A breakdown in communications

For someone who has spent their life in the communications business, this "going off the grid" has been quite a challenge for me.
My accounts on Facebook, Twitter and all kinds of social media are now drastically different. Even this website has endured some serious alterations. But by far, the most difficult aspect of this transitioning process has been giving up my cell phone. Well, I still have a cell phone for two more weeks, but my smartphone is no longer smart. It's just for talking and texting.
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to eat at Azteca and wanted to "check-in" on Facebook, but couldn't. I just don't have that capability anymore, and I feel a little like I've lost connections with my friends and family.
A little funny... this week while we were visiting family in South Florida, my kind brother-in-law, Joe, would periodically hand me his cell phone and say, "Here. Tweet something. I know you want to."

At the end of this month, my cell phone will go away altogether.
Oh, CJ will still have his cell - at least through the end of September (while we're in Virginia.) And ironically enough, so will my oldest daughter since her phone is part of his account. But not me...
I know this is just all a part of a process, and when I look at the bigger picture, I think, how important is having a cell phone really? There are more difficult challenges endured by people in the world for sure.

Lately, I've been trying to think of it this way: An ice sculptor first starts with a block of ice. He chips away a little piece here and there til he creates his artwork. Likewise, I know that in order to be used for the Master, I have to have pieces of me chipped away. The goal is to become what my creator wants me to be so that I might be used by Him. I'm not melting, I'm just changing.

I know there will be many more changes in the near future as our family learns to live within a completely different culture. And I know that not being able to communicate like we do in this country is just the tip of the iceberg.

Speaking of communication, we'll be in Virginia for eight weeks and we'll be able to receive mail there - the old fashioned kind - and we'd love to hear from you! Cards, letters, care packages (hint, hint) can be sent to us at:
CJ, Julie, Zoë and Miá Johnson
c/o International Learning Center
16492 MLC Lane
Rockville, VA 23146