Austin Faith & Family- May 2010

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Faith Family Brian Welch From Korn to Christ

Give Realty What Makes Austin So Great?

Infant Hyperthermia î‚ťe Scary Truth

Golf Ranch Something For Everyone

Top 10 Take Your Mom "Out" To Eat

Think Outside the Pew May 2010

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Faith Family

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These kids are waiting for a family!

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Faith Family

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TABLE OF CONTENTS In This Issue 11 Travel: Group Cruises = Great Value for YOU 13 Mommy Time With Miranda: Fanning Your Kid’s Spring Fever 14 Don’t Miss 15 Student of the Month: Austin Taylor 16 Feature Story: Brian Welch–Now, He Has It All 20 The Home Front: What Makes Austin So Great?

22 Catching The Light: Light in the Darkness 24 20 Words: Help! I Want To Talk To My Friends About Jesus But… 24 Along the Way: Two Essential Qualities for a Happy Marriage – Part I 25 A View from the Blue Roof: A View From the Blue Roof: A Plan for Ernest 27 Head to Heart: Tearing Down the Walls of Self-Preservation 28 Just A Good Cook Focus: 9 Focus Non Profit: Joyful Praise 9 Focus Business: Landscape Solutions 19 Focus Business: Golf Ranch 22 Focus Kids: Hillside KDO 23 Focus Family: Happy Parenting 23 Focus Music: Romantico

Faith Family Publisher: Lee Eddins, H.O.T. Publishing, LLC Lee@AustinFaithandFamily.com (512) 689-2717

Editor: Marcy Lytle Marcy@AustinFaithandFamily.com

Contributing Writers: Lee Eddins, Marcy Lytle, Lauren Lacey, Joe Elliott, Lauren Turner, Miranda Bradley, Debbie Stevens, Laurie Loew, Dave Ramsey, Melissa Critz, Jo Ann Armstrong, Patricia Jacobson, Mariah Wilde, Richard Landry, Trent Peng, Donn Trautner, Vicki Lancaster, Sandra Alton, Kie Bowman, Sam Maniscalco, Kristi Marino, Max Li, Alma Bolger, Katherina Walker, Heath Samples and Al Jones

Cover/Cover Story Photos: Alonso Murillo Photos: Lee Eddins, Lisa O' Brien Feature Story: Brian Welch p.16

Graphic Design: Beth Rountree Advertising Sales:

LifeStyle: 8 Health Matters: Stress and Balance 18 Diet & Nutrition: Six Tips to Eliminate Sugar Cravings 26 Moms Who Save: Entertainment 27 Top 10: Dining Outside

Susan Stern | (512) 773-3240 Susan@AustinFaithandFamily.com Lee Eddins | (512) 689-2717 Lee@AustinFaithandFamily.com

Top 10: Dining Outside p.27

Special Features: 12 But: Such a Simple Word 21 Mimi Reyes: In Need Of A Friend 23 Save Your Life Today: Stem Cells We Can Agree On 29 Infant Hyperthermia: The Scary Truth About Heat In Every Issue: 6 Letters 7 City Scene 10 Spiritual Coffee 11 The Source Church Directory 14 The Christian Brothers Automotive Calendar 20 Moments of Obedience: Find Your Story 26 Dave Says 30 The Back Pew 30 Rave Reviews

Special Feature: Save Your Life Today p.23

Austin Faith and Family is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and providing information that will point every person, at every stage of life, to a deeper, authentic, personal and life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Views expressed in Austin Faith & Family do not necessarily represent those of the publisher.

Every effort has been made by the Austin Faith & Family staff to ensure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information, nor the absences of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be, or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2010 by H.O.T. Publishing, LLC.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Dave Says p.26

Faith Family Austin Faith & Family is devoted to providing engaging editorial, information about what God is doing in and through our community, opportunities for people to get involved with God's purposes, and the life-changing message of hope. www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

Austin Faith & Family is published monthly and is available at high traffic locations throughout the metropolitan area. Copies are also available by subscription, $25 for one year. Single issues available for $3 an issue.

Volume 1, Number 12

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Faith Family

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Editor’s

EDITOR’S NOTE

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It's All About Moms...

aybe you’re wondering why the picture of a famous mother isn’t gracing the cover of our magazine this month. After all, Mother’s Day is in the month of May! However, the story of Brian Welch is inspiring to all moms. It’s the story of a son whose mom never knew what he was getting into next, only finding herself following in his footsteps with one particular decision he made. It’s definitely a story worth reading for Mother’s Day, one that can give all moms, who are worried about their kids, hope.

of the month

My own mom is 82 years old, owns her own business, works full-time, runs circles around us kids, and she generates more income than any of her children. That’s an amazing mom!

Nothing delights my mom more than spending time with me, her daughter. That makes me feel special! Why not take your copy of Austin Faith & Family, grab another copy for your mom, or your daughter (or your son, for that matter!) and spend some time together reading and commenting on the stories in this month’s issue?

If you’re a young mom needing some time alone, there’s a new KDO program coming to the Round Rock area this fall. If you’re a busy mom, with very few minutes of “down time,” clip out our Spiritual Coffee devos to carry with you in your purse. My favorite story this month is the View from the Blue Roof. Share this story with a mom who teaches challenging students.

Choose a spot outdoors from our Top Ten list and take your mom out to dinner. If your mom enjoys golf, drive out to the brand new Golf Ranch and buy something for her! It’s an awesome store.

Grand Slam time!

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ike you need a good excuse to go to

Denny's and eat the famous Grand Slam breakfast! Now, you have an

excuse to go there in the middle of the

So whether you are a mom, aspiring to be a mom, or belong to a mom (I think that pretty much covers everyone), spend time reading this month’s issue of Austin Faith & Family from cover to cover, and enjoy yourself…you deserve it!

Happy Mother’s Day!

LETTERS

Dear Lee, Thanks for letting us know about your publication…Thanks for all you do.

I just stumbled upon Austin Faith & Family last night at Randall’s. Kudos! Very nice job.

Hi Marcy,

Hi Marcy, I got a call from a lady reading the current issue in her orthodontist office and she was inspired and wants to be a foster parent. I really appreciate the privilege of having the column to be able to reach out to the readers, and that was great timing. :) –Mariah (author of Focus: Family articles)

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Faith Family

to stay connected. Breakfast 24 hours and Wi-Fi - What more could you ask for?

Marcy Lytle | Austin Faith & Family Marcy@AustinFaithandFamily.com

Hi Lee & Marcy,

–Kent R.

day when you need to eat, and get online

–Rob H.

I heard Amy talking about being on your cover on the Bobby Bones Show and being someone who possesses a strong faith and I just had to check you guys out. I think the article written on her was great and I really enjoyed reading it! I see that your magazine is fairly new and I am so ecstatic that this genre of magazine is present here in Austin. I think Austin is a place that can always use consistently sweet, positive and familyfriendly messages.

–Pieper S.

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Christian Women's Job Corps

Round Rock Express Opening Night

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n April 16th the Round Rock Express had their opening night for the 2010 season. Many Round Rock natives and Austinites came to show support for them. The Express are in their 11th season in Round Rock and look forward to many more to come!

Playoff Game 2 for the Texas Stars

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he Texas Stars defeated the Rockford IceHogs 3-1 on Saturday night in front of 6,212 fans at Cedar Park Center on April 17th. It was game two in a series of seven games for the Calder Cup. The coveted Calder Cup has been a motivational force for American Hockey League teams throughout the league's 73-year history. It is one of our sportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest challenges and ultimate honors to hoist the Calder Cup in victory.

We'll see how our Texas Stars finish out...

Laps for Life

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ong time friend of the Austin Faith & Family, gold medalist swimmer "Coach Bonnie", swam 100 "Laps for Life" for Colin's Hope. The event helped raise awareness of the dangers of drowning among children. It was held April 11th at the Jewish Community Association of Austin.

Baileigh Barboso and Julia Carnes enjoy a moment with Spike

n April 1, 2010 over 100 people gathered at the Booker T. Washington community room in east Austin to celebrate the Spring 2010 graduates of the Christian Women's Job Corps (CWJC) of Austin. Twenty-seven volunteers from churches all over Austin provided eight weeks of job skills and life skills training, Bible study, one-on-one mentoring, GED tutoring, professional makeovers, and spiritual friendship to women in need of a hand up, not a handout.

CWJC Exec. Dir. Chris Rowley and volunteer mentor Jana Cofield

Asher, Izzy and Millie Kate Eddins, Coach Bonnie with Jeff and Kayla Holst David Knowlton, Karen Fine and Adam Bagwell

Mike and Tisha Witt, Jackson and Taylor Graduate Maria and volunteer teacher Janie Fountain

Former mayor of Round Rock Charlie Culpepper, Lauren Lacy with the Intel Club and Jay Miller, COO of the Round Rock Express enjoy opening night

Jeff, Jana and Kayla Holst with Coach Bonnie

Opening Night

Harlem Globetrotters come to the Frank Erwin Center

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he Harlem Globetrotters stopped by Austin and entertained the audience with their signature style: irreverence toward the referees, wacky dance moves, and extremely talented basketball playing.

CWJC board member Paula White and husband Jamon, and their daughter Mary

Justin The Truth Fultz, Abby Pound and Heath The Kid Samples with the Texas Sports Pro

Sam, Matthew and Tyler Whiting enjoy what has come to be one of the most exciting sporting events in all of Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;a night of Texas Stars hockey in Cedar Park.

Kelly Wooley and Fey Fielder enjoying the game www.AustinFaithandFamily.com from the Intel Club

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Riley, Mike, Micaiah and Laura Samples Market stores in Harlem the Greater Austin Area enjoy the Globetrotters

Volunteer GED coordinator Patsey Mac Melugiin and volunteer communications Faith Family specialist and teacher Susan Stern

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Stress and Balance headaches, problems sleeping, suppressed immune system, increased risk of heart attack and stroke, and even infertility.

How do you go about balancing the stress in your life? Change situations when you can. If you can’t do that, then change your reaction to them. Take time for yourself and do things that you like. Take time during or at the end of the day to relax. Lastly and most importantly, make exercise a part of your life, whether you want to or not. Exercise can decrease the stress hormone cortisol and can increase endorphins which are your body’s “feel good” chemicals that can make you feel better. e all experience stress in our lives. It can come from different areas, including our environment, our body, and our thoughts. Some people may have more stressful circumstances than others, and some people handle stressful situations more effectively than others. The interesting thing about stress is that our bodies are actually designed to experience it and react to it. But if you find yourself feeling like you’re constantly on the run, pushed to the limit, frazzled and overwhelmed, then it might be time to find a way get balance back in your life.

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When stress is controlled and handled well, it is a positive thing for our bodies because it keeps us alert, focused and ready to handle or avoid danger. The opposite is also true when a person cannot handle stress, and it becomes a negative thing affecting our mood, our relationships, our performance and our quality of life.

Since we all deal with stress on a daily basis, we need to understand the importance of relieving it. Facing continuous challenges without proper relief can lead to serious health problems including: hypertension, chest pain,

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Faith Family

“Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.” ~Douglas Pagels

Lauren Lacy Fitness Coordinator/Personal Trainer CHASCO Family YMCA

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www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

FOCUS : NONPROFIT nonprofit

FOCUS : BUSINESS business

Joyful Praise – The Bottom Line

Landscape Solutions – Paying Attention to Detail family life, my faith, and my business.” Since opening in 2004, Barry states he has never advertised and has simply run by “word of mouth.” “I feel the biggest compliment I can receive on a job is a referral to a client’s family or friends.” One satisfied customer stated, “Landscape Solutions created a wonderful vision for our back yard which captured our personal style and our desire for a low maintenance design. The plan was well thought out and the installation was professional and completed on schedule. We enjoyed working with the team at Landscape Solutions and plan to have them back again soon to start work on the next phase for our front yard.” (Kelli Glass and Tom Dunlap)

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oyful Praise Outreach Ministries is hosting a special event on May 15 from 10am-1pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 401 W. 7th Street in Taylor, Texas 76574. A group called Sensible Parenting (of Pflugerville) will be conducting a parenting session. Elton and Lori Reynolds, Certified Parenting Educators, are the owners and operators of Sensible Parenting (www.SensibleParenting.com).

This event will include one session entitled “Standing Strong” (which is also the theme of the seminar), and the speaker will be Mildred Johnson, a missionary and a single mom.

Avon representatives will also be offering a pampering session for attendees. Lunch, prizes, and gifts will be awarded as well, and everything is free (including activities and prizes for kids)!

Celebration of Love service held on February 14

Joyful Praise originated in 2007 by Michael A. and Melba Williams. Their mission is threefold: 1) to be disciples for Christ according to Luke 14:23; 2) to be responsible community leaders by sharing and showing love to others, as examples; and 3) to inspire others to become followers and disciples of Christ. They work with projects that involve all age groups. Within JPOM is a youth group called Y-HOP (Youth Helping Other People).

Melba states this name was inspired by a 2 ½ year old child who passed a few years back, who loved to hop. She states JPOM’s vision statement reads:

• To make an outstanding contribution to the lives of others, within an image of Christ.

• To invoke the ability to overcome the obstacles of failures as a sense of I can’t into a statement of I can.

• To bring about the evidence of a wholesome change towards a mental capacity of productivity.

• To empower youth to develop God-given talents for a brighter tomorrow, nurtured by the help of business and successful leaders within the community, bridging the gap, offering the future of our nation hope for generations to come…

Melba states, “The bottom line is it’s really all about the scripture in Acts 20:35c – It is more blessed to give than to receive (KJV). We live in a great country where people will help, regardless of what they have or don’t have, whether it is monetary or physical.”

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Barry works closely with Jason Williams (skilled in all trades, passionate in metal work), Chris Aucoin (skilled in all trades, background in visual arts), and independent contractors.

Barry handles the design work, proposals, and installation on every project. Landscape Solutions run a full service landscape company specializing in anything outdoors, from ponds and water features, to large outdoor living spaces. They provide landscape design, lighting, hardscapes (stonework, metal and wood) custom metal work (handrails, sculpture and water features), irrigation, and of course plant installation.

Barry states, “I enjoy projects of all sizes, big or small.”

“I stand behind my work 100%!” says Barry.

“I believe I am a very moral man and pride myself on the belief that a man’s word is his bond in business! I like to build strong business and personal relationships with clients as well as my coworkers.”

Before

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Melba Williams, Keynote Speaker

andscape Solutions originated in Colorado, where the owner was looking for a career change, but not sure exactly what it might be. When Barry Anderson was visiting his parents’ new home, he decided to help design and install their landscape; and during the process he met several neighbors who also needed help. One person he met was Brandon Christiansen of Countryside Landscapes, with whom he teamed up with from 2002-2004. Experiencing success, Barry decided to move back to Austin, to open his own company.

Barry states his business is unique in the fact that Barry himself participates in every job.

“This hands-on approach to landscaping sets me apart from others.” Barry and his employees pay attention to detail, far above what is required by industry standards, with Barry being known as a “perfectionist.” He states he even creates unique landscape designs “to compliment my clients’ lifestyles.”

Barry Anderson states faith plays a big role in his business and daily life. “I turn to the Lord for strength and guidance in everything that I do. I feel that the Lord has blessed me with a unique set of skills. I am a family man with a wife and three-year old daughter. It is very important to me to be able to balance my

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After

Landscape Solutions is open for business 7:00am-5:00pm, taking appointments sometimes up until 7:00pm Monday – Friday.

They also work some on Saturdays, to accommodate clients. There are future plans to open a retail location, but for now Barry can be reached at info@txlandscapes.com, or phone 512-547-4117.

Marcy Lytle

Faith Family

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Spiritual Coffee:

Need a morning boost? How about a drink from the Word that's full of powerful energy for your day?

Take a daily sip with these short devotionals that you can read and swallow, as quick as you drink your morning coffee.

❑ 1. Give God a present...show Him your love - John 14:21 "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me."

❑ 12. Forgive & love - Leviticus 19:18 "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself..."

❑ 23. Above all else show love...every day 1 Corinthians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

❑ 2. Be in God's plan - 2 Timothy 4:5 "But you, be sober in all things, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

❑ 13. God loves & forgives us...He will never leave us alone - Hebrews 13:5b "For He Himself has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you."

❑ 24. Accept, love, encourage and help...don't judge Romans 14:13 "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another..."

❑ 3. Planning is good, but base it on honoring God Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."

❑ 14. Let God handle it - Psalms 75:10 "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."

❑ 25. It always pays to give away...be generous today - Proverbs 22:9 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

❑ 4. Start the week with forgiveness & love...it makes for a good week - Rom 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

❑ 15. Give God the glory...He is in control 1 Chronicles 29:13 "Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name."

❑ 26. Have a great day & incredible eternal life - John 10:10 "I came so they can have eternal life, more and better life than they ever dream of."

❑ 5. Give every day to God - Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’"

❑ 16. Talk up the good things - Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

❑ 27. Weekend game plan...love, obey and respect God - Ecclesiastes 12:13 "...Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

❑ 6. Grow & give glory - 2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord... To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

❑ 17. Rely on God today - Galatians 3:11 "Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for The righteous shall live by faith."

❑ 28. Do a random act of kindness today...we are God's hands & feet - Luke 6:36 "Jesus said, Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

❑ 7. Start this season right...please God - Proverbs 16:7 "When people's lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them."

❑ 18. Rely on God's power & protection - Psalms 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him...I will praise Him."

❑ 29. God made you for a purpose - Ps 139:14 "I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works."

❑ 8. Give thanks, God is good...He gives us EXACTLY what we need - Psalms 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

❑ 19. Focus on God today - Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

❑ 30. Listen more than you talk - James 1:19 "Understand this… You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."

❑ 9. God protects us daily...even when we don't realize it - Genesis 15:1 "Do not be afraid...I am your shield."

❑ 20. When you are tired & low, remember where your strength comes from...Christ - Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me."

❑ 31. Walk with confidence...you know your destiny Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God."

❑ 21. Fear not & be confident today...God is with you - Proverbs 29:25 " The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe."

Rich Landry

❑ 10. Forgive, forget & move on...leave the justice to God - Deuteronomy 32:35 "It is mine to avenge; I will repay." ❑ 11. God is always with us - Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; & through the rivers; they shall not overflow you."

❑ 22. Be thankful...God never stops loving us - 1 Chronicles 16:34 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

To get this text by phone or email, follow "CaptainEscape" on twitter or view information at www.CaptainEscape.com

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Faith Family

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TRAVEL Group Cruises = Great Value for YOU

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well as utilize the state of the art fitness centers together.

THE SOURCE CHURCH DIRECTORY

3. Sports Groups: Golf, baseball, poker or ANY sport you can think of. Gather and talk about all things, share stories, and if allowed, play on board or at ports.

Solid Rock Baptist Church 608 Ralph Ablanedo Dr Austin TX 78748 (512) 410-7458 pastorsrbc@gmail.com A Church for the Deaf and Hearing

o other vacation option enables guests to unpack one time and feel at home while visiting multiple cities, countries, and in some cases, continents.

Meals are included, shore-side tours can be organized, entertainment is provided, and pampering is possible. Cruises really are an all-in-one vacation. When it comes to foreign travel, where the dollar is weak, a cruise is one of the most affordable ways to see the world.

And, when you travel with a group: family, friends, organization, hobby group, etc………the benefits get even better.

4. Wildlife/Nature Groups: Especially HOT for photographers and those who like the great outdoors.

When you travel as a group and you reserve your sailing early (9-12 months in advance), you receive the best prices, preferred stateroom accommodations, and many valuable extras such as shipboard credit or gifts in your room. Also, if your group wants to have a special event, such as a private cocktail party, culinary demonstration, conference rooms, venue for scrapbooking or other event, most times the space is free.

Basically, your group can host functions they enjoy the most and experience a vacation at the same time.

7. Ladies Social Groups: Ret Hat Society, or similar ladies groups have a BLAST!!!

Cypress Creek

8. Fundraising Groups: Need to raise money for a Nonprofit Organization? This is the vacation that benefits everyone. Vacation for a Cause.

Dr. Sid Gupta

Often, when a Group Leader comes to a Travel Agency and can promote the sailing, based on number of cabins sold, that Group Leader can easily sail FREE. The Agent handles all the arrangements and can even set up a promotion night to answer questions.

Intriguing? There is no catch except to get excited and to get those in your circle to get excited, as well. Here are some of the TOP GROUPS that sail together: 1. Culinary and Wine Groups: Those who are part of Dinner Clubs or Wine Tasting groups.

Sample foods and wines from around the world together.

2. Wellness Groups: Martial Artists, Yoga, Spa/Fitness Clubs. Host seminars at Sea as

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5. Hobby/Craft Groups: Scrapbooking, needlepoint, quilting, you name it. Spend countless hours of uninterrupted time with others who love to do the same.

6. Dancing/Music Groups: Dance Troupes, Bands and anyone who loves music. You can play in lounges or hold private dance lessons on board.

9. Family/Friends Groups: From ages 2-102, there is something for everyone. Celebrate a special anniversary, birthday, graduation, or retirement with family and friends.

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10. Business Groups: For an employee incentive or a conference at sea, it’s a great way to work and play.

Dr. Sid Gupta

You may have your own club, hobby, church, or friend group that this list brought to mind, for which you feel a cruise would be a great fit. Most cruise lines consider a group to be eight or more cabins, and there have been many groups that have chartered entire ships of 1000+. Basically, when an interest, hobby, or passion is shared, a cruise is a wonderful avenue to consider. Are YOU ready for a vacation? Grab your group and do it. You won’t regret it.

Debby Stevens Debby@3DCruiseAndTravel.com 512-218-0291

Dr. Christopher Hoppe 2000 Sun Chase Blvd. | Cedar Park, TX 78613 | www.drhoppeccfd.com

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Faith Family

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SPECIAL FEATURE But...Such a Simple Word

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”

ut” is such a simple word, in that it’s only three letters long, one syllable, and quite easy to pronounce. At this moment you may be thinking “Why would you want to devote an entire article to this word?” Okay, I admit it; that’s a legitimate question. At first glance, this would be a ridiculous topic, but… It’s not the simplicity, length, or ease of pronunciation that I want to talk to you about; I want to address the impact that the word has on our lives.

“But,” in many instances, puts limitations on everything. It makes exceptions for everything. It gives us excuses for everything.

In essence, that little word gives us an “out” for everything…

-I would have applied for that job, BUT… -I wouldn’t have lied to you, BUT… -I would have had more money, BUT… -I would have tried harder, BUT… -I would have come to your party, BUT… -I love you, BUT… You get what I’m trying to tell you here? “But” lets us off the hook, right?

Not really. I feel that “but” lulls us into the false belief that we may offend others…that it’s okay for us to settle for less in life…that we

can simply ignore some of the important choices that we need to make in life…that we can take the easy way out of many situations.

Here’s a wake-up call for you. It’s not okay to offend others, or settle for less, or ignore the important stuff, or take the easy way out. What we may not realize is that in doing all of the above, we are actually hurting ourselves.

How so? Our relationships suffer. Our selfconfidence suffers. Our integrity suffers. Our self-esteem suffers. Our personal growth suffers. And I don’t know about you, but when I let someone down, or let myself down, or tell a lie (which many “buts” are), my heart suffers.

How about God? How many times has “but” gotten between you and God? -I was gonna go to church this morning, but I wanted to sleep in.

-I didn’t plan on taking Your name in vain, but I lost my temper.

-I didn’t want to tell that lie, but it would have been too hard to tell the truth.

-I want to put my trust in You, but I’m afraid to let go of this problem.

-I wanted to “turn the other cheek,” but I just couldn’t do it.

-I want to be a better Christian, but I don’t want to give up certain things in my life.

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-I want to receive the Holy Spirit, but I’m afraid of things I don’t understand.

-I want to be bold with my faith, but I’m afraid of what others may think of me.

-I want to be closer to You, God, but I’ve done so much wrong in my life.

Okay, before you think that I’m shooting arrows at you, you should know that all of the “buts” listed above have been mine at some time or another. And to be honest with you, my list probably could’ve been longer.

Lose it. I urge you to lose the “but” in your life; when it comes to relationships, decisions, the truth, your actions, and especially in your relationship with God. Do not let your ego, fear, guilt, confidence, or anything else stand in your way. You can’t imagine what you will receive in a full relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

What if God had a “but” list? Can you even imagine God saying…?

-Geez, I’d love to help you with your problem, but I don’t really have the time.

-Yeah, I know that you’ve been praying, but I’ll tell you, I’m just tired of listening.

-I know that you came to see me at church this morning, but I needed a day off.

-I’d really like to provide you with what you need, but these other people got in line to see me before you did.

God’s list could go on and on too…if He had one.

BUT, I know that He doesn’t have one. He’s always “on call,” ready to help us with our problems and provide us with everything that we need. Always has been; always will be. There for us.

Sam Maniscalco

Funny Church Bulletin Bloopers 1. Diana and Don request your presents at their wedding.

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Fanning Your Kid’s Spring Fever

A

t this point in the school year, you will probably notice a phenomenon among your children. They might bring home a few more “naughty notes” from school. Maybe you will see more reluctance to complete homework or chores. At times, it may seem like your once-delightful child has been replaced by a much sulkier clone.

Welcome to spring fever.

The last four to six weeks of school can be the hardest, not only for students, but for teachers as well. Everyone is ready for a nice, long break. Here are a few tips to help nudge your kids to the finish line with their spirit and motivation intact.

Mix it up Let’s face it. Toward the end of the school year, a routine has set in, and no one likes a rut, not even children. So, if you have a routine, maybe now is the time to shake things up slightly. Keep the mainframe of your day-to-night system, such as bath and bed times, but maybe shuffle the in-between activities. Instead of homework right away, maybe allow 30 minutes of downshifting by allowing video, internet, or television use, prior to homework. If you have assigned chores, maybe swap them out between siblings and change the days in which they are expected to be completed. Small steps like these can help relieve the stagnation a sameold-same-old routine can impose.

Step back Even at six years old, my son comes home from school yearning for time alone. As his mother, I’m eager to hear all about his day, what he had for lunch and if he made new friends, but I’ve learned to give him his space.

Nowadays, he needs an even longer stretch of time to decompress before sharing his time with me and his baby brother. It has taken a lot of restraint for me not to crash his “quiet time.” I have discovered, however, that giving him his brief solitude makes for a happier kindergartner later on. Teenagers especially need this time alone, often called “cave time.” Be careful, however, to limit this to an acceptable period, so as not to encourage isolation.

Treat them right Everyone appreciates surprises, especially on beautiful sunny days like these. Consider picking a day in the middle or at the end of the week to treat your kids to a small surprise.

It could be a trip to the park or a swing into an ice cream parlor. Little gestures like these are always helpful in getting over the hump, not to mention a terrific opportunity for bonding.

Be patient Yes, your child may have a tad more attitude these days. Notes home from the teacher may seem a bit testier. Everyone may appear to be worn thin. This is when it’s important to step back, take a deep breath, and remember we’re all human. Sure, you need to maintain your rules and boundaries, but everybody needs grace every once in a while. This might also be a good time to send an appreciation gift to your child’s teacher. Note: this is not a bribe. It’s simply a way to let her know she is important. Sometimes a simple thank-you note is all a person needs to feel uplifted.

Spring is a very special time in Central Texas.

During these last few remaining weeks of school may be the very best opportunity to stop and smell the roses (and bluebonnets).

And when you stop, pick a few flowers for your kids and their teacher. They’ll love you for it!

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May calendar brought to you by Christian Brothers Automotive

MAY CALENDAR Caring for the Family– Caring for the Family Car SATURDAY

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DON’T MISS

01

Goodman has a series of interviews he will hold with religious leader from Judiasm, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam.

Annie: Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

Brushy Creek Backyard BBQ Cook-Off: Great Oaks Dr from 11am – 5pm. This family fun-centered event offers an IBCA Sanctioned Cook Off while allowing families a chance to enjoy a day of great BBQ. CANA Gallery Opening:

A

Block Party on May 22 from

10:00am to 4:00pm. It will be

The Centre Business Complex at 4pm. CANA Gallery announces its Grand Opening celebration. The gallery will exhibit Christian-based art in a variety of media from custom-made jewelry, paintings, and textiles and the current showing.

held at Solid Rock Baptist

Church, 608 Ralph Ablanedo Dr., Austin, TX 78748. We would like to invite the deaf and the families and those who live in the area to come for fun, free food, face painting, and games, for the kids and families. FMI email Pastor Mike at pastorsrbc@gmail.com.

W

Celebration of Families: Palmer Events Center from 10am – 3pm. Celebration of Families is a free communitywide event coordinated by FamilyConnections.

Cinco de Mayo Concert: Fritz Park Hutto at 1pm.

We will be having several Christian bands play throughout the day. We will be selling food and drinks.

Cinderella’s Ball: Make-A-Wish Foundations of Central and South Texas 25th Anniversary Gala – Four Seasons Hotel from 6pm – 10pm. An unforgettable blacktie evening of magic and joy, fairytales and elegance.

ednesday, June 2, 7:00pm–

Citywide Garage Sale:

CARMAN in concert! Club

from 8am – 1pm.

Realm & Pursuit Church,

12636 Research Blvd., Suite A102. $10 advance purchase, $20 day of show. Don’t miss this awesome night of worship. Visit www.theclubrealm.com for more information.

Lakeway Activity Center

Heritage Home Tours: San Marcos Historic District 35th Anniversary of the Heritage Association’s Historic HomeTours. Private homes will be opened to allow the public a glimpse into San Marcos’ elegant past.

JOY Festival: Summit Christian Academy Leander Campus from 11am – 2pm. Enjoy good food and great attractions, meet your neighbors in a family friendly environment while learning of Summit Christian Academy and meeting their teachers and staff.

Kyle Market Days: Historic City Square Park from 9am – 2pm. Showcasing local crafts and arts, local farmers, plants and produce, local music and local shops.

Faith Family advertise in the aff June issue!

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Reagan High School Select Shot Golf Tournament: Shadowglen Golf Club at 6:30am. Gather your team of four and start practicing your swing - benefiting the Reagan High School PTSA Scholarship Fund.

SUNDAY

02

Annie:

Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

Neighboring Faiths:

Interviews From a Christian Perspective – Hillcrest Baptist Church at 5:30pm. Pastor Tom

14

Paved Paradise Redux: The Long Center for the Performing Arts from 9pm – 10:30pm. Two time Obie Award winning performance artist John Kelly performs his legendary theatrical homage to the music of the great Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell.

Pecan St. Festival: Downtown Austin from 11am – 10pm. The Old Pecan Street Festival is a free bi-annual arts and crafts festival held on 6th St. and has been an Austin tradition for more than 30 years.

SHE LOVES ME! TexARTS Kam and James Morris Theater from 7:30pm – 9:30pm. One of America’s most charming and heartwarming musicals inspired the film “You’ve Got Mail”.

MONDAY

03

Healing Rooms: True Life Fellowship from 7pm – 8:30pm.

STARRY Foster Care Orientation:

From 6pm – 7:30pm. STARRY is a Christian, Non-Profit Foster Care Organization in Round Rock dedicated to helping abused/neglected children.

WEDNESDAY

05

KVET’s Free Texas Music Series: Hill’s Café in South Austin from 6pm – 10pm. Texas Country’s biggest stars will be performing.

THURSDAY

06

22nd Annual Onion Creek Club, American Legion Post 326, Memorial Golf Tournament: Onion Creek Club. Proceeds committed to the Austin Homeless Veterans Program.

Concert in the Park:

Elizabeth Milburn Park from 7pm – 9pm. The city of Cedar Park is bringing the 1980’s back for a special concert. Food concessions will be available.

Live From the Plaza:

Austin City Hall from 12pm – 1pm. Free lunchtime concerts on the plaza at City Hall.

SATURDAY

08

16th Annual Armadillo Hill Country Classic: Liberty Hill High School starting 8 am. Cycling enthusiasts of all ages, ride preferences and abilities are invited to pedal to provide bike safety education and free helmets for kids.

Annie:

Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

Ballet Austin Presents Coppelia: The Long Center at various times. A story of mistaken identity and a beautiful mechanical doll, Coppelia leaves young and old alike bemused by the antics of our two confused lovers, Swanhida and Franz.

March of Dimes: Auditorium Shores starting at 8:30am.

When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year.

Music of the Great Depression: Sweet Home Baptist Church from 3pm – 5pm. The Sweet Home Baptist Church will sing spirituals from the 1930’s.

Second Saturdays are for Families! Art Star Guitars: Austin Museum of Art from 12pm – 4pm. Take a closer look at the history of American music posters in American Letterpress.

Stand Up Paddle Jam 2010: Festival Beach from 8am – 4pm. Open and free to the public. Live music, local eats. Family fun tandem race. Paddle with your pooch race.

Violet Crown Festival:

A Taste of Tradition: Austin Museum of Art starting at 6:30pm. Join us for a discussion and tasting of Southern food dedicated to presenting tradition inspired by Hatch Show Print.

Honoring Women in Our Lives Luncheon: Westin Austin at The Domain from 11am – 1pm. Benefits the Texas council on Family Violence. Jody Conradt is the featured speaker.

Music on the Patio:

Jo’s Coffee Downtown from 7pm – 9pm. The series will feature live music and drink specials.

FRIDAY

07

Ballet Austin Presents Coppelia: The Long Center at various times. A story of mistaken identity and a beautiful mechanical doll, Coppelia leaves young and old alike bemused by the antics of our two confused lovers, Swanhida and Franz.

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Brentwood Park from 11am – 6pm. The event again will showcase the best of local music, food, and arts.

SUNDAY

09

ACTS Church Lakeway: 10am. ACTS church Lakeway celebrates the opening of their new worship and activity center followed by a Celebration Event (food, games, activities). All are welcome! Located at Mountain Top Plaza.

Annie:

Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

Ballet Austin Presents Coppelia: The Long Center at various times. A story of mistaken identity and a beautiful mechanical doll, Coppelia leaves young and old alike bemused by the antics of our two confused lovers, Swanhida and Franz.

www.cba-austin.com

2010

Student of the Month

Submit calendar entries to amanda@AustinFaithandFamily.com by the 15th of the preceeding month.

Jerry Bennett:

Joyful Praise Outreach Ministries:

SUNDAY

23

Trinity Chapel starting at 10:30am.

Award-winning Southern Gospel Artist Jerry Bennett in concert.

St. Paul Lutheran Church from 10am – 1pm. A group called Sensible Parenting will be conducting a parenting session.

Momma I Love You! Mother’s Day Extravaganza! Alma de Mujer Center for Social

Texas Natural and Western Swing Festival:

Texas Jumping Beans from 10am – 12pm. 100% of entrance fees go to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

San Marcos Plaza Park. Sit back, relax on the banks of the San Marcos river and enjoy the sounds of Texas Western Swing legends.

MONDAY

Change from 12pm – 5pm. Bemba Entertainment is committed to bringing out mothers and their families together to celebrate a relaxing day, with proceeds going towards a good cause.

MONDAY

10

Healing Rooms: True Life Fellowship from 7pm – 8:30pm.

WEDNESDAY

12

Carrie Underwood:

Frank Erwin Center starting

KVET’s Free Texas Music Series: Hill’s Café in South Austin from 6pm – 10pm. Texas Country’s biggest stars will be performing.

13

Music on the Patio: Jo’s Coffee Downtown from 7pm – 9pm. The series will feature live music and drink specials.

FRIDAY 14 Conspirare Youth Choirs: “Invitation to the Voyage” at St. Martin's Lutheran Church from 7pm – 8:30 pm.

Faith Base Domestic Violence Prayer and Healing: Promiseland Church at various times. This event is for men and women that have been in any kind of abuse.

We will be praying for healing and deliverance

Live From the Plaza:

Austin City Hall from 12pm – 1pm. Free lunchtime concerts on the plaza at City Hall.

The Austin Symphony Orchestra Presents Christopher O’Riley: Long Center’s Dell Hall.

SATURDAY

15

Annie: Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

Faith Base Domestic Violence Prayer and Healing

Austin Taylor, Hyde Park Panthers #51, 2009-2010 Season

Healing Rooms: True Life Fellowship from 7pm – 8:30pm.

Austin Taylor

26

KVET’s Free Texas Music Series: Hill’s Café in

Healing Rooms: True Life Fellowship from 7pm – 8:30pm.

19

KVET’s Free Texas Music Series: Hill’s Café in South Austin from 6pm – 10pm. Texas Country’s biggest stars will be performing.

20

THURSDAY

Cimarron Hills Country Club in Georgetown, TX from 8am – 4pm. Proceeds from this tournament benefit Chisholm Trail Elks Lodge Charities.

WEDNESDAY

17

WEDNESDAY

24

2nd Annual Chisholm Trail Golf Tournament:

16

Annie: Center Stage Texas at various times. Featuring actors from KidsActing’s advanced musical program, Annie tells the story of a plucky orphan from the 1930’s determined to find her parents.

MONDAY

at 7:30pm

THURSDAY

SUNDAY

Neurofibromatosis Bounce-A-Thon (Fundraiser):

South Austin from 6pm – 10pm. Texas Country’s biggest stars will be performing.

THURSDAY

27

Music on the Patio:

Jo’s Coffee Downtown from 7pm – 9pm. The series will feature live music and drink specials.

FRIDAY 28 Live From the Plaza:

Music on the Patio:

Jo’s Coffee Downtown from 7pm – 9pm. The series will feature live music and drink specials.

FRIDAY 21 Live From the Plaza:

Austin City Hall from 12pm – 1pm. Free lunchtime concerts on the plaza at City Hall.

SATURDAY

22

Block Party: Solid Rock Baptist Church from 10am – 4pm. We would like to invite the deaf and the families and those who live in the area to come for fun, free food, face painting, and games for the kids and families.

FAAN Walk for Food Allergy: Mueller Austin Lake Park from 10am – 12pm. We walk to find a cure for food allergies and to fund research and education programs.

Round Rock Symphony presents “Romantic Classics From Ancient Rome to the New World”: C.D. Fulkes Auditorium starting at 8pm. Maestro Hugg leads a program of Romantic Classics, starting with Beethoven’s overture inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Austin City Hall from 12pm – 1pm. Free lunchtime concerts on the plaza at City Hall.

MONDAY

31

Healing Rooms: True Life Fellowship from 7pm – 8:30pm.

A

ustin Taylor is a senior at Hyde Park Baptist High School. He says he truly enjoys learning as much as he can, but being that he is a senior, he’s quite tired of doing worksheets and busy work.

He says his faith has helped him realize there is more to life than a perfect GPA. “If my faith means anything at all to me, I have to give my best effort to anything I do. Just as Christ would.”

When asked what he wants to do when he finishes school, Austin states he is not sure of the specifics, but he knows he’s called to make a difference in the world. He is called to bring as many as possible to belief in God so that together, “We can worship Him for eternity.”

Austin states his “hero” is his mom. He says she is amazing at doing all she does, with an attitude of humility. She has become a symbol to him of what a servant heart looks like, on a day to day basis.

Austin also loves to play football. Football is a passion of his, but he says “It is also a great way to build community.” This fall he will be attending and playing football at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois, a college that focuses on Christ and his kingdom.

Marcy Lytle

Promiseland Church at various times. This event is for men and women that have been in any kind of abuse. We will be praying for healing and deliverance.

Ironworks (FEFC Youth Group) at Fall Retreat 2009

www.cba-austin.com

15

Brian Welch

FEATURE STORY

Now, He Has it All death. She wondered what in the world her son was into now. However, Brian’s mom and dad went to church, heard the same story of God’s love, and both are now following in Brian’s footsteps, all following in the footsteps of Christ.

Now living in Phoenix, Arizona, Brian is traveling and performing in concerts with his band of friends. His daughter is now 12, and Brian has full custody of her. “She’s a good kid,” states Brian, and he is so thankful for what God is doing in her life, as well.

B

rian Welch, famously known for his connection with the multiplatinum metal band Korn, had it all. Brian, better known as “Head,” achieved fame as an American musician where he was the lead guitarist and cofounder of Korn. He was seen everywhere with his unique rubber-band braids in his hair. Welch helped patent Korn’s very distinctive sound that completely defined the metal band industry in the mid-1990’s. Brian was ranked near the top of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of all Time. He had everything most people want, including fame, houses, cars, money, etc., but he states he still didn’t feel successful.

Born and raised in California, Brian played in garage bands at a young age, took guitar lessons, and even attended a workshop to become a recording engineer. After joining Korn and “having it all,” Brian says his conscience began to play tricks on him. He also states that “You never know how you’ll act when you achieve success.” Brian lost himself, to drugs and alcohol. Everywhere he went with the band, he was offered drugs. There were drug dealers at the shows, and Brian began drinking beer and doing cocaine, but thought, “Well, at least I’m not a junkie. At least I don’t do pills.” Soon he became a user of methamphetamines every day, but reasoned in his mind, “At least I don’t use needles.” Eventually, Brian became a person he hated, miserable with what his “dreams” had brought him. He was married and then divorced, left as a single dad, knowing he had to get his life together…or die.

Brian stated that there was one particular day when he heard his daughter Jeanea singing a Korn song entitled “Adidas,” which meant “All day I dream about sex.” Brian stated this was a party song, and when he heard his daughter singing it, he felt like a total loser, and felt he was no good for his daughter.

He was married and then divorced, left as a single dad, knowing he had to get his life together…or die.

16

Faith Family

After repeated visits to rehab and still remaining addicted to drug use, Brian met some contacts through a real estate deal, and one of these guys invited him to church. The pastor at this church was “cool,” Brian states. Brian heard for the first time that he could just talk to Jesus when he prayed, and he didn’t have to be perfect to come to Him. Pastor Ron Vieti at Valley Bible Fellowship didn’t realize at that time that his words would have a powerful, life-changing impact on the life of Brian Welch.

Brian has a unique favorite bible verse, I Corinthians 6:19, which states, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” This verse is uniquely special to Brian, not only for what it says, but because his birthday is June 19, the sixth month, the 19th day, 6/19.

Brian hopes that all who read his story can hear him saying that having all that “stuff” is not a big deal. He’s happier now, in an average condo in Phoenix, than he was with all that money could buy. Brian states he feels God put him on earth to have “fellowship and intimacy with Him.” Brian wants to spend as much time as he can getting to know him every day, and doesn’t want to waste any more time. ”I’ve wasted enough time. That’s what I’m put on Earth to do. Be intimate with God. Get to know Him as much as I can. Let Him fill me with His spirit so He can do the work by bringing people into the Kingdom.”

As we concluded our interview, Brian stated, “God is where it’s at. If you have God, you have everything.”

To view Brian Welch’s “I am Second” video, visit www.iamsecond.com Marcy Lytle 1

Brian states that many have told him that his “on fire” experience would eventually calm down, but Brian doesn’t want a cool down. He remains close to God, led by his Spirit, ever concentrating on his relationship with his Father.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Welch http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/700club_brian_ head072007.aspx 3 http://www.cbn.com/cbnmusic/interviews/700club_brian_ head072007.aspx 2

Raised in a home that didn’t practice Christianity, Brian’s concept of God was that “maybe He was real,” or “maybe he was a joke.” When Brian heard that Jesus would accept him as he was, drugs and all, he raised his hand, and received Jesus into his heart. However, that night he went home, snorted cocaine, and talked to God. His daughter was six years old at the time, and Brian prayed this prayer, “If you’re real, take this (the drugs) from me.”

He began to stumble his way through the bible, and states that every scripture “jumped out at him.” “This book is alive,” he commented, as he encountered love and peace for the first time in his life.

“Heaven touched me,” Brian stated.

Immediately, Brian threw away the drugs, quit the band, and left his multimillion dollar job in January of 2005.

Since his experience with the living God, the God who cared for him and loved him as he was, Brian has been walking by faith, taking it one step at a time. He has a book that was on the New York Times Bestseller List, entitled Save Me From Myself. He also has an album by the same name.

When asked about his relations with his own parents, Brian had a wonderful story to share.

Brian and his dad never had much of a relationship, and Brian left home at an early age.

When he encountered Jesus, he states he was “radically saved.” He gave his mom a book called Voice of the Martyrs, which scared her to

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Diet & Nutrition Six Tips to Eliminate Sugar Cravings

A

ccording to 2007 statistics from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, there are currently 23.7 million of Americans afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7.8% of the population. To say that we are a sugar craving nation is an understatement. Of course, we did not catch the “diabetes virus” overnight.

Long-term sugar and starch abuse results in insulin resistance, which increases blood sugar levels, and diabetes is just the final destination. That, however, is the topic for another article.

In my clinical experience in guiding patients to weight loss and improved dietary habit, we often encounter the problem of “Doc, I keep dreaming about chocolate cake!” The basic principle to stop sugar cravings is to prevent rapid spikes in blood sugar. When a massive amount of sugar enters the bloodstream (after eating a Twinkie), the pancreas scrambles to send out large amounts of insulin trying to maintain blood sugar balance. This surge of insulin brings sugar rapidly into the cells, causing a dramatic drop in blood sugar. The brain senses this deficiency in blood sugar and sends out emergency signals, urging the body to hunt for food, and the most desirable food during that time is simple sugar, since it can be rapidly absorbed and enter the bloodstream. The vicious cycle continues – consumption of sugar causes sugar craving, which causes overconsumption of sugar, and more sugar craving. So, how do we break this vicious cycle?

There are several strategies that aim to balance blood sugar and decrease sugar craving, as described below: 1) Substitution – yes, we need to eventually quit eating so much sugar. To satisfy cravings in the initial phase of a diet modification, however, I would often recommend Stevia, a plant with very sweet leaves. The trick is that these leaves contain plant sugar that cannot, and will not be absorbed by human body.

Therefore, eating it will not affect your blood sugar. What a perfect cheat in nature! Side note: a small amount is sufficient; putting too much will create a bitter taste.

2) Gymnema Sylverstre – this is an herb based in India, called “sugar destroyer” by locals. One research study involved chewing the leaves of Gymnema, and eating sweets afterwards. Amazingly, the subjects could not taste the sweetness, and even had an aversion to sweets. Later studies also demonstrated the potential of Gymnema in balancing blood sugar, thus minimizing cravings. This is my Ace and patient-favorite in craving control.

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3) Chromium and Zinc – chromium is a mineral touted as one of the most essential elements of glucose tolerance factor, a complex that maintains the shape of insulin molecules, enabling insulin to effectively transport blood glucose. Zinc is a versatile mineral with many roles in the body. Its role in sugar metabolism is increasing the sensitivity/ response of insulin to blood sugar, making transport of blood sugar more efficient.

4) Vitamin B Complex – To effectively metabolize sugar to be used as energy, vitamin B complex plays an important role in the metabolic pathways breaking down sugar into energy. With the excess sugar intake in our modern society, Vitamin B can deplete quickly, and supplementing with Vitamin B complex can be helpful in sugar metabolism.

5) Gradualism – Be aware of your sugar intake by taking a diet diary, and make goals to reduce or replace sugar. For example, if you find out that you drink 4 cans of soda this week, make a goal to reduce that to 3 cans next week. Trying to quit cold turkey won’t work.

6) Beware of foods other than sugar that raise blood sugar too quickly – Carbohydrates, like pasta, bread, and white potato, can cause blood sugar spikes as well, triggering sugar cravings. Choosing foods that contain a lower glycemic index (a number assigned to each food based on the speed of the food being converted to blood sugar, compared to sugar or white bread, which is assigned with the number 100. The higher the number, the more easily it causes blood sugar spikes) is critical. If the majority of our diets contain foods with low glycemic index, such as vegetables, sugar cravings will disappear.

The glycemic index chart can be found on the internet. Or, shoot me an e-mail and I will send you one.

Just by implementing some or most of the strategies indicated here, you are almost guaranteed a safe and effective path to eliminating sugar cravings and creating a healthier you! I wish you success.

Dr. Trent Peng Dr. Trent Peng is a practicing Clinical Nutritionist and Chiropractor in North Austin.

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FOCUS : BUSINESS business

The Golf Ranch – Something for Everyone

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wners Dan and Loralee St. John are happy to have their doors now open for business. Their goal was to create a comfortable, rustic, Texas ranch environment, instead of a stuffy, uninviting golf store. At our recent visit, we indeed felt the coziness of the décor, and at the same time were impressed with the collection of clubs and other golf equipment available throughout the store. Loralee says, “At our store, you don’t need to worry about whether you’re a good enough golfer, what age or gender you are, or what socio-economic group you fall into. Dan and I feel that golf is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

The Golf Ranch even offers some “extra” items like Jardine’s salsas, Limited Edition honey butter and Randy Smith’s works of photography. There is free coffee to greet you when entering the front doors, and a couple of chairs in the shoe area that way too comfortable!

Dan St. John has a long history of managing golf stores, over 22 years. After their boys were born, Loralee joined him, working parttime. They moved to Texas from Rockford, Illinois over five years ago. Dan and Loralee began working at a driving range/golf store in Round Rock. They always had the desire to open their own business, but never had the funds to do so. When the owners of the place where they worked closed down the shop, the St. Johns wanted to purchase it, but the price tag was too high! Dan began a new job at Edwin Watts, and Loralee was employed with Texas Tollways, when she also began classes in accounting and business. Eventually, they got in touch with a Small Business Development Center, who ended up aiding them in securing a loan from their bank.

Dan and Loralee recommend the seminars offered by this center, as well as SCORE and BIG of Austin, to anyone thinking of starting a small business.

Even though they worked VERY hard for years, they could not make this dream come true by themselves. “It was amazing how God would put things before us that we needed in order to take the next step in starting our business.” Loralee states that even when they came to a dead-end at times, God opened the road and kept them going! Even though the economy was a hindrance to so many, it seems to have worked to the St. Johns’ advantage. When the stimulus package for small businesses was introduced to banks, Dan and Loralee found a bank willing to take www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

a chance, and they also did not have to pay loan fees or closing costs. The space for The Golf Ranch then became available due to lack of rental activity. And after a dry spell, vendors were able to offer closeout prices on merchandise, allowing Dan and Loralee to pass these savings on to their customers.

Amazing provision! The St. Johns say, “This is by far the hardest thing we have ever done.” They have put in countless hours working, without any time off. And sleep?

Forget about it!

For those wishing to start a business, Loralee has a bit of advice. Keep one person working a “regular job” in order to pay the bills. Try to have reserve funds for both home and business, because she says, “No matter how well you plan, there are always going to be unexpected costs.” And finally, only do this when your entire family is ready. Their boys are 16 and 18 now, and have been able to participate with the business and help out at home. “We really haven’t minded making all of the sacrifices and working so hard, because we love what we do and it has always been a dream of ours.” The most important thing; however, is “Keep your faith and really love what you are working so hard to achieve.”

The Golf Ranch is located in Wolf Ranch Chopping Center, at the southwest corner of Interstate 35 and Highway 29 in Georgetown (right next to Kohls). They are open Monday – Saturday 10am – 7pm, and Sundays 12pm – 6pm. They carry golf equipment, clothing, shoes, accessories, bags and balls. There’s even a full service repair shop and a PGA teaching facility located within the store.

They specialize in tournament merchandise, team orders, imprinted balls and monogrammed shirts, custom fitting, refinishing old clubs, travel case and club rentals, and Texas Hill Country merchandise.

All of their prices are competitive, and they will match sales being offered by any competition. Loralee states, “We have a very dedicated, experienced, friendly staff that Dan and I consider family.” And we can say from experience, that each customer is treated as a member of that family as well.

You won’t find any friendlier store owners around. It’s worth the drive from any place in Austin, even if you’re not an avid golfer!

Marcy Lytle

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Moments of Obedience | Find Your Story

was $184,825 for a 7.6% increase over a three year period. This may not seem like much, but compared to somewhere like Phoenix, we are in GREAT shape! The median home price in Phoenix decreased 47% in the same three year period – from $264,900 to $140,500 – OUCH!

That First Impression

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will describe two separate instances in my life where God has shown His faithfulness to my family when, logically speaking, it looked totally impossible. The first time we had three small children and I only worked part-time. My husband is a delivery driver for UPS, and we pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck. He was about 37 years old and was involved in an accident at work where a car hit his truck. He ended up with severely herniated disks and needed back surgery. I was about to panic, when my husband looked at me and said, “I really believe God impressed me that everything will be fine, not to worry.” He did not say this stuff often, so in that moment I chose to obey and believe, too! Long story short, God provided amazingly for our family in ways that we could not have anticipated. He did get a check from worker's comp (a true blessing but less than 1/2 what he made regularly), I was asked to work a great deal more at my part time job (unsolicited by me). Still, we were able to make our house payment and all bills were paid! We were just amazed when it was all over and there was an insurance settlement, as the accident was not his fault.

Again two years ago (we are now 53), my husband was injured at work and required shoulder surgery. Prior to the injury, we felt that God did not want us to spend our income tax return for awhile (which is unusual for us). This proved to be what we needed, as this time we did not get worker's compensation for three months! Again, we were able to pay all of our bills. My husband went to real estate school while he was off, and is now a licensed realtor. He recovered from both surgeries wonderfully and is still working today. I could continue to elaborate on how God worked on our relationship during his time off, but I’ll leave my story with this thought: As a result of these instances and many more, we are able to trust Him moment by moment by obeying that voice reminding us that He is truly faithful…always.

Ephesians 1:6-7 - To the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Jesus). In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.

Vicki Lancaster

Do you have a story, or are you still looking? Please share your moment of obedience with us.

Include events that led up to your moment, what happened in that moment, and the outcome of that moment. If you have not found your story yet, keep reading and maybe there will be something right here in these pages that will help you find it.

Please submit articles to Marcy@AustinFaithandFamily.com (*by submitting an article you are authorizing Family & Faith Publications to use your article in future printed materials.)

Clients of Give Realty made donations totaling $4447.00 to the following nonprofits in April:

Making a Difference

Austin Pets Alive: $1260.00 Helping Hand Home for Children: $555.00 Ronald McDonald House: $794.50 Global Media Outreach: $1837.50

What Makes Austin So Great?

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know, I know, you hear it all the time. Austin is #1 at this and #1 for that, yet you go on with your day-to-day lives and wonder why.

Well, it’s true! The Austin Metro Area is a GREAT place to live and raise a family. Here are just a few highlights –

Our Great City

• On any given night, over 200 venues have live music. No matter what type of music you like, there’s something out there for you.

• Austin is home to the largest urban bat population with up to 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed bats living under the Congress Avenue Bridge between April and November.

These bats eat between 10,000 to 30,000 lbs of insects every night. WOW. • With over 220 parks, there are plenty of places for a family picnic. Zilker Park is 360 acres and the Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) hike and bike trail is over 10 miles long.

• Like water? Head over to Barton Springs where it’s a constant 68 degrees. Prefer the lake? The Highland Lakes have over 20,000 acres of water surface (Lake Travis, Lake Austin, and Lady Bird Lake) with over 405 miles of shoreline.

Our Great Housing Market The Austin housing market has held up very well considering the current economic climate. According to Forbes Magazine, the Austin area tied for first place on a list of large metropolitan areas where the recession is easing first. Austin’s low unemployment rate and job growth were cited as key factors for the ranking.

In 2006, the median home price in the Austin MSA was $171,766. In 2009, the median price

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Our latest donations: $2119.00 to Casa of Travis County, $1260.00 to Austin Pets Alive and $2119.00 to MD Anderson Cancer Center

• We have an average of over 300 days of sunshine each year and an average temperature of 68.5 degrees. 68.5 degrees – really?!

As of February 2010, the average “days on market” for a single family home was 77, down 13% from the February 2009 statistics.

There were also 6.5 months of inventory on the market. A balanced market is 5-6 months, so we are in darn good shape.

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Our Great People A big shout out to the fine people in our great city and suburbs! Every day, Robin and I meet people who are dedicated to making Austin a better place to live: from the folks in the nonprofit world, to the entrepreneurs trying to start a new business, to the existing business people. We live in a city that is known for respecting the ideas and opinions of others, making us a catalyst for attracting innovative people who are willing to take risks. I get asked all the time, “What makes Austin so great?” To me, it’s the people.

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Do you have a real estate question? E-mail it to info@giverealtyaustin.com and it may be featured in a future column!

Robin LeTourneau, Realtor®, SRES®, GRI Laurie Loew, Broker GRI, ABR, GREEN® Give Realty Inc. 3420 Executive Center Drive Ste 300, Austin 78731 Phone: (512) 338.4483 Give Realty is a local Real Estate brokerage who is committed to giving back and investing in our community! When you sell or purchase a home using our brokerage, we donate 25% of our commission to the nonprofit of your choice in your name. Go to www.giverealty.com to find out more or call us at 512-338-4483.

Laurie Loew

www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

SPECIAL FEATURE Mimi Reyes–In Need of a Friend

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e recently attended a benefit concert, where funds were being raised for a little girl named Mimi.

Mimi Reyes is a nine-year old girl born with a rare chromosomal disorder called 9 p minus syndrome. This means that the short arm of her ninth chromosome was deleted when she was conceived, making Mimi a very special young lady. She faces many issues with this disorder, including multiple seizures every day. Some of these seizures are very dangerous, because she stops breathing and has to take medication to relax her muscles, until the ambulance arrives.

Mimi also has “sensory integration disorder” where her nervous system cannot handle all of the sensory stimulation around her. Normal activities, such as the humming of a fan, the whizzing of a motorcycle, and other noises around, are not processed quickly enough for Mimi to understand them. Through behavior therapy, Mimi is learning to deal with this disorder, but it is very tough.

We observed Mimi at a recent benefit concert that was especially for her. She was so excited and was dressed up very nice for the occasion. At one point, she spilled a bit of drink on her new sweater, and quickly took it off, twirled around in her pretty dress, and sat back down. Mimi thoroughly enjoyed the music, dancing and swaying as the melodies filled the coffee house, where the concert took place.

Intellectually, Mimi is about five, and can get lost easily. This is why she needs 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY. This organization provides service dogs trained for kids like Mimi. The dog can detect seizures shortly before one happens and alert a parent to help their child. The dog also helps the child feel safe when they are overwhelmed with too much stimulation. The trained dog will nudge the child back to the mom, or bark to alert the parent. If Mimi can get this dog, she will have a friend all her own, who will sleep with her and be there for her, just like part of her family.

This dog will cost 4 Paws for Ability $22,000 to train and place. This program has a very unique approach to the placement process and allows the family to raise $15,000 for the agency so the agency does not have to place their kids on a waiting list. If you would like to help 4 Paws For Ability help kids like Mimi by donating or hosting a benefit to help raise

funds, please visit www.helpmimi.com. To read more about these special friends, visit http://www.4pawsforability.org/.

Marcy Lytle

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C H R I S T I A N

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L E A D E R S

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Have the lying lips and the fearful ones begin to push and fight. Those who walk in darkness cannot love when they are wronged by another.

Read I John 2:11 and John 3:19.

Catching the Light...

CAMP LONE STAR STAR 2010 Summer Camp

Light in the Darkness

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ou will need a Bible, paper, a blanket, and a flashlight for this family devotion. On three strips of paper write â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are not loved,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are nothing,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one cares about you.â&#x20AC;? Hand these to three people who will be the â&#x20AC;&#x153;lying lips.â&#x20AC;? On two slips of paper write â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re afraidâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;What will we do?â&#x20AC;? and give these to the ones who will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;the fearful ones.â&#x20AC;?

In the dark, have everyone sit on the sofa, and use the flashlight to read along.

We who love Jesus walk in the light of his Word that shines to give us comfort and peace. But whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it like to walk in darkness?

Begin in silence for a minute. Read II Corinthians 6:14. Those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love Jesus donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hear his voice, his tender words of love, or his songs of joy over them.

Christ-Centered Camping Weekend and week-long camp sessions for youth ages 5 - 18, June 6 - August 13.

2010 study theme: Migthy to Save

Have the lying lips read the three unloving statements aloud. Since those who walk in darkness have no fellowship with the light and do not recognize His voice, they do not hear the truth.

Have the fearful ones begin to cry out with their phrases. If they only hear lies, then fear takes hold of their hearts and minds.

Read Isaiah 61:1.

SUDLVH ZRUVKLS WLPH JDPHV FDPS Ă&#x20AC;UHV

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Have one person in darkness grab the hand of another, pulling them one way, and then the other way. People living in darkness donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know which way to go and have no direction. Read Psalm 82:45.

Have all those in darkness fall off the sofa onto the floor. Read John 12:35. Those in darkness will eventually fall into a pit where they are afraid, full of lies and hatred, all aloneâ&#x20AC;Ś

But waitâ&#x20AC;Ś!!!! There is hope!

Read I John 1:5. Turn on the lights. Read John 8:12, Isaiah 9:2 and Matthew 4:16.

Give thanks for the Light of the World, and pray for those who walk in darkness to see the light of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for them.

Families that pray together and play together, grow together.

Above is a small sample of the type of family devotions you will find in Catching Fireflies, written by Marcy Lytle. Take one evening, gather the family together, and catch the light from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s word as you have fun doing it! (www.marcylytle.com)

Hillside KDO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Helping Children Grow in a Quality Christian Setting

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Have the lying lips and the fearful ones grab a cover and pull it over their heads to hide.

Read I Corinthians 4:5. Those walking in darkness try to hide, afraid to be seen.

FOCUS : KIDSkids

Bible studies, daily outdoor activities, morning

www.LOMT.com

Have one person get up and try to walk forward in the dark, then stumble and fall.

Read Psalm 107:10-12 and Proverbs 4:19. Those walking in darkness cannot see, so the smallest things in their path cause them to fall.

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am pleased to announce that there will be a new Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Out program coming to Round Rock this fall. Hillside KDO was born from the desire to create an outstanding program that will allow children to grow in the gifts and talents that God has given them. It is a preschool program in a Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day Out setting.

The program has been developed to provide children the opportunity to learn and grow in a quality Christian setting. Young children are naturally curious. Teachers will set up lessons encouraging the children to learn through play and exploration. The curriculum that will be has been developed especially for this program. It is based on themes that revolve around a young childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, such as families, communities, animals, weather, and seasons. Children will learn in a developmentally appropriate level. Each year the children will build on what they have learned in the previous year. The goal is to have each child prepared and ready to succeed in their Kindergarten year. In addition, studies have shown that children are able to communicate long before their verbal language is developed, so for the Toddlers and 2 year old classes there will be opportunities to learn sign language as they develop their own verbal language. For the 3 and 4 year old classes their will be opportunities to

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learn Spanish. Stretch N Grow will be implemented as a regular part of the program.

Stretch N Grow is an independent program that specializes in preschool physical activity. It is designed to help those little bodies grow healthy and strong.

Children truly are a gift from God and it has been my pleasure to work with young children for over 15 years. I was able to earn a Masters in Early Childhood Education which furthered my understanding of how children learn and develop.

Each child is unique, with so much potential to fulfill the plan the Lord has for their life. As Director of Hillside KDO, it is my pleasure to provide a unique program where your children will be encouraged to grow in the gifts and talents the Lord has given them and be nurtured in their love for the Lord.

Hillside KDO is located at New Hope Community Church, 2330 Dry Creek Dr., Round Rock. We will begin accepting registration for children 18 months to Pre-K on May 1, 2010.

For more information about our program, please visit our website at: www.hillsidekdo.org or call Lucy Howard, Hillside KDO Director, at 512-569-9014.

Lucy Howard

www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

SPECIAL FEATURE

FOCUS : FAMILY family

Save Your Life Today – Stem Cells We Can Agree On

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ou may not know Dr. Scott Spann, but you should. Not only is the man a decorated collegiate swimmer (from U.T.), former U.S. Army Medical Corps Major, renowned leader in spine-care across the country, and proud father (of U.T. swimmers), he is an incredible physician, as well as a true man of God. In 2005, the doctor suffered a spinal cord injury due to a biking accident. This left him a quadriplegic; however, he now walks, talks, breathes and even heals others with those same limbs that he was once unable to operate—and he attributes it all to God’s grace. Dr. Spann now devotes his life to the needs of others as he cares for patients suffering spine-injuries here in Austin; and his newest venture is just as impressive as these last two paragraphs: he is involved in the first and only adult stem-cell collection center that serves the general public in Texas.

own cells within your body. They recognize what is their own; and not only do those cells know you, they hone damaged tissue. “Stem cells seek out that damaged tissue within your body. They find it and repair it.”

There are even a couple of fellow Austinites who have had their stem cells taken and stored—and they had to fly up to New York to have theirs done. Adam and Amy Domecq now have their stem cells stored for use, if and when they need them. When asked why he decided to have his cells stored, Adam answered, “I really do believe it is cuttingedge science…seeing the benefit of this technology convinced me that this is where science is going.” Adam also replied that he has concerns with his own health, specifically diabetes. The storage of his stem cells grants him the assurance of knowing that if something ever did come up health-wise, he would have an answer. Amy Domecq was concerned about the pain before her procedure; however, she commented, “I felt fine. It wasn’t painful. I felt some tingling…they gave me Tums to relieve those symptoms.” Amy is now spreading the word about what NeoStem is doing to all those she encounters. “I have daily discussions,” she says. We should all consider doing what Adam and Amy have already done.

Dr. Spann-Westlake Orthopaedics, Teresa Lepore-NeoStem, Beth Spann and Pam Moore

Now, before you email our editor screaming, “Stem cells?!” give me a moment to explain the position that is so commonly misconstrued. A week ago I would’ve been beside you, yelling. The work of Texas Regenerative Medicine and the NeoStem folks is not controversial—not at all. What occurs is this: you make an appointment to have your own stem cells withdrawn, they are stored, and then if something comes up later in life, you have your own stem cells readily available for your doctor to utilize. The science behind this is astonishing, and Dr. Robin Smith (Yale graduate, leader of adult stem-cell use) goes as far as saying, “This is only the beginning of regenerative medicine.” Diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, cancers, diabetes, heart disease, and upwards of 70+ others have all been shown to be positively impacted by the process that these doctors are promoting, “Middle-aged is now 70 years old,” Smith states, non-jokingly.

To further describe how non-controversial the process is, Dr. Smith explains that bonemarrow transplants are virtually the same thing. There are no embryos involved in these procedures—only your own stem cells are used, on you. And the most beautiful feature of all of this? Your stem cells know you! There is no issue with rejection when you use your www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

Happy Parenting

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arenting. That word can make one person smile, and another one sigh. You may want to help others, and make a great difference in the world, but feel like you are barely making it through the day!

On Saturday, I taught FamilyLink Foster Care/Adoption class, and shared parenting ideas and strategies that will be helpful to you too! Give attention to behaviors you want to encourage, instead of the ones you want to stop. For example, if you have three children in the room, and one is coloring a picture while the other two are fighting over a doll, your first instinct might be to talk to the girls that are fighting; therefore, giving them attention, possibly reinforcing, not stopping their behavior. Instead, go over to the child that’s coloring and really see them, and say aloud what you see. "Wow Christy, I see a blue sky and a red house that looks like our house, and I appreciate your peacefulness..." Instead of ignoring the child who is doing "good," you notice them, and then praise them. The other children will often stop fighting because they hear you saying great things to Christy, and they want that too! Look for character qualities you can praise and call attention to, and you will begin to see more and more of that, and less of the undesirable behavior.

Crying, screaming, or throwing tantrums are often ways a child says to you that they are overwhelmed. Pay attention to the clues your child gives before a meltdown, and if possible begin to meet their need as soon as you see the first signs. If you are in a noisy place and the child is over stimulated, then go to a quieter place and gently hold your little one. If they are just too tired,

then put them to bed before they get to the place of no return. You can also say, "I see you are getting upset. Do you want to sit with me while I read you a book, sing a song, etc?" Oftentimes the child will stop and the mini crisis will be averted. If not, then say, "Whenever you are ready, I will hold you. Right now I am doing this, and whenever you are ready you can be my helper (with whatever is age appropriate, that you can be doing close by, that will interest your child). "Do not punish, scold, or lecture over tantrums.

Remember that your child is not enjoying feeling out of control and upset. Give attention to your child and praise them for behaviors and attitudes of which you want to see more.

When you must have a consequence, don't take away activities that create positive memories in your child and promote healthy social and physical interaction, such as ballet, soccer, birthday parties, etc. Activities such as playing Xbox, spending time at the computer, watching TV, and having phone time can be taken away as consequences for direct disobedience. Remember that a happy parent often equals a happy child who wants to respect and take on the values of his/her parents.

Stressed out parents means stressed out kids, so smile, enjoy your children and RELAX! To hear more parenting ideas and inspiring stories, listen to LIFE MATTERS! with Mariah on www.klgo.net or 98.5 and 99.3 FM Mon-Fri. 7:308:30 pm. www.familylinkkids.com Mariah Wilde Executive Director/Founder FamilyLink Foster Care and Adoption mariah@familylinkkids.com

FOCUS : MUSICmusic

Romantico Band – A Unique Sound in Austin

W Amy and Adam Domecq

The possibilities of what can come from stem cells are endless. This “bio-insurance,” as Dr. Smith calls it, should be something we all look into. Financing is even available for those that are interested, “just like a car,” declares Smith.

So go check out their websites (http://texasregenerativemedicine.com http://www.neostem.com/home.php http://westlakeortho.net/welcome.html) for more information, and begin thinking about how your God-given cells could help you someday! If we’re paying for car insurance, would it not be worthwhile to pay for bio-insurance?

Heath Samples

e recently had the opportunity to hear a band called Romantico. They played at Dominican Joe’s Coffee Shop for a fundraiser. Romantico is pronounced “Roman” “Tico” and not ro-man-ti-co with the accent on “man” as we Texans might be prone to say. The father of one of the band members is from Romania, and another band member is from Costa Rica, where they call the locals “Ticos.” Thus, the name Romantico was born.

The current band members have been together for about two years. John Wilson plays the guitar, and performs Mondays at Mozart’s, either as a soloist or with other musicians. Every Valle is on percussions and supports the local music scene by working as a stage manager. Paul Wargo sits at the drums, and he is a senior at Anderson High School. The bassist, Eric Peana, is a senior at Westlake High school, and he plays both electric and upright bass and guitar.

Joe Wargo, lead guitarist, is the composer and band leader. He spent 10 years in Costa Rica tuning his ear to his Spanish and Costa Rican wife. There are no singers in this band, as no lyrics are needed.

The music speaks eloquently to the listeners.

Wargo states, “Romantico’s music is somewhat unique on the local scene.” Their style is called

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“jazzmenco” – a term Joe invented so he wouldn’t be stuck with just jazz or just flamenco. The music has a distinctive Latin flavor, and Wargo writes much of the music himself. He states, “I am old enough to remember the originality of Carlos Santana, Phil Keaggy, and many others.”

All members agree on music selection, nixing anything suggestive. They prefer to play private venues, and avoid playing where excesses are the norm. They get along like typical band members, “having lots of fun,” “at each others’ throats,” and other “characteristics of the species.”

This writer enjoyed the concert immensely, and was very impressed by Romantico’s unique sound and music. To contact Romantico and find out where they are playing next, or to book them for your event, email jwargo2@gmail.com.

Marcy Lytle

Faith Family

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Along the Way: Two Essential Qualities for a Happy Marriage – Part 1 Help! I Want to Talk to my Friends About Jesus but…

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don’t know where to start. Yep, we have all been there. I am by no means an evangelism guru but I can share with you what I have seen to be effective more times than not. What is important to know about humans is that we are all shaped by our life experiences and unfortunately so are our religious beliefs (including atheism). Right or wrong, we all too often follow our hearts, which are easily influenced by our life circumstances. So, if you really want to share the gospel with your friends, you must be willing to really get to know them first.

Step 1 – Order a spiritual background check.

The goal here is to figure out what your friend believes about God and why they believe what they believe. There are many ways to do this, but what I like to do is just ask the question directly which sounds something like this: “ Hey _______, Can I ask you a personal question? You know, God is a big part of my life so I am curious as to what your real beliefs are about God, and why you believe what you believe?” Remember the ‘what’ is NOT the focus right now, it’s the ‘why’ that matters most. The why will tell you what they have experienced in life and how they came to the conclusions they have. The why uncovers past hurts, abuse, anger toward God, or perhaps the fact that they have never really thought about this on a deep level. Before a person can be open to hearing truth, they most often need to be ministered to emotionally and know that you sincerely care about them.

Step 2 – Listen for ‘why’ clues. The best evangelists are great listeners. Did your friend come to their conclusion about God emotionally, logically, or through personal encounters? If so, what was that process like for them? Logical obstacles to Christianity are easy to spot because usually you get bombarded with those questions right away.

Stuff like ‘If God is real then why’… are all rabbit trails that will bring a quick end to your witnessing opportunity. Sometimes logical obstacles are tied to emotional hurdles, especially when there have been traumatic experiences. Other times people are just frustrated that God does not reveal himself the way they think he should. The toughest cases are folks who have cultural religious beliefs. Their religion is just part of their heritage. Folks with deep religious convictions require more time and more

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sensitivity, so I would get to know their religion and culture before going any further.

Step 3 – Table all logical questions and share your testimony in less than 5 minutes.

Questions about the bible are just smoke screens. I am not saying they aren’t important to answer - they just aren’t important to answer immediately. Most people WANT to believe in a God who loves them personally, unconditionally and wants to spend eternity with them; they just need the revelation that it’s real. Sharing your personal testimony on how this became real to you is important; so as you do, make sure you don’t ramble but get straight to the point. Your testimony must include how you emotionally and logically connected with God, as well as how you have personally encountered Him. Step 4 – Be confident, be patient, and pray.

After sharing your testimony go back to the questions that came up, answer what you can, but ONLY if you can answer them thoroughly.

Otherwise, emphasize that they are great questions and promise to get back to them in the next few days with more complete answers.

Just about all questions can be googled these days so don’t let any rattle you. End the conversation by offering to pray over them and make sure they know how much you genuinely care.

At this point, you have opened up great dialogue with someone you care about. Now it is up to you to continue it. Pray about how God is leading you to serve them and commit to praying for them three times weekly.

Evangelism is always messy and imperfect since knuckleheads like us are involved, but this is the way God chooses to reach the lost - so be confident and trust in the sovereignty of our King. He has put you in their life for a reason.

Joe Elliott 20 Words has a dual meaning: It speaks to the 20-something crowd and highlights 20 words that send a message.

o you want a happy marriage? While the majority of Americans do get married, there are huge changes occurring across the United States that represent seismic shifts in the picture of “normal” American households. For instance, census information shows a fairly sharp decline in the percentage of people who get married.

From 1970-1990 the percentage of all adults married at the time of the census dropped from 72% to 62%, and by the year 2000 for the first time in American history, the majority of adults in America, at the time of the census, were single. In 1990, about 95% of American adults had been married at least once, but today only about 91% of us have been married at least once. This small percentage change represents millions of people.

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Love is selfless, too. Marriage is not about me, myself and I. We marry not only to be happy, but for the privilege of making someone else happy. Love, while action oriented, is also a great emotion! After all, love is the feeling you feel when you get the feeling you’re feeling a feeling you’ve never felt before! Husbands feel love of course, but love is also shown by how we take action on behalf of our spouse.

Husbands and wives find ways to care for the tangible needs of one another. A friend of mine worked on a life motto and finally reduced it down to one word – “others.” In a loving marriage, our goal is not only our own happiness; our goal is the happiness of “another.” In marriage, therefore, we find a mathematical anomaly. It is the only place in the world where 1 + 1 = 1.

Why the change? A variety of factors contribute to these changes. For instance, today, more people live together instead of making the commitment to marriage. In addition, according to a 2007 University of Utah study, the fear of divorce keeps more people from getting married in the first place.

These and other factors paint a portrait of unhappy marriages throughout the United States. The question is: How can we be both happy and married? While there are several characteristics in happy marriages, there are two which are indispensable. The two characteristics which must be present for happy marriages are love and respect.

Throughout their lives men will have the privilege of making great contributions in the classroom, on the athletic field, in the business community, and to their country. But nowhere is life more rewarding than in a loving marriage. A man can accomplish nothing greater than loving one woman for his entire life.

Even the Scripture says, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33). This article will present the way for husbands to love their wives, and in a follow-up article, we will review how wives can respect their husbands.

Husbands who love their wives understand the principle of voluntary sacrifice. No job description a man ever has is more demanding, or potentially rewarding than marriage. Love costs, and real love will always expect us to pay a price. Men who once knew the independence of the single life exchange that kind of independence for a new kind of freedom and responsibility in married life.

What are some practical examples of the sacrifices husbands are called upon to make in marriage? For one thing, our wives may nudge us in the middle of the night if they hear a noise outside, and they will expect more from us than a suggestion that they go outside and check, while we stay in bed and dial 911! Husbands will make whatever sacrifices are necessary in order to be the defender and protector of their wives, families and homes. Love is costly and we will pay a price for a happy marriage. If we get divorced, it will cost us half of everything we own, but if we stay married, it will cost us everything we have…because love holds nothing back!

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We have examined in this article a few of the ways that a husband can love his wife, and thus, make his contribution to a happy marriage. There is; however, more to a happy marriage than merely a husband’s commitment. The Bible says, and experience teaches, that happy marriages are also made possible by a wife’s respect for her loving husband. In a future article, we will review the principle of a wife’s respect for her husband in marriage.

While it is true that many marriages fail and Americans are more cynical about the possibility of happy marriages than ever before, this fact remains: With the right commitment, it is still possible to live happily ever after.

Kie Bowman

www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

A View from the Blue Roof |

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o a brand new, wet-behind-the-ears teacher like I was, Ernest was a force of nature...and an absolute terror.

Whenever something went wrong, you could bet that Ernest would be nearby. Whenever there was a commotion, Ernest could always be found in the center of the ruckus.

Whenever something was missing from a teacher's desk, whenever someone was pushed to the ground, whenever something flew through the classroom air...you could be assured Ernest was in the vicinity.

I can't deny that there was great joy (and relief!) when Ernest graduated from our school. We had tried our best to help instill values that would allow him to live a Christcentered life; but to be honest, we weren’t sure that we had come close to succeeding. In fact, the general consensus was that the next time we heard about Ernest, it would be in the police blotter.

Many years later, we did hear from Ernest. In August 1987, he suddenly appeared at the door of the school library. He asked, "Do you remember me?" Honestly, I had no idea who this strong, handsome young man might be.

After re-introducing himself to me and some of the other teachers, he told us that he happened to be driving by the school and thought he would stop by. To our amazement, he told us that he had graduated from Akron

A Plan for Ernest

University, he was getting married in a few weeks, and—unbelievable as it seemed—he was now working as a deputy sheriff! As we talked, I marveled at the God-filled man Ernest had obviously become.

We did indeed read about him in the newspaper, about six months after his visit.

It was his obituary. He had returned home from work one evening and went to take a shower. A little while later, his new bride found him dead, apparently of an undiagnosed heart problem.

For weeks after his death, I was challenged by thoughts of why he had stopped by that day in August. Then the Lord helped me understand. Had I read Ernest's obituary without learning of the man he had become, I would have assumed that he had been killed in a drug deal gone bad, or a botched robbery, or maybe even by a jealous husband.

My vision would have been clouded by the image of Ernest that I had when he left our school.

I believe that he stopped in that day because the Holy Spirit prompted him to. It was confirmation of the “seed planting” we do in Lutheran schools. The book of Proverbs tells us to “train up a child in the way he shall go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I firmly believe that is exactly what happened

to Ernest. He was given a strong foundation in Christian love by parents and teachers. His life was short, but because of that foundation it was a Godly life.

God has always had a perfect security plan for us all. His eternal plan was put into place after Adam and Eve fell into sin, and it has never been altered. It is found in the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God would send His Son into the world to suffer and die and secure our eternal future. And through all the insecure times in the life of God’s people, through all the sinful times in our own lives, God’s plan has never wavered.

Ernest knew his Lord, and God had a plan for Ernest’s life, just as He has for all of us. We may not understand it —we may not even always agree with it— but it is surely for our best. I am convinced that part of God’s plan for Ernest helped make me the person I am today. For that, I thank God!

Donn Trautner, Administrator Our Savior Lutheran School and Childcare

Compassionate Christian marriage and individual counseling that restores hope or life coaching that provides direction in the Round Rock and Austin area.

For more information visit www.headtoheart.org or call Al H. Jones, PhD 512.496.8938.

Has God called you to the ministry of Christian Counseling?

Head to Heart School of Pastoral Counseling provides training and licensure through the National Christian Counselors Association.

A Helping Hand for Neighbors, Food for the Hungry.

“ Treasures”

at the Round Rock Area Serving Center Thrift Stores Hours of Operation:

Monday–Friday 10 am–4 pm Saturday 9 am–12 pm Donations 12 pm–4 pm

Donations of clothing, books, furniture and appliances are needed.

Treasure's is a clothing and furniture thrift store that is open to the public. Revenue from sales support the food pantry and social service programs.

Services provided include a food pantry, clothing & furniture vouchers, Computers for Kids, Round Rock Coats for Kids, The Volunteer Center, community gardens, computer skills training, and financial assistance for utilities, rent, prescriptions, transportation, and temporary lodging.

Closed Sunday 1099 E. Main Street Round Rock, TX 78664 info@servingcenter.org www.servingcenter.org

For furniture pickup call (512) 244-2431 www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

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Faith Family

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DOLLARS & Moms Who Save

Financial Straight Talk with Dave Ramsey

Entertainment

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his is a monthly column full of tips for saving money. This month's focus is on ways to save on entertainment.

Melissa C. (married, mother of four) • In Georgetown, go to First Texas Bank and buy tickets for $6.50 each to the City Lights Movie Theater. These tickets can be used at any time, as long as it's not a special showing - saves a bunch for a family of six!

• Grill in the backyard and buy steaks or brisket (meat that is expensive when you eat out) and have parties in the backyard - play board games or just sit and have family chat time. Just get out of the house and hang in the backyard - like being somewhere else play some music and put up lights (like Christmas lights) and make it festive!

• Central Market Cafe presents free live music performances on the patio every Friday and Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 pm and Sunday from 12:30 to 3:00 pm. All live music shows are rain or shine. If it's raining or cold, shows will be featured in the enclosed heated area under the patio.

• One of the ways I save on entertainment is when I go to a movie I buy the family meal. It consists of a small popcorn, small drink and candy. All of that is less money than one regular bag of popcorn.

• Rent movies via NetFlix and have family movie nights with popcorn and soda, which is a big treat!

• Make your own pizzas at home and then put on the toppings that each person wants, and have a family pizza night.

• Friends and I have movie nights where we meet at one person's house, have snacks and someone supplies a DVD to watch. This way we all save a lot of money.

Dear Jessie, Putting money into something you don’t understand is the easiest way in the world to lose it all. I’m glad you’re asking questions, and want to do the smart thing with the money that’s coming your way. I’ve always said personal finance is 80 percent behavior and only 20 percent head knowledge. So, you don’t need to change your major to finance to make this happen. However, you will have a $50,000 responsibility that you didn’t have before.

For now, I think a simple savings account is fine. I’d park about $40,000 in there, and just forget about it for a while. Then, take $5,000 to set up an emergency fund. Put it in a good money market account with check writing privileges. After you’ve done these things, take the remaining $5,000 and use it just for you.

Have some fun! After all, spending and having a good time is one of the great things you can do with money.

• Two best websites for searching for free or inexpensive entertainment for kids or the whole family are http://www.kidevents.com and http://www.austintex.com/free-stuffaustin.htm Jo Ann A. (single “mature” mom, living alone)

• Look for coupons in the local paper (The Sun) and in mail-outs.

$

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DAVE SAYS College Student with Inheritance

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ear Dave, I’m currently a junior in college. I don’t have any debt, and my school is paid for through scholarships.

Next month, I’ll receive an inheritance of almost $50,000. I don’t want to blow it, but I don’t know much about stocks, mutual funds, or investing, either. Do you have any advice?

–Jessie

But here’s something to think about once you’ve educated yourself on investing. If you move the original $40,000 you set aside into a good, growth stock mutual fund, you’ll have millions sitting there waiting when you retire.

Talk about being able to retire with dignity, and change your family tree!

–Dave For more financial help please visit www.daveramsey.com

• As a senior citizen I utilize the "senior" discounts (can be quite a savings).

• Free concerts, coupons-off at restaurants and outdoor activities all save on money.

Patricia J. (single mom of two teenagers) • During the weekdays over the summer, some movie theatres show G/PG movies free (City Lights in Georgetown, Lakeline Mall Regal, Arbor Cinema and Alamo Drafthouse)!

On Friday or Saturday evenings, you can find free movies at a variety of venues like Deep Eddy Pool and Old Settlers Park.

• Some Austin places offer free tours of their facilities....Dell Diamond, Amy's Ice Cream, Central Market and KLRU are just a few!

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Faith Family

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TOP

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Dining Outside

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ay is the perfect month for a picnic.

Picnics are a great way for families to spend time together eating outdoors, visiting, playing Frisbee or flying kites, and taking walks before heading back home. A picnic is also a great inexpensive date idea for couples, and can be quite romantic, inspiring and delightful!

There are lots of popular spots in Austin, but the following are five of my favorites that might not be so well-known. Dining out on a patio at one of the many restaurants in Austin is another outdoor alternative! Each place has its own atmosphere, and is best enjoyed before it gets too hot! I’ve listed five below.

Behind the Four Seasons Hotel downtown – There’s a grassy hillside just waiting for you to spread the blanket with your dinner, along with huge hammocks for stargazing.

After you eat, take a stroll along the water. http://www.fourseasons.com/austin/ photos_and_videos/

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Old Settlers Park in Round Rock - This is a large park, great for families, great place for sitting by the lake, hiking and playing disc golf. http://www.austinexplorer.com/Locations/ ShowLocation.aspx?LocationID=1821

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By the San Gabriel River in Georgetown A quiet spot by the water, scenic and pleasant. http://www.texasescapes.com/FEATURES/ Splash_Across_Texas/San_Gabriel_River/ san_gabriel_river_texas.htm –.

Patios: Vivos Mexican Restaurant on Manor Road – voted one of the best patios in Austin - lush, exotic and fun. http://www.vivo-austin.com/

Pick a spot for a picnic one weekend, then save and dine outdoors at a restaurant the next weekend, and enjoy the breezes in the month of May…

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Picnic spots: Mayfield Park – 3505 West 35th Street http://www.mayfieldpark.org/ - Peacocks roam this romantic park, and there are beautiful ponds throughout. Take a picnic lunch and then hike the trails.

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Head to Heart

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Red’s Porch on South Lamar – a huge deck upstairs overlooks the Barton Creek area, which is picturesque and peaceful. The menu is great too, with fried olives, or brisket tacos! http://www.redsporch.com/

Tearing Down the Walls of Self-Preservation hen Jim was seven years old his dad came in and told him that he was divorcing his mother. Jim would now be the “man-of-the-house” and would need to take care of his mother and sister. Jim’s dad handed him a “brick” of unrealistic responsibility. He began building his wall of self-preservation.

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When a relationship becomes strained and hurtful words are exchanged, we can grab a brick and fortify our wall. We not only prevent the person who hurt us from entering back in to our life; we also prevent others from entering into our life. We distance ourselves from deep meaningful relationships and our wall becomes our prison.

When Karen was fifteen years old, she tripped in the school cafeteria, spilling her tray. Her classmates erupted in laughter. Karen picked up a “brick” of embarrassment to add to her growing wall of self-preservation.

Grief and loss are part of life. No one escapes the experience of losing someone they love. We must allow ourselves to grieve our losses. We do this by acknowledging our feelings, talking, praying, and allowing time to heal. If we do not walk through the grieving process, we can isolate ourselves from others.

Maria had been married for ten years when her husband announced that he wanted a divorce.

Maria was devastated. Her husband gave her a “brick” of rejection. When Maria put the brick in her wall she vowed to never get hurt like this again.

Bricks in our lives are anything that stands in the way of growing in health and spiritual maturity.

Bricks can be addictions, broken relationships, poor family dynamics, and anything else that causes emotional wounds.

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We all have a wall formed from the bricks of past hurts, fears, and unmet expectations. We build the wall hoping to protect ourselves. Initially, we think each brick adds safety and protection. One day we realize that we have walled ourselves off from relationship with others. The wall of selfpreservation has become our prison.

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Within each person is the drive to avoid emotional, physical and mental pain. Since we can’t escape pain, we build walls around ourselves hoping to prevent it.

Frank & Angie’s on West Avenue, between 5th and 6th Street, downtown. Out back is a covered patio, which overlooks a flowing creek.

Great calzones. http://www.hutsfrankandangies.com/ Habana on South Congress Avenue - you can actually sit in a grass hut outside!

Delicious Cuban fare. http://www.habana.com/Photos.html

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Mills Pond – This park, in the Wells Branch area, is a beautiful site for an afternoon lunch outdoors. Check out this description http://www.yelp.com/biz/mills-pond-austin

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Roaring Fork Restaurant - Stonelake Blvd location - http://www.eddiev.com/ - wonderful setting by the lake, delicious menu options.

Marcy Lytle

As a child, Jim struggled with the guilt that he could not take care of his mother and sister. If only he was more responsible, maybe mom would not cry. As he entered adulthood, Jim realized that he could never meet the expectation set by his dad.

He gave up, and tried to avoid all responsibility.

He became paralyzed with fear and self-doubt anytime he had to take on responsibility. For Jim, it was easier to stay behind the wall of self-preservation. He learned that if he avoided deep relationships, he would not have to risk being responsible.

As an adult, Karen avoided any activity that might include taking risks. Although Karen had always been an honor student in school, she dropped out of college her first semester. Karen would rather not try than risk the embarrassment of being a “failure.” She built her wall out of fear and doubt.

With the loss of her husband, Maria knew that if she allowed others inside her life she could be rejected again. Maria withdrew from family and friends. Being alone was easier that having to deal with the loss of another relationship. The bricks left Maria lonely and miserable.

Unmet expectations often say we are not valued or approved. Many unmet expectations are based on our interpretation of life events. Unmet expectations can turn into wounds and wounds can turn into bricks.

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How do we tear down the wall of selfpreservation? We dismantle the wall one brick at a time.

We first identify the bricks. Identifying the bricks involves understanding the cause. We also have to ask, “Do I really want to get rid of the wall?”

We become very comfortable with our wall, and the fear of dismantling it may seem overwhelming. Once the bricks are identified, we have to take steps to tear down the wall.

Dismantling bricks of broken relationships involves giving the gift of forgiveness. You may need to meet with people that have hurt you, make phone calls, or write letters. If they are not willing to forgive, reconnect, are no longer living, or cannot be located, you still do your part by forgiving and releasing them through prayer. Each repaired relationship is a brick removed from your wall.

Bricks formed out of hurtful events or embarrassing situations may require that you take time to reflect on what happened, and acknowledge the hurt and its impact. This provides an avenue to forgive and release others.

If you allowed the event to cause you to view yourself in a negative way, you also need to forgive yourself.

Bricks of our own making through negative selftalk, poor self-esteem, and sin can be the most difficult to remove. The key to removing these bricks is embracing and believing who you are in Christ. You are loved, accepted, and forgiven.

Reflect on how God views you as his son or daughter. Receiving God’s love and grace is like taking a stick of dynamite to the wall.

Become intentional about speaking good things over yourself.

A remaining key to tearing down the wall of selfpreservation is to take risks to connect with others.

God designed us for relationship. It is in the context of relationships that we grow, learn, and share life. Many times we need the help of others to take the hammer and chisel to the bricks in our wall. Today, grab the hammer of forgiveness, the chisel of faith, the love of God, a friend or family member, and begin to break some bricks. The freedom you will experience is worth the effort.

Al H. Jones, Ph.D. Head to Heart Restoration Ministry www.headtoheart.org

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Marinade:

Just a Good Cook

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ell… we meet again. I hope you enjoyed your Easter Feast with your family! I now want to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day!

I know each and every mom either wants to be taken out to dinner, lunch, or better yet, have your better-half make a meal for you.

I know you want him to want to cook for you, because he wants to, not because you want him to, right? Well good luck with that!

I’ve been working on that concept for 28 years! You must have a plan - a line of attack.

Here’s what you need to do: First, you buy some eye-temping meats, including bratwurst, hot dogs, and steaks. Don’t worry; I don’t expect you to eat sausage on Mother’s Day. This will be a delicious meal, suitable for the QUEEN - You. He’s even going to fix it for you, with a little help from - You. When he gets home one evening, let’s say Thursday, you will have MEAT lying on the counter, please! (I assume you will use a platter, for Pete’s sake.) You must have a slightly baffled look on your face, in order to get the proper response from him. It goes something like this, “Should we have quiche on Mother’s Day (heave a sigh)? Or would you prefer something from the grill?” He should say, “Well, I can cook for you, if you want something from the grill!” There it is! BAM! He’s fixing you dinner on Mother’s Day! Please don’t complain. I’m not asking you to prepare the meat on Mother’s Day… All you need to do is get the “fixins” ready a day or two in advance. Trust me. You’ll want to make everything available for his handiwork. Now don’t you feel better?

1 ½ cup pineapple juice 1 cup of teriyaki sauce ½ cup Worcestershire sauce ½ cup beef broth ½ dry red wine or red cooking wine (and yes, wine again) 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1 pack of bamboo skewers; steel work best (DON’T FORGET THE SKEWERS, As I always do.)

1. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in an extra large mixing bowl.

2. Add all the vegetables, fruit, and meat to the marinade, and mix well.

3. You can break it up into two or three large Ziploc bags if storage is a problem. Store until ready to grill.

I always serve these with Uncle Ben’s Original Long Grain Rice.

For the kids - Children always want to help out in the kitchen, especially on Mother’s Day. Here’s a couple of ways they can pitch in: • Have them prepare corn on-the-cob to be

grilled with the Shish Kebabs. They can clean the corn, and then place each ear on tin foil before they add oil or butter, and then season to taste.

• Have them score cucumbers with a fork before slicing. Once they’re sliced, have them squeeze lime juice, and then sprinkle on a little salt and chili powder. These look great and taste good too.

• Older kids can help out by just being there (and we are so grateful for their time.)

My family and I did quite a bit of camping when our kids were little, & back when we were young. I always made up a large batch of Shish Kebabs to cook in the great outdoors. They will keep for days, and they get better and better with age. Not only does pineapple juice keep fruits and vegetables from getting brown; it also helps preserve the meat while it tenderizes it too. Let’s thank God for all the wonder of His fruit and vegetables. They’re really so beautiful and unique, just like us! Enjoy!

Sandra Alton

This Shish Kebab original recipe came from the TS Station back in 1979 (serves 4-6) 4 lbs boneless top sirloin (cut into 2” squares) 1 large red bell pepper (use instead of tomatoes for the color) cut into 2” squares (tomatoes get soggy and fall off the skewers) 1 large green bell pepper cut into 2” squares 1 lb boiling onions (small white onions to be used whole) 1 lb medium-large mushrooms (cleaned and trimmed) 1 pineapple (buy it freshly cored and cut) or use canned pineapple chunks

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SPECIAL FEATURE Infant Hyperthermia – The Scary Truth About Heat

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his summer, Austin, Texas tied the record for the number of triple-digit degree days. With this hot weather came unprecedented numbers of hyperthermia related injuries. One particular story about a father, who had accidentally left his child in the car while at work, was especially infamous. After a day at work, he realized what he had done and ran back to the car. There he found his child, dead in her car seat, due to the excessive heat.

Our sympathy went out to the father who, beyond having to deal with the guilt of his actions, was charged with a felony. This occurrence sparked our interest and we wondered how often such tragedies occurred.

Through research, we realized the grim fact that infant hyperthermia was a much too common occurrence.

We are a group of students from McNeil HOSA striving to educate others about the dangers of leaving children in cars. We are trying to prevent this horrific accident from occurring again, and are trying to lower the number of these types of accidents in central Texas.

HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) is a national organization for students pursuing a career in the medical field. It has become the largest club at McNeil High School with over 150 student participants. Our main focus within the club is to give back to our community by doing health-related community service projects, such as Autism Speaks, our national project, and Race for the Cure. The club has skyrocketed due to the new Health Science Academy at McNeil. Although it is a large and continuously increasing club, it still maintains the family atmosphere that everyone cherishes. Our Community Awareness Group has become more of a family than just a group of students brought together by an organization. Aside from our long hours of hard work, we also love to get together and have fun, maintaining a close relationship not solely based on health careers.

In order to proffer our information to the people, our group created a detailed pamphlet that we distributed to major clinics and doctors’ offices throughout the Austin/Round Rock area. All of the doctors we talked with were ecstatic that we were taking up the task of educating people about hyperthermia; a pressing issue that doctors feel the public is not properly informed about.

They listened to us attentively, encouraged us, and reinforced our understanding of the issue. They emphasized the benefits that our efforts could have on the lives of people. We also attended and taught at a child birthing class to inform the soon-to-be parents about how dangerous heat can be. Within our own school, we worked with Student Council to www.AustinFaithandFamily.com

distribute the information through the hallways and convinced our assistant principal to play informational slides on the TV announcements throughout the day.

Lastly, we had an article published in the local newspaper. Many parents were also interested in our project when they found out what we were trying to accomplish.

Some quick statistics include: • The average age of death due to being left in cars is 24 months.

• 33% of children who die in overheated cars are less than 1 year old.

• From 1998 to July 1, 2009, there were 431 reported hyperthermia related deaths.

• 222 deaths or 52% reported that they “forgot” their child was in the car.

• 17% of parents/guardians intentionally left their child to die in parked cars.

• The most common action postmortem is the parent is charged with aggravated manslaughter.

• They can be fined and/or receive jail-time or separated from the spouse.

Readers can help by spreading the word and paying more attention throughout the community in case a situation like this does occur. We have provided some easy prevention tips that anyone can use to prevent this disaster, and we would love it if the readers could help us obtain more coverage to help fight our cause. We want readers to realize how dangerous heat actually is, but yet many still do not understand. It is not simply infants that are in danger on a hot day - anyone can be at risk.

There are many stories of athletes dying during conditioning drills in a sport; that is, because they are not taking care of their body properly. This time of year is especially dangerous, because many people feel the cool air walking outside, so to them. leaving a child in the cooler weather isn’t a problem for just a few minutes while they run into the grocery store for a few items. However, the car’s interior is unable to feel that cool breeze, and with a bright sun, the heat gets trapped inside, creating almost a greenhouse effect; and the climbing temperatures can easily and quickly damage a child’s body.

It is a difficult time for the parents when they learn of the situation. There are many lasting effects such as grief and depression that can lead to long-term effects, even suicide. If the death was the result of one of the parents, most of the time the marriage will not survive.

Heat can be extremely harmful to a child’s body. At 107 degrees Fahrenheit, the body’s internal organs begin to will shut down and the child can die. The internal body system of a child will heat up 3 – 5 times faster than an adult because the child’s systems are not fully developed. A car can heat up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes; however, cracking a windshield will hardly affect the interior temperature. It is easy for parents to be negligent sometimes or too prideful, yet they have to understand that they can put their child in danger anytime they leave them in a car. Anything can come up and delay the errand that they have to run. Here are some effective prevention tips that people can use: • If you see a child unattended in a vehicle, call 911 • Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.

• Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat, and when the child is put in the seat place the animal in the front with the driver.

• Place your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder to look in the backseat before getting out of the car.

• Make "look before you leave" a routine whenever you get out of the car.

• Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up for school.

If you have any questions, would like to learn more, or help us out with the project, please email us at kmarino@austin.rr.com or maxli3982@gmail.com.

Kristi Marino, Max Li, Alma Bolger, Katherina Walker

Available at all HEB, Randalls & Central Market stores in the Greater Austin Area

Faith Family

29

THE BACK

RAVE REVIEWS

PEW

MUSIC Passion – Awakening

293 Different ways to make change for a dollar

6 Months is how long an average American will spend waiting at red lights throughout life.

Quips and Quotes It is incredible how much intelligence is used in this world to prove such nonsense.

–Anonymous Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army.

–Edward Everett

On March 9, 2010, Passion Conferences released their latest annual live worship album-Awakening. The Passion Movement, founded by Louie Giglio as an outreach to college-aged adults over a decade ago, is easily one of the most influential movements of Christian worship music in our generation. This album extends the tradition of authentic, scripture-based worship music of various styles featuring longtime Passion leaders like Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Christy Nockels, and David Crowder, and also introduces more recent artists such as Fee and Kristian Stanfill. The album encompasses many themes and ideas, but there is definitely a continuity that returns to the title of Awakening - desperation for God. Standouts include the poetic "How He Loves," the fistpumping opportunity of "Say, Say" and "Our God.”

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in.

Aim at earth and you get neither.

–C.S. Lewis

Lauren Turner

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

–Anonymous

Jokes Q: How can you get four suits for a dollar?

A: Buy a deck of cards.

It’s not hard to meet expenses…they’re everywhere.

BOOK Before it’s too Late – by Michelle Griffin Michelle is a recovered alcoholic/drug addict. She struggled for 29 years until “God got a hold of my heart and me,” states Michelle. In 2004, she tried to commit suicide and was resuscitated twice, and was in the hospital for 21 days. She remembers hearing the words, “This is only a test. This body, this life that you live, is not all I have to give. This is only a test I do not want you to fail.” She later attended a writing class at Shoreline Church and was “nudged” into writing a book.

Michelle has written since she was a teenager, writing poems to God. These poems and writings are the feature of the book. They explain to the reader where she was, and what God did for her to show His love.

Each poem is connected to its own devotional, which Michelle says were “God-inspired.” She hopes that anyone reading the book who has suffered from addiction or depression will find something that gives them hope. This book will touch the heart of the young at 16, or the old, as 81-year old Rhoda Cripps states, “Reading Michelle's book has opened my eyes to the real struggle that is occurring in our society that drugs bring into the lives of people of all ages, not just the young and vulnerable. Our community was saddened by the life of a young mother that died accidentally upon leaving jail; so hopeful for her life with a newfound Faith, however leaving a pathway directing others that there is hope. Michelle, being willing to share some of her struggle so honestly, gave me a window into just how horrendously difficult that life can be. I'm buying more copies today of Before It's Too Late to give away. I keep one on my coffee table, in my house that is literally full of books, hundreds that have not impacted me like this one.”

GGAC stands for “Give God a Chance,” and this is what Michelle heard over and over again, as she filled the pages of the book. She even began a ministry called GGAC Ministries. She says “We give everything else in the world a chance, so why not Him?” Michelle is currently enrolled in Austin Graduate School of Theology, working towards a degree in Biblical Counseling and Pastoral Care. She welcomes contact at mgriffin@ggac-ministries.org.

Marcy Lytle

30

Faith Family

Available at all HEB, Randalls & Central Market stores in the Greater Austin Area

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