The instructions were to put special letters of encouragement, poems, or other

messages that were given to me at a time in my life that brought encouragement.

Then at a time that I was struggling, I could open the box and read these messages and be lifted and blessed.

Several years ago I began to make scrapbooks from beautiful pictures that I found in magazines, catalogs, cards, etc. I made these and gave them to my grandchildren because they enjoyed the quiet time of looking at the wonderful pictures. I filled them

with lovely dolls, trucks, balls, animals, birds, and many other things that attract children.

Then God led me to tell the story of Jesus and God's love and include them in the books, which I called “Butterfly books.” Suddenly, I was making them for adults, as well as children, and I have lost count at how many have been given out... Love, Ruthie

It took Ruthie many, many hours to put these books together because she let the Holy Spirit guide her in each individual design and she had to overcome the rheumatoid arthritis that had changed the shape of her hands.

But we have a loving God of mercy and grace and each book became a beautiful gift from Him through her service of love.

Ruthie left with her beloved Jesus in February 2004, the month of Valentines and abundant expressions of love – something she had unconditionally given freely to many, many people.

Her prayer was that people would feel the love of God and Jesus Christ when they opened their Butterfly Box or Book and it becomes a work in progress, like our lives, as we add loving memories into it. She lived her last moments to tell us one more time ~

The night before she left with her beloved Savior, she with the most beautiful smile said ~