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Sunday, January 28, 2007
A year ago today, I first set foot in this strange, new land. It was overwhelming in so many different ways, but the thing I can remember most about that day is the overwhelming warmth and love we were shown. That love has not only stayed, but has also grown throughout our time here, and I have no doubt that it will continue and increase as long as God has us here. I like lists. There are so many I could choose to write, but one obvious one (as partially inspired by Mrs. Jones) is the following (in no particular order): What I Love About Australia song of the post ~ "Other Side of the World" by KT Tunstall Charity | 9:16 am Comments-[ comments.]
Monday, January 22, 2007
A year has gone by since the day I said goodbye. A year with ups and downs. A year with blessings and challenges. A year of joy and of heartache. Even when I didn't feel or acknowledge it, God has been there. He has encouraged and grown me. He has taught me and loved me. He has stretched and comforted me. I remember. I miss. I fail. I long. I pray. I trust. Through a Power which is not my own, but one which I claim and know, I am content. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." --Romans 8:28 "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven..." --Ecclesiastes 3:1 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." --Proverbs 3:5-6 "It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect." --Psalm 18:32  In case you've forgotten....this is where we are. Thank you all for your love, your friendship, your support, your encouragement, and your prayers. I will see you someday... Charity | 1:16 pm Comments-[ comments.]
Friday, January 19, 2007
And the Lord takes away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.  song of the post ~ "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)" by Chris Rice Charity | 6:11 pm Comments-[ comments.]
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Obviously, the driver should have the great privledge of choosing the music (in my humble opinion). However, being the lowly [16-year-old but not in American and therefore only] permited driver that I am, I have to think also of the adult who accompanies me in the front seat. So, being ever-conscious of those around me, I chose something that was sure to make everyone smile, and quite possibly also sing along: The Beatles! :o) My favorite part of the whole drive to Geelong was crossing the West Gate Bridge. I LOVE IT! It is at least a zillion times more fantastic at night with the lights, but driving it over any time gives me a special little thrill. It just gives dad the heebie geebies--probably more so when I'm the one driving. So, we made it here. We're still alive. We're chillin' in someone else's beautiful air-conditioned house. (THANK YOU, MCEWENS!!!) Dad seems concerned that we're wasting the hottest days of our lives in here, but it is just fine and dandy with me. Tamara is at the Australian Open with some other people. Poor child... I'm glad she's excited about it. Also, Maria and Benji are taking great advantage of the special treat of cable TV. Overall, our mini-holiday has been pretty GRAND (hehe). I was going to write about the bizzare power outage we had yesterday, but you can just ask me sometime if you're really interested. I'll just say we thoroughly enjoyed our grilled spagetti and melted ice cream. Let's not think about what we have to do tomorrow. And next week. And next month. song of the post ~ "Psalm 121" by Sons of Korah -- gotta love Ozzies singing Psalms! P.S. I greatly apologize to Beth for not making her aware of my absence. (There. Better?! ;o)) Charity | 11:41 am Comments-[ comments.]
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
There wasn't an ounce of sun when our alarm went off at 4:30 AM. I'd been up most of the night waiting for it to go off. Dad told us to go back to sleep until 5:30, but even then there wasn't much sunlight to speak of. I think the smoke was hiding it. I love being up early; I just hate actually getting up. There's something amazing about being up when the rest of the world seems so quietly unaware of your presence. I wanted so badly to sing aloud, but controlled myself, deciding to spare the neighborhood. I love saying "good morning!" to random strangers as they pass me by. Correction: I mostly just love saying "good morning" to older people. They act sweetly surprised and usually smile and return the greeting. There was one old lady who shouted, "g'morning!" to me as she was watering her garden -- which I'm pretty sure is illegial in this country right now...but I sure wasn't going to tell. At about the same time, I looked over to see the bright, orangey-pink sun making its way to the top of the sky. The white moon was quickly fading, agreeing it was finally time to start the day. That's the first sunrise I've seen in a long while. I love talking to dogs who whimper and bark at me as I pass. Sometimes they scare me, and I just laugh at myself and start to scold them. I also randomly laughed at myself all morning -- for being up so early, for having that awkward conversation with a guy in the shop about where to put the paper, for having such a silly job. I wonder if I'll survive the rest of the day. I did have a nice little mid-morning nap -- jeans and all -- which succeeded in making me more tired than before. Tamara and I shared some peanut M&Ms, though, plus tonight I look forward to coffee with the Glovers. I love them...and their coffee. Oh, by the way, I've officially learned how to make coffee in Australia. I know you're all oh-so-curious about the secret, so ask me someday. Or better yet, come over and I'll make some for you! Enjoy life, my friends. Charity | 1:40 pm Comments-[ comments.]
Monday, January 08, 2007
After almost 11 hours of 'catching up' sleep Sitting in the middle of my floor Drinking a beautiful chocolate/mint/coffee creation Enjoying the coolness of the day Chatting with a good friend On my new lappy -- which threatens to be known as "Bob"...without my permission Thinking of plans for the future And plans for today And smiling song of the post ~ "God Only Knows" by Switchfoot Thanks to Ben for this. Sort of. :o) Charity | 11:46 am Comments-[ comments.]
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Namely, air conditioning. Icy Poles (aka pop cicles) help. So do swimming pools. But they're a little harder to come by. Ice bath, anyone? song of the post ~ "Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll" by The Killers Charity | 5:38 pm Comments-[ comments.]
Monday, January 01, 2007
I just had to post on the first day of 2007. Today was seriously my favorite new years day ever that I can remember. Like Tamara said, only two things could have made the day any more perfect. Any guesses as to what? This morning we had Greame, Allison, Caleb, Lachlan, and Jasmine Hart for brekky (they spent the night last night as Greame preached in McKinnon on Sunday). After consuming some amazing steak and egg bagle sandwhiches out on the "patio", I went inside and proceeded to play hide-and-seek with the three little ones. We played in mom and dad's room which had a total of three hiding spots: in the closet, beside the shower, and beneath the curtians. Jazzie claimed the curtians and, not quite understanding the concept of the game, immediately ran out and screamed each time after the "It" person yelled, "ready or not, here I come!" After they left, we gathered up some snacks, bathers, and towels and drove to the beach about an hour from us. Miraculously, dad let us listen to a bunch of songs on my MP3 player, even though he did manage to title each song as 'obnoxious' in some way or other. He did draw the line at Black Eyed Peas, though, and refused to listening to any more on the way home. We met the Blakstons, Glovers, Lumleys, and Stewarts there. It was pretty crowded overall, but not terribly packed where we 'camped' (tent and all, thanks to the Glovers). We had a fabulous time talking, eating, playing frisbee, swimming, sand fighting, and dunking. Not until the very end of our day there did the sun peek out. We didn't mind the rain, though. Not many people (if any) in Australia would. Matt bought us coffee at the end -- partly because he's nice like that, and perhaps partly to apologize for the amount of sand I happened to find in my hair (hehe). Here's a tiny taste of the glories had today:  Me and Rose -- having fun with Dad's hat. Oh, and we enjoyed being a year in the future on Sunday night! Pretty cool, you have to admit. :o) I am thankful for another year to live. I am thankful for my family, especially my sisters, to share life with. I am thankful for friends near and far to love and be loved by. I am [at least seeking to be] thankful for the hard times as well as the happy. "So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom... And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." --Psalm 90:12a, 17 Song of the post ~ "Another Perfect Day" by American Hi-Fi Charity | 10:52 pm Comments-[ comments.] |
My life is not my own, for I belong to Christ.