I often encourage parents to spend more quality time with their children, which can feel time-consuming for them.  But the results are great. Share

Day 17

Monday 18th May I think I've finished all the beads, which feels like an achievement.  Now onto the banner at the base of the picture.  The banner says 'Liberty,' which of course is a nod to the Statue of Liberty.  As a school Chaplain for YouthCARE, I would say that a large part of my role is to support students and parents to feel free from something, whether that's a behaviour they wish to change, or a relationship that's soured, or a situation they feel stuck in.  I can't simply solve such problems in an instant but by talking through the issues we can often find a way to work through it. Share

Day 14

Friday 15th May It has been slow going the past few days, as the bottom of the skirt has many beads and stitches with metallic thread, some just one metallic thread and one of another colour.  Life can seem very slow and difficult for many of the students I talk to, and I can only encourage them that this stage is not forever.  I have a transfer on the wall of my office that says, "Life's not about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain."  it is my hope that I can encourage so many to do just that.  Meanwhile, I am learning patience as I wade through this fiddly part of this embroidery.  Share

Day 10

Sunday 10th May It's Mother's Day here in Australia, and appropriately I focused on sewing the shiny beads, whilst thinking about all the ways my mother 'shone.'  She was ridiculously good at most things, to be honest.  Many women sew, knit and crochet, but I'm not sure how many spun the wool to start with.  Mum would buy a fleece from a farmer, card it, spin it, dye it, and finally crochet or knit with it. She knitted most of my jumpers.  She knitted complicated patterns of pictures or Aran cables. She crocheted with wool or fine thread - she sold some of her creations.  Mum made most of my dresses, too.  But she didn't stop there. She made curtains, upholstered chairs and sofas, and re-rushed chairs.  She rarely bought a greeting card, and of course learned origami, quilling and iris-folding to make exquisite cards.  And then there was the jewellery making with air-dry clay, macrame, embroidery, and of course cross-stitch.  She did a Cordon Bleu cookery course when she was first married, so her cooking was amazing.  As if all that was not enough, she kept an amazing garden, loved fell walking and bird watching, and did the Church books for years.  Oh, and she worked full time and continued to take my brother and me to wherever we needed to be.  She also had time to do the crossword daily, clean the house, and help me with my homework.  I remember Mum spending a lot of time with me.  I seriously don't know how she fitted it all in, but she's a huge inspiration to me.  I can never achieve all that my mum achieved, but I hope to inspire the school communities I work with as I fulfil my role of School Chaplain.  I know that rarely a day goes by when I don't have a conversation about something that I know about only because my mum imparted that knowledge to me. Share

Day 5

Wednesday 6th May Spent about 4 hours on the project tonight, but you can barely see a difference to yesterday.  It's a bit like packing up a house, or weeding a garden.  Two things that my mum spent countless hours doing in her lifetime.  We moved a lot during my childhood, and she made a beautiful garden wherever we went.  Knowing how much needlework my mum did in her lifetime, and now knowing how long it takes, I really don't know where she found the time.  She always had time for my brother and me, too, taking us on walks, picking strawberries, birdwatching, to Guide and Scout events, ballet lessons and exams (not my brother!)   Time is something every child values in a parent or caregiver, and as Chaplains we can't replace that, but often we support a child who, for whatever reason, has a caregiver who can't give them a lot of time right now.  It is my absolute pleasure to do that. Share

Day 4

Tuesday 5th May Can you spot which corner was added to on Day 4? Share

Day 3

Monday 4th May I’ve got a a good chunk of the beaded gown done on the weekend;  sewing in the beads is slow going. Share