Faithfully Serving West Houston, Katy, and Fulshear
K AT Y Family Friendly News with an Eternal Purpose Inside this Issue:
When You Pass Through the Waters
Turning Gifts Into a Calling Ted Cruz: Faith and Family Matters Leaving It Up To God To The Wife Trying To Do It All, You’re In God’s Way
April / May 2018
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Inspired
to Higher Education by Olivia Cane
Cambridge dictionary defines the word inspiration as, “someone or something that give you ideas for doing something.” Its root meaning is to “breath into.” In the case of Chevella Sampson, a hairstylist of ten years, that breath of inspiration came to her during a deeply moving spiritual transformation. “The Lord placed on my heart the urge to dig deeper,” she explained. “He called on me to study His word.” At the time, she didn’t know how God wanted her to do that. “Yet I was inspired to go to church one morning,” Chevella explains. “there I met a Belhaven University representative who told me that no matter what your course of study, Belhaven will teach you the word of Christ. I could actually feel God speaking to me.” “I was nervous. I hadn’t been in school for 25 years,” continues Chevella. “Would I be accepted How was I going to manage books, tuition, financial aid? But I wanted to learn more about the Bible, and I knew in my heart that the Christ-based curriculum at Belhaven was the right place for me. Then I called a Belhaven University counselor. It was like she completed my thoughts! All my fears were instantly put to rest. The staff made it so easy. Financial aid was available to me even before God promised me it would be. I
was overjoyed – and most importantly, I knew this was where I belonged.” Today, Chevella has been at Belhaven for two years. “Everybody seems like family They know your name and they want you to succeed. My professors have an open-door policy. If you need guidance, guidance will be provided to you. But it’s the Biblical perspective that’s super important. It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how much you’ve got it together –or even if you don’t have it together. Having a Biblical perspective in your education not only allows you to expand your career, it fulfills a purpose in life no matter what talent you have. Talent is no good without purpose. And your purpose is to know the word of Christ.” For Houston residents who want to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree quickly and affordably, Belhaven University is the answer to a quality adult studies program. Both degree programs are tailored to the needs of busy working adults. Belhaven students graduate with the tools they need to stay competitive in today’s global economy, and they do it with all the love and support of the word of God. “Belhaven is everything you expect in a God-inspired learning environment,” Chevella says. “You will feel so at home here.”
“Everybody seems like ”
family.
West Houston Campus 281-579-9977 15115 Park Row, Houston, TX 77084 houston.belhaven.edu 2 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 741-8317 • www.KatyChristianMagazine.com
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Letter from the Publisher K AT Y Volume XIII, Issue III
6
Bible Trivia
8
When You Pass Through the Waters
15 Leaving It Up To God 18 Turning Gifts Into a Calling 25 To The Wife Trying To Do It All, You’re In God’s Way 31 Dear Doctor: ACL Injuries 33 The Buzz About Katy 37 Ted Cruz: Faith and Family Matters 45 Autism Awareness, Action and Acceptance! 51 Veranda Vibes Concert Coming Your Way 52 Jordan Ranch Proves It’s Better Out West April 21 55 The Parent’s Role in the Final Months of School 60 Then There Were Four 64 Healthy Eating: Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken 65 The Arc of Katy 2018 Gala – Celebrating Katy Hometown Heroes 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.”
I pray that all of our readers had a wonderful Easter weekend! It’s hard to believe that another school year is almost over. After the following school year, my youngest daughter will be off to college and I will be an official “empty nester!” My how the years have flown by. I recently heard on the news that Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston’s Windsor Village Church has been charged with money laundering, fraud, and a host of other charges related to some Chinese bonds that he sold to investors. Whether or not he is guilty of these charges, time will only tell. However, I caution you all to wait until all of the facts are out before you get caught up in all of the hype and make a judgement on the case. Several years back, there was a scandal circulating about another local pastor, Joel Osteen. The story went something like this: the pastor of the Lakewood Church in Texas was leaving the Christian faith, and had bashed the Bible for being a “fallible, flawed, highly inconsistent history book.” I made a hasted judgement based on the rumors I heard, without actually doing my research. I even verbally criticized Pastor Osteen to a woman I was dating at the time. The problem was, the story was a hoax. A fake website designed to look like the official website of Lakewood Church generated these announcements, and I fell for it like countless others. God really convicted me that day in my heart, and rightfully so. He made me remember Gamaliel’s Advice in Acts chapter 5: 35-39 35 He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. 36 Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following. That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. 38 And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” Joseph R. Menslage President/Publisher Katy Christian Magazine joseph@houstonchristianmagazine.com Cover photo by Daniel Pregrasso, www.danielpregrasso.com.
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To SUBSCRIBE: send a check or money order for 30.00 for a 12-month subscription to Katy Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024. For EDITORIAL or calendar submissions, please mail them to Katy Christian Magazine, 650 West Bough, Suite 150-170, Houston, TX 77024.
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Bible Trivia Test Your Knowledge By Answering the Trivia Questions Below
1.) Who made the statement, “Take ye him, and crucify him, for I find no fault in him.”? a) Mary Magdalene b) Judas c) Pilate d) Herod 2.) Some countries (Mexico, Spain, and Greece) have bonfires at Easter time. What is burned in these fires? a) crosses made out of straw b) effigies of Judas c) colored paper eggs d) a giant cloth Easter bunny 3.) What kind of cloth was used to wrap the body of Jesus? a) wool b) linen c) cotton d) silk 4.) Jesus body was placed in a sepulcher and a rock was rolled to cover the opening. What is a sepulcher? a) large pottery urn b) wooden coffin c) cave-like tomb d) hole in dug in the ground 5.) How many angels were guarding the sepulcher? a) one b) four c) six d) two 6.) Which disciple is not present when Jesus goes to see them after his resurrection? a) Thomas b) Simon c) Paul d) Peter 7.) Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead how many days later? a) 7 b) 3 c) 2 d) 5 8.) Which prisoner was released instead of Jesus? a) Barabbas b) Barnabas c) Bartholomew d) Barak
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When You Pass Through the Waters By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein Hurricane Harvey cut a wide swath, and recovery efforts continue many months later as those who lost everything struggle to regain and rebuild their former lives. Pastor Jorge Cardenas and his wife of 20 years, Olivia, suffered a loss that was deep and wide and that profoundly affected their congregation of 700 at Church on the Rock Katy. When the decision was made to release Barker Reservoir in order to spare the city of Houston, the Pastor and his neighbors were unknowingly sacrificed for the greater good. Their neighborhood, which would have been relatively safe, was instead destroyed as the powerful water rushed through their streets and into their homes. Rescued by volunteers in canoes, Cardenas watched as his wife shivered, a hopeless look in her eyes, cradling their dog, who also shivered in fear. With no nearby shelters and panicked people afraid to stop to help, Cardenas had no idea where to go or what to do. “It was then that a man in a pickup truck stopped and offered us a ride. Turns out, he was a member of our congregation,” said Cardenas. “He took us out of danger and to a point where our son could pick us up. Our son and his wife took us into a spare bedroom and gave us a place to live. We had no idea we’d be there for 90 days until we went
back to survey the damage.” The couple was not allowed back to their neighborhood for days, and when they finally returned, they witnessed absolute devastation. “We lost Continued on page 10
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our house, our car, and our church, just like that,” said Cardenas. “I know the people who made the decision to release the dam had a choice of a bad decision and a worse one. The bad decision got us.” What they found was 6 feet of water inside their house, a smell that would only get worse as the days went on, and all of their belongings destroyed. “We didn’t have emotions strong enough to face the devastation. It was just a small taste of what a refugee must feel like,” said Cardenas. Then they started to see God’s hand. A ministry of Baptist men called 8 Days of Hope brought in a half million dollars’ worth of equipment to gut and disinfect the pastor’s home and church. Soon, they were joined by teams of church folk from all over the nation. “People we never met before from places as far away as Ohio, California, Tennessee, and Louisiana came to help us recover,” said Cardenas. “They gave us their time; they gave us their resources.” Neighborhood churches such as Kingsland Baptist took up offerings to kick off the recovery funding for the church. They even called other local churches on behalf of the Cardenas to ask for financial help. Then they invited the members of Church on the Rock Katy to worship in their church every Sunday afternoon.
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Cardenas explained, “Thanks to them, we were able to provide a place for our congregants, many of whom lost everything, to continue to come together for prayer and support.” And the outreach didn’t stop there. A Bible college from California brought people to Katy to prep and paint the church sanctuary, completing the entire job in one week and saving the church an enormous amount of money. In the 5,400 square foot gym, where all of the rubber flooring tiles had to be removed, disinfected, and sanitized, the Cardenas were overwhelmed with the prospect of reconstructing the tiles, which, with all
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their markings for sports, created a giant puzzle. When two soccer teams showed up offering to help wherever needed, the Cardenas asked them to tackle the flooring. In three and a half hours, 40 kids were able to put the pieces of the puzzle together and re-tile the entire floor. Cardenas joked, “And it only cost me $500 in fajitas!”
This was the Body of Christ coming together, and it didn’t stop. A group called Pastors Serve Ministry showed up one day and asked about Cardenas’ wife - How was she handling everything? Was there anything she needed? Cardenas explained that Olivia had lost all her shoes, purses, house supplies, china, silver, and all memories of their kids and their first grandchild. The group smiled and handed over $1,000, saying, “Please buy your wife some shoes and purses.” Then they handed over another $1,000 for china and silver, another $1,000 to buy whatever else she needed. As Cardenas said, the generosity was just astounding. In addition to losing their home and church, the couple also lost Olivia’s brand new car. The insurance company wanted to assess the damage but couldn’t reach the house because of flooding. By the pastor’s reputation alone, they processed the claim to replace the car right away and then the dealership, hearing of their plight, gave them the same car at a better price. The outpouring of graciousness continued as friends sent food and money, and teams from Hope City, Kingsland Baptist, and Grace Community Church (a church that experienced its own flooding and still sent a team to help Church on the Rock) continued to offer help. Continued on page 12
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The church’s own staff worked 80 hours a week for no extra pay to get the church up and running again. After only 54 days, they were able to bring their congregation back into the church and worship God again under one roof. The church is now 90 percent closer to completion and the Cardenases hope to get their home to the point that they can move back in soon. In their eyes, Harvey was a blessing in disguise. “We learned God’s love through the body of Christ. We learned that you reap what you plant. We learned, as difficult as it was for two givers, that it’s okay to receive. We learned to love people just the way they are. We learned that what you practice, you become. We learned to stop complaining and acting like victims and to start recognizing the Body of Christ all around,” said Cardenas. He is grateful for what he says is a deeper sense of knowing the Lord. “Every morning I’d get up and hear God say, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Then my wife and I went into a Christian pharmacy to get shots for Tetanus during the clean-up. The Greater Life pamphlet scripture of the day was on the counter and the featured scripture was from Isaiah 43:2 - When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When God said this, his
promise was not that there would be no waters. Not, you’re not going to go through this. His promise was, I’m going to be with you. If he’s with you, it doesn’t matter how bad it is, he’ll pull you through.” One after another, God was with them.
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Leaving It Up To God By Caitlin Richards As a young girl, Mary Sarah would sing about doing laundry while running around her house in Fort Bend County. Little did Mary know her joy for singing would become much more. It wasn’t until she and her sister, Emily, decided to take piano lessons that her God-given talent for signing was truly recognized. “My sister and I have always done things together,” Mary said. “Prior to piano we did ice skating lessons and gymnastics together. Emilee is actually the one who took an interest in piano. So of course, being the younger sister I wanted to do it too.” While at piano lessons, Mary would sing along while she played. Her teacher noticed the natural vibrato in Mary’s voice, which most people practice and work towards to achieve. Mary admits she had no idea what her teacher was talking about when he told her. He suggested that she look into vocal lessons and Mary thought why not. “I already sang around the house,” Mary said, Continued on page 16
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“so, I thought it would just be another fun thing to try and do. Then I just fell in love with it. I started off going once a week and then twice a week. It just took off from there.” Mary was eight years old when she started taking vocal lessons. Soon after she added dance classes and acting classes into the mix, once again, all just for fun. After a couple of years of growing in her talents, her vocal lesson teacher offered to connect Mary with an agent out in Los Angeles. “I don’t even know what it was that made my family and I think this was a great idea and that we should to do it, but we did,” Mary said. “We ended up packing up and heading out to LA to meet him.” Even though she was only 12 years old, Mary remembers the trip vividly. She and her mother met with the agent and it couldn’t of gone any better. They all got along and he confirmed Mary’s talents and skills. The day after the meeting her mother received an email about an audition. They were set to head back home to Texas, but Mary convinced her mother to stay so she could audition. Mary simply wanted to experience the audition process, to see what it was like, and what it was all about. She had no real thoughts of actually being called back the next day out of the thousands of kids, but she was. After the second round, she and her mother flew back home to Texas and waited to hear back. Still Mary really wasn’t expecting much out of it. She didn’t hear back until almost two months later. To her surprise she had landed a spot in touring with Kidz Bop. “I remember just screaming and dropping the phone,” Mary said. “It was my first audition, and honestly, I didn’t think anything would really 16 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 741-8317 • www.KatyChristianMagazine.com
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moved to Nashville to continue Mary’s musical performing career. Then in 2016, Mary took on the national spotlight by being chosen for Team Blake on season 10 of The Voice. “Honestly, I look back on my life and it has truly just been miracle after miracle,” Mary said. “I just can’t explain how it all has happened. There is no reasoning that my life turned out the way it did, other than that God was so involved.” Mary’s faith is the one thing, other than her family, that has helped her navigate her journey thus far. Within the music business, Mary admits there can be a lot that comes with it. But her faith and family have helped keep her grounded. “The one thing that continues to keep me going is that God keeps granting me these miracles,” Mary said. “I just pray all the time, ‘Lord, you gave me this voice. If it is where I am supposed to be and this is what I am supposed to be doing then you continue to open the doors and you make the way.’ Because I don’t ever want to be the one to force it all to happen.” Even though Mary calls Nashville home now. She still has a special place in her heart for the Fort Bend area. She admits it is the place that made her into who she is today. When Mary can, she enjoys coming back to the area to sing at local events. While home, she tries to take part in her home church’s worship services at River Pointe Church. “I am really passionate about worship,” Mary said. “When I get to sing worship songs, whether it is traditional hymns or new worship music, I always enjoy getting to use my voice in that way.” The next big stage Mary will take will be in Las Vegas. She will be continuing her career with The Voice by participating in a residency show at the Hard Rock Casino called The Voice: Neon Dreams. No matter what stage Mary is on though, she hopes her faith is what shines through the most.
come from it because I was just trying it out.” Mary and her family took some time to pray and discuss the opportunity as a family. Little did they know it would be the first stepping-stone in Mary’s musical career. Mary has now been in the musical performing business for 10 years. Shortly after, her Kidz Bop tour she put out an album of duets with some of country music’s legends, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price. Her days of singing in the Texas Opry circuit would soon switch to singing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. She and her mother
April / May 2018
Mary Sarah is a singer and songerwriter with deep roots in Houston. Learn more or listen to her music at at the links below: www.marysarah.com. www.facebook.com/MarySarahMusic www.youtube.com/user/MarySarahMusic
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Turning Gifts Into a Calling By Caitlin Richards For Jerome Love there is no doubt he is living out the calling God has placed on his life. As owner of LHS Realty, Jerome is using his gifts to serve not only his customers but also God. The grassroots of Jerome’s real estate career and faith began while he was a college student at the University of Texas in Austin. Jerome was new in his faith but he quickly discovered he wanted more out his career than a rigid eight to five role. Jerome’s pastor Dr. Dana Carson encouraged him to use his gifts to be an entrepreneur in real estate. So, he could live the kind of life he wanted, where he was earning a living but ultimately serving God. “Dr. Carson has always been a role model for me,” Jerome said. “He always encouraged me to do more. He was the most progressive guy I had ever met. He encouraged me to think bigger by having my own business and to go into real estate.” Jerome received his real estate license in 1998 and graduated from the University of Texas in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications and a minor in business. He started his career while still in college as an apartment locator. Then grew into full-time sales in 2000.
After three years of working in Austin, his pastor Dr. Carson would again have an influence on Jerome’s life. “Dr. Carson announced he felt like God was calling him to move the Continued on page 21
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ccording to Karen, mother of two school-aged boys, homework was ruining their lives. “Every night I would come home from work and spend hours helping my kids with their homework,” she remembers. “By the time we got done, it was time for bed.” Karen’s oldest son, Jackob, was in 5th grade. His teachers didn’t see a problem because he was an A and B student. “But they weren’t the ones at home watching him struggle,” Karen says. “He understood the material in class—the issue was that it took him forever to do the work.” At the end of 5th grade, one of Jacob’s teachers told Karen, “Your son is a pleasure to have in class, I just wish he would talk more!” That was another red flag. At home Jacob had plenty to say. Why wasn’t he participating in the classroom? When Karen thought about that—and the many hours of homework—she knew something needed to change. “With all the hours I had spent on homework, I felt that I had been through 5th grade myself! Looking forward, I did NOT want to go to sixth grade in the fall, or to high
school in a few years! I began looking for a solution.” That summer, Karen enrolled Jacob in a LearningRx brain training program. She discovered that LearningRx doesn’t teach (or reteach) information and ideas like tutoring does. Instead, brain training programs consist of intense (but fun) mental exercises that strengthen skills (like attention, memory, and logic) that the brain uses to think and learn. “Going through the program was life-changing for us,” Karen says. Several weeks into 6th grade, Karen asked Jacob about his day at school. “It went good!” He grinned. “I volunteered to do some math problems on the board.” Karen couldn’t believe her ears! The boy who labored for hours over homework and felt too insecure to talk in class was not only volunteering in class, he was also getting his homework done in record time— without any help from her at all! “To have our lives totally change because of this program is just amazing,” says this happy mom.
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headquarters of our church from Austin to Houston,” Jerome said. “We had about 300 families relocate with him from Austin to Houston and I was one of them. I have been in Fort Bend County ever since.” Since then, Jerome has built his career in real estate to where it is today. He now owns his own full service real estate agency – LHS Realty.
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Specifically, Jerome is a broker and specializes in residential listings. His background in marketing enables him to list his customers’ properties effectively. Nearly 90% of his listings sell in 37 days or less. However, Jerome’s career in real estate is more to him than just selling homes. He explained there are a large number of realtors who practice as a hobby. As a result, realtors sometimes get a bad reputation. “Part of my mission is to restore the integrity of the real estate profession,” Jerome said. “I am dealing with an asset, which for most people is their largest asset - their home. As a full-service broker, part of my mission is to provide people the service they want, get their home sold quickly and get them top dollar. All while restoring the branding, imagery and integrity of the real estate profession.” Jerome’s success as an entrepreneur in real estate has spurred him to help others in a number of ways, from writing books and public speaking to giving of his time and resources in the mission field with his church. His book “Get Up, Get Out, & Get Motivated” has three different editions - leader, entrepreneur and student – where he shares what he has learned over his 20-year career to help propel others to move forward in their lives and businesses. “A big part of it all boils down to integrity and handling yourself like a professional,” Jerome said. “I feel like I have learned some things that can really help people tremendously, increase their sales without Continued on page 22
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cutting corners or doing anything that lacks integrity, and also how to become a better leader.” He also enjoys sharing his story through public speaking. He speaks at corporate, sales and leadership conferences to inspire others with what he has learned. However, he has a special place in his heart for the younger generation. “In regard to young people, I think they need a little direction, empow-
erment and vision,” Jerome said. “Most people think I am younger than what I really am. So it allows me to relate to young people better.” While building his career in real estate in the Fort Bend area, Jerome saw the need to build self-sustaining communities through developing
low-income communities that were reliant on outside aid. The key in doing so Jerome thought was through building strong businesses. So Jerome decided to start the non-profit Texas Black Expo, Incorporated (TBE). “Texas Black Expo is a non-profit organization with mission to improve the quality of life within urban communities by strengthening businesses, inspiring youth, and building better lives,” Jerome said. “We believe that each individual - regardless of race, gender or class - should be empowered to choose his or her own destiny and have a high quality of life.” Texas Black Expo believes businesses build communities, therefore, they regularly gives grants to small businesses to help them do so in their community. After Hurricane Harvey, Texas Black Expo gave out 25 $1,000 grants to help small businesses recover and rebuild. Aside from his career and non-profit work though, Jerome said at the end of the day his mission is to make disciples of Christ. While he does seek to do this in his career, he also works alongside his church, Reflections of Christ’s Kingdom (The R.O.C.K.), to do so. The R.O.C.K. has about 40 churches across the globe and a school in Nairobi, Kenya. Jerome has been on two mission trips himself to be a part of The R.O.C.K’s ministries. “I think you always have to understand that God didn’t create us to make money,” Jerome said. “He didn’t create us to make businesses. He created us to make disciples. God didn’t give me my business to just make money. Ultimately, he gave it to me to support ministry.” In all that Jerome does, it is crystal clear he is following the call God placed on his life. While he isn’t working or giving back, Jerome enjoys spending time with his wife and four children. Contact Jerome at 281-773-3340 or jlove@lhsrealty.com to learn more about his real estate services, or visit www.lhsrealty.com.
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To The Wife Trying To Do It All, You’re In God’s Way By Jordan Harrell I’m a laid-back perfectionist. Seriously, it’s a thing. I am completely at peace going out in public looking like I just got electrocuted, in the shower, fully clothed, while cutting my hair. But I won’t even attempt (fill in the blank) if there’s even a small chance of failure. I don’t know if that’s being a perfectionist or just a coward. So when I got married, I realized pretty quickly I wasn’t the perfect wife. It was shocking to no one but me. Much to my dismay, I wasn’t as good of a cook or hostess or decorator or housekeeper as I thought I’d be. Poor Husband. Heaven help that man if he pointed out a sock on the floor because... stop telling me I’m a terrible wife. Then came kids. I just knew I’d craft the Holy Spirit right into them, install an incredibly spiritual and relaxing bedtime routine, and Continued on page 27
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make whimsical memories, you guys, every single day. So when I never really got around to doing a daily craft and bedtime almost always ended with “Get. In. Bed. Right. Now.” through gritted teeth and all my most prominent memories seemed to involve tantrums or poop, the perfectionist in me (whom I lovingly refer to as Satan) started to whisper things . . . Every other mom is doing this better than you. They won’t turn out okay if you keep this up. He couldn’t possibly love someone who suck this bad. You are ruining this You are SO not enough. But let me tell you a story. In Judges 6-8, God asks Gideon to save the Israelites. After trying to weasel out of the job a couple of times, he realizes God’s not messing around. So, he gathers up as many men as he can find to go defeat the Midianite army of 135,000. He’s feeling a little
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meager at 32,000 but is trusting God and heads out anyway. He’s already an underdog. This is already destined to be a Cinderella story. Gideon’s army is like the Butler of the Bible. Continued on page 29
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But guess what? God sees that underdog army and says, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her . . .” get rid of some. There are too many, he says. The victory might be mistaken for a triumph under your own strength, he says. Get rid of some, he says. You want to see me work? You want to know I’m here? You want to know how much I love you and am for you? Get rid of some. Get them out of my way. So, Gideon sheds 22,000 men. He is now down to 10,000 soldiers to battle the Midianites’ 135,000. But get this. God says, nope . . . “There are still too many men.” It is still possible that victory could mistakenly be attributed to your army. Get rid of some more. So, Gideon siphons them down to a mere three hundred. 300. Three Hundred. God tells Gideon to take 300 men to battle against an army of 135,000. Do you ever look at your spouse and kids and feel like you’re up against an army of 135,000? I do. I am Gideon. We are Gideon. We plan and plot ways to guarantee victory, guarantee success in our children, and in our marriages. But then the Lord gently reminds us, Stop striving. Stop working so hard to do this all on your own. Trust me to do my job. In the end, when this is all said and done, I want you to be able to see MY glory. Not yours.
So, get rid of some. Get out of my way. That part about not being enough? It’s true. We’re absolutely not enough. We can’t do it all. God intended it that way. He created us. He purposefully placed gaps, imperfections, in us so that He might come fill them. We weren’t created to do it all because we weren’t created to get all the glory. Our imperfections magnify His perfection. Our incompleteness points to his completeness. Our insufficiencies create space for him to work. So, wives, if you’re floundering and flailing, if you’re gasping for air, stop trying to fill your own gaps by doing more and trying harder. You can’t. You won’t fit. Just get out of his way and make space for Him. Then, he can display his power. Then, you can find peace. Raising a family, one that makes it to the other side loving the Lord and liking each other, that would take much more than a clean house and a perfect mom. That would take a miracle. A miracle. Like an army of 300 defeating 135,000. Something like that.
Jordan writes about the days with her three kids and wonderful husband to help her get through the days with her three kids and wonderful husband. She’s really good at eating chocolate, over-analyzing everything, and forgetting stuff. You can find her at jordanharrell.com, facebook.com/jordanharrelldotcom, or instagram. com/jordan_harrell_.
I want everyone to be able to see ME through what I have done for you.
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EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL Richard Risinger, a lifelong resident of Harris County, has served our community as a municipal attorney, legal advisor, prosecutor, and civil litigation attorney, for over 26 years, and also served as a municipal judge. Risinger is exceptionally qualified to serve as your next judge presiding over Harris County’s 295th Civil District Court.
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Dear Doctor: ACL Injuries Dear Doctor: My daughter’s friend tore the ACL in her knee playing soccer. She is planning to have a surgery to replace it. Is this necessary? Dear Reader: ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament, and it is one of two large ligaments within the knee. The ACL provides important stability to the knee during many athletic activities with the exception of straight line walking or jogging. Unfortunately, this ligament is often injured during sports, and female athletes in particular are more likely to injure their ACLs than their male counterparts. The best management for an ACL tear is to prevent it from occurring using a preseason training program to improve the mechanics of jumping and landing. These programs have been proven to strengthen muscles in the hip and knee which helps to reduce stress on knee ligaments during sports. When necessary, an ACL tear is best managed with a surgical reconstruction in those patients who would like to continue doing athletic activities (football, soccer, volleyball, Continued on page 32
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etc). Continuing to participate in these types of activities without reconstruction could lead to additional injuries within the knee including cartilage and meniscal injuries. There are several options for the type of ACL reconstruction that can be performed, and the treating surgeon will discuss available options for each patient. Reconstruction surgery is very successful in most patients and can allow a return to sports in 9 to 12 months.
Terence D. Anderson, M.D., is an orthopedist with UT Physicians and an assistant professor at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). To schedule an appointment at a UT Physicians Orthopedics clinic in the Katy area, call 888-4UT-DOCS.
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The Buzz About Katy
Calvary Episcopal Preparatory competed at the PSIA (Private School Interscholastic Association) One-Act play competition at Foster High School on February 23rd. CEP students performed “The Diviners” by Jim Leonard Jr and received first place, advancing them to the state competition in Fort Worth in April.
Spring is here, and the Orchestra at Cinco Ranch High School is set to play again for the public. Fresh off their performance at the Lincoln Center Tully Hall in New York City for the 2018 National Orchestra Cup, students will perform a concert at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Cinco Ranch High School on May 10th at 7:00PM.
The 2nd annual Katy Color Run will be held Saturday, April 7th at Kingsland Baptist Church. The color-filled run will consist of a 5K run and a 1K kids’ dash.
The 2nd annual Katy Color Run will feature entertainment, food trucks and vendors and a kids’ fun zone. Proceeds from the run will benefit local nonprofit organizations: Christ Clinic, Clothed by Faith, Compassion Katy, Hope Impacts and Katy Christian Ministries.
Calvary Episcopal Preparatory sent 13 middle school students to the Houston Area Private Schools All City Band all City Band on March 5th, 2018. Students across the city are chosen based off of a taped audition and a letter of recommendation from their band director. The qualified students practice and then put on a performance all in one evening.
March 4 is National Hug A G.I. Day, and for the past 22 years, it has been a day to show love and admiration to the men and women in the military. For children who have lost a parent in the military, the day takes on a different meaning and becomes a day to honor their fallen hero with a “virtual hug” and holding on to cherished memories.
April / May 2018
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In West Houston Christian Athletic Conference (WHCAC) Boys Division, the number 1 ranked team Calvary Episcopal Preparatory Crusaders defeated Texas Christian Academy 43- 21 and won the Championships for the 2017-2018 season.
In girls hoops, last year’s champion “Calvary Episcopal Preparatory Crusaders” started out the season with a goal to get back to the playoffs and try to repeat. It was a struggle like last year, but they came on strong in district and went into the playoff in 2nd place.
Joseph Menslage and Lily Palmer of Katy Christian Magazine attended Rodeo Houston in March 2018.
Cheerleaders from Cinco Ranch attending the Fort Bend County Literary and Fine Arts Festival.
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Ted Cruz: Faith and Family Matters By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein I had the opportunity to speak with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz in a one-on-one conversation about faith and family. He had just flown in from Washington, D.C., and later that evening, he was scheduled to speak at the Fort Bend Lincoln Reagan Dinner. Despite his packed schedule, he took the time to answer my questions and share a little about his private life. RD: In your speech at Liberty University, where you officially announced your 2016 presidential bid, you called conservative Christians to come to the polls and “vote their values.” What Christian values are most important to you within the political arena? TC: Three values are fundamental: life, marriage, and religious liberty. Life is foundational to everything else; without it, there is no marriage, no religious liberty, nothing. Every human life is a precious gift from God and should be protected from conception to natural death. Likewise, marriage is the building block of the family, ordained by God to make us stronger and to reflect the relationship with husband and wife that God has with the church. Religious liberty is the first liberty protected in the first clause of the First
April / May 2018
Amendment. It ensures we can all worship God with all our hearts, minds, and souls without government getting in the way. Our nation was founded upon the core principles of religious liberty. In my time in public life, I have Continued on page 39
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been blessed repeatedly to have the opportunity to defend all three. RD: You have talked about your father and how finding Jesus changed his life, and ultimately, yours. As a young boy, how were you affected by this change in your father and how has it affected you long-term? TC: It literally transformed our lives. I was born in Calvary, Canada, and both of my parents were in oil and gas. Neither was a Christian and both were heavy drinkers. When I was 3, my father left us and returned to Houston. One day, he was invited to Clay Road Baptist Church, where he met Pastor Wiley. He became a Christian, bought a plane ticket back to Calvary, and reunited with mother and me. Shortly after, my mom became a Christian. Both stopped drinking, and as a result, I was raised in a strong Christian home built on love, trust, and encouragement. I became a Christian at 8 years old in the same church. Had my father not turned his life around, I would have been raised by a single mom. Who knows where the path of life would have taken me? As a Christian, I met and married Heidi, which I wouldn’t have otherwise. So you see, my father’s decision has transformed generations like ripples in a pond. RD: What an incredible impact one man - Pastor Wiley - had on generations within your family! TC: Oh yes! One of the more amazing moments of the presidential campaign was at a rally in Tennessee. Pastor Wiley, came to the campaign. I hadn’t seen him in over 30 years and didn’t know he was coming. I broke down in tears, thanked him for having shared the gospel with my father, and told him about the impact he had and continues to have on all of us. RD: Much has been written about your marriage and the fact that yours and your wife Heidi’s careers have been demanding, oftentimes requiring you to live in separate locations for long stretches of time. Then, you faced the presidential campaign together. What do you think has kept you together over these years and through a sometimes brutal campaign? What lessons have you learned? TC: More than anything, Heidi is my best friend. For much of Continued on page 40
April / May 2018
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time - the park, movies, Mexican food. RD: Even with your limited time, though, you still have to make time for just the two of you. TC: Agreed. All the focus can’t be on your kids. For one thing, your kids watch how you and your spouse interact, and they need to see you building each other up. We’re constantly helping each other, supporting each other. Heidi and I try to have a date night once a week. We’ll put the girls to bed and go out for a late-night dinner, just the two of us. When you’re married, you need to spend time strengthening and building the friendship. The payoff is that our marriage has become a key source of strength for both of us through life’s challenges. We face all sorts of obstacles and stumbles, but facing it with your partner is a lot better than facing it alone.
our marriage we’ve been on the road, separate, but we talk many times each day. Serving in the Senate, I work during the week in D.C., while she’s at our home in Houston with our girls, and it takes effort to ensure that we spend good quality time together. When we’re apart, I try to Facetime every evening, and when we’re together as a family, we try hard to have quality
RD: How has your career, the moves, and the presidential campaign affected your life with your two daughters, Catherine, 7, and Caroline, 9? What are the greatest lessons you’ve learned as a father? Continued on page 42
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TC: The single hardest aspect of serving in the senate is spending so much time away from the girls. I imagine how this looks to them: Daddy leaves every Monday morning to fly to Washington. We can only talk to Daddy on the telephone. Our girls have grown up in the public life and it’s challenging. I know there are times when they wished politics were behind us so they could be ordinary girls outside of the bright spotlight. Caroline is playing basketball, and I’m helping coach the team, but the real difficult aspect is that I miss a lot of her games. I had planned to be back for her game one Friday night, then the government shutdown hit, and it’s hard to explain to your daughter that you missed the game because Chuck Schumer shut down the government. Hands down, it’s the most difficult part of public life. During the presidential campaign, we kept the girls in Houston for school and stability. They were okay when Daddy was on the road, but when Mommy joined, it became really difficult. Midway through, we began bringing them along and homeschooled them for months through 47 states. They lived on the campaign bus and became close to volunteers and staffers. That turned out to be a much better arrangement, even though they lacked stability. And you know, there were moments that were truly crazy. In the middle of the primaries, right after the Iowa Caucus, we had to fly Catherine back to Houston to interview for Kindergarten admissions. But that’s life. What I learned through all of it is that there’s nothing the girls want more than time with Mom and Dad. RD: One final question: What do you want to be remembered for? What do you hope will be written and said about you down the road? TC: That I made a difference in the lives of others. That’s a lesson I’ve tried to teach our girls. No one cares how much money you have or what kind of car you drive. The only thing anyone remembers is how many lives
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you touched and how many people you helped. For me, going back to my teen years, my twin passions have always been freedom and the Constitution. My father was a revolutionary in Cuba who had been imprisoned and tortured, so at an early age I understood the preciousness and fragility of our freedoms. If you had asked me what I wanted to do, even as a small boy, I would have said defend freedom. It’s what I hope and intend to do going forward. If that can be my legacy for Texans and for people across the country, I’ll be very proud.
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Autism Awareness, Action and Acceptance! Hope For Three Ignites Community to Recognize April As Autism Awareness Month
April, Autism Awareness Month, is in full swing and Hope For Three, local autism advocates, is hitting the streets to spread the Power of Three: Awareness, Action and Acceptance! Organizers say the Power of Three is a must to help children with autism (1 in 45 school-age children affected) thrive and live the best life possible. Continued on page 46
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Awareness In 2007, the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day in perpetuity and the entire Month has become Autism Awareness Month. Hope For Three, founded in 2011, vowed its first celebration of April, Autism Awareness Month in 2012, would reach countywide and beyond. Today, the organization continues to garner the support of Fort Bend County Judge Robert Hebert and all 18 City Mayors, whereby each proclaims the month of April as Autism Awareness Month and encourages their city to support Hope For Three, its mission and local families and children living with autism spectrum disorder. “Autism is a very complex disorder,” said Darla Farmer, Founder and Executive Director of Hope For Three. “We recognize for our community to take action and give unconditional acceptance to autism families, they must be aware and educated about autism spectrum disorder. Among the many ways, we bring awareness is through various events such as, Car Wash for Kids (4-8-18), “Strike Out” Autism (4-29-18), a Jigsaw Puzzle Competition, Annual Luncheon and Golf “Fore” Autism. Awareness and training continues through Hope For Three’s signature program, It’s Cool to Care (awareness campaign in the public school systems empowering students to have empathy to peers with unique differences),
Crisis Intervention Training (“CIT”, educating law enforcement on engagement strategies and the characteristics of autism) and, a caregiver empowerment session, H.O.P.E (Helping Our Parents Excel). The organization also offers two incredible programs provided by teen volunteers, Sibling Sessions (one on one mentorship for siblings of children with autism through a variety of activities) and Parents Time Out (volunteers entertain all children in the family to give parents three-hours of respite),” continued Farmer.
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Veranda Vibes Concert Coming Your Way
Richmond, TX – April 2018) Good vibrations are a-happenin’ at Veranda, where not just one or two, but four amazing bands will take the stage for an open-air concert from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 14. Everyone is invited over to the Richmond master-planned community, 23002 Henderson Row Drive, where tribute bands spanning the musical gamut from country to rock will be performing. “Veranda Vibes is an event that really shows what Veranda is all about,”
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said Trey Reichert, Vice President and General Manager of Veranda. “It’s going to have something for everyone — in the same way that Veranda has something for every home buyer.” Bands scheduled to perform include a Jimmy Buffett tribute by Lost Shaker of Salt, Mike Sugg honoring Toby Keith, Keith Ormrod singing popular tunes by Kenny Chesney, a Santana tribute by Soul Sacrifice and a Journey tribute by Eclipse. Between musical sets, visitors can chow down on barbecue and food truck fare. Beer will be available for the 21+ set. A kid’s zone featuring face painters, bounce houses, inflatable slides and obstacle courses will keep little ones occupied. Admission and parking are free. All 11 of Veranda’s professionally decorated model homes will be open for touring, allowing visitors to peruse the variety of designs offered by the community’s family of builders. Veranda Vibes is one of many events on the Houston’s Largest Home Tour calendar. The tour, sponsored by Veranda developer Johnson Development, encourages the public to visit hundreds of homes, including 170 models in 14 Johnson communities throughout April. For more information, visit https://www.verandatexas.com/ verandavibes.
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Jordan Ranch Proves It’s Better Out West April 21 (Fulshear, TX – March 2018) Jordan Ranch is tipping its hat to the best of the West 3-8 p.m. Saturday, April 21, in a fun-filled event that is free and open to the public. Headlining the Better Out West Fest is a concert by Jay Allen and CMA Award-Winning artists, Maddie and Tae. In addition to live music, the Better Out West Fest will offer a roundup of children’s activities, including a zip line traversing the community, a rock climbing wall, face painters and an obstacle course. All ages can try their hand at mechanical bull riding. Barbecue and drinks also will be available for purchase! Jordan Ranch offers a convenient location near Houston’s Energy Corridor and the extended Grand Parkway, meaning less time spent commuting and more time spent at home. Seven well-known builders offer new homes in Jordan Ranch with pricing from the $200,000s to the $500,000s. Thirteen models are open for touring. Residents find plenty to do in Jordan Ranch at The Shed, a recreation complex with a clubhouse, fitness center, event lawn and playground. Phase 2 amenities — opening this year — include a freeform pool, lazy river and splash pad. A full-time Director of Fun plans frequent resident events. Children attend schools in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, including Leaman Junior High and Fulshear High School, opened in August 2016. Learn more about Jordan Ranch at www.jordanranchtexas.com.
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The Parent’s Role in the Final Months of School By Dr. Rebecca Deurlein In my book, Teenagers 101, I spend a lot of time talking about parent involvement in their teenagers’ educations and lives. Today, though, I’d like to talk about that delicate balance between being over-involved and not quite involved enough. Let’s concentrate on something that is hitting everyone hard right now - the end of the school year, with final exams and final grades. It’s a challenging month for teachers, students, and parents alike, so below are eight suggestions for having the appropriate amount of involvement while nudging your kids toward greater independence. 1. Now is not the time for teenagers (and parents!) to start worrying about grades - that should have happened quite a while ago. Yes, final exams can make a difference in a course grade, but if a child hasn’t shown much interest all year, his chance of doing well on a final exam that serves as an accumulation of all he’s learned is slim. Encourage him to study hard, but let him know that learning is a process, and the process starts on the Continued on page 56
Run-o ff Elec
Tricia Krenek:
tion: T uesda y, May
Conservative. Experienced. Passionate about public service.
22
The BEST CHOICE in the race for Judge, Fort Bend County Court-at-Law No. 3 The candidate with the experience for the job is Tricia Krenek. • • • • • • • • • •
Managing partner of Krenek Law Offices Multi-faceted litigator, mediator, and a strong constitutionalist Graduate, University of St. Thomas, BBA and MBA in Accounting Graduate, University of Houston Law Center Studied at the University of Innsbruck under the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Clerked for former district Judge Jeff Brown, who now serves on the Texas Supreme Court Elected to Fulshear City Council in 2014 and serves as Mayor Pro Tem Fort Bend County GOP Precinct Chair Member of Brazos River Rotary, Republican Women of Katy, active volunteer and supporter of many community organizations Married to Ed Krenek and they are members of St. Faustina Catholic Church
REPUBLICAN
FOR JUDGE
FORT BEND COUNTY COURT AT LAW 3 ENDORSED BY
Tricia Krenek is proud to be endorsed by:
State Representative John Zerwas ✯ Precinct 3 County Commissioner Andy Meyers Mayor Ernie Stuart ✯ Mayor Lou Boudreaux ✯ Mayor Rodney and Marie Pavlock ✯ Former Mayor Tommy and Rhonda Kuykendall ✯ Former Mayor Dan McJunkin The Hon. Adam and Dana Hollingsworth ✯ The Hon. Stephen and Benita Gill ✯ The Hon. Jim and Nancy Fatheree ✯ The Hon. Kaye Kahlich ✯ Randy Emery Randy and Kim Stacy ✯ Andrew Van Chau ✯ John and Allyson Stephens ✯ Mark Clark ✯ Denise Robbins ✯ David Melanson ✯ Karen Van Holten ✯ Kenny Sumner Leigh John Bentley ✯ Wayne and Susan Walters ✯ Christy Theander ✯ Billy and Mona Norris ✯ George Lane ✯ Audrey Lane ✯ Dale Olson ✯ Al and Anita Sulak Matthew and Rachelle Demny ✯ Owen and Sherri Bement ✯ Don McCoy ✯ Tom and Lori Shirley ✯ Collette Horton ✯ Kenneth and Cheryl Stalinsky Dr. Kenneth and Dean Lehrer ✯ Jacob and Sarah Evans ✯ Michael Moore ✯ Dr. Ruben and Wendy Garcia ✯ Lilly Hargrave Texas Right to Life PAC ✯ Fort Bend Christian Magazine ✯ Partial list at time of printing
TriciaKrenek.com •
G Tricia Krenek for County Court at Law No. 3
Vote FOR Tricia Krenek in the Republican Primary Run-off on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Early Voting is May 14–18. Political advertising paid for by Tricia Krenek Campaign, Sean Bielstein, Treasurer, in voluntary compliance with the limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
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2. If your child realizes that she has not done the work this year that she should have, look ahead. It does little good to tell kids what they should have done; in fact, it’s much better that they come to this realization on their own. Once they do, take a constructive, forward-thinking approach so that they can learn from their mistakes and start the next school year on the right foot. 3. If there is a question about grades, make sure your children handle it instead of you. Encourage them to speak to their teachers respectfully, to clarify how they earned the grade they did, and to ask how they can do well on their final assignments and exams. Being able to self-advocate is crucial for success, and you will do your kids a huge favor if you teach them this now. 4. If your child is not able to get answers to questions or truly does not understand his current grade, email the teacher and say that. Always approach these situations as a partner in your child’s success, as someone
very first day of school.
Continued on page 59
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April / May 2018
who wants to work with the teacher for clarification. Do not contact the principal or speak to other parents without first talking to the teacher. Nine times out of ten, you will get the answers you seek and everything will make more sense after a simple email exchange with the teacher. 5. Offer to help your kids with studying strategies or spend an hour quizzing them on their notes. Beyond that, it’s best to step back and let them take ownership of their learning and studying. Since you are trying to prepare teenagers for life after high school, it’s important to transfer the
child may be disappointed in his grade and that’s perfectly okay. It will serve as an impetus for harder work next time and teach him that sometimes he will have to work harder than others to achieve his goals. 7. Do not let your children skip school because “we’re not doing anything in class.” Trust me, they are doing something in class. And if they’re not, well, then you have every right to be angry about that. If your kids are watching Ferris Bueller in math, question it. If they’re working hard all the way until the last day, commend the teacher for keeping them engaged and focused. 8. Don’t lie for your kids, ever. Don’t excuse absences so that they can exempt exams. Don’t claim they’re at a doctor’s appointment so that they can get their hair done for prom. Don’t say that you saw them do an assignment that is missing from the teacher’s grade book. Think of the example you are setting when you do this, and ask yourself what is really important - the grade, or the example of character you set for your kids.
responsibility to them now and to serve as a support, but not a crutch. 6. Do not fight for a better grade for your kid if he has not earned it himself. Don’t ask teachers for extra credit, don’t ask that your kid be able to make up an assignment from a month before, and don’t ask a teacher to round up a grade. NONE of this supports learning or responsibility. Your
Rebecca Deurlein is the author of Teenagers 101: What a top teacher wishes you knew about helping your kid succeed, and CEO of Teenager Success 101, a one-on-one tutoring and life coaching company dedicated to helping kids find success. She 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 rebeccadeurlein.com.
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Then There Were Four By Gary Gillen As I mentioned in our last issue, there were more judicial races on the Republican Primary ballot than usual. These offices are important to the fair and impartial execution of justice. Sadly, only16% of our voters cared enough to educate themselves and carry out our most precious right – vote. If history is any indication, far fewer will vote in the runoff. There are two races with runoffs. These are races where no candidate got over 50% of the votes.
County Court at Law #3
She is currently the managing partner of a boutique law firm handling virtually all areas of law. Krenek resides in Fulshear.
Tricia Krenek Tricia Krenek is a life-long Texan. She was elected to the Fulshear City Council in 2014 and currently serves as Mayor Pro-Tem. She graduated from the University of St. Thomas with a BBA and an MBA. She then studied law at the University of Houston Law Center. In addition, she studied abroad in England and Austria under Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia – a conservative giant. She has worked to improve educational outreach and lobbying efforts for Texas Right to Life.
Harold Kennedy Harold Kennedy was born in New York. He did not return my phone or e-mail requests, so all information here is from his website. Kennedy graduated from Dartmouth. He studied law at Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he was Chief Justice of the Law School Honor Court. His efforts in the community are Continued on page 63
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April / May 2018
directed to children. He instituted and coached the Willowridge High School Mock Trial Team, which reached semi-final placement at a statewide competition. According to his website, Kennedy has been an Associate Judge since 1999 but has never held elective office. Kennedy resides in Pleak.
Fort Bend County Treasurer Tina Gibson Tina Gibson has lived in Sugar Land for 35 years. She is a Republican Precinct Chair, State Republican Executive Committeewoman, Board Member of the Texas Federation of Republican Women, and President of a Fort Bend Republican Women’s Club. Gibson has Bachelor of Science Degrees from both Texas A&M University and The University of Texas. Gibson points out that the Treasurer, “does not develop or maintain the county budget, is not responsible for the investments of the county. It does not raise or manage bonds or receive tax revenue. It pays county payroll and the invoices Commissioners Court approves.”
of the Rosenberg Railroad Museum and a MUD board. Rickert majored in Computer Information Systems at Loyola University and has an MBA from Tulane. Rickert wants to be a leader “who can protect, grow and invest our assets, guiding our county into the next generation.” He promises to apply his training and experience to keep Fort Bend, “vibrant and financially strong.” The Runoff Election is Tuesday, May 22nd. Early Voting is Monday, May 14th to Friday, May 18th. You can vote at any Fort Bend County election site. You are eligible to vote in the Republican runoff if you voted in the Republican primary or did not vote in either primary.
Gary Gillen owns and operates Gillen Pest Control in Richmond. He is the only person in history to have served on both the Richmond City Commission and the Rosenberg City Council. He was the Chairman of the Republican Party of Fort Bend County 2006-2007. He can be reached at Gary@GaryGillen.com
Bill Rickert Bill Rickert moved to Fort Bend County in 1992. He has been a Republican Precinct Chair for ten years, was Communications Committee Chair for three years, and has served as President
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April / May 2018
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Healthy Eating: Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken Ingredients Chicken: • 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds) • Salt and pepper • 1 cup cornstarch • 2 large eggs, beaten • 1/4 cup canola, vegetable or coconut oil Sauce: • 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar (depending on how sweet you want the sauce) • 4 tablespoons ketchup • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar • 1 tablespoon soy sauce • 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in a gallonsized ziploc bag. Put the chicken into the bag with the cornstarch and seal, tossing to coat the chicken. 3. Whisk the eggs together in a shallow pie plate. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until very hot and rippling. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in the egg and place them carefully in a single layer in the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 20-30 seconds on each side until the crust is golden but the chicken is not all the way cooked through (this is where it’s really important to have a hot skillet/oil). Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a 9X13-inch baking dish and repeat with the
remaining chicken pieces. 5. Mix the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl and pour over the chicken. Bake for one hour, turning the chicken once or twice while cooking to coat evenly with sauce. Serve over hot, steamed rice. Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 1 hour 10 mins | Yield: 4-6 servings
Spring is in Full Bloom This can result in itchy, watery and red eyes from pollen and other seasonal allergies. Dr. Caroline prescribes the correct medication and treatment plan to ensure your comfort. Dr. Caroline Wells on Fry Rd. wants to increase your quality of life through clearer vision. New patients welcome.
Call 281-828-2020 to schedule your eye allergy appointment.
Dr. Caroline Wells
1350 Fry Rd, Houston, TX 77084 | todaysvision.com/location/katy/23 64 • For Advertising Information, Call (281) 741-8317 • www.KatyChristianMagazine.com
April / May 2018
The Arc of Katy 2018 Gala – Celebrating Katy Hometown Heroes The Arc of Katy Board of Directors will present The Arc of Katy 2018 Gala – Celebrating Katy Hometown Heroes on Friday, April 20 to raise funds for programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Guests at the fund-raiser gala, which will be held at the Omni Houston Hotel at Westside, will be entertained with a reception, seated dinner, program, silent and live auctions, dancing and other fun activities. Also at the Gala, The Arc of Katy will present two of the organization’s key supporters with the Ann Davis Founder’s Award and The Arc of Katy Volunteer of the Year recognition. In addition, as a new feature of the Gala in 2018, The Arc of Katy is honoring two of our Katy Hometown Heroes who make this community a great place for our program participants and members to live, work and thrive. Individuals will be nominated for Hometown Heroes awards by the residents of the community at large in recognition of the nominees’ community service and advocacy for individuals with special needs. The two honorees will be selected by a committee of community leaders. Registration for gala attendance, sponsors, underwriters and auction donations is available at https://thearcofkaty.ejoinme.org/2018Gala. Nomination forms are available on The Arc of Katy website, www. thearcofkaty.org. For additional information, please contact Amy Campbell at amycampbell@thearcofkaty.org or (281) 391-6164.
The Arc of Katy is a 501(c) 3 organization that provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) to be included as respected and active members of their community throughout their lifetimes. The Arc of Katy operates a day program for individuals with I/DD ages 18 and above, as well as a summer program and weekend socials throughout the year for teens and adults with I/DD. These programs provide community-based life skills, socialization, entertainment and recreation in a safe social setting. The Arc also is exploring opportunities to expand its programs and services for children, teens and adults and their families.
“Renee Magee has been a devoted public servant and proven leader for the past 25 years in Harris County. She has sought justice as a prosecutor and upheld the rule of law for the benefit of all Texans as a criminal court judge. It is clear to see that the attributes which took her to the Olympics in swimming will make her the right choice for your next Judge of the 184th Criminal District Court.” – Congressman Ted Poe “In addition to her other accomplishments, Renee Magee is an Olympian. She brings an Olympian’s standard to her work over the last 25 years, both as an assistant district attorney and as Judge of the 337th Criminal District Court. Magee’s career exudes leadership and strong ballot performance. We need Renee Magee leading our ballot this year and making our criminal courts experienced, hard working and smarter.” – Gary Polland, Editor-In-Chief, Texas Conservative Review - Endorsed By the Following Organizations -
Learn More or Join the Campaign at:
www.judgereneemagee.com April / May 2018
Texas Right to Life HRBC (Houston Realty Business Coalition) TARC (Texas Asian Republican Club) Kingwood Tea Party
Houston area COGIC–PAC United Republicans of Harris County Conservative Coalition of Harris County The Texas Conservative View
Pd. Pol. Ad by Renee Magee Campaign, in compliance with the voluntary limits of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act, James Tucker, Treasurer.
For Advertising Information, Call (281) 741-8317 • www.KatyChristianMagazine.com • 65
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April / May 2018
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April / May 2018
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April / May 2018