I told you about my affair with facebook. I told you about my facebook fast. Next week I’m gonna tell you how I have brought more balance into my computer time and broken the addiction to facebook.
But this week I just wanted to share with you the awesomeness that has left me with little or no time for facebook or other time-wasters online.
Congrats to all you people who have used facebook as a ministry tool or formed deep friendships as a result of your time there. But me – I’ve realized I personally can’t afford to be on Facebook. I feel it is one of the cheapest forms of interaction on the web, with the lowest quality content. Think about it – the easier it is to post something, the less time it takes (and facebook is all about small, short, easy bits of whatever) the lower the quality. Unless your Emily Dickenson or somebody who can spell a life in 3 short lines. Which I am not. In case you hadn’t noticed.
But I am an aspiring writer. A busy homemaker. A child of God who yearns for more – more life, more grace, more joy, more God, and more chances to tell of Him. That’s why I don’t have time for Facebook. Because I’m feeding my passions and my soul with things more worthy.
I’m so excited – I’ve been gathering this list of links and books for two months in preparation for this post! Here’s what I’m doing, where I’m hanging out online and what I’m reading when I’m not.
Websites
I had an epiphany last month. I thought, if I want to be a better mother, I should get myself some mentors in that area. If I want to improve my writing, I should read good writers. It occurred to me that, just as Passionate Homemaking is my inspiration blog for all things nourishing in my kitchen and home, there might be blogs out there that could feed my other passions. Then one of my readers mentioned the Relevant Conference. I went on the site to fantasize about going and saw the list of speakers. And all their blogs. I immediately added every one of them to my RSS feed. The weeks since have been a slow digging through the rich content on these blogs and deciding which ones are custom fit for me and that I will keep in my feed.
If you’re not sure you could spend less time on facebook, I challenge you to find some higher quality content in an area of personal interest and then see if you run out of time for facebook like I did.
These are some of my favorite blogs (both new discoveries and old favorites). I wish I had time to read all the archives, they’re that good.
Passionate Homemaking – My favorite Nourishing Living blog ’cause I can relate to Lindsay so much.
Pleasant View Schoolhouse – She quit blogging over the summer but she’s back!
Gypsy Mama -Writing Inspiration (Five Min. Fridays), Relevant Speaker
A Holy Experience -Author of “One Thousand Gifts” and Relevant Conference Speaker
Pioneer Woman – Eye candy and a good laugh
Modern Alternative Mamma – For well-researched info on all things alternative.
Resolved2Worship Beauty, Inspiration
Books.Then, there’s the books. Oh, my, the books! Have you been spending so much time online that you don’t read books anymore? I had forgotten my goal of being a lover of good books. On a recent Amazon Spending Spree, I added some delicious titles to my to-be-read pile. Seriously, people. Facebook can’t hold a candle to the content here…
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons – My first official curriculum perchase. My sis-in-law has taught all her kids with this book – wore out her first copy and is on her second. That and the fact that it’s phonics-based was enough recommendation for me. I’ll let you know how it goes.
When the Hurt Runs Deep – I received a free copy of this book to review from Blogging for Books. I’m half way through – review coming when I finish!
The Lost Mission – I love Athol Dickson! And this was my favorite of his works so far – the best novel I’ve read this year.
Confessions of a Transformed Heart – It’s been a while since I’ve read a missionary biography. These things ought not so to be! I knew I needed to read this when Alyssa mentioned it and how Nancy writes of her affirmation addiction and how she learned to live for Christ alone. Workin’ on that. Yeah.
One Thousand Gifts – Totally stayed up too late reading this last night. It’s like chocolate. No – Coconut oil for the soul (those who know me know mow much I love coconut oil!)! Buy this book asap and read it in every spare moment and experience spring in your heart. All the hubub about this book is valid – it really is awesome.
For the Children’s Sake – Haven’t started this one yet – but I can hardly wait. It’s a favorite of my mother’s, though she loaned her copy and never got it back so I hadn’t read it yet.
When You Rise Up – One of my readers recommended this one to me (thanks, Jessica!). Only one chapter so far – it’s deep. It’s good. I’m reading it to Jeremy when we are in the car together. This book is going to help shape our family’s approach to education.
ESV Bible – My husband picked up this portable little edition of the ESV Bible. After reading KJV all my life, it’s like the Bible has come alive again. Don’t get me wrong – I love my KJV. But I’m really getting a lot out of this version, and it’s a translation I trust. I highly recommend it.
Letters. Last, but not least, I don’t have time for Facebook because I’m writing letters. Another lost art. Don’t let it be. It had been a long time since I wrote a letter – I write thank you notes and little notes of encouragement (and that not often enough) but a letter? I wrote one this week to this handsome man…
My brother…joined the Marines and entered Boot camp this month. “Letters are a life line for recruits” the information letter said. I’m trying to be a faithful letter writer to someone who needs encouragement. Some one I’m very proud of. Have you written a letter lately?
How about you? What’s your favorite place online? What books have you been reading lately? Please share in the comments!
Hello, Daniella! First – love your name! that is unique and lovely.
I'm so glad you visited and are enjoying my little corner of the internet here.
As for facebook, your question reminded me that I still haven't finished this 'mini series' on how I manage my computer time. No, I have not closed my account – I promise to tell you what I did to keep facebook from sucking me abck into its grip in a post next week!
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I loved this post!!! This has been on my heart for awhile now (giving up Facebook), so it was GREAT to read your thoughts on it. Thanks for posting your favorite blogs and books… I also love A Holy Experience and Passionate Homemaking, and I've been hoping to find a few more just to keep it interesting, so I appreciate you letting us know your favorites (as another artist, and knowing you are an artist, I look forward to looking at the blogs you chose, because I'm sure they cover all the things we're passionate about as wives and mothers and homemakers and artists and daughters of the Most High!
A question for you: did you completely close your FB account? I am feeling like I should, just to keep things simpler with email (and I love the lost art of letter writing too, oh it's the best!! nothing like receiving a letter in the mail!!!…)… but I'm finding it hard to pull the plug. =) Seems so final, haha. I'm already getting thoughts on what I should do, but perhaps some encouragement from a fellow non-facebook-er would help me make the change…
God bless you!
Daniella
Trina,
I started the reading book with m daughter when she was 2 years 9 months old. This was VERY EARLY, but she was ready. We took it very slowly (2 days for every lesson) and I did not do the letter writing since she was too young. I would only recommend doing it this early if a child shows they are ready. My daughter never has liked to play with toys. She wanted to be stimulated all the time. Shape puzzeles, number, color & shape flash cards were her “toys”. For me it was easy to make the move to start her with this book.
For my son there was no way he was ready this early. I started him in early January, a few days after he turned 4. For him, this was the perfect age.
I hope you blog about how it goes for you!
I have been following three of the blogs you listed for quite a while – for pretty much the same reasons you cited. Haven't read any of the books though. I do however ALWAYS have a stack 0f books by my bed – ready when I am! ๐
Letters? When I was homeschooled, that was a part of Language Arts. I wrote a letter a day. Now, I send out a few “thinking of you” cards a year. I buy a dozen at a time so there are no excuses – they are always on hand.
Many thanks to your brother for protecting our country – there aren't enough words. It's hard work and lonely at times. I will pray for him.
@trina….yea, I've started my list….I decided to write down 25 things each day of Lent…I'm up to 250 so far…..I've been posting it on our blog http://www.thewhites2005.com
I just finished last night…so yea, definitely staying up too late ๐
Jessica – yeah, i'm about 1/3 through, too, thanks yo staying uo too late. have you started your list yet?
Janet – thanks for the feed back. i'm glad to hear that the everyday details were what your brother liked to read about – hopefully my brother is the same – 'cause that's all I could think to write about. ๐
So, when do you start with the reading book? a
I wanted to add that yes, letters are very important for your brother. I remember writing many letters to my brother when he was in Basic Training (Army MP). He told me that he really enjoyed them even though he was not able to always write back. He enjoyed reading about the little things that made up my day or what the family was doing. Wow, I can't believe that was 9 years ago.
“Teach your child to read” is a great book! I used it for my first and am now using it to teach my second who is 4. We are flying through it and he is finding words in books and trying to sound them out on his own.
I'm sure you will love this book!
Good for Jordan!
I was just getting ready to send you an email and ask if you've read One Thousand Gifts….I'm about a 1/3 through….it's great!