Well, I’m (Aaron) thinking about buying a house. Without my permission and against my will something inside of me has really started to like Central Pennsylvania. Harrisburg, the state capitol and the city I live only 5 minutes from, is only 2 hours from my inlaws and 6 hours from my family, making a weekend at either doable. I’m also surrounded by dozens of state parks which allow me to do the backpacking and rock climbing that I love. I can (and do) walk or bike to work and church, allowing Andrea and I only to fuel up our car (we only have one) about every 2 weeks. I’m getting involved in the community. I’m an Advisor for Venture Crew 203, a BSA-affiliated outdoor club for young men and woment ages 14 to 20. I also just joined the Harrisburg Young Professionals, a group dedicated to making Harrisburg “a better place to live, work, and play.” These contacts in the community are giving me more and more opportunities to reflect the living Christ into the world. The people at our church are awesome too. I wish that they were more of the emerging type, but they definitely love and care for my wife and me. This place just seems to feel right. I’m thinking about buying a house.

So, all of you who have taken the plunge into home ownership… what advice do you have? This is a big deal and I want to do it right. At the moment Andrea and I are looking at some townhomes in the city. This would allow us to walk to even more places, still allow me to walk or bike to work (3 miles), and I would be living near thousands of ministry opportunites (from young professionals to the homeless). Thoughts? Please!