Find Those Willing to Share Their Talents
Welcome a new baby to your family, church or neighborhood with a quilt or another gift. Just as we often like to welcome new neighbors when they move into our neighborhoods, welcoming a new baby is a sweet opportunity. It is a wonderful way to get to know, show love and support to a family with a new baby. It is a way to find out if there are any needs and a nice way to get started making connections and friendships.
In our church ward, we have made it a special point to help all feel welcome and part of our church “family”. One way is to visit a family with their newest arrival and bring a welcoming gift. We have a volunteer who loves to make quilts with her extra material and she is really quick at whipping them together. I love that so many ladies have different talents and we always try to find ways to help each feel useful, needed, and especially recognized to share her talents.
If you don’t know of someone with this talent, she may just be quiet about her abilities, so try to find ways to get to know those with talents around you. Most of us are so happy to share what we like and are good at. You can make it a point of conversation by asking everyone you meet what they think their talents are and keep track. In your communities, you can survey to find out what talents are around you. Of course, if there is another talented sister who has another crafty thing she can make instead of a baby quilt, then by all means, take her up on what she likes to create or what her speciality is and offer that as a welcome baby gift.
Having a new baby is a big transition even with an experienced family with a sibling or two and most are so happy to be offered a gift and support, even if it’s just to say congratulations and we’re here if you need anything. It can be surprising how many around us can use what we have to offer and it can be surprising what others have that we can be blessed with. I was asked if I had a use for her extra fabric and I said YES! I think I should even start to ask around. Of course I snatched this up and it was plenty enough for lap quilts also for the local nursing home.
Make a card or tag to say “Congratulations and welcome to the ward family”
