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Fa m i l y Fr i e n d l y Ne w s w i t h a n E t e r n a l Pu r p o s e
Pastor Profile:
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Finding ‘Full Armor’ The Buzz About Fort Bend
Inside this Issue:
Hot Days, Cold Water
The Importance of Hydration
What Can Vacations Teach You About Investing?
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Letter from the President & Publisher-In-Chief FORT BEND
Volume II, Issue 3
6
Bible Trivia
9
Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab Helps Patients Achieve Overall Health
12 Pastor Profile: Pastor Ed Byrnes 16 Finding ‘Full Armor’ 20 What Can Vacations Teach You About Investing? 24 Local Nonprofit Helps, Gives Hope to Families of Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses 28 “No One Is Immune:” Julissa’s Story 30 Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency 34 As I See It: Special Session 38 Local Christian School Highlights 38 Hot Days, Cold Water 46 Kibbey the Clown 51 Born to Win, But Trained to Lose
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.” Joseph Menslage , President / Publisher-in-Chief joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com Malisia Garcia, Publisher & Business Development Manager mali@fortbendchristianmagazine.com Kris Prewitt, Senior Account Executive kris@fortbendchristianmagazine.com Laritza Garcia Account Executive laritza@fortbendchristianmagazine.com Hannah Menslage Assistant Editor hannah@fortbendchristianmagazine.com
For advertising information, contact Joseph Menslage at (281) 497-6455 or email joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com
© 2015 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. To SUBSCRIBE: send a check or money order for 30.00 for a 12-month subscription to Fort Bend Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024. For EDITORIAL or calendar submissions, please mail them to Fort Bend Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024.
My oldest daughter Hannah Menslage just graduated Stratford High School- class of 2015! Hannah and I have always been close and while I’m extremely proud of her accomplishment, I have to admit that it will be very difficult for me when she goes to college. Being a widowed father of four, I have had the tremendous responsibility of trying to fill the roles of both mother and father. It has been very trying to say the least, but by the grace of God I have survived thus far. I know during this time I’ve been blessed by the prayers of many saints, and without them I wouldn’t have raised such wonderful children. I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but I’ve always loved my children deeply. Now my second will be attending college in the fall and I will have two in high school. God tells us in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” I’ve tried to instill in my children the foundations of the faith, and I’m joyous to say that they all received Christ as their Lord and Savior at an early age. As they grow older and start their lives, I can only pray that they will continue to grow in Christ. I know many parents share the same feelings as do I. But at the end of the day, we parents only have our children for a little while, and we can only hope that they will follow the path that God has laid out before them. “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” - 2 Timothy 2:13 Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com
Letter From The Publisher Summer Break is finally here- a wonderful and relaxing time that we all look forward to each year. Summer provides time to spend with family and friends, as well as basking in the sun on family vacations. Summer is also the season for vacation bible school, where kids can learn more about the love of God, his mercy, and his grace. One of my favorite summer activities is volunteering to help those who are less fortunate right here in our community. Volunteering in local hospitals, shelters, and elderly care centers helps show others that God loves them and that He cares, no matter their situation. I invite you to set a few leisurely hours aside to give back to our city. Let’s spread the love of God this summer. Check our website weekly to find out where we will be volunteering in the community and come join us! Summer also reminds me that I am unbelievably blessed to be a part of an incredible ministry like Fort Bend Christian Magazine. I view my work here as an opportunity to continue to spread the word of God and help Christian businesses grow. This summer, let’s all be a blessing to our community. If you have a special event or news that you feel we should promote or stop by to support, please let me know. I would love to be there and share in the excitement. May the Lord continue to bless you in all that you do! We truly thank you for supporting Fort Bend Christian Magazine, which brings you “family-friendly news with an eternal purpose.” Like our sister publication, Katy Christian Magazine, our mission is made possible only by the support of our Christian advertisers. Support our Christian businesses and please share your news at editor@fortbendchristianmagazine.com. Malisia Garcia Publisher & Business Development Manager Fort Bend Christian Magazine mali@fortbendchristianmagazine.com Direct Line: 281-497-6499 Cell: 832-597-7397
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5. Palestine is about the size of Vermont with an interstate system, you could travel north to south in about ____ hours and east to west in less than _____ hours. 6. In Galilee (in the north), the east to west journey may cover only about ______ miles. But in the south, east to west traveler would journey about _____ miles. From north to south the distance is approximately 145 miles. 3. Palestine enjoys the subtropical Mediterranean climate. Rain comes in the winters and spring; the summer is dry. Almost no rain falls during the summer, so Palestine is brown in the summer and green in winter. Because of that crops such as grain and barley are planted in the __________and harvested in ____________or ___________. Grapes are harvested in ____________. Also, Palestine’s coldest month is February, the warmest is August. (1). Jabez (2). Enoch, Enoch (3).Jared, Methuselah (4).Lamech, Lamech (5). 3, 2 (6). 20, 90 (7). Fall, May, June, October.
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Thomas Kolenko of Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab Helps Patients Achieve Overall Health By Jessa McClure Second generation chiropractor, Thomas Kolenko, DC, sees patients from three months of age to 100-years-old. He is committed to educating these patients--who are children, athletes, professionals and parents— about the role of wellness in their overall health and getting them the help they need. Kolenko grew up in his father’s chiropractic office in Michigan and knew it was always a career option. “Chiropractic wasn’t one of those things that was just out there. I lived with it since I was a kid, and liked it. But that’s not what I originally went to school for,” he said. “I was actually going to follow my mom’s footsteps and go into healthcare management. But, I realized early on that I didn’t want to be stuck behind a computer all day. I needed interaction with people.” So, Kolenko changed his major to biomedical sciences and started studying biology, anatomy and chemistry. After he graduated from college, he began looking into chiropractic colleges. Although he was eyeing Texas Chiropractic College, his father wanted him to take a
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look at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa where he had attended. “I went to visit and realized there’s a lot of history there. It’s where chiropractic started,” he said. “If I was going into a profession, I wanted to go where it all originated.” So, he and his wife packed up their belongings and moved to Iowa to endure a few more winters full of ice and snow. “Once I graduated, my wife said, no more cold weather,” Kolenko said. “We had lived down here for two or three years before and just loved Houston and the surrounding areas. So, we are really glad that we ended up here again.” After establishing Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab in 2013, the doctor began growing his client base and finding ways to educate his patients about chiropractic techniques and ways to improve their health. “Most people come to a chiropractor with back pain, neck pain, headaches or pain after an auto accident,” he said. “We have no problem taking those patients. We get them well and along the way we educate them on wellness—making sure the body is working as it should. It’s more than just pain or injuries, it’s about having our nerve flow working properly out to every organ, tissue and cell in our body.” Kolenko said often times patients who have seen other chiropractors in the past won’t know what treatments they were receiving or why. “I like to explain what creates the sounds during an adjustment or that the pain in their big toe isn’t from an injury to their big toe, but from a nerve in their back,” he said. “We want them to understand what’s going on and why they’re getting care.” The doctor said that at the end of the day, it’s not about the busi-
ness or his bank account, it’s about making sure that he is building relationships with the people he treats and doing what’s best for them. “Our goal is to get people better whether it’s in our office or somewhere else.” Many of his business philosophies come from being raised in a Christian home. “We went to church on Sundays and youth group on Wednesdays,” Kolenko said. “It has brought me up to be who I am—with integrity. We want to make sure we are giving an honest service for an honest fee. We don’t want people just coming in for visits so we can collect money. We want to make sure people are getting better.” Kolenko’s beliefs also inspire him to help those who are less fortunate. “We try to give back by working with different organizations that attack poverty or bring awareness to issues like breast cancer and autism. Every month we highlight a different charity. We call them up and say, hey, we want to help you because you’re a part of the community.” Kolenko and his team recently helped raise funds for the Hope for Three 2015 Strike Out Autism event and also volunteered as buddy leaders during the event. “We try to donate community service time and get out and get to know our community and help in whatever way we can.” Freedom Chiropractic & Rehab 435 Sartartia Rd., Ste. B | Sugar Land, Texas Phone: (832) 886-0385 | Website: www.freedomchirorehab.com
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Pastor Profile: Ed Byrnes of Heritage Baptist Church By Malisia Garcia Heritage Baptist Church, Pastored by Ed Byrnes, started as Bellaire West Baptist Church in 1972. It was founded by Elvin Crocker. The church was relocated to its current location in 2002 and was renamed to Heritage Baptist Church. The church is driven by its mission: “The grace of God through Jesus is sufficient for all to be saved and to love others as Christ has loved us.” Pastor Byrnes accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart as his lord and savior in February 1992 at the age of 24. When asked to reflect upon his salvation story, Byrnes recalled a time when he felt that he knew how to deal with everything in life and there wasn’t much that rattled him. Although his wife was already a believer, Byrnes used to say, “If I can’t see, hear, smell or touch Jesus; he does not exist.” Immediately following a car accident involving his oldest child, Byrnes said that he experienced fear for the first time in a long time. Byrnes recalls thinking about the accident and the possibility that he or his son could have been killed. One of his first questions was, “would I ever get to see my family again?” As he began to pray, he stopped and asked, “If I don’t
believe in God, why would I pray to Him?” For the next few days, he recalls experiencing uneasiness in his heart and many areas of his life. At the recommendation of a family member, Byrnes met with a pastor. Byrnes recalls that the pastor “came by the house and he shared the gospel with me in a way I had never heard it before. I was confronted with all of the things I had done in my life and when I asked about all of them, the pastor told me that Jesus died for all of those too. They would never be held to my account by God.” Byrnes says that this was the first time that he felt that he had a small understanding of grace. According to Byrnes, this experience changed his life. “Grace, when you really get, is truly amazing!” Byrnes says. “I was forever changed that day. Through Jesus, I was able to put sin to death and
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was made new in Him.” Byrnes also says that it was the first time he was convinced that heaven existed and that through Jesus, God guaranteed it would be an eternal place to dwell, with all others who have believed in Jesus as well. “At some point we all have to decide whether heaven is real and if the promises of God are true. My hope is that people will see that heaven is real and the promises of God are true and that Jesus died on the cross to prove it,” Byrnes says. Byrnes says that the most amazing day of our lives is the day we finally truly understand God’s Grace. It’s not about how we feel about ourself or what we feel about someone else, because God’s
Grace if for beyond our understanding. “He is the almighty and his love for us is so great that all we have to do is sincerely ask for forgiveness and we are forgiven,” Byrnes says. “We have to learn to forgive ourselves and not look back on yesterday, but move forward in our relationship with God from the present.” Pastor Byrnes says that he first heard the calling to preach and accepted it in 2006. When asked what he would like people to know about Heritage Baptist Church, Byrnes said, “we are a church that wants to know Jesus, grow in Jesus and show Jesus to everyone we come in contact with as we live out our lives”. Pastor Byrnes and wife, Crystal, were married July 31, 1987. When asked about his support system, Byrnes said, “my wife is my true helpmate and God has blessed me where she daily supports me and cares for me as I serve. She is an amazingly strong woman.” Byrnes also credited his three children: Anthony, Nathan and Kyle, along with a daughter in-law Stephanie. Byrnes says that he also has three beautiful granddaughters which captured his heart. Although Pastor Ed Byrnes has many favorite scriptures, he mentioned that 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV is among his favorites “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” For additional information on Heritage Baptist Church you may contact them via phone 281.403.4994, email Address: heritagebcmc@gmail.com, or website www.hbctx.org. Please feel free to join them in their service hours on Sunday at 10:45 & 6:00 Wednesday AWANA & Bible Study 7:00, located on 2223 FM 1092/Murphy Road, Missouri City and let them know you saw them in Fort Bend Christian Magazine.
Former Rice University Admissions Officer to Lecture on Ways to Slash College Costs Workshop is free – but fills up quickly… Sugar Land, TX - An extremely popular lecture is being held again this year at University Branch Library for the parents of high school sophomores and juniors. The workshop, which is being offered without cost to attendees, will focus on little-known ways of getting grants and scholarships for college, regardless of GPA or how much money a family earns. The class will cover topics such as how to double or triple eligibility for scholarships (even if a family makes too much money to qualify for financial aid), the secret to attending a private college or university for less than the
price of a state school and the single biggest mistake that 9 out of 10 parents make when trying to figure out how to fund their child’s college education. This class is free and registration is required. Tickets are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Space is limited by the size of the room. It is being held at the University Branch Library located at 14010 University Blvd., in Sugar Land, on Thursday, April 23rd, from 7:00 to 8:30pm. The library is on the University of Houston System Sugar Land Campus on University Blvd. at US Highway 59. Kurt Goedecke,
ChFC, is teaching the workshop. Mr. Goedecke is the former Assistant Director of Admissions at Rice University and a nationally recognized expert on college planning. A word to the wise – don’t wait to register. Past events have filled up quickly. To reserve a seat go to www.CollegeMoneyForTexans.org.
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Finding ‘Full Armor’ Local business owner, James Hillin lost everything in a devastating crash, but through his faith, found the courage to create a new life for himself By Jessa McClure Twelve years ago on Christmas Eve, business owner, James Hillin, sat in the dark wanting to end his life. A near-fatal crash had ended his career racing motorcycles and left him paralyzed from the waist down. His marriage was over and his wife had taken the
couple’s young son. “Everything about me was gone. All I could think about was not wanting to be there,” he said. “But I didn’t want to go to hell. I believed that if I killed myself I would go to hell.” Even though Hillin wanted to leave this world, there was a part of him that still wanted to please the God he’d met long ago in a country church, sitting next to his grandmother. He laid on the floor and asked God what he should do next. “I started going to church at Fellowship of the Woodlands, which was a two-hour drive one-way, and I met people as part of the singles group,” he said. He also started seeing a Christian therapist who introduced him
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to Second Baptist Church. “I became an associate deacon and then a deacon. And I was head of the single’s group for years,” Hillin said.
Over the next few years, the father of one grew in his faith and developed a strong relationship with his personal savior—Jesus Christ. “I love the Lord and I’m very open about it,” he said. “Do I still make the wrong decisions? Yeah, I do. But the Lord loves me and forgives me and I keep moving forward.”
After recommitting his life to Christ, he decided to use one of his old passions to create a business with some unique attitudes. “My dad was retired military, so the only thing I would do with my dad was shoot guns,” he said. “I’m naturally gifted at shooting, so I can basically shoot anything—guns, rifles, long range, pistols. I can also shoot one-handed from the wheelchair and outshoot everybody I know.” This love of shooting developed into the idea to open a gun store and shooting range to help others who didn’t grow up around firearms. He also wanted to include his newfound faith in the shop’s name. “We were trying to think of a name and a friend of mine, who’s a Christian, said, ‘How about Full Armor (referring to Ephesians 6:11 and putting on the full armor of God),’” Hillin said. “I said, that’s actually a great name, and that’s how we became Full Armor Firearms.” He started with a small amount of money, a couple of cases of guns and “a lot of praying.” He wanted to not only give customers the shooting
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experience pf traditional gun ranges, but a friendly experience he seldom saw at other gun shops. “I wanted to get away from what I call the ‘gun shop mentality.’ These shops are usually run be ex-GIs who know weapons, but they don’t know people,” Hillin said. “We actually say hi to people when they walk in the door. We enjoy empowering people to protect themselves and educating them about firearms.” Hillin and his employees will even help first-time shooters pick out a gun and give them a quick lesson on how to fire the gun before they head out to the range. The gun range is open seven days a week, but opens later on Sundays to give employees and customers the chance to go to church. “I even have a sign on the front door that says, ‘Every Sunday we’re at Second Baptist. Come join us,’” he said. Along with encouraging employees and customers to join him at his home church, Hillin also uses every interaction with his clients and personnel to remind them that Jesus loves
them. “My voice mails say Jesus Christ loves you, and when you’re put on hold, the message says the same thing,” he said. “I keep saying it because I want to remind people that Jesus loves them. And when they reach that moment in their lives when they’re hurting hard enough to hear [His voice], then maybe they’ll realize that he’s talking to them and it will change their lives and their attitudes.” Hillin’s strong faith has also carried over into his personal life. The shop owner’s 11-year-old son has become his dad’s prayer partner and shooting buddy over the years. “Even though he lives with his Mama most of the time, he still calls me every night to pray with me,” he said. Not only is Hillin passionate about showing his son the love of Christ, but he is also passionate about teaching his son how to be safe around firearms. “He started shooting with me when he was three-years-old. He knows all of the rules and he doesn’t mess with them,” he said. “Education is power. It’s important to teach children how to use them and to know what safe is so they won’t make a mistake.”
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What Can Vacations Teach You About Investing? By Peter Horton Edward Jones Summer is almost here — which means it’s officially vacation season. You may be looking forward to “getting away from it all,” but, as you know, vacations actually require a fair amount of planning. And it might surprise you to learn that some of the efforts required for successful vacations can impart some valuable lessons in other areas of your life — such as investing. Here are some vacation-related moves that you may want to transfer to the investment and financial arenas: • Secure your home - If you’re going on vacation for a week or so, you may need to take some steps to safeguard your home: stopping your mail and newspaper, putting on a timer to turn on lights, alerting your neighbors that you’ll be out of town, and so on. But while it’s important to secure your home today, you will also want to help ensure it will be there for your family in the future, should anything happen to you. That’s why you’ll want to maintain adequate life and disability insurance. • Know your route - If you are driving to your vacation destination,
you will want to plan your route beforehand so that you can avoid time-consuming delays and detours. And to reach your financial goals, such as a comfortable retirement, you will also want to chart your course — by creating an investment strategy that is designed to help you work toward those goals, based on your specific risk tolerance, investment preferences and time horizon.
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I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I strive not to be a success, but rather of value”
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• Keep enough gas in the tank - As you set out on a road trip, you need a full tank of gas in your car, and you’ll have to keep refueling along the way. To “go the distance” in pursuing your financial goals, you will need to have sufficient “fuel” in the form of investments
with growth potential. If you don’t own a reasonable amount of growth-oriented vehicles, you could lose ground to inflation and potentially fall short of your objectives — so, over time, you may
need to “refuel” by reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio to ensure it has enough “power.” • Protect yourself from getting burned - If your vacation plans include a stay at the beach, you’ll need to protect yourself and your family from the hot sun — so make sure you’re all using sunscreen. When you invest, you can also get “burned” if you are not careful - especially if you are inclined to chase after “hot” investments. By the time you hear about these so-called sizzlers, they may already be cooling off, and, even more importantly, they just might not be appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. Instead of becoming a “heat- seeking” investor, focus your efforts on building a diversified array of quality investments appropriate for your needs. If you only own one type of financial asset, and a downturn hits that asset class, your portfolio could take a big hit. But by diversifying your holdings, you can help reduce the effects of volatility. Keep in mind, though, that diversification by itself can’t guarantee profits or protect against loss. As we’ve seen, some of the same principles that apply to creating a vacation may also be applicable to your investing habits. So put these principles to work to enjoy a pleasant vacation - and a potentially rewarding investment experience. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. For more information, contact Peter Horton, your local Edward Jones Advisor, at (281) 491-0244 or www.edwardjones.com.
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Local Nonprofit Helps, Gives Hope to Families of Children With Life-Threatening Illnesses By Jessa McClure When Melanie Davila suffered a stroke at the age of 32, her world turned upside down. Not only was she trying recover from the effects of the stroke, but she was also trying to combat the financial, emotional and physical struggles that often come with a major medical
event. Then, doctors discovered that Davila had a disease called MoyaMoya that restricts the blood vessels in the body and she would need immediate brain bypass surgery. So, the mother of two got on a plane and flew to California where doctors at Stanford University performed the procedure. Although the surgery saved her life, she was still not the woman she once was. “At the time, I felt lost, afraid and angry that I couldn’t be the mother my children needed me to be.” A few years later, she met Sheree Norton, who had also faced major medical expenses when her daughter Savannah was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)—a genetic disease that affects the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movement. Sadly, Savannah passed away just before her third birthday. After
the death of the little girl, Davila and Norton decided that they would use their pain and loss for something good. “We knew that God had not put both of our families through so much pain and heartache for no reason,” Davila said. “We needed a ‘purpose’ in life and we have found it through helping others with Caring4Katy.” The two women formed a non-profit organization whose pri-
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mary goal is to assist families in Katy and the surrounding areas who have children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
“Through the help of donations from individuals and corporations in our community, we are able to ease the daily stress brought on by the cost associated with their illnesses,” she said. “The dona-
tions that we receive allow us to provide assistance with services such as hospital parking and fuel expenses along with meals and lodging for caregivers if they are frequently traveling to the medical center.” Davila said the organization can also help with minor household repairs if they will improve the patient’s well-being, but the most common form of assistance is helping out with home utilities, mortgage payments or rent. “Ninety percent of the funds raised go directly to assist our Caring4Katy families with only 10 percent going towards the cost of operations,” she said. But, Caring4Katy goes further than just helping pay bills. They support each family with prayers and online support groups to connect families who are going through similar battles. “Once we assist these families, they become a part of our family,” she said. “We stay in contact with them and will host annual events on their behalf.” One of those annual events is called “Christmas in July,” that will take place this year at No Label Brewing Company in Old Katy on July 25. It is a toy drive and barbecue cook-off all wrapped into one. Not only will the event help collect toys for Caring4Katy kids, but donations will also help to provide Christmas presents for
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children receiving treatment at Texas Children’s and MD Anderson. “We will have a children’s area with Santa, fun games, bounce houses, face painting, live music, a silent auction and food vendors,” she said. Davila said that if you feel led to get involved with the organization you can make a donation, become a volunteer or nominate a family to receive help. You can also sponsor a meal or join the Caring4Katy team on the third Monday of every month when they serve dinner to families at the Ballard House. “If you have always wanted to help others, but haven’t really known where or who to reach out to, please consider joining our cause,” Davila said. “Together, we can make a difference in the heart of our community.”
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“No One Is Immune:” Julissa’s Story Julissa Duran and Amy West, cochairs of the 6th annual American Cancer Society’s “Couture for the Cause”, have an important message. Julissa says, “Recently, I’d forgotten to schedule my annual mammogram in January, but wasn’t worried. I’m only 45 and the only cancer in my family was my dad, who had prostate cancer three years ago. In fact, I was serving on the Couture for the Cause committee in his honor! After my mammogram, they called back for more testing. After 5 hours in radiology, I heard the terrifying words: “It looks like breast cancer.” A biopsy confirmed I had Invasive Lobular Sarcoma, stage 2.” “I joined this committee last year to help others, but never imagined I’d face cancer myself. As a single mom, I thought about my 14 year old daughter, Soleil.Will I see her graduate, get married, have children? After the diagnosis, my exhusband called ACS on my behalf. They called to offer me a free wig and invited me to a support group. I felt comforted knowing they were there for me. Volunteering is now so personal. I know firsthand the
difference that ACS makes! On April 6th, I underwent a 9hour bilateral mastectomy. I wasn’t ready for this road bump , but will continue living every day to the fullest!” Amy says, “As CoChairs, we’re thankful for ACS, this committee and the support of our stellar community. Cancer shows up unannounced and disregards who you are or what you have planned... no one is immune. Our Couture for the Cause committee is determined to help fight this vicious disease. Never underestimate what your support can do!” Join us for the 6th annual Couture for the Cause “A White Haute Affair.” Returning as presenting sponsor, Wealth Design Group partner with American Cancer Society for this exclusive evening on October 17, 2015 at the home of Randy and Brenda Bartley featuring an unforgettably creative fashion show. Dress code all white attire! We invite you to join our team as a sponsor or donor, with levels starting at $500. With limited spacing, this event sells out quickly. For information or to seize the limited sponsorship opportunities, contact Valerie Marun at (713) 7065684 or valerie. marun@cancer.org. Visit our website at www.coutureforthecause.org.
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Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency Gives Hope to Couple Who Struggled With Infertility and Loss By Jessa McClure When high school sweethearts Brandy Chandler and her husband Gene married in 1992, they had no idea of the journey they were about to embark upon. The next 19 years would be filled with laughter, tears and heartache as they waited for their perfect
child from God. The two met in Seattle and ended up moving to the Houston area to be closer to Gene’s family. Soon after, the couple found out they were pregnant. About a week later they unfortunately lost the baby, but a new resolve to have a child was born. “It was just an incredible feeling to know we were going to have a child,” Brandy said. “Even though we were super young and not quite ready, it was the most incredible feeling.” The couple tried on their own for several years before seeking medical help. But doctors didn’t seem to have any answers to why the Chandlers weren’t able to conceive.
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“When I was a teenager, I was told that I had a heart problem and that I would probably have to adopt, so that was always in our minds,” she said. “After the doctors told us we had unexplained infertility, we started thinking, well, maybe God’s plan from the beginning was adoption.” Even though adoption seemed like next logical step, Brandy struggled with the decision to give up on having a biological child. “As a woman, it’s so hard to come to that final moment where you say, okay, body, you’re not going to provide a child for your husband. You’ll never see half of you and half of him.” But, despite her hesitation with giving up on trying for their own child, Brandy knew that her and husband had always had a heart for orphans. “Every vacation we went on, instead of going ziplining, we’d go to orphanages,” she said. “When we went to Honduras, there was a four-year-old little girl named Virginia who walked up to us and we just looked at each other like, this is our daughter.” Unfortunately, the country had just suffered a devastating hurricane and they weren’t allowing adoptions. But the orphanage said they’d contact the couple as soon as the ban was lifted. Sadly, the couple learned just a couple months later that the child had passed away during a medical procedure. As the Chandlers were dealing with the loss of the daughter that could have been, Brandy received a cancer diagnosis. Although she knew she had a long road ahead of her, she wanted to move forward with adopting another child. “I had narrowed it down to a few Christian organizations and all of them said you have to be clear of cancer for two years before you can be eligible,” she said. “I started thinking, maybe this isn’t what
God wants. Maybe he wants us to be missionaries and help many babies instead of just one.”
When Brandy was well again, the couple had a long talk and decided that they would say a prayer and give up the whole situation to God. Two weeks later, they were visiting a new church campus, when someone asked if she had any children. “I said, we don’t have any kids yet, but we’re hoping to adopt,”
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Brandy said. “One of the ladies said, one of my good friends owns an adoption agency in Fort Bend, would you mind if I gave her your information? A little lightbulb went off and I said a prayer.” Within four days, the couple received a call from Debbie Richards, founder of the Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency saying she had a birth mom waiting for adoptive parents. Richards founded the organization in 2003 after years working as a social worker for the state. She wanted to make a difference and adoption seemed like the best way to do that. The former CPS worker decided on the name Rainbow of Love because of its positive connotations. “Love is always very positive, and when you see a rainbow in the sky, you know that the storm has ended and the sunshine is coming,” Richards said. Hearing from Richards was the hope of the sunshine after the storm for the Chandlers. Soon they were chosen by a birth mom and six weeks later she delivered the couple’s new son, Camden. “I was in the OR with the birth mom and after he was born the nurses said, do you want to see your son,” Brandy said. “I’ll never forget that moment, turning and looking down at him. Our eyes met and it was like the whole room went black and I heard God saying, this is your son. It was the most amazing, beautiful moment.” It’s stories like these that keep Richards and the Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency striving to match infants and those in the foster care system with adoptive parents. “Choosing adoption is a big step and it’s very scary. But nothing worth having in life is easy,” she said. “If this is the route you feel you were led to go on, it will happen.”
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As I See It: Special Session By Gary Gillen Because the Legislature meets for only 140 days every other year in Regular Session it is not always possible to get all the work done the Legislature needs to do. The one thing they must do is adopt a biennial budget. That is often the most contentious bill the Legislature must pass. The budget sets the course and priorities for state government and its agencies. The Federal Government is run by Secretaries of the various Federal agencies. Texas is different. Texas government is run by boards and commissions. The members of those Boards and Commissions are appointed by the Governor with the Advice and Consent of the Texas Senate. The Budget tells those individuals what the Legislature deems important. There are so many decisions that our legislators must make in a very compressed period and many members have projects that are important to their constituents and all of these interests are trying to get their issues addressed through the budget. For this and other reasons it may be impossible for the House and Senate to agree on and adopt a budget. And even if the House and Senate agree on the budget and send it to the Governor he may veto the budget if he does not like what is in it or what is not. If the Legislature cannot agree on a budget by the end of the session or the Governor vetoes it
then a Special Session must be called by the Governor. The Governor may call a special session or several special sessions at any time the Legislature is not in session. Each Special Session has a 30 day maximum. The Governor alone decides the topics to be addressed in the Special Sessions. In 2013, you may recall that then-Governor Rick Perry called the Legislature back to
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Austin for three Special Sessions. After the 83rd Regular Session which ran from January 8 to May 27, 2013, He called a Special Session that began the last day of the regular session and ran until June 25th. The major topics were to adopt the Redistricting Plan as ordered by the Federal Courts; Transportation Infrastructure funding; Establish a mandatory sentence of Life with parole for a capital felony committee by a 17 year old; and Establish regulation of abortion procedures, providers and facilities. The Governor called the legislature back into session on July 1 for a thirty day session to consider Legislation Establishing a Mandatory Sentence of Life with Parole for a Capital Felony committee by a 17 year old; Funding Transportation Infrastructure projects; and Regulating Abortion procedures, providers and facilities. Three issues from the previous Special Session. Finally, on July 30, the last day of the Second Special Session, Governor Perry Called the Legislature back for a Special Session with one major job. To consider Transportation Infrastructure projects. They completed the task in 7 days. Perhaps they were ready to go home after having been in session 207 days. As I write this column we do not know if a Special Session will be needed. But with a couple of weeks left in the 84th Regular
June / July 2015
Session the House and Senate must still address the Budget, School Finance, Tax Reform, handgun legislation and other issues. Both Chambers agree that tax reform is needed but each has a different plan. The House concentrating on Sales Tax reduction while the Senate wants to reduce property tax. All of these issues are important and some or all of them may be better considered in a special session with limited issues to consider. Let’s hope a Special Session isn’t needed. Gary Gillen owns and operates Gillen Pest Control and Gillen Political Strategies in Richmond. He is the only person in history to have served on both the Richmond City Commission and the Rosenberg City Council. He was the Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County 2006-2007. He can be contacted at Gary@GaryGillen.com
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Local Christian School Highlights Claudette Vega
Christopher Johnson
Classification: 8th Grade Holy Rosary Catholic School
Classification: 8th Grade Holy Rosary Catholic School
Claudette Vega is an eighth grader at Holy Rosary Catholic School in Rosenberg. Claudette maintains a high grade point average while being very active in extracurricular activities including piano, acting in school play productions, cheerleading, being a student ambassador and altar serving at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Claudette was recently honored by The Society of Women Engineers-Houston Area for her high achievements in math and science. Claudette lives by the quote “It doesn’t get easier, you just get stronger”. Claudette will attend Saint John XXIII College Preparatory in the fall.
Christopher manages to maintain a high grade point average while still being actively involved numerous activities. Being involved in student council, student ambassadors, yearbook, theater and soccer keep him busy. And though soccer is his favorite extracurricular activity, he is also an excellent actor. Christopher was recently named to the All Star Cast at area PSIA competition and to the Honorable Mention All Star Cast at state competition for his role in the one act play “And A Child Shall Lead”. His favorite Bible verse is John 8:12, “Jesus spoke to them again saying, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Christopher will attend Strake Jesuit Preparatory in the fall.
Fort Bend Christian Magazine will be highlighting local Christian students each issue and we need your help! We’re currently accepting nominations for outstanding elementary, middle school, and high school students to be featured in Fort Bend Christian Magazine. To nominate yourself or someone else, please send an email to joseph@fortbendchristianmagazine.com with a short bio and photo. The students bio should include their name, school, grade, church, and life goals. If applicable, please include information about sports, hobbies, and activities as well.
Hot Days, Cold Water: The Importance of Hydration By Allison Robb
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The Buzz About Fort Bend
The Central Fort Bend Chamber hosted the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for AG|CM located at 9950 Westpark Dr., Ste. 300, Houston, TX 77063. AG|CM is a Professional Construction Management, Inspection and Estimating Firm, achieving Success Through Leadership and Communication. For more info on AG|CM feel free to visit their website at: www.agcm.cc
90 students at Calvary Episcopal Preparatory recently participated on stage in a full blown musical comedy of Alice In Wonderland Jr. The 2nd annual musical is part of Calvary Episcopal’ s comprehensive and enhanced fine arts department. Students from Kindergarten through 12th grade work side by side to produce a crowd pleasing extravaganza that was both artistically and musically is a delight for all.
The Central Fort Bend Chamber had a well-attended Breakfast in the Bend networking event with 140 attendees last month. Guests enjoyed a motivational message from Jim McIngvale with Gallery Furniture. Pictured from left to right: Gregory Baird (Baird & Gilroy), Craig Kalkomey ( Jones & Carter, Inc), John Gilroy (Baird & Gilroy).
Jim McIngvale with Gallery Furniture spoke at last months Breakfast in the Bend networking event hosted by The Central Fort Bend Chamber.
Calvary Episcopal Preparatory 3rd-5th grade qualifying students competed in Calvary’s annual Battle of the Bluebonnets competition. The Bluebonnet books introduce students to various genres of literature, with the goal of expanding their knowledge and interest. Pictured left to right: left to right: Lena Lowry, Irene Farris, and Sydney Freeman.
Calvary Episcopal Preparatory Middle School students have been working hard to prepare for their annual Family History and World Bazaar night. Seventh and eighth grade students researched famous individuals in history and portrayed them in costume with dialogues hat they wrote themselves.
June / July 2015
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Calvary Episcopal Preparatory first grade students have been busy conducting their annual service project to benefit animals in search of homes. This year’s beneficiary was Lucky Penny Rox Rescue. Representatives of Lucky Penny came to accept the donations and to make a presentation on animal safety and welfare to the elementary students.
Middle and High School Calvary Episcopal Preparatory students worked together under the direction of Paula Smith and assistant director Ranelle Krejci to put on a one act play about a student having a comically bad experience taking a test. Audience members found this play to be full of talent and laughter as they enjoyed their popcorn and dessert bars.
Calvary’s third grade students, along with teachers Ms. Lowry and Ms. Broussard, staged an impressive living wax museum to share history with their families and fellow students. Each student researched and portrayed a person from history. The museum was a great way to bring history to life and was enjoyed by all ages from Pre-K to grandparents.
OakBend Medical Center held a kickoff reception to announce its plans for the Patchwork of Life – Beautiful Beginnings gala which will take place on October 15 at Safari Texas.Pictured left to right: Joe Freudenberger, CEO of OakBend Medical Center; May Tape and Beth Wolf, Co-Chairs of Patchwork of Life - Beautiful Beginnings.
The Central Fort Bend Chamber, along with the Hispanic Business Committee, hosted the 2015 Cinco de Mayo celebration at Legacy Ford in Rosenberg, sponsored by Allegiance Roofing. Pictured left to right: Kathryn Robinson (Heritage Texas Properties), Shannan Stavinoha and Leigh Ann Dawson (Central Fort Bend Chamber), Eric Garza (Panera Bread).
The Central Fort Bend Chamber celebrated the ribbon cutting ceremony for their new member, Needville Insurance! Needville Insurance has been insuring property in Needville since 1903. Needville Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency.
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Kibbey the Clown By Jessa McClure In 1949, seventh-grader Larry Kibbey, was struggling to keep up in school. His reading level was much lower than his classmates and his teacher didn’t want to pass him through to eighth grade not reading on grade level. “So, she took me to the library and said, ‘this is what we’re going to do. We’re going to find some books that you want to read about and you’re going to pick out 12 books and at the end of the semester you should be able to read at an eighth grade level,’” Kibbey said. When the young boy told his teacher that he enjoyed books about circuses and clowns, she decided to give her pupil some motivation to finish this daunting task. “She said, ‘I’ll tell you what I’ll do. If you get your reading level up to an eighth grade level by the end of the year, I’ll get you into the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey circus as a clown,’” Kibbey said. “She wrote them and they made the deal.” It took Kibbey the rest of the year to accomplish his goal, but he finally read the books to the teacher’s satisfaction and she kept her end of the bargain. “They let me out every Friday while the circus was in town,” he said. “I’d go up to the reform school and the head clowns would meet
me there. That night, they dressed me up as a clown and put me out into the rings with them. I fell in love with [clowning] and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
“Professional clown, Larry Kibbey, and his family of performers, train professional clowns with Christian values.” Since then, Kibbey has become a professional clown and helped to train more than 4,000 professional clowns from all over the world through the Houston Clown School. He began clowning in his home state of Michigan when he was still in high school and only took a hiatus from clowning to serve in the US Marine Corps. Then, in 1968, he and his wife Carolyn moved to Iowa so he could attend college. “The mayor of the town there used to hire me to stand out in the street and wave people into the restaurants,” Kibbey said. “I would stand out there with a stop sign in a clown suit and hand out literature about the town when people were driving through.” After college, Kibbey and his family moved to Houston and have made their home there ever since. But, despite putting down roots in the Lone Star State, the professional clown and his family also traveled all over the country, performing as clowns and advertising for carnivals.
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“We traveled with Murphy’s Bros. Carnvial which later became Worldwide Amusements—the largest carnival in the world,” he said. “We’d arrive three days before the carnival and go to the TV station and the local school and hand out tickets to the carnival.”
Clowning became a way of life. Kibbey’s wife and children became clowns and the Kibbeys became the largest family of professional clowns and magicians in the world.
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In 1976 the family decided to open up the Houston Clown School to teach others the tricks of the trade and bring other families together. Through their school, they have not only had the chance to train professional clowns, but they have also had the chance to “clown for the Lord.” “ We get calls all over the US asking us to do church youth camps and church reunions,” he said. “We’ve been just about everywhere in the country with it.” The Kibbeys have also helped teach object lessons in church services, trained clowns at prisons, cheered up patients at children’s hospitals and taught classes on Christian college campuses. Their expertise in this area is so wide in fact, that they have written a book called “Learn to Clown for the Lord,” and offer a class in the subject at their Houston campus. And because these clowns answer to a higher calling, Kibbey wants his students to have good moral character as well. “Our clowns have to agree to a few things before we will teach them,” he said. “They can’t drink or smoke or fraternize with the opposite sex. Their language also has to be pure. They can’t be cussing and clowning at the same time.” But despite the strict rules, Kibbey believes that everyone has the ability to be a clown, and that clowning is a great legacy to leave future generations. “It’s a good thing to pass from father to son,” he said. “If something happens to me, one of [my family members] can step right into my position.”
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Born to Win, But Trained to Lose By Jesús Rivero Did you know that before you were even born, you first had to run a marathon of life and win? It is true. You and I competed against five hundred million other sperm cells. In this competition, the first cell to reach the egg was the one that had a right to live in this world. That day, out of the millions you competed with, you won the race. The proof is that you are alive, and it is crucial that you understand that within you are the characteristics of a winner. Everything you need to win in this life is already in you. Yes, you are a winner. Upon birth, we were already well defined in what we wanted to have and that was a comfortable life full of our desires. For example if we were hungry, we cried to express we wanted to eat. It is very important to know that as babies we did not accept a “NO” for an answer, until they gave us what we wanted we would continue to cry. If we were hungry and they gave us water, we would not stop crying until they gave us food. If we were thirsty and they gave us food, we
would not stop crying until they gave us water. We can say from the time we were born we would not stop crying until we got what we wanted. Unconsciously, that was the only skill that we as babies used to achieve what we wanted. As we grew older, somewhere down the line whether from fam-
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Now Enrolling for the 2015-2016 School Year Toddlers through 5th Grade Extended Day Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
281-497-4057 Visit our website at mbcacademy.org Accredited by The Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools (TAAPS)
We are living as a congregation without walls in ministry to our Acquaintances and in teamwork with other congregations of the area. We are reaching non-churched people with life needs through prayer and supportive relationships in small care groups which are stepping stones to full Kingdom life. We are a congregation living in Biblical truth and love through the transforming power of the cross and resurrection of Jesus.
800 Brooks Street • Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-242-7729 or 713-269-4070 Visit Our Website at www.flcsl.org
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June / July 2015
YOU think of yourself; who YOU think YOU are, as well as what YOU have and what YOU are able to do. Most of YOUR success or failure that YOU have today depends on YOUR thoughts of YOURSELF. If your thoughts are “I can’t do it” or “I can’t have it”, those limiting thoughts will stop you each and every time. If your thinking is that you are a winner and that you can do anything, then you will be. Even if your dreams seem impossible, if you believe it every gift, talents, and abilities inside you will manifest itself and you shall achieve the impossible. Remember, to him who believes all things are possible. Change your way of thinking, know who you are, you are a child of God. Understand what you have and what you can do now, does not define who you can be and what you will do in the future. Believe you can do all things through Christ Jesus he will give you strength to accomplish all things. According to KJV Philippians 4:13 that says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.”
TM
Rainbow of Love Adoption Agency, Inc.
Expect Only Quality Care & Service Healthcare Services - Supervised by a Registered Nurse Available in private homes, hospitals, or facilities.
Skilled Services
We believe that every child deserves to have love, safety, stability and permanence in their life, and every person who is committed and qualified to being a parent should have that opportunity.
Non-Medical Services
We offer services for birth parents and adoptive parents.
RN Assessments • In Home Visits • Medication Management Diabetic Care • G-Tube / Catheter Care • Rehabilitation Services Supportive Counseling • Home Care Aides / CNAs RN Assessments Personal Care •Medication Reminders • Meal Preparation Housekeeping • Shopping/Errands •Transportation • Activities/Exercise
Care Management
Consultants/Referrals • Assessment/Facility Selection Medicare/V.A. Benefits • Elder Law Attorneys • Long Distance Care On-Going Services • Monitoring Care Needs • Coordinating Services
C&S Healthcare Services, Inc. The Heart of Home Care
15430 Ridge Park Drive | Houston, TX 77095 (281) 550-3665 | cshealthcareservices.com June / July 2015
If you are pregnant or the mother of a young child, and you are not prepared for parenting at this time, please consider adoption. Adoption can be a blessing for everyone involved. We are here to help you with your adoption questions, 24 hours a day 281-980-0388 (Main) | 713-779-8877 (Houston) 281-438-6588 (Fort Bend) | info@rainbowoflove.org
www.rainbowoflove.org
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HEALTH MATTERS WITH DR. STEVE HARRIS RELIEVING YOUR PAIN FROM AUTO ACCIDENT INJURIES PLUS
New Patient Special Free Exam and Consultation ($115 value)*
We take great pleasure in offering a professional and friendly experience at Sugar Land Health Center.
Call us today at
281-980-1050 We are here to HELP.
*Does not apply to Medicare or Personal Injury
John Painter travels the world hunting and fishing...so when a car accident left him stooped over and in pain, he felt like a entirely different person. He says, “I met Steve, aka Dr. Harris, through Rotary almost fifteen years ago (we have both been District Governors). After I got to know him, I came to him at the Sugar Land Health Center for an occasional adjustment. In fact, he fixed my shoulder from an old baseball pitching injury. Then in 2010 I was in a serious auto accident. I had a broken neck, seven crushed vertebrae, and hurt my elbow and my knee. For a year I was under the care of a neurologist and wore a brace to stabilize my neck for six months... further reducing my mobility. I could hardly turn my head, had severe pain between my shoulders and could only go a couple of hours a day before I had to sit down...and stay down! My entire life I’ve had almost military posture. Shoulders back, chin up. I have always been a very active person...and I wanted to get back to my life. We began therapy understanding that was the goal.” “I told my doctor I wanted to go the chiropractic route for my therapy and I had three different chiropractors under consideration. He said whomever I chose would need to write a let-
ter explaining in detail their treatment plan for me...then he gave the okay to Dr. Harris. I proceeded with treatment because I was impressed with Dr. Harris’ chiropractic ability and his equipment including an oscillator, a hot laser machine, and a Triton DTS disc decompression machine. For six to eight months I drove forty minutes each way from the far side of Houston three to four times a week (right past a hundred other chiropractic offices) until I completed therapy. Now I just come to his office for an occasional tune-up.” “What was the end result? I went hunting in Alaska for moose, carried my pack and rifle, and kept up with all the walking. Later I went hunting in Africa and Argentina and fishing on the Amazon in Brazil...without
any problems at all. I’m not in any pain and can go all day without stopping...I’m even back to riding my motorcycle! Years ago I had a little motorcycle incident and knocked my knuckle out of place. It stayed that way for years and had started throbbing at night...but Dr. Harris fixed that too! I’m 73 years old and very happy with the results of my chiropractic therapy. I’ve referred my own wife and my former secretary to Dr. Harris. Thanks to him, I recovered without any surgery on my neck or back!” Sugar Land Health Center 281-980-1050 3425 Highway 6, Suite 101 (behind McDonalds)
Sugar Land, TX 77478 www.chiropractor-sugarland.com
Paid Advertisement 54 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com
June / July 2015
There are some new savings in town. Get a FREE quote on more than just car insurance. Tom Maler
281-203-6900 4405 HWY 6 | Sugar Land
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Boat and PWC coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2013. © 2013 GEICO
June / July 2015
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FORT BEND’S LARGEST SELECTION OF HAND-SCRAPED HARDWOOD FLOORS
SAVE THOUSANDS • CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE SUPERIOR SERVICE • GUARANTEED BEST PRICE
Shaw Carpet
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29.99 SqFt Installed
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(Trim & Molding Included)
Hand-Scraped Alternating 4/5/6 Hardwood Floors Hardwoods $
Counter Tops
2.89 Installed
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(Complete Installation)
Granite
5.89 SqFt Installed
Hand-Scraped
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5.29 SqFt Installed
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11 Colors of Hand-Scraped Hickory to Choose From! 5405 Highway 6 • Missouri City, TX 77459
281-208-1500 • www.InspiredFloors.com
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June / July 2015