Our families are certainly of the utmost importance (or should be) to each and every one of us. We take care of each other and grow together and experience the highs and lows of our earthly existence as a clan, a tribe, we share a home, we share a name, this forges an amazing bond. Families do need support and it can come from different places. This support is crucial for the survival of our families and for our sanity, healthy marriages, happy childhoods, and homes.
Right after I was married I packed up my apartment and moved from St Louis to Dallas because that's where my husband got a job. I left behind a very large extended family. My Mom is the eldest of 8 and my Dad the eldest of 3. At the time I think just about everyone was living in St Louis. Most of my Moms siblings had 4 kids or more and I grew up with cousins who were like siblings. When I left I took all of the family gatherings for granted. I really didn't appreciate the big Thanksgiving Feasts and Christmas Day - in which EVERYONE was present. As a child I had always had this wonderful community of extended family. When I left as an adult I was looking forward to living in a new city with my beloved.
It didn't happen immediately but I began to miss all of the family that I had left behind. When I came back to the Catholic church I would sometimes feel like I was with them all again at Sunday Mass. I made friends who showed me the love of Christ. I joined an amazing community of homeschooling families who provided incredible support and friendship for our home school journey. When I did go back home for a visit, it was fruitful and the love that my family and I have for each other had only increased. My baby cousins were not babies anymore, now they have their own families and are beautiful adults. My nieces and nephews are growing quickly and doing so well in sports, but I never get to see games. When my Mom comes to visit we don't fight like we did when I was a teenager. We have so much fun together and cry when it's time for her to go home.
Sometimes I go through my days, weeks, months and years wishing that I had someone who was like family that could just help me a little tiny bit. I'm like a lot of people, I don't really want to ask for help, but I would ask my Mom or some family that I feel close to. Sometimes I don't even really know what I need help with, I just know I need some support.
A few months ago, a neighbor of mine told me that they were moving and that the house they are currently in would go up for rent in a few months. I was so sad to hear this. She was an amazing neighbor who went above and beyond to help us in times of need. I didn't want to see her go.
It occurred to me that I should pray for new neighbors. I started to be very specific, praying for a homeschooling Catholic family to move in. I got my kids to join in, and they prayed too. We must have been praying for 4-5 months. And about two months ago I learned that one of my Catholic FB friends was moving into this neighborhood! She wasn't moving into the house directly across from me, but it's still in my community and we can walk there easily.
Simple words cannot express the gratitude that I feel to have her here. From the time she got the keys to her house she has had an open door policy. Our kids love to play together! She has let my kids play there when I have a Dr appointment. She's fun loving and happy and grateful all rolled up into one. Did I mention that she has two teenage daughters who babysit? We have been able to make date night a reality again. But most of all, she's that friend that you love to sit on the couch and chat with, about anything!
In his wisdom, God knew that I needed a friend close by, someone that understands me because they have similar struggles and a Catholic worldview.
I also want to encourage anyone out there who may be needing a little help, even if you're not sure what that is to reach out to your Sisters in Christ. You can bless others by allowing them to assist you in some small way.
Right after I was married I packed up my apartment and moved from St Louis to Dallas because that's where my husband got a job. I left behind a very large extended family. My Mom is the eldest of 8 and my Dad the eldest of 3. At the time I think just about everyone was living in St Louis. Most of my Moms siblings had 4 kids or more and I grew up with cousins who were like siblings. When I left I took all of the family gatherings for granted. I really didn't appreciate the big Thanksgiving Feasts and Christmas Day - in which EVERYONE was present. As a child I had always had this wonderful community of extended family. When I left as an adult I was looking forward to living in a new city with my beloved.
It didn't happen immediately but I began to miss all of the family that I had left behind. When I came back to the Catholic church I would sometimes feel like I was with them all again at Sunday Mass. I made friends who showed me the love of Christ. I joined an amazing community of homeschooling families who provided incredible support and friendship for our home school journey. When I did go back home for a visit, it was fruitful and the love that my family and I have for each other had only increased. My baby cousins were not babies anymore, now they have their own families and are beautiful adults. My nieces and nephews are growing quickly and doing so well in sports, but I never get to see games. When my Mom comes to visit we don't fight like we did when I was a teenager. We have so much fun together and cry when it's time for her to go home.
Sometimes I go through my days, weeks, months and years wishing that I had someone who was like family that could just help me a little tiny bit. I'm like a lot of people, I don't really want to ask for help, but I would ask my Mom or some family that I feel close to. Sometimes I don't even really know what I need help with, I just know I need some support.
A few months ago, a neighbor of mine told me that they were moving and that the house they are currently in would go up for rent in a few months. I was so sad to hear this. She was an amazing neighbor who went above and beyond to help us in times of need. I didn't want to see her go.
It occurred to me that I should pray for new neighbors. I started to be very specific, praying for a homeschooling Catholic family to move in. I got my kids to join in, and they prayed too. We must have been praying for 4-5 months. And about two months ago I learned that one of my Catholic FB friends was moving into this neighborhood! She wasn't moving into the house directly across from me, but it's still in my community and we can walk there easily.
Simple words cannot express the gratitude that I feel to have her here. From the time she got the keys to her house she has had an open door policy. Our kids love to play together! She has let my kids play there when I have a Dr appointment. She's fun loving and happy and grateful all rolled up into one. Did I mention that she has two teenage daughters who babysit? We have been able to make date night a reality again. But most of all, she's that friend that you love to sit on the couch and chat with, about anything!
In his wisdom, God knew that I needed a friend close by, someone that understands me because they have similar struggles and a Catholic worldview.
I also want to encourage anyone out there who may be needing a little help, even if you're not sure what that is to reach out to your Sisters in Christ. You can bless others by allowing them to assist you in some small way.
