Networked

In the three-plus weeks since my last blog, I’ve cancelled my internet access, packed up my life and belongings, relocated to a fabulous house in the boonies, driven 8 hours (not 7 anymore) to my mother’s house in Baton Rouge for Christmas, returned to continue unpacking said belongings, and finally got reconnected to the internet. In that order.

And can I say that it wasn’t the endless boxes that frustrated me the most, but the lack of technology. I had not realized my utter dependence on email and instant messaging to connect with my friends and family. Sure I use the (cell) phone, and I write occasional notes (usually of the thank-you variety) on paper to snail mail, but my primary means of communication is electronic. So combining my new location in the boonies–actually a town north of the Dallas area called Anna (10 miles from a Walmart, to give you perspective)–with my lack of the Net, I was feeling seriously isolated.

Thankfully it didn’t last long. I mean, 3 weeks? Big deal. And it wasn’t as if I had time to sit around and email all my buddies anyway. The holidays kept things hopping, and the boxes and children claimed the other 80% of my time. I think it was mostly a mental thing for me.

Then, today, I get a note from an old acquaintance from seminary. Heather Jamison, fellow seminary wife/student, author, and mother, recently set up a blog. Check it out here. As I glanced through a few of her posts, my situation looked less and less dire. She’s in Africa, a missionary to Kenya. I would say that limits her time with friends and extended family. Her internet access? Dial-up. The slow and unreliable kind, too. Her latest confession? Asking a member of the Texas church group about to come for a short-term trip to make a quick trip to Target for a few items.

Anna, Texas, is looking more like the center of civilization, now that I think about it. Nothing like a missionary friend to slap you upside the head. Thanks, Heather! (And I really mean that.)