Hello, Friends! If you know me or have followed me once upon a time, I guess you should know that quite simply I am writing again. Really, I never stopped writing, so it may be more accurate to say that I ceased to share for a time. So let’s catch up! (And if you are a new friend, let’s get to know each other.)
It has been nearly five years. 2020 was a monster for so many reasons that I am sure I do not have to explain. On top of this, circumstances and calling obliged us to move away from our idyllic Iowa homestead. Hours away.
Our daughters left their life-long friends behind to come here, literally saying their good-byes in masks through windows, because… 2020. It was traumatizing to leave at the height of pandemic uncertainty and chaos.
I never wanted to leave that place. We spent a good portion of our lives raising our four girls there. My most genuine friendships were forged there. My faith was tested and tried there. And most of all, it was the place we called home.
We have moved more than I ever imagined or wished to–four states, too many houses to count. My daughters have come up with names for each one: The Maple Street house. The White One. The One with the Forest. I could go on. But the old farmhouse—THAT was the one. Sometimes it doesn’t seem fair, because it isn’t what I would have chosen.
But this—Oh, to have loved a place, time, and season so much that one longs to go back with every fiber of being. To wake up from the sweetest dreams of that homestead life, joyful for the experience. And ending well.
These past five years, we have pastored a sweet little church in a sweet little town in southern Iowa, the one my great-grandparents ministered in 75 years ago. It is a full-circle moment that I would never have dreamed on my own. God always knows what he is doing, even when we can’t quite see it. Ministry is never easy, but it sure has been sweet so far.
We live in town surrounded by people and dogs. (So many dogs!) Our farm-raised beagle loathes every second of it. (And our neighbors mostly loathe him for it, too!) We have come to the conclusion that old beagles simply can’t be taught to behave with good town manners. (He will be 13 in two weeks.)
Two daughters have graduated high school since we arrived and one more next year. Exciting things like college, jobs, boyfriends—they are all happening right under my nose. The baby is twelve. (How did that happen!?) And for a moment, everyone is back living at home, because of life transitions of their own.
There are two extra adults living in this modest little house in town. It is cozy, snug, and oh-so-sweet to have everyone all under one roof even for a moment.
I have been flung between the beginnings of empty nest syndrome and back again, as life changes seem to have created a revolving front door. Which is just as I always secretly hoped it would be.
“Home is your people, not a place.”
“Home will always be a safe place to land.”
“Home feels like a warm Jesus hug on a cold day.”
These are the words we repeat. Over and over. I pray they never forget.
The things I miss:
The chickens
The big picture window where the morning light streamed in just right
The rattle of the windows in a good Iowa thunderstorm
The morning chill of the worn wood floor under my feet
My daughters, small and innocent
My husband, working the land
The things I love here:
Good neighbors
Riding my bike around town
The cozy sun room with the perfect lights
The little garden that always produces well
My daughters growing into who they are created to be, even when they might not see it
My husband, shepherding the flock and leading his family well
So here we are, doing new things. And in this season, I feel overwhelmingly compelled to share hopeful words again. I am also working on some new projects that I hope to share as they become available.
“He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God…” Psalm 40:3a
I hope you will stick around and we can encourage each other!
If you’re feeling nostalgic and would love to read some of my old farmhouse stories, go here to find links to the older blogs. I may also feel nostalgic from time to time and share a throwback once in a while.
I would love to connect with you!
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Let’s be friends.
Kelly Havemeier 
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