*This shawl is for my grandmother. She is going to be 94 years young this week! I am celebrating her life in prayer as I finish it! -- Jane W.

*This was received from a woman who's son is in the armed service in Iraq, "My prayer shawl is such a comfort to me....I feel as if the softness of the shawl is protective armor for my son, serving us both well." - Wendy B.

*There are people who seem to face so many challenges in their lives you can't imagine how they make it through the day. There is a lady who I gave a shawl to who is like that. She is a happy person, you would never think she has all the health and personal problems she does. Her shawl helps her remember that there have been prayers woven in just for her. -- Jean P.

*A friend of my daughter's died after many years of living with a heart ailment. Tori asked if we had a shawl for his Mom, our neighbor. There was a lovely shawl waiting to be given (it seems they are finished and dropped off at the church at the precise moment they are needed). The ladies of the Prayer Shawl Ministry blessed it and prayed over it and I took it to my neighbor. When I arrived at her door (my daughter accompanying me) she invited us in. I explained why we were there and presented her with the shawl and there was silence. She told me that her son's favorite thing was the water, (rivers, ocean, lakes) and the colors of the shawl were blues and greens in a watercolour hue. She hugged it and wrapped it around her shoulders and told us how no matter how old her son got, he always hugged her every morning before he left for school. She said she'd think of him each time she pulled her shawl around her shoulders. A couple of weeks later we received a thank you at church that said, "Enduring my son's illness and his passing has been the single most devastating event of my life. I do not think I would be able to make it through if it weren't for the care and support of people like you. You are truly a miracle of hope and love....Your prayers have already helped me....Know that I will cherish the shawl and your prayers all the days of my life." -- Liz R.

*A member who recently moved after having been an active part of our church for many years wrote in thanks for her shawl,"Words cannot express my joy in having received the beautiful prayer shawl made for me and blessed by you all. Each time I wrap up in it, I will recall the warm embrace of our parish and in particular your very special ministry...thanks to each of the knitters, and trimmers for your care and prayers." -- Christy B.

*My friend has cancer and has chemo treatments in a very chilly room in the Treatment center. She takes her shawl and wraps it around her and stays warm during the lengthy treatment. She also receives many compliments on her shawl and has wonderful conversations with others who need blessings as well. -- Jane W.

*Sometimes you make a shawl for a person yet unknown to you and the group, and it turns out to be meant for someone specific. I was given some lovely mohair yarn to work on, a raspberry color. I had started knitting and was praying for the person who would receive it. When I was asked by another member of the group who it was for, I immediately thought of my mother-in-law who was in a nursing home. I kept thinking of her as I was knitting and deciding if this was her shawl or someone else's. Then I looked at the name of the color of the yarn. It was Boston Rose. My mother-in-law lives just outside of Boston. That was affirmation enough for me. And when she received it she told me it was her favorite color of all time and it was much appreciated for the prayers and for the warmth it provides as she sits in her wheelchair. -- Liz R.