On community

I got this image from a blog of a lovely friend and a wonderful mother.
Click it to enlarge and read it.
Then go live it!


I told you last time about us deciding to buy a house. What I didn't tell you about, though, is the confirmation we received right after making up our minds that we were doing the right thing.

As I mentioned to you, we had struggled for a year living here with the idea of community. Friends, other young families, fellow Catholics -- we wanted them, we knew they were around, but how exactly to connect with them?

We signed our offer on a Friday, and found out our lovely friends the Wee Irish Lass and the Texan Liturgist were in town for a visit that weekend. Splendid. Could they come over? Sure, always.

They told us that night they had decided to move back to Nova Scotia from the nearby but not close enough for my liking Island. Our hearts swelled. We share so much in common, and we can hardly wait for their baby to come this fall! Dear friends of ours, living so close by:

God is good, Part A.

Then the following day, I got to behold one of my dearest friend's new baby, a healthy adorable little girl, and marvel in awe at this wonderful woman, bridesmaid at my wedding, shoulder to cry on, well, always, in her new vocation as wife and mother.

I realized as I smiled at her and her husband, we're not alone in this. Our friends are parents now, too.

Really, I couldn't be happier to see them as a family, They are so natural. How blessed we are now to share in the journey of parenting with them.

God is good, Part B.

Shortly after, we left to enjoy a lovely meal with our friend Katie and her husband (I feel entitled to use first names, as she is a blogger, too). It's actually quite delightful that they invited us over, as I have known her for a long time, but rarely been able to spend time with her. Yet when I announced on Facebook that I was trying to get rid of some fabric, she quickly jumped on the offer, and invited our family over in turn.

We had a wonderful meal and were just so delighted to spend time with a lovely Catholic family.

God is good, Part C.

Now can I just mention that us homebody Craines hardly ever spend time with other people? Patrick and I are like married stylites half the time, doing nothing but living our cloistered life. So to spend time with three lovely Catholic families in one weekend was like a community jackpot.

Shall I point out this was the weekend we had signed our offer for our house? When we took out a leap of faith and assumed if we settle here, God will provide the friends and support we desire?

He did. He always does, y'know?

Also, since then, I re-connected again with uber-mama-of-three-under-three-and-how-does-she-do-it-so-well-and-cheerfully? who is the mother to my adorable godson. We are sad that they have been our extremely near neighbours this past year, and yet I have only seen them three times. Nonetheless I actually think we'll see each other more now that we'll be living in the country. Because I am dying to practice the art of hospitality and have them -- and everyone! -- over!

To put the icing on the confirmation cake, I found out yet another dear friend of mine from high school is having a baby. She and I met in my LifeTeen days, and I watched her Christian romance novel-like courtship unfold with a truly amazing man these past few years, hoping and praying that they might indeed get married. I just wanted to raise my family close by her. And now, it appears, I will.

My heart is so full of joy. And gratitude.

Comments

  1. KellyJuly 15, 2010 at 10:05 PM

    *tear tear tear tear

    ReplyDelete
  2. katiemamaJuly 15, 2010 at 11:43 PM

    I am so excited to see that you've posted about community! I love the 'How to build community' poster, our family doctor has it hanging on the wall when you walk into her office.

    We were so glad you were able to break from your busy move to come and have dinner with us, we would love to have you again sometime :)

    I really think that we should talk more seriously about building some Catholic community as there seems to be so many little families around these parts! Hope all goes well with your move.

    ReplyDelete
  3. StephaniePJuly 16, 2010 at 11:46 AM

    Yay! I got a mention and a link. It was a bittersweet JOY to have you over this week, even though I wish it could have been more frequent before the big move. Like you said though, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other. Your place looks as beautiful as your souls my dear! Enjoy this wonderful milestone in your life while we root you on with love and prayers.

    Oh, I know what you mean about cloistered stylites. haha. I feel the same way (and not unpleasantly, there are benefits to remembering where my dear husband and I came from) some times, but of late God has been pulling us out of our cells and reminding us that he gave us friends to cherish. :) I cherish you my dear and look forward to seeing your new abode once it's all set up!

    ReplyDelete

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