Occasionally I start to tweet something and change my mind because of someone I’m “friends” with on Facebook and what they might think. I suddenly get the feeling that someone is peering through my front windows and judging my life. (I haven’t yet sent a tweet that gives me that kind of caution, in case you were already worried.)

But I wonder, does that make me shallow? I mean, shouldn’t I be the same person to my Tweeps and my Faces? What exactly am I hiding? Perhaps social networking has suddenly given us the ability to be one person instead of a fragmented mess of student, laborer, family member, etc. All of my roles that can remain separated by time or space come crashing together in a cyber reality. Sure, I can do a good amount of impression management from Facebook and Twitter, but I also put my “person” out there for ALL to see – and I wonder if some people see a person they never really knew?

OR – does Facebook make me a better person? Does the awareness of how many people are going to read my thoughts make me less likely to say something I would probably regret anyway? Could the Facebook me be the best version of myself? You now, right, that employers have been known to skip over candidates whose social networking profiles included compromising photos and commentary? Could putting my “best face forward” actually help me be a better person?

What do you think, Tweeps and Faces? Are we more, or less, ourselves in the age of social networking? Who really knows the REAL you?

When I think about poverty, pandemics, and orphans, I get overwhelmed. I want to do BIG things, like adopt a baby or build a school, but can’t even manage to send in that little card that says I promise to donate my coffee money for the month. If you are like me, I have a little story for you. I promise. You’ll feel better at the end.

This picture is from Dan’s trip to Brazil two years ago. It was taken during a house church Bible study and Andrea Powell (the one smiling at the camera) was delivering the lesson. Marcondes is the man next to her; he was interpreting her words into Portuguese. Our church supports the University for Life in Brazil and Marc and his wife, Ruth (seated next to him), are some of our favorite people in the world!

Mission trips have the reputation for impacting us in the short-term but not always changing our long-term habits or decisions (there are exceptions to this – share them in comments!). Mrs. Powell is definitely the exception. Maybe it is because she was a missionary to China. Maybe because she comes from New Zealand (Are people nicer there? All the kiwi’s I know are fabulous!). Maybe it is because she fits into that category of Real Christian. I don’t know for sure, but you are going to love the genius of her idea to support missions.

Every week Mrs. Powell bakes banana bread mini loaves. She individually wraps them and puts them at the convenience store counter with a donation can that says: $1 buys a brick for the CBC gymnasium project. I personally contribute to this can at least once a week and use its existence as my excuse for NOT giving up carbs. (Yes, I know I could donate without taking one of those tasty little bricks, but I do not have that kind of will power.)

She’s been doing this for nearly two years. Every week. I figure if she bakes a dozen, and at least ten people pay a dollar each, then she’s making $40-50 a month for this program in Brazil. Amazing. And, really, it doesn’t sound that difficult – except for the consistency part! : )

1. Losing Teeth! Claire has lost another one since this picture, and I’ve been reminded how exciting it is to change and grow-up. Claire cannot walk into a room without flashing this somewhat painful looking smile just to see if anyone will notice. Don’t we all feel that way sometimes! If only we noticed each other more.

2. Hungry Girl daily tips and products! I’ve recently discovered this little gem of recipes and good-for-you ideas. I’m convicted more than ever that I need to get a little more serious about this healthy living idea and this is one place to start. Plus, she’s funny and somehow related to Spencer from iCarly. (Follow her on Twitter, too!)

3. Looking forward to road trips! In October I’m headed to Chicago for the Story Conference. Check out StoryChicago.com. I’m so excited about this conference. Then, in November, my little niece Nola is having a 1st birthday party complete with tutus and top hats. Oh, yes, we WILL DANCE!

4. And still Diet Coke Lime.

5. Biggest Loser. People, last night two guys on this show gave up their spots for someone they thought needed it more. This is reality TV worth watching. Not that every season of Biggest Loser has been so honorable, but the characters this time have a genuine sense of kindness and compassion toward one another.

A common sight at our house: Dan at the piano while the girls dance. While watching this one, know that it was recorded though my Photo Booth program, so they can see themselves on the screen. Give me your best interpretation: funny, spiritual, or anything in between!

What do you see?

Dancing from Felicity White on Vimeo.

Who Needs A Story?

Translated from the Tigrinya

by Charles Cantalupo and Ghirmai Negash

I needed a story

And asked myself all day –

What can I write?

It kept me awake all night –

What do I have to say?

I emptied so many words

And ideas out of my brain

It would have floated away

If not tied to my heart.

Now I needed art.

Paper and pen in hand,

Tomorrow I would start . . .

But wait.

What is this all about?

Do I really need a story?

All this time and hard work –

For what?

I hate myself for thinking this.

I already have a story

That nobody knows and it’s great –

I am the story.

From the book Side by Side: New Poems Inspired by Art from Around the World, edited by Jan Greenberg. A different photo accompanied the original poem, of course, but I thought this one made a similar statement.

Sometimes this is what it takes!