Through My Blue Eyes

About Me

My life is not my own, for I belong to Christ.

It is because of God's grace and for His glory that I "live and move and have my being."

I am currently back in Indiana, studying English Education at Purdue University, far from the home I've come to know and love in Victoria, Australia

My family means the world to me.

Living in America and loving in Australia, I am blessed indeed. Complete Profile

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Blackwood Family Website

Zachary's Amazingness

Some Fabulous People

Tuesday, March 29, 2005

Ok this is a semi-strange post concerning a very popular thing: Burning CDs. My siblings and I are not allowed to either burn our CDs for others or accept burnt CDs from others. For a while I thought this was a silly rule. My dad considers it 'stealing'. I disagree...or at least I did. Now, I'm not exactly sure. I recently bought a CD and while skimming the back, I came across this phrase:

"Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited by Federal Law and is subject to criminal prosecution."

What am I to make of that? Maybe it means something other than 'if you copy this without permission, you could be punished and considered a criminal...' What do YOU all think?

That's all I have time for now. My sweet (HAH! ) little bwudder wants on...

Song of the post~Somewhere Only We Know by Keane

Charity | 10:48 am

// posted by Charity @ 10:48 am |

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Thursday, March 24, 2005

I went to Jason Coghill's concert last night at our church. I enjoyed it a lot. He is a very good singer and does it for God's glory. What more could you ask for?

Sunday night there was a joint service at 2nd RP with all the Indiana churches to listen to Pastor Andrew Quigly (sp?) from Ireland. He preached on one of my favorite Bible passages - 1 Corinthians 13. Why do I love this passage? Well, duh, in the King James Version, it has my name all over it! (haha just kidding, if you didn't guess ;-)) I love it because it's such a beautiful passage with so much meaning, but it's also so, easy to say and so hard to actually apply. I tell my friends and family I love them, but if I am truely speaking about the absolute, true meaning of the word, I am far from a perfect love. In my quiet time Sunday night, I took each characteristic of love and wrote a spacific way I could apply it to my life. Now, don't you love it when you get all excited about applying a Bible verse to your life...but then get disouraged when at your first chance to demonstrate it, you totally blow it? Hmm...maybe that only happens to me...(but I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one.) So, I guess I'm sort of asking for prayer in this area and encouraging you all to look at that passage and really think about applying it's meaning.

I'm not going to try to 'catch you up' on my spring break last week because...well just because. :-P Instead, I'm going to use this post to do something neat I saw on a few friends Xangas.

**Make a list of things that end in the number of the last two digits of your year of birth**

This could definitely take a while so if you don't read it all, I'm going to be verrrry disappointed in you! (heh, I'm joking...sorta :-P)

EDIT: Read it again...I fixed a few mistakes and added a couple things...

1. I am a Christian
2. My name is Charity Ruth Blackwood
3. I was named after my great-grandma Ruth and my great-great grandma Charity
4. I was born and raised in a Christian home
5. I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters
6. I love them all
7. As hard as it is to believe, we don't always get along
8. I was born in Pittsburg, PA
9. When I was around one, we moved to Evansville, IN
10. My dad was the pastor of the RP church there
11. In 2000, the church closed
12. That summer we moved to Indianapolis, IN
13. This is where my dad grew up and close to where my mom did
14. I was homeschooled K5-1st grade
15. I went to a *tiny* Christian school in Evansville 2nd-4th grade
16. I was homeschooled 5th-6th grade
17. I went to Greenwood Christian Academy grades 7-8
18. I am currently a freshman in highschool and am homeschooled
19. I take some classes with other homeschoolers
20. I have several Christian friends who I love dearly
21. Last summer, I got to go on an ECHO missions trip in Florida
22. I made several new friends
23. I try to be friendly with everyone
24. But I know I often fail miserably
25. I have about 7 cats
26. They're 'technically' Maria's (my sisters)
27. At least two of them are pregnant
28. I like them better as kittens
29. I have one dog
30. Allen recently bought 2 rats
31. When we got them the pet store lady said...
32. "Now, you know what's going to happen since you got a boy and a gi'rl?"
33. My favorite color is blue
34. My mother has had three brain tumors
35. The first one was a little over a month before she got married
36. The second one was when she was pregnant with my youngest brother, Benjamin
37. The third one was about 7 years ago
38. Thanks to prayer from many, many people (some who didn't even know her) and God's grace...
39. She is healthy now
40. But she has some balance trouble
41. And has lost some feeling in her right side
42. My parents were married on Christmas Eve
43. They've been married 20 years
44. Do the math
45. My oldest brother, Allen, is 18
46. Zachary is 16
47. Maria is almost 14
48. Tamara is 12
49. Tamara and I share a birthday
50. We're sorta like twins...three years apart
51. Benjamin is 10
52. I love writing
53. That's probably evident, considering I'm taking the time to type this list...
54. My dad would like to live in Australia
55. If it were up to me, we'd stay here (in Indy) for...well for a very long time
56. I started blogging when I was 13
57. I never knew what a blog was before then
58. Anna P. was kind enough to inform me
59. I was such a nerd when I was younger
60. I'm hoping I'm not one now...
61. But I'm sure in a few years I'll look back and say the same
62. I like a lot of different music
63. That's probably thanks to Allen
64. Country is definitely in that list
65. I love how country songs tell a story
66. And a very high percentage of them are clean
67. Have I said yet that I got to Southside RP?
68. I would possibly like to be a teacher 'when I grow up'
69. I love you Anna, Grace, Mary, Mary, Ellie, Ellen, Laura, Lydia, Bekah..annnd all you other wonderful people!!! (happy now? )
70. I have taken piano lessons since I was six
71. I absolutely love shopping!!!
72. I love staying up late with friends doing 'stupid' things
73. I think I trust other's pretty easily
75. I am in a "Little Women" play
76. I am playing the part of Meg March
77. Two of my best friends are going away for over a week
78. I am really gonna miss them
79. They better call me
80. I wish I could see people who live far away more often
81. Although, I love staying in Indy...
82. I guess I wish they could come visit ME more often
83. *cough cough wink wink nudge nudge...Laura!*
84. I enjoy making my family, especially, laugh
85. I love having phone conversations about nothing in particular
86. But I also love deep conversations about important things
87. I've had some great late-night ones
88. I could spend hours at a time on the computer
89. I love sitting in my room late at night thinking or reading
90. I don't plan to date/pursue a relationship with someone of the opposite se'x until I am ready to pursue marriage

Wow...that list was over before I knew it! Got a little bored in the middle of it, though...

Song of the post~Psalm 32 sung by Jason Coghill

This is just a sample of it from his site.

Charity | 4:58 am

// posted by Charity @ 4:58 am |

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Sunday, March 20, 2005

The quiz reveals that you are definately Charity.
(Or some strange person who must be Charity's
evil twin.)SoooooooooooooHAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I hope you feel special!

Are you Charity?
brought to you by

I realize this is a little late, but I had to post it anyway...glad you found SUCH attractive pictures of me, Katie! ;-) Thanks again! A whole quiz based on me...hehe.

Charity | 6:04 am

// posted by Charity @ 6:04 am |

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Friday, March 18, 2005

Ugh, I wish I had time for a nice long post...I really wanted to do one about my birthday. But I don't really have time. I'll try to get a more detailed one in later. But I want to say thank you so much to everyone for making my birthday so special! :-) I felt very loved! Just by the several "Happy Birthday's" and the "Birthday Song" (which I heard about six times...haha). And oh man, I got SO much candy and stuff that day. I tell you, my friends and family were set on making me fat. Oh well, it only comes once a year, so I guess I can handle it. I told someone I felt like a "spoiled rich gi'rl" on my birthday with all the presents and greetings and things. It made my day veerrryy happy and special!! So thanks again! :-D

Oh and one more quick thing - we saw "National Treasure" today at the dollar theater as a family. I thought it was a very good movie. I think it's by the makers of "Pirates of the Carribean". We also went shopping and out to eat. It was a fun "Family Day".

I hope everyone has a good weekend! I have a few plans...a Bible Study, Youth Group, and a play. Should be pretty fun! :-)

Song of the post~Vindicated by Dashboard Confessional

This is for Anna... ;-)

Charity | 1:46 pm

// posted by Charity @ 1:46 pm |

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Saturday, March 12, 2005

**This post is dedicated to friends and family in my life who I love dearly**

I haven't told any of you often enough how much I love and appreciate you. I'm not naming spacific people because I hope most of you know who you are. Some of you are old friends, and some of you new. I should probably just call/e-mail you all individually and tell you all of this, but since I'm definitely not the perfect friend, I'm sticking with this post for now. Words don't do justice to how immensly glad I am that God brought you into my life. There've been ups and downs...and many, many adventures with some of you. And others, there have only been a few oppertunities to get to know you better. I know I've not taken all of those chances I've had. There are more people who I wish I knew better...so many people I wish I've taken the time to talk to. I won't waste my life away wishing for what I don't have, but I know I do have so many missed oppertunities. I often complain about how 'hard' my life is, when really I am so incredibly blessed! God has given me so much to be thankful every moment of every day. And yet, it's so often taken for granted. As for those in my family (that narrows it down a bit ;-)) I know I often expect a lot from you and I probably am much more good natured with my friends...and I never tell you enough that I love you, but I really do. And I'm not just saying this to look like the 'good sister'. :-P I hope next time I see/talk to all you guys, I tell you I love you. And more than that, I hope I show you. I mean really, really show it. I hope there is no doubt in your minds that I love you all so incredibly much. I really can't imagine my life without the positive influence of my family and friends.

I guess most of this thought was brought on by reading

Leanna's

post. I know a lot of you did, too. You probably all experienced the same sadness and wished you could encourage her in some way. I don't even know the gi'rl, but my heart went out to her in a way I'm not sure it ever has. Please pray for her and her family...I can't imagine the loss of a mother.
Well, this post may not make the most sense in the world, but it's just a few of the many thoughts I've had these past couple days. I could post a bunch of verses, but this is all for now cuz I need to go spend some time with my family. :-)

Song of the post~Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C

(I know this is a graduation song, but I still love the chorus... :-))

Charity | 10:05 am

// posted by Charity @ 10:05 am |

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Tuesday, March 08, 2005

I was hoping for more comments on that last post, but ah well, I'm back once again to update you all on Allen's party...
Saturday after youth group, we blindfolded Allen and took him downtown to Circle Centre Mall. Walking him down stairs and across streets was pretty humorous. ;-) We had agreed to meet in the food court. I didn't count the number of people, but I would guess there were close to 40 people there. We all gathered around for instructions and dividing up into teams. About half way through the confusing --dividing up by the first letter in our middle name-- part, a couple security guards came striding up to our crowd. The told us, more or less, that the event we were trying to go was against their policies and 'kicked' us out. The frustrating thing was that earlier that morning, Mrs. Sheldrake had called the mall management about our party and they had said it was fine. My dad explained this to the security, but they just ‘apologized’ and said there was nothing they could do about it. Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. But I figured that it must have not been God’s will and that life would go on.

Everyone just ended up going to our house for food and games. It turned out well, I thought. Except for the fact that on the way there, I was told to ride with Megan, the Neels, and Bekah and uh…I guess I wasn’t as trust-worthy to get them home safely as my dad thought I was. To make a semi-long story short, we ended up going all the way to Whiteland and were heading to Columbus before we finally turned around and got home. Hey, what can I say...I’m directionally challenged, too! But once we got to our house, I think everyone had a lot of fun. Towards the end of the party, we did a small photo scavenger hunt in our back yard. I was on a team with Jeremiah, Heather, Bekah, and Aaron (a guy from GCA). Oh, and we decided to be kind and take Allen in, as well. :-P After our motto - "We don’t color inside the lines, we make our OWN lines!" - I thought our pictures should have won. (Check out

Jeremiah's

blog for one of them.)

I have to go to play practice in a little bit, so I better end this post. But I thought I’d ‘steal’ this one quote:

"My bed is my best non-living friend..."

~Jeremiah~

(Amen to that! :-D)

Song of the post~Give a Little Bit by Supertramp

Charity | 5:07 am

// posted by Charity @ 5:07 am |

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Saturday, March 05, 2005

*sigh* I'm really sorry for the lack of updatage this past week. I haven't REALLY updated in about a week and a half. I mean, I doubt many of you are very disapointed, but even so...I'm a bit disapointed. Even though blogging has gone way down in my priority list, I still enjoy it a lot and miss doing it sometimes. So here we go for at least a decent-sized post...

I would tell you what has happened in my life while I've been "absent", but that'd take way too long. But I do want to say that last weekend was incredible! Friday night Laura Soma came, we had the Talent Show, and Allen, Laura, and I stayed up till 4:30 AM that night. (need I say more?) Saturday was more time with Laura and Anne Cerbus' surprise party. Sunday was yet more time with some Soma's (namely Josh and Laura ;-)) and that evening we went to Northside for church. That was great, as usual. Monday was play practice and that night bowling with Josh, Shan, and the other Elder gi'rls, Allen, Zachary, Maria, and Luke Nelson. We went 'duckpin' bowling down town and let me tell you, I STUNK! But Luke only got one more point that me and my 'team' won against the others. Needless to say, it was all good fun. Tuesday was another dreaded P.E. class...I ran 33 laps in like 10 mins, which is really bad, but still...I'm working on it. ;-) And I streched about 4 inches past my toes, which impressed me cuz I am totally non-flexible. Well, what do you know, here I've already told you about well over half my week without even really meaning to. Haha...I'll stop there. Most of you know what I've done lately anyway. Those were just some highlights.

I will talk about World Views today because I have a relevant subject I want some opinions on. Nathan also had a bit about this on his

blog

. Rebekah Ray somehow kept bringing up the subject of cussing. She said she didn't like the fact that everyone considered it 'bad'. Her point was (I think) that if we didn't treat the words as wrong, they wouldn't be considered vulger etc. I've at times thought the exact same thing. But later in the class, Mrs. Ray mentioned a "Negro". Rebekah said that was an offensive term and that she shouldn't use it. I replied saying, "Rebekah, that's why people shouldn't cuss. It offends people." Mrs. Ray wouldn't let us elaborate on the subject, but I've been thinking about it and wondered what others thought. In one sense, it makes sense to not let cussing bother you by not treating those words as wrong. On the other hand, the words are used for swearing etc. and it simply is rather wrong to use them. It's offensive and, I believe, displeasing to God. What does everyone else think?

Well, I'll leave you all with another great verse and then a great song:

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be
quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for
man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God
desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil
that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in
you, which can save you.
--James 1:19-21--

Song of the post~Do You Believe in Me by The Juliana Theory

Thanks to Scott Porter for introducing me to yet another great (from what I've heard so far ;-)) band.

Charity | 2:25 pm

// posted by Charity @ 2:25 pm |

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Thursday, March 03, 2005

Just to keep you all informed...

I'm alive and kickin'...

That's all for now, Folks...

Sorry, I'll really try to get a long post in here someday, but I've been so busy lately. I'm beginning to be realllly glad I quit the 'contest' a while ago. But congrats to you who are still going with it! So, this is really all for now. Sorrryyy!

Charity | 4:04 am

// posted by Charity @ 4:04 am |

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