The roaring laughter, the unmistakable skill, and the sense of community at the 31 Bits Uganda Headquarters has reminded us of the underlying rhythm that makes us who we are. Every beat you hear at 31 Bits is propelled by a thoughtful action, and every thoughtful action leads to another. We designed holistic development programs enabling women to rise above poverty, but little did we know they would do much more than that. The women of 31 Bits have been compelled to take “thoughtful action in their community.” They began moving in together, sharing meals, and caring for each other’s children. They began volunteering at the hospital and counseling women in the local prison. Their mindsets about their capabilities and their futures have shifted. They have confidence in their skills, a fresh outlook on their lives, and goals for themselves and their children.

We are surrounded by people in our community that have made giving their rhythm as well. This is Kristen’s story…

Meet Kristen, a blogger, Marriage and Family Therapist, freelance writer, and a busy mother of four. She and her husband adopted Jafta, their foster child of three years, and later adopted Kembe from a Haitian orphanage. Kristen and Karis, their youngest daughter, were visiting Kembe in Haiti when the earthquake hit. To learn more about their story, watch this video:

Kristen now has a platform to share her story of adoption on her highly popular and highly entertaining blog, Rage Against The Minivan. We asked Kristen some questions about family, community, blogging, and pet peeves:

How have you seen “thoughtful action” in motion with the blogger community?

The biggest example of thoughtful action was in the days after the earthquake in Haiti, when I was stuck there with my son and infant daughter. Even though internet was spotty, I could click on my blog comments and then read them after we lost connection- a way of feeling support in the glow of my laptop after our contact was cut off. I sat reading my blog comments long into the night – bawling and yet feeling bolstered by the prayers and support of friends and strangers. Those days after the earthquake were some of the lowest points in my life – but I also felt some of the most intense love from others.

What have you learned through blogging, and the relationships you’ve formed?

It has certainly expanded my worldview and made me feel a part of a broader community of moms. I have never had that sense of isolation as a mom that I heard my mother’s generation talk about. Despite the fact that some days I don’t ever make it out of my pj’s, I still feel like I get to do a little connecting with others each day. I can blog about my struggles with choosing preschool, or dealing with the school bully, or my inability to remember my assigned snack day in the classroom, and the comments often feel like my very own community of women, propping me up and guiding me along the journey. It’s also provided me with an amazing community of adoptive moms, with families that look like mine. I may not see them every day, but I know they are out there, and just an email away.

How do you instill the “rhythm of giving back” within your family?

For us, having each of our children sponsor a child is a tangible and easy way for them to experience giving. I know my kids feel a sense of purpose in this small act, and I hope that this experience of the joy of giving is something that will shape them as people. Child sponsorship helps my children understand the place of privilege they hold in the world. It gives them perspective, and it opens their eyes to the true issues of poverty.

 Your blogger pet peeve:

When blogs make me type in a hard-to-read code before I comment. Enough with the Captcha, people!!

Favorite 31 Bits jewelry:

I love the  Petunia and the Sunday Frill!