|
Elkhart, Indiana |
In
January 2018, the Blackburn family officially moved to Elkhart, Indiana. After
years of driving cross-country to visit my family, God dramatically opened the
door for us to live here.
We
moved into a cute little yellow farmhouse just south of downtown Bristol for
three months. It needed some TLC, but we got it cleaned up and all the utilities
turned on.
|
Little yellow farmhouse |
In
April, we purchased a 1960s red-brick ranch and settled down in our new home.
Within the last year, we found a home church. Joined a homeschool coop. And participated
in several family events, thus cementing the best reason for being here.
Family.
|
1960s red brick house |
We
also joined a robotics program and the younger two kids started up in a
technical school –Elkhart Area Career Center. Liam is learning all about
industrial automation and engineering. And Kyla excels in the Commercial
Photography program.
This
will be their second year doing robotics and the career center. Both of them
finished their core academics and are now on a trajectory toward their future
careers.
|
The kids with best friends at our new church |
My
oldest daughter, Jessica, opted to return to Colorado to be a camp counselor after
graduating a year early. She interned at Camp Idrahaje for the last year and
will be finishing up her incredible experience this month.
As
for our RV adventures, we put them on hold. Like everything else in life, there
is a time and a season. We plan to continue traveling in a couple years, but
need time to stabilize and root.
There
was a thing I had been missing, but I couldn’t describe. A restlessness. I
think part of that contributed to my constant need to find “home.” Once we
moved here, that restlessness left. I love being close to my family and can’t
imagine ever living anywhere else.
Life
isn’t perfect and we still have ups and downs. But my husband absolutely adores
being home. And I adore having him home. Our relationship with God is stronger
and we are closer than ever.
Overall,
I would say if I had to do this journey again; I wouldn’t change a thing.
Because it led us to where we are now.
Happy.
Healthy. Rooted in community.
|
My sister and my mom. My best friends in the world. |