Tag: Springfield
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From the Editor: Eyes on Me, Butterfly House, Planted
Eyes on Me It was the house that would not sell. It was no longer a home, with the highway in the front yard. It wasn’t seen by potential buyers as a business because, well, it looked like a family should be eating together inside. And the year was 2008. My parents didn’t want to […]
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Never Alone
“So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances or things I could not understand. Many times, in trials, weakness blurs my vision, and my frustration gets so out of hand. It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken. I’ve never had to stand one test alone. As I look at all the victories, the Spirit […]
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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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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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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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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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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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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 […]
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Sisters
Tell me a time you have felt loved, Mary Lee McFarland. I got married to the love of my life on Jan. 18, 2020. I feel blessed to have my sisters.
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A Village Becomes Home
Home isn’t typically something we think about much as being anything special in our lives. During holiday seasons perhaps we cherish home more as we look forward to gathering with friends and family. Otherwise for most, home seems to be simply a place we leave in the morning and return to at night for shelter. […]
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Brandy Harris’ Tips for Being a Great Leader and Never Struggling with Anything, Ever
I was 32 when I was named the chief executive officer for Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield. I received the call after a 5-month interview process. I was so overwhelmed, proud, validated and ready. After the shock wore off, I shared the news with my husband, Spencer. He held me as I cried in […]
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Once New, Always New
A few weeks ago, we received a wonderful phone call. Our daughter called and told us our oldest granddaughter, Harlee, came to the living room that morning and was emotional and feeling sad. After some snuggle time on the couch, our granddaughter looked at her mom with eyes bright with tears and said, “I need […]
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Carrie Richardson Steadies the Wayward Leadership Pendulum
Whether you are juggling organizational pressure and projects or managing a team, a classroom or a household, keeping up with it all can be an endless tug of time that leaves little margin for leaders to lead themselves. words + photographs CARRIE RICHARDSON Too much focus on day-to-day management or tasks means distraction from big picture strategic vision or working on long-term […]
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Police Vs. Fire
The 3rd annual Police VS. Fire Charity Ice Hockey game is Feb. 26, 6 p.m., at Jordan Valley Ice Park. “The biggest benefit is to raise money for the Greene County 100 Club,” says Captain Eric Reece, of the Springfield Police Department. “The organization provides immediate money to first responder families immediately after a death. Families need […]
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Janelle Reed Leads with Grace and Growth
The best leaders start by leading themselves. How do you lead yourself? And not only lead yourself, but do it well? When I think of how I lead myself, I think of being authentic to my true being, offering vulnerability because that’s where you form deep relationships with others. In leading myself well, I am […]
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Zach Troutman is a Superstar who Leads Others To Better
When we hear the term “superstar,” most of us think about someone who is high profile or an extremely successful performer for the entertainment of others. Almost 20 years ago, I used to think along the same lines when I was a young sophomore in high school, trying to make it in the starting lineup […]
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Foster/Adopt: Dare To Hope
I love a good story. A good storyteller introduces tension and resolves it. All the loose ends tied up in a bow. The listener usually experiences complete closure. words + photographs Dr. SARAH THORNTON I especially love the Cinderella kind of story, where the underdog comes out on top. I took a Rowling and Tolkien […]