Life is full of new beginnings. Some planned, others unexpected. Elsje Van Der Zuiden knew that in 1870, her family planned to move to Sioux County, Iowa, a prairie wilderness. What she didn't expect was a wedding, horse thieves, a trip back to Pella, teaching in a school, being questioned by a sheriff in a faraway town, and the best new beginning. Other adventures included building sod houses, picnics-all the while designing a farm according to her plans. Life on the prairie was not always ideal; there were tragedies, hard work, the monotony of hot, windy days, and plenty of field mice and snakes. A Place of New Beginnings is a sequel to A Place of Refuge. Both books are based on historical facts, with each chapter ending with a scripture, hymn, recipe, or catechism.