Haley Stewart here! I’ve been procrastinating on moving my email subscribers over to Substack and actually beginning to write here. So if you subscribed and then got radio silence for months, mea culpa! But I do have some valid excuses for the delay. The past year has been marked by huge changes for my family.
And yes, how you described moving back home is *exactly* how I felt when we moved back to Texas after so long away. It's wild how a place settles into our bones... One of my favorite quotes is from Terry Pratchett: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” That last line really gave me peace about returning, especially since I thought I never would.
Pre ordered the books! I think my 7 year old and I are really going to enjoy them. I love Tallahassee! We are a military family living in Panama City and enjoy day trips to Tallahassee. It's so lovely and I really enjoy the college town vibes.
Haley it’s so wonderful to receive an update from you! Hildy is always so adorable 🥰
My mother grew up in Florida (St Petersburg) and due to the depression moved to hot, dry Bakersfield, California. It’s really fun to hear about your memories of Florida. We’ll be visiting my niece there between Christmas and New Years!
I resonate with what you said about making home again in your hometown. I feel the same way moving back to my hometown (after always saying I would never do so) with my kids. There is something comforting about knowing the basics of the place so being able to guide your kids around and also an equal feeling of “this place has changed since I was a child” and getting the chance to rediscover it together. We hope and pray your settling into a new home brings peace and joy. Though, selfishly, we were a bit disappointed you moved now because we’re planning a trip to Texas this winter and had been planning to look y’all up :)
I am buying your books to read to my grandkids ( I still do not have any but I hope in the future I will be blessed with them.
Haley, I am taking a break from WOFI (because of money issues)
I am still reading "prayer for beginners" and I plan to read "silence" and "Christmas Carols". I just love the WOFI book club. I hope I can rejoin the club soon.
Are you still working at WOFI? because I read that you have a new job.
I hope we continue in touch.
God bless you
Lupita (your friend from Australia)
By the way, I understand you moving. I moved from Mexico to Australia with my husband, 3 teenagers, and one kid. Very stressful and hard but worthy. Now we call Australia home.
We will miss you in the WOF Book Club but I'm so glad you're still reading along with us.
I am still coordinating the book club for WOFI but most of my time going to the publishing team at WOF where I'm the Managing Editor of the new children's imprint: Spark!
Hooray! Glad you finally hit publish, my friend.
And yes, how you described moving back home is *exactly* how I felt when we moved back to Texas after so long away. It's wild how a place settles into our bones... One of my favorite quotes is from Terry Pratchett: “Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” That last line really gave me peace about returning, especially since I thought I never would.
I LOVE that quote, Tsh. Thanks for sharing it. It's strange to be both glad I left and so happy to be back.
Pre ordered the books! I think my 7 year old and I are really going to enjoy them. I love Tallahassee! We are a military family living in Panama City and enjoy day trips to Tallahassee. It's so lovely and I really enjoy the college town vibes.
Thank you so much!
Haley it’s so wonderful to receive an update from you! Hildy is always so adorable 🥰
My mother grew up in Florida (St Petersburg) and due to the depression moved to hot, dry Bakersfield, California. It’s really fun to hear about your memories of Florida. We’ll be visiting my niece there between Christmas and New Years!
Oh wonderful! I hope Florida treats you well on your visit! Great to hear from you, Lynnda <3
I resonate with what you said about making home again in your hometown. I feel the same way moving back to my hometown (after always saying I would never do so) with my kids. There is something comforting about knowing the basics of the place so being able to guide your kids around and also an equal feeling of “this place has changed since I was a child” and getting the chance to rediscover it together. We hope and pray your settling into a new home brings peace and joy. Though, selfishly, we were a bit disappointed you moved now because we’re planning a trip to Texas this winter and had been planning to look y’all up :)
Yes! Knowing the basics is such a comfort.
I am buying your books to read to my grandkids ( I still do not have any but I hope in the future I will be blessed with them.
Haley, I am taking a break from WOFI (because of money issues)
I am still reading "prayer for beginners" and I plan to read "silence" and "Christmas Carols". I just love the WOFI book club. I hope I can rejoin the club soon.
Are you still working at WOFI? because I read that you have a new job.
I hope we continue in touch.
God bless you
Lupita (your friend from Australia)
By the way, I understand you moving. I moved from Mexico to Australia with my husband, 3 teenagers, and one kid. Very stressful and hard but worthy. Now we call Australia home.
You are so kind, Lupita!
We will miss you in the WOF Book Club but I'm so glad you're still reading along with us.
I am still coordinating the book club for WOFI but most of my time going to the publishing team at WOF where I'm the Managing Editor of the new children's imprint: Spark!
Welcome to Substack
Thanks, Caitlin!