Flashback Blog- Part 1: Longing By Josh

As we share our journey and new adventure with others, we our often asked how did we get to the point that we are at today.   To honor these questions and to retell our story, we will from time to time feature a "Flashback Blog."   Here is our first of hopefully many.

It is hard to say when our journey really began.  God's love is always around us, embracing us, engulfing us in His love, mercy, and healing.  For the past three to four years we have experienced an increasing desire to what to do something more for God.    There has been a kind of unrest and a longing for more of God and wanting to serve Him more.   This did not come from a sense "necessity" but from a growing gratitude for all that God has blessed us.   And gratitude in turn transformed into generosity.   We considered different options the diaconate, foster parents, and other possibilities, but nothing seemed to fit, so we continued to pray and open our hearts.

About a year and a half ago, during the fall of 2014, Maria was on Facebook, when a friend recommended "liking this page" for Family Missions Company.   Maria opened the link and became excited, "What? Families can do this?!   This is amazing!   This can't be it.   This is too much."   And with that Maria closed the tab and did not say anything about it.   But the seed was planted and continued to grow in her heart.

Skip ahead to February 2015.   Our parish, St. Gregory the Great, had a pre-Lenten retreat with Deacon Ralph Poyo.   Over the three nights we were challenged by the question, "What would our lives look like if we really went all in with our faith?"  How would we live our lives if we were not afraid?  So often we want to seek God and His will, and as we follow Him, we come up with backup plans, safety nets in case we falter.  Such preparation are often prudent, but they can hold us back.   They can ensnare us, taking away our freedom and ability to take the leap and follow Christ.  I don't think Peter put on a life-jacket before stepping out of the boat.  With a renewed fervor we found ourselves again longing to do more for God and asking Him what more can we do.   We again started talking about these desires and turning to God in prayer, offering ourselves to Him.   Maria prayerfully and quietly held FMC in heart.

About a month later, we had company over who had just spent a week with FMC.   Our friend was so excited and passionate from the time he had spent there.  We spent most of the evening sitting around the dining room table listening to his stories and experiences with the missionaries and their work.  He spoke about the community life that they share centered around their faith, prayer and spirituality.  He talked about how amazing the children of the missionaries are and how they are still "normal and real" kids and families.   At one point, he looked across table at Maria and said, "I've seen that look in someone before.  Maybe you are called."  Maria responded sharply and quickly, "Nope, no look here.  Take your look elsewhere."

Later that evening I turned to Maria and asked, "Was your heart burning when we were hearing about FMC?"

"Yes.   But I have a slight confession to make....  I've know about FMC for five or six months."   We then decided it was time to begin looking more into FMC beginning with their website.   After years of placing a growing desire in our hearts and months of Maria patiently letting the seeds take root, we received a nudge.

To be continued...