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Topic: Teachers (07/12/04)
TITLE: Teachers Held My Hands By Lana Fletcher 07/14/04 |
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I don't remember what I said out loud, but my attitude was whiny. Why would I want something that takes up more hours of my time? And I must be dull, because I can't think of anything to research.
Later, another friend said, ”I am having so much fun going to garage sales and buying things to have auctioned off on Ebay. You should get on the Internet! You'd have lots of fun buying and selling.“
Again, I don't know what excuse I gave her, but my attitude was resistance-I hate shopping so don't tell me what I'd have fun doing. And if someone pushes me, I'm pretty sure not to do it.
But as often happens in my devotional time-God reminded me that I hadn't asked His advice. So I prayed, God You know I don't like to waste time or money. You also know I don't like to be told what I will have fun doing. But if You think the internet is an okay idea for me, You know You'll have to send the people to help me. You know I'm not a do-it-myselfer.
And people began to show up. My brother-in-law and sister stayed with us for a month while they were waiting to re-locate. He just happens to be a computer engineer and he's not a pushy person, so I felt comfortable 'asking' him to help me buy a modem and get it hooked up.
Next I met Mark Carrier at Local Access and he has become a friend from his many trips to my home, first to set me up with email and Internet access, and then to solve various challenges like when my neighbor's electric fence interfered with my connection.
The third source of help has come from the classes available in the community. Timberland Centralia Library offers free beginners' email and Internet classes as well as Local Access. I took them both. I figured nobody had to know. Each time my brain picked up a few more tricks that made what I do easier and gave me ideas of things I didn't know I'd like to do.
The Community College also offers Internet classes. I have been content to learn a little at a time and I find the teachers very patient and excited to get another person comfortable with the Internet. My fellow classmates don't know what they're doing either, so we have fun and feel comfortable asking any dumb question.
I enjoy whipping quick letters and stories back and forth to friends on the email now, but that's not the only use. I get several newsletters, a professional one for my husband that I print out since he isn't into computers, one for bereaved parents, and one with tips for writers. It's great for getting announcements to our church newsletter to meet the deadline.
I have even begun buying on the Internet or do some research. I’m getting quite a list of bookmarks or favorites, which send me immediately to the sites I use, like a map for my husband to go to a seminar.
My church has several sites, including an online Bible. If I forget to send a birthday card via snail mail I can send one that day via the Internet.
I can find out what's happening at the Science Center and Imax and through the ticket Webmaster order tickets, or at the library site I order books. I go to the grammar lady since I proofread, and print out writers' guidelines for various magazines. I feel so efficient when I use the gift registries for The Bon Marche and Target for weddings and baby showers.
I’ve had to admit that rather than waste time and money, I’ve saved both.
Should you be on the Internet? Only you and God know if and when the time is right for you. I won’t tell you what you should do but I will share my experience.
I’m not a risk taker, so I didn’t jump into the computer and Internet world with both feet. My experience has been more like sticking one toe in to test the water, while teachers held my hands.
Now I’m being asked to be a teacher to others sometimes.