Fort Bend Christian Magazine | December 2014 - January 2015

FORT BEND

Faithfully Serving Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Rosenberg and Stafford December 2014 / January 2015 • Complimentary

The Buzz

About Fort Bend

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from Fort Bend Christian Magazine

Inside this Issue:

Bible Trivia

Explore Our

2015 Christian School Directory

The Smart Parent’s Toy Box www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 December 2014 / January 2015

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President & Publisher-In-Chief FORT BEND

Volume I, Issue 3

6

Bible Trivia

8

Sharing Hope Ministry

12 The Smart Parent’s Toy Box 14 Rejoice in Thanksgiving 16 Pastor Profile: Ken Sinclair

of Faith Lutheran Church 20 2015 Christian School Directory 26 As I See It 29 Dear Doctor 31 Charismatic Kids 34 Christian Business Profile:

Dirk Cummins 39 Local Woman Earns Her Wings 45 Christian Student Highlights 48 The Buzz About Fort Bend

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 Hannah Menslage Assistant to the Publisher hannah@fortbendchristianmagazine.com

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

© 2014 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.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

About 20 years ago, when I was a member of the First Baptist Church in Houston, each of our Sunday schools “adopted” a family for Christmas. My wife and I were part of the delivery team that would take a Christmas meal, toys, clothing, and various other items to our adopted family.

I can still vividly recall pulling into what I thought was a condemned apartment complex. The parking lot looked like an artillery practice range, with holes on the concrete so massive it seemed they could swallow up our cars. The majority of the apartments were vacant and boarded up- we pulled up one of the few units that wasn’t, and went inside.

Immediately upon entering, I was taken aback by the state of the apartment- there was no electricity and most likely no running water either. The family who greeted me was Hispanic, with two beautiful daughters who were around 5-7 years old. When my wife and I presented them with their Christmas gifts and meal, I will never forget how huge the children’s eyes widened with excitement once they realized they would be having toys that Christmas. The husband couldn’t hold back his tears, knowing that somebody cared enough about his family to provide such a wonderful act of love.

Out of all my Christmases, that is the one imprinted so permanently in my mind. The one in which I gave and did not receive. That’s what Christmas is after all… isn’t it? God gave His only begotten Son so that we might have eternal life.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Always remember that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com

Letter From The Publisher Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I am so blessed to have the God-given opportunity to be a part of a ministry like Fort Bend Christian Magazine, which proudly brings you “family-friendly news with an eternal purpose.” Like our sister publication, Katy Christian Magazine, our mission is to share inspirational stories of faith and encouragement made possible by the loyalty of our Christian advertisers.

Many of our readers would like to know how they can help expand our ministry so we can further reach the community for Christ. The answer is very simple. Please let our advertisers know you saw their ad in Fort Bend Christian Magazine, and that you appreciate their faith and support.

Enjoy our Christmas and New Years issue! Remember to support our Christian businesses and to please share your news at editor@fortbendchristianmagazine.com.

Malisia Garcia Publisher Fort Bend Christian Magazine mali@fortbendchristianmagazine.com

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December 2014 / January 2015

“L

ogan, you’re a smart kid. C’mon.

Make some sort of effort!”

Laura pleaded with her 13-year-old son as he sulked over the books strewn across the kitchen table.

Every night Laura and her husband, Ted, worked with Logan for hours on reading and homework. Logan was a great kid with a great heart, but he seemed to have given up. Luckily, his parents weren’t willing to do the same.

The first thing that attracted Laura and Ted to brain training was how different it was from tutoring. Laura explains, “The last thing Logan needed was to go to Sylvan® and have them do another three hours of what had just been done in school that hadn’t worked!”

The second thing they loved was the testing. They’d had Logan tested before, but the LearningRx assessment was the first to explain what was actually happening in Logan’s brain and why he was struggling—and then offer a solution!

“When the LearningRx director here in West Des Moines told us Logan had weak skills in auditory processing, everything started making sense,” his mother remembers. “And because auditory processing is foundational for reading, no wonder Logan hated books!”

But the bigger surprise was that Logan actually looked forward to LearningRx brain training. After every session, he couldn’t wait to tell his parents everything he had learned and accomplished.

His grades improved, and when the opportunity arose to transfer to a more academically challenging private school, Logan was actually excited.

Then there were the books. Discovering a new love for words, Logan read Treasure Island with enthusiasm. He talked about insights gleaned from things he’d read. He even asked for books for Christmas. The day Laura walked through the family room and found her son lounging in a chair with his nose buried in a book—for fun!—she knew a transformation had truly taken place.

That was three years ago, and Logan is still benefiting from the changes brought about through LearningRx. “When it comes to thinking and learning for the rest of his life, Logan has tools and motivation now that he didn’t have before,” his mother says.

“To this day, my husband and I will watch Logan accomplish something new, look at each other and say, ‘Brain training made that possible.’” |

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Sylvan® is a registered trademark of Sylvan Learning, Inc. LearningRx, Inc. is not affiliated in any way with Sylvan Learning Centers or Sylvan Learning, Inc. The use of the servicemarks owned by Sylvan Learning, Inc. is not intended and should not be taken to imply any relationship between LearningRx and Sylvan. The opinion expressed in this quote is merely the opinion of the individual quoted.

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Bible Trivia

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6. What is the longest verse in the Bible?

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10. What is the longest Chapter in the Bible?

(A1) Genesis 5:5 (Adam), (A2) Genesis 1-6-8 Divided the waters under the firmament, (A3) Mark-35-40 Jesus said, “the damsel is not dead, but sleeping.” (A4) Peter 5:4 When Jesus appears, (A5) John 11:35 “Jesus wept,” (A6) Esther 8:9, (A7) Isaiah 8:1 “Maher-shalal-hash-baz” (18 letters long)- it is a name meaning “making speed to the spoil; he hastens to the prey,” according to Hitchcock’s Dictionary of Bible Names, (A8) There are three words in the bible that were mentioned only once; Eternity (Isaiah 57:15); Grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5); Gnat (Matthew 23:24), (A9) The bible has a total of 773,692 words, (A10) There are 176 verses in Psalm 119, making it the longest chapter in the bible.

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December 2014 / January 2015

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Sharing Hope Ministry: Anything is Possible Through Christ

“Anything is possible through Christ!”

“I am a new creation through Christ!”

You’ve heard these phrases. You’ve repeated these phrases. You may even have a decorative plaque in your home with these very words. We know that God forgives us, but why is it so difficult to forgive others? As you consider this, imagine the life of a female inmate, locked away for her offense. Also, consider that there are ministries helping to change the statistics and addressing the nearly 67% recidivism rate for women who return to incarceration.

Sharing Hope Ministry provides the Life Recovery Bible to women who need it most; women dealing with crime, adversity, and addiction.

The ministry also provides Bible studies and prayer correspondence from Amarillo, Texas to facilities within 46 states. Over the last decade, over 2,400 Bibles have been sent to women in the Houston area alone. Sharing Hope Ministry is characterized by word of mouth. From the Bibles sent, countless women have been introduced to God and the resources available to them, the offender.

When you consider the “why” behind the offenses of women who are incarcerated, it is impossible to avoid their histories. Many of us have encountered tragedies requiring us to reaffirm our faith, reach out to loved ones, and spend copious amounts of time in prayer. However, what if you were never introduced to our Lord? What if you, literally, have no loved ones? What if you’ve never experienced prayer? The women we serve have

encountered sexual abuse (nearly 60%), most before the age of eighteen.

Female offenders often come from violent family homes (73%) and most female offenders have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with trauma. It is one thing to read the statistics and be told how these women have had it tough. It is quite another thing to read the handwritten letters from these precious women and nearly feel the teardrops dampening the very piece of paper that you are holding. Lisa’s plea for help is all too common for the women we serve: “I was sexually abused as a child. I was alone, scared, and confused and I wanted someone to love me. I asked the Lord into my heart when I was 11 years old but I was raped when I was 13

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and I fell away. I continued to make bad decisions, but I seek Christ now, because I know He is the answer. I desire Christ more than anything.”

Others are dealing with the pain brought from their addictions like Amber: “I am 28 years old and incarcerated. I am sick with addiction; it has destroyed my health and my whole life...God has given me the chance to know Him by the very fact that I am still alive. My body is bruised and abused, my soul is in anguish.” You may still feel disconnected from these women. When your life is not riddled with pain, addiction and desperation you may not understand. However, these women come from your very community.

After being released from incarceration or addiction rehabilitation facilities, a typical woman will return to her family and “friends” who were often the cause of her suffering. How, then, can we welcome these women back into our community and support their recovery and integration into positive networks of people? More importantly, how can we forgive the woman who “messed up?”

It is simple. God forgives us, so that we can forgive. God loves us, so that we can love. Forgiveness and love are paramount in the Christian faith and when faced with the opportunity to forgive a woman who has always been told she is unloved or unworthy, forgiveness becomes the greatest gift we can give. When we start with love and forgiveness, we can create an environment where a woman can see past the distorted

image she has always seen in the mirror and encourage positive change.

Jo confirmed this when she said, “The hardest thing for me was to find forgiveness. Through my Life Recovery Bible and Bible studies, I have learned of people in the Bible who made mistakes and God cared for them. Now I am sharing God’s Word and love with others. Please keep me in your prayers.”

It is important to remember that access to the Bible, proficiency in prayer, and networks of loving people are not standard for the women we serve. Showing a female offender that she is cared for can make all of the difference. At Sharing Hope Ministry, our volunteers pray over every single Bible that is sent. Our prayer team addresses the specific requests of women who ask for prayer and help to show her that she is not just another offender. Bible studies are offered to women, which are reviewed by and responded to by volunteers. Each Bible, study, and prayer have been personally requested by the woman to whom they are sent. All of us have our own history of sin and it is only by His grace that we are forgiven. It is the same for a woman behind bars. Her story is different, but when her heart is changed by God’s love, she is your sister in Christ. Donna realized this when she wrote, “I would like to thank Sharing Hope Ministry for taking time and reaching out to us who are incarcerated. The only way I’ll have peace and the chance to be saved is to confess my sins and ask for forgiveness. God turned my life around. I’m not perfect. I have to grow, but this time I will use my Bible studies.”

Anything is possible through Christ; I am a new creation through Christ; simple phrases that mean everything to a female offender. Many of these changed women are sleeping on a bunk bed in a jail cell tonight.

Our prayer is that they are clutching their Life Recovery Bible and praying for forgiveness. All of us deserve another chance for a new beginning.

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December 2014 / January 2015

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December 2014 / January 2015

The Smart Parent’s Toy Box: 5 Brain-Building Toys Under $15

By Syndee Howgate

As many of you know, parenting is all about compromise- Christmas is no exception to that rule. Your kids have probably filled their Christmas lists with multitudes of stereotypically “fun” toys (new games for their xBoxes, etc.), but you don’t want to blow your entire budget on junk that’ll rot their brains. Luckily, there are plenty of great, cost-efficient toys that help your children develop essential learning skills, such as memory and attention enhancement, logic & reasoning, and processing speed. Strengthening these skills make learning easier. “We know that the brain can change,” says Syndee Howgate, director of Learning Rx Sugar Land. Since IQ is simply a measurement of cognitive skills, we can raise IQ by strengthening cognitive skills at any age. Below you will find a list of toys that will help build and strengthen learning skills. While your children are having fun, you as a parent know that these are home exercises for your child’s brain.

Best brain-building games under $15 1. Geometric-Shaped Magnet Set with Board by Trademark Global Create a simple design then have your child replicate it. The magnet board is great for car trips.

Ages: 3+ | Cognitive skills: logic & reasoning, visual processing, attention

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December 2014 / January 2015

2. Spot it! by Blue Orange Find the symbol that each of two cards has in common. A fun, fast game for the entire family.

Ages: 7+ | Cognitive skills: attention, processing speed, visual processing 3. Sequence for Kids by Jax Ltd. Play a card from your hand, place a chip on a character and aim for four in a row!

Ages: 4+ | Cognitive skills: logic & reasoning, planning, problem solving, processing, visual processing, working memory 4. 4 In a Row by Pressman Toy Be the first player to get four color disks in a row and you win!

Ages: 6+ | Cognitive skills: attention, logic & reasoning, executive processing, planning, sequential processing, problem solving 5. Bop-It Bounce by Hasbro Follow the electronic commands to bounce at different skill levels – alone or against friends.

Ages: 8+ | Cognitive skills: auditory processing, planning, processing speed, attention

“Cognitive skills are the learning skills used to attend to and retain information, to process, analyze and store facts and feelings, and to create mental pictures, read words and understand concepts,” explains Dr. Ken Gibson, author of “Unlock the Einstein Inside: Applying New Brain Science to Wake Up the Smart in Your Child” (www.UnlockTheEinsteinInside.com). “When cognitive skills are strong, academic learning is fast, easy, efficient and even fun. Toys that work these skills are a step in the right direction to create strong learners.”

Bearing this advice in mind, take this list with you when you head to the store (or online!) to do your holiday shopping. And who knows?

If strengthening cognitive skills is this fun, maybe you can convince your kids that picking up the scattered wrapping paper on Christmas morning s a game (or maybe not).

Syndee Howgate is the Director of the Sugar Land Learning Rx. She is an active volunteer in the community and is a member for the Fort Bend Junior Service League. She has 2 boys and loves spending time with them playing brain engaging game. Find out more about LearningRx at www.learningrx.com/sugar-land. If you have any questions, call (281) 302-4088 or email Learning Rx at sugarlandoffice@learningrx.net.

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Rejoice in Thanksgiving

By Pastor Loreto DiCesare Church on the Rock - Sugar Land

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in Christ Jesus concerning you.” - Thessalonians 5:16-18 “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” - Colossians 3:14-15.

As we have all celebrated Thanksgiving Day, my hope is that you all had a wonderful holiday; making cherished memories together with loved ones; a great tradition only in the “United States of America” as we honor this special day and gather our families and friends around the table, to offer a Prayer of Thanksgiving and give thanks to our LORD for all he has provided. Remembering this history of this country with the stories of the Pilgrims surviving the bitter cold winters and being thankful for the help of the Indians who survived; so we enjoyed the banquets of harvest with the principal ingredient being the “Grand Turkey” a favorite family tradition.

As we now begin December with all the Christmas festiveness and gift-giving to our loved ones, we must not forget the most important part of both Thanksgiving and Christmas, is to “Recognize” to WHOM we direct our

gratitude of Thanksgiving and Blessings of Love! Our deepest and most sincere gratitude and praise must go to the Father of Light of whom all perfect gift comes from; the greatest gift of all…His Son JESUS, who gave His life for us all, so that our souls will be saved and have eternal life forever.

To GOD be the Glory and Honor and Praise for the age of ages.

AMEN.

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Pastor Profile: Ken Sinclair of Faith Lutheran Church Faith Lutheran Church, led by Pastor Ken Sinclair, was founded July 9, 1972. Pastor Sinclair has been married 44 year to his beautiful wife, Liz Sinclair. Liz is a virtuous woman, a great wife, a loving mother of two, a proud grandmother of soon to be four, and holds a supportive role in the ministry.

The Calling Pastor Sinclair accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior at an early age. He recalls, “my earliest recollections were of getting the Bible Story Book and taking it to my mom for her to read to me.” Pastor Sinclair first felt his calling to preach when he was merely in middle school. One day, his pastor told his “Confirmation Class” that he thought several of them needed to consider training for ministry. While that life path seemed to be unrealistic at the time, Pastor Sinclair was unable to shake the idea. Pastor Sinclair said, “I was a ‘farm boy’ and nearly all of my people graduated from high school, got a job, got married and bought a farm”, yet despite his surroundings, he felt the unmistakable urge to dedicate his life to serving Christ. When the opportunity approached for him to attend St John’s Junior College in Winfield, Kansas, he checked “pre-ministerial” on the enrollment form and “the ball started rolling.” Later on, when Pastor Sinclair first considered going to seminary, his mother prayed for him and vowed to the Lord that she would do whatever necessary to help him attain this goal- something which he never knew until she told him many years later.

While Pastor Sinclair admits that had reservations all the way through University (he nearly dropped out at one point!), the prayers of his mother were heard and honored by the Lord, who provided him with the strength to continue on the path toward his calling. Pastor Sinclair states,

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December 2014 / January 2015

“I had done graduate classes in counseling during my Seminary training, and after I graduated, I applied for Clinical Pastoral Education internships all around the country, fully intending to stay in the mid-west near both of our homes. But the Lord saw fit to close all of the applications except one at the Medical Center in Houston (the place we did not want to go was “to the South or a large city”). Hello Houston!”

It was during that year that Pastor Sinclair and Liz became involved in two churches. The first was the Trinity Lutheran Church in Rosenberg, where they both worked in Youth Ministry, driving through a little town called Sugar Land every Sunday. According to Pastor Sinclair, this year and their involvement in the Trinity Lutheran Church was very precious to them. The second church that he and his wife attended and were heavily impacted by was The Church of the Redeemer in Houston. At this church, Pastor Sinclair experienced multitudes of miracles and remarked, “The Lord healed the injury of a childhood horse riding accident (much to my surprise)!” He feels strongly that those two churches, along with his year at the med-center, provided him time to process a new way of seeing the world through a very present and powerful Lord. “That was the real seal on the deal for me; the Lord knew where I was and would decide where I would go”, Pastor Sinclair mused. He finished his internship at the end of June 1972, and shortly after, he and Liz held their first worship service on July 9, 1972 at the Faith Lutheran Church.

Testimony The national seal of the Faith Lutheran Church contains the Latin phrase “By Faith Alone, By Grace alone, By Scripture Alone.” Pastor Sinclair states, “At the time of the Reformation, there was much confrontation of the belief systems of the church. Then, fathers of our church went back to the beliefs of the first century as the clearest understanding of our view of scripture. We would say, “Let scripture speak for scripture”. However, we did not necessarily throw out practices (whether liturgical or artistic) that affirmed the Scriptures and portrayed a Biblical worldview.”

Pastor Sinclair places heavy emphasis on the mindset that “the Lord is present to act”, an idea which has greatly influenced his life and impacts everything he does. He says, “When the church was first created, they were able to buy land on Highway 6 and build a building on it (the only structure between 59 and 90 at the time). When Hurricane Alicia came to town it catalyzed chaos, ripping the end of the church off with it.” He goes to say that this incident is what prompted a discussion with Sugar Land Properties about a trading the land to move elsewhere. After paying off their debt, they began to negotiate this trade. One morning, a lady came to the church

Children 6 weeks to 12 years old Our mission is to create a safe, nurturing, Christian environment that encourages young children to explore, discover and embrace the world around them as they begin what we pray will be a life-long love of learning.

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December 2014 / January 2015

be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and the door shall open unto you.” Pastor Sinclair’s remarkable journey serves as an illustration of why you should stand on God’s word despite the circumstances. The Father hears our prayers and in due season, He will answer ever pray and wipe away every tear.

saying that the Lord had told her he would “provide us twice the land and twice the building”, and after lengthy negotiations, He followed through.

Sinclair received 10 acres for his five and two buildings for the size of the one they’d had.

Answered Prayer Pastor Sinclair deeply believes that the awareness of the Lord’s provision has led them to the miraculous place they are now- a “shared sacred space” with three other congregations and a school. What a marvelous work of God. In the Holy Scriptures, Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it shall

Present and Future

Faith Lutheran ministries shares 800 Brooks Street with Living Stones, Anglican, Redeemer Presbyterian, Spirit of Life, Lutheran and Logos Preparatory Academy. Pastor Sinclair believes that every situation is the opportunity to “Glorify God, Serve Others and Develop the Character of Jesus”, and that “The Lord has hidden Himself at 800 Brooks Street for the sake of ministering to the community through us.” Pastor Sinclair’s favorite Bible verse is, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him (acknowledge Him), and He will (direct) your paths straight.” He says, “I could never remember where in the Scripture it was until one day, it dawned on me that it was my birthday, Proverbs 03/05 (NIV).” Faith Lutheran Church is located at 800 Brooks Street, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. Service hours began at 8:00 Traditional and 10:30 Contemporary.

You can always reach them at their website www.flcsl.org, or by calling them at (281) 242- 7729. If you need prayer, you can reach Pastor Sinclair on his direct line at (713) 269-4070, or email him personally at email address: Pastorken@flcsl.org.

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True Knight Home School Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin.

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Fort Bend Christian Magazine’s

2015 Christian School Directory We’ve compiled a list of some of the top Christian schools and after school programs in the Fort Bend area. For a complete listing of schools and additional information, visit our website at www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com Briarwood School

Calvary Episcopal Preparatory

Colony Kids

12207 Whittington Dr Houston, TX 77077 (281) 493-2494 www.briarwoodschool.org

1201 Austin Richmond, TX 77469 (281)342-3141 www.ces-richmond.org

7555 Texas 6 Missouri City, TX 77459 (281)499-2454 www.colonykids.org

While outstanding academics are a trademark for Calvary’s reputation of excellence, its pride as a Christian school is how they treat each other and grow in their understanding of God’s expectations for them. Calvary incorporates Reverence for God, Respect for others, and Responsibility for self into every aspect of the educational experience. In addition to a rigorous and accelerated academic environment, the Calvary experience includes service learning, leadership opportunities, and enrichment programs for student creativity and expression.

These programs include a successful athletic department, visual and performing arts, and competitive band. Notwithstanding, it also incorporates Christian character education, Bible class, Spanish, and library lessons. Calvary Episcopal Preparatory is an international school for Pre-K through 12th grade students.

To visit the campus, go to www.ces-richmond.org and sign up for their preview events the week of January 26th 2015. Bring this ad for $100 off the registration fee.

Our staff here at Colony Kids believes it is truly a blessing to be able to partner with you in the early education of your children. We are committed to providing a loving, safe and encouraging environment where children can stretch their imaginations, explore the world around them and begin a life-long love of learning. We currently offer four different preschool age groups. Our babies use the innovative Baby Signs ™ program to create an environment where they thrive and form foundations for language development and positive communication. Our Toddlers participate in a variety of activities including fine and gross motor skills, language development, thinking and reasoning, music, self-help, dramatic play and curriculum guided learning experiences. Then in Pre K-3 we introduce young children to the joy of learning with the A Beka® curriculum. Children will participate in phonics, math, writing, reading, arts and crafts, Bible time and more.

In Pre-K 4 the goal of our class is Kindergarten Readiness. We endeavor to prepare children for both academic and social success as they enter primary school.

Colony Kids also offers after school programs including transportation. We provide them with a special place equipped with age appropriate activities that offer young people exploration and discovery. During the school year, emphasis is placed on fun and relaxing activities after a long day at school. During school breaks, Colony Kids enjoy field trips, sports, crafts and group activities that promote team playing, self-esteem and confidence in young people. Thank you for sharing your most

The Briarwood school enables and empowers students with diagnosed learning differences o developmental disorders to reach their maximum potential academically, socially, physically and emotionally. This is achieved through individualized, diagnostic-prescriptive instruction in a supportive academic environment. The Briarwood School serves two distinct populations each with special educational needs.

The Briarwood School - Of the 300 students in the Lower and Middle-Upper Schools, approximately 80% are children with average to superior intelligence with a broad range of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, non-verbal learning disorders, speech/language, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and processing disorders.

The Tuttle School at Briarwood - Tuttle School, our smallest school, is comprised of approximately 55 students from the ages of 5 to 21 who present with developmental disorders such as autistic spectrum disorders and Down syndrome, and other syndromes, such as Fragile X and Williams.

There are many pertinent advantages to choosing The Briarwood School. Call today and schedule your tour!

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December 2014 / January 2015

precious gift with us, your children. We look forward to your visit and the opportunity to make many memories as we journey together in early education.

Cornerstone Christian Academy 2140 First Colony Blvd Sugarland, TX 77479 (281)980-0842 www.cornerstonecca.org Our mission is to equip students with skills for life and faith for eternity. We strive to provide a developmentally appropriate educational experience in a Christian setting that will support future academic growth while enriching the lives of our students with a wide variety of activities in a safe and nurturing environment.

We want to challenge our students to grow spiritually, academically, physically and socially while keeping Christ at the center of who we are and what we do keeps us rooted in biblical values.

Parents often tell us that Cornerstone is like no other school, and we agree. Our expert Christian teachers serve with a heart for our students. We strive to honor God in all that we do, from daily chapel, Bible courses, service projects and biblical truths integrated in all our teaching. Our class sizes allow our teachers to know our students and to challenge them with strong academic expectations. We have a beautiful campus that is also safe and secure.

We partner with our parents through family-focused programs and an emphasis on family communication. Our goal is to help create educated students who use their gifts to make an impact in this world for God’s kingdom. We proudly welcome your family!

December 2014 / January 2015

Fellowship Christian Academy 16355 Old Richmond Rd. Sugarland, TX 77498 (281)495-1814 www.fellowshipchristianacademy.org Fellowship Christian Academy (FCA) provides a place for children to grow and to learn while surrounded by God’s love. The early years of a child’s life are the years that shape their future; therefore, the curriculum is carefully selected and developed to enrich the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, and social development in each child.

Since 1976, FCA has provided a safe and loving environment where children are encouraged to develop spiritually as they grow cognitively, socially and physically. Many of our teachers have over 25 years of teaching experience. Age appropriate environments and classes are offered beginning at the age of 18 months and grow children through 7th grade. FCA offers small classes with low student to teacher ratios, giving children the chance and room to blossom in their own unique way. Thank you for considering our school for your child.

Please, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Gateway American Prep Academy 222 FM 359 Richmond, TX 77406 (281)513-5566 www.gatewayamericanprep.com

Gateway America takes field trips throughout the year to enhance their experience. We have completed Team-Building weekend trips to Camp Cho-Yeh. We have taken camping trips to Enchanted Rock to promote a sense of outdoors through rock climbing and rappelling.

We give the students a chance of a lifetime by having trips to Washington DC, England, and Italy. We also, take quick trips to the Zoo, Rodeo, and Museums throughout Houston.

Mission Bend Christian Academy 3710 Highway 6 South Houston, TX 77082 (281-497-4057 www.mbcacademy.org At Mission Bend Christian Academy, we are Building for the Future to enhance the school’s mission is to bring children into a nurturing environment, build a sound spiritual, academic, social, and physical foundation, and to send forth strong Christian leaders. Mission Bend Christian Academy is dedicated to serving children. The school strives to provide a loving environment enabling students to grow spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.

The academically sound Christian program develops good character, strong moral values, and a love for learning. MBCA plans and develops curriculum taught within a caring and creative environment. The programs are carefully designed to enlarge a child’s repertoire of knowledge and skills, to increase self-confidence, and promote curiosity and initiative.

MBCA believes children are the most important investment in the future, our #1 resource.

Visit us at soon at 3710 Highway 6, South, Houston, TX 77082 (Just North of the Westpark Tollway) or call to set up a tour or receive additional information (281-497-4057). We look forward to hearing from you. Come build and grow with us! To know us is to love us!

Gateway America Prep started with the idea to provide students with a safe, comfortable environment in which to learn. Celebrating our 10-year anniversary we have come a long way since then, but we still hold true to our modest beginnings. We believe success breeds’ success.

Therefore, every morning students will write daily affirmations, which allow them to start the day with a positive mindset. In addition, the students write 10 goals to help focus on their purpose. Within the individualized curriculum, students use daily and weekly goal sheets to create their accelerated pace and allow them to ‘own’ his own learning. Gateway offers several extra activities to complete their education. We have certified instructors teach Public Speaking, Music, Physical Fitness, and Art on a weekly basis.

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December 2014 / January 2015

The Learning Center 3700 S. Mason Rd Katy, TX 77450 281-392-2273 www.tlclivingwordkaty.org

A ministry of Living Word Church, The Learning Center seeks to provide a safe place where children are nurtured and shown God’s love. We are committed to offer the best possible preschool program, with Christian faith and values to our church and community.

Our center offers a developmentally appropriate program focusing on the growth of the whole child: physically, socially, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. Well-qualified teachers, low teacher turn-over, small teacher to child ratios, nutritious home cooked meals and weekly chapel make The Learning Center at Living Word unique and a great family choice.

We are thankful to be partners with parents in raising healthy, happy, and faith-filled children.

We are accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs.

The school is open year around, Monday through Friday 6:30 am to 6:00 pm. Preschool classes are available for 2, 3 and 5-day enrollments serving 12 month through 5 year olds.

A Before/After School program is also avail-

able for local elementary schools. For specific class times and rates please come and tour our facility! Tours are given daily from 9:30 am 11:30 am and from 2:30 -4:30. Please call us in advance to schedule your tour.

Logos Preparatory Academy 13303 SW Freeway (West Campus Building) Sugarland, TX 77478 (281) 565- 6467 www.logosprep.org

ing the “whole” student. He likens a complete education to a three-legged stool that includes excellence in academics, student activities and character training.

As a University Model School, Logos Prep blends the strongest aspects of public, private, and home education. Secondary students attend classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Elementary students are in class on Tuesday and Thursday. Non-classroom days are spent at home where parents oversee student progress with teacher-directed instructional support.

This educational model allows for a cost-effective Christian education, low teacher-student ratios, active parental involvement, and students who directly benefit from the strength of a dynamic home and school partnership. For more information go to www.logosprep.org or call 281-565-6467.

A fully accredited K-12 University Model School, Logos Preparatory Academy provides a highly successful, college-preparatory education set in a Christian environment. With an enrollment of over 500 students and 98% of its graduates attending a four year college or university, Logos Prep attributes its success to professional classroom instruction coupled with supportive parental involvement. President and Head of School, Ron Clyde believes in educat-

Fun this Winter From the confidence that comes from learning to swim or the good sportsmanship developed from working as part of a team, programs at the Y are about building the whole child, from the inside out.

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December 2014 / January 2015

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True Knight Home School Academy

worked primarily with students with Dyslexia.

Since then we have broadened our focus to also accept other students who need the extra help and attention to learn in their own way to succeed. We use the Phono-graphix method of reading since once students are able to read and express themselves in speech and writing they can learn easier in other subjects.

Thus far we have had 31 graduates and all have continued their education in colleges and universities throughout the United States. We are educating students who learn a little differently and where we believe All Children Can Learn. We are also a member of The Special Schools Coalition of Houston. For information, check out our website: www.thewilliamsschool.org

by staying up to date with the latest in brain research and teaching methods. Learn more at www.trueknight.org.

11925 SW Freeway #3 Stafford, TX 77477 (281)978-6056 www.trueknight.org True Knight Home School Academy was born out of a need to bring a higher standard and an increased expectation to our children with special needs. It is our intention to bring an innovative approach in education, utilizing a strong curriculum and supporting it with brain training activities in a Christian setting.

We believe in strong fundamentals – reading, writing, and arithmetic. Further, we focus on neuro-developmental activities and social skills training. Interactive Metronome is available and The Listening Program will be added next year.

We currently offer a full day school, homeschool support, after school program, and camps during the summer and other school breaks for students through age 22. Highly skilled teachers and small group sizes make sure our students get the attention they need. We believe each child has the capacity to learn and it is our responsibility to find a way to tap into that child’s potential.

Our vision is to offer the best available educational opportunity for your children

Williams School 3900 Lexington Blvd Missouri City, Texas (281)261-7189 www.thewilliamsschool.org The Williams School is a fully accredited K-12 school for students who need special attention in their learning process. Currently we have 30 students in 5 classes. The class settings are small so that the teachers work with each student individually and our curriculum is geared to help the student at their level of understanding and challenging them to go beyond what they ever thought they could accomplish.

When we began the school 11 years ago, we

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December 2014 / January 2015

WINTER BASKETBALL LEAGUE For Boys and Girls Accepting registrations beginning September 2nd-November 8th.

Register online or in-person at The PARC Monday-Friday between 10am-6pm.

Our Christmas Wish We wish you all the best at this magical time of year.

As the New Year dawns, we invite you to host your 2015 events–weddings, church retreats, meetings and reunions–at South Shore Harbour Resort.

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Boys in 3rd-12th grade & girls in 3rd-8th grade.

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The PARC Gymnasium & FBCA Gymnasium.

1250 7th St. Sugar Land, TX 77478 (right behind the PARC) * Saturday Afternoon/ Early Evenings * First game - January 10th (Everyone) * 3rd-4th grade: 8 game season * 5th-12th grade: 7 game season with an end-of-season tournament

UPWARD BASKETBALL LEAGUE For Who: Practices: Games:

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$120 per Athlete All players receive game jersey & shorts

Mandatory Evaluation: November 8th (Schedule for all players on website)

For more information, please visit www.theparc.org.

You may also contact Jonathan Leung at (281) 634-8927 or Steven Kelly (281) 634-8925.

Do You Prepare More for Family Vacations Than You Do for College?

Having fun with your family is important. But nothing is more vital than your child’s future. That’s why at Edward Jones, we can help you put together a strategy to save for college.

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Using our education funding tool, we can estimate future expenses at more than 3,000 schools and then recommend a financial strategy based on your unique needs. True, vacations are great. But graduation ceremonies are even better. www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

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December 2014 / January 2015

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As I See It...

By Gary Gillen

The voters of the United States dealt a devastating blow to the Democratic Party and repudiated the policies of President Barack Obama by increasing the Republican control of the United States House of Representatives and sweeping the Democratic leadership from their control of the US Senate by handing Republicans control of that body as well. Before the election President Obama famously stated that while he was not on the ballot his policies were. The voters showed him just how they felt about those policies.

The Obama administration’s over-reaching drive to intrude into every area of American life helped convince voters to elect even more Republican governors.

The states have long been the laboratories of democracy. This administration’s efforts to federalize every issue has backfired with the voters.

In Texas voters again placed Republicans in every statewide office including Senator Glenn Hegar who was elected State Comptroller.

Aut

Republicans increased their numbers in both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. Voters may feel they have done their job but there is more to do. As a consequence of the election of Hegar to the office of Comptroller he resigned his Senate seat and the Governor called a special election to elect a candidate to complete the remaining two years of Hegar’s unexpired term.

As this column went to press three candidates had announced their intentions to run for the office. State Representative Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham explained that “Texas Senate District 18 includes roughly half of Fort Bend County and all or parts of 20 more counties.” From the Gulf Coast at Corpus Christi to Caldwell in central Texas the 18th district is large and diverse. While the election is open to any candidate from any party, the sheer size of the district will require a formidable candidate with a well funded campaign to be able to reach voters.

In an interview Kolkhorst explained the role her faith plays in her office of State Representative. “My faith serves as a compass that guides

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December 2014 / January 2015

me each day. I strive to make every decision in the Legislature with the knowledge that He is guiding me and I often use my daily devotion for inspiration.”

Kolkhorst has chaired the House Public Health Committee and in the 83rd Legislature fought the expansion of Obamacare in Texas by teaming up with Governor Perry and Senators Cornyn and Cruz to resist President Obama’s push to expand Medicaid in Texas. She also led the battle to stop the Trans-Texas Corridor. Known for her history of fighting to protect property rights from eminent domain abuse by government overreach she felt the project unduly harmed property owners and Texans.

Kolkhorst has an impressive campaign fund and has been easily raising funds for this race. Gary Gates, a business man from Richmond has the ability to fund his campaign personally. While controversial, he has good name recognition from his past unsuccessful races for various offices.

Lois Kolkhorst

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He has run in the past for State Representative twice, school board twice and this is his second run for Senate. Also running but with less name recognition is Charles Gregory of Simonton.

This race will be hard fought and very quick so name recognition and money will certainly be a benefit. With Kolkhorst’s past experience as a State Representative, large war chest and indefatigable spirit, she is a formidable foe for Gates and Gregory.

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 also the Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County 2006-2007.

Charles Gregory

Gary Gates

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December 2014 / January 2015

Dear Doctor: The Facts About Robotic Surgery

By Dr. Peter Walker Dear Doctor: What should I know about robotic surgery?

Robotic surgery, or “robotic assisted minimally invasive surgery”, is a cutting-edge medical advancement that has drastically increased in popularity over the last decade. It initially became known amongst urologists for removal of the prostate ,and with gynecologists for hysterectomies.

However, over the recent years, it has been increasingly utilized in general and gastrointestinal surgery for a variety of procedures, including removal of the gallbladder, repair of hiatal/diaphragmatic hernias and surgery for heartburn and achalasia, weight loss surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass), resections of the stomach, surgery of the spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas and liver, hernia surgery, and as in colon and rectal surgery. In addition, single incision surgery can be performed using robotic surgery.

Some of the unlimited advantages of robotic surgery include precision, superior visualization, degrees of movement greater than that of the human wrist, and the ability to perform technically complicated operations through very small incisions. The robotic platform is a seamless extension of the surgeon’s hands and fingers. The surgeon is always in control and directs the movement of the robotic arms at each stage of the operation.

When considering robotic assisted surgery, it is important to ensure that your surgeon has undergone extensive training and is experienced

with robotic surgery. This can be accomplished through fellowship training or completing an industry approved training program, which includes performing cases under the direction of an experienced robotic surgeon.

The robotic surgery platform does not replace meticulous surgical technique or judgment.

Dr. Peter Walker is a fellowship trained minimally invasive and robotic surgeon for the UT Health Science Center at Houston and provides patient care at UT Physicians at Cinco Ranch located at 23923 Cinco Ranch Blvd., Katy, TX 77494. To schedule an appointment, please call (713) 486-5300.

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December 2014 / January 2015

Charismatic Kids: Making Family Tradition

By Kris Prewitt

To fellow parents, it is no secret that our cherished days with our children are numbered.

Youth is fleeting, and it seems instantaneous that the mere infant you once held in your arms has grown into the child clutching your hand as you walk her to her first day of kindergarten, and before you know it, down the aisle. This idea often leaves us longing for the old days, with them as precious little ones. Fortunately, with the immense technology today, there multitudes of ways to preserve and prolong our treasured family members. I (as a semi-crafty mom) have found that various crafts such as handmade scrapbooks or framed pages are the best form of commemoration. However, while I enjoy crafting, my plate is brimming with full-time work in addition to being the mother of three (as many of you know, it takes a village!), and I simply do not have the leisurely time to spare on completing all of the enticing activities on my Pinterest boards.

In fact, just the other day my husband told me, “No more projects for you because you do not always finish!” and I grudgingly had to admit that he made sense. For the longest time, I’d fallen victim to the disease that is procrastination. I would store photos and digital images and stock up on all of the “on sale” scrapbook pages and embellishments I could get my hands on, all with the mentality that ONE day I would get to it.

Thankfully, my best friend Annie and her 3 year old son (my godson) pulled me from the depths of my procrastination and motivated me to start crafting again. If Annie, a single mother getting her MBA and opening her own clothing boutique (alineonline.com) could conjure up the time to scrapbook with her son, why couldn’t I? After talking it over, we decided to create an annual tradition on New Year’s Day, after all of the family festivities, to get our kids together and involve them in the memoir making process. An indirect perk of this family fun was that it emphasized to our children the difference between routine activities, and tradition. Routine activities involve brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and tying your shoes- they’re not necessarily exciting, but none-

theless essential to keep going on a daily basis. Traditions, however, are inherently beautiful in the sense that they have more meaning.

Saying grace together before meals, a family game night, meditation/ devotion time, and worshipping together on Sunday mornings are all invaluable traditions that unite a family together as one committed to honoring the Lord. These traditions also communicate Christian values with our children, family, and friends- our faith is not just a set of prop-

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ositions in which we believe, but something that must be reflected in our lifestyle and behavior. God teaches us to embrace our loved ones, our time with each other, and above all, our service to him. These ideas are reinforced by the importance we place on Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas, and spiritual events such as baptisms. These occasions create beautiful memories and tight family bonds that help us endure any quandaries we may face in our lifetime. We hold these memories close for

generations to come.

For children, involving them in activities such as stamping, die cutting, creating colorful photo backdrops, and crafting page embellishments is not only great family fun, but encourages intellectual growth and facilitates their creativity. So many children in this generation spend their days lounging around playing video games or watching hours of pointless TV- why not spend that time engaged in something stimulating? Furthermore, when your child assists you in crafting, it adds an entire element of uniqueness to the project. Instead of simply placing a photo on a blank page in a book, you’ll look back at it years later and see a page decked out in glitter and ribbons and recall the exact moment your daughter sat at the table with you, giggling as she decorated away. If you don’t know where to begin crafting with your child, blank coloring pages are readily available online and set you off to a great start. They can be found in vast varieties, whether it’s decorating a fairy princess or a Thanksgiving turkey.

When the pages are complete, all you have to do is bind them into books to share or frame them as personalized home art. Regardless of what you and your family members choose, always create out of love for each other and most importantly, for God. Happy Scrapping!

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December 2014 / January 2015

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Christian Business Profile: Dirk Cummins “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” - Matthew 7: 24-27 When asked his viewpoint on this popular Bible verse, Dirk Cummins, the head of the Houston office for the cutting-edge online marketing service Mobile & Local, mused, “Although Matthew was speaking

about building your faith on a strong foundation, we know the authors of the Bible wrote many of the lessons on faith as analogies or parables that are applicable to our life as a whole.”

Inspired by the scripture, Mobile & Local believes that all marketing must be built upon a strong foundation, the cornerstone of which is strategy. For over a decade, the principles of Mobile & Local have taken a totally different approach to helping small businesses successfully market their companies online. Unlike generic marketing companies that only provide a few limited services, Mobile & Local offers a full range of off and online marketing assistance. This revolutionary, widespread approach put all the pieces together! “No matter where you are, no matter what you do – we can get your online marketing to actually work for you – drive traffic, leads, and help you generate more revenue,” exclaimed Cummins.

With what started off as a small company, Mobile & Local has grown to 4 offices nationwide. The Houston office’s Dirk Cummins has spent over 30 years developing personal relationships with small businesses, helping them expand beyond their wildest dreams. “This is the most exciting time in history that small business has ever experienced. Not since Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and the other titans of American business, has small business ever been able to truly level the playing field… until now,” proclaimed Cummins.

Mobile & Local works with vast spectrum of local businesses including dentists and orthodontists, chiropractors, contractors, property managers, apartment communities, self-storage facilities, developers and builders, attorneys, accountants, financial and investment planners, catering and hospitality companies, healthcare providers, manufacturers and

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December 2014 / January 2015

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For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • 35

distributors, and much more. Dirk Cummins is proud to announce, “We have built our skills and expertise in the area of local search marketing over the last 10 years and we can help any type of business. Our services extend to fixing an existing site, or helping plan the right optimization strategy for a new site”.

When Cummins was asked what sets Mobile & Local apart from their completion, he answered, “our model differentiates from most SEO/search marketing companies in several crucial ways: First, we strategize and develop a research driven, cohesive online marketing plan that leverages existing pieces in a more effective way, reducing costs and improving overall results. Secondly, we utilize Google as an essential asset.

While there are a wide variety of online and offline tactics a company can deploy, we believe that the initial focus of any effort should be the areas that Google values because they heavily impact online visibility– these areas include organic optimization, Google Plus, and YouTube. Finally, we primarily work on a flat-fee basis and focus on building a solid business foundation that will hold up over time. Constantly recreating sites, tactics and optimization as algorithms change, is not cost nor time effective, and we practice working within a client’s means.”

Mobile & Local believe that effective online marketing strategy starts with research, data, and analysis to discover the correct strategy for each client. Through their proprietary Image Report, they match their findings to the business’ marketing goals and objectives. Then they begin to create a custom marketing strategy that will drive traffic. “It is important that our clients understand how people search for their products or services online and the essentials of online marketing. That’s why we start with research and analysis - our clients are armed with the information they need to make better marketing decisions, and get better results in all aspects of their marketing” said Cummins.

Mobile & Local and Dirk Cummins also take pride in giving back to their community. They’re involved in multiple charitable organizations, such as Career Gear and the GMS Foundation. Career Gear is an organization that assists men transitioning back into the workforce to provide for their families by providing them the clothing and skills training necessary to become employable and responsible members of our community.

The GMS Foundation helps provide members of our community who can’t afford it with dental care. The candidates for the GMS Foundation typically fall through the cracks due to lower paying jobs and a lack of dental insurance, and do not qualify for government programs. Cummins is also involved in many Veterans programs throughout the area.

Dirk Cummins can be reached at dirk@mobileandlocal.com or at (713) 609-9805.

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December 2014 / January 2015

Local Woman Earning Her Wings

By Debi Beauregard Angel Gowns by Diane came from Diane Dionne’s personal experience of having to find a burial gown for her grandchild. “My daughter lost 2 baby girls; one lived a day. Trying to find an outfit was heartbreaking,” said Diane. “I do this to try to help other families not have to go through that.” Diane was so moved that she started an Angel Gown chapter in Katy after hearing from others that the closest place to find these much needed gowns was Dallas.

Diane and her husband Rich, moved to Katy in May from Fredericksburg, VA. Her husband is an IT tech for GEICO and Diane works full time picking up gowns and finding people to help sew and distribute the finished pieces. Diane’s own sewing machine was damaged in the move and she is hoping to get a new sewing machine soon so that she can continue making some of the gowns herself.

“I worked for an oncology practice in Fredericksburg VA for 11 years and knew the funeral director at Covenant Funeral Home, “ Diane told us. “John Mullins was so kind and caring when my own daughter lost her baby. He made the whole experience so much easier for us.”

Angel Gowns are made from donated wedding gowns, formals and prom dresses. The recovered fabric and lace is crafted into tiny burial garments for newborns who don’t get to come home. Diane, with her team of 8 volunteer seamstresses take the gowns apart to create tiny bonnets and dresses from the fabric and lace. The finished garments are provided free of charge to families who are dealing with the death of an infant.

Having to make the funeral arrangements is tough enough, but having to

shop in the toy department for something small enough to fit is something no parent should have to endure.

Since starting Angel Gowns by Diane, over 225 dresses have been made and donated to NICU’s at area hospitals, Texas Children’s Hospital in the Medical center and several funeral homes. Another 50 garments are ready to be tagged and donated.

Dignity Memorial-Katy Funeral Home, located at 23350 Kingsland Blvd., is a drop off location for gowns. Location Manager and Funeral Director, Sherry Ahart-Davies says “This is something that we can do for the community. We would like to help in any way that we can.” The

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West Houston Airport has the group on their Angel List. They recently provided discount fuel for pilot David Birdwell who volunteered to fly a gown to a family in Louisiana.

A Katy woman read about Angel Gowns by Diane on a blog from “Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep,” an organization that takes photographs of the infants for the families.

“After a dear friend of mine’s daughter lost her sweet baby girl,” said MariAnne Vondenstein of Cinco Ranch, “I saw a post from a friend of mine in the Houston area who is part of an organization here that takes wedding gowns and sews little gowns for babies to be laid to rest in. It hit me that this was possibly something my dear friends needed, after a few phone calls and emails we realized the baby was being laid to rest the very next day and time had merely ran out, if only I had known of this organization a day earlier. That’s when a friend from Katy called me ‘just to chat’, I spoke of the heart break I was feeling and how if I had only known the day before, we could have gotten the dress to Louisiana. My friend on the phone, replied, “It’s a shame you don’t know a pilot that owns a plane who could fly it to them this evening.”

She was speaking of her husband, David Birdwell. Immediately I was on the phone trying to get one of these precious gowns for my friends. Diane rushed over to MariAnne’s house with a basket full of gowns so she could

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choose one for her friend’s daughter so that she could lay her special angel to rest in this gown. “Upon meeting sweet Mrs. Diane,” MariAnne continued, “she shared with me the struggles as a grandmother whose daughter went through this exact situation. She shared with me she had only moved here 9 weeks ago, and was struggling to raise the $3,000.00 to become a non-profit in order to get grants for sewing machines and a website to be able to reach people just like my friend. I vowed to help her in any way I possibly could, including donating my own wedding dress to her.” Angel Gowns

by Diane also donated 10 more dresses to be given to Woman’s and Children’s Hospital in Lafayette where my friend’s daughter delivered her baby, she said, its obvious they don’t have anything like this there and I don’t want to have another family not have a precious gown to lay their angels to rest.”

Diane has done Team In Training with Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and raised close to twenty thousand dollars when 9/11 happened. Her son, who was 10 years old at the time, collected patches from EMS and fire departments from all over the US. We donated a quilt to an Arlington VA volunteer and to the Pentagon.

Currently, Diane is in need of seamstresses who can help sew the tiny gowns. The Episcopalian Church of Houston’s twenty-two member sewing group will soon be helping out.

If you or your sewing group would like to help, you can contact Diane at angelgownsbydiane@gmail.com. If you have a wedding gown, a sewing machine Diane can put them to good use. Diane also has a gofundme account set up www.gofundme.com/emr8ro.

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Looking for a Career Change?

Come Join Our Team.

We’re Looking for Account Executives and Appointment Setters.

For more information or to apply, email joseph@fortbendchristianmagazine.com

FORT BEND

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

December 2014 / January 2015

Local Christian Student Highlights Melissa Phan

Elliot Middleton

Classification: Senior Calvary Episcopal Preparatory School

Classification: 1st Grade Fellowship Christian Academy

Melissa Phan is a senior at Calvary episcopal preparatory. She is the president of student council, choir, and NHS, and helps teachers out at her school. Through her school, Melissa competes in TAPPS events, where she has reached the state level for math and speech every year. She is a former member of the Fort Bend Teen Service League and a current member of Youth in Philanthropy.

Melissa hopes to attend Rice University with a major in neuroscience/chemical engineering with a minor in business.

She hopes to one day become a pediatric neurologist, as she loves working with kids. Also, she looks forward to founding a non-profit organization for helping kids and teens impacted by negative self-image and eating disorders.

Elliot is an imaginative 1st grader with a dynamic personality. He lives in Richmond, TX with his parents, Matt and Michelle Middleton, and his 3 younger siblings, Oliver, Lochlan, and Ruby Jane. When Elliot is not at school, he enjoys swimming, riding his bike on trails through the woods, constructing things with his Legos, doing karate, and playing with his siblings.

When he grows up, Elliot has a couple of dreams he aspires towards. He would like to be a police officer, because they help people and get to be in charge of a “really huge jail”. He would like to be a fire fighter, because they are “cool and they get to use a giant water hose”. Last but not least, he would love to be a builder so he can build big skyscrapers someday.

Matthew Block Classification: Lower Grades True Knight Home School Academy Matthew is a special student at True Knight Home School Academy. He has a lot of energy and is therefore quite active. He loves engineering projects with K’Nex like making race cars and buildings. Also, he likes working with the Interactive Metronome, or doing any other activity that involves rhythm.

When he grows up, he would like to become a teacher or a nursing assistant. Matthew loves chapel. Pastor Mark of Brighton Church teaches songs and Bible verses. Matthew pays attention and has his answers ready whenever Pastor Mark asks a question.

His favorite scripture is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

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.

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For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • 45

r

Your Success is My Goal!

Two New Books by Patti Greene

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Awaken Me: A Devotional Prayer Journal (ISBN 978-1-4627-2578-6)

God, It’s Me: 181 Days for Young Adults to Become Passionate About Prayer and Bible Study (ISBN 978-1-4627-3821-2)

Each page of these Spirit-filled journals include a date line, topics, Bible verses, chapter readings, prayer request space, and more. Lifeway Endorsed.

The New Year is one of the best times to start a devotional.

Books can be found at Katy Budget Books, Lifeway, amazon.com, bn.com, and your local book retailer.

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

December 2014 / January 2015

Ask These 10 Questions To Make Sure Your Dentist Stacks Up 1

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December 2014 / January 2015

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For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • 47

The Buzz About Fort Bend Enjoy the Buzz About Fort Bend! Our December/January Social Column is brought to you by SuburbanBuzz, a website development and online marketing company. Contact them at info@suburbanbuzz.com, 281-615-9032, or visit www.suburbanbuzzmarketing.com.

Group shot of golfers at Pecan Grove Country Club before heading out to the course.

Anna Villaronga-Roman hosted Katy Prairie Conservancy’s program for kids “Wild Things” with Jaime Gonzalez. Participants learned owl calls, made masks and got up close and personal with some prairie spiders.

Fort Bend County Commissioner, Andy Meyers, attended Kcam’s “Christianity Texas Style” opening reception on November 18 and presented museum director, Ana Villaronga-Roman a year end donation check in support of the great work Fort Bend County’s only art museum is doing in and for the surrounding communities.

Reb Scarborough, Ron Olivia, Becky Dykes, Chris Bradley, Sheila Phillips, George, Doherty, Frank Traylor, Glenn Schalles at the 2014 annual Calvary Episcopal Golf Tournament

Members of the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce celebrate the grand opening of Meadow Montessori School.

Bo Porter, Frank Robinson and Brett Dolan attended the 2014 Legacy Gala supporting the Stacey and Bo Porter SELF Foundation.

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

December 2014 / January 2015

FORT BEND IS MY AREA OF EXPERTISE!

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”

Albert Einstein

BROOKS SIMMONS brooks.simmons@garygreene.com www.brookssimmons.com 713-502-8905

December 2014 / January 2015

For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • 49

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

December 2014 / January 2015

Saving money on car insurance means more to spend on the ones you love.

Happy holidays from your local GEICO office.

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. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2012. © 2012 GEICO.

December 2014 / January 2015

For Advertising Information, Call (281) 497-6455 • www.FortBendChristianMagazine.com • 51

FORT BEND’S LARGEST SELECTION OF HAND-SCRAPED HARDWOOD FLOORS

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

December 2014 / January 2015