Fort Bend Christian Magazine | April / Mary 2019

Faithfully Serving Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Stafford

April / May 2019

Family Friendly News with an Eternal Purpose Inside this Issue:

Celebrate Easter at the Katy Resurrection Run Helping Your Kids Make the Most of Summer

Presented by

Our 2019 Summer Camp & VBS Guide

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Letter from the Publisher Volume V, Issue II

7 Celebrate Easter at the Katy Resurrection Run 12 Helping Your Kids Make the Most of Summer 13 Prayer Requests 15 The Best Tips for Traveling Abroad 16 Be Drawn to His Presence at Carson’s Art School 20 The Proof is in the Puke – God Doesn’t Always Answer Our Prayers 21 Marine Military Academy 23 Arrendondo Insurance Puts Client Relationships First 25 Summer Camp Guide 29 Dear Doctor: What is Tremor and What Are My Treatment Options?

30 This Easter Season 33 The Buzz About Fort Bend 35 A.D. Players to Present Several Must-See Shows this Spring and Summer 36 Katy & Bend 38 Easter Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze Our Mission Statement:

“Our mission is to have a magazine devoted to His glory, provide cutting-edge stories important to today’s Christian, promote Christian-Judeo values we find important, and editorial content that your entire family can enjoy.”

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the second quarter of 2019! In less than two months, another school year will be in the books. This is a momentous moment in my life because my youngest daughter Naomi will be graduating high school. By summer’s end, I will officially be an “Empty Nester.” My how the years have flown by!

Most of us live life as though we are going to live forever. We work, build a career/business, raise our families, build a house… all without ever thinking that one day, we will all die. Our existence on this planet is fleeting, and too often we become obsessed with the secular world. Building our lives on Earth is important, but what have we done to assure that we will have Eternal Life when that day arrives? And if we have assurance of salvation, have we stored up any treasures in Heaven?

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6: 19-21 (NKJV) A friend of mine recently revealed to me a stack of one-dollar bills that he carries in his car to give to the homeless when he sees them. I know that living in a city, we become desensitized to homelessness. Many of you may think that if you were to give a homeless person money, they would inevitably use it for drugs or alcohol. Perhaps they might, but perhaps they won’t. Even if they do misuse the gift, that’s between them and God. God judges our hearts and we will not miss out on His blessings if our intentions are pure.

Katy Mayoral election is on May 4 and Katy has the opportunity to stay with the status quo, or move in a different direction. This issue, we allowed both candidates, Bill Hastings and current mayor Chuck Brawner, an opportunity to lay out their visions for Katy. I don’t really know Mayor Brawner, but I know that Bill Hastings’ wife, Susan, has been part of Katy Christian Ministries for years. I also know that Bill Hastings is active in Westside Christian Chamber of Commerce and his church.

On April 20, Katy Christian Magazine and Fort Bend Christian Magazine are hosting the Second Katy Resurrection Run held at Faith West Academy. You can find the details in this issue or on our website at www.resurrectionrunkaty.com. It’s for a great cause and we really need your participation to make this event a success.

We also pray that your family and you will have a blessed Easter Sunday. It was because of Christ sacrifice on the cross that we might have Eternal Life.

Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine Cover Photo: Jeanna Bickerstaff, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Faith West Academy, and her family.

Photo by Heather Ingram, Associate Portrait Artist shooting for Alisa Murray Photography @ alisamurray.com

Meet Our Staff

For advertising information, contact Joseph Menslage at (281) 497-6455 or email joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com

© 2019 Fort Bend Christian Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of this publication or website may be distributed or reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. Advertisements and or editorial content published in Fort Bend Christian Magazine does not necessarily reflect the views of Fort Bend Christian Magazine.

Joseph Menslage

Hannah Menslage

joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com

hannah@fortbendchristianmagazine.com

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April / May 2019

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Bible Tri via 1

2

Test Your Easter Bible Knowledge

By Answering the Questions Below.

DOWN 1) When a soldier pierced Jesus’ crucified body, what flowed out? (Hint: 3 words)

3

Answers: 1) Blood and water, 2) Golgotha, 3) Pitcher of water , 4) Rooster, 5) Joseph of Arimathea, 6) Thomas, 7) Caiaphas, 8) Barabbas, 9) Mary Magdalene, 10) Stones

2) Where was Jesus crucified?

3) What was the man carrying whom Peter and John followed to prepare the upper room for Passover? (hint: 3 words)

4

4) Which animal’s crow was the sign that Jesus gave Peter in stating that he would deny Him? 5

6) Which disciple said he would not believe Jesus had risen unless he could see the nail marks in His hands?

7) Who was the chief priest who had Jesus arrested?

7

6 8

ACROSS 5) Who owned the tomb where Jesus was buried?

(Hint: _____ of _____) (3 words)

9

8) What was the name of the prisoner the people wanted released instead of Jesus?

9) To whom did Jesus first appear after His resurrection?

(2 words) 10) As Jesus rode into Jerusalem (on Palm Sunday), what did He say would cry out if His disciples didn’t?

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April / May 2019

Celebrate Easter at the Katy Resurrection Run

By Caitlin Richards The countdown is on for the Second Annual Katy Resurrection Run on Saturday, April 20, 2019. With a certified course on Faith West Academy’s beautiful 40-acre campus, the 5K run and 1K family walk/run is a great way for families to celebrate the Easter weekend while giving back to their community!

“We are planning a really fun, family friendly, Christ-centered event,” said Joseph Menslage, Katy/Fort Bend Christian Magazine’s publisher and Katy Resurrection Run founder. “We want the Katy community to come out and enjoy it, while helping us give back.”

All of the funds raised from the Resurrection Run will go toward Faith West’s Eagle Initiative, which supports various local organizations. This includes Caring 4 Katy, Good Shepherd, Sunshine Kids and Sunshine thru the Rain.

The certified course makes the Resurrection Run a great event for runners looking for credits for marathons. The Resurrection Run is one of the few 5K runs in the Katy and Fort Bend area that is a certified course, said Menslage. However, you don’t have to be an experienced runner to participate.

“Most of us are not even active runners, but we wanted to come out to support the cause and do something fun together to celebrate the Easter season,” said past participant and Owner of Showcase Continued on page 9

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Gymnastics in Katy, Cheryl Cupples.

Cupples attended the inaugural Resurrection Run with her co-workers at Showcase Gymnastics. One of the most memorable parts of the Resurrection Run was how the event kicked off with a devotional, Cupples recalled.

“Starting with the devotional was cool, because it reminded us of why we were there and what the Easter story means for us all,” Cupples said.

Additionally, Cupples said that the Resurrection Run’s course was both easy to follow and picturesque. A large portion of the course is around the park and lake by the Faith West Academy campus.

“It was very scenic,” Cupples said. “You weren’t just running

through random neighborhood streets. It was nice to be running while surrounded by nature. I really enjoyed that part of the Resurrection Run.” Participating in the Resurrection Run is certainly enjoyable, but it is also a meaningful experience. With proceeds being donated to the Eagle Initiative, participants are able to make an impact that is far reaching. Many of the sponsored organizations benefit children and families from downtown and greater Houston.

“The Resurrection Run greatly impacts the community of Katy because we do a lot of community outreach through Eagle Initiative,” said Gary Kerr, the founder and president of Faith West. “It really reaches into the community and tries to meet the needs of the Katy community in a variety of ways.”

The Resurrection Run would not be possible without its sponsors who generously give their support. Katy Christian Magazine and Fort Bend Christian Magazine team up with Faith West Academy to host the event, along with several other community sponsors.

The 2019 title sponsor is Belhaven University. When Belhaven heard about the Resurrection Run’s mission to bring hope and resources to children and their families in the community, they knew they had to help in any way possible.

“It is all about the kids,” said Erica Scardino, the director of admissions and student services for Belhaven University’s adult, graduate and online division. “The charities that the Eagle Initiative supports do amazing work. We are excited to work alongside Faith West and Katy/Fort Bend Christian Magazines to accomplish their fundraising goal.”

Other community sponsors for 2019 include Ad Webvertising, Cane Island, Drymalla Construction Company and Holiday World.

Continued on page 9

April / May 2019

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“Together, we are able to make the Resurrection Run happen,” Menslage said. “We can’t do it all on our own though. We need the Katy community too. We hope everyone from experienced runners to families looking for something fun to do will sign up to participate in the run.”

Participants can receive a $10 discount on their registration by signing up early. To register, visit resurrectionrunkaty.com. Special discounts are offered to first responders and military service members with an ID. Make plans to celebrate this Easter weekend by bringing your family to participate in the Katy Resurrection Run. In addition to the run, there will be a variety of other entertainment, including live

music and fantastic food from the Resurrections Run’s other generous sponsors.

“It is natural that during the Easter season, which celebrates the resurrection of our Lord and symbolically new life, that we think of ways we can help lives, touch people and sacrifice in order to help others,” Kerr said. “That is the great thing about the Resurrection Run: it really is a natural expression of the heart of Christ.”

For additional information about the Katy Resurrection Run, visit the Facebook page @ResurrectionRunKaty.

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Helping Your Kids Make the Most of Summer

By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein The weather is warming, trees are shedding pear blossoms, and school (and all those busses clogging the streets) will soon come screeching to a halt. While teachers and students are counting down the days to their summer respite, parents are staring at the calendar wondering how the heck they’re going to keep their kids busy.

It’s a good question. Most teens are too young to work but too old for summer camps. Too many will simply get into trouble, especially if left alone all day with nothing to do. Others will sleep and sleep, Netflix binge, then sleep some more. That’s why all the experts recommend having a plan for your kids that yes, includes rest and fun, but also engages the mind and body and keeps kids active during their two-month break from school.

Below are some suggestions to help you get started on a summer break plan that will provide memorable experiences for your kids and peace of mind for you.

1. Pre-College Summer Programs - In recent years, these “tastes of college” have tripled in number and become quite popular with 9th12th graders. With a wide range of offerings, universities across the U.S. provide programs for introducing students to careers or delving into an area of interest. It’s an opportunity to meet professors and admissions counselors, live in a dorm, and be around a whole new

group of kids that just may become lifelong friends. And it’s a great resume builder!

2. Community service - Youth who volunteer just one hour or more a week are 50% less likely to abuse alcohol and cigarettes, become pregnant, or engage in other destructive behavior. As if that weren’t a good enough reason, volunteering as a child greatly increases the likelihood of growing into an adult who volunteers. Working with those less fortunate naturally develops gratitude, work ethic, Continued on page 14

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April / May 2019

Prayer Requests Presents

At Fort Bend Christian Magazine, we believe in the power of prayer and we want to pray for you, your families, and our community.

To share your prayer request, visit fortbendchristianmagazine.com and click on “prayer requests.”

Dennis A. of Katy asks that we continue to pray for our nation and its leaders.

Keaton A. asks that we pray for God’s presence in his new home during a time of change.

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Joe M. asks that we pray a prayer of blessing over the Katy Resurrection Run. Please pray that this event blesses families with an opportunity for fun, physical activity this Easter season. Also pray that the event helps to reach those in our community who do not know Christ as their savior.

Laura asks that we pray for students and teachers across our community as they face the stress that comes with the end of another school year.

Kim S. asks that we pray for our local leaders and their families. Please pray, specifically, for wisdom and guidance and our leaders at the local, city, county, and state level work to make decisions that better our community and our state.

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leadership, and an understanding of differences crucial to developing tolerance and erasing judgmental attitudes. Whether local or international, mission work and community service can provide a life-changing summer experience for kids.

3. Internships - The federal government may not endorse child employment, but there is much to be said for non-paid internships and job shadowing. Middle and early high school kids are just starting to think about interests they may parlay into careers, but their understanding borders on fantasy-level. To give them a grounded, realistic view of what a veterinarian, for example, does every day, let them shadow a vet. Give them an opportunity to ask questions of the very people who are living out their dream. Whether they discover that their dream could become a reality, or they realize that the reality is nothing like they had dreamed, it is a win-win. Before you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a college education, give your kids an opportunity to explore the reality of their future degree.

4. Academic advancement or catch-up - Summer is the perfect time to take courses outside of the normal class load. These can be reinforcement courses in areas of weakness, electives students wish to “get out of the way,” or next-level classes that help them get a jump on the competition. They may be offered through your local high school, community college, or online - just be sure that the course will transfer to high school or college credit. Summer is also a great time to take an SAT or ACT Prep course, to work on college applications, and to write college essays. Encourage your kids to complete these now, when they are not bogged down with homework and tests.

5. Reading - I taught for a long time, and I know how kids can balk at the thought of reading. But one thing I discovered is that there is something for everyone. Non-readers just haven’t found their some-

thing yet. Or, they’ve been forced to read books they hate, so they’ve been conditioned to hate reading. Work to undo this. Reading can be a lifelong pleasure that opens new worlds, explores new possibilities, and inspires new ways of thinking. Every kid should have a library card. This is their free pass to discover what they like, to “try out” different genres and authors. Once they’ve found their literary sweet spot, they can customize it to their heart’s content. Some will prefer books on tape, others will go the e-reader route, and still others will love the feel of a book in their hands. And keep in mind that reading can take many forms: Maybe they prefer a magazine, Internet articles, or the Sunday paper. No matter what avenue they choose, they should be informed, and they should develop an appreciation for language and what it can convey.

Continuing to grow throughout the summer months is important, but so are fun and relaxation. Try to create a balance for your kids so that summer is neither all work nor all play. You will feel the positive effects in your home, and you won’t be nearly as eager to send them back to school come August.

Looking for test prep, tutors, or help with college admissions or career planning? Rebecca Deurlein is the President of Teenager Success 101, a one-on-one tutoring and life coaching company dedicated to helping kids find success. Contact her at info@TeenagerSuccess101. com for a free personal evaluation and individualized plan for success. Deurlein is the author of Teenagers 101: What a top teacher wishes you knew about helping your kid succeed, blogs and writes internationally, speaks to parents across the nation, and loves every minute of living in Sugar Land, TX. Find her on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Huffington Post, or through her own blog A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding Teenagers. All can be accessed at www.rebeccadeurlein.com.

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April / May 2019

The Best Tips for Traveling Abroad

By Alisa Murray Alisa Murray Travel Design Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.

– John Steinbeck Over the years I have traveled a lot.

As a Travel Agent and Travel Designer, I really enjoy discovering fabulous places and, more importantly, passing on advice and tips that will make my clients vacations more stress-free and enjoyable. There’s a lot of planning that goes into crafting the perfect itinerary. What I would recommend for adults is obviously different than what I would recommend for families, however, there are some general tips you can follow to ensure you each have a memorable experience.

When traveling overseas, it is vital to think about time of travel both in the scheduling of the locations right down to sleeping schedules to make sure you are not grumpy and jet lagged. I always begin looking for flights 6 months in advance of travel and check regularly for the best fares. I recommend that flights be booked direct if at all possible, especially with children. When that is not possible, I try to get the flight transfers to occur at times that allow for the most sleeping, i.e. during your family’s normal sleep patterns. I also encourage you to plan to travel during the winter when it is off season so there’s the highest potential for a few extra seats as not many people are traveling and there’s at least chance of an extra seat that can be stretched out on to… you got it… sleep!

Prior to leaving for your trip there’s a few things that you can do that will help prepare both yourself and your children for adventures. The smaller the children are the more you’ll want to prepare them, so everyone has a great time and knows what to expect.

Knowledge of what is going to happen is key to a happy traveling family! I recommend that you create a visual board of places you will be visiting, activities that you have planned and even prepare foods and listen to music of that place that you are fix’in to travel to. If there’s going to be a giraffe or a shark involved, you’ll find a lot less fear if you talk about that beforehand.

Once you have arrived you will want to have pre-arranged transfers from the airport to your initial destination so there’s no scary transfer with luggage into a taxi or unfamiliar bus. This is easily set up in advance and when you are jet lagged it’s worth the money to be safe and stress-free so you can settle in and gear up for a great adventure. Speaking of destinations… I always recommend that you stay near the center of the city that you are learning about. Yes the hotels are a bit cheaper on the outskirts, however you end up paying to get yourself to and fro and in the long run it is more economical and a better experience by staying near to the attractions that have drawn you to list. I also recommend that you carry cash. You will still want to carry cards but having cash on hand and having it exchanged prior to your departure will avoid fees and stress when you need to pick up something like a snack from a little local shop or take the bus. Buses in Europe do not take cards generally so this just makes your experience easier by planning ahead.

April / May 2019

Your cell phone is an important tool when traveling abroad because you can use it to map out where you are, find unique places that only the locals frequent…even utilize a translating app but racking up roaming fees can be a huge whack on your budget. Be sure that you call your cellar carrier before leaving and pay for the extended plan which is cheaper than roaming and well worth the price.

Aside from destination entrance fees at museums and other attractions the biggest hit to your travel budget will always be food.

Dinning out daily can be very expensive so I suggest you purchase snacks that can be a quick meal during the day and go to places that the locals go to pay what the locals pay! Of course, you can splurge here and there this is a vacation of course, but you’ll save a ton by being moderate in how and where you dine. Also if you are staying at a Airbnb, then by all means, l ask around about shopping at the local markets and do some cooking for yourself!

Keep on wandering. it’s good for your soul~

Alisa Murray Travel Design is a full-service Travel agency. We specialize in “cultivating amazing experiences that last a lifetime!” Call 713-598-2207 or visit www.alisamurray.com.

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Be Drawn to His Presence at Carson’s Art School

By Caitlin Richards The presence of God surrounds us. His presence is with us in the mundane moments and joyous occasions. It is easy to think His presence is only in worshipful singing and meditated prayers, but connecting with God doesn’t require as much as we might think.

“Everyone knows about music, and even dance as a form of worship to connect with God,” said Shawn Carson, owner of Carson’s Art School. “But they don’t realize art itself can be a way to connect with God too. (Art can) even be an act of worship… you can feel His presence.”

Carson’s Art School already offers a variety of art programs for all ages, but Carson wanted to provide a space for creatives to be “drawn to His presence” by connecting their artistic abilities to their relationship with God. “I thought, what if you had a place where you could get together with other Christians and explore your connection with God while using your creative side to get closer to Him,” Carson said. “I also really wanted to show people creative ways to spend time with God. We would like to be a place where artistic people from local churches can explore their talent in a

way their church may not provide.”

As an artist, Carson has experienced what it is like to get caught up in creating a painting or drawing in a worshipful way. While creating during those moments, Carson said that his inspiration is deeper and Continued on page 18

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April / May 2019

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more meaningful. He felt it really gave his art a purpose.

“We also call it art with a purpose,” Carson said. “It is about using artistic talent as a way to help the community and as an act of worship. [The connection] is more obvious with musical praise and worship, but art can also provide the same. We want people to know they can use their artistic talent to reach others and worship God.” The Drawn to His Presence program is targeted toward anyone looking to explore their untapped, God-given talents through art. Practiced artists are welcomed, along with creative individuals looking to learn art. With the program, the inspiration and context of creating is faith-based.

“We want people to be comfortable and confident in the fundamentals [of art] first,” Carson said. “So we first go through how to draw and other basic fundamentals. After that, we really start to dive into the creating.”

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April / May 2019

portion of the program. There are three categories within the program: praise and worship, biblical study and community outreach.

Everything created in the program falls within the context of these three categories.

“Praise and worship is creating from a place of praise and worship,” Carson said. “Biblical study creates images from scriptures to help tell their story and meaning with symbolism. Then, community outreach is where you take these creative images to the community, to share messages in a unique and memorable way.”

The program also incorporates several themes to help inspire creation. Carson reported that classes often start with a scripture project, where participants pick a favorite scripture to study and reflect on.

He teaches participants what it is like to brainstorm and arrive to a place of creation.

“We have something we came up with called the SAVE method,” Carson said. “You study the actual word. Apply it to the world, life and situations. Visualize it with brainstorming, and then execute the actual project. So, study, apply, visualize and execute – SAVE.” Other themes for projects include art connected to a favorite wor-

ship song, prayer paintings and testimonial tapestry. With the Drawn to His Presence program, participants can expect a flexible experience that is tailored to their own artistic abilities and faith. The program is a one-on-one experience that can be started at any time.

“We will also have some group events with the community outreach portion,” Carson said. “We hope to offer a time when we play praise and worship music for participants to come in together and create in community.”

A special event will be held on Friday, May 3 for creative minds who are interested in learning more about the Drawn to His Presence program. There will be demonstrations and hands-on experiences provide participants with a full understanding of the program. The event will be at the Carson Art School facility on 5131 South Fry Suite 600 Katy, Texas 77450.

For more information about the Drawn to His Presence program and Carson’s Art School, visit www.carsonsartschool.com, call 281-507-3039 or email Shawn Carson at carsonsartschool@gmail.com.

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April / May 2019

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The Proof is in the Puke – God Doesn’t Always Answer Our Prayers

By Jordan Harrell The stomach bug hit our house last week. And hit, and hit, and hit.

I thought I made it through unscathed, until two hours after my husband left town. My stomach started to rumble a bit, but I attributed it to the extra slice of chocolate cake I’d cut for myself after dinner. The rumbling turned into more of a roaring in a matter of minutes, and I knew this was no sugar overload.

I sent the kids to bed so I could get on with it. I knew what was coming. I had seen it ravage two of my children just hours before. I also knew my stomach. I was bracing myself for what would inevitably be a long night.

Enter child #3, stumbling into my room with a green look on her face. Make that a longer night.

My husband called the next morning telling me he was going to head back early from his trip. “I’m on my way,” he said. I assured him the worst was over. The other two kids were watching a movie and we were okay. “Don’t worry about it. I think I’ll gain my strength back in a few hours, which would be when

you got here anyways,” I said.

So he stayed there. We survived. My kids may have watched movies for 12 straight hours, but we survived.

Continued on page 22

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April / May 2019

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Flash forward to four days later. Spring break has arrived and we’re getting ready for a long overdue family vacation to Glen Rose.

As I’m putting the kids down for bed, the three-year-old complains of his mouth hurting, “the back of his mouth,” which means his throat.

This was the exact conversation we had the week before right before he threw up all over me.

And maybe it was because his teacher had told me the flu was going around at school, or maybe it was because I had already spent money on this trip and we NEVER spend money on trips, or maybe it was because I just couldn’t deal with one more virus, I took my hand, laid it over his throat, and prayed. “God, you are the healer, the God of miracles, who made the blind man see and the lame man walk and the woman stop bleeding. We pray that you make Hayes feel better. Make his throat stop hurting. We pray that he wakes up in the morning with energy and no pain.”

As I prayed, I actually believed God could. I BELIEVED he would. Maybe for the first time ever, my faith was getting to the place where I believed God was as powerful as he claims to be.

Thirty minutes later, he erupted all over the hallway.

Welp. That didn’t work.

He finished up in the bathroom, I washed him off, got him a drink, and put him in my bed while I sprayed down the house for what seemed like the 1,956th time that week. I was so confused. Not because the prayer hadn’t worked, but because he already had the stomach bug. I don’t understand!?

I went back into my room and laid next to him, staring at him, wondering what the next twelve hours would look like.

Twelve hours later, he woke up next to me, leaned over, and asked,

“Cam-I go do a puzzle?” I nodded in mid-drowse, as he bounced off the bed and ran out of the room. The only evidence of his mystery illness was the empty trash can next to the bed.

Now, it could’ve been that something was stuck in his throat. It could’ve been he ate something that didn’t settle well. It could’ve been a thousand different explanations that make a lot more sense than a supernatural healing.

But here’s what I know. I know prayer is often my very last resort.

When it comes to challenges that arise in motherhood or life in general, my first instinct is to handle it, my second instinct is to complain to my husband, my third instinct is to ask my friends for advice, and my very last resort when everything else fails … is to pray to the God who has proven himself faithful time and time and time again. Not only to me, but to millions of others for generations.

But he threw up after the prayer, right? Indeed. He did.

And it made me think about all the times in my life I expected God to answer a certain way. I expected him to make the sin disappear, to make the circumstances magically better, without me having to do the hard work to get to the other side. It made me think about the times I want him to be my fixer, not my healer. I want him to be a magician, not my God. But sometimes we have to get rid of some of the bad stuff in our life first before he can clean out our insides and make us new, make us holier.

Today my three-year-old and I will pray again. We’ll pray a prayer of thanksgiving for health, for weird healing, and for reminding us that he doesn’t always do things the way we expect, but he’s still working for our good.

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April / May 2019

Arrendondo Insurance Puts Client Relationships First

By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein Hurricane Harvey taught us some invaluable lessons: Don’t drive on flooded streets, don’t enter toxic waters, and always carry flood insurance, since you never know when you might be pummeled with 60 inches of rain.

Harvey reminded us of the importance of insurance - the type we carry, how much we carry, and how easy or hard it is to process a claim and receive a check. It taught us that it may be worth a higher premium to have the coverage we need when tragedy strikes.

Eric Arredondo, owner of Arredondo Allstate Insurance Company, was in a unique position when Harvey rained down on Houston. He was in the process of transitioning from commercial to personal insurance. That means he got to see both sides of the equation at an historic time in our city. Arrendondo had been in commercial insurance for 20 years, working with large brokerage firms and Fortune 500 companies. His previous experience dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008 helped him tremendously in what to expect from Harvey. During Ike, he had worked with the iconic Tillman Fertitta to help him settle his claims on multiple properties in the Kemah area. This experience, plus his 20 years of working complex claims for large companies, made the transition into personal insurance easy, despite taking place during Harvey.

“I worked with businesses to help them capture the claim dollars they deserved,” Arrendondo explained. “I wanted to make sure carriers were owning up to their promises. On the personal insurance side, I was able to go out and help customers, including friends and family.”

Arrendodo talked clients through the process and connected people to contractors. “It was an eye-opener to people without flood insurance,” he said. “Too many people found out too late that they should have purchased it. It was a perfect example of why people who don’t live in a flood

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zone still need it. Ninety percent of my clients have flood insurance and why not? It’s cheap and when you need it, you’ll be thankful you have it.”

Allstate is a mainstay in insurance circles, but what makes it unique?

Arrendondo said, “When you pay your premium, you are paying for a relationship with someone who promises to be there if something happens.

We’re not a call center. The true cost of insurance is in claims and being able to call someone you know to get help. With a call center, you’ll re-tell Continued on page 24

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your story to different people multiple times, and that’s the last thing you want to do after tragedy. With us, you’ll tell your story once, and we’ll take it from there.”

Arrendondo believes that in addition to Allstate’s well-branded name, it’s really the personal touch that sets his agency apart. All of his clients have his cell phone number and can call him directly. As he said, “Shopping premiums is important, but when you’re talking tens of thousands of dollars, you want someone reputable who will help you through a difficult process like that. We try to take the burden off our clients and work the claim for them.”

His involvement doesn’t stop with his clients’ claims. Arrendondo is also heavily invested in giving back to the community. He has coached Select baseball U11 and U9, coached Little League, is on the Board for

the Men’s Golf Association, and sponsors and donates to community efforts. Recently, he became the exclusive Allstate agent for Operation Kid Safe, a program that provides free fingerprinting and photos of children and a free ID card in case the child goes missing. He is also the exclusive Allstate agent for The Kindness Revolution, a school-based anti-bullying campaign in Houston and the surrounding areas. His agency passes out wristbands for acts of kindness and asks others to pay it forward, encouraging kindness and respect among students.

If you are looking for a local agent with extensive experience and ties to the community, contact Eric Arrendondo at 832-500-5907. His office is located at 17310 W Grand Parkway S in Sugar Land.

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April / May 2019

Fort Bend Christian Magazine's

2019 Summer Camp & VBS Guide We've compiled a list of the top Christian Summer Camps and local VBS dates across the area. Check out the list below or at FortBendChristianMagazine.com.

Summer Camps Camp West 2225 Porter Road Katy, TX 77493 (281) 391-5683 faithwest.org/camp-west

Camp West is a fun and exciting summer day camp located on the

Faith West campus at 2225 Porter Road in Katy, Texas! Our facilities include a great sports complex with a double gymnasium, a rock wall, two ball fields, sand volleyball courts, and swimming lakes. Camp West is open to all children entering kindergarten through entering 8th grade! Kindergarten campers will be separated from 1st – 8th grade campers. The 2019 camp season includes hands-on science, arts and crafts, group games, outdoor experiences and challenges, and lake time. New activities this year include nature fun, fishing tournament, archery (for 3rd grade and up) and paintball (for 6th grade and up). The kids are taken through age appropriate activities that are geared for their development level. At the beginning and end of each day, all the children are brought together for group games, songs and/or

special events. Visit the website today for more information!

Carson’s Art School 5131 S. Fry Rd. Katy, TX 77450 (281) 507-3039 carsonsartschool.com

This summer, from May 27 to August 31, Carson’s Art School is hosting an enriching summer camp for your kids!

The summer camp program is taught on an individual basis and is adjusted to each student’s skill level and unique interests. Extra attention is devoted to students when they don't understand a concept or want to discover a new approach to their artwork. Kids will use a grid method to draw and then transfer to board for coloring. Teens will start out with advanced drawing lessons to help them draw a realistic animal and face, and then they’ll move onto using colored pencils or painting.

When they sign up for more than one week, the next camp will pick up where they left off! Students enjoy Carson’s Art School so much that they often enroll for Fall Art Programs for after school, or for the all year long Saturday classes. For more information, visit www.carsonsartschool.com.

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Fort Bend Christian Academy North Campus 1250 Seventh Street Sugar Land, TX 77478 South Campus 1201 Lakeview Drive Sugar Land, TX 77478

Living Water Christian School 4808 Airport Avenue Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281) 238-8946 livingwaterschool.org facebook.com/livingwatercs

Marine Military Academy

that this summer, he’ll discover the Marine inside himself. Visit the MMA website for more details.

320 Iwo Jima Blvd.

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Pirate’s Bay Waterpark 5300 E Rd. Baytown, TX 77521 (281) 422-1153 baytown.org/piratesbay

(281) 263-9175 fortbendchristian.org

Help your Pre-K through 5th grade kids bust the summer boredom at Fort Bend Christian Academy’s summer camps! They will make new friends, learn something new and have FUN. It all starts on May 28! Morning classes include Arts, Computer, Sports and Games. Afternoon field trips include Altitude Trampoline Park, Constellation Field, Lifetime Fitness, Pump it Up and Urban Air Trampoline Park. Fort Bend Christian Academy also hosts a boy’s basketball camp (grades 1 - 6) and a girl’s basketball camp (grades 3 - 8). Visit their website to enroll today!

This year, the theme for Living Water Christian School’s summer camp is “Exploring God.” Kids will explore their relationships with the Lord by playing sports, going on field trips, engaging in arts and crafts, and having a ridiculous amount of fun! This summer at LWCS, your children will enjoy new friendships, museums, swimming and movies - all while learning valuable lessons about God. This fabulous summer camp will be held from June 3 - August 9 (Monday through Friday) for all children ages 5 - 12 years old.

Contact (281) 238-8946 or registrar@ livingwaterschool.org for more details.

The annual Marine Military Academy Summer Camp offers school boys ages 11-18 from around the world the opportunity to converge at MMA for four weeks of authentic Marine adventures and lifelong memories and friendships.

Under the guidance of experienced Marines and athletic coaches, campers learn to work as a team and develop leadership skills and self-discipline through a series of fun and safe outdoor challenges designed to maximize physical fitness, mental sharpness and self-confidence. From reveille to lights out, MMA Summer Camp will challenge your son as he navigates his way through a host of extraordinary individual and team activities, such as rappelling, high ropes, paintball and much more. Enroll your son today so

26 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com

Jump In! It’s time for summer fun at Pirate’s Bay. This Texas-sized waterpark features attractions for everyone including a zero-beach entry, large Pirate themed water play center complete with a large dumping bucket, an awesome array of spray nozzles, tot slides, water guns, and a 671-foot-long lazy river and two large slide towers.

Tower activities include fun for both the little ones and daredevils with everything from run-out slides to racing tubes. It’s an adventure unlike any other! For more information, call (281) 422-1153.

April / May 2019

St. Lawrence Catholic School 2630 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX 77479 (281) 980-0500 stlaurenceschool.org

reading skills in the Reading Enrichment Camp. Contact kmcchesney@ stlawrence.org or (813) 879-5090 to secure your child’s spot in the program of their choice today!

Sherwood Forest Faire PO Box 10816 Houston, TX 77206 (512) 222-6680 sherwoodforestsummercamp.com

Every member of our team undergoes a strict screening and application process, background check, and is required to participate in Child Safety Awareness Training. Our nurse is on site 24/7, we have first aid and CPR trained staff, and our pool is closely monitored by a certified lifeguard. Meals are prepared by food industry professionals and we are fully state certified. Visit our website today for more details.

True Knight Academy Summer is right around the corner and this year, St. Lawrence Catholic School is offering a variety of enrichment summer camps! Each camp runs for a week from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., but one-time registrations are offered.

Beginning June 3, an Art Camp will be held for all young artists ages K - 5th grade. Starting June 10, your children of all grades can become closer to the Lord with the Vacation Bible School After Care program. Beginning June 17, your little chef, grade 3 - 6, can join in on a decadent Cooking Camp experience! On July 8th, children from grades 2 - 5 can begin discovering their inner scientists in the Mad Science camp! Finally, beginning July 15, K - 3rd grade kids can develop their

1730 Williams Trace Blvd., Suite H Sugar Land, Texas 77478 (281) 978-6056 trueknight.org

Enroll your kids at Sherwood Forest Faire’s 6-day long, sleepover summer camp for a transformative summer experience. All of our hands-on activities take place in our 23-acre medieval village. Campers will be transported back in time to a world of knights, ladies, and a simpler way of life. Campers will work with their hands to create useful tools and learn skills that were essential to daily living in the medieval era. No modern entertainment devices will be available.

the primary goal of bringing each child to their fullest potential. Children and youth with a wide range of disabilities will thrive at TKA, including students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sensory Processing Disorders, Kinesthetic learners, ADD/ADHD, Intellectual Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Communication Disorder, Development Delays and students who need a small classroom. Students at TKA are provided individualized programs and sensory-based activities to meet their specific needs. TKA also offers an after-school program, tutoring and exciting field trips. Students of all races, colors, and national or ethnic origins are welcome. Call to schedule a tour today!

Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy

True Knight Academy, which provides “A Special Education for Your Special Kids,” is enrolling kids in its camp program today! The TKA mission statement is to provide students with disabilities an individualized program in a Christian atmosphere. TKA serves students from a Kindergarten functioning level to 23-years-old, with

23300 Bellaire Blvd.

Richmond, TX 77406 (832) 586-9130 westlakeprep.org

Kids Martial Arts, Self Defense, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Heath and Wellness, & After School Programs

Building Superior Fitness, Focus and Confidence To Help You Become A New YOU! Bushi Ban International Sienna Plantation 7746 Highway 6 Suite A Missouri City, TX 77459 (832) 833-0030 info@bushibansienna.com

Learn More or Enroll Online at:

bushibansienna.com April / May 2019

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Parkway Fellowship

Westlake Preparatory Lutheran Academy’s Kamp ROAR is a stimulating summer day camp which offers 3 weeks of summer fun for young children ages 2-8! At Kamp ROAR, campers are taught how to R.O.A.R. - Respect, Obedience, Accountability, and Ready to Learn.

Kamp ROAR provides young campers with the fundamental experiences of developing friendships, creating amazing arts and crafts, learning team-building skills, fun and fellowship in a loving environment. You do not have to be a WPA student to attend Kamp ROAR; everyone is welcome! WPA also offers Big ROAR, a thrilling and enriching summer camp for children and youth grades 3 - 8. Read more about these programs online!

Summer VBS Calvary Episcopal Church 806 Thompson Rd. Richmond, TX 77469 (281) 342-2147 calvaryrichmond.org

27043 FM 1093 Rd. Richmond, TX 77406 (832) 222-9282 parkwayfellowship.com

“But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs." Luke 18:16 After the regular school year ends, Calvary Episcopal Church operates a Vacation Bible School on the church and school campus. The VBS runs for four days and is open to all - members of Calvary, friends and family, and children from the greater Richmond/ Rosenberg community. Each year, more than 70 children spend time learning stories, songs, crafts and snacks. For more information, contact Jeannine Hillis 281-342-5114 or jmatthillis01@gmail.com.

Jump into the best week ever as Parkway Fellowship presents Power Up, the most awesome VBS you've ever played.

This summer, from June 23 - 26, we'll learn how to plug in and know God! We'll have hilarious skits, energetic worship time, interactive crafts, bible stories, games, snacks and more. This is the summer event your kids won't want to miss. Registration at our two locations (Katy and Richmond) just booted up, and your kids will get bonus credits for registering early! Visit www. parkwayfellowship.com/VBS for more details.

Find a complete listing of Christian Summer Camps & local VBS dates at FortBendChristianMagazine.com

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2630 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.980.0500 • stlaurenceschool.org 28 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com

April / May 2019

Dear Doctor: What is Tremor and What Are My Treatment Options?

By Dr. Raja Mehanna What is tremor?

Known as shaking, tremor is an involuntary motion of the arms, legs or head. There are two types of tremors.

An action tremor (in the arms) happens when you shake while trying to use your arms during activities like eating, writing or using a screw driver. A rest tremor is involuntarily shaking when your arms are not moving from activities like sitting, resting or watching TV. Is tremor always due to Parkinson’s disease?

No. Tremor can be the result of Parkinson’s disease, but also other disorders such as essential tremor, dystonia or even medications.

How can we differentiate them?

It’s difficult to distinguish. Tremor can be due to many causes: Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor and others. It would be best to see a movement disorder specialist, like a neurologist that specializes in movement disorders, to get the right diagnosis. Treatments are not the same for all types of tremor.

What treatments are there?

Treatments vary based on the cause of tremor. But it can include medications, injections of botulinum toxins (such as Botox®) or brain surgery called Deep Brain Stimulation.

Your movement disorder specialist can tailor the treatment to the type of tremor you have and its impact on your daily life.

Brain surgery? That sounds frightening!

Not at all. Deep Brain Stimulation has been used in Europe for more than 30 years, and has been FDA approved in the U.S. for more than 20 years. At our center, we perform one or two of these surgeries per week. Any potential candidates for the surgery will need to be

assessed first by a movement disorder specialist to make sure that they will obtain the maximum benefits, as not all tremors are treatable by this surgery.

Dr. Raja Mehanna is a board-certified neurologist at UT Physicians who specializes in movement disorders. To schedule an appointment, please call 832-325-7080, or go to utphysicians.com/appointments.

II Am Am A A

Warrior Warrior Are You? Are You?

April / May 2019

Serving grades K-12 throughout northwest Houston.

Serving grades K-12 throughout northwest Houston.

11123 Cypress N. Houston Road, Houston, TX 77065 | 281.469.8829 | CypressChristian.org 11123 Cypress N. Houston Road, Houston, TX 77065 | 281.469.8829 | CypressChristian.org

est. 1978 est. 1978

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This Easter Season

By John Montgomery Church On The Rock Katy We are a forgetful people, and more often than not, we forget that we need to be saved.

I do not mean just a one-time “come to Jesus” moment; we need an everyday rescue, “pull me from the pit because I am sinking fast” type of saving. The sad part is that most of us do not realize the critical state we are in. The routine of everyday life and the self-sufficiency of our daily plans can lull us into a spiritual sleep. We can cruise on auto-pilot as long as no major emergencies are happening around us. We go to church, read the Bible, pray and take care of other business, believing that we are good.

The pharisees thought they were good, too. The self-sufficiency of their routine fooled them into thinking they were the righteous lights of the world. As long as they abided by the law, or at least appeared to keep the law, they were prospering in eyes of men. But we know that is not true. The pharisees lost sight of their first love and did not realize how far they had already sunk into the pit of self-righteousness.

We are all in desperate need of saving, and in spite of our best efforts at making ourselves righteous through what we do, we just cannot attain goodness ourselves. But our Father in heaven has showered his great love on us through Jesus Christ. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God,” (2 Cor 5:21, ESV). Through the death and

resurrection of Jesus, we have been set free from the work of trying to make ourselves right. Through the work of the cross, we are free from self-deception and can finally see clearly! We are in eternal need and our needs can only be met through the risen savior.

My prayer as we enter into this Easter season is that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened once more. Remember the hope to which we have been called, the inheritance we have received, and the immeasurable power shown to us by the cross of Jesus Christ. Remember the gospel of your salvation.

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April / May 2019

Join Church on the Rock for their Easter Celebration 9:00 a.m. – English Service 11:00 a.m. – Spanish Service More info at rocakaty.com.

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281-646-1109 (Phone) 281-646-1110 (Fax) info@TheBibleSeminary.org

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April / May 2019

The Buzz About Fort Bend

1

3

2

4

Do you know about an event happening in Fort Bend County? Share your photos with us and they could be published in The Buzz About Fort Bend!

Email your photos with a short description to joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com.

1) Fort Bend Christian Academy hosted a signing ceremony for five seniors who decided to play sports at the collegiate level. Elizabeth MacKenzie, pictured, committed to play volleyball for Blinn College in Brenham, Texas.

2) Hope For Three will host their Seventh Annual “Strike Out” Autism Family Fun Day on April 28th at Constellation Field during the Sugar Land Skeeters' opening weekend. Strike Out is an annual event in which 400 family members living with autism enjoy an afternoon of fun and partake in one of America's greatest past times - baseball. It is also an opportunity to educate more than 7,500 spectators about autism spectrum disorders and its affect on one in 45 schoolage children.

3) The Calvary Episcopal Preparatory’s Parent Teacher Organization hosted CEP’s annual auction fundraiser on February 23rd. It is traditionally one of the most highly anticipated events of the year for Calvary families, and this year was no exception. Through the hard work and creativity volunteers transformed the gym into a casino and ballroom making it “A Night To Bond.”

4) Fort Bend Christian Academy senior, Camryn O’Leary, committed to play volleyball for Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York during FBCA's National Signing Day ceremony. Camryn has only been playing volleyball since the age of 14, but has excelled on the court since that time.

5) Ronnie, Stephanie, Cathy, & Sarah Sturm; Willie Sierra; Tara Reynolds; and Marilyn Jolliff. Members of family and friends gather around as Ronnie purchases new leather gear at Rodeo Houston.

April / May 2019

5

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The Buzz About Fort Bend

1

3

2

4

Do you know about an event happening in Fort Bend County? Share your photos with us and they could be published in The Buzz About Fort Bend!

Email your photos with a short description to joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com.

1) Members of the Harris County Mounted Police and other local law enforcement agencies had a visible presence at Rodeo Houston to ensure a safe event for all attendees.

2) Members of the Faith West Academy chapter of FFA, Faith Grigar and Ashlyn Bryant, prepare their pigs for showing at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

3) A local student feeds her cow in preparation for showing at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

4) The Houston Fire Department’s Special Operations Unit and other area, local, and state emergency response personnel provided EMS coverage for Rodeo Houston.

5) Hannah Milczarek (10th grade), member of FFA Cinco Ranch High School sold Rodeo Houston Programs. On March 11th, Cinco Ranch FFA was selected as the host school to sell programs.

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April / May 2019

A.D. Players to Present Several Must-See Shows this Spring and Summer Looking for a fun family activity? A.D. Players released its lineup of shows for the Spring and Summer season, and their performances are fun for the entire family! A.D. Players, a local theatre company with an international presence, has become a mainstay in the world of Houston theatre over the last 50 years.

Generations of actors have come through the Players, either as interns, members of the resident company or in other professional capacities, learning and training within its creative community.

This Spring and Summer, A.D. Players will delight theatergoers with a number of outstanding productions including: Jeannette Clift George’s: Black Box Legacy Series (Apr. 10 - 14); Juan, Su Historia (Apr. 17 - 20); Chronicles of Narnia (May 3 - 4); The God Committee (May 17 - June 2); Westside Story (June 28 - July 28); Elvis: My Way (July 15 - 16); and more. We encourage you to support local theatre and attend one of their many performances. You’re in for a treat.

For more information or tickets, visit adplayers.org or call (713) 439-0181. You can also find A.D. Players on Facebook at facebook. com/adplayers.

April / May 2019

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Katy & Bend was created by Johnny Hawkins. Since 1986, over 32,000 of his cartoons have appeared in leading publications such as Christianity Today, Today’s Christian Living, Guideposts, Reader’s Digest, Woman’s World, Faith Today, Focus on the Family and over 900 other publications.

Help Rebuild Love & Joy Our Community Needs A Place Like This

Our Story Love and Joy is a community-based organization that has been servicing the developmentally disabled-homeless population of Houston for over 20 years. The program offers state of the art treatment and services to people with behavioral health issues. We are dedicated to providing quality services, protection of rights, and individualized planning and care to our consumers and their families.

Unfortunately, the prospects of executing a dream project 10 years in the making, including construction of a new facility that would have housed an additional 140 beds, went up in smokes. The facility burned down with a lot of materials inside.

People depend on us to be strong, and that we must be. Just because our building went up in smoke, doesn’t mean our dream has to as well. With your help we will rebuild the facility, so that we can continue to help the mentally ill homeless population.

How To Help

Give Online: gofundme.com/hhlfb4 Text to Give: (832) 430-3185 36 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com

April / May 2019

OVER

April / May 2019

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Easter Recipe: Smoked Ham with Brown Sugar Glaze

By Hannah Menslage Ingredients • 7 lbs. bone in ham you can go larger or smaller, just adjust the cook time accordingly • 1/3 cup BBQ rub • • • • • •

1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 2 1/4 cups apple cider divided use fresh herbs and fruit for garnish cooking spray

Instructions 1. Preheat a smoker to 250 degrees F. Load the smoker with cherry wood chips.

2. Coat a disposable aluminum pan with cooking spray.

Place the ham cut side down in the pan.

3. Sprinkle the spice rub all over the exterior of the ham.

4. Place the pan in the smoker and cook for one hour.

5. Continue to cook the ham for another 2-3 hours, basting

every 30-45 minutes with the 2 cups of apple cider.

6. The ham is done when a thermometer (inserted into the

thickest part of the ham) reads 140 degrees F. 7. While the ham is smoking, make the glaze.

8. Place the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup and remaining 1/4 cup of apple cider in a pan over medium heat.

9. Bring the pan to a simmer. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until

glaze has just thickened.

10. Brush the glaze all over the ham. Transfer the ham to a

platter. Garnish the ham with herbs and fruit if desired, then serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes | Servings: 10 | Calories: 448kcal

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April / May 2019

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April / May 2019