user01342 wrote
Am I able to set up my config file to run through my router or do I have to have a separate computer at home that is constantly running to host it?
If your router can run openvpn then you can run it there.
user01342 wrote
my goal is to essentially use my home network to create a config file that only I have access to, thereby allowing me to use my home IP address even while I am in other locations
Which is the most common usage.
The best place to start is with the Howto.
https://community.openvpn.net/openvpn/wiki/HOWTO