i introduced jana to the wonders of instant messaging a little over a week ago. i thought that it would keep the phone bills down while she is in utah, but it’s just made us more accessible to each other–we just spend more time chatting with each other, on the phone or online (the perils of putting two very verbal people in one relationship ). we’ve already made both sacred and profane use of this technology. here’s an example of the former, excerpts from a prayer via msn messenger:

jana says: who’s turn to pray?
john says: your turn!
jana says: me???
john says: i prayed on the phone last.
jana says: i did it last ime on the phone!
john says: i think.’
jana says: nope
jana says: it was me inthehotel room with mom
john says: no prob.
john says: i’ll pray.
…
john says: dear heavenly father,
…
john says: please bless aunt madge for her hospitality, bless her with companionship in her loneliness.
john says: please bless tom and his family during this new trial,
john says: and please help us to serve him by building a good site for him.
…
john says: we thank thee for people who create works which inspire and lift and help us to think.
john says: we’re grateful for the examples of hard work, dedication and sacrifice and service which surround us.
john says: jana?
jana says: yes
john says: your status changed [to away]. i’ll continue.
jana says: ok
john says: we’re grateful that thou hast blessed our lives with such wonderful little ones.
john says: i’m grateful that thou hast blessed my life with my wonderful, radiant, talented, compassionate jana.
john says: please help us to have the energy to use our talents, our time, our resources to serve others.
john says: please continue to bless our family with safety and peace of mind.
john says: in the name of jesus christ,
john says: amen
john says: .
jana says: that was beautiful
jana says: thank you
jana says: jsut what i needed otnite
john says: say ‘amen’
jana says: really
jana says: oh,, amen, i forgot
jana says: god bless you john
john says: thanks.