Unbelievably, only a year later we are divided again, but this time it is our hearts that are torn. We will be returning to Indianapolis in the VERY near future. As difficult and scary as it was to move to North Dakota, the decision to return to Indianapolis has been gut-wrenching. To everyone’s surprise (mine most of all) we really like it here! Again, I am pretty sure that those close to us think we are crazy. Not for moving back, but because it has been such an agonizing decision. On paper, Indianapolis beats out Dickinson every day of the week.
But what makes sense on paper doesn’t always make sense in the heart.
Please don't misunderstand; there are things about living here that drive me absolutely crazy. Train whistles blowing at all hours of the night, the sounds and smells from the cattle stockyard on Tuesdays and Thursdays, crazy-expensive groceries, and a serious lack of restaurants could all top the list. And don't even get me started on the school pick-up/drop-off lines!
But none of those things can overshadow the blessings we have experienced living here.
Katie has remembered who she really is. A year of living here has soothed the hurt and eased the pain of a previously difficult school situation. She has rediscovered the spunk and sass that make her so special and she has tried things she never would have before. She now plays softball and volleyball. She has learned to sew and how to play guitar. She has learned what true friends look like. She is leaving here with a new maturity and understanding of her value. 
Jacob has had the unique pleasure of being enfolded into a family that is not his own. He has experienced what it means to have friends that are the “family you choose” and the comfort they can be when your own family is far away. He, too, has been able to participate in a variety of activities that would probably not have been possible had we stayed in Zionsville. He now plays baseball and hockey and the guitar and even gave Cub Scouts another try.And all three of the kids have learned that the size of your house has NOTHING to do with the size of your heart. They have witnessed and been the recipients of selflessness and generosity and compassion. As a quick example, Sam has been attending a Catholic school and at the beginning of Lent, the students were headed over to the church for a time of confession. One of Sam’s friends realized that this might be somewhat awkward for his Protestant friend and asked Sam what he was going to do. He didn’t really have any ideas and so his friend suggested that he talk to the priest and then went with him to speak to the priest before the mass began. Seriously, this may not sound like much, but what 14 year old boy thinks of something like that?
And, as for Mark and me? We've had some learning experiences, too. And we have definitely been shaped and molded by our time here. But, that, my friends, is another story for another day. Let’s just say we are eating some spicy ice cream these days!
