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

      1. God's sovereignty
      2. Sharing a room with my sisters
      3. Super Secret Sisters Club meetings
      4. Taking walks
      5. Snail-mail
      6. Using a knife and fork at every meal
      7. Watching my family trying to use a knife and fork in front of Australians
      8. Dad trying his best to be Australian in every way
      9. Mom "scolding" Dad for not being American in every way
      10. Dad doing his best to follow God's will and perfect Plan
      11. Mom supporting Dad, even when it's hard
      12. Vegemite (even if it did take a while...)
      13. Learning the rules of the road -- including, of course, how to proceed properly around round-a-bouts
      14. Our frequently-used Internet phone and its Star-Spangled Banner ring tone
      15. Going to church
      16. Being the designated greeters with my siblings--week after week-- at church
      17. Singing "Jee-hova" (oh how I protested at first! It was no use.)
      18. Living by the beach
      19. Benjamin's hugs--and sometimes kisses--every night (where did he get THAT from??)
      20. Finally being [mostly] comfortable with the kissing-on-the-cheek greeting
      21. Tony McKeeman's jokes
      22. Martin Lumley's hugs
      23. Carolyn Hughes' [evil] joy and talent in making me blush (agh!!)
      24. Ray Hughes' nick-naming me Chazza
      25. Introducing people to Adventures in Odyssey
      26. Crumpets
      27. Nutella
      28. Exra-precious Reese's/Hershey's
      29. Sea-mailed packages...that actually make it here
      30. Matt Glover's camera...and coffee
      31. Voicemail messages
      32. Getting to know the whole, hilarious, amazing McEwen family
      33. The saints at the Geelong RP church
      34. Being "engaged" to Ben Blakston
      35. Matt Pluke making fun of my snorting (hmph!)
      36. Casey Pluke's car -- and the many adventures in it
      37. Ralph Blakston's cooking and perfect op-shop findings
      38. Family holidays to random places
      39. Driving over the West Gate Bridge (especially at night)
      40. Having L-plates myself, yet making fun of/getting annoyed at other L-platers
      41. Shopping with Jan Lumley
      42. Knitting like crazy after Justine Glover taught us
      43. Having a reason to make a ridiculous CD with my sisters...and actually giving it to people in the States
      44. Dixon's Creek in all its glory
      45. People thinking my American accent is cool
      46. Trying to imitate an Australian accent
      47. Looking at a new set of stars but the same moon
      48. Finding the Southern Cross amongst that new set of stars
      49. Telling friends about friends (here&there)
      50. Appreciating the rain
      51. The 7 C's with Matt and Justine Glover
      52. The Glover kids' hugs and opinions that they so freely give
      53. Fellowship luncheons
      54. Snow in August
      55. Kangaroos, koalas, achidnas, kookaburras, wombats, Rosellas, and magpies (<--ugh, yeah right!)
      56. Forgetting what the temperature in Fahrenheit means
      57. Viewing ducted heating, air conditioning, dishwashers, and dryers as luxuries
      58. Celebrating American holidays with other Americans
      59. Taking off school for the many Australian holidays
      60. Naturally adding Australian lingo to my everyday vocab -- even when I try not to
      61. Feather doonas
      62. "Train-ing" (as opposed to driving)
      63. Sausages on white bread with tomato sauce [what no social event is complete without!]
      64. Tuesday night Fellowship group
      65. The Plukes' pool
      66. Being prayed for and missed
      67. Being loved and needed
      68. Feeling at home
      69. Awaiting eagerly the chance to visit "back home"
      70. Looking forward to a better Country which is my ultimate Home
      71. "Chocoholics" with Muriel Burns
      72. Singing Switchfoot songs whilst the guys from our homeschool group play their guitars
      73. Tutoring sessions with Zachary
      74. Midnight chats with Allen
      75. Car rides with just us kids
      76. Exploring beaches as only [stupid] Blackwood kids do
      77. McEwen Ball at Youth Camp
      78. All-day Blakston visits
      79. Vic Markets
      80. People's attempts to hook me up with an Australian guy and my assurance that there is nothing to worry about
      81. Hail giving us a white Christmas (even more so than Indiana!)
      82. 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
      83. Trials which produce patience
      84. Experiencing and sharing in the joys and struggles of a small church
      85. A new perspective on God's church around the world
      86. BEING AN AMERICAN
      87. 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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