Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Lindsay Blackburn. I’m 35 years old and I live in Billings. I work full-time at my church as the women’s and children’s ministry assistant, and I host parties and teach crafts on the side. I have a bachelor’s degree in English literature and a master’s degree in education. I’m a bookworm, fitness junkie and slow-but-steady runner, foodie, occasional writer, and theology nerd. I’m a big fan of craft coffee, travel, and adventure. I’m single and hope to be a wife and mom someday. I’m a Jesus girl, through and through. I love meeting people and making friends wherever I go. Have we met yet? If not, I’d like to meet you and hear your story too!

Your photo here is taken in this really cool alley in Billings. This is about as urban as Montana gets! What are some things you like about Billings?

I’ve lived other places, but returned after college and re-discovered Billings with fresh eyes. I like the friendliness of our people, and that it’s easy to make connections and find your niche. Billings is a family town, and it was a great place to grow up. There’s always something going on downtown, and I take full advantage of the opportunities. Also, if you look for loveliness, you’ll find it all over Billings. One day this past fall, I was running down Shiloh Road and had a moment where I just had to stop and marvel. There was a stretch of farmland full of hay bales after the harvest and the beginning of an incredible sunset over the Beartooth Mountains – all of this beauty right next to a super noisy, busy city street. That’s what I love about Billings. We’re close to all of the great outdoorsy stuff and wide open spaces, but with the pulse of a “city” and all that Billings offers.

Describe your perfect day.

An ideal day off would involve getting up early. I’d start the day at the gym, followed by a couple hours of reading and writing over coffee and a big breakfast. Sometime that afternoon, I’d FaceTime with my nephew to see his sweet face and hear his little voice. I may sneak in a nap on the couch. Is there anything better? Then, I’d have friends over for dinner. Perhaps we’d play cards or games afterwards, but most likely we’d just talk and laugh and enjoy each another’s company. And here’s the kicker: I would put my cell phone on “airplane mode” for the day, so that I could access my camera and music, but with no notifications, calls, or texts. Glory!

What are a few of your favorite quotes?

Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.” – C.S. Lewis

People who love to eat are always the best people. – Julia Child

To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficultly life can throw at us. –Tim Keller

What kind of women do you admire?

I admire all types of women for various reasons, but lately I’ve taken particular notice of women who do hard things with grace. It’s easy to get angry and bitter over the stuff of life that breaks our hearts and stretches us past our limits, but when women stand firm, choose faith over fear, and “press on” and “press in” with the help of their loved ones and a supportive community, it’s a beautiful thing. I know many strong, incredible women whose trust in God’s goodness, no matter the circumstances, inspires me.

Favorite author?

Ooh, that’s like picking a favorite child – impossible! Reading is my favorite pastime. I like non-fiction, biographies, Christian living, and the classics. My current reads are The Listening Life by Adam McHugh and The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America by Timothy Egan. I’m also working through a She Reads Truth study. I can’t wait for Shauna Niequist’s upcoming book Present Over Perfect. My house is a mini-library. Come over and borrow a book sometime!

What about music?

I like a little bit of everything. This past year, the album I listened to the most was Empires by Hillsong, and the best concert I attended was U2. More than music, I’ve been listening to podcasts lately. My favorite is the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast.

Where do you most want to travel, but have never been?

I’d like to go to New England in the fall. I’d do all the historic stuff in the Boston area, see the beautiful autumn leaves in the countryside, and eat lots of seafood in Maine. A tropical beach vacation in the Caribbean sounds pretty nice too!

Describe one of your happiest memories.

So far, nothing beats holding my nephew right after he was born, and the two weeks I spent at my sister and brother-in-law’s house that month. I love him dearly, and he brings so much joy to our family. Any memory with Rowan is a happy memory. I make my way to Missoula often for time with the little guy.

How would your friends describe you?

I have no idea, but I do know what I’m aiming for in life. I want to be found faithful, kind, generous, and thoughtful.

What is something you do strictly for fun?

Costumes! Designer Kate Spade said “Playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly ends.” That’s definitely true of me. For example, I’m the Easter Bunny at my church’s massive, community-wide Easter Egg Hunt every year. I also like to wear costumes in fun runs and to my friends’ annual New Year’s Eve costume parties. This winter, a group of friends and I went on a Goodwill date. Have you heard of that? Google it. It was a blast! Also, I always wanted to be a college mascot, so I used some connections and got to be “Buzz” for a men’s basketball game several years ago. Playfulness, curiosity, and fun are highly underrated in adulthood. There’s plenty of built-in seriousness in the daily grind. So, I try to kick up my heels and enjoy the whimsical side of life that makes me smile and hopefully brings happiness to others too.

When do you feel the most yourself?

I feel like “me” when I am collaborating with others and working together toward a common goal. I love when each person brings their abilities to the table, and is free to flourish and exercise their gifts. A recent example of this was my work on the IF:Billings planning team (our local IF:Gathering group). I felt so alive! It was empowering to be entrusted with certain responsibilities, and to see how God used each one on the team uniquely to pull off the simulcast for the women in our community.

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla

Introvert or extrovert? Extrovert. ENFP, y’all.

Rural or urban? URBAN!

Dress up or dress down? Jeans day is every day. However, I like to get fancy for special occasions.

Cats or dogs? Dogs

Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise

Detailed or abstract? Abstract

Classic or modern? Classic

Call or text? Snail mail is my favorite, but calls and texts are good too!

Fiction or non-fiction? Non-fiction

Salty or Sweet? Both

What do you love most about Montana?

Montana’s natural beauty (what a great, big, beautiful backyard we get to enjoy!), the blue sky and sunshine, and the down-to-earth people.

What lesson are you currently learning?

I’m learning that the best gift you can give a person is your time and full attention. In a world of distraction, it’s honoring to the person in front of you to look up from your phone, say hello, smile, ask about their day, and truly listen. Everyone wants to be known, loved, valued, seen, and heard.

For what in your life do you feel grateful?

I’m grateful for my parents. I could never thank them enough for the impact they’ve had on my life, and for all their love, care, and support over the years. They are the best.