iLove technology

Yes, I've had my share of moments when technology does not make life easier! But lately I have been extremely grateful for the many ways I can stay connected with family and friends that are scattered around the country. So here's three cheers to technology:


1. Even though we live in 6 different states (ranging from MA to AZ!), I can still tell you what my closest friends are up to on a weekly basis thanks to our "Sunday e-mails." The idea of sending out a weekly e-mail to keep my friends up to date started way back when I graduated from high school. My trio of friends couldn't bear the thought of losing touch as we parted ways and spread out to various colleges. Instead, we made a pact that we would keep each other informed through weekly e-mails, to be sent out on Sundays when we all (hypothetically) had a chance to sit down at the computer and rest. You might think it would become monotonous, but it was always a joy to read and write these e-mails as it made us feel close to one another despite the distance.


My college roommates quickly found out about these Sunday e-mails and were amazed at our consistency in writing them. Four years later, when it was time for me to say good-bye to these college friends, we decided there was no better way to keep in touch than through this same idea of Sunday e-mails. Now, I write 2 e-mails each week, one to friends from high school and the other to my college friends. Thankfully I can include a lot of the same information! Though it is a big time commitment, it is so worthwhile. Sunday e-mails have been a great way of sharing joys and sorrows with close friends who happen to be far away. I also love knowing how I can pray for my friends on a weekly basis.  Though I can't say I'm always great at picking up the phone, I can say that I read and write a lot of e-mails!


2. Unlike many of our close friends, we are so grateful to live close to lots of family! We can simply walk down the stairs to visit my brother and sister in law, and it is only about a 10 minute drive to both of our parents' houses. If only his two sisters lived closer! Thankfully there is Google Plus to keep us connected to my husband's two sisters and their families. It has been especially nice since our first niece was born. She grows and changes so fast! There have now been several occasions when the entire family logs onto Google Plus at the same time to "hang out" together and watch our niece make new noises or eat her first solid food. Just last weekend, we got to see her crawl! Without technology, we would miss out on these exciting events.


3. Remember our soul friends, and how crushed we were when we found out they were moving away from us? I must say we have done an excellent job of seeing each other on a regular basis, but then there are nights when we have no plans and simply want to call them up to say, "Want to come over for pizza and a movie?" On one such night, we decided we would have to settle for chatting with them via Skype. It was the best we could do - or was it? That's when my husband had the great idea of playing our favorite game with A&M - just doing it virtually instead of in person. I was skeptical at first, but he convinced all of us to go out on a limb and give it a try. Sure enough, we broke out two identical game boards - set one up in NY and the other in NJ. There were some glitches that we had to figure out - how can we trade cards with other players when they aren't here? How can we choose cards from the same deck? But we managed to make it work and had a lot of laughs (and great conversations between turns) in the mean time. At the end of the game (yes, we made it to the end without giving up!) I could honestly say that we "hung out" with A&M - it felt like they were here with us the whole time. We all agreed to do it again!


I know technology can be a burden at times, but I sure am thankful for it! Now if only I could get an iPhone?! Imagine the possibilities! :)