My Airbnb. God's Plans.
By Fran Geiger Joslin
President of Authenticity Book House
President of Authenticity Book House
A Rash Decision
My husband, Howard, and I made the decision to run an Airbnb and went for it. It was going to be lots of fun! We purchased a home, and I jumped into high gear furnishing and decorating it. But…I kind of forgot to ask God what He wants for the house.
Howard and I are in ministry, but we also dabble in real estate. My dad worked in missions and flipped properties on the side to make extra money. I guess I came by it naturally. It’s a cool way to supplement your income. And it’s just fun!
The Background
Howard and I married at forty-eight years old. We both cared for spouses with cancer, experienced widowhood, struggled through devastating grief, single-parented a total of seven children, and managed two separate households. Blending families, furniture, traditions, and cultures challenged us. Yet another challenge? What to do with the home in which we chose not to live with the five teenagers under our roof.
Our spouses both died in 2008 when the real estate market crashed. When we married at the end of 2010, the suggested sale price of our second home landed about the same place that Howard paid for it twenty years earlier. As a result, we opted to rent it out. The following year we decided to mortgage some of the equity on both of our homes to acquire more rental properties. And so began our jaunt into real estate.
The Airbnb Dream
When we travel, we love staying in Airbnbs instead of hotels. It feels homier. We can spread out, cook
our own meals, and sit on a chair or sofa rather than the bed.
We moved from Texas to Iowa in 2019 and began selling off our Texas properties to purchase properties close to our new home in Winterset. In addition to rental properties, we decided to try our hand at running an Airbnb.
We bought the first investment property in Iowa with an Airbnb in mind. Amazingly, two of our Texas born children decided to move to Winterset and needed a place to live. We rented the house to them. I felt overjoyed that these kids were close by, but that meant my Airbnb idea sat on the backburner. This past spring, we sold our last rental property in Texas and decided this was our chance. The time for us to run an Airbnb was now.
Including God
Did we pray about it? Well, yes, we prayed about whether or not to purchase this particular property.
Maybe we prayed about whether or not to run an Airbnb. I don’t clearly remember. I know I prayed
about how to impact guests for the Kingdom without turning them away. But honestly, it didn’t dawn on me to ask God what he planned for this property.
A praying friend came to see the house and noted that she felt the Lord would use this property for His Kingdom. Standing in the space she felt peace. Then as I shopped for furnishings I “randomly” met Shelly at an antique store. As we chatted, Shelly said she felt the Lord was going to use the house for His glory. Whew! I panicked.
Lord, have I not committed this venture to you and your purposes?
Have I missed Your calling?
Have I committed to something that will take me away from another ministry You ordained?
What is Your plan for this house?
What do you think? Can God handle my retrospective prayers? Is He concerned that my prayers came a little after the fact?
First of all, God knows my heart. He knows that if he wants to use the house for His purposes, I’m all in.
Second, Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is…now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I
don’t have to worry that God is going to rain down judgment on me. Although He may redirect my
impulsive plans, condemnation is not his mantra.
Third, grace is God’s mantra. I have recently spent a lot of time in Psalm 103. Read it below and feel His
grace in each word.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and
Abounding in steadfast love…
He does not deal with us according to our sins
Nor repay us according to our iniquities…
As a father shows compassion to his children,
So the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him
For he knows our frame;
He remembers that we are [but] dust." Psalm 103: 8, 10, 13-14
Lastly, according to Romans 8:28 God “works all things for good to those who are called according to His purpose.” Do you think God forgot His plans for me with regard to this house? Absolutely not. He can handle—and knows—my impulsiveness. He knew I would come around. He was already working behind the scenes anyway. In fact, He ordained the meeting with Shelly and reminded me to include Him in my plans. Ironically, I prayed regularly about finding the right furniture. Ultimately, God’s involvement started from the beginning.
Of course, the best idea is always to ask God on the front end about all of our plans. God wants to be
included.
Finding Peace
After spending time in a small Airbnb near my mom’s house in Ephrata, PA (shout out to Kara’s Place), I knew I wanted people to feel at home in mine. I wanted our Airbnb to be different—not just a plain and pristine space in which to lay your head, but a place to feel at peace.
The Home Place Winterset feels like home. We want our guests not only to feel peace, but also to find God’s comfort within its walls. I have included little snippets of Scripture to encourage our guests and, hopefully, guide them to pursue the Lord.
Our Special Touches
Since we live in a tourist town, I decorated The Home Place to feature Winterset, IA. As much as possible, we purchased furniture and decorations from Winterset businesses. We also showcase a gallery of pictures from Winterset’s history. In addition, we offer a designated office space, equipped with an ergonomic chair and a monitor to make working—or maybe writing—more comfortable. Our master bedroom provides a king-sized bed, and the guest room houses a queen. Cots and extra bedding are available for extra guests on request.
The Home Place is located just two blocks off the historic town square, allowing for an easy stroll.
For the physically handicapped, our home includes a handicapped ramp. Upon request we can provide a shower chair and handicapped toilet as well. We use cleaning supplies with little to no odor for those with allergies. For this reason, we don’t allow animals.
The Home Place is open for business. Come see us and make yourself at home. Maybe you’ll even get
some extra rest and find peace along the way. And, just for fun our Wi-fi passcode includes the word
“peace.”
My husband, Howard, and I made the decision to run an Airbnb and went for it. It was going to be lots of fun! We purchased a home, and I jumped into high gear furnishing and decorating it. But…I kind of forgot to ask God what He wants for the house.
Howard and I are in ministry, but we also dabble in real estate. My dad worked in missions and flipped properties on the side to make extra money. I guess I came by it naturally. It’s a cool way to supplement your income. And it’s just fun!
The Background
Howard and I married at forty-eight years old. We both cared for spouses with cancer, experienced widowhood, struggled through devastating grief, single-parented a total of seven children, and managed two separate households. Blending families, furniture, traditions, and cultures challenged us. Yet another challenge? What to do with the home in which we chose not to live with the five teenagers under our roof.
Our spouses both died in 2008 when the real estate market crashed. When we married at the end of 2010, the suggested sale price of our second home landed about the same place that Howard paid for it twenty years earlier. As a result, we opted to rent it out. The following year we decided to mortgage some of the equity on both of our homes to acquire more rental properties. And so began our jaunt into real estate.
The Airbnb Dream
When we travel, we love staying in Airbnbs instead of hotels. It feels homier. We can spread out, cook
our own meals, and sit on a chair or sofa rather than the bed.
We moved from Texas to Iowa in 2019 and began selling off our Texas properties to purchase properties close to our new home in Winterset. In addition to rental properties, we decided to try our hand at running an Airbnb.
We bought the first investment property in Iowa with an Airbnb in mind. Amazingly, two of our Texas born children decided to move to Winterset and needed a place to live. We rented the house to them. I felt overjoyed that these kids were close by, but that meant my Airbnb idea sat on the backburner. This past spring, we sold our last rental property in Texas and decided this was our chance. The time for us to run an Airbnb was now.
Including God
Did we pray about it? Well, yes, we prayed about whether or not to purchase this particular property.
Maybe we prayed about whether or not to run an Airbnb. I don’t clearly remember. I know I prayed
about how to impact guests for the Kingdom without turning them away. But honestly, it didn’t dawn on me to ask God what he planned for this property.
A praying friend came to see the house and noted that she felt the Lord would use this property for His Kingdom. Standing in the space she felt peace. Then as I shopped for furnishings I “randomly” met Shelly at an antique store. As we chatted, Shelly said she felt the Lord was going to use the house for His glory. Whew! I panicked.
Lord, have I not committed this venture to you and your purposes?
Have I missed Your calling?
Have I committed to something that will take me away from another ministry You ordained?
What is Your plan for this house?
What do you think? Can God handle my retrospective prayers? Is He concerned that my prayers came a little after the fact?
First of all, God knows my heart. He knows that if he wants to use the house for His purposes, I’m all in.
Second, Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is…now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” I
don’t have to worry that God is going to rain down judgment on me. Although He may redirect my
impulsive plans, condemnation is not his mantra.
Third, grace is God’s mantra. I have recently spent a lot of time in Psalm 103. Read it below and feel His
grace in each word.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and
Abounding in steadfast love…
He does not deal with us according to our sins
Nor repay us according to our iniquities…
As a father shows compassion to his children,
So the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him
For he knows our frame;
He remembers that we are [but] dust." Psalm 103: 8, 10, 13-14
Lastly, according to Romans 8:28 God “works all things for good to those who are called according to His purpose.” Do you think God forgot His plans for me with regard to this house? Absolutely not. He can handle—and knows—my impulsiveness. He knew I would come around. He was already working behind the scenes anyway. In fact, He ordained the meeting with Shelly and reminded me to include Him in my plans. Ironically, I prayed regularly about finding the right furniture. Ultimately, God’s involvement started from the beginning.
Of course, the best idea is always to ask God on the front end about all of our plans. God wants to be
included.
Finding Peace
After spending time in a small Airbnb near my mom’s house in Ephrata, PA (shout out to Kara’s Place), I knew I wanted people to feel at home in mine. I wanted our Airbnb to be different—not just a plain and pristine space in which to lay your head, but a place to feel at peace.
The Home Place Winterset feels like home. We want our guests not only to feel peace, but also to find God’s comfort within its walls. I have included little snippets of Scripture to encourage our guests and, hopefully, guide them to pursue the Lord.
Our Special Touches
Since we live in a tourist town, I decorated The Home Place to feature Winterset, IA. As much as possible, we purchased furniture and decorations from Winterset businesses. We also showcase a gallery of pictures from Winterset’s history. In addition, we offer a designated office space, equipped with an ergonomic chair and a monitor to make working—or maybe writing—more comfortable. Our master bedroom provides a king-sized bed, and the guest room houses a queen. Cots and extra bedding are available for extra guests on request.
The Home Place is located just two blocks off the historic town square, allowing for an easy stroll.
For the physically handicapped, our home includes a handicapped ramp. Upon request we can provide a shower chair and handicapped toilet as well. We use cleaning supplies with little to no odor for those with allergies. For this reason, we don’t allow animals.
The Home Place is open for business. Come see us and make yourself at home. Maybe you’ll even get
some extra rest and find peace along the way. And, just for fun our Wi-fi passcode includes the word
“peace.”
Enjoy a photo tour!
Take a small photo tour of Fran and Howard's work at The Home Place Airbnb in Winterset, Iowa. The goal was to offer guests a peaceful relaxing setting where quiet time could be spent writing, or areas to gather as a family and fill the beautiful old house with laughter. Get a glass of tea and enjoy a tour of...The Home Place.
Take a small photo tour of Fran and Howard's work at The Home Place Airbnb in Winterset, Iowa. The goal was to offer guests a peaceful relaxing setting where quiet time could be spent writing, or areas to gather as a family and fill the beautiful old house with laughter. Get a glass of tea and enjoy a tour of...The Home Place.
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This comfortable farmhouse and vintage themed gathering area is perfect for family and guests to hang out and make memories.
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The dining area is done in a neutral and bright color pallet. Welcoming for any meal, or just to gather around the table and enjoy ice cream from Frostee's (101 E Green St, Winterset).
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The bedrooms are decorated in a simplistic style, allowing guests comfort and relaxation after a fun day with family, writing in the office, visiting with friends in the garden area, or touring the Winterset Bridges of Madison County. You'll feel rested and ready for the next day when you awake here.
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The Home Place has an office in which you can write, read, or work. With ergonomic furniture and minimal decorations, it's an easy space to enjoy. The Office honors the town of Winterset with its vintage photos of the town, inviting guests to get to know more about the history of the amazing Iowa town in which they stay.
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You'll find a wonderful kitchen with everything you need to cook and prepare meals. Of course, Winterset has some great places to eat. So, it's your choice...dine in...or go out and enjoy all Winterset has to offer.
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Relax and enjoy beautiful outdoor space. This is just as amazing at night. The wonderful benefit of spending time in a small town.
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Learn More.
About Fran Geiger Joslin
Fran Geiger Joslin was born to missionary parents in the jungles of Papua, Indonesia. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Missions from Cairn University. After the tragic loss of her husband, Brian, she parented three children alone. To her surprise, she met and married her current husband, Howard, creating their own Brady Bunch. The author of Widowed: When Death Sucks the Life out of You, Fran continues writing and works as president of their non-profit publishing ministry, Authenticity Book House. Together, Fran and Howard teach Scripture, lead grief conferences, and have led numerous pastors’ conferences in Tanzania.
Widowded: When Death Sucks the Life out of You - Click here to learn more.
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Not just for widows and widowers, this book is for anyone who wants to understand the searing pain of losing a spouse. On your worst days, Widowed: When Death Sucks the Life out of You comes along beside you like a trusted friend and offers hope, reassuring you that life after a spouse’s death exists—that joy can mingle with grief. This book teaches pastors, counselors, and friends of the bereaved how the grieving can “learn to live with and embrace the dichotomy of joy and sorrow.”
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