Category: 2022
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In the Wilderness
I’m a highly-functioning, anxious depressive. Doesn’t that sound fun? I hide it extremely well — the gift of being considered highly-functional. No one sees the panic flaring in my chest as my carefully-controlled world descends into chaos or the agonizing oppression that weighs me down when too happy becomes so, so sad. I’m guessing that…
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Mental Health for Each of Us
We appreciate the time taken by Joann Weston, MA, LPC, a licensed professional counselor at Eaglecrest Counseling Center in Springfield, Missouri, to help us begin a conversation about mental health, as well as offer ideas on how we can support, love and encourage those who have been diagnosed with depression. We hear about “mental health”…
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Our Beautiful God: gives me His undivided attention, knows my name, loves me deeply
Have you ever thought to yourself that God had forgotten about you? How did you process this? How did you protect yourself from being overwhelmed by your thoughts? If you are anything like me, not only have you felt forgotten by God, but you’ve had to wrestle through your thoughts on how to address the…
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A Conversation with Author Gabrielle Martin
Gabrielle Martin, executive director of the Burrell Foundation in Springfield, Missouri, is married to her high school sweetheart, Eric, and mom to two daughters, Alivia and Colette. She is an event planner, philanthropist and marketing enthusiast who likes a good challenge and hopes to inspire others to push boundaries and never stop achieving. As a…
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A short story written by Julie Johnson based on the March #WordPrompt #Bridge by WordPress.com. Noelle Sampson’s tears were staying in place but threatening to fall again. She and her boyfriend of almost-but-not-quite 1 year:7 months:12 days broke up 2 months:8 days:20 hours:27 minutes ago. The way she tells it, he did the breaking. Noelle’s…
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A Love Like His
I love chocolate ice cream. I love the Kansas City Chiefs. I love my wife. All of those statements are true, but the meaning varies wildly. While I do enjoy chocolate ice cream very much, it does not hold the same place in my heart as my affection for my wife. words + photographs JOSHUA…
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Long Live Love
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I…
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Mary Bradley
Tell me a time you have felt loved, Mary Bradley. I had been looking for Scrabble tiles for a project, and my honorary daughter made the project from start to finish and gave it to me for Christmas.
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Love Can Change Someone’s World
It is in this month that we are reminded of love. The first thought in many minds is that of Valentine’s Day and romantic love. Romantic love is indeed a beautiful thing and makes a relationship lively and meaningful. Romantic love reminds us of our uniqueness to our partner and is to be celebrated. words…
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Debra Piper-Slaughter
Tell me a time you have felt loved, Debra Piper-Slaughter. When we have a special meal like Christmas or Thanksgiving lunch and everyone turns out. The Center is full of neighbors and friends socializing over a delicious meal, filling the room with laughter and love.
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Joshua Manning Loves His Neighbors
I grew up in Southwest City, Missouri. Most people wave at you when they see you driving down the road. People are friendly to a fault. When I met someone who did not know me in town, I would usually list off my older relatives. When they determined I was Walter’s grandson and Galen’s son,…
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Amish Paste Tomato
Amish Paste Tomato I don’t like to eat tomatoes as a side or in a salad. I eat cooked tomatoes in dishes. Until last summer, I grew them in my garden to make others happy: family, neighbors, chiropractor. I grow to give.
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Love Allows Purpose In Pain
Now I want you to know,brothers and sisters,that what has happened to mehas actually served to advance the gospel.Philippians 1:12 I asked Chris Rees to my senior prom in 1991. It was our first date. I was 17; he was 19. Our families had known each other for years, and we attended the same church.…
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Foster/Adopt: Teresa Flora
If we had an hour and two cups of tea, I would tell you a remarkable miracle story. words + photographs TERESA FLORA The story’s main characters met at the age of 13. Married at 18. Did the normal married people stuff. He was a preacher; she was a nurse. They had three perfect sons,…
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Terri Darrah
Tell me a time you have felt loved, Terri Darrah. I have been married three times. I married my first husband on Pearl Harbor Day because it was the only opening the church had. She giggles and smiles big. I was in love with each. I miss them all.
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Which Hazel?
Which Hazel? Witch Hazel. Last summer, I read about how witch hazel can be an effective reliever of itchy, annoying, aggravating bug bites. Since I am a dream buffet to mosquitoes and chiggers alike, I gave it a whirl. It did assist in helping reduce itching, though I still woke up some nights irritated at…
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My Exchange Year
Hi, I’m Thomas. I’m the exchange student from Taiwan. I live with the Teague family in Springfield, Missouri, now. In my first day of the adventure in USA, I feel so nervous and excited on the plane. I knew after that day, I had 10 months to finish everything just by myself. It’s a huge…
Homegrown Journal 