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2 Your Hometown Magazine
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issue 3 2016
38 A Winning Team 36 Dennis & Cherie Yecke: 42 Years of Marriage 40 Love Is In The Air 42 New Possibilities 46 Ten Years Later 48 A Road Well Traveled: The Hutchinson’s Love Story 58 4 Uncommon Ways To Find The Right One 62 I Still Do 68 My First Year Of Marriage 72 Mommy & Me Tea 76 Chip’s 5k 80 Ralph Haymond: God & Insurance 82 Charity Ball Fundraiser A Success 86 Fuji: First Class Hospitality 88 Change Your World 90
Publisher’s Note 11 Hope Believe 12 Fashion Fun 20 We The People 24 Out & About 38 Living In Searcy 52 Over The Counter 74 Business News 78 Fab Do It Yourself 92 Dinner & A Magazine 94 Crossword & Riddles 96
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On the Cover
governor asa & first lady susan hutchinson
Photo by
Randall Lee
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Publisher Christine Walker Art Director & Webmaster Garrett Johnson Editorial Assistant Cherie Sewell Makeover Coordinator Evelyn Moss Customer Service Angela Fisher Contributing Independent Photographers Kimberly Brackins (501)279-1515 George Dillin (501)268-9304 Taylor Howard Photography (870)917-8012
Feature Writer Cecelia Wilson
Searcy Living Locally Owned and Operated 812 South Main Street Searcy, AR 72143 searcyliving@yahoo.com (501) 368-0095 SearcyLiving.com For subscription information go to SearcyLiving.com
Copyright 2016 Shark Promotions LLC. Searcy Living, Cabot Living, and Your Hometown Magazine are trademarks of Shark Promotions. All rights reserved. Ownership, rights, and logos are property of their respected businesses. No part may be reproduced without written permission. Shark Promotions LLC is not responsible for claims, misprints, discrepancies, advice of any kind, or content in advertisements or editorials, but will rectify errors in forthcoming issues.
Copyright Š 2016 Shark Promotions LLC
Searcy Living Magazine is a subsidiary of Shark Promotions LLC.
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A close friend occasionally teases me that Reader’s Digest was my third parent. As young as eight years old I would read them from cover to cover. I’m pretty sure that a few (or more) decades ago I learned more about bear attacks and shark encounters than the average grade schooler. I also lost myself in true stories of how people had overcome great odds and accomplished things they believed were out of their reach. Somewhat of an inspiration for things yet to unfold in my own life. (Not the bear attacks, hopefully, but the publishing.) In turn, I truly hope you find inspirations for your talents in Searcy Living. So many issues of Searcy Living have stories that are high on my personal interest list. Some issues I even feel as though, although I may have not written most of the stories, they are so close to my heart that I am sharing a piece of myself with you by publishing them. Those are the issues I just really have a passion for. And then there are… well… the issues that take me out of my comfort zone. However, as one of my favorite quotes says: “A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” You know... the subjects that I may not have a lot of expertise in, or maybe have even failed at in my life. Publishing about those issues are important to me, too, however, for a couple of reasons. First, they share other people’s interests. And second, they teach the rest of us who may not be talented in certain areas to assess how we can improve. I used to believe that if I tried hard enough at something, or if I strove to be worthy enough, then things would just work out. However, sometimes the problem is not in the effort, but in the original selection process of life’s pursuits. The mantra of most magazines is to “educate and inform.” With every issue of this publication I know I grow a little more, and I learn a lot. Thank you for continuing on that journey with me. And as always, thank you for reading Searcy Living.
Find Us On “Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10
Follow Us On
Remember The Extras On Love Is In The Air
The Yeckes: 42 Years of Marriage
I Still Do
“There is no structure that can take the constant beating of the elements day after day without a firm foundation.”
“Saying ‘I love you’ is important, but showing that love can be even more important.”
“Your marriage will go through stages, but remaining friends will help you pull through them all.”
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Hope Believe
Foster Care and Adoption Boutique
* The Searcy Living Foster Care and Adoption Boutique is simply a room in the Searcy Living business office that we have dedicated for use in helping foster & adoptive families, and sometimes emergency situations. Our awesome Searcy Living readers bring in donations, enabling foster parents to be able to ‘shop’ for what they need for foster, adopted and disadvantaged children, at no cost. Our office is located at 812 S. Main Street in Searcy. We welcome gently used or new items. Thank you, Searcy, for your generosity and time spent to support the Foster Care Boutique!
Imagine a world where every child has a safe loving home. Believe it can happen!
The Price Family volunteers.
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HU Chi Rho’s helping foster kids!
Evelyn Perez volunteers many hours during spring break.
Happy Ever After Two years ago a baby boy was born into unpleasant circumstances. He came too soon and had a rough start before he even entered the world. I got a call from DHS asking if I could take him and his older brother. I said no. And then I prayed, and God answered... When he came to my home at 3 months old, his medical evaluation said he hadn’t passed a hearing test, they weren’t sure about his vision, he appeared to have severe delays, he was unresponsive to most stimuli and he was exposed to Hep C. But I listened when God answered, and knew none of those things were the final word for this boy. It has been a long journey, but he is now my son. He is smart and happy. He has a clean bill of health, perfect vision and perfect hearing. He is a joy to our family and his always happy disposition brings a smile wherever he goes. God has big plans for Liam and I am so glad that God chose me to be his mom, even when I wasn’t sure myself. Thank you to his former case worker LeCole for reminding me to pray before I closed the door. I can’t imagine our family without our boys! Happy Birthday Liam!!
Dorjeanne, ~ Foster & Adoptive Parent
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Hope Believe
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Jennifer Castera Biggest needs now are: Volunteers and Diapers
More About Foster Care On
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Hope Believe
A special thank you to all the service projects that help The Boutique!
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Hope Believe
Shari & James Ryan Eason 5 Boxes of Clothes
Ally Creech & Avaleigh
Donation of box of baby cereal and food in honor of Avaleigh’s 1st birthday!
Claudette Smith
Diapers and Supplies
We are very thankful for Mrs. Hickmon’s class for the donation!
Snickers’ Favorite Quote
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Looking To Volunteer? Help Sort The Boutique! No need to call for appointment, just stop by the Searcy Living office during volunteer hours between 1 pm and 5 pm.
if every church had one foster family? And instead of foster families feeling alone, overwhelmed and exhausted, they had unlimited resources of respite, transportation help, assistance with taking children to appointments, babysitters when the children were sick so they could go to work, someone to help them cheer their foster children on at sporting events, mentors and just a list of people from their church who are willing to serve orphans with them?
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Before
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Evelyn Moss Makeover Coordinator
Makeup by Doris Yates at
Cosmetic Studio By Doris Yates at
In the Heart & Soul Plaza 1623 E. Beebe-Capps • Searcy (501) 279-2526
Hair by Carrie Birlson at
Symmetrix Salon
By Carrie Birlson at
Charlestown Village 2305 W. Beebe Capps • Searcy (501) 268-4540
Clothing from
Posing In Vintage
Posing In Vintage 601 E. Race • Searcy, AR (501) 203-4411
Turn the page for more fashion & beauty retailers. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
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A Day Of Fishing Brody & Brayden Fisher. Photo by Tiffany Fisher.
Kicking Cancer White County Kicking Cancer Fundraiser. Thanks to all who participated!
Beebe Sunset Photo by Tiffany Fisher.
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Name That Deer Contest Winner Congratulations to Veda Holloway!
Signs, Signs, Everywhere There’s Signs
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Young Athlete’s Field Day UAMS Kids First-Searcy hosted a Young Athlete’s Field Day in conjunction with Special Olympics on April 21, 2016. Children and families of Kids First participated in a variety of activities during this event. Kids First Therapy staff and students from Harding University Physical Therapy Department assisted children with field events organized by Special Olympics. In addition, children learned about making healthy food choices and received nutritious snack items at a nutrition station. The Searcy Police Department was on hand as well to promote bicycle safety and to present athletes with medals upon completion of the various activities. Pictures were taken of each child receiving his/her medal. Students & families were then assisted in making and decorating personalized picture frames to commemorate the day. The Kids First staff would like to extend a special thank you to Special Olympics, the Searcy Police Department, the Harding University Physical Therapy Department, Foothills Church of Christ, Aramark, and Harriman Athletics for helping make this event a tremendous success, as evidenced by the excitement and smiles displayed by the students and families at Kids First-Searcy. 28 Your Hometown Magazine
Plein Air Painting Group Beverly Austin, an art professor at Harding, started a plein air painting group. Plein air painting essentially means painting outside, not looking off a photograph. Beverly Austin invited one of her painting classes to come to the Black House/Searcy Art Gallery. Everyone is welcome!
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Eaton’s Searcy Plant Recognized For Reducing Waste, Ghg Emissions Through Zero Waste-To-Landfill Program ower management company Eaton is recognizing its P Hydraulics facility in Searcy, Arkansas for achieving “zero waste-to-landfill” by nearly eliminating all wastes sent
to landfills through recycling, reuse, new work processes and other means. Eaton is encouraging its manufacturing sites to achieve zero waste-to-landfill as part of its waste management program and also as a means to reduce the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) associated with landfills, especially methane, a GHG 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide. In 2015, Eaton reduced its landfilled wastes by over 23 percent -- more than 6,000 metric tons -- as part of a global zero waste-to-landfill program. This eliminated 5,300 metric tons of CO2 that otherwise would have been released during the transportation and storage of landfilled wastes in 2015. Together, more than 70 Eaton sites around the world have achieved the goal of sending zero waste to the landfill. “Waste reduction is environmentally responsible and the right thing to do for our Searcy site and our community,” said Glenn McLean, plant manager. “Doing what’s right for the environment is part of our culture of doing business right.” The 160 employees working at the facility manufacture industrial and mobile hydraulic valves and components. Eaton defines “zero waste-to-landfill” as consistently achieving a landfill waste diversion rate of 98 percent through either reuse, composting, recycling, or incineration – but only if the heat generated by incineration is collected and used in order to create more energy than was required for the incineration process. Eaton zero-waste sites undergo an intensive audit process that includes verifying that at least 98 percent of a site’s
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waste is diverted consistently for three months. The Searcy, AR facility’s waste reduction program began in 2010. A plan was developed that called for landfilled materials such as metal scrap, cardboard, pallets, plastic, general office trash and other wastes to be recycled, reused, converted to energy or eliminated from work processes. Employee training was another major plan component. “With help from Eaton’s Corporate Environment, Health and Safety staff, our facility was able to integrate new work processes and awareness training into existing Eaton business processes,” said Jennifer Countryman, facility EHS Supervisor. “And with Eaton’s focus on doing business right, it didn’t take long for a culture of sustainability to develop among our employees.” “Eaton’s commitment to zero waste-to-landfill helps deliver the environmental performance that reflects Eaton’s leadership in sustainable business practices,” said Harold Jones, Eaton’s senior vice president for Environment, Health and Safety. “And, we are striving to get better. Since 2010, Eaton has reduced our waste to landfill by 42 percent. In 2016, we plan to reduce our waste by an additional 3 percent, and add as many as 20 more zero waste sites. It all starts with our employees generating the ideas and enthusiasm to help Eaton do business right.” Eaton is a power management company with 2015 sales of $20.9 billion. Eaton provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. Eaton has approximately 97,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 175 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
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Airiell Schwab, OD
Special Service Award 2016 r. Airiell Schwab is the recipient of the 2016 Arkansas Optometric D Association Special Service Award for her dedication to vision screenings for Special Olympic athletes. This award is given to a
member of the Association who served the profession with excellence and is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession, the people of Arkansas, and the Association. Dr. Schwab practices in Searcy at the Searcy Eye Care Center. She has served as the clinical director for Special Olympics Arkansas since 2011. During this event, she recruits doctors of optometry and paraoptometric staff for a vision screening event that provides prescription glasses or sunglasses to 200 athletes annually. Although the actual event lasts for one day, the preparation and follow up lasts throughout the entire year.
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Howard Flippin, OD
Lifetime of Excellence Award 2016 r. Howard Flippin is awarded the 2016 Lifetime of D Excellence Award. This award is given to an optometrist who has exemplified the highest ethical, professional and
caring character during his or her practice life and who has reached the later years of their service to optometry, or has retired, and has shown a willingness to serve in numerous capacities. His/her career has been an example for all Arkansas Optometrists to follow and their life has been one that has had a positive influence upon their family, community and peers. This member has been an example to others of what it means to put the Arkansas Optometric Association ahead of personal goals.
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ASU-Beebe:
John Deere Ag Tech Receives Platinum Award
he John Deere Ag Tech (Agriculture Equipment Technology) program T at Arkansas State University-Beebe recently received the College of Tomorrow Platinum award from College Partnership. The ASU-Beebe program
achieved the highest rating among 16 John Deere Technology locations that were evaluated. Pictured, from left, Shawn Taillon, John Deere Ag Tech instructor and department head; Hunter Nash, agriculture technology instructor; and Stephen Yokley, agriculture technology instructor. The award was presented by Jenni Badding, College Partnership manager, at the Dealer Advisory Meeting held at ASU-Beebe. The College Partnership program evaluated several areas of the John Deere Ag Tech program, including facilities, image, processes, and training. The program is designed to advance the skill level of John Deere service technicians and prepare them to excel in today’s high-tech, fast-paced field of agricultural mechanization. For more information about ASU-Beebe, call (501) 882-3600 or view the website at www.asub.edu.
Brody Fisher, Brayden Fisher, Adlee Hurley & Kim Hurley
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g n i n n i Aw
Team
By Tia Stone
M
ost people typically think of being on a sports team as something reserved solely for kids and high school, college, or professional athletes. For most of my life I know I did. Fifteen years ago, I ran in my last college track meet. It was not only the end of my college athletic career, but it also signified the end of a team sports era. I had been a part of a sports team for as long as I could remember: from elementary soccer days to middle school basketball, then high school and college cross country and track. In 2015, that all changed. In January of 2015 the Searcy Rush Running Club formed a women’s team to compete in the Arkansas Grand Prix series. This 20 race yearround series is for men and women of all ages and is the oldest running series in the state. Our ladies team started the year in last place. We didn’t have enough ladies to field a team, and we didn’t understand how points were earned. We were warned not to get our hopes up when competing against some of the larger, more experienced teams around the state. This didn’t stop or slow us down. Race after race we worked hard. Even though our team consisted of mostly moms and their daughters, we showed up to compete. As
the year progressed, Searcy Rush went from being a relatively unknown team to one of the top contenders in the state. By the last race of the season, Searcy Rush had earned enough points to become the number one ladies running team in the state - out of thirteen teams. How did this happen? It all came down to one word: teamwork. How often do dads and moms get to participate on the same team as their kids? My sons and daughters have joined me in several of the RRCA races. There are one and two mile races which are perfect for younger kids. I’ve loved being on the same team with them and look forward to many more races together. Our finish times do not make us a winning team. I believe that the best part of being in Searcy Rush is time spent with good friends and family. It is truly a winning combination. Are you looking for a way to get active and be a part of a team? Regardless of your skill level or experience, I would encourage you to join the Arkansas RRCA (Road Runners Club of America). This group works to promote running and fitness across the state. The Arkansas Grand Prix series consists of 20 races of various distances throughout the year. This running series is open to men and women of all ages and abilities. In fact, many participants are new to running and may walk much (or all) of any given race. To participate in the Arkansas Grand Prix series, participants need to be a member of an Arkansas running club. Searcy Rush is one of the many clubs around the state and we would love for all local runners and walkers to be a part of our club. For more information contact: searcyrush@ gmail.com or visit: www.searcyrush.com. “It’s been so fun having teammates and friends to run with and very special to share running with my daughter Josie.” – Kem Thomas
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“My favorite part about being in Searcy Rush is having people around me who are interested in the same thing that I am: running. We all have a passion to do better and compete as a team, cheering each other along as we run. When you cross the finish line it is all smiles and you know that all of your hard effort has paid off. I love the motivation of trying to get a new PR in every race I sign up for. The support of others in Searcy Rush helps me train harder and not give up. All ages are able to participate in running and it is good for you. I love the sport of running and all the benefits of being a part of a team.” – Joanna White, age 14
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Searcy Rotary Club Golf Tournament
Find more galleries on
Searcy Children’s Home Golf Tournament 38 Your Hometown Magazine
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Dennis & Cheri Yecke:
Of Marriage
e honestly should have been a statistic. Denny and I were high school sweethearts who married at age 18 and became parents for the first time when we were 21. Sometimes we look back at our lives and wonder where the time has gone. How is it that we have been married for 42 years? Denny retired from the Marine Corps and we have been apart for nearly 12 years due to Denny’s multiple deployments during our marriage. The glue that has held us together for all of these years is made of many things:
Some of the best advice we received before we were married came from my Mom. She told us: “Don’t expect to immediately have everything your father and I worked thirty years for.” This was excellent advice and we took it to heart. Denny was a private in the Marine Corps when we married, and living beneath our means became a lifelong habit. We saw numerous young couples who bought stereos (on credit), televisions (on credit), and new cars and furniture (on credit). It’s as though they obsessed over and craved material possessions. Soon they were financially over-extended and emotionally drained, as they never seemed content and fought over money continually. Being content with what we had helped to make our marriage strong. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11
We were best friends before we were married and we stay that way. It always struck me as odd how some couples spent so much time “out with the boys” or having a “girls’ night out,” 40 Your Hometown Magazine
for in some cases this led to marital strain, as the independent streak held by teenagers remained alive and well as these young people refused to become adults. While we certainly have had independent interests and activities through the years, for the most part Denny and I have shared the same interests and beliefs. We didn’t have to look elsewhere for companionship. “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” 1 Corinthians 13:11
We had our first daughter when we were 21 and the second at age 24. Both girls became the center of our activities, and we worked to ensure that they were respectful, hardworking, and kind. Parenthood has to be intentional! To have a child and then think that you can continue to live as though you are single is a gross neglect of responsibility. We modeled the behaviors we wanted them to learn. For example, we always stopped for turtles. We’d slow down, make sure it was safe to get out of the car, and then assist the turtle to the other side of the road. We’d explain to the girls that turtles are a part of God’s creation, and all life has value. As human beings, we have the responsibility to help both animals and people who are in need. Our oldest daughter Anastasia turns 40 this year, and she has created the website www.four40for40.com, where she is asking her friends to donate $40.40 (in lieu of birthday gifts) for one of four humanitarian projects. After all these years, the turtle lessons continue to produce good works. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Regular attendance at worship services and Bible classes helped to bond our whole family together. It knit us together in a common connection of faith and belief. This commitment was ingrained in our daughters. For example, as a teenager our youngest daughter, Tiffany, read her Bible every night. After one stressful day at school she got into bed and then realized she had forgotten to do her reading. She was taking the SAT the next day and knew she needed a good night’s sleep, but she got out of bed and read the Bible chapter for that night. She came upon a word she didn’t know, so she looked it up in the dictionary. The next day, that very word was on the SAT test, and she made a perfect score. A commitment to our faith was the cornerstone of our family’s daily activities, and in this case a direct, positive benefit was the result. “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 9
Saying “I love you” is important, but showing that love can be even more important. Physical contact has always been an important part of our marriage. Whether walking down the road, sitting in front of the television, worshipping side-by-side at church, or riding together in the car, we most always maintain physical contact. This is our way of silently showing how special we are to each other. “My beloved is mine and I am his.” Song of Solomon 2:16
of Pringles, and attached to car visors. After about twenty years of this, the poor thing became sticky and was falling apart, so he was replaced with Spider 2.0. Sometimes he is hidden so well that we go for months without one of us finding him, but the fun has never left this game. Now I often hide the spider and forget where I put it. I find it later and startle myself. We both laugh, and this game and others like it help to keep our marriage young and vibrant. “Fill my heart with joy.” Psalm 4:7
Our commitment to one another was made seriously: “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part.” When Denny was stricken with cancer in 1994 and again in 1995, a family member actually thanked me for staying with him during his ordeal. I thought, “What an odd thing to say!” My response was that this was part of the vow we had made before God. You don’t run away and shirk your duty when the going is tough. No marriage is without hardships, but you have to persevere and God will give you strength that you didn’t even know you had. Denny (and our marriage!) survived the cancer. And although we would not want to go through that ordeal again, we grew closer as a result, realizing how fragile life can be. “God is faithful, and he will not let you be overcome beyond your ability to endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 Our marriage continues to grow stronger because we keep God at the center of our lives and focus not on ourselves, but on serving each other. As Denny likes to tell me in the words of an old song: “Grow old along with me--the best is yet to be!”
We also do unexpected things for each other. Denny will surprise me by unloading the dishwasher or vacuuming, and I might take care of one of “his” errands or make a special dessert. It’s about putting our love into action. “Let us not love only in word or talk, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
When difficult times arise, or one of us has acted selfishly or is upset with the other, we remind each other that we are committed to something larger than ourselves. What we have is not as important as who we are. Caring about others must take the place of criticizing them. Sharing these beliefs and intentionally acting on them helps us weather many stormy days. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
Shortly after we were married, Denny found a rubber spider and thought it would be funny to hide it and scare me. Once I found it I did the same to him, and this “game” became a regular part of our marriage. That poor spider has been in suitcases, cans SearcyLiving.com 41
By Candace Boswell
W
e grew up in a cozy little town nestled in the Ozark Mountains. I remember as teenagers Harrison feeling dull and monotonous. There weren’t many of us who didn’t want to run away the moment we got the chance. However, now that I have my own two little darlings, I am happy to be raising them in the hills. It was December 15, 1996 when he first asked me to “go out” with him. We had been at a birthday party the night before and there had been a hay ride…we had spent the evening hanging out and laughing with friends...we were just sixteen years old. The next day, John didn’t waste any time calling me to ask if I’d be his girlfriend. We have two boys, but sometimes they feel like four! I’m kidding. No, really, they are good boys. Brekken, my oldest, is 10 and my youngest, Laith, is 9. They were born sixteen months apart in Searcy, Arkansas. That’s right, they have a little White 42 Your Hometown Magazine
County in their veins! Being a boymom is delightfully painful but never boring. The delightful part being I am SO in love with these two little men and have been since before their first breaths. The painful part... well, being a parent is not for the faint of heart. We are raising men, and everything John and I do today will impact their tomorrow. We try. Twenty years ago I was just a girl head over heels in love with a boy. Life was simple. I remember being 15 years old-ish and new to the dating field. This was all we talked about. You know how it is…who likes who, which lead to who’s dating who, and then the inevitable who just broke up! I was lukewarm about dating. I was more about having FUN: whatever… whenever… I’m game! With the surprise of life in my pocket, I was all set. So, not to be irresponsible with my potential “love life,” I threw up a prayer to the Lord. I had heard a pastor suggest being specific with my prayers. (Like He doesn’t know what my favs are?) It went something like, “Jesus, I would like one tall, dark, and handsome man to go, please. Oh yeah, and could he have green eyes? Thanks!”
That old saying “In God’s time?” …ALWAYS true. Most People are always telling us how lucky we are to have found people use that phrase in the company of learning patience. This each other so young. I don’t disagree with that logic. However, was not the case for John and me. I said a prayer and BAM! I meeting your soul mate at the ripe, old age of sixteen and vowing looked up and there was John Boswell, all googley-eyed over me. to have and to hold as long as we both shall live... which, if all Turns out he had been praying, too. goes well, let’s shoot high and say we live to be eighty… that is On Spring Break 1999, John popped the BIG question. sixty-plus years to make this life enjoyable for each other. My We went to Disneyworld for our senior trip. It is point being, that spending your life with someone is my belief he had grand intentions of getting never easy and with that kind of time on our down on one knee in front of Cinderella’s hands we are going to need to be creative. “There is no structure that can castle… You know, all knight in shiny They say the three basic needs to armor kind of stuff. human life are food (including water), take the constant beating of the What actually happened is that shelter and clothing. I can think elements day after day without a firm we were seated on The Big Movie of a couple of needs that perhaps foundation. There has to be something Ride (in the dark I might add), he aren’t so essential to humans, but concrete…something strongly rooted… passed me the ring box and asked could possibly extend the shelf some kind of heroic blueprint you if I would marry him. I said life or at the very least improve can look back on and remember your YES, of course. I can’t imagine the quality of life. They are as purpose.” how nervous he must have been follows: a relationship with God, and how brave! Hats off to all the and adventure. brave men out there who step up to There is no structure that can take the plate and throw your hearts to your the constant beating of the elements ladies. day after day without a firm foundation. On December 16, 2015, we celebrated There has to be something concrete… our fifteenth wedding anniversary. We took the something strongly rooted… some kind of kids to Disneyworld and our first stop was… can you heroic blueprint you can look back on and remember guess? That’s right folks, our first stop was The Great Movie your purpose. John and I have built our foundation based on the Ride. Brekken and Laith got to see first-hand where our family word of Jesus Christ. A friend of mine once said that the Bible is began. I wish you all could have seen how their eyes lit up! I like swing set instructions: It gives you the one right way to live think they found us interesting, possibly impressive… that is, for your life. It doesn’t tell you the one-million and one ways to put it the 22 minutes we were on the ride. back together after you have messed it up! However, if you have
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“That old saying “In God’s time?”…ALWAYS true. Most people use that phrase in the company of learning patience. This was not the case for John and me. I said a prayer and BAM! I looked up and there was John Boswell, all googley-eyed over me. Turns out he had been praying, too.”
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that blueprint to turn to - a direction, a plan - you can get back on track. Having a Christ centered life is the BEST thing you can do for your relationship. PERIOD. You will not regret having common ground with your spouse or your children. So, the first BEST thing is a shared faith; the second BEST thing for your family is adventures. Have faith everlasting, and adventures that are legendary. Allow me share to share one of our adventures with you. John was twelve years old when he and his best friend took their first steps in the extraordinary world of Hot Air Ballooning. Hot Air Ballooning: the art of catching heated air in a large fabric bag, also known as the Envelope, with a basket hanging underneath in which people can ride in as it floats above the earth. The hot air balloon is known as the device that first enabled humans to fly. That’s cool, right? Very old school…like 1783 old school. John chose to share this adventure with me nineteen years ago. We didn’t know it at the time, but the balloon would serve in years to come as a force that would return us to each other. A reminder of where we began. Not only did it pull us back together, it also pushed us in the same direction. In time we learned how to be a part of a team, how to be quick on our feet, and dependable. Those are good qualities for any healthy person. Blend those character traits into a marriage, and then, my friend, you now have a FORCE to be reckoned with! I can’t help but feel that Isaac Newton would be proud in this moment. John and I look forward to everytime we get to fill up a balloon and take off. In fact, we would like to invite you to join us at The Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship this fall. The Arkansas State Hot Air Balloon Championship races are held every year in our hometown, Harrison, Arkansas, the first weekend AFTER Labor Day. This year will be Harrison’s 21st year to host the races. The festivities kick off on Friday night with what is called “Hare & Hound.” This game is designed to get those competitive juices flowing. There are two objectives to the races: one is to gain the most points (bragging rights), and two, there is a key grab. This is a game of strategy. The entire course is laid out with your objective being to hit as many drop zones as possible (by throwing bean bags from inside
the balloon) and at the same time to be able to swipe the keys off the top of that pole! Last year, the key grab prize was $20,000! Saturday and Sunday we are up before the sun, mapping out the best route; but Saturday afternoon, we push pause on the races. All the balloonists gather at the soccer fields for a Balloon Glow. If you have always wanted to ride in a balloon, here’s your chance. We blow up the balloons and give tethered rides, meaning they are securely tied down. In addition to the rides, there is music and food. When the sun goes down you want to have your camera in hand and ready to shoot because well, honestly, it is a sight to behold! Here’s hoping you start your adventures here!
“Having a Christ centered life is the BEST thing you can do for your relationship. PERIOD. You will not regret having common ground with your spouse or your children.”
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By Fleta Mooney
As time passed and I began to heal, I started to see more sunny hen I was nineteen years old and a days than gray days. Time is the great healer. Gradually, I became new bride, I had no idea of all the twists and
turns my life story would take. The pages have turned quickly since that time and many chapters have been written, including twenty-eight years of marriage. I had imagined my husband and I would raise our family and then grow old together, just as my parents had done. But my married life ended when my husband passed away from colon cancer five years ago. It was one of those unexpected plot twists no one sees coming, including myself. I quickly learned, with or without our direct involvement, our stories continue to be written. Although I had the desire to use a bookmark and pause my life for a while, new paragraphs continued to be written, because our stories, although each unique, are not solitary books. We are part of a library, where volumes line the shelves and our narratives intertwine with other tales. My children, family, and friends needed me to be involved in their lives. They needed me to be interwoven into their stories. 46 Your Hometown Magazine
emotionally ready to move forward and to envision the future. Many changes follow the loss of a loved one, but there are distinctive adjustments after the death or loss of a spouse. One of those is the fact I was part of a couple, and now I am single. Death, however, is not the only reason for this adjustment. It may also occur through divorce or abandonment, but the changes are similar, and the loss and grieving process occurs with these situations as well. It was crucial I took the time to grieve and to heal. It was also vital I investigated and implemented positive therapies and activities to help in the process. It takes a while to acclimate to singleness. Also, support systems change. Married friends found it difficult to identify with my new life, being a single person. As my world changed, commonalities that once made friendships strong began to fade. Commonalities are what draw us to each other and I realized it was important to actively seek people with common experiences and to nurture
new friendships. Otherwise, I would be using that bookmark I mentioned to mark a page in my life, and I would fail to see new possibilities. The first time I considered dating, I had a profound sense of guilt. I tried to convince myself that my reaction was irrational, but feelings are what they are, never good or bad. I knew my late husband wanted companionship for me and for me not to walk into the future alone. We had the privilege of speaking of such things while he was ill. At the time, I did not want to hear him talking about those circumstances, but now I realize I was fortunate to have had those conversations and to know I have his blessings upon my future. So even with trepidation, I started to wade into the waters of dating for the first time in over thirty years. It is a different world out there. Cell phones, internet, email, social media, and dating sites were not even on the radar in the late seventies. During my teen years, the mode of introduction was if someone was interested in me, they would ask one of my friends for my telephone number. Either I knew the suitor personally or I had a friend who knew him, so it was easy to learn about a person’s personality and character. The other mode of introduction was a friend would introduce me to their friend in person. How would I make the jump from those early experiences to where we are in today’s world of technology and less personal connectedness? On any given Friday or Saturday night, especially later in the evening, there are multiple television advertisements for all types of dating sites: younger singles, older singles, Christian singles, and even country singles. Coming up empty with any friend introductions, I decided to give this new idea a try. I am a private person by nature, and putting my photo and information for all to see on a public website made me a bit anxious. However, after overcoming my anxiety, I learned how to navigate through the information and to discern scammers from the actual participants. I cannot stress enough that I followed the safety guidelines and I always discussed my online communications with a friend. Being secretive can be both unwise and dangerous. Okay, so now it was time for the first date. What did it look like after not dating for many years? Remember me mentioning that guilty feeling? That first date was very unnerving for me. I was fortunate, because the gentleman had been single for several years and he had already navigated through the dating process a few times. He was able to empathize with my awkwardness. As the evening progressed, conversation became more relaxed, but I still felt uncomfortable. I learned a lot from that first date. I realized a long evening with dinner and a movie was not best for a first date experience. Perhaps the experience would have been different if I had already known the person well. Later, when meeting someone for the first time, I would agree to meet for coffee. It was a more relaxed experience for both of us. It was less of a date and more like two friends just having coffee together. After wading through the dating process myself for the past three years and speaking with other mature singles, I have learned there are some unique issues to consider when dating after fifty. For the most part, people in their fifties and older have grown children, some have grandchildren, and others are caring for aging parents. Most individuals do not want to drive more than one hour to meet someone. They know if a relationship develops, relocation over a long distance for either party can be difficult, due to responsibilities to family and the desire to remain close to children and grandchildren.
Another challenge to address is the issue of grown children. While blending families with small children can be challenging and difficult, blending families with grown children can also have its own challenges. There are some important questions to ask. Has the issue of dating been openly discussed within the family, and have concerns and questions been addressed? Are the grown children ready for their parent to date and are they comfortable with the idea? Will the dating issue cause tension within the family and with a prospective companion? A common concern among grown children is whether the parent will be protected financially if they become involved in a new relationship. This is a legitimate concern and one which should be openly discussed and arrangements made before a new relationship develops. If dating issues continue to cause tension within the family, family counseling may prove beneficial. In addition to the above questions, another question to consider is, “What is the proper timeframe to start dating after the loss of a spouse or after a marriage ends?” Each individual situation is distinctive and various factors should be considered, but each person should give themselves enough time to heal from their loss and to be honest about moving forward. It is commonly said to allow one year before making important decisions after a major loss. Each situation is different, but this is good advice. A new relationship will probably look very different from a previous relationship. If someone is still grieving, lonely, and trying to recapture what they had, they may step into a new relationship too quickly. Perhaps additional time may be needed to process the loss and move forward. Also, it is prudent to have a trustworthy mentor to counsel about the progression of a new relationship. It should be someone who will be honest and advise if it looks like a relationship is moving too quickly or moving in an unhealthy direction. Moving forward and dating as a mature adult is challenging in many ways, but it can be done in healthy ways. It was important I extended grace to myself, and I gave myself time to heal. The transition of being part of a couple and then being single taught me many valuable lessons about myself and I discovered even the awkward moments were beneficial in guiding me through the dating process. The pages of my story are still being penned and I have no way of knowing what twists and turns lay ahead, but for now, I am learning to cherish each day and to enjoy the narrative being written.
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When I was a little girl, I remember looking up to my dad and mom. I loved them so so much! When teenage years came, I was that normal teenager caught up in thoughts of the guy of my dreams some day, getting proposed to, planning my wedding and so much more. I had it all mapped out how it would go! Dating, engagement, wedding, babies, and this long life with the love of my life. Well, as a teenager and being caught up in the moment and not completely focusing on the Lord as I should have been, I had the Guy and knew in my heart I would marry him one day! My “Plan” took a different turn when we found out we were expecting. And it was before the wedding. I know, right? Some of you know our story and I’m willing to bet some of you are thinking, “WHAT?! YOU WERE PREGNANT WHEN YOU GOT MARRIED????” Well, truth be told, we turned out to be human and had our own struggles. However, That was challenging for us. I promise I am going somewhere with this. Our wedding, which was supposed to be a year away, turned into 3 weeks away. It was rushed, and we still said “I Do.” That was a rough start for us! I felt so guilty and felt I had disappointed God in so many ways. Several do not know that we had so many regretful feelings towards our actions. I remember both of us, debating if we should be open about this with our church or not. I mean, they were going to figure out real fast that we were expecting so why try and hide it? Plus, the fact that we were feeling so down about this and kept it to ourselves made it seem almost like the devil used that to trap us into feeling like we would never be forgiven. After much thought and discussion, we went to church on a Wednesday night and I sat while Corey opened up to our church family to let them know we were expecting. Mind you, this was before the wedding. He stood up there and said we had messed up, and he wanted to make sure this didn’t reflect on his parents teaching of him; that we were sorry, but that we would get through this. I will never forget a man in the church yelling out, “We love y’all Corey!” My heart skipped a beat, and I remember thinking how much our church family was there for us! They saw two young kids that got caught. But instead of trying to be secretive, we owned our mistake and decided to not let the Devil try and take a blessing from us. We knew we had sinned, we knew we were in the wrong, but we also knew we had to make a choice. A choice to learn from that mistake or just go with it and try to do better by our children. We chose to do better! We were married 3 weeks later and then had a baby girl born 11 weeks early. Talk about a struggle. Pregnant out of wedlock, and now a pre-term baby. NICU days were stressful and we fought lots during that first year. We were broke, so we can add that to the mix too. The point is, WE NEVER GAVE UP! We loved each other and kept fighting for our family. A few years later, 48 Your Hometown Magazine
we had a baby boy! That was another stressful pregnancy! We have been through job changes, broke times, good times, moved 4 times, living apart a year and a half due to Corey’s job in the state police, and then the birth of another baby girl. This morning, I woke up to a sweet Christian song playing in our bedroom. When I opened my eyes, I saw Corey holding our youngest and dancing with her peacefully. As I saw him kiss her forehead, I had all these thoughts of how lucky I am. I went to do laundry today and, it never fails, his laundry pile is always much bigger than mine. I used to complain. Lol! But, Today, I paid attention to each piece of clothing: Farm clothes to go take care of the animals, Uniforms to be presentable when he is protecting lives each day, Baseball shirts to wear when he is cheering on our kids at the game, nice clothes for when he and I just go hang out during the day. His clothes are a little picture of his life. My pile consisted of yoga pants, night clothes & a few nice pieces! Lol! That may be due to me playing mom life and living in the same clothes for days, though! Haha!!! What I want to be understood though, is that we were young once, too, and still are figuring this parenting thing out and marriage thing, too. But, I have no doubt, had we let that one sin take charge of our lives, and never faced it head on, I feel our future would have turned out a lot different. We never gave up, we loved each other and kept pursuing each other. We rarely EVER fight anymore and now we pretty much just laugh and go with the flow. The devil is such a liar. We are human and we mess up. Be that person who owns your mistakes, ask Jesus for forgiveness and do better to make a difference. I see our oldest getting bigger and all these thoughts keep playing over and over in my head. After much prayer and searching when she was younger, I feel confident she will make better choices than we did. I just want my babies to know that even though “my plan” got off track a little, with Jesus, He put us back to where we needed to be. We have allowed Him in our home and because of that, He has taken care of us. So all in all, these dreams I had as a teenager, I still got them. They just took a different path and kinda threw in some bumps along the way! But I kept searching and The Lord has blessed us so much! I am so grateful for the man I have! The daddy of my children and the hard worker to provide for us! God is so Good!
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W
3
By Jarred Moss
hen Jenna Rowden moved to Searcy, It was summer of 2014 when the duo met and formally began Arkansas 8 months ago, she expected to settle dating, and by spring of 2015, Josh had moved home to work at down with her brand new husband Josh and one of the 29 Sonic restaurants in central Arkansas that his dad begin a fresh journey. Having dated Josh for less than a year, owned, saving money for the big day that he knew was briskly she was used to following the leading of God and trusting him approaching. Josh felt confident that saving money and preparing wholeheartedly, but a baby wasn’t in the cards. . . At least not was best for their future and just a year later, the fruit shows. right away. . . or so she thought. “We wouldn’t have been able to get married nearly as quickly “It definitely wasn’t planned,” Jenna says laughingly. Eight as we did,” he says. months later, Jenna glowingly sports a pregnant belly, eight Though Jenna wasn’t crazy about a long-distance relationship, months along to be exact! it caused her to keep her focus on God and finishing school. “We knew we wanted a family soon. We just didn’t think it “That season really tested us,” says Josh. “It’s what really let would be THIS soon,” says Josh, smiling. us know that we were supposed to be together. ” Standing together in their fourIt was only a few months later month-old home, the couple on a trip to Branson, Missouri with lightheartedly recounts their story. both of their parents that her fiancé“We knew we wanted a family The two met while attending to-be knelt on one knee. Only, it school at the University of wasn’t to propose. Yet. Josh pulled soon. We just didn’t think it would Arkansas in Fayetteville. Josh was out a towel and washbasin and be THIS soon.” a semester ahead of Jenna, and she began to wash Jenna’s feet. wasn’t looking to get in a serious “I wanted to show her before I relationship ANY time soon! But proposed that I loved her like Jesus once again, God changed her plans. loved and would be serving her for the rest of my life, just like One evening at the Powerhouse Seafood & Grill in Fayetteville, Christ served and calls us to serve.” Jenna was hanging out with a group of friends watching a band After the sweet moment, he pulled out a beautiful ring - her play. Josh just so happened to have arrived in town and decided dream ring, which he’d been designing for months - and popped to go out with them as well to the Powerhouse, needless to say. the question. And, of course, she said yes. When he set his eyes on her, Josh knew he had to talk to her. Deciding where life would take them was an interesting “Uhh, hi Jenna,” he said bashfully. discussion, because Jenna was from Jonesboro, Arkansas and After having been in a few relationships that didn’t work out, was only barely acquainted with Searcy, and Josh had multiple Jenna was a bit dialed down relationally, but something really doors to walk through. With coaching job offers at multiple high struck her about Josh. He invited her to dinner, and she remembers schools in the northwest Arkansas region, and coaching staff being treated differently than she ever had before. position opportunities both in and out of state on the table at “I remember how well he respected me. He opened the door universities, Mr. Rowden knew that he was supposed to move for me and prayed before our meal. I’d been in relationships back to Searcy and take his place as a managing-partner at the with Christian guys, but nobody expressed it like him.” Josh’s Beebe-Capps Sonic location, making the most of the business demeanor attracted Jenna, and her personality won him over that he knew all too well: immediately. “I love it. I love the people. I love serving them. I love getting “We knew very quickly that we would end up together,” he to speak to the young employees we have. I love when I get to said. Josh was particularly attracted to Jenna’s interest in sports calm them down during their first interview at 16. I love being and athletics. A coaching major himself, Josh had always wanted there for them in their times of need. It’s really a form of ministry a wife that played sports, worked out and took an interest in for me! ” competition. “He’s not through with coaching though!” Jenna says positively. 52 Your Hometown Magazine
Outside the home, a visitor is greeted by a gorgeous rock-front and a beautiful pendant light. “He’ll get to coach our son’s baseball team!” He nods. She smiles. After only four months of engagement, the two were married in September of 2015 and moved into a Searcy apartment, dreaming of the home they desired to build. They didn’t know at that time, however, that their future home would serve 3 occupants. At least not until a few weeks after the wedding date! “She called me up and asked me to come home and said we needed to talk and I knew what was going on!” Josh says, chuckling. “I was like, ‘A baby? A baby! Alright!” Life became all the sweeter for the expecting father when he found out that their little guy was just that: a boy! The two had planned on getting married and building a home of their own, and with a new pregnancy in the mix, the most exciting season of their life was well underway. Working with a builder named Jim Davidson, Josh and Jenna each played give-and-take within their suggested budget, designing a home that would suit their needs and their wants without breaking their bank. Outside the home located in Searcy’s Ridgewood subdivision, a visitor is greeted by a gorgeous rock-front and a beautiful pendant light. Stepping through the doorway on hardwood floors, one can’t help but to notice the unique oversized, indented white trim around the doorways. The couple’s kitchen is spacious and inviting, full of character. “The vaulted ceilings make the room seem bigger,” says Jenna, calling attention to the large height overhead. “I wanted granite countertops because, well, why not?!” Jenna also points out the brick back-splash, which compliments the countertops and stained cabinetry. One of the rather unique personal touches in the kitchen is the turquoise-painted island, picked out by Jenna to compliment a turquoise kitchen-aid mixer that sits atop the counter top, matching perfectly. Above the classic, dark, farmhouse-style dinner table hangs an expensive light that the future mommy had to have. “It was a little pricey, but I got the other two pendant lights for cheap so it worked out,” she says, pointing to two individual lights hanging above the kitchen island. Josh points out that they sacrificed completely smooth walls for a slight orange peel texture in order to save money, which they would instead invest in the granite counter-tops. “Our builder helped us out tremendously,” Jenna says. We recommend him to everyone!
The couple’s kitchen is spacious and inviting.
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With a great amount of natural light provided by a large window, the living room feels cozy and inviting.
Davidson, a long-time family friend of Josh, is known to stop by his client’s homes, well after their dwelling has been established, anytime they need help. “We make sure he has plenty of double-stuffed oreos and pretzels,” says a laughing Josh, pointing to two bowls featuring his favorite snacks. Sporting all-new appliances, the kitchen is sure to be home to a lively bunch. “The décor is all her. But I picked out the electronics!” says Josh. “That’s my thing.” Inside the living room, which also sports high ceilings, as well as recessed lighting, Josh shows off the fireplace right below a large flatscreen Samsung high definition TV that he bought for a significant bargain on Black Friday. The fireplace, surrounded by rock décor, is powered by propane and takes up a small amount of wall space right next to a set of dark-stained wood mantels that help to provide a balanced, centered look, and display a picture of the couple. With a great amount of natural light provided by a large window, the living room feels cozy and inviting. One thing that the two wanted was plenty of closet space. Extending out of their bedroom, which features soft carpet made even softer by memory foam padding underneath, is a full-sized bathroom featuring white fixtures, a soaking tub, a separate shower, and a bathroom stall complete with door. At the end of the bathroom is a deep, slim, walk-in closet that holds all of their clothes, her side, and his side. “I have a lot of clothes,” says Josh.
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Master Bedroom
Though the two had been expecting to build a house, plans for that house proceded with the kiddo in mind. “I had to have carpet in the bedrooms!” says Jenna. After all, “He’s going to be playing in there.” Down the hall from the guest bedroom, which features a stylish headboard Jenna picked up for a bargain, is the little guy’s room. Canvasses on the wall welcome him with adorable sayings such as, “Hello there, Handsome,” and “For this child, we have prayed.” Opening his closet, Jenna reveals a custom-designed set of shelves that will host clothes, shoes and toys, all his size. Jenna says though the two had already planned on building a home, they designed it with their son in mind every step of the way. Standing in their newly finished kitchen, the young couple, 24 and 23, sport shining smiles, content with their portion. In fact, the only thing missing seems to be their firstborn, Hudson Tate, who will be making his debut in the next few weeks. When asked what the past year has shown them, Josh points to God’s faithfulness: “I’m a thinker. I have a plan. My plan was 1,2,3, but God’s plan was 1-90. But it’s alright! You’ve just got to roll with it and trust him!” Jenna agrees. Their bedroom features soft carpet, made even softer by memory foam padding underneath.
Throughout their home are mementos of their love.
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Perhaps the framed song lyric hanging behind them on the dining room wall demonstrates their prayer to God over the past year of their lives. The lyric, a line from a popular contemporary Christian song entitled “Oceans” by Hillsong United says: “Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the water, wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander, and my faith will be made stronger, in the presence of my Savior.” We can make our plans, but God determines our steps. Sometimes those steps look differently than when we planned, but Josh and Jenna Rowden know by now that God’s steps are the ones they always want to follow and, confident in him, look forward to closing this chapter in their cozy West Searcy homestead with a little guy next month, and opening the next chapter with vigor and joy. Because, after all, like Josh says, “You’ve just got to roll with it.”
“Josh and Jenna Rowden know by now that God’s steps are the ones they always want to follow...”
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A Road
Well Traveled:
The Hutchinson’s Love Story By Cecelia Wilson Two blocks east of Broadway Street, not far from Interstates 30 and 630, a mansion sits in
a quiet Little Rock neighborhood. Traveling to work each morning means a short drive through the wrought iron gates on the home’s grounds to the marbled halls of the State Capitol. But, the road to the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion was much longer for First Lady Susan Hutchinson and her husband, Asa. It all began in South Carolina… Susan Burrell was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia as the second of seven children. Both of her parents had struggled with the tragic losses of their own parents. Her mother’s father was walking on a sidewalk when he was killed by a drunk driver. Her mother was only nine years old at the time. His untimely death plunged the family into immediate poverty. As for Susan’s father, he never knew his father, who had died before he was a 58 Your Hometown Magazine
year old. His mother died by the time he was 8, leaving the young boy orphaned. Needless to say, both of Susan’s parents’ lives were shaped by their shattered childhoods. So, though Susan knew she was loved, it was difficult reading her parents’ moods and understanding their perspectives concerning love and discipline. “My Dad thought it was his job in life to keep us humble,” Mrs. Hutchinson remembers quietly, “but it basically [meant being]
humiliated. He would brag to everyone else in the world how proud he was of us, but he wouldn’t say it to [us].” She struggled to win her parents’ approval until her salvation as a child, when she finally realized an important lesson: the approval that mattered the most was the Lord’s; everyone else’s approval was secondary. Neither of her parents made it beyond the 8th grade, yet did insist their children excel – just not beyond a good education. Their melancholy daughter found an inner drive and was soon interested in science and medicine. The high school
“‘I wanted to make sure he was real. So, what else would a scientist do? I researched him!’ Susan laughs.”
valedictorian, straight A student was anxious to attend college, but did not receive a scholarship. Still, her parents wanted their child to get the education they never received. She would opt for Bob Jones University, a non-denominational Protestant institution in Greenville, South Carolina. It was 145 miles northeast of Atlanta and, unbeknownst to Susan, it would prove to be the beginning of a long, meandering journey. Twelve weeks before graduating from the University, Susan met a young man from Arkansas named Asa Hutchinson. The tall Senior was an Accounting major who immediately caught her attention. “He’s a really positive person,” she says of her first impression of the Arkansan. “He got me with his smile.” But, strict college dating rules and Asa’s recently broken heart almost doomed the yet-to-blossom courtship. He was cautious; she was throwing caution to the wind – but only if the empirical and factual data proved to the scientist in her that she could! “I wanted to make sure he was real. So, what else would a scientist do? I researched him!” Susan laughs. “I take in the information and I make it work. I have to organize it, it has to make sense, it has to be logical. I want to be perfect and you can’t be perfect if it doesn’t make sense.” And the results confirmed what she had already observed. He was a hard worker. He had an on-campus job cleaning buildings, and he had worked his way into being the supervisor. He had been elected President twice of the boys’ literary society. “Everyone said great things about him; everyone liked him,” she remembers. “He made you feel good.” With her personally-conducted research results firmly in the back of her mind, she showed up for his debates. He beamed seeing her there. Their first “date” was sitting together at lunch in the school’s very public cafeteria on her birthday. Then, during the final six weeks of school they met more and more often: he walked her to her dorm, sat with her in church services and they exchanged notes. Susan was determined: she had met her future husband and Asa had met his match. Graduation day meant their last day on the same campus. Their futures, it seemed, appeared murky. He would be spending the summer at his home in Arkansas; she would be moving back to Atlanta. She was planning to get a master’s degree in microbiology from Clemson in the fall and then go on to attend med school; Asa would be in Columbia attending law school at the University of South Carolina. When autumn came, they would no longer be in the same city, but they
The Hutchinsons
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“Little did she know, the next detours on their road together would meander from Fayetteville to Bentonville to Ft. Smith to Washington, D.C. and, finally, to the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock.”
would at least still be in the same state and the two-hour distance wouldn’t be insurmountable. With diplomas in hand, the graduates filtered their way through family and friends. As Asa walked Susan to her car where her mom, dad and older sister were waiting for her, he handed her a note. “So we’re going to write this summer?” she asked. He nodded, “It’s in the note.” He was leaving his address in her hand, but she couldn’t leave campus without making it known how she felt about him. Just out of sight of her family, Susan kissed him. It was going to be a long summer. Weeks later, from his home in northwest Arkansas, Asa wrote what Susan described as an “articulate” letter. She waited a few days (unwilling to appear to be overly anxious) and wrote back to him. But, his second letter’s theme was a complete about-face. He was saying, “Goodbye;” he was ending their relationship. Knowing he wanted to practice law in Arkansas, a family friend convinced Asa to look at the University of Arkansas School of Law rather than attending law school in South Carolina. Asa had applied, been accepted, gotten a student loan and found a rooming house all in the same day at Fayetteville. He would not be traveling back to South Carolina. Folding the letter, Susan was undaunted and began thinking through her options. Her plans at Clemson had been falling apart recently – she had not been able to find housing, no scholarship was on the table to date. She calmly reasoned that Clemson was much too far away from Arkansas anyway. If her future was to be with Asa, she had to give their relationship a chance and that meant closing the distance. That’s when she remembered a teaching position she had declined at a private church school in Tennessee. She found an encyclopedia. The school was in Memphis and the 60 Your Hometown Magazine
road to Fayetteville was much more manageable. She called the school Monday morning and accepted the teaching position in Tennessee for one year. She told her parents she was going to Memphis and, two weeks later, with only the mighty Mississippi flowing between her and Arkansas, she penned her response to Asa’s “goodbye” letter. It was a welcome surprise. As a young law student in Fayetteville, Asa was working, attending classes and had a strict budget. And that budget had no room for gas money from northwest Arkansas to western Tennessee. But, Susan was so close and as is often said, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Not only was gas a concern, but wear and tear on his car also entered into the equation, limiting the distance Asa could drive to see his girlfriend. So, the young law student would drive to Alma where he asked permission to park his car at a local gas station, and then he would hitchhike from Alma to Memphis once a month to see Susan. On their second date in Memphis, their relationship had taken a more serious turn: Asa had said, “I love you.” In November, Susan had traveled to Gravette and met the Hutchinson family. By Christmas, Asa had asked Susan’s father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. In mid-March 1973, on the banks of the Mississippi River, under a sycamore tree in the light of the moon, Asa proposed and the Science/Algebra teacher from Georgia said, “Yes!” He had thought their future through and had several questions he wanted her to think about before committing fully. “Will you live in Arkansas?” “Will you consider my parents as your parents?” and, most importantly, “Will you grow old with me?” Imagining a life with a country squire in a rural setting in Arkansas surrounded
by cattle, Susan was happy with her decision. Little did she know, the next detours on their road together would meander from Fayetteville to Bentonville to Ft. Smith to Washington, D.C. and, finally, to the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. Harkening back to her teaching experience, her parents’ troubled childhoods, and her own struggles growing up, Susan’s choice of platform as Arkansas’ First Lady was an easy one: she focused on children’s issues. Though her parents’ discipline for her and her six siblings was physically tough, it was done “always with a purpose – they wanted us to behave. We were taught to be responsible, take ownership, follow the rules.” And bearing in mind that many families cross the line physically with their own sons and daughters, the First Lady was specifically drawn to spotlighting assistance for abused, neglected and abandoned children. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Arkansas is the primary charity and vehicle in which she helps children. Now that her journey has brought her to the Governor’s Mansion, Susan plans to do all she can to make a difference for the children in her adopted state. “I’m overwhelmed with all the positive well-wishes of the people of Arkansas and how interested they are in my platform,” the First Lady says from her office in the mansion. “I’m eternally grateful and thankful that everyone is embracing this challenge...” Three boys, one girl and five grandchildren later, First Lady Susan Hutchinson is still amazed at the direction her life with Asa has taken. After 43 years of marriage, she is more convinced than ever that she made the right decision when she chose to shrink the distance between her and the man she fell in love with. But, should the miles between them ever increase, there’s little doubt the Governor would take any road to be with his First Lady – even if that means hitchhiking!
“The Children’s Advocacy Center of Arkansas is the primary charity and vehicle in which she helps children.”
First Lady Susan Hutchinson and Searcy Living Feature Writer Cecelia Wilson
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By Jarred Moss
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“After all, outside of your relationship with God, this is the MOST important decision you’ll ever make.”
H
er name was Shelby. I was 9 years old and she was 10, and we were in 4th grade. While I thought she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen, I, like most 9 year olds, had not an ounce of confidence to approach a member of the opposite sex unless it was making small talk in line at the pencil sharpener: “What did you eat for lunch today?” “Crispitos.” “Me too. “ Yes, I was hopelessly awkward when it came to girls, but I couldn’t understand why. I mean, sure, my mom paid my lunch money and I still had no idea what “the opposite sex” even meant, but as I saw my friends begin to have boyfriends and girlfriends, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of desperate 4th grade loneliness. A friend of mine even told me, “Hang with me, and you’ll get girls!” But I was determined to do it all on my own. And then the night came. At a friend’s birthday party, the boys and girls sat on opposite sides of the room as was our custom, and me and the young lass made eyes across the way for what seemed like forever (15 minutes.) I had one of the girls I was friends with go and ask her, “Will you be Jarred’s girlfriend?” And she came back and said, “Yes. She will.” It was on. For two solid weeks we didn’t say a word to each other, but I reveled in my 9 year old swagsmanship. (I just invented that word.) Nobody had as much game as me, and when I bought her a $14 necklace that said ‘Angel,’ I felt atop of the world. One day later she sent a messenger to tell me... “Shelby said it’s over.” “I don’t care.” I so cared. After listening to “You’ve Got It Bad” by Usher on repeat all week, I just knew there had to be someone else out there for me. My 10 year old girlfriend hadn’t panned out so well, but that was okay. God had The Right One for me, and it was time to hop back on the prowl.
We all take dating cues from someone or something. Generally, culture dictates how we date. We watch the latest Nicholas Sparks film and then make our way through two dozen potential candidates to fulfill our every romantic desire, regardless of how incompatible, ungodly, or outright laughable the circumstances may be.
While most singles drive the wide highway paved by culture towards their hopeful mate and experience A LOT of heartbreak and crushed dreams, there will be a few that take the road less travelled: the uncommon path which, when followed closely, can lead us straight past all the distractions, into the arms of “The Right One.” SearcyLiving.com 63
Woah, woah, woah... Hold up! Just stop?!? Yup. Stop. Stop spending all your time mindlessly worming your way through the hearts of every single male/female you meet, doing the romance dance while only hitting a brick wall when you find out you’re totally incompatible. It’s NOT going to work! Don’t believe me? Well, how successful have you been up to this point? I remember when God began to speak to me about this. I was in my daily Bible reading and came across Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:33: “Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things will be added to you.” I think we can mostly agree that Jesus was a pretty wise fellow, not that he was also God or anything, and that he might have just a small clue what he’s talking about. I went so far as to make a commitment to not date during high school when I was 16. My friends thought I was stupid and my family thought I was crazy, but I was convinced! I believed Christ’s words with all my heart and knew that he was MORE than capable of bringing the RIGHT GIRL into my life at the RIGHT TIME. I also understood that as a 16 year old boy, I had nothing more to offer than a cheap movie date with my left over lunch money and a trip in my mom’s minivan. And I was fairly confident that any girl
my age didn’t have much more to offer me than a couple chills and some severe heartbreak. So I sought God, and quit looking for the right person. You’re on good ground when you take this approach because, if you’ll remember, God brought Eve to Adam. Adam didn’t just get up and go looking for her! Now the common argument I hear against this line of thinking is: “There’s so many people in the world! How will I find the right one if I don’t go looking!?” Fair question. I’d only ask in reply, “Do you seriously think you stand a chance in finding your one out of 8 billion??? Good luck! :)”
“...God brought Eve to Adam. Adam didn’t just get up and go looking for her!”
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I’ve often found that God is into specifics. Not just vague details. After all, outside of your relationship with God, this is the MOST important decision you’ll ever make. Sure, you want a wife. But what kind of wife? What characteristics would you like her to have? What type of interests will you share? Where will she be spiritually? Should she want kids? How many? Will she be career-driven? Stay at home? Exactly what is the desire of your heart? My senior year of high school, God laid it on my heart to pray for my future wife, whoever she was, every day for a month. Not that he would bring her to me, but that he would guard her heart, keep her pure, and give her grace to wait for me until it was His time for us to meet.
During this month, I felt led to pull out a sheet of paper and write down all the qualities I wanted in a wife. I resisted the urge to write, “Hot,” “Cooks,” and “Cleans,” and instead went a little deeper: She loves kids. She loves worship music. She feels called to ministry. She loves God more than she loves me. She’s funny. She’s joyful. She’s a brunette. Hey, I said specific, right? Guess what? I Got it! I also had a thing for blue eyes, but I didn’t write that down. He threw that in for free! After Evelyn and I got together, I found out she had a similar list, as well, that I matched up to. So what do you want? Decide it. Then write it. Make it plain. (Habakkuk 2:2) Oh, and by the way... She’s hot. She cooks. And she cleans. ;)
“So what do you want? Decide it. Then write it. Make it plain.” (Habakkuk 2:2)
When I was in 4th grade, my girlfriend was the one. When I was in 5th grade, my girlfriend was the one. When I was in 6th grade, my girlfriend was the one. When I was in 7th grade, my girlfriend was the one. 10th grade? Same thing. Except it wasn’t. How do I know this? Because I married only ONE wonderful woman, and she wasn’t any of them! In fact, we never even went on a date until we were married! But boy, that’s a whole ’nother story. One fall evening at church, the same month I was praying for my wife, during a youth group service, I felt led to give a small sermon God had placed on my heart to the students. I was playing drums and Evelyn was leading worship. I remember getting the mic, exhorting the group, and Evelyn picking up right after it with a song, leading the young people in passionate devotion. As I turned and looked at her, I got chills and, clear as day, God spoke to me: “That’s her.” And I believed him. I remember leaving the platform after service and talking with my dad. I pointed at her and said confidently, “You see that girl? I’m going to marry her.” “Does she know that?” my dad asked. I just grinned and laughed: “Nope.” I immediately sought lunch with her father, Craig, who introduced me to his very reserved form of dating: no dating. “NO DATES!?” My mind went crazy. I never knew this idea existed. Evelyn’s father instead raised his daughters in a courtship method which entailed the whole family getting to know the guy very well - no alone time, and limited phone conversation. I wasn’t that sure about it, but I knew God had spoken, and I knew I wanted her, so if that was the price, I was prepared to pay it. Sure enough, we didn’t go out alone on a single date before our wedding day. Unless you consider our friends driving us around in groups a date. But on that glorious day when we said I do and our lips first touched, we thanked God that he had prepared us in His timing, and not our own.
It’s simple. The right person at the wrong time is the wrong person. Only the right person at the right time is the right person. All throughout the Bible we see no example of casual dating: “We’re 15, we spend every day together, and we’ll just have fun and love each other until we get married 10 years from now.” Nope. Try me. It’s not in there. The Bible wasn’t lying when it said over and over again, “Don’t stir up or awaken love until it’s time.” (Song of Songs 8:4) Until it’s time, you’re just playing with matches. Try not to get burned. (Continued )
“It’s simple. The right person at the wrong time is the wrong person. Only the right person at the right time is the right person.”
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4
Hollywood teaches us that relationships start something like this: “Let’s go out sometime.” “Okay!” I suppose it could work. But what if your date is horrible!?!? Now hear me out, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a man making his intentions known early on and being clear. If anything, I strongly encourage it. The friend-zone is NO fun. But there is something special about getting around someone for a good amount of time, learning their interests and relating to them before you pull the love trigger. Regardless of what culture says, friends and relationships are not entirely different realities. Evelyn and I were already friends when I felt called to pursue her, but over the ensuing months and years, she became something much bigger than my crush and my girl, she became my best friend. And if you’re going to live in the same house with somebody for the rest of your life, you’re going to want them to be your best friend. So be a friend first, flirt later. It works great that way. So that’s our story. That’s our testimony. Don’t try on mates like you try on shirts. Be uncommon and try God’s will! After all, he already found the right one and trust me, they’re on the way.
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Everyone that gets married wants their marriage to last forever. We even say “til death do us part” in our vows. Not all relationships make it to this goal, but some do. So I went on a quest to find the secret to marriage longevity.
I
spoke with five couples that have been married for 30+ years about what they believe helped them make it for the long haul. Of course, some of the responses were hilarious: She’s always right. Separate bedrooms from time to time. Do as
Charley & Gayle Farrell
Married May 16, 1959 in Metawan, NJ He was 18, She was 15 They’ve been married 57 years
you’re told. It was good to see that you still retain a sense of humor after forty and fifty years. But my favorite responses during my interviews were simple, yet profound.
Larry & Carolyn Nokes Married: November 13, 1965 in Montgomery, AL He was 21, She was 19 They’ve been together 50 years
Ken & Mary Beth Crafton Married: November 25, 1967 in Jacksonville, AR He was 22, She was 19 They’ve been married 48 years
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I asked all the couples what they believe is the secret(s) to a happy and lasting marriage. Here are my top ten answers: 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
Compromise Always believe in each other Be understanding and listen Make each other laugh/have a good time Communicate and always talk it out Trust Be best friends Manage your expectations and priorities A good God and good support system DON’T GIVE UP
I also asked them what has changed in their relationship over the years, and everyone said that they grew together. Grew to know each other better. Grew more like each other. Grew more in love. That, now, they truly know their partner and that makes the relationship more enjoyable.
A marriage requires
two people that are willing to do whatever it takes to stay married. It’s give and take. It’s meeting in the middle. It rarely has two adults at the same time or two mature people at the same time. You will take turns being the voice of reason and being the crazy one. But keep working at it. Encourage each other and support your partner’s dreams. The more you work together, the further you will get. Listen to each other, and seek to understand more than wanting to be right. Listen to their heart and intent, instead of assuming malice. TALK, TALK, TALK! The best way to get to know someone is to talk to them, listen to them, and believe what they tell you. Allow them room to be honest with you without it turning into World War III. If there is an issue, talk it out. Don’t let it build and cause more damage. Trust your partner, trust in your partner, and trust the journey. Trust in the love you have for each other. Trust in your commitment to each other. Don’t let insecurities create a wedge. Be friends! Friendship is a great foundation. We tell our best friends everything, we take care of them, we protect them, fight for them, share life with them. Be friends with your spouse. Because after the kids have grown, your spouse is still there; and because when you are at your worst, they will take care of you. Your marriage will go through stages, but remaining friends will help you pull through them all. Manage your expectations. We come into relationships with baggage, wounds, and different upbringings. Talk about these things. Help each
Judy & Phil Hoggard
Married December 31, 1977 in Atlanta, GA He was 21, She was 19 They’ve been married 38 years
Johnny & Diana Hicks
Married March 7, 1964 in Bakersfield, CA He was 24, She was 18 They’ve been married 52 years
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other heal. And discuss the hierarchy of priorities. Marriage is love, but it is also like a business. Sometimes you will have to renegotiate, which is fine, but always get on the same page. Speaking of GOD. God is our first glimpse at love. God is our source of love. God is the center of everything good. Praying, trusting in Him to see you through, and handing over your relationship to His care is vital. And most importantly, just don’t quit! Be “Too stubborn to give up,” like Charley said. Don’t let the trials make you throw in the towel, because the trials will end and it will get better. Be committed to your vows and seeing them through. Keep trying, and trying, and trying. And when you get done trying, try again. Simply decide that working through it is more important than staying upset. Lastly, I gave the couples an opportunity to give some advice to all the newly married or soon to be married people that are reading this. I call them extra jewels. Charley and Gayle said, “Never go to bed mad.” Larry and Carolyn said, “Always find time to be with each other.” Phil and Judy Hoggard said, “Hold hands through the crisis. Work together, not against each other.” And also, “Don’t wait until you don’t care to go to counseling.” Johnny and Diana said, “When you get married, plan to make it last.” Ken and Mary Beth Crafton said, “Always put your relationship first.” So what is the verdict? What is the big secret to making a marriage last and stand the test of time? The truth is, “There is no secret, just hard work” - Ken Crafton
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y
first
year
of
marriage has been
everything I could’ve possibly dreamed of and more. As you prepare to go into marriage, you hear one phrase a lot!: “Marriage is hard!” Well, when you’re engaged and in a fairytale planning your wedding, that’s not what you want to hear. So here’s my take on that phrase after being married a year. Marriage isn’t hard, not like how you think, at least. Marriage is one of the easiest, most natural things I’ve ever done! You have someone who is literally your other half, someone to talk to at all times, an encourager, a best friend, and so much more. That’s what I believe God intended marriage to be. Now yes, there are times when you have hard days, whether they be sad, stressful, or just overall bad days. And it may be one of you or both of you experiencing that. On those days, you have to take a step back and realize it’s not about me anymore. It’s 100% about my spouse. You have to be totally and completely selfless, even when you yourself may not “feel like it.” I believe if both partners are doing that, then you get a marriage that is not only easy, but the way God made it to be. Neither one of us are perfect by any means, especially me, but in God you can take your imperfections and make them beautiful. I have been so blessed to find my soul mate. He has been there for me through some of my darkest days. Before we got married we had dated for four years. We started dating in high school, through college, and entering into the workforce full time. He was the only
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person I ever felt totally and completely comfortable with. After our first date, I went home and told my mom I felt like I had known him my whole life! I had prayed for my future husband since I was a little girl, and God brought him to me. I didn’t have to search, I didn’t have to flirt with every guy. All I had to do was be still and wait on God. We have been through some pretty tough stuff that most marriages haven’t gone through. While dating, we both lost a grandpa, both had a wreck. I was hospitalized for half of my senior year due to exacerbated asthma because of a fistula in my lower bronchiole that was leaking fluid into my lungs; he tore his ACL playing football; and both of us had to have surgery. We were dating long distance (an hour away), and had other deaths in our families. And yet, we have persevered through it all by the grace of God. We started our relationship in church, and I believe that has a big part in our story. I have fallen more in love with my husband every day. He is such a hard worker and provides so well for our family. He is one of the most selfless people I know. He is kindhearted and sensitive to what I need. I am so glad God gave me him. Growing up, I didn’t know who I was to marry, but wow, God really blessed me with my spouse! I can’t believe we have been married a year already, nor can I believe that we have been together for five years. Our first year of marriage has been a blessing to me. I’ve grown in so many ways, and I can tell he has, too. We bought a house at the beginning of our marriage and have made it into a home. We are now expecting a little blessing in August. We found out about 6 ½ months into our marriage that I was expecting. We are so thrilled to become parents. We can’t wait to hold our little boy - he is already so loved! Regardless of what storm you are going through, remember God always sends a rainbow at the end. That’s his promise. A beautiful reminder of how much he loves us.
“Regardless of what storm you are going through, remember God always sends a rainbow at the end. That’s his promise. A beautiful reminder of how much he loves us.”
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Over the Counter Rodney G. Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP Harding University College of Pharmacy
Summer Dehydration By Rodney Richmond, RPh, MS, CGP, FASCP
W
ith increased summer activities, children get so involved with playing that stopping to take a drink of water is low on their list of priorities. Did you know that, compared to adults, children produce more heat but sweat less during physical activity? Because children do not easily release built-up heat, their chance of dehydration is increased. This is especially true when playing outside for long periods of time. Therefore, it is important to be watchful and ensure that children drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Adding to their hydration needs, it is known that children grow at a faster pace during the summer months than in the winter. Here are some important tips for parents to follow to help keep your children well-hydrated:
■■ Give your children something to drink before, during, and after they play outside, offering them something to drink even if they say they are not really thirsty. ■■ Have them take regular breaks from playing to give them a chance to cool down. ■■ Plan their outdoors play-time for the earlymorning and late-afternoon while avoiding the midafternoon when the sun is at its hottest. ■■ Watch for signs of dehydration because thirst alone is not a good way to judge hydration. Being thirsty is often a sign that we are already somewhat dehydrated. ■■ Limit clothing to a single layer of light-colored, light-weight material. ■■ Be sure to check on them even when swimming or participating in other water activities, because it is more difficult to observe dehydration or overheating. Water is always a good choice, but a sports drink with electrolytes can be a good choice during times of extended activity. If we make sure children get enough water throughout the day, it is much easier to take care of their health and prevent the dangerous effects of dehydration. Dehydration should not be overlooked because, if not prevented or caught in time, it can lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. The same thing goes for adults – don’t forget to hydrate yourself too!
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Tea by Tina Reaper
On a Sunday afternoon, we filled The Wedding Barn with bright floral dresses, big hats, tasty treats, tea, coffee, music and, most importantly, lovely ladies and lots of laughter. Gone were the T-shirts and sweats, the raggedy jeans and chaco’s, ball caps and pony tails, and for a few hours we set our phones down, lifted our tea cups and enjoyed the lilting sounds of Ellen Jordan’s harp. The tradition of afternoon tea and the neighbor ladies calling have gone by the wayside. Gone are the casual afternoons of sewing and sharing recipes while listening to grandmothers’ stories. These are now only things we see in movies. Surprising as it may seem to many, including my sisters, a “Tea” isn’t a silly childlike endeavor, or a make believe moment. Nothing makes you feel more like a ‘Lady’ than dressing and acting like one. We look at the young girls today and shake our heads at the short shorts, spandex leggings and the lack of manners. Isn’t this really our fault for not teaching them better, demanding they expect more from themselves, showing them how a Lady should act? It doesn’t have to be every day (I myself am a Flip flop queen), but every now and then, when the occasion calls for it, can’t we turn off Netflix, put on some heels and just appreciate the grace and gifts that a true Lady can exhibit? As Helen Reddy would say, “I am Woman, hear me ROAR.” We can now change our own tires, fix our own cars, balance our own accounts, cure diseases, fight for our country, feed our own children, meet every challenge and accomplish all our goals and we CAN do it with our legs crossed, our posture straight, a warm smile on our lips and kindness in our hearts. A measure of a women is in her own strength; look no further for greatness!
- Lady T
More photos on
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Congratulations to White County Farm Bureau for being named Arkansas Farm Bureau 2016 Best in Customer Service Award.
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42 Kids Sent To Camp This Year
Photos by Al Fowler
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Ralph Haymond 82 Your Hometown Magazine
R alph H aymond God and Insurance Cecelia Wilson BY
Driving by Haymond Insurance, there are a few things that stand out.
The building has a striking, brick façade, a towered corner and is complemented with a contemporary metal roof and canopies. The company’s name is emblazoned in capital letters on the tower, and the company’s logos sit proudly underneath. But, the phrases beneath those logos may be the building’s most prominent features: “One Nation Under God” and “In God We Trust.” In New York City or Los Angeles, those sentiments might raise eyebrows when attached to a business enterprise, but in Searcy, Arkansas, they are right at home.
R
alph Haymond was born in Camden and attended Southern State College in Magnolia (now Southern Arkansas University). Set to enter J. C. Penney’s management program, Ralph got a call instead from his former hardware store boss convincing him 1993 to come work for him in the insurance business. The career stuck. “Until you need it,” Ralph says of insurance, “you don’t want it!” And that explains why he believes this is his niche in helping others - selling clients the correct coverage means they are not only insured, they are prepared. Though Ralph didn’t move to Searcy until 1985, he has for some time considered Searcy home. “It’s a lifestyle, the school systems, the university, the entire community,” Haymond searches for the reasons he and others are more than content to stay in Searcy. Simply put: Searcy feels like home and its people feel like family. And God and
“Searcy feels like home and its people feel like family.” – Ralph Haymond
family permeate every decision Ralph Haymond makes in his life. He is open about the direction of his personal life. “In 1993, I was living a lifestyle I was not proud of, so I made a decision to change my life.” It was certainly a change for the better and he benefited by the smarter choices he was making. But five years later he would learn that, despite those admirable choices, he was not in complete control. His 18-year-old son, Lane, was diagnosed with GuillainBarré Syndrome, paralyzing him from the neck down. For a father who felt secure knowing he could always be there and do anything for his three children, it was a devastating blow that brought him to his knees.
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The Searcy Office Lane spent 30 days in ICU and four months in a hospital, reminding Ralph instinctively that there was only one person to turn to, only one person in charge. “I knew I had to depend on God,” he shares. “But it lifted a burden.” Being able to turn the unmanageable over to God and let His strength and wisdom carry the outcome was a comfort like no other. His prayers were answered in God’s time. Lane would struggle through 1998, but regained the use of his limbs. He continues to have some residual issues, but is leading a full, active life with a wife and three children in northwest Arkansas. It wasn’t an easy episode to endure, but Ralph is convinced that entire year was another step in his journey to being closer to God in guiding his life.
“Being able to turn the unmanageable over to God and let His strength and wisdom carry the outcome was a comfort like no other.”
The Camden Office
The Lowell Office
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Fast forward to 2016. Ralph Haymond’s three children (and now his three grandchildren, as well) are still the lights of his life. Ashlea, his oldest, is a CPA in Pensacola, Florida who Ralph calls “my confidante and [will be] the administrator of my estate!” Lane moved to Fayetteville to attend college and now heads the Haymond Insurance Springdale office. Besides corralling those three grandchildren who range in age from 7 to 1, Lane will “one day take over my business.” Ralph’s youngest, Haley, is a teacher in Siloam Springs whose husband, Cam, is also the company’s IT guru. Haley is so independent and so caring about everyone, including her 6 cats. “Her personality, though she will never admit it, is so close to mine,” he explains. With offices in Searcy, Camden and Springdale (Lowell), Haymond’s business represents numerous insurance companies providing coverage for both commercial and personal lines. The bulk of his business is commercial, with 30% of that being trucking in Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri, and the remaining portion of his business provides coverage for personal homeowners, auto and health. Understanding that service is the most important aspect of his mission statement, Ralph believes in focusing his efforts on service for that family of clients. Which takes us back to those phrases bolted to the bricks of that building on Main Street in Searcy. It’s easy to hang a shingle outside a business or to paint your logo on the glass of a storefront. But, if you bolt your beliefs to the bricks of your building rather than wear them on your sleeve, there’s a permanency to those words that can be counted on.
“taking care of tomorrow” Service starts from the time you walk through the door. When you are an insurance agent, all you have to sell is service!
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t seems today that everyone has to find a way to “increase revenue” or “cut expenses.” This is true with a family trying to feed, clothe and educate their children. This is true of a single mom or dad trying support their children. This is true of a new business trying to get started, as well as a company that has been in business for many years. At Haymond Insurance we understand this! We have families that struggle or have been through tough times. We talk about this in our meetings and it is part of our “being.” Our agency has maintained that everyone that walks through the door is just as important as our “largest account.” We have found that even our largest customers appreciate this about Haymond Insurance. They know if we will fight for our smallest accounts, we will certainly fight for them. The health insurance industry has completely changed since ObamaCare began. This is not a platform to say that it is all bad. It has simply changed the health insurance industry. The application process is complicated, frustrating, and confusing for the insurance professional and certainly for someone trying to go online to complete the process. As far as a revenue source for Haymond Insurance, this is now a loss. The paperwork, the website, and the online procedure can take a lot of time and then the process can be eliminated by a website failure. The information has to be reentered and the client will have to come back or wait until passwords are created and given to the applicant. We make $15 for this service to the customer. BUT For Ralph Haymond to honor the mission statement we made in 2005 and our motto of “Taking Care of Tomorrow” and “Service From The Time You Walk In The Door,” we have to help the customers through this process. Do we lose money on this service? YES. Is it worth the cost to provide this service? ABSOLUTELY, YES!! We represent some of the largest and most trusted companies in the insurance business. They know when Haymond Insurance sends them an application, the information will be honest and correct. It will reflect the true exposure of the company. By having this trust with our companies, we can call on them to help us with a customer that has had a problem in the past and we need a favor to get coverage at the best possible rate. We are truly partners with our companies. Our companies also understand, “If not for claims, we would not have a business!” Do we want to have an insurance claim? No, not for our customer, not for our insurance company partner, and not for us, BUT people buy insurance to cover their mistakes and problems. It is the very nature of our business. We are in the claim business. We also realize that while we see auto, home, boat, workers compensation, and health insurance claims every day, this may be your very first experience with a claim. It is very important to you and every claim is very important to us.
We are here to help you through this process. We won’t have you call a number and report your claim. We will walk you through the process and make sure you are treated fairly from the time you report the claim to us. Our people are the most important asset we have. We take pride in being a part of our community. We work with our local community groups to make sure we give back to our community.
“...The correct coverage means [Haymond Insurance’s customers] are not only insured, they are prepared.”
For more information:
Haymond Insurance www.haymondinsurance.com 200 S. Main Searcy, AR 72143 501-268-8579
Ralph Haymond with Grandkids SearcyLiving.com 85
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Fundraiser A Success Junior Auxiliary of Searcy hosted their Annual Charity Ball fundraiser recently at Robbins Sanford Grand Hall. It was an honor to crown Betsy and Lane Bailey as the 2016 Charity Ball Queen and King. The event was a success with $24,686.17 raised to support the children of White County. Junior Auxiliary of Searcy sponsors a number of projects in the community that focus on local children and families in need of assistance. These projects include: Covering Kids, A Day of Caring, Sunshine School, Searcy Learning Center, Food Baskets and Angel Tree. However, Sunshine School is one of their main projects. The Sunshine School began through a sponsorship from Junior Auxiliary of Searcy. Today, Junior Auxiliary of Searcy continues to offer support to the school for special needs children. It plays an active role in Camp Wyldewood Day Camp, the Halloween Carnival, the Easter Party, and a monthly birthday party. Each year the Sunshine School students make art work while attending Camp Wyldewood Day Camp, the art work is auctioned at the annual Charity Ball. Junior Auxiliary of Searcy would like to thank, one more time, all of the corporate sponsors, friends, and family that helped make our annual Charity Ball a success. It is with your support that Junior Auxiliary of Searcy can continue its good works in the community. To find out more about Junior Auxiliary of Searcy visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JAofSearcy.
Charity Ball Photos on
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Japanese Steakhouse, Seafood & Sushi Bar
This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to dine at your restaurant for a school field trip. I must thank you for the wonderful service and atmosphere provided. The food was delicious. I ordered the shrimp tempura sushi roll and it was definitely worth coming back for. I look forward to returning. My most sincere gratitude,
Julie Wilkins
My Intro to Hospitality class visited your restaurant. I would like to personally tell you how amazing you all were. Our group was very large, and if it was me I would be overwhelmed with orders. But the waiters were very kind, and had my order correct even with a little extra without me asking. This is the kind of service and food I would like every time I go to a restaurant. Once again, thank you for your wonderful hospitality and delicious food. Sincerely,
Nate Schmidt
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My class visited your restaurant. Our food was quite outstanding and exploding with flavor. Our chef knocked it out of the park! Thank you for your service. Sincerely,
Angelina Aguilera
The entirety of my class, Intro to Hospitality, visited your restaurant and had a great time. The staff, chef and server, included, were the definition of hospitable. At no point in the meal was I waiting for a drink to be refilled or awaiting some other service. The food, in conjunction with the atmosphere, made for a truly special field trip that will not soon be forgotten. The chef was clearly skilled and had a way with the crowd. He made everyone laugh and clamor for more. I acknowledge that we may have not been the easiest group to serve, and for that I appreciate all the effort that went into making sure that we had a good time in your establishment. Again, I appreciate the service and food that made for a great field trip. Sincerely,
Brandon Bradke
 The Intro to Hospitality class at Heber Springs High School recently visited Fuji Steakhouse located in Searcy at the Shoppes at River Chase at 3548 E. Race. Fuji’s may be contacted at 501278-5878.
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It takes only one person to change your life. Be that person for someone. Keep giving and keep serving Interact Club!
By Morgan Brown “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” – Galatians 5:22-26 New International Version (NIV)
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hese are some of my favorite Bible verses, and to me this is what Interact Club stands for. When I joined my ninth grade year, I had no clue on the amount Interact would affect my life. My sister Chelsie was a member of Interact when she was in high school. I loved finding out about all of the things she was accomplishing for others, just in this club alone. From that point on I realized that I wanted to be apart of this.When I got older I really looked into it more and realized that it is a great organization. Interact Club helps teach teenagers and young adults responsibilities and how to better the community you live in, even if it’s just your own backyard. There have been so many things that I have learned since joining. I’ve learned how to become a better person. Referring back to the scripture, Interact Club had taught us kindness, goodness, and gentleness towards others. That’s what I love about being apart of it, it’s like we are our own little family. We better ourselves to help others just as Christ would. This year alone we
have helped several families with the different projects that we have accomplished. With this past year being my second year to go and buy items for the angel tree families, it was still heartwarming and empowering just like the first. I couldn’t help but to imagine their faces when they received the gifts. Also thinking about how the village in Zimbabwe will react when they get their flocks and goats. These are just a handful of things that make me feel blessed to be apart of such a wonderful club as Interact. Next year I will be leaving this club behind, it being one of my favorite memories from high school. I will miss it very dearly, but it will always have a place in my heart. I’ve been so blessed to be able to be a member and the president of this wonderful club. Lastly, I want to give thanks to the other members, our sponsor Dana Powell, and Rotary Club. Interact forever has a piece of my heart and has changed me for the better.
Congratulations On Graduation!
White County Central Interact Club Members
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Fab Industrial Coat Hanger As I scroll through Pinterest I always notice all of the luxurious mudrooms with an abundance of space and style. While they are always nice to look at, in reality most of us just have a small area by a back door. Lack of space, however, should never mean lack of style or function. For my back door area I needed a place for my family to be able to hang coats and take off muddy shoes. I chose an industrial style pipe coat hanger with a rustic wood shelf. (This project could easily be adapted for use in a bathroom or kitchen.)
Supplies 1/2 in. x 18 in. metal pipe (A variety of lengths are available, chose the length that best fits your space.) Four 1/2 in. floor flanges Two 1/2 in. tees Two 1/2 in. x 4 in. pipes Two 1/2 in. x 3 in. pipes Two 1/2 in. x 2 ½ in. pipes Two 1/2 in. 90 degree elbows
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I started by connecting the tees on each end of my 18 in. pipe.
On the end of each tee I connected the 2 ½ in. pipes.
On the end of each 2 ½ in. pipe I connected the 90 degree elbows.
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On the end of each 90 degree elbow I connected the 3 in. pipes. *Note: For a wider top shelf use longer pipes on this step.
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On the top of each tee I connected the 4 in. pipes.
I spray painted the pipes in satin black, as well as “S� hooks to be used to hang the coats on. Be sure to use good paint made for use on metal surfaces.
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On each pipe end I connected the four floor flanges.
After the paint dried completely, I used the top floor flanges to add a shelf to the coat rack. The shelf is a 1 x 6 pine board that I cut 34 in. long and stained using Minwax English Chestnut. I then attached the coat rack to the wall. *Note: If studs are unavailable be sure to use quality wall anchors.
After adding a rug, an inexpensive boot tray, and a few accessories, my family now has the perfect little area for coats, purses, and muddy shoes! SearcyLiving.com 93
New Orleans Potato Casserole Years ago we lived in Oklahoma City and would occasionally eat at a local restaurant by the name of Harrigan’s. They had so many delicious menu items, but one of my favorites was not even listed on their printed menu: New Orleans Potato Casserole. I ordered it as a side with their fabulous bacon cheeseburger, but it was equally delicious all by itself. By the way, you will NEVER find this on any Jenny Craig meal plans, I promise you. Use organic ingredients if possible. This is divine. Enjoy!
Cook 5 Medium Russet Potatoes, (Scrubbed Clean, then Cubed) 1 Tsp Salt 3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter 1/2 C Real Sour Cream
1/2 C, More Or Less, Heavy Cream 2 Green Onions, Diced (Green Parts Only) 1 C Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
In a large saucepan cook the potatoes until tender in just enough water to cover them, draining all the water off once they are cooked.
Add
Add salt, butter and heavy cream and mix well. Use a hand mixer if you want, but these are actually quite good just willy-nilly mashed with a big spoon or potato masher, leaving chunks. Stir in green onions, reserving a few for the top, and stir in about half the cheese.
Bake
Place mixture in a glass baking dish that has been buttered well, top with remaining cheese, then the remaining onions. Bake in a 350° oven until cheese melts and it’s hot throughout. If you make this ahead of time and refrigerate it, this step will obviously require more baking time. This could easily become your newest favorite vegetable!
Tanya Turner Leckie’s cookbook Cartwheels In The Kitchen is available at Midnight Oil Coffee House, as well as through Tanya by e-mailing her at lazydaygourmet@sbcglobal.net. Partial proceeds through sales benefit the Makonde Team mission work in Tanzania, Africa.
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Across
Down
4. The first way to find the right one, is to ______ looking for them.
1. Before Josh proposed, he ______ Jenna’s feet.
6. The Devil is such a ______.
2. The First Lady’s platform focuses on ______.
7. Candace Boswell believes that besides basic needs and God, life improves with ______. 8. Living ______ their means became a life long habit for Dennis and Cheri.
I pass before the sun without a shadow. What am I?
3. When meeting with someone for the first time, Fleta suggests ______. 5. Never go to bed ______.
I go up and down the stairs without moving. What am I?
Find The Answers On
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Keep your head up. God gives His hardest battles to His strongest soldiers. Show your support for life and help raise money at the same time! Purchase an Official Choose Life Arkansas License Plate for the rear of your car. You can obtain one through direct purchase from the Department of Finance and Administration. Let’s make the readership of Searcy Living the BIGGEST supporters for life in the state! SearcyLiving.com 97
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