"...and that's what it's all about!"

Today I am really thanking God for the amazing gift of the Christian community. We don't raise our children and live our faith in a vacuum. We can't. It's just not the way God designed us.

We are so blessed to be part of a wonderful Catholic homeschool group. Every Friday the boys attend a program sponsored by that group. It includes Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (a religious education experience based on the principles of Maria Montessori --- very hands-on and child-directed) and also a Montessori class where they do a variety of works in different subject areas. It has been a wonderful experience for the boys, but also for me. While the boys are in class, I help watch the babies and toddlers AND I get to visit with several other moms. These are amazing holy women from whom I learn so much. Every week I take a notebook with me (yes, they all tease me about this!) so I can jot down ideas and resources they mention. Every week I seem to have something I'm worried or nervous about with the boys and these moms calm my fears, affirm my mothering skills, and give me great advice. Some of the moms have been homeschooling for a while and they are so knowledgeable, helpful, and supportive. Others of us are just starting out and we support each other as we learn together.

I can't fully express my gratitude for these women. Their advice, encouragement, and support truly empowers me to embrace my vocation as mother, teacher, and wife. How good God is for giving us to each other. We can't ( and aren't supposed to) do it alone. I know that God works through us as we lift each other up and hold each other's hands in the day-by-day process of mothering and teaching.

On another level of Christian community..... our family arranged to meet some friends at our parish fish fry tonight. It was such a great experience of sharing food, faith, and fun. We prayed grace and ate together. Then the children played and the parents visited. We talked about everyday things as well as about how to give our preschoolers the spiritual formation we want them to experience. As we were getting ready to leave, I was holding their baby (who happens to be my goddaughter! Lucky me!) and Ray - without saying anything - came up and made a cross on the baby's forehead, lips, and heart. My first instinct was to correct him for touching the baby's lips with his dirty hands... but then I looked at the baby's mom and we both smiled and I thought, ".... that's what it's all about!" We ARE learning and living the faith. They ARE "getting it." God is so good! We are so blessed to share this journey with such special and amazing people.

Thank you, God, for all of my family members, friends, and fellow Catholic Christians with whom I journey and learn. Thank you for speaking to me through them and allowing me to share all the ups and downs, challenges and celebrations of my life in such rich and amazing ways. Teach me to more fully appreciate and embrace the call to build up Your family in these times when we are so focused on ourselves and living such frantic, fractured lives. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Lord. Amen.