Facebook Etiquette 101

For awhile now I've been sitting here, high upon my horse, smirking and scoffing at all the lack of discretion used by some of my fellow facebookers. I've been promising my friends and myself that I would soon be publishing a manual for this great social networking tool to help us all network better.

The many great freedoms of social networking give us just that - freedom. To say as we please, create an image of ourselves based entirely upon personal whim, and post whatever pictures, links and videos our hearts desire. This freedom has produced a new generation of mass communicators. Whether or not we entirely agree with the changes myspace, facebook and twitter have wrought, those changes are here to stay.

Throughout the ages, in any social setting, there have been rules of etiquette followed. Before you roll your eyes as articles from "Miss Manners" pop into your head, bringing with it images of your grandmother's fine china, hear me out:
It is a common sign of cordiality to shake someone's hand when introduced. Now, you may choose to slap their face instead, but you more than likely will not retain any lasting friendship with this unfortunate person and neither would you expect to do so.

This, by no means, is an exhaustive resource for proper social networking etiquette. It is simply a collections of observations on the many faux pas commonly committed by us social networkers in this relatively new community we find ourselves a part of, and how and why to avoid them.


1) Do not share someone else's personal information unless given permission by said person.

Seems obvious, right? I call and tell you I'm expecting. 'Don't tell anyone, we just found out!' Don't post that your best friend, Sally is gonna be a mommy. Saying that you're gonna be an aunt doesn't count for secrecy. Even if you have two sisters-in-law, you've pretty much narrowed down a juicy piece of gossip for the rest of facebook to hash over. (And pissed off your favorite sister)

2) Facebook is not your psychologist's couch.

Save your self-piteous, fuming diatribe on his cheating ways for your three best friends who care.

3) Do not comment on a break-up, end of an engagement or divorce.

Now really? We've all been around long enough to know you can "x" this tid-bit from your news feed and save yourself the embarrassment. Would you stand up in the middle of a group of all your friends, family , acquaintances, co-workers, friend's friends and shout, "Mark and I just ended our relationship!!" right after breaking up? Unless you have clinical need for attention, probably not. Heads up - announcing it on facebook is the same thing.
Now really?? (#2) If your friend, brother or best friend's cousin either forgets to erase their change in relationship status update or just enjoys the attention... do not comment. Don't do it! Would you run through a room of all your friends, family , acquaintances, co-workers, friend's friends (& more than likely, the ex) to get to your newly singled, possibly devastated friend yelling, "OH MY GOSH WHAT HAPPENED?" Unless you were drunk, probably not. Don't do it.

4) Mushy conversations between you and your significant other are irritating to everyone else.

Most people turn away if their friend & significant other choose to have a "moment" in front of them. Its just a little yucky to watch another person kiss and whisper sweet nothin's in front of you. While not really a faux pas, if you decide to post something sugary sweet on your special someone's wall - be prepared to be ridiculed. No one else wants to read it and once again, if you put it on Facebook, it is for everyone to see. (Just a reminder: there are always messages, emails, phone calls and texts.)

5)Do not talk about work on Facebook.

There are some possible exceptions to this rule, but for the most part - following it is a fail-safe. Don't talk about your annoying manager, lazy co-worker, stupid report due or long, boring afternoon. In short, don't complain. Do not give your boss any reason to doubt your indispensability. These are hard times and someone else wants your job!!

6) Don't talk about your private parts, detail your post-birth body functions, other bodily functions or someone else's bodily functions.

No further elaboration necessary.

And finally:

7) Don't make Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or any other social networking tool your main source of communication with your family and closest friends.

It easy to spend a lot of time on Facebook. Make sure you're spending time with the people who's statuses you comment on, pictures you look at, walls you post to. If you don't, you may wake up one day to find that your computer (or smart phone) has become your best friend.



post scriptum There is a possibility of more to come. For now, you've been warned. If you are reading this asking, "who is this stuck-up priss to tell me how to network?" Please continue with your unpolished ways. It gives the rest of us something to talk about.

New Hobby!

Meet our newest toy:

A juicer from the Edwards' for Christmas! We've been having so much fun coming up with tasty concoctions, mixing fruits and veggies for some delicious treats!

One of our favorites has been grapefruit juice. Its very mild- a little sweet, a little tart. They are in season right now and we got a large box at Sam's for under $5! I woke up this morning and realized that they were starting to go bad so I decided to juice them all! Not a difficult task, just peel, half and they are ready to go. (DEFINITELY peel grapefruits - we learned the hard way... yuck!)





Isaac was busy crawling all over the kitchen floor while I was juicing. I love watching him explore! One of the peels accidentally dropped on the ground while I was peeling and I "accidentally" let him play with it while snapping a few shots...




And just minutes later I had a tasty morning treat! (and, grapefruits being packed full of vitamins and antioxidants, a healthy treat too!)

Deck the Halls!

We had a great time getting ready for Christmas yesterday! Isaac just started crawling this past week so he was into everything! The look on his face when I turned on the first string of lights was priceless!







Can't wait till Christmas morning with this sweet baby!

Who, ME?

About a month ago, Kim Kargbo emailed me about volunteering part time for Women of Hope International. They needed someone to commit to doing their administrative assistant work and help keep them organized.
WOHI is a mission organization started by two incredible women, Kim and Kelsey Martin. Its purpose is to minister to women in Sierra Leonean who have disabilities.
That being said, although I gave both of them the thumbs up for their willingness to give up everything for the sake of the gospel and its power to transform the lives of the women of Sierra Leone... I sure as hell (and I mean hell) did not see this being what God was calling me to do.

So I did the right thing, I lied and said I'd "prayerfully consider."

Now I must insert a prequel to my story so you can better understand my hesitation. Ever since Isaac was six weeks old, I've been keeping an eye out for different part-time work. I had some experience cleaning (being type-A, anal retentive, obsessive compulsive about cleanliness being my main recommendation) and thought maybe I could clean a couple of houses a week. Not too time consuming, but certainly a small form of income. I hadn't made much effort in this area, but was keeping my eyes and ears open for any at-home part-time job opportunities. This being in the back of my mind, I just knew God wanted me to contribute to the house-hold income in some way. I was simply waiting for the right scenario to present itself.

A week after receiving Kim's email, having successfully avoided any real time with God by offering up light, non-committal prayers here and there, I felt an urging in my heart to do what I had said I would do. Pray. I sat down to do so thinking, "well at least I already know the answer to this one. No harm in keeping a promise."

As soon as I lifted up my obligatory prayer, I heard the Holy Spirit say, "have I ever let you starve? Have you not always had a roof over your head, clothes to wear, food to eat? Stop being so doubtful of my goodness and reluctant to serve. I do and will provide for you and your family, whether or not you are generating income!"

Well, I had my answer.

After repenting of my cowardice I emailed Kim and told her after much prayerful consideration, I had decided to accept her offer and would love to be a part of WOHI.

I am two weeks in now and can't be more thankful for the blessing and privilege it has been to be a part of this ministry. God is using it in my personal life in more ways than I would have ever been able to foresee (surprise). Seeing Him use Kim and Kelsey's passion for the Sierra Leonean women for His glory is both encouraging and convicting. We constantly get to witness His provision and movement as He uses weak vessels for His glory. A small and unexpected bonus is that Isaac is a much happier baby when he gets to be around other people during the day. (What a little extrovert!)

If you want to read more about what God is doing through Women of Hope, Int., check out their website: http://www.womenofhopeinternational.org/

Delight

I was having a sweet moment with Isaac earlier today. Once a week or so, he lays still and will let me cuddle with him. I was holding him, thanking God for the blessing he is. Overwhelmed by my love for him, I was thinking about the gift he is, what joy he has brought to our family, how much I love watching him grow and change every day.

What new insight into God's love for us, His children. My love for Isaac is a life-changing thing. I feel as if I could move a mountain, stop a train or die a thousand painful deaths if summoned to the challenge. Although I feel as if I could do these things, I obviously cannot. My imperfect love pales in comparison to that of our Heavenly Father for us!

Its was an incredible thing for me to step back and think on the love of God for His children in these terms. If my parental love for Isaac is this moving, how much more so is the perfect love of our Heavenly Father? As I gaze on my son with sheer delight at his very existence, how much more so does He gaze on us with the Delight of Heaven?

I love Zephaniah 3:17:

"The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing."

Don't let the familiarity of this verse allow it to leave you unmoved!

One of my favorite hymns and one I hope Isaac will grow up knowing every word of is "How Deep The Father's Love For Us."

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom