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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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Anniversary #2

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

God's sovereignty
Sharing a room with my sisters
Super Secret Sisters Club meetings
Taking walks
Snail-mail
Using a knife and fork at every meal
Watching my family trying to use a knife and fork in front of Australians
Dad trying his best to be Australian in every way
Mom "scolding" Dad for not being American in every way
Dad doing his best to follow God's will and perfect Plan
Mom supporting Dad, even when it's hard
Vegemite (even if it did take a while...)
Learning the rules of the road -- including, of course, how to proceed properly around round-a-bouts
Our frequently-used Internet phone and its Star-Spangled Banner ring tone
Going to church
Being the designated greeters with my siblings--week after week-- at church
Singing "Jee-hova" (oh how I protested at first! It was no use.)
Living by the beach
Benjamin's hugs--and sometimes kisses--every night (where did he get THAT from??)
Finally being [mostly] comfortable with the kissing-on-the-cheek greeting
Tony McKeeman's jokes
Martin Lumley's hugs
Carolyn Hughes' [evil] joy and talent in making me blush (agh!!)
Ray Hughes' nick-naming me Chazza
Introducing people to Adventures in Odyssey
Crumpets
Nutella
Exra-precious Reese's/Hershey's
Sea-mailed packages...that actually make it here
Matt Glover's camera...and coffee
Voicemail messages
Getting to know the whole, hilarious, amazing McEwen family
The saints at the Geelong RP church
Being "engaged" to Ben Blakston
Matt Pluke making fun of my snorting (hmph!)
Casey Pluke's car -- and the many adventures in it
Ralph Blakston's cooking and perfect op-shop findings
Family holidays to random places
Driving over the West Gate Bridge (especially at night)
Having L-plates myself, yet making fun of/getting annoyed at other L-platers
Shopping with Jan Lumley
Knitting like crazy after Justine Glover taught us
Having a reason to make a ridiculous CD with my sisters...and actually giving it to people in the States
Dixon's Creek in all its glory
People thinking my American accent is cool
Trying to imitate an Australian accent
Looking at a new set of stars but the same moon
Finding the Southern Cross amongst that new set of stars
Telling friends about friends (here&there)
Appreciating the rain
The 7 C's with Matt and Justine Glover
The Glover kids' hugs and opinions that they so freely give
Fellowship luncheons
Snow in August
Kangaroos, koalas, achidnas, kookaburras, wombats, Rosellas, and magpies (<--ugh, yeah right!)
Forgetting what the temperature in Fahrenheit means
Viewing ducted heating, air conditioning, dishwashers, and dryers as luxuries
Celebrating American holidays with other Americans
Taking off school for the many Australian holidays
Naturally adding Australian lingo to my everyday vocab -- even when I try not to
Feather doonas
"Train-ing" (as opposed to driving)
Sausages on white bread with tomato sauce [what no social event is complete without!]
Tuesday night Fellowship group
The Plukes' pool
Being prayed for and missed
Being loved and needed
Feeling at home
Awaiting eagerly the chance to visit "back home"
Looking forward to a better Country which is my ultimate Home
"Chocoholics" with Muriel Burns
Singing Switchfoot songs whilst the guys from our homeschool group play their guitars
Tutoring sessions with Zachary
Midnight chats with Allen
Car rides with just us kids
Exploring beaches as only [stupid] Blackwood kids do
McEwen Ball at Youth Camp
All-day Blakston visits
Vic Markets
People's attempts to hook me up with an Australian guy and my assurance that there is nothing to worry about
Hail giving us a white Christmas (even more so than Indiana!)
Walking to the top of the hill on Overport Road at night and standing in the middle of the road, gazing out at the distant city lights
Trials which produce patience
Experiencing and sharing in the joys and struggles of a small church
A new perspective on God's church around the world
BEING AN AMERICAN
Hope

song of the post ~ "Other Side of the World" by KT Tunstall

Charity | 9:16 am

// posted by Charity @ 9:16 am |

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Monday, January 22, 2007

Anniversary #1

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...

Maria's story (soon to come).
Zachary's story.

Charity | 1:16 pm

// posted by Charity @ 1:16 pm |

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Friday, January 19, 2007

The Lord gives,

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

// posted by Charity @ 6:11 pm |

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Wednesday, January 17, 2007

!! Stick on the "L's": Charity's driving !!

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

// posted by Charity @ 11:41 am |

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Wednesday, January 10, 2007

All the world is waiting for the sun...

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

// posted by Charity @ 1:40 pm |

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Monday, January 08, 2007

Here I reside

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

// posted by Charity @ 11:46 am |

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Thursday, January 04, 2007

Lacking (one of) Life's Little Luxeries

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

// posted by Charity @ 5:38 pm |

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Monday, January 01, 2007

Another year over...a new one just begun

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

// posted by Charity @ 10:52 pm |

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