My Past and Future in New Harmony

As February 26th gets closer, I find myself growing more excited about life in my home town. For those of you who may not know, I grew up in the "small town" of small towns. I graduated from New Harmony School where my graduating class was a total of 18 students. That's right. Eighteen (I spelled it out for those that may have thought that I missed a zero on the end). I lived my whole life in the same house- where my parents still live to this day- on the exact same street as both sets of grandparents... I was sheltered, to say the least.

New Harmony started out as an attempted Utopia, but as a child growing up there I didn't view it that way at all. I always considered it the smallest of bubbles... And I felt trapped! I didn't know what life was like when you had to worry about locking your car doors, or the doors to your HOUSE for that matter, or that there were places where you don't know any more about your neighbor than their first name (if that). Nothing bad ever happens in N'Harmony.


Everyone knows everyone else by their first, middle, and last names and can trace their family ancestry and current residence without too much of a thought behind it ("Oh, that's So-and-so's daughter who lives out there on Penfold Road beside So-and-so's house"). Most people have lived in the same house longer than I have been alive. To be honest, I hated that... I couldn't go anywhere without someone knowing my parents, grandparents (on both sides), and everyone else in my extended family. As a girl who didn't know much about what was outside Southern Indiana, I was pretty desperate to get out... And I was determined that I would never come back!

Fast forward 10 years to present day... Starting a family has really given me a different set of priorities. Living in Indianapolis for the past 6 years has been amazing, but when Brynn came in to the picture, I have to admit that the small-town girl in me was a little scared for Brynn to grow up in the big city. I can barely go for a walk around our subdivision without worrying about my safety at least a little bit... And we live in a really safe area!! I just couldn't imagine letting Brynn ride her bike around our neighborhood by herself... At least, not like I did when I was little. Of course, that was a different time... But New Harmony is the same place. 
It's hard to describe, but people are just so much more considerate of each other in New Harmony/Evansville. People are polite and respectful... So much more than any other place that I've been in my life. I see that now that I have not been a "resident" in over 10 years.

It is amazing to realize that my life growing up in the "bubble" is exactly what I want for my children. I recently told one of my coworkers that having a child is the most selfless act that someone can ever do (for most people, that is)... Relocating is but one example of that.
Sure, I could be happy living in Indianapolis for the rest of my life, and I'm sure that Brynn would be happy here too... But I know that what is best for my family is to move back to Southern Indiana. With this realization comes excitement for all of the things we will do with Brynn!!
I still have not found a new job yet, but I am excited to possibly start some new projects before I can actually nail one down... And just enjoy my time with Brynn. :) Using my camera will be so much more fun when the weather warms up!! Brynn and I will have a lot of fun in the meantime. I can't wait to post some photos from our adventures together... (p.s. these photos of NH are not mine).


All-in-all, I don't think this move is going to be as sad as I thought it would be... There is so much more waiting for us, and I am ready to start living it! GOD is calling us home.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:29

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My Past and Future in New Harmony