Sister Rose, an elderly lady I visit teach, recently inspired me with an altar cloth she hand-made for the Boise Temple. It was a cloth crocheted of delicate lace and fine workmanship. Her skill impulsively motivated me to challenge myself.
Years ago, while casted from knee to toes after reconstructive foot surgery, I was taught to crochet afghans with yarn to stave boredom of being confined to a velvet-upholstered recliner. I learned a few basic stitches and have since made several blankets from simple patterns, but never have I attempted anything as beautiful as the cloth Sister Rose created. As we sat in her living room, admiring the details of her masterpiece and discussing the Meridian Temple opening next year, I boldly exclaimed, "I want to make one!"
Wait. What did I say...?!? With excited conviction, I brought home a white skein of fine 20 thread--a weight I have never used before--and determined to make a sacred cloth for the House of the Lord.
Seriously. What was I thinking...?!?
I have humbly come to realize my crochet skills went unnoticed for too long and are extremely subpar. But, I also remember my patriarchal blessing mentions my hands being blessed; that they will do what they are told to do. This is especially interesting, considering my dwindling fine motor abilities due to Multiple Sclerosis. The Lord's promises are sure, and with Him all things are possible. He blessed me with a basic knowledge of the crochet realm, and I know through my consistent effort (armed with various sizes of steel needles, some You Tube instruction, and extreme patience), the Lord will bless my hands to sustain their ability.
For a righteous purpose, I practiced a beginning granny square. Now I am tackling my "forward chain-pull apart-forward chain" process of the unfamiliar and intricate lace pattern, taking it one stitch at a time...so, in time, I will be able to exclaim, "I made one!"
