The Elim Connection, April 2023

MORE THAN A HOME
WRITTEN BY
RACHEL HOFFOS, STAFF CONTRIBUTOR
“Life is full of transitions,” says Eleanor. She takes in the view
from the sixth-fl oor library in The Hawthorn. “One of mine was
when I was looking for a place to call home, but I had no idea it
would become this.”
Before ELIM acquired 8.6 acres of land in Chilliwack, a
single building nestled on the corner of Keith Wilson Road
and Garrison Boulevard. It’s what we know today as The
Redwood—an Independent Living building at Elim Village
Garrison Crossing. Its previous owners had planned for it to be
student housing, but later decided to open the doors to those
aged 55 and older. Eleanor Norburn was one of the individuals
who moved in at that time.
child could attend, and friends from church provided
extra support. “Transitions require initiation,”
Eleanor says. “I had no idea where this was leading
me, but I still took one step at a time. Life looks
different for everyone.”
Eleanor’s journey of being a foster parent and then
adoptive parent required the same amount of faith
and initiation as her move to The Redwood. When
her husband moved out of their home to receive
extra care, Eleanor knew it was time to downsize.
So, she moved into an available suite on the corner
of Keith Wilson Road and Garrison Boulevard.
“I had no idea how much this community would
appeal to me as I get older,” says Eleanor.
“The exercise classes are the latest blessing for me.
They get you out of the apartment, they benefi t
your body, and you get to socialize with others.”
Her face scrunches into a joyous smile. “But the real
blessing is the number of people I see attending with
walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. They are doing the
best they can. They inspire me.”
Eleanor glances out the window once more.
Although the sun is beginning to set, you can feel
that spring is in the air. Leaves are sprouting, birds
are singing, and residents are chatting on the bench
outside The Hawthorn in the early evening light.
“I’m taken aback with the beauty ELIM has to offer,”
Eleanor pauses. “It’s much more than a home.”
"I moved into The Redwood in November of 2014 and not long
after, ELIM purchased the building and surrounding land,” she
shares. "I had no idea this move was going to be such a Godgiven
gift for me, but it was."
Buildings started popping up, people began moving in, and land
once empty was now blooming into a beautiful community. First
came two more Independent Living buildings—The Sequoia and
The Douglas—and in the summer of 2022, the fi rst ‘Independent
Plus’ building, The Hawthorn, opened. It’s as if the land went
through its own transition; its own metamorphosis.
“One of the most beautiful things about life is you don’t know
where it will lead you,” says Eleanor. “It wasn’t until my 40’s that
I became a Christian, and when I asked the Lord, What can I do
for You?, He opened the door for my husband and I to foster
children with special needs, alongside our own three kids.”
The family soon realized the heartache that would result from
the temporary nature of fostering, so they decided to adopt any
child brought into their care, which ended up being eight.
As you can imagine, expanding a family by eight came with
challenges and uncertainties, but God always provided. Families
left extra food on their doorstep, a school waived fees so each
SUMMIT DINING ROOM
It’s been almost nine months since The Hawthorn opened at
Elim Village Garrison Crossing, and with each passing month,
the building blossoms a little more, as we scale in occupancy
and services. The newest blossom? The launch of fi ne dining
at Summit Dining Room.
Our newest restaurant opened on February 17th. The Summit
offers an elevated dining experience and features Chef Todd
Nordstrom-Young’s take on familiar classics, such as Seafood
Stuffed Mushroom Caps and Chicken Supreme. Signature dishes
include the Steelhead Trout and Mint Chocolate Mousse.
The Summit Dining Room is currently open for dinner
Friday - Sunday from 5pm - 8pm, and the best part is, it’s
open to the public! Residents, guests, and staff have dined,
all to rave reviews. We hope to see some new faces soon
(and maybe even some residents or staff from Fleetwood!)
To make a reservation, email: garrisondining@elimvillage.com
Peppercorn Flat Iron Steak
14 14 THE ELIM CONNECTION SUMMER SPRING 2023 2022