ALT Magazine Dining Guide

S P R I N G 2 0 11 These people received life as a result of a selfless act of courage. April is National Organ Donor Month.

Read their stories inside.

And consider giving the gift of life.

S P R I N G 2 0 11 / c o n t e n t s

F E AT U R E S

BUSINESS

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The Greatest Gift of All

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Allergies - Home Remedies Can Help

HELPFUL INFO

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All About Donation.

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From His Heart

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A r k - L a - Te x R e s o u r c e G u i d e

Profile - Oak Creek Furniture

Publisher and Editor / Debbie Brower Associate Editors / Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson

k / COVER

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The Greatest Gift of All APRIL is NATIONAL ORGAN DONOR MONTH. Please celebrate by becoming an Organ Donor……You have the power to DONATE LIFE— The Greatest Gift of All!

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Photography / Image Forward Photography, Debbie Brower, Jaclyn Gooding, Miranda Johnson, Rozana Page Sales & Marketing Manager / Charlie McMurphy Feature Writer / Jane Bouterse

w w w. a l t - m a g . c o m

info@alt-mag.com 200 Heather Dr., Texarkana, TX 75501 (903) 334-9605

©2011 ALT Magazine

by Jane Bouterse

T

he Christmas tree was decorated, and dinner was done when the call came shortly after 5 p.m. on December 1, 1996. Somehow both Patsy and her friend DuBose knew the ringing signaled the anticipated—yet unanticipated—call from Sandy, the pre-transplant nurse. “ When Patsy answered the phone, Sandy’s voice: “‘Patsy, we have a liver. Are you ready for this?’”

Patsy nodded agreeably, “’We are ready.’”

For almost three months, Patsy had been living with DuBose, who had built her Houston home much sooner than originally planned to accommodate Patsy and her team. All the while, Patsy’s husband, Gary, had gone back and forth between his business and family in Corpus Christi and Patsy in Houston. Months earlier, these two super organizers—Patsy and Gary Poelma-had signed all the legal papers and formed a Support Team. They had met several times with the team to make sure everyone understood their jobs when the call came and arranged their schedules to assume the

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Patsy Poelma, pictured here with her husband, Gary, received a liver and is now enjoying what she calls her “Second Life.”

hospital responsibilities Patsy’s transplant would necessitate. The Team included David who was to stay with Gary at all times in case the surgery did not go as planned and Phyllis whose yummy dinners would feed the support team and Larry who occasionally would transport Gary from the hospital to a golf course. The balance of the team included carefully chosen family and other friends needed to sit and reassure and support and administer.

Every possible preparation had been completed, communicated, discussed and reviewed. For Patsy, who had been building up to this moment for over 10 years, was about to begin what she has called her Second Life.

According to Pam Silvestri , Public Affairs Director of Southwest Transplant Alliance in Dallas, “There are currently over 100,000 people nationally and more than 10,000 in Texas awaiting organ transplants.

While more than 30,000 people do receive the organs they need each year, about 18 people die every day before the organs they need become available.” Dramatic

increases in organ donations both nationally Italian accent and piercing and in Texas have not been able to offset brown eyes of the “very the dramatic increases in those who need handsome anesthesiologist.” the eyes, tissue, or organs that can be When her eyes opened next, retrieved for donation. One healthy donor— it was all over. “Amazing” potentially-- can donate life or enhance the They agreed to allow lives of up to 50 people. the MORNING NEWS to

Two points about organ donation document the surgery, so are crucial to know and remember: First: there are photos: no one is killed for the purpose of obtaining organs for transplant. “Potential organ Photo Link: http:// donors must pass away in a hospital on a www.dallasnews.com/ ventilator.” “…blood and oxygen must flow incoming/20110117-a-gift-ofthrough the organs until the time of recovery life.ece?ssi mg=105080#ssTOP105081 to ensure viability.” (www.donatelife.net) Second: organs and recipients are matched only on the bases of need and compatibility.

“The TV crews came the Race, gender, profession, religion etc. are next morning and Jennifer never considerations in recipient selection, and I finally got to see each Pam Silvestri, left, donated one of her kidneys to her friend, but age ranges may be considered for a other. She looked so healthy Jennifer Cox. better match. For example, Texarkanian and beautiful and happy. And Polly Dowden is African-American and had she had so much energy. hers, but she and Tiffany were not a blood just turned 37 when she began her second What a gift to be able to give to my good match; however, after 15 years Jennifer’s life with the heart of a 15 year old Anglofriend who’d given so much more to me.” kidney had begun to fail. Once again, Pam Texan girl.

Both organ donors and recipients tried, and she and Jennifer were a match.

Organ donations—like kidney, must be carefully examined prior to either As they were celebrating their good fortune a portion of the liver, lung, intestine or donating or receiving. With demand for and the book tour for Jennifer’s upcoming pancreas-- can be made by living donors. organs exceeding the supply, every attempt book about caring for a child with a chronic Deceased donors, i.e. those whose brain is made to guarantee the success of the illness, daughter Tiffany unexpectedly died. death has been declared can donate any transplant. According to the United Network From the celebratory heights to viable organ capable of being transplanted. for Organ Sharing (UNOS), “A person who the depths of loss was a short fall for the Donors and donor families can be unknown may benefit from an organ transplant is two friends, but Jennifer reassured Tiffany’s and choose never to meet the recipient, as referred by his or her doctor to a transplant many mourners that she and her daughter was the case with Patsy’s liver, or they can center, which evaluates the patient. The had said what they needed to say, and both be strangers who become friends. Polly and transplant center runs a number of tests and knew they were loved. She encouraged Robert, her husband, have become close considers the patient’s mental and physical those listening to be sure their relationships friends with the grandparents of Cassie, health as well as his or her social support were “where they needed to be”…. For Pam, her donor. Pam Silvestri donated one of her system.” Candidates must be acceptable the encouragement was a life changing kidneys to her friend, Jennifer Cox. Pam in all areas of the examination before they one, as she spent the next few months tells their story this way: are added, unranked, to the national patient getting her family relationships in order.

Jennifer received a kidney from waiting list for organ transplants.

“Thanks to Jennifer,“ she writes, “I now have Toby Jones, a deceased donor, on July

The United Network for Organ truly meaningful 29, 1995. She was so Sharing, 2010, explains that “Waiting time relationships grateful that she contacted for transplantation varies widely depending with my family Southwest Transplant on factors such as the organ needed, blood members.”

Alliance (STA) and became type and the degree of the patient’s medical After a volunteer. “Since she urgency. Some candidates are transplanted that came the was working at one of the less than a day after listing; others may wait obligatory medical largest minority churches years for a transplant. Median wait times and psychological in South Dallas, she include three to eight months for a heart, tests to be sure began reaching out to the eight to 15 months for a liver,15 months to they were not area’s black churches on two years for a lung, and three to five years only a physical behalf of organ donation. for a kidney.” match but also that Jennifer did an amazing

Patsy Poelma, a Title I First grade Pam was acting job and ultimately came to teacher, for example, retired early on of her own free work with STA as minority medical disability. The suspected culprit will. Prayers were community advocate. She in her liver’s malfunction was hepatitis. ”I offered in their also befriended her donor’s rocked along for 10 years,” she explains, behalf, and the wife, Beverly, and they are “until in 1994 I turned a light shade of Dallas MORNING good friends to this day. yellow, started bruising all over and was NEWS even ran

“Over the years, very, very tired.” The wife of one of her their story. On the Jennifer and I also husband’s golfing buddies was an Internist, day of the surgery, became good friends. We so she ran a series of tests which revealed Jennifer’s family discussed our marriages, Patsy had Liver Cirrhosis. Shortly thereafter was gathered at our families, our most Patsy’s dermatologist suggested that the the hospital where private thoughts….It was an lichen planus [a recurrent rash due to they all hugged amazing place to share.” inflammation] she was suffering could be and laughed and Eventually, symptomatic of liver disease. Patsy and cried, then the two Jennifer’s daughter, Tiffany, her husband Gary were in shock, so they friends adjourned Perry Smith was ready to give up when the a Lupus patient, needed traveled to Memorial Hermann Hospital in news came that a heart had been located to their rooms. a kidney transplant. Pam Houston seeking a second opinion. and his needed to come to the hospital for The last thing Pam offered to donate one of

Dr. Joseph Galati confirmed the transplant surgery. remembers are the www.alt-mag.com

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Polly Dowden received her heart from a Burkburnett 15 year old healthy, funny, athletic and smart Cassie McKee, whose grandparents chose to give the gift of life to four recipients, shown here “feeling” Cassie’s heart beat in Polly.

diagnosis and told Patsy she would need a transplant. He and his team were going to watch her for a while and would tell her when it was time. A long year crept by before that “time” for her to go on the transplant list, then another eight months had to be endured while she waited for the December 1 call.

Patsy was lucky. Texarkanian Perry Smith was 55 years old when he had a massive heart attack at his class reunion in Longview, Texas. He had no history of heart disease. At the time Smith, an accomplished pilot, also smoked at least four packs of cigarettes a day, a habit that had grown from his first smoke at age 13, through the Air Force and accompanied him into any cockpit he piloted. He quickly adds, “They cannot prove smoking caused this.”

Nonetheless, Smith began a round robin of medical routines: a stint, an almost fatal defibrillator and pacemaker installation when he contracted a staph infection in his lungs followed by 20 days of medicine at $500 a dose. Eventually, he traveled to Little Rock for surgery—5 by-passes. His condition worsened. By 1959, he was placed on a transplant list through the Arkansas

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Regional Organ Recovery Agency. For three years while he waited for a heart, he traveled every week to Baptist Health Center in Little Rock (“They have the best heart department in the country,” Smith believes.) to receive a six hour IV.

Perry Smith was grounded. He slept in his chair because he had to keep his head above his chest, or his lungs would fill with water and he would drown. The inability of his heart to get oxygen into his body made him too tired to do anything. He endured gallbladder surgery, shingles, an aneurysm in his aorta, blood clots, morphine pills, MRIs, a new stint….the picture is clear.

After three years of waiting, he had had enough, so he told his wife to call the Health Center to tell them, “I’m done. I can’t stand any more.”

The morning following his decision, his wife awakened him to take his heart medicine before she left for work. “I told her, ‘I’m not going to take it anymore,’” but he had scarcely gotten the words organized when he heard the phone ring. “Christy [a pre-transplant nurse at Baptist] wants to talk to you,” his wife explained as she handed him the phone. Christy told Perry to come

ASAP. “I’ll have to take a shower first,” the words just tumbled out of his mouth, as he could hear his team gathered around the speaker phone in celebration. His long wait was finally over.

Polly Dowden was working at Christus St. Michael’s Rehabilitation Hospital. In 2000, she had just been named Hospitality Team Leader after 12 years of employment. Her first incidence of heart problems occurred in the late 90s when, at 27, she developed a shortness of breath at work. She drove herself home and lay down but soon changed her mind and drove herself back to Christus St. Michael ER. Almost immediately after her arrival, her heart completely stopped. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with Acute Viral Cardiomyopathy or “a cold in the heart.”

Simplified, the cold virus attacks the heart instead of the lungs.

Immediately, Polly was sent to Dallas for a pacemaker-defibrillator. Even with the mechanical help, her heart was able to work at only about 30% capacity.

Meantime, Dr. Minakshi Patel monitored her medications in Texarkana, told her she would need a transplant and put her on a

list. In 2004, the day before Thanksgiving, Polly was stricken again. From her house to the hospital, paramedics told Polly, she coded several times. When she was stable enough, she was airlifted to Baylor Medical Center. Polly, the lady with the sparkling eyes, smiles, “Lucky me. I had two cardiologists at the same time—two doctors taking care of the same heart.”

For eight days she was on life support before moving to a room. By this time, her heart had gotten worse and was only functioning about 10%. Her Dallas doctor induced a coma to insert a balloon to enlarge her arteries. By 8 a.m. the next morning, Polly realized her status on the transplant list was “needs now.” There was little time to check all her paper work before her heart arrived at 10:30 p.m. She had been in the hospital fewer than 24 hours, so pre-transplant work had not been done. “They did tons of tests as quickly as they could,” Polly explains. “The donor’s rare blood type and mine were a perfect match—a miracle. The doctor even came to my bedside to talk to me, and the nurses were in awe. He never did that. But he told me that in 10 minutes, my life was going to change.”

Fourteen hours after being named a recipient, Polly received her heart from a Burkburnett 15 year old healthy, funny, athletic and smart Cassie McKee who died from smoke inhalation and burns.

Cassie’s grandparents knew her love of life but wished they had talked about organ donation with her. Nonetheless, they made a choice which gave four people a new chance at life.

Time may be an even more difficult component of the transplant environment than the disease from which the recipient suffers. The wait is like a roller coaster ride, as many recipients –like Perry Smith who missed three hearts-- and donor organs just do not match for some reason.

The process of making the transplant has been gradually refined and improved so that, barring any problems, the actual organ transfer can be completed usually in two to three hours.

The medical drug regimen, including the immuno-suppressant drugs among many others, begins immediately and continues throughout the lives of the recipients.

So who can give this precious gift of life? ANYONE. “It is an honor, “ Silvestri explains, “for us to work with families that… can step out of their grief to be able to think of other people …they may never even meet.”

Polly Dowden’s donor was a teenager whose grandparents contacted Polly three months after their gift. They wanted the chance to meet her and feel Cassie’s beating heart. Dowden was happy to comply. “’Grateful’ is not good enough,‘ Dowden acknowledges. ‘I don’t even know if they have a word.” Today both families enjoy a unique friendship. Patsy’s donor was also young-- a young man, but his grieving family has never wanted to establish contact.

Donors’ wishes regarding contact with www.alt-mag.com

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recipients are always respected.

Young people are a very important group who should clearly make known their wishes regarding organ donation, as their sense of “invulnerability” tends to put them at risk.

Donors of any age, however, are needed and welcomed.

“It doesn’t take as much as most people think to become a donor,” Silvestri notes. With the new Donate Life Texas registry (in place since 2006), simply sign up at www. donatelifetexas.org or go to your local DPS office to register.

For more information, folks can call

800-788-8058 or visit WWW.ORGAN.ORG. “While public opinion polls show that 80% of people are aware of donation and think it’s a good thing and would be willing to donate, many people still do not take the time to officially register, leaving family members to make this decision at an already difficult time. The most important thing anyone can do to help increase the number of organs available is to be a registered organ donor, and to share that decision with family members.”

Making the decision to be an

organ donor requires a selfless resolve.

Remember, however, that donors can be living or deceased, but each one of us possesses the power to donate life to someone else. The list of recipients includes the famous—Steve Jobs, Natalie Cole, Billy Graham, Pat Summerall as well as people whose names will remain unknown.

Both donors and recipients are courageous people who are willing to give and receive the greatest gift of all-- a new chance at life by people helping people. Technology can make a transplant happen—even create a temporary substitute or overcome problems—but life exists only in the organs themselves.

In truth, the stories of Patsy, Polly, Perry and Pam (what a coincidence), are filled with humor and heartache, faith and determination and would make an inspiring book. Each story, albeit different, does show the importance of loving support, technical expertise, astounding generosity and courage as well as a touch of “miracle.”

APRIL is NATIONAL ORGAN DONOR MONTH. Please celebrate by becoming an Organ Donor……You have the power to DONATE LIFE—The Greatest Gift of All!

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The word ‘allergy’ means abnormal or altered tissue reaction which occurs if the body tissues are sensitive to the allergen. Some allergic symptoms include migraines, recurring headaches, irritability, dizziness, depression, nervousness, conjunctivitis, neuralgia, hay fever, eczema, diarrhea, sneezing, stuffy nose, asthma, urticaria, vomiting and swelling of eyes and face.

But no need to worry, you can get rid of these allergies by following some home remedies using foods and other tools to protect yourself and your loved ones against ominous allergens.

Friendly Foods:

Around the House:

Relieve Stress- Relieve Allergies:

Bananas

Air Conditioning

One or two bananas a day are useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and who consequently suffer from skin rashes, digestive disorders, or asthma, The fruit does, however, cause allergic reactions in certain sensitive persons and they should avoid it.

Using Air conditioning is a good way to address problems with pollen. By keeping humidity low, keeping dust mites and mold under control and acting as a filter, air conditioning is very effective- especially if you have an air cleaner installed. Keep the windows closed and the pollen out!

Stress is your body’s response to situations, inside and out, which interfere with the normal balance in your life. Virtually all of the body’s systems -digestive, cardiovascular, immune, and nervous system -- make adjustments in response to stress.

Castor Oil

Hard Surface Flooring

It is found that five drops of castor oil in half a cup of any fruit or vegetable juice, or plain water, and taken on an empty stomach in the morning, is beneficial for allergies of the intestinal tract, skin, and nasal passages.

Allergens are sticky particles and cling to soft surfaces. This means, lots of carpeting is extremely unhealthy for those allergic to dust mites, pet dander and mold. The initial investment towards Installing hard flooring will likely prove to be worth it when your allergies are kept to a minimum!

Lime Lime is considered an effective remedy for any kind of allergy. Half a lime may be squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a teaspoon of honey. It can be taken once daily first thing in the morning for several months. This remedy not only flushes the system of toxins but also acts as an antitoxic and antiallergic agent. However, those who are allergic to citrus fruits should not take recourse to this remedy. www.onlinehealthtips.net

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Bleach Mold and mildew can be devastating to those who suffer from allergies. Bleach is a simple mold-killer that’s available at almost every market. Try using a bleach/water mixture to wipe down bathroom surfaces, floors, walls and household appliances. After applying the beach mixture, let it sit for five minutes before rinsing the surface with plain water. www.home-remedies-for-you.com

When you’re all stressed out, your body releases hormones and other chemicals, including histamine, the powerful chemical that leads to allergy symptoms. While stress doesn’t actually cause allergies, it can make an allergic reaction worse by increasing the histamine in your bloodstream.

Lessen the Stress Identify and remove or reduce the source of your stress. If your stress is from overwork, learn to delegate, especially during allergy season. If your stress is from overextending yourself, rethink your priorities.

Get plenty of sleep every night, not just on weekends. Getting in bed and resting can restore the body’s balance and help the allergic body heal.

Exercise daily. Even if you only have time to take a walk, exercise helps reduce stress hormones that may cause you to feel keyed up. And remember, exercise produces epinephrine, which acts as a natural decongestant, helping you breathe better.

www.livestrong.com

www.webmd.com

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Com

es EXP ee our SHO ANDE new D WR OOM !

for s t f i tg Grea casions! all oc Welcome

Spring

Into Your Home...

With Polywood Outdoor Furniture...

Polywood Outdoor Furniture...

At Oak Creek Furniture, you will find many different styles of polywood furniture. The material used is water and weather resistant, and most importantly, created from recycled polyethylene.

For this reason, our polywood lawn furniture is considered a green product.

There is no maintenance required, no cracking or splinting, and the polywood material does not promote bacterial growth or mildew.

Choose from seven different colors and products such as swings, gliders, benches, deck chairs, table & chair sets, bridges and footrests.

Cuddle up...

Amish bedroom furniture brings to mind the simplicity and elegance of another era. The skills of the Amish furniture makers have been honed, developed, and handed down over generations. Now, we as consumers have the opportunity to have the same beautiful furniture in our homes as the Amish have in their homes.

Our Amish furniture is made of SOLID Oak, Cherry, Maple, Hickory or Quartersawn Oak and is built to last.

Why is Oak Creek Furniture Different?

For everyone in your family...

We have chosen Amish furniture craftsmen who are recognized leaders in the solid wood furniture industry. Amish furniture is made by hand in small Amish wood shops so every piece of furniture receives the same attention to detail. Our Amish handcrafted furniture is built to last.

Choose only the best for your bouncing, beautiful baby with this exceptionally well-built children’s furniture handcrafted to the highest standards. All furniture comes in a generous offering of finished-to-perfection hardwoods.

Why all the fuss about details?

Lasting elegance...

Because the Amish craftsmen build furniture that your children and grandchildren will be proud to inherit. Come see our Amish-built bedroom furniture and oak dining room furniture. The selection of the boards and the grade of the hard wood, along with dovetailed drawers, mortise-and-tenon construction and the multi-step finish are all just small parts of the build process that add up to an heirloom quality piece of oak or cherry furniture.

There is no better place to sit for a meal than around Amish dining room furniture. Amish dining room furniture is made for a family to sit around and enjoy not just the meal, but each other’s company, as well. All of our dining room furniture is sturdy and durable - your family and future generations of your family will be able to sit at and around our dining room furniture for years to come.

Did you know...

That most of the furniture made today uses substitute materials such as particleboard. Because particleboard is made from wood fragments bonded with resin, it is considered an all wood product BUT IT IS NOT solid wood.

Our Amish furniture is made of SOLID Oak, Cherry, Maple, Hickory or Quartersawn Oak.

All About Donation.

You could make a difference. Here’s how.

Types of Donations Blood (or Whole Blood) Donation

Double Red Cells Double red cell donation is done with the help of an apheresis machine which collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor.

This is the most common type of donation, during which approximately a pint of ‘whole blood’ is given.

Red cells are the most transfused blood component, and certain blood types are often in short supply.

The blood is separated into transfusable components – red cells, plasma, platelets and/or cryoprecipitated AHF.

Double red cell donations from Type O donors and donors with Rh-negative blood types play a very important role in maintaining blood supply levels.

This type of blood donation usually takes about an hour, though the actual donation takes about 8-10 minutes.

You are eligible to donate ‘whole blood’ every 56 days.

Platelet Apheresis During this type of donation, an apheresis machine collects the platelets and some plasma and returns the red cells and most of the plasma back to the donor.

Platelets are a vital element of cancer and organ transplant treatments, as well as many surgical procedures as they help prevent massive blood loss.

A single donation of platelets collected by apheresis can constitute one or several transfusable units, while it takes about five whole blood donations to constitute a single transfusable unit of platelets.

The donation takes approximately one anda-half to two and-a-half hours.

Plasma Apheresis During a plasma apheresis donation, the blood is collected by a machine, which separates the plasma, red cells and platelets and returns the red cells and/or platelets back to the donor.

While donors with Type AB blood can only give red cells to other Type AB recipients, they are the universal plasma donors. The ‘right type’ donation for AB donors may be an apheresis donation of plasma or plasma and platelets.

The donation takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

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Donors need to meet slightly higher hemoglobin and body height/weight requirements in order to be able to give a double red cell donation.

Double red cell donations take approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, though the actual donation takes about 30-35 minutes, and allow you to give two units of red cells.

Available in most donation centers and some blood drives.

Donors are eligible to give double red cells every 112 days.

Tips for You

Facts About the Supply and Demand of Blood: Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day.

A total of 30 million blood components are transfused each year in the U.S. (2006).

The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints.

The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O. The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs.

More than 1 million new people are diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.

A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood.

Come prepared: Have a light meal and plenty to drink.

Bring your donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification.

Bring the names of medications you are taking.

Some Benefits for You: You will receive a mini physical to check your: Pulse Blood pressure Body temperature Hemoglobin

The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 16 million (2006).

The number of patients who receive blood in the U.S. in a year: 5 million (2006).

Share of the U.S. population eligible to give blood: Less than 38 percent.

Blood cannot be manufactured – it can only come from generous donors.

Type O-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand and often in short supply.

Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply. *Find this information and more on: www.redcrossblood.org

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by Jeff Schreve

If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:17

L

ike many people, I had a goal to hit the New Year with a diet and exercise plan.

I was going to cut carbs, get on my newly purchased elliptical machine four times a week, and lift weights three days a week.

I was going to be a specimen by the end of the first quarter. Hmmm. As I write this, my elliptical machine is gathering dust, and I am heavier than ever.

Now we all know “why” my diet and exercise plan is not working. It is not working because I am not doing it! The Bible says, “A good understanding have all those who DO His commandments” (Psalm 111:10). Jesus told us that the blessing is not in the knowing but in the doing.

AT HOME

In the Christian life, the rubber meets the road at home. Without question, marriage and family are critical to our lives. It matters little how high you climb on the ladder of success in the business world. If your marriage and family is a disaster, everything else really rings hollow.

And why do so many who claim to follow Christ have such dissatisfying home-life situations? It is because the elliptical machine is gathering dust, so to speak. People often know what to do, they just don’t do it. They want to have a great marriage and family without doing the things necessary to have a great marriage and family. They want to have a deep walk with God without doing the things necessary to have a deep walk with God – things like time in His Word, time on your knees and time with a small group who can hold you accountable and help you grow.

Debbie and I are privileged to get to share at Family Life Weekend Marriage Getaways around the country. We share proven, biblical principles for experiencing a wonderful marriage and family. But you know what?

Even though we teach on this stuff and know what the Bible says about it, we don’t experience oneness in our marriage UNLESS we DO what we know. The blessing is not in the knowing, it is in the doing.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

There are some people I know who study the Bible and can give you chapter and verse on

this doctrine and that doctrine, but those same people are mean, cruel, selfish, jealous, and bitter. They are just like the Pharisees of old who studied God’s Word and taught God’s Word, but they never really obeyed God’s Word. They merely gave lip service to the commands of God. Could you be guilty of the same?

As you look over your life, are you doing what God says to do?

1. Are you seeking first the Kingdom of God, or do you have God on the back burner?

2. Are you forgiving people who hurt you, or are you holding on to grudges and bitterness?

3. Are you loving your wife, even if she is not very loveable right now, or are you ignoring her and doing your own thing?

4. Are you respecting your husband, even if he is not very respectable right now, or are you constantly chipping away at him with disrespectful barbs and snide comments?

5. Are you disciplining your children and training them up in the fear of the Lord, or are you too tired to really enforce any loving, healthy boundaries?

My friend, the time is NOW to start doing what God says to do. Does Christianity work? YES! But it does not work unless you do it. Start doing His will by obeying His Word. You will be amazed how the blessings will start to flow as a result.

Remember, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17).

Will you start today?

Now as for me, I’m off to the gym to start doing my exercise program. Debbie is looking forward to a whole new me, one who takes up less of the bed.

Jeff Schreve Pastor www.fromhisheart.org jeff@fromhisheart.org

Jeff Schreve is Senior Pastor of FBC Texarkana (www.fbctexarkana.org) and Founder of From His Heart Ministries (www.fromhisheart.org).

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Ark-La-Tex Resource

Guide

Air and Heating Central Air 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212

Apartments Legacy at Pleasant Grove 5911 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 888.763.2676

Cakes Coldstone Creamery 4228 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.2653

Silver Spoon 5530 Scottsdale Drive Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.4648 www.silverspooninc.com

Alterations Bea’s Alterations 2917 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, TX 903-792-2955

Richmond Oaks Apartments 2815 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.6150

Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354

Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227

Reception Arts Becky Risinger Ashdown, AR 870.898.5273

Timothy’s 4115 N. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 903.831.5999

Silver Spoon 5530 Scottsdale Drive Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.4648 www.silverspooninc.com

Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX

Summerhill Woods Apartments 4501 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.793.7888 Westwood Apartments 101 Redwater Rd. Wake Village, TX 903.832.8446 Attire Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088 Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056 Banks Guaranty Bond Bank 2202 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.792.8600 Texar Federal Credit Union Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.223.5626

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Caterers Chappo’s Italian Restaurant 1617 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.791.1726 Culinary Creations Pam Elliott 903.831.4674 Fuzzy’s Tacos 4809 Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX 903.791.8226 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 La Fogata 3401 Genoa Road Texarkana, Ar 870.773.1879

Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464 www.wingstop.com Clothing Abby Gayle’s 4012 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0088 Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056

Cosmetic Surgery Carmony Oral, Facial and Dental Center 5305 Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.791.8405 Dry Cleaning Holiday Cleaners Locations throughout Texarkana Area 870.773.4072 Event Locations Garrison Gardens Texarkana, AR 71854 870.773.0275 www.garrisongardens.net

Scooter Raney at J. Brown for the Home 121 College Drive Texarkana, TX 903.793.4114 Twisted Vines 406 N. Stateline Avenue Texarkana, AR 870-772-2700 Furniture Oak Creek Furniture 8024 West 7th St. Texarkana, TX 903.832.0793

The Pavillion at Elk Meadow 8 Miles West of New Boston on I-30 382 PR 42042 DeKalb, TX 75559 903.319.5130

Gifts Dot’s Ace Hardware 3411 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0059

Prissy Chrissy Ranch 915 FM 2148 South Texarkana, TX 75501 903.838.6121 www.prissychrissy.com

H&N Floral 7801 N. State Line 5708 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.1417 903.832.2000

Raindrop Hill Farm 4300 N. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 903.832.7913 Regional Arts Center Cabe Hall 321 W. 4th Street Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.8681 www.trahc.org

Lane’s Gifts & Collectibles 720 Realtor Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.773.2123

Mixing Bowl 4014 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.794.4014 Queen City Floral Highway 59 North Queen City, TX 903.796.2891 Scooter Raney at J. Brown for the Home 121 College Drive Texarkana, TX 903.793.4114 Table Manners 3205 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.3538 Twisted Vines 406 N. Stateline Avenue Texarkana, AR 870-772-2700 Hair Care Headmasters Hair Salon 3703 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.832.6261 Style Studio Lisa Harris 3201 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.223.1719

Hospice Dierksen Hospice 6500 N. Summerhill Road, Suite 2B Texarkana, TX 903.793.6350 Hospitals Christus St. Michael Health System 2600 St. Michael Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.614.1000 Health South Rehabilitation 515 West 12th St. Texarkana, TX 903.793.0088 Wadley Hospital 1000 Pine St. Texarkana, TX 903.798.8000 Hotels Best Western Texarkana Inn & Suites 5219 Crossroads Parkway Texarkana, AR 870.774.1534 Clarion Lacross Hotel 5100 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.774.3521 www.lacrosse-hotel.com Courtyard by Marriott 5001 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.7400

Fitness Centers Anytime Fitness Richmond Road 3415 Richmond Road.

Texarkana, TX 75503 903.794.5348 Flooring G&A Carpet 1019 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.832.0553 Lighthouse Flooring 6223 Mall Dr. Nash, TX 903.793.2047 Florists H&N Floral 7801 N. State Line 5708 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.1417 903.832.2000 Queen City Floral Highway 59 North Queen City, TX 903.796.2891 Ruth’s Flowers 3501 Texas Bllvd.

Texarkana, TX 903.793.6711 www.ruthsflowers.net

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Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott 4209 Mall Dr. Texarkana, TX 903.838.1000 Hampton Inn & Suites 4601 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 903.832.3499 Holiday Inn Express & Suites 4545 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 903.223.0008 TownePlace Suites by Marriott 5020 North Cowhorn Creek Texarkana, TX 903.334.8800 Insurance Brian Purtle Allstate Insurance 3301 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.832.5881

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Elite Insurance Tammy McDowell 1705 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.794.0000

Jewelers Alexander’s Jewelers 3701 Mall Drive Texarkana, TX 903.832.3557

Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007

Farm Bureau Insurance 4140 McKnight Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.8707

Blue Isle Expressions 3402 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.791.9992

Greg Cockerell State Farm Insurance 4807 Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX 75503 903.793.7502

Crocker’s Jewelers 3117 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.8686

Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661

Kelli Ashbrook State Farm Insurance 3410 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.8100 www.kelliashbrook.com Ron Morrow State Farm Insurance 3306 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.832.5505 www.ronmorrowagency.com

Micah’s Jewelers 2812 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.735.2336 Make-up Gayle’s 4059 Summerhill Square Texarkana, TX 903.792.0056

Medical Equipment Respiratory Solutions 3101 Kennedy Lane, Suite 1000 Texarkana, TX 75503 903.793.2110 Pet Groomer Bows & Tows 254 E. New Boston Rd. Nash, TX 75570 903.223.3647 Photographer Image Forward Photography 200 Heather Dr. Texarkana, TX 75501 903.334.9605 www.imageforwardtxk.com

Physicians Express Care 5483 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.223.5931

Rentals Big Event / Atlas Game Room 2837 New Boston Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.334.7444

Ly Gaylor, M.D. Dermatologist Collom & Carney Clinic 5002 Cowhorn Creek Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.614.3006

Bounce-A-Lot 903.276.2961 www.bounce-a-lot.com

Philip Hahn, M.D. Advanced Foot Care 5606 Summerhill Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.791.1222 Jon Northam, M.D. 6 Woodmont Crossing Texarkana, TX 903.791.1044 Mark Wren, M.D. Physiatrist 3510 Richmond Road, Suite 400 Texarkana, TX 75503 903.831.6275 Vision Source 4401 Morris Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.9063 Plumbing Central Air/Roto Rooter 450 S. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.1212 Real Estate Connie Walker Coldwell Banker United 3001 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.277.0100 903.832.2486 Impact Realty Bill and Tracy Spradlin 1200 N. Kings Hwy., Suite 104 Nash, TX 903.748.3186 903.748.2477 Teresa Liepman Remax 5120 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 75503 903.276.9464 Refreshments BJ’s Refreshment Center 3260 N. Stateline Ave. Texarkana, AR 870.774.5931 Bolls Distributing 700 E. Broad St. Texarkana, AR 870.774.9283 The Villa Liquor Store 5108 N. Stateline Texarkana, AR 870.772.2100 903.277.1239 razorbackbilly@cableone.net

Dot’s Rentals 814 N. Robison Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.792.7011 3413 Richmond Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.838.0551 Twisted Vines 406 N. Stateline Avenue Texarkana, AR 870-772-2700 Restaurants Chappo’s Italian Restaurant 1617 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.791.1726 Daddy Dougaloo’s 905 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.791.0172 Dairy Queen Locations throughout Ark-La-Tex

Timothy’s 4115 N. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 903.831.5999

The Magnolia 4205 Richmond Meadows Texarkana, TX 903.838.7319

Wendy’s 4201 Stateline Avenue Texarkana, TX 2902 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 3737 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 1615 N. Hervey Hope, AR 124 N. Loop Highway 59 Atlanta, TX

Sitters Sitters Kathryn Norwood/Karen Schmidt Texarkana, TX 903.277.2191

Wingstop 2700 Richmond Road, Suite 14A1 Texarkana, TX 903.255.0090 4501 N. State Line, No. 106 Texarkana, TX 903.792.9464 Retirement/Assisted Living Home Cornerstone Retirement Community 4100 Moores Lane Texarkana, TX 903.832.5515 Edgewood Manor 4925 Elizabeth Texarkana, TX 903.793.4645

Spas/Salons All About You Diana Gregory/Lori Campbell 4100 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.7775 Salon Visage Esthetique Mary Ann Robbins 4506 Summerhill Rd. Texarkana, TX 903.794.4007 Sanctuary Kimberly Parham, M.D. 3502 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8661 Travel Vickie’s Tours PO Box 682 Hooks, TX 903.547.3030

Fuzzy’s Tacos 4809 Texas Blvd.

Texarkana, TX 903.791.8226 Golden Corral 3809 Sowell Lane Texarkana, TX 75503 903.334.8399 Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.3354 La Fogata 3401 Genoa Road Texarkana, AR 71854 870.773.1879 Shorty’s Donuts 2729 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501 903.832.6686 Silver Spoon 5530 Scottsdale Drive Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.4648 Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227 Sonic Locations throughout Ark-La-Tex Tasty Donuts 1443 N. Kings Highway Nash, TX 903.838.0422

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Wedding Attire Bridal Castle 3209 Kennedy Lane Texarkana, TX 903.838.3886 Reed’s Bridal and Formal 2501 N. Stateline Texarkana, TX 903.793.7333 Wedding Coordinators Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net Wedding Favors Pop Pop Shoppe 2011 Mall Drive, Suite B Texarkana, TX 903.793.0209 Wedding Officiant Jeff Taylor 903.733.6347 pgccminister@yahoo.com Wedding Planners Abracadabra Wedding and Event Planning Debra Mason, Event Coordinator 903.748.4838 damason@cableone.net Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Locations Julie’s Deli 4055 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX

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903.792.3354 Silver Spoon 5530 Scottsdale Drive Texarkana, TX 75503 903.838.4648 www.silverspooninc.com Smokey Joe’s BBQ 300 W. New Boston Road Nash, TX 903.223.8227 Timothy’s 4115 N. Kings Highway Texarkana, TX 903.831.5999 Weight Loss All About You Diana Gregory/Lori Campbell 4100 Summerhill Sq. Texarkana, TX 903.792.7775 Richmond Nutrition 3316 Richmond Road Texarkana, TX 903.832.0437

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