My Missouri

On March 18, 2024March 19, 2024 By K.L. HaleIn Writing Series

Welcome to Flannel with Faith, where I celebrate faith, flannel, and fresh air! This March I’m exploring everything that makes my Missouri special! If you’re visiting for the first time, I’m K.L. Hale (a.k.a. Karla) , a small-town Missouri gal and writer who is passionate about my roots. I recently traveled to Maryland and back, but my heart and soul belong to Missouri. That’s why I wrote a creative non-fiction children’s book about my home state to celebrate our bicentennial in 2021.

From the rolling hills to the bustling cities, there’s something for everyone in this great state. So, whether you’re a long-time resident or just passing through, I hope you’ll find something to love about Missouri!

As the mighty Mississippi and the Missouri rivers flow through my home state, memories drift through me. My deep roots began as a tiny seed sowed with faith, family, and friends in small-town Missouri.

Sometimes called the “fly-over state”, Missouri was born 149 years before me. It became the 24th state in the union on August 10th, 1821. Known for its friendly people, landmarks, rivers, lakes, and trails, it’s also called the “Show-Me” and “Cave State”. My Midwestern home has a remarkable history!

Missouri is more than a fly-over state to me. Rolling hills, farms, businesses, cows and other farm animals, church steeples, rivers, and dusty winding roads famously scatter the countryside, small towns, and big cities. Bass Pro made my “big” city famous. My tiny hometown, Clever, was born because of the railroad. It boomed in 1911 to 500 (and only about 100 more when I graduated). Clever has grown approximately 180% since 2000 with a population of over 3,000 now! A metropolis!

The Native Americans
gave us our name.
They settled near a river
and found their fame! 
(The state and the Missouri River are named for the tribe, Missouria. They called themselves "People of the River Mouth")The Adventures of Faith and Finley

Mainly an agricultural state, the mighty Mississippi and Missouri rivers provided hubs for commerce and trade in the early 19^th century. Do you know what the Gateway to the West (St. Louis Arch—does the Corps of Discovery expedition and Lewis and Clark jog a memory?), Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Harry S. Truman, Ginger Rogers, Sheryl Crow, and Walt Disney have in common? Each called Missouri home. Did you know Missouri has 93 state parks and 7 National Parks?

My home city, Springfield (also known as the “Queen City of the Ozarks”) sits on the Springfield Plateau which ranges from nearly level to rolling hills (Wikipedia, 2024). With a population close to 172,000, it’s the 3rd largest city in Missouri. The Ozark Mountains, which to many folks aren’t real mountains, is a physiographic region in MO, AR, OK, and the extreme SE corner of Kansas. (Wikipedia). Most of the region falls in Southern MO and Northern AR.

There are numerous rivers to love in my “neck of the woods”. The Buffalo River in AR was our country’s first National River. Roaring River State Park in Cassville, MO holds a special place in my heart. Early years on the Finley; and older ones on the Roaring River with my family made my love for the outdoors SURGE!

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll,…whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, …It is well, it is well with my soul.” (Horatio Spafford)

As March marches on and spring is about to spring, stay tuned for part II–My Missouri’s Music!

Have faith, my friends. 💚

Have you heard of NET, yet? ❣️🦓

Family and friends–thank you for your prayers, love, and continued support. You all impact my life in such positive ways. I love you all. ❣️If you’re new to FWF, allow me to introduce myself:

About Me:

Just call me rural. Born and raised in a small S.W. Missouri town, my roots run deep. Headstrong in completing every goal, I began teaching and motherhood (the best experience in the world) at a young age. The truths learned under steeples, our Creator’s Great Outdoors, traveling and meeting others, curiosity, and being tossed around the River of Life have grown my communion with Christ. Through teaching, learning, living, laughing, and adventures, my body has climbed out of valleys; and ascended and descended mountaintops (physically, spiritually, and emotionally). Having had a taste of the R.V. life for nearly 4 years (and many years of camping), I crave simplicity and long for the roads less traveled (if they lead back to what matters most…family).

**I’ve fallen and landed flat on my faith.**

In May of 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Neuroendocrine. Also known as NET (Neuroendocrine Tumor), the primary mass originated in my pancreas and metastasized to my liver, lymph nodes, ribs, spine, skull, hip, and pelvis. In November of 2023, as a patient of the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute, the bulk of my cancer was removed (along with several organs) from my abdomen.

Cancer will not define me. Friends, none of us are defined by what we do, a disease we may have, and our mistakes or successes. I bet my life on a promise from God. It’s the one truth to which I cling. My joy, despite the diagnosis, only comes from the grace and mercy provided by my Heavenly Father. It’s not about religion. To me, it’s about a relationship with my Creator. Do you know how loved you are?

It was a fast follow-up in Bethesda, Maryland last week. ONLY 16 vials of blood, one C.T., and an M.R.I. were needed on this trip. Have I shared about my amazing surgeon, oncologist, and nurses? Results revealed my left bile duct is dilated. If pain, jaundice, or itchiness occur, I’m to call ASAP. I have one naughty lymph node growing by my aorta and another one staying stable (as most of my bone tumors). Monthly treatments need to continue. With that, glucose levels must be monitored. My bones ache. Particularly my back and neck–but GOD is so good. I’m using the warmth of a heating pad, medicine, and miracles to keep on keeping on. While in Maryland, our Creator SURROUNDED me with the coolest people! A young gal, studying to be a teacher from New York, had only flown 2 times, and prayed for a “nice Christian woman” to sit next to her (Lily, you blessed ME), the taxi driver from Ethiopia shared about God and the miracles in his life the entire drive from Reagan airport to Bethesda, a couple from Utah shared about their 12 years experience at NIH/NCI, another couple from Boston were on their first trip after her diagnosis of an autoimmune disease, I met an amazing woman and artist from Denver, CO named Quana (pronounced like Keanu), who has overcome cancer and lives with debilitating disease, a 30-year-old from Cleveland has an autoimmune disease impacting her teeth and jaw, and young children were wrestling to stay put in strollers as their parents, exhaustingly, tried to console them. I’m a middle-aged woman. I can do this. Seeing children suffer breaks my heart.

Although I had 3 flight delays, one flight change, and a long layover coming home, I was STILL surrounded by God’s grace. Josh, from Springfield, shared his faith story as we waited at the Charlotte airport to fly home. This journey is surreal. From planning my funeral to the miracles from our Maker. I’ve bet my life on HIM. If you wonder where I get my joy, after years of unknown health mysteries, brokenness, and utter disbelief at some situations and desperation, I’d love to tell you more. My reserves are a bit low. But talking about Jesus puts a kick in my step. I’m living proof of miracles. Evidence is ALL AROUND if we choose to accept it.

Do you know how loved you are? Do you have hope?

I’m Karla. I’m LIVING in faith …and flannel. ❣️

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, and fresh air

K.L. Hale

I’m a Christ-following, flannel-wearing, blog-writing, nature-craving, dog-loving, coffee-sipping Mom, “Grammy K” old soul, history buff, and curious learner. I’m an Indie Author of a creative non-fiction children’s book (Faith and Finley Tour Missouri 2021). I’ll keep dreaming of open prairies, big mountains, rivers, and the historically stunning places of our amazing world–and stay grounded with faith, family, and friends. My name is Karla. I’m flannel with faith.

©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.

Sources used for “Faith and Finley Tour Missouri” by K.L. Hale (@finleyriverpublishing) 2021:

Doyle, Amanda E. Doyle, Amanda E. To the Top! A Gateway Arch Story. St. Louis: Reedy Press, 2012. 32.

John Micklos, Jr. Bold Riders The Story of the Pony Express. North Mankato: Capstone Press, 2016.

MacBride, Roger Lea. “Little House on Rocky Ridge.” MacBride, Roger Lea. Little House on Rocky Ridge. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. 353.

Missouri Division of Tourism. Things to Do . 2021. <https://mostateparks.com/activity/cave-tours>.

Missouri Life Magazine. “Missouri on Vacation.” Missouri Life Magazine ( May 2022): 16.

Missouri State Parks. Cave Tours. 2021. <https://mostateparks.com/activity/cave-tours>.

Otoe-Missouria Tribe. Otoe-Missouria Tribe. 2021. <https://www.omtribe.org/who-we-are/culture/>.

Pony Express National Museum. 2020. <www.ponyexpress.org>.

Secretary of State Missouri. Our Bicentennial History-Missouri Through Primary Sources. n.d. <https://www.sos.mo.gov/Archives/Bicentennial/Summary#institutions>.

sos.mo.gov. All About Missouri History . 2021. <https://www.sos.mo.gov/symbols>.

“The Pony Express National Museum.” Preserving the Legacy and the Legend. St. Joseph: Pony Express National Museum, 18 July 2021.

Travels of a Pioneer Girl. February 2021. <https://lauraingallswilderhome.com/travels-of-a-pioneer-girl/>.

U.S. Department of the Interior. Gateway Arch National Park Missouri. 4 June 2021. <https://www.nps.gov/jeff/contacts.htm>.

Weiser-Alexander, Kathy. Missouria Indian Tribe. 1 October 2020. <https://www.legendsofamerica.com/missouria-tribe/>.

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation. History of the Battle. 2021. <https://wilsonscreek.com/history>.

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