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When Your Bible Study Goes Off the Rails Treating Patients Like Family – Larry Caldwell, DDS Our 2019 Katy & Fort Bend Area
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Letter from the Publisher Magazines and newspapers have been dying in slow motion for two decades now. Local
Volume V, Issue III
6 Bible Trivia 7 Treating Patients Like Family – Larry Caldwell, DDS 10 Counter's Corner 12 Being Single in the Church 15 Socially Responsible Adventure This Summer 16 When Your Kid Leaves Home for Good 19 Rust & Ruffles Gives Back 20 When Your Bible Study Goes Off the Rails 21 Marine Military Academy 23 Dear Doctor: What Is a Stroke? 25 Fort Bend Christian Magazine's 2019 Restaurant Guide 28 Christian Trial Lawyers – It’s Not Just a Slogan 33 The Buzz About Fort Bend 36 Katy & Bend 38 Recipe: Gluten Free Fajita Chicken Roll-Ups
news is in the midst of a long financial crisis; print media is continuously hit with layoffs and decreasing page counts, and ultimately, long-established magazines and papers are going belly-up. More and more small towns and mid-sized cities have no local newspapers, and some have no magazines either. The remaining publications have downsized their staffs tremendously. This forces employees to wear several hats simply to make ends meet. When I founded Katy Christian Magazine in 2005, two other local Christian magazines and a Christian yellow page were in circulation. Each of these publications is now defunct. Many other local publications have also perished or opted to maintain an online presence only. When print media dies, America will suffer a great tragedy. I urge you all to remember that local publications provide unique and crucial services to the public. They recount the raw and earnest stories of the faces within our own communities. Moreover, they report on the regional events and news that national media conglomerates overlook. Studies show that when no local media is present, voter turnout lowers. City and state governments, left without the checking elements of local news, inevitably become corrupt. Magazines have sputtered for years as their monopoly on readership and advertising is erased by Facebook, Google and other more nimble online competitors. And yet most locals haven’t noticed. Seven in 10 Americans believe that their local news outlets are doing “very or somewhat well financially,” according to a new Pew Research survey. This, to put it mildly, is a misconception. Perhaps most alarmingly, as local journalistic establishments have fallen, they have not been replaced by a better system of news. Instead, no suitable replacement exists at all. And as they die off, many local residents are not even aware of it. Once local news is entirely erased, the community will notice. They will long for the days of respectable journalism and local news coverage, but it will be too late. Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine Cover Photo: Larry Caldwell, DDS.
Our Mission Statement:
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For advertising information, contact Joseph Menslage at (281) 497-6455 or email joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com
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Bible Tri via
Test your knowledge of Food and Drink in the Bible!
Answers: 1. Winepress, 2. Pomegranates, 3. Moses, 4. Mephibosheth, 5. Oil and flour, 6. Lentil stew, 7. Egypt, 8. Abraham, 9. Honey, 10. Nebuchadnezzar
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5
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ACROSS 2. Finish this verse: “They made ____ of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and attached them to the hem of the robe.” (Exo. 39: 24) 5. God guaranteed that a widow’s supply of _____ and _____ wouldn’t run out during famine. Hint: Use three words! (1 Kings 17: 16)
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6. Esau traded his birthright to his brother for bread and ____ ____. Hint: Use two words! (Gen. 25: 30-24) 7. Where did Abram and Sarai go to escape a severe famine in Canaan? (Gen. 12: 10) 10. Which man ate grass for seven years? (Dan. 4 : 25-28)
DOWN 10
1. Gideon, the judge of Israel, threshed wheat in a ______ to hide it from the Midianites. (Judges 6: 11) 3. Who fasted for forty days on Mount Sinai? (Exo. 34: 27-28) 4. What man did David say could always dine at his table with him? Hint: He’s the son of Jonathan! (2 Sam. 9: 7) 8. Who told his wife, Sarah, to bake bread for their three special guests? (Gen. 18) 9. Samson found what substance inside the body of a dead lion? (Judges 14: 5-9)
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Treating Patients Like Family is What Larry Caldwell, DDS is All About By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein For over 30 years, Larry Caldwell, DDS has maintained the dental health of children across Fort Bend County. He is a doctor committed to caring for his patients who has watched thousands grow into adults while under his care. His longevity is based on the fact that he still loves to come to work every day. He loves his job, the staff loves their jobs, and the patients feel the love. And that translates to a loyal client base, recognition within the field, and word of mouth referrals that make advertising virtually unnecessary. Anne Pencak is a long-time staffer who has watched Caldwell interact with families while building his dental practice. She joins a team of hygienists, Caldwell, and his fellow pediatric dentist Derek Steinbring, in creating a family atmosphere that welcomes children and makes them feel at ease while having dental procedures and cleanings. Pencak said, “Our patients have no fear to begin with because we show them compassion and patience. Our doctors have studied and regularly employ behavioral management techniques that gain trust. We talk on our patients’ levels. I’ve seen Dr. Caldwell find ways to get Continued on page 8
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children to laugh while they are having a tooth filled, and that just speaks to the expertise of our staff.” Pencak believes all of this creates an atmosphere of fun and relaxation, not to mention fantastic dental health. Caldwell is consistently named a top dentist by both his peers and the general public and is noted for his commitment to positive outcomes for all children. A graduate of Baylor University and University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Caldwell regularly continues his training and professional development to stay abreast of the latest techniques. Years before many in the field had even heard of “buffering,” he used it on his young patients to reduce unnecessary side effects during the numbing process. Pencak describes the technique as changing the pH makeup of a local anesthetic to the same as what would be found naturally in the mouth. This allows the dentist to numb the area without pain and without a waiting period, both important when dealing with young patients. Additionally, Caldwell has a knack for recognizing needs and doing what it takes to meet them. When he noticed that his patients were unable or unwilling to floss around braces, he invented the “Harp Orthodontic Flosser,” a single-handed, reusable flossing tool that works around teeth and braces in half the time of normal flossing. It’s yet another example of how Caldwell’s practice strives to meet patient needs. Patients find Caldwell through referrals and
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through the practice’s outreach in the community. One popular program introduces Tillie the Tooth, a costumed molar who visits elementary students in FBISD and teaches kindergartners through second-graders about the importance of dental health. Tillie has distributed over 10,000 free toothbrushes to young students over the years and continues to be a popular program in the area. In addition, Caldwell and his staff sponsor sports teams, participate in Toys for Tots, donate time and programs to the Fort Bend Children Museum, and support select organizations throughout the year. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children begin seeing a dentist at one year of age. Caldwell, in an effort to educate parents when their children are young and give them peace of mind about their children’s growing teeth, offers free consultations and exams for children two and under. It’s an excellent way for new parents to meet his staff, become familiar with a consistent hygienist, and develop a positive dental experience for their children. Both Caldwell and Steinbring are Board Certified through the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which means they are trained to treat children of all ages and with all dental issues, as well as special needs children. Between the expertise of the staff and the accolades the practice has garnered, it’s not surprising that Larry Caldwell, DDS is popular in the Fort Bend community. His philosophy of pediatric dentistry resonates with Pencak, who said, “This practice is our home and our staff is family. As far as we’re concerned, our patients are part of our family, and we look forward to watching them grow up.”
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Counter’s Corner: Four Authentic Ways to Keep Your Child Engaged and Learning This Summer By Jennifer Counter The end of another school year and the beginning of summer is always an exciting time. Students of all ages look forward to sleeping in, play dates with friends, and fun in the sun. Summer is a great time to hit the reset button, unwind, and make our schedules a little more flexible. In addition, it’s also a wonderful time to look at learning from a different perspective. Summer enrichment activities benefit students by keeping their minds sharp and by encouraging new learning opportunities throughout the summer. In this article I’d like to explore some non-
TUTORING
Pre-Kindergarten – College
traditional ways that children can learn this summer- through quality family time, observing nature, and making connections through play and exploration. Learning can and should be fun. As William Yeats noted: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire.” Here are some education based ideas to spark your children’s interests and ignite their love for learning this summer: Inspire Creativity and Explore Unknown Interest and Talents Children who participate in art and creative activities, are known to develop their social and emotional skills on a more advanced level. This summer try to explore opportunities for your child to be more creative, by equipping them with the materials and resources to: • Develop a board game • Paint on canvas • Draw on butcher paper • Take and develop photos • Write a book • Plan a scavenger hunt • Write and illustrate a comic book • Decorate a kite or photo frame • Create a crossword or word search • Decorate a scrap book • Make scented soaps • Make homemade jewelry Exploring Nature, Birds, and Gardening
Helping students reach their full potential! Reading • Writing • Math • Science Spanish • Special Education English As a Second Language Homework Help • Study Skills & Test Preparation Individualized instruction taught by certified teachers. (832) 341-6621 | info@counterstutoring.com 24662 Kingsland Blvd. | Katy, Texas 77494
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Many wonderful learning opportunities can be found in your own backyard or in a nearby neighborhood park or nature sanctuary. For example, children can visit a nearby park or garden center to draw and take notes on different plant species, collect leaves, and flowers; and then research their findings. They can also observe birds and record the bird varieties from different areas in a journal. Another activity to tie Reading and Writing into your child’s summer learning, is for them to read about birds and plants; and then write and share stories about what they observed and learned by exploring nature. Math enthusiast can create data tables and bar graphs, to show how many of each plant they counted. Children can also use a ruler to measure seeds and plant heights, and create a blue print for their own butterfly, hummingbird, herb, or vegetable garden. These various activities will infuse a wide array of skills in the planning, planting, and harvesting of different types of gardens; all of which are an excellent way to boost Math, Reading, Writing, and Science skills in a new and fun way. Cooking and Baking For Fun Cooking and baking are both kinesthetic ways to learn. Children will enjoy selecting and preparing old or new favorite dishes. Following directions and measuring ingredients, are also excellent ways to integrate Math into cooking and baking activities. Studying different
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Prayer Requests 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.” Please offer prayers of healing and comfort to the owners and family of Ventana's Cafe. Please pray for all students preparing for college in August. That they have a blessed and safe summer and can return in August rested.
cultures and foods from various regions, is also a neat way to include Social Studies into a cooking adventure. Family Themed Cooking Nights and Team Baking Competitions, encourage positive competition, teamwork, and foster quality family time. Children can also gather and write their own recipes- this activity is an excellent way to challenge young readers and writers. Pen Pals and Book Clubs
Please pray for my best friend Marissa M. As she looks for jobs as a teacher in Austin, TX, pray that she may enrich the lives of her students with her God-given talents. Please pray for Robert A and family, of Katy, TX, as he mourns the loss of his wife Leila.
Hosting a book club in your home, local library, or coffee shop is a great way to promote intrapersonal relationships and social skills. To find a pen pal for your child, you can ask family members or friends that live in other states or even other countries, if they know any school age children that could also benefit from a new friend. Both of these activities are a great free way to engage Writing, Reading, and Grammar into weekly lessons; along with exploring new genres and unfamiliar authors.
Pray for the Ramirez family of Houston, TX, as they grieve the loss of their 21 year old daughter. She lost her life at a young age due to a drunk driver.
The beauty of all of these summer learning activities is that they incorporate learning something new, building confidence, and sharing our successes. I believe by implementing them into your family summer routine, you will help your student avoid the dreaded “summer slide”; and it will help your family look at continuing summer learning as an adventure, not as a chore. Enriching our children’s lives with a love for learning always yields positive results, and will return them to school in the Fall, with new knowledge and meaningful experiences gained. I would love to hear what your thoughts on this subject or education are. Please send any comments or questions to: jennifer@counterstutoring.com.
Please pray for the hardworking, single parents who struggle to feed and clothe their children. Pray that the Lord graces them with financial healing. Please pray for Naomi M of Houston, TX. She suffers from a rehabilitating heart condition known as POTS. Pray for her complete healing of body and spirit.
Jennifer Counter lives in Katy with her daughter, Lauren Aleena. She is also the owner of Counter’s Tutoring Connection. Her tutoring center is located at 24662 Kingsland Blvd, Katy, Texas 77494. For information regarding tutoring please visit www.couterstutoring.com or inquire via email at info@counterstutoring.com or via phone at 832-341-6621.
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Being Single in the Church By Danny Brown Greetings, readers! My name is Danny Brown. I'm overjoyed to be able to share with you my column about walking in faith. My prayer is to be a blessing to readers by encouraging others to pursue a journey living out God's will. Here's a little backstory of my life. I am a mother of three children, a graduate of Holy Cross College, and a child of God. I accepted Jesus into my heart thirty years ago. During that time, I have taught Bible classes and served in various ministries. My writings are inspired by my own living testimonies and by biblical word that exemplifies God's love, goodness and faithfulness. How great our Lord and Savior is! His love for us is tremendous; he pursues us as the lover he is, even when we don't return his love. As evidenced in the Prodigal Son verse (Luke 15: 11-32), the Lord is always there, never leaving us. He is awaiting the day he will welcome us home, no matter how far we've strayed away. He knew us and predestined us as his children (Romans 8:29). ________________________________________________ To those who are single in the church: whether you find yourself single, never married, divorced, or widowed, God loves you! You're essential to him and the body of Christ. He wants to use you for his glory, and during this time in your life he is pruning you to become the person he created you to be. That is good news! Sometimes being in a state of singleness can bring to the surface emotions such
as loneliness, envy, covetousness, and hopelessness. Be wary of those feelings, because they are exactly how the enemy wants you to feel. The enemy knows that if he traps you in that mindset, you will not be able to reach the place in which God has prepared for you (Jeremiah 29:11). I'm so excited to serve a God who loves his children so much, and who wants more than anything for us to love him back in return. God's love is filled with joy, peace, and mercy. The Holy Spirit will come dwell inside you when you draw nearer to him. During this season in your life, you'll be strengthened with the same power that raised Jesus from the grave (Romans 8:11). This is a phenomenon that I've experienced for myself. Those who wait upon the Lord’s will shall soar (Isaiah 40:31). As singles in the church, we sometimes get anxious because we want to please God. We have difficulty envisioning a full and fruitful life without a spouse. God love marriages, however he wants us to trust him. In order to trust him in all areas of our lives, we must be patient and know that he will send us the right person at the right time. Your singleness is something to embrace; this is your time to spend with God, experiencing the freedom we have in Christ. Jesus saved us with his blood, and now we can serve him with a renewed spirit. Allow God to produce good fruits through you during this time. In my own journey, I’ve witnessed God graciously reveal things within me that I needed to get rid of. I’ve trusted God to cleanse and correct me through the Holy Spirit. And guess what? The fruits of the spirit Continued on page 14
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are not only gifted to married couples. As singles, we have even more time to dedicate toward producing plenty of fruit, reaping a bountiful harvest. I'm reminded of three people in the Bible who were single, and God was able to use them to his glory: 1) Paul the Apostle: Paul was single; he never married, and was considered one of the most important persons in the Bible. He founded several churches and wrote the thirteen epistles of the New Testament. 2) Ruth: She was a widower, who cared for her widower mother-in-law, Naomi. Due to her faithfulness in caring for Naomi and her servitude, God rewarded Ruth with a new husband and a blessed life. 3) The Samaritan Woman at the Well: This famous biblical woman was a divorcée named Photini. When Jesus met her at the well, she had been married and divorced five times. After meeting and speaking with Jesus, Photini realized he was Christ and ran into town, telling everybody to come and meet the man who knew all she had ever done. People ran to Jesus and all became believers. As we find ourselves in this season of singleness, take joy in understanding that God knows exactly where you are in life. He has purposed this time to show you just how much he loves you; to show you
how valuable you are to his kingdom. If we are obedient to his word during this season, he will greatly bless the labor of our fruit.
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Socially Responsible Adventure This Summer By Alisa Murray Alisa Murray Travel Design There’s more to a vacation when your purpose in using your free-time is in giving back. Recently I stumbled upon a great partnership between G Adventures and National Geographic Journeys where your adventure is a socially responsible one. I was so impressed with the philosophy behind their purpose that I am now a Nat Geo Specialist Agent. Since 1990, G Adventures has integrated 60 social enterprises into over 180 tours to ensure the places visited see tangible benefits. When you choose to go on one of their tours the restaurants, accommodations and excursions are all tailored in a partnership to assist the communities which they serve.
This type of travel allows you to delve deep into the culture providing unique interactions with local experts. For example you can go on safari in South Africa with a team member of National Geographic research project or take an immersive sushi making class from a local chef in Japan. Or you can take a dual-narrative walking tour in Old Jerusalem with both a guide from Palestine and another from Israel! You can even plant trees in Costa Rica. There’s so much more to explore while making lasting life long friendships along your way. The experience of travel is taken to new heights with the satisfaction that you have done some good while away on holiday. If you’re worried that this type of exploration comes with slack accommodations and security you can leave those thoughts behind. All National Geographic Journeys clients enjoy comfortable accommodations and a freedom to roam and explore within the structure of a secured small group. 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 alisamurray.com.
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When Your Kid Leaves Home for Good By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein Below is an article I wrote 4 years ago when my son left home to take a job in Atlanta. I’m hoping many of you can relate to it as your kids leave the nest in the coming months. One of the true ironies of parenting is that if you’ve done your job right, your kids will leave you. At 18, or 21, or 26, they’ll realize that they don’t want to live under your roof anymore, and they’ll pack up and go. Sometimes, your angry words will trail after them… “You could have stayed if you had just followed the rules!” Sometimes, you’ll drop them off in a strange dorm room, surrounded by strange people with wide eyes and trepidation. And sometimes you’ll just say goodbye because you know it’s time, even though every part of you wants to grab them and hold on and keep them by your side. I’ve said goodbye to my son in all of these ways: with anger, with anxiousness, and now, just this week, I’m saying goodbye with a bittersweet acceptance that he’s 22 and ready to begin life on his own, a thousand miles away from me. It’s different this time. It’s permanent, and we all – my husband, myself, my daughter, and my son – know it. When he accepted the job that will take him away from us, it was different from all of his other departures. Before, I knew he’d be back. There were college breaks and summers. There was the job that took him just a half hour away. But this time, everything is different. He’s
leaving, and I don’t think he’s coming back. I would love to tell you that I’m handling it beautifully, that I stoically smiled through the job announcement and immediately began collecting boxes and newspapers for packing. That I got excited
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for his new adventure and couldn’t wait for it to begin. That I was selflessly happy for him. When you’re the author of a parenting book (my kids’ favorite reminder: “Mom, you literally wrote the book on parenting”) you try to have higher expectations for yourself. Which is why I consider myself to be an abysmal failure when it comes to handling my kid’s departure with dignity. Five minutes after he got the job offer and announced it to our family, I started crying. Mind you, I’m not a crier. I’m a smiler, an optimist, a gung-ho supporter. I managed to make it through two kids leaving the nest without missing a beat. So this time, everyone in the family was speechless as tears rolled down my face, my nose reddened and filled, and my eyes swelled. “I’m so proud of you,” I told my son through stuffy nose and wobbly voice. “I’m happy for you, but I’m incredibly sad for myself.” He nodded his head. “I love you too, Mom,” he said softly. Since that moment three weeks ago, he’s shown up at the house each weekend to spend time with the family he needed distance from just a year ago when he took an apartment. We shoot pool, we sit in the hot tub or around the fire pit and reminisce, we fall asleep watching bad movies. We’re holding on to every moment. Continued on page 18
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June / July 2019
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All I can think to myself is, We’re finally at the point where we can be friends. I really, really like you, and you’re leaving. The injustice of it all kills me. All those years of teenage angst and rebellion, and now that my hard work has paid off, my reward is moving to another city. It hasn’t escaped me that my son will likely meet his wife in that new city. I won’t know her. I’ll hear about her, see pictures of her, and spend the occasional visit with her, but I won’t get to know her slowly and thoroughly, over shared time and varied circumstances. I see little ones and wonder if my grandbabies will live five states away. When I irrationally share this with my son, he reminds me that he’s only 22 and not remotely ready for all that. But I know better. I was 22 once. I know how quickly you can fall in love at that age, how your life can change overnight and all your plans can fly out the window. My son is moving his adult life to another state, and that’s where he’ll make adult decisions that will change that life. I can’t imagine watching a child leave for a permanent destination halfway around the world. And I can barely wrap my brain around the thought of sending a child off to war. This is child’s play to those parents, but it’s momentous to me.
So what will I do next week when I say goodbye? And why am I writing this now rather than after the fact, when I can tell you how it all played out? Because I want to hold the goodbye moment only in my heart, privately, where I can play it over and over to an audience of one. I want to hug him without analyzing it. I want to feel the emotions without putting words to them. He deserves that. I need that. Goodbye my boy. Choose wisely. Care deeply. Think critically. Call often. 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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June / July 2019
Rust & Ruffles Gives Back By Lily Palmer Executive Director of Business Development Jana Leon adds a little more style to Sugar Land, TX with her new rustic-chic boutique, Rust & Ruffles. Jana was a school teacher for 13 years when she recently decided to follow her passion for fashion, and a dream she has held since her college days. The clothing and accessories are all hand selected eclectic pieces that can liven up any wardrobe! Although the storefront has only been open for a month, it is already on the path to great success. Many say Jana’s success is due to her giving heart. In fact, the best part about Rust & Ruffles is Jana’s commitment to donate part of the proceeds to three charities close to her heart: The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, The Wounded Warrior Project, and the 100 Club. In 2017, Jana Leon confronted a serious personal loss in her life when her late husband, Michael Powers, passed away unexpectedly from suicide. This shook her family’s entire world as he displayed no tell-tale signs of suicidal thoughts despite suffering from a few mental illnesses including post-traumatic stress disorder. Jana and her late husband both served in the Air Force together, were married over 18.5 years, and shared 2 children, Joshua (15y) and Jacob (12y). Jana said “in the beginning it was rough. We still think about him every day and honor his memory, but I was hurt. I wondered why me? I wondered why God would let this happen to my family.” She had always been strong in her faith, but even the strongest of people question their relationship with God when faced with tremendous loss, trials, or tribulations. Jana decided to seek fellowship in her church in Pflugerville, TX where she was able to see that God had great plans for her. She goes on to say that “He is not done with me yet and I believe He is using me to help bring awareness to these things”. Jana now spends her time honoring her husband’s memory with her family and educating others on how to support anyone considering suicide. She states that “there is such a negative stigma surrounding mental illness that hinders those suffering from reaching out and getting the help they need”. This is why Jana donates to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to fund the scientific research, public education, and to support survivors of suicide loss. According to the AFSP, “In 2017, 47,173 Americans died by suicide”. Whether you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, God wants you to know there is hope and life for you. Go online to www.afsp.org to learn more or call 1-800-273-8255 to receive 24/7, free, and confidential support June / July 2019
for people in distress. They can also assist in prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Jana is now happily married to Lawrence “Ray” Leon, a Navy veteran and lieutenant of the Houston Police Department, where he has served on the force for over 20 years. In December of 2018, Jana and her two boys moved to Richland to live with Ray who was born and raised in Houston. Between Jana and Ray, they have a large family with 5 kids: Joshua (15y), Abigail (12y), Jacob (12y), Caleb (11y), and Sam (3.5y). Jana, her children, and her supportive husband work hard to remember a positive image of Michael every day. Coming from a long line of veterans in her family, it seemed like a no-brainer to Jana to donate to the Wounded Warrior Project and the 100 Club with the proceeds of her boutique. The Wounded Warrior Project was founded after 9/11 to support over a million injured warriors and their families. She believes it is important to support the men and women that protect our nation every day. The WWP has resources that can assist with mental and physical wellness, career & VA benefits, financial support, and the growth of personal independence. The final non-profit, the 100 club is an organization that celebrates our heroes that keep our communities safe, provides financial support to the dependents of law enforcement officers and firefighters who are killed or injured in the line of duty, as well as provide equipment such as bullet proof vests to protect our heroes in the field. Jana’s contributions to meaningful non-profits in her community are inspiring and exactly the type of business we love to highlight here at Katy & Fort Bend Christian Magazine. We encourage everyone to go check out her unique southern style and fashionable flair at Rust and Ruffles in Sugar Land, TX. They are located at 19875 Southwest Freeway, Suite 105 Sugar Land, TX 77479. You can reach out to Rust and Ruffles at 346-339-6837 or via email at rustandruffles-sugarland@outlook.com to find out more information on the clothing, accessories, and home décor available in store.
Lily enjoys yoga, gardening, networking, photography, and her two dogs. If you need any assistance with advertising or philanthropic events please reach out to lily@katychristianmagazine.com
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When Your Bible Study Goes Off the Rails By Lori Joiner “Here she goes again, monopolizing the Bible Study discussion with another one of her stories. I just wish she would give others a turn so we could actually ‘discuss’ and not just listen to her long answers ...” Have you ever thought this about someone in your small group Bible study? Perhaps you and some neighbors, friends or members of your church get together weekly and the above issue, or others, is holding up the discussion? Here are three of the common issues hindering small group discussion and how you, as a leader, can direct the group to get back on the tracks. Long Winded Sally When you have a person in your group who loves to talk, answer all the questions with lengthy stories, and does not really have an awareness of the others in the group, it can really affect the group discussion. Try this: • After stating the question that you want the group
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to discuss, say, “I would like to hear from the people who have not shared yet.” • Pull Sally aside after the group is over and ask if she would help you encourage the quieter members of the group by asking more questions. • Use your body language. After the person has answered the question but is continuing to talk on and on, I break eye contact with her and look down at my notes, even lifting my sheet of questions. Off Track Tracy “Do I have a guardian angel?" "Is there life on other planets?" "Are dogs in heaven?" "Will Prince William and Kate have another baby?” It can be tough to reel a group back in when a subject that is not really on the docket for that day begins to take over the discussion time. Try this: • Say, “I know politics, pop culture and even questions about the Bible are fun things to chat about, but the lesson I have prepared for us today will help us in many aspects of our lives. It is important to say on track here. If we have time after we are done, we can explore it some more!” • If the question is a Biblical question say, “That is an important question. Before answering, I’d like to do some research to find verses and information to answer that question well.”
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Wrong Answer Rena It can be tricky correcting a gal who blurts out a wrong answer to a question. You don’t want her to be embarrassed but you need to correct the answer for the sake of the others in the group. Try this: • When a wrong answer is stated, you can say, “OK, what other thoughts are there?” • You can direct her to find the right answer in a kind way by saying, “I can see where that might have been confusing to you. Let’s read the verse again.” • If she is still confused, say, “I have some helpful resources I can send your way this week and we can talk more about this, just you and I.” These are only a few of the many issues that can take a group off track. I applaud you for leading a Bible study if you are new, dealing with some of these issues, or even if you planned for a great discussion and no one showed up! Leading a Bible study or a small group of any kind can be a roller coaster but it’s worth the ride! Hang in there!
Lori Joiner is an author, speaker and discipleship coach in Katy, Texas. When not writing, you can find her teaching group fitness classes at the YMCA, walking their chocolate lab with her husband Alan or playing board games with her two sons. You can reach out to her at LoriJoinerMinistries.org.
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June / July 2019
Dear Doctor: What Is a Stroke? By Dr. Anjail Sharrief
What are the signs and symptoms of stroke?
Did you know that every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke, and every 4 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from a stroke? Below are some commonly asked questions to help you recognize the signs or symptoms of a stroke. What is a stroke? A stroke happens when the blood supply to a part of the brain is disrupted by a blocked or ruptured blood vessel. This disruption of blood flow means that sufficient oxygen is not getting to the brain tissue and the brain tissue starts to die.
The mnemonic B.E. F.A.S.T. can help you remember some of the most common signs and symptoms of stroke. B - Balance – feeling off balance and/or dizzy E - Eyes – loss of vision in one eye or on one side F - Face – facial weakness or droop A - Arm – arm or leg weakness/numbness S - Speech – slurred speech or difficulty understanding language T - Time – time to call 911 immediately if you experience or witness any of these symptoms or signs What are some of the common factors or conditions that increase one’s chance of having a stroke?
What are the different types of stroke? An ischemic stroke happens when a blood vessel is blocked. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessels bursts or ruptures. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when there is transient loss of oxygen to a part of the brain. Symptoms usually resolve within 24 hours, but it is a very important warning sign that a large stroke may occur.
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High blood pressure Tobacco use High cholesterol Second-hand smoke Excess alcohol use Atrial fibrillation Substance abuse Sleep apnea
Most strokes can be prevented if these risk factors are properly evaluated and treated. What are some treatment options for stroke? For ischemic stroke, a “clot-busting medication” known as a tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be given within 4 and ½ hours after stroke symptoms start. This medicine has been shown to reduce disability from a stroke. In certain patients, a procedure can be performed to remove the clot from a blocked blood vessel. Again, this procedure must be done no later than 24 hours after symptoms start. For certain types of hemorrhagic stroke, surgical procedures can be performed if treated early. Dr. Anjail Sharrief is an assistant professor of neurology at McGovern Medical School and director of the Stroke Outpatient Program in the UT Physicians Neurology clinic at the Texas Medical Center. For more information, visit UTPhysicians.com/neurology, or call 832.325.7080 to schedule an appointment.
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June / July 2019
2019 Katy & Fort Bend Area
Restaurant Guide Here are some of our top picks for eating out in the Katy and Fort Bend Area. View the list at fortbendchristianmagazine.com.
Bull Creek Cafe 918 San Jacinto St. Rosenberg, TX 77471 (281) 341-8170 bullcreekrosenberg.com facebook.com/bullcreek Bull Creek Cafe & Grill offers fresh home style meals to the city of Rosenberg and sur-
June / July 2019
rounding areas. Our menu ranges from mesquite grilled steaks cooked to perfection, to a variety of fresh country style favorites including chicken fried steak, chicken fried chicken and liver & onions. No matter the order, we strive to provide the best food around. We make all of our dressings, dips and sauces inhouse daily and all of our meals are prepared to order. Fresh meals are worth the wait! Come visit us soon!
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The Cantu family has been feeding the citizens of Fort Bend County for decades. Come enjoy a great meal with us. In almost no time your family will feel like part of our family. Our menu features all of your classic favorite dishes, including whole fried catfish, seafood gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and other fried and grilled entrees. We also have new features such as ceviche, grilled tuna, grilled rainbow trout and crabmeat stuffed mushrooms, to name a few. At our full service bar, known as Pete's Oyster Bar, enjoy fresh oysters on the half-shell as well as your favorite cocktail or frozen drink. Take advantage of Happy Hour specials in the bar on Monday through Friday between 3pm and 7pm! Kids will love the special surprise treat they receive - if they finish their meal, of course!
Pier 36 8502 FM 359 Fulshear, TX 77441 (281) 346-8379 1410 E Highway 90A #200 Richmond, TX 77406 (281) 238-4800 pier36seafood.com facebook.com/pier36seafoodfulshear
Salata 1230 N Mason Rd. Katy, TX 77449 (281) 494-9292 9333 Spring Green Blvd. Katy, TX 77494 (832) 761-9333 salata.com facebook.com/salatacincoranch Salata Salad Kitchen offers guests fully customizable, tossed-to-order salads and wraps, soups, organic teas and lemonade, and freshly baked breads and cookies. All of our fresh fruits, vegetables and lean proteins are baked and chopped daily in-house. With five salad bases, more than 50 toppings, and 10 housemade, gluten-free dressings, you can create meals without restrictions to meet your own definition of healthy. We have options that the entire family can enjoy; options that will
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cious menu options are available from open to close. Whether you’re keeping it light or loading up on protein and carbs, you’ll find something you love on our eclectic menu of chef-inspired creations. Don’t forget to wash it down with a latte, mimosa, or a glass of fresh-squeezed fruit juice — whatever wets your whistle.
2222 Ella Blvd. Houston, TX 77008 (713) 862-6516 17790 Katy Fwy. Houston, TX 77094 (281) 398-8100 tonysmexrestaurant.com facebook.com/TonysMexElla Tony's Mexican Restaurant was founded by Antonio "Tony" Vega in 1992. We are a family owned and operated company. The vision of Tony's Mexican Restaurant is excellence in every aspect. We pride ourselves in maintaining a family friendly atmosphere and providing our customers with classic and flavorful TexMex cuisine. Through our delectable home-made recipes and carefully crafted foods, we're hoping to welcome you home and bring you the perfect combination of Mexico and Texas!
Toasted Yolk Café 98 W Grand Parkway S #100 Katy, TX 77494 (281) 968-0883 thetoastedyolk.com facebook.com/TheToastedYolkKaty The Toasted Yolk Café wants to change the way you think about breakfast and lunch. At the Toasted Yolk Café, we sometimes have to wonder: What’s so great about dinner? The foods we love best all arrive before 3 p.m.— perfectly poached eggs, strip after strip of crunchy bacon, and layer upon layer of thin-sliced turkey and pastrami. Want breakfast for lunch? Or lunch for breakfast? We know the feeling. That’s why all of our deli-
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Read more about these and other local businesses at fortbendchristianmagazine.com.
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June / July 2019
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Christian Trial Lawyers – It’s Not Just a Slogan By Caitlin Richards The Law Firm of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. offers a list of professional law services. However, the list of missions, ministries and organizations they serve through their attorney’s and law office is even longer. “We all kind of do our own thing around here when it comes to missions and service,” Paul Cannon, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. shareholder and trial attorney said. “Any type of missions or service work is encouraged here. It is an opportunity for us to get out, get involved and grow. It benefits the community, as much as, it benefits each of us.” Some of the organizations and ministries Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. employees and attorneys serve in include KAIROS Prison Ministries, MS 150 Houston, Habitat for Humanity, In the Word Ministries, plus many more. During Hurricane Harvey, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. was also a part of serving the first responders stationed in the parking lot of the firm’s office building. “There was over 900 people stationed in our parking lot,” Cannon said. “We knew we had to do something. At first, we went
out and bought 300 donuts and 300 kolaches, and a bunch of water and coffee. We set up a table and started handing out breakfast.” All week the firm’s staff continued to serve the first responders. Their efforts grew to meet whatever the first responders needed, including daily driving in a truck bed full of bagged ice, and coordinating meal donations. Continued on page 30
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“We give a first prize of a $1,000 and a $500 prize for second place for each scholarship,” Cannon said. “It is just a way for us to give back a little bit, and help some college students out.”
“It gave us the chance to minister to them and be the face of Houston that says thanks,” Cannon said. “Many of the first responders worked on other floods and natural disasters all over the country. They said Houston has without a doubt been the most hospitable place they have come to help. So, it was neat to be part of that.” Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. does a lot for the community through various organizations and ministries, but they also have their own ways of giving back to the community. One way is through their three annual scholarships. Each year, Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. awards an excellence in ethics scholarship, a Christian studies scholarship, and a marketing scholarship.
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The 2019 scholarship competition is now open for submission. Each scholarship has a different application and requirements. More information about each can be found on their website - simmonsandfletcher.com. The deadline for submission is July 1, 2019. While Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. does much for the community, perhaps the most powerful work they do is within the firm. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. cares about their employees, their families and their lives much more than profits and bottom lines. “I have seen our founding shareholders go out of their way to take care of employees when they are in need,” Cannon said, “and when you have founders who are leading like that, it influences the people below them to act the same way.” An office bible study and partner prayer meetings aren’t typical activities of most law firms, but it is at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Filling their employees’ days with 12-hour work days is also not the norm at Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. They actively seek ways to make their employees’ jobs more efficient and prioritize their time so they can spend more of it outside of the office with their families. “There are a lot of things that go on here that you don’t find at a normal law firm,” Cannon said. “It really develops a culture of caring that you don’t see elsewhere. It isn’t just a profit-oriented machine like a lot of other companies.” Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. tries to use their sphere of influence to model God’s love and share His message of love with others. One way they do so, is through their new and potential client mailout program. When a prospective client contacts Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. about services, they receive a thank you, but also a devotional and message about the firm’s Christian beliefs in the mail. “We provide them with a bible study devotional book and provide
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them an opportunity to get on a mailing list if they want to continue to receive it,” Cannon said. “It is our way of doing outreach. When you consider we take 500-700 new client calls a month that is a lot of mailouts. But it is our way of doing outreach, to use our position to introduce people to the Lord.” Christian Trial Lawyers is truly not just the slogan for Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. It is an attitude that is practiced every day in the personal injury law firm modeled by the founding shareholders Robert S. Simmons and Keith M. Fletcher. “It is a message Robert Simmons and Keith Fletcher decided from the start to send to people that this is what we believe in and this is how we strive to represent our clients,” Cannon said. “We strive to achieve a level of service as if we were rendering service to our Lord. We want to represent people with that level of ethics, honesty and care. As humans we cannot always achieve it, but that is the goal.” For more information about Simmons and Fletcher, P.C, visit simmonsandfletcher.com or call 713-932-0777.
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Master of Divinity Master of Arts
The Bible Seminary is a member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) [15935 Forest Road, Forest, VA 24551; Telephone: (434) 525-9539; e-mail: info@tracs.org] having been awarded Candidate Status as a Category III institution by the TRACS Accreditation Commission on April 16, 2019. This status is effective for a period of up to five years. TRACS is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDOE), the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).
• Biblical History and Archaeology • Biblical Languages and Culture • Biblical Studies • Church History and Theology
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281-646-1109 (Phone) 281-646-1110 (Fax) info@TheBibleSeminary.org
TheBibleSeminary.org Houston, Katy, Richmond, Rosenburg, Sugar Land, Spring, and Tomball.
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happens here The Class of 2019 graduates are continuing their educations at MIT, USC, Cornell, Boston University, The University of Texas at Austin, Washington and Lee, The University of California Berkeley, US Marine Corps, and more.
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The Buzz About Fort Bend
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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 recently accounted its 2019-20 FBCA cheer squad. Members include (Top Row - Left to Right): Elizabeth Ingraham, Lauren Ramirez, Mandy Kamp, Hailey Hendershot, Nina Singleton, (Bottom: - Left to Right) Chase Hubbard, Jalynn Grard, Hannah Potter, Annie Matthews - Captain, Paige Estes - Captain, Maddie Roberts, and Naviah Dixon. 2) Dominic Anderson, of CenterPoint Energy, and Marty Schmitt, of AG|CM, were the winners of the Money Ball Drop during the Central Fort Bend Chamber’s Business Links Golf Tournament held on May 21, 2019. 3) The Central Fort Bend Chamber’s Business Links Golf Tournament was held on May 21, 2019 at Black Hawk Country Club. Earthcare Management, pictured above, received First Place team for the Front Nine. 4) FBCA recently had two athletes sign to play D-1 college basketball. Brooks Cartwright, FBCA student athlete, poses with Steve & Melissa Elliott, Chuks Uzoka, Amara & Silhouette Uzoka and Chuck Cartwright. 5) FBCA recently had two athletes sign to play D-1 college basketball. Daphne Adams, a Fort Bend Christian student athlete, poses for a photo with Damian Adams.
June / July 2019
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The Buzz About Fort Bend
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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 from Texas A&M University’s A.S.S.I.S.T student organization (Aggies Selflessly Serving In Shaping Tomorrow) selected Hope For Three as the non-profit beneficiary of their 2019 service project. More than 60 Aggie Freshman hosted a “Pizza in the Park” family fun day with food, beverages and games at Mark McGrath Park in Meadows Place. This incredible effort raised over $600 in one-day! 2) National Charity League, Lady Bird Chapter, held its annual Mother and Daughter Tea at the Pine Forest Country Club on April 7. The class of 2022 hosted this year's tea, and worked diligently to make this a beautiful event for the chapter and welcome its newest members. 3) The Katy community of Falls at Green Meadows hosted a Burgers & Brews event on Saturday, April 13 at the community Rec Center, as part of Friendswood Development Company's monthlong Discovery New Home Tour. 4) Residents and prospective homebuyers enjoyed burgers from The Burger Joint; craft beer by Tomball-area brewery The Bearded Fox; and a variety of kids' activities at the Falls at Green Meadows Burgers & Brews event on Saturday, April 13.
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5) Congratulations to all our students who participated in the Elementary ACSI Speech Meet. We are proud of their hard work and the results that truly paid off! A group of K5 - 6th grade students from Living Water Christian School pose for a photo during the Speech Meet. 34 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com
June / July 2019
June / July 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
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Recipe: Gluten Free Fajita Chicken Roll-Ups By Kirk Rightmire Forget the tortilla, this gluten-free chicken fajita recipe rolls all its veggie goodness into a spiced-to-perfection chicken cutlet! • • • • • • • • • • • •
Ingredients: 2 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. dried oregano 2 cloves garlic, very finely chopped Kosher salt and pepper 8 small (2 oz. each) chicken cutlets, trimmed 1 each yellow and red bell pepper, sliced 2 tbsp. fresh lime juice 2 tsp. honey 1 5-oz. package mixed greens 1/2 seedless cucumber, cut into half moons 1/4 c. (1 oz.) feta cheese
Directions: 1. Heat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon oil, cumin, oregano, half the garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. 2. Brush the chicken cutlets with the spice mixture. Divide the peppers among the cutlets, then roll up and secure tightly with wooden toothpicks or skewers. 3. Heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken seam-side down and cook until golden brown, about two minutes. Turn and cook 1 minute more, then transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, 9 to 11 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, the remaining garlic, and a pinch of pepper. Toss with the greens, cucumber, and feta. Serve with the chicken.
Yields: 4 servings Total Time: 30 mins. Per Serving: 250 Cal., 11.5 G Fat (3 G Sat. Fat), 71 MG Chol., 268 MG Sod., 26 G Pro., 10 G Car., 2 G Fiber.
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June / July 2019
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