Week 2

Does virtual life change "real" life?  My opinion is, absolutely!  In an age when break down in the family unit is already a huge issue, all of our technology gadgets and media are just adding to the disconnection.  Through social media we have become a people who have turned the attention to "me;" for example, Instagram, Facebook, blogs, Twitter and other avenues keep us inside our own perspective.  Yes, people can leave a comment, but that's not the same as immediate, audible feedback.  And sometimes those comments can be misinterpreted.  With spoken conversation we have the advantage of facial expressions and voice inflection, and we can read the other person's face to know for sure that they understand our intentions.  Our social skills, spelling and grammar skills, and etiquette skills are suffering.  With all of our advances it is easier to become bored, awkward, lazy and impatient with both people and life.  If we are bored with a conversation we can disengage and pick up our gadget or click the "x" button and shut down the computer.  Sitting face-to-face with another individual and carrying on a conversation is quickly becoming a lost art.  And, what a shame!  The Lord made us to have relationships- with others and most importantly, with Him.  Other cultures, for instance those in Africa, value relationships.  Short, straight-to-the-point speech would be offensive.  Therefore, our ability to have cross-cultural relationships are impaired.  When I asked my 13 year-old daughter her thoughts on this topic, one response she had was that it is so much easier to Google for information, such as the spelling or definition of a word, rather than consulting a dictionary.  Therefore, research skills are suffering. We all know that patience is something we have to work at and grow in, so if we are accustomed to having everything at our fingertips and something goes wrong, it is so easy to become frustrated.  I think back to when we were so thankful to have dial-up internet, but now that would be so aggravating!  While I do know that our advancements in technology have accomplished and enhanced MANY things, such as medicine, education, communication, but with all of our advancements something must suffer.  I believe we have sacrificed one of the most precious things God has given us- personal, meaningful relationships.  Is it worth it?

Week 1

Hello!  My name is Alicia Carroll.  I am blessed to be married to Joey Carroll, and we have 3 children, Audrey, Abby and Jonathan.  I grew up in Section, Alabama, and graduated from Section High School.  I attended Northeast State Community College and graduated from Athens State University in 1999 with a degree in Secondary Math.  I taught for a year at North Jackson High School before resigning to stay at home with our growing family.  I consider myself blessed to have the formal training of a teacher, since I use it daily as I home school our children.  In the summer of 2010, our family answered the call to full-time missions.  We then spent two years living in southern Washington state helping restructure a discipleship ministry and encouraging two churches in the area.  We are now back in Section for a season of training for the foreign mission field.  I am thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to work on my re-certification before leaving the country!  I'm not sure what internet service looks like at our future home. :)