Two years ago on this day (the 26th of January) Six members of the Blackwood family packed up belongings and moved half way around the world.

The BIG Adventure. That's what everyone said it would be. An adventure? Maybe, but the longer I am here, the less it seems like an Adventure, and more and more...it's just...my life.

Here are a few of my journal excerpts from our first few weeks here.

2006
January 28,
We landed and we all got off the aeroplane (as the Australians call it) We waited in line forever to go through security, then we went to the baggage claim. We each got a cart full and halled all 6 of them with out luggage. We manoeuvred to the airport doors. As we made out ways toward the doors, I realized that our long journey was over, and we had made it. All 6 of us and our 30 suitcases.
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When we walked out the doors, we found a group of people from the Australian RP churches standing together holding signs that said Blackwoods and Fishers. We received a very warm welcome. Everyone was sooooo nice to us! It was really great to see Mr. and Mrs. McEwen and Josh, Sarah, and Eleni.

Janurary 29
The birds that I heard were so unusual, but made some really neat sounds. It was nice to hear, but it reminded me that I am not in Indiana anymore.
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after lunch Mr. McEwen drove us four kids to the beach, and we got to see a beautiful view of it from a far off, and then we walked down to the beach and felt the sand between our toes.

Janurary 31
Then we four kids walked down to the park. It was a nice walk, but the park was kinda boring, we mostly just sat around the pond, and scared all of the ducks into the pond. After about 15 minuteswe headed home... The walk was sorta scary, because most Australians don't use turn signals, so there were several times when we had to stop suddenly so as not to walk in of speeding cars [that was probably only because we didn't know how roundabouts worked.]

February 4,
we three younger kids and mom got ready to go to the beach for the first time. ...I was the first Blackwood from our family to set foot in Australian water.

February 5
Dad did a childrens sermon. He talked about shoes. He was naming differnet kinds of shoes, but they have different names for all the ones that he named such as: flip-flops (thongs) mud boots (gum boots), dress shoes (formal wear), water shoes (sand shoes), and tennis shoes (sport shoes or something like that [runners])

February 6
We moved Charity to our room and Benjamin to Charitys room

February 11
I think that we are finally starting to feel like this is our home. It isn't a vacation anymore. This is real, this is our life.

New Year resolutions

Okay, enough with 3 line posts.

As this time of year rolls around, we all seem to make some sort of New Year's resolutions.

Matthew Glover showed me The 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Here are a few that I really liked. If only we could all resolve to do these.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.

58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.

67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.

69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.

70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.

To read the entire list go here

I found them very helpful, if only I could, by God's grace resolve to do all those and more.

Any New Years resolutions from anyone else?

Happy New Year

Happy New year everyone!

From Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And may God bless you all in the year to come