I never have met any of these people face to face. I have never even spoken with them on the phone. And yet, because of this new and crazy place called the blogosphere, I have been able to pray for them.
The couple, urban missionaries in Winnipeg, Canada, have been married for 10 years. They went through the heartbreak of miscarriage and decided to adopt their first child. They chose to adopt from Ethiopia in part because their neighborhood includes a large Ethiopian community. A Mennonite pastor, Jamie is also a third order Franciscan with The Company of Jesus. He made full professional in October 2009.
Their story of family building resonated with ours: due to a pituitary condition, it looked most unlikely I would be ever be able to bear children. Had I been born a generation earlier, I would not have given birth. My husband and I considered adopting a child from Vietnam at one point, but the costs proved overwhelming. Our two biological sons are prayers answered. God is good.
The story of my meeting Jamie and Kim begins a few ago, when a dear friend died. This woman helped mother me into adulthood and I felt her absence deep in my bones. One of my sisters suggested I start reading Catholic blogs to find kindred spirits. From there I found the YIM Catholic blog and from there, new friends, including Fran. She too, blogs, and told me Jamie and Kim's story.
The Arpin-Riccis set up a web page, asking for folks to sponsor them on their journey. I donated a tiny amount, possibly the smallest amount of the $20,000 they received. But in my very modest giving, and particularly in my praying, I am privileged to feel in some infinitesimally small way, I helped grow a family.
And that is most certainly not a waste of my time.
That's awesome! :)
ReplyDeleteI do believe the Holy Spirit guides us here and everywhere else.
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful post!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I think you may have given me seeds for my homily this weekend. Thank you for a great story!
ReplyDeleteDeacon Greg
@Stacy. Thank you.
ReplyDelete@Deacon Greg: Whoa. I would love to read that homily if you please.
I also worry about the time I spend in the blogosphere. Thanks for the inspiration, Allison.
ReplyDeleteThe internet has been a real blessing to me, given the limitations I suffer from at this time. It is an instrument that can be abused, but that can also be used to share experience and build real community between people.
ReplyDelete@John: I agree. It is a tool, nothing more or less. How we use it determines its value to us. When used well, it is nothing short of miraculous, the things that can happen.
ReplyDeleteI am just reading this now- I was on FB from my phone while away, but had no wifi, so was not on blogs. Thanks for this - I am grateful for being the channel of connection here. When I think of how God weaves us all together my heart swells - and I think of this with gratitude very often. I had a card from them as well, just saw it upon our return.
ReplyDeleteI first "met" Jamie on Facebook, introduced to his work by Brother Dan Horan, who blogs at Dating God. I can't even remember when, but I read an article in Spiritual Life, a Carmelite journal, called Digital Natives and Franciscan Spirituality or something like that. It was written by Dan. I was so moved by it that I googled him (he had not yet started DG blog) and got his email address, so I wrote to him. It turned out that he was going to be at Siena College, mere minutes from where I live, for the coming year. It took us awhile, but we did finally meet up one day.
Once again, the seemingly random is a reminder that none of this is a waste of time. I just wish that I had more time to read and write blogs! And please know how grateful I am to know you!!
Thank you Fran and welcome back from the shore. Perhaps one day we will meet: we are heading to Balston Lake for a wedding in October!
ReplyDeleteI do so love this post, Allison. Blogging has really boosted my faith in an incredible way!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I often guilty for blogging, as it is essentially taking time away from my family on my precious time off. But this is such a reminder that we can never know how we are being used. Love it!
ReplyDelete@Tiny Blue Lines: Glad to hear it. And I really enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteAllison,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled across this posting while reading your most recent. Of course this may be preaching to the choir, but the two are related. I often think of my ownblog writing as a WWJD moment, and if I remember my friend the Dir. of Catechesis who clearly saw the internet et al as a way to Evangelize, offer prayerful support, be a comfort to the hurting, a hope to those who struggle; than blogs, your, mine and others are a way for us to be the hands, hearts, and love of Christ. Blog away my Sister - in Christ
Patty: Thanks for your words of encouragement. It is good to "meet" you here!
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