Indianapolis. It was in the Fall of 2012 that we first added this area of the country to our puzzled schedule on our Home Assignment. This had everything to do with Stephan having found Natalie and them deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. Natalie’s folks lived at the time in Ohio, where the wedding took place. The first years of Stephan and Natalie’s life together was in Dayton. But by the time we were ready for our next Home Assigment, four years later, they had moved on to other jobs and a life in the capitol of Indiana.
Indianapolis is a sprawling village of a city, with quaint neighborhoods like Broad Ripple, a walking trail along a “canal” downtown and cutting through the city, older apartment buildings and houses from the 1930’s and sprawling suburbs radiating out from the center. Or at least that is how we experienced it. This was the second time we had visited. Although we come because we get to see Stephan and Natalie as well as Scott’s brother Mike and his family, we have come to enjoy the scenic spots and the midwestern taste of the city.
This visit was of course different from the last. This time we were traveling alone (last time we were with Sean, his best friend and his best friend’s father). We had been waiting since Minnesota for summer weather and had only seen short glimpses in Texas. In Indiana we were met with the clash of the weather systems, which of course brings amazing summer storms. So after visiting the Ikea (a bit of ‘home’ and good time walking and visiting with Stephan and Natalie) we were met by torrential rain.
But just as dashing between the raindrops makes for an exciting moment, so too the quiet weather moments in the following days meant nice, exciting moments. We went to a concert of local talent thanks to our nephew, Nate. Afterwards, between some rain showers, we walked around the trendy neighborhood that we had seen while watching a show on tv about renovating homes. Another day we suffered the weight of the humidity on a day to celebrate Natalie’s sister and husband in their soon to be growing family (it will be a girl).
In between we enjoyed walking the dog with Jay and Pauline, shopping at Goodwill with Stephan and Natalie and getting to see Scott’s family. This included some more walking in the rain, drinking some good coffee and sharing a good home-made meal. As mentioned before in our travels, we were at home - again. What a blessing God has given us in having family of all different kinds in so many places. Our time here was far too short, but we are thankful we have been able to add it to our travels.
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