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By Gaye Bunderson Editor’s note: Cassidy Littleton, 20, formerly of Twin Falls and now attending Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, is working to create real change in the foster care system in the U.S. on both a state and national level. Last year, Cassidy — who was once a foster child herself — met with…

By Jessie Horney Hi, my name is Jessie and I am a recovering summer-hater. “Oh, what’s the part you hate most, Jess? The endless sunshine and late nights of twilight warmth? The ice cream cones? The vacations and parties?” I KNOW, ok, I know, summer is everyone’s favorite time of year, and hating it is…

By Macaile Hutt Wake up in the morning, walk into the bathroom, flip on the light… and let the attack begin. There you are, five minutes into your morning, and you’re already experiencing a full-blown, no holds barred attack. Negative self-talk thoughts, observations, and even blatant call-outs regarding the person in the mirror staring back…

By Melanie Nelson We live in a world of distractions. These distractions can be very disruptive in our lives if we let them. When the “breaking news” in the world is so readily at our fingertips, it is sometimes hard to focus on the tasks we have in front of us. Although things like cell…

By Kim Schafer Adoption changes the way you understand love. You find it is possible to love a person you’ve never met and carry a piece of her in your heart every day. I could walk by this woman on the street and never know it, yet she gave me the most amazing blessing: my…

By Macaile Hutt Since before I can remember, I asked for a big brother for Christmas. Every single year. One year, I even made a PowerPoint presentation about why we should get an exchange student, along with all of the necessary forms already filled out, forged signatures and all. I wasn’t messing around. A few…

By Sandy McDaniel My series of transition classes for fifth through eighth graders and their families is designed to teach children skills for better decision-making. One of the most difficult concepts is that when you compromise on your integrity, you weaken your ability to make more difficult decisions down the line. You learn not to…

By Gaye Bunderson There is a saying that goes, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” While the origins of the quote are under dispute, there is something about it that rings true on occasion. Marla Spence, 54, of Mountain Home has her hands full, and yet she manages to…

Keep options loose By Daniel Bobinski When it comes to marriage, sometimes things happen that cause the marriage to end. It could be the death of a spouse, or it could be divorce. However it happens, when widowed or divorced people with children get remarried and create a “blended family,” it doesn’t always look or…

By Ruth Anna Spooner Watercolor is a notoriously challenging medium to paint in, but 9-year-old Claire thrives on it. Moving with precise and sure strokes, her small hand grips a fine brush as she adds the final flourishes to her latest masterpiece: a picture of orcas swimming in drippy swirls of a blue-green ocean, with…