Issuu

MAY 2018

THE

magazine an original since 2005

D O G

T H E R A P Y

H O M E

AG G I E

O W N E D

T O U R A N D

C O A C H

O PER AT E D

A S H L E Y

Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it).

In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Woodland Heights Medical Center, you’ll find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists, we can provide a lot more care, if you need it. The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – only at Woodland Heights Medical Center.

WoodlandHeights.net *Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Woodland Heights Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER National Day of Prayer calls on all people of different faiths in the United States to pray for the nation and its leaders. It is held on the first Thursday of May each year.

SAWMILL SAMPLER The Texas Forestry Museum is hosting its annual Sawmill Sampler event! Discover what life was like in early East Texas sawmill towns. Sample a variety of beans in the Bean Cookoff, and try food samples from local restaurants. Enjoy the live music, performances, and demonstrations.

35TH ANNUAL EXPO PARTY Come celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the George H. Henderson Jr. Expo Center Main Arena. There will be a reception that begins at 6 pm with a silent auction and bucket raffles, followed by a steak dinner, gun raffle and live auction. Guests are encouraged to dress in casual western attire. For tickets and more information about the event, contact the Lufkin/ Angelina County Chamber of Commerce at (936) 634-6644.

MOTHER'S DAY Mother’s Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It’s widely celebrated as a special day to honor all mothers and motherhood. Together, let’s honor the women who raised us and all the mothers who sacrificed for their children.

MAIN STREET MARKET DAYS Come to downtown Lufkin for the monthly Main Street Market Days. First Street will be closed to through traffic and the streets will be lined with vendors! Come shop and browse with local downtown merchants and vendors from all across Texas. For more information about Main Street Market Days, please call 936-633-0359.

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MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.

Registration Now Open!

SUMMER DAY CAMP

JUNE 4 - AUGUST 3 MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:30AM - 5:30PM AGES 3-12 YEARS

Nine fun packed sessions all located in one convenient location. Enriching activities focused around a weekly theme. Daily activities include arts & crafts, drama, hands-on science, technology, journaling, games, fitness, team building and more. JUNE 4-8 • Aloha Summer JUNE 11-15 • Wags & Whiskers JUNE 18-22 • Sports Extravaganza JUNE 25-29 • Once Upon A Time JULY 2-6 • Pop, Crackle, Fizz (closed on 7/4) JULY 9-13 • Caped Crusaders JULY 16-20 • Carnival Craze JULY 23-27 • Mystery Mayhem JULY 30- AUGUST 3 • Peace Out Registration packets available: VIA DOWNLOAD

PICK UP ON SITE

saintcyprians.org

1115 S. John Redditt Dr, Lufkin, TX

For more information: 936-632-1720 camplion@saintcyprians.org

a l e t te r fro m th e

OW N E R

Ask my team and they will tell you that of all the magazine covers weâ€™ve done over this past year, the one in May of 2017 has been my all-time favorite (sorry Jake!). It featured Maggie Zeleskey, the always adorable Labradoodle, hanging her head leisurely out of a car door window (mine to be exact), taking our readers cruising into the summer months. While not the easiest shot in the world to get, it was worth every single loop around Crown Colony that we made over the span of two days! As we head into May of 2018, we once again feature animals front and center. This is our off icial, unoff icial pet issue, I suppose! It was so much fun to have people send us their favorite pet photos and to hear the stories behind them. We hope you enjoy the following pages as much as we enjoyed putting them together. Happy May everyone, and as always, thank you for reading our magazine! Hugs-

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ta ble of

CON T E N T S features

home

community

32 SPOTLIGHT

12 HOME TOUR

30 20 QUESTIONS

6 9 PLACES & FACES

20 IN THE KITCHEN

32 WISDOM FROM THE WORD

24 TIPS & TRICKS

4 0 PET THERAPY

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ta ble of | C O N T E N T S

family

46 GANDY NOTES 52 FAMILY FUN IN THE SUN 56 EVERYTHING ELSE 6 0 COACH ASHLEY

sports & outdoors

reader's showcase

91 NATURE'S EYE

86 YOUR CHALLENGE

TEXAS OUTDOOR EVENTS FOR THE BIRDS

87 YOUR JOURNEY

SPRING REVIVAL TASTE OF THE OUTDOORS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE

THE

magazine an original since 2005

OW N E R & D I R E C TO R :

Kim Ogden

kogden@lufkinjourneymagazine.com M A NAG I N G E D I TO R :

Beth Johnson beth@lufkinjourneymagazine.com

C OV E R A N D F E AT U R E S P H O T O G R A P H Y:

Lisa Crow

L AY O U T D E S I G N & A D V E RT I S I N G D E S I G N :

Kelly Hudman

CONTRIBUTORS:

Kris Ball Ashley Berry Emily Courtney/Nature's Eye Angela Gandy Barbara Gilbreath Havard Aaron Wilson Donna Work

C O N TA C T U S : Mailing:

P.O. Box 150351 Lufkin, Texas 75915

Physical:

1302 East Lufkin Avenue Lufkin, Texas 75901 (936) 366-5463

Online:

facebook.com/thejourneymagazine instagram.com/thejourneymagazine www.lufkinjourneymagazine.com

a l e t te r fro m th e

E DI T O R

As you read in Kim’s letter, she LOVES pets. So, it should come as no shock that the pets have taken over this issue of The Journey! I know pets play an important role in the lives of so many, and I am happy we get to feature them this month. However, I don’t want to skim past some very important celebrations. Where would we be without our mothers? I don’t know if I can imagine the woman I would be without the guidance, inf luence, prayers and wisdom from my mom. I have watched my mom follow Jesus to hard places, and she has an unwavering trust in His good plan for her life. As I’ve had a front row seat to her obedience, I have learned how to live courageously in my own life, even when I can’t see the next step. And as if God knew I would need an extra measure of guidance and wisdom, He blessed me with an incredible mother-in-law. She treats me like her own daughter and prays for me continually. She aff irms me as a wife, mom and daughter. I am so thankful for a strong relationship with her, because goodness knows I’ve leaned on her a lot throughout the years. We can’t let the month pass without remembering the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. One of the most important things I can teach my girls are the stories of those who have gone before us. We love reading books about the heroes who sacrif iced so that we might enjoy our lives today. I encourage you to tell these stories to your children, too. We can’t let them forget the sacrif ices that were made. Enjoy this last month of school, routine and schedules before we welcome summer 2018! All the way home,

H OM E T O U R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | T I P S & T R I C K S

wel co m e | H O M E

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KELLY LA NGSTON JOBE welco mes us ho me

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photo credit | LISA CROW 13 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

home | H O M E

T O U R

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The process of building my home was a family affair and such fun! I knew I wanted a French Country feel, so my mother (Lynda Langston) drafted the design plans and my father acted as the general contractor. Together, along with my talented dear friend, Ann Byrd, we endeavored to create the perfect home for my son, Levi and me. I had a general idea of what I wanted, but I could not have made it a reality without their help. Many of the ideas you see in my home were inspired by the website, Houzz. I have to say, the purple chair (from Z Gallerie) in my living room was def initely love at f irst sight! It is the perfect spot for Levi and I to curl up and watch movies. I absolutely love color and fun and funky dĂŠcor â€“ as you can see joy and whimsy were my inspirations! My mom and Ann Byrd helped me visualize the space and decorate it accordingly. Walking into my home instantly lifts my spirits and makes my soul feel at peace.

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The home’s design did not leave space for a china cabinet along a wall, so my mom thought of the idea to build a china cabinet on the kitchen island (shown in the photo to the right). I’ve f illed it with beautiful crystal and family heirlooms that are special to me. One of the most special items within the cabinet is an exquisite, hand painted porcelain water pitcher that was once my grandmother’s. The cabinet makes a beautiful conversation piece in my kitchen. When designing the home, one thing that was very important for me was an area where family and friends could gather to talk, play games, eat and just enjoy each other’s company. Building banquet seating for my breakfast table was the solution. Many meals have been shared at this table, and I love the intimacy this space provides provides with the close seating.

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Burningpieces candles in my home is something I do One of my favorite in my home is the horse painting if IThe am colors the only one there. (shownalmost belowevery on theday, backeven wall). immediately It makes me happy and content, and I feel better caught my eye when I saw at Z Gallerie, and as I scents. looked justitsmelling those fabulous closer, I began to f ind hidden horses painted throughout of windows lightwatching coming into my the piece. It’sI have truly lots incredible. I’ve and enjoyed friends home, and I love the use of shutters everywhere. study it when they come over, as well. It’s become somewhat This home is comfortable; it's warm and inviting. I of a game to try and f ind have all of no thedrapes horses.inAnother bonus my home at all.– the kids absolutely love it, too!

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The chandelier over my bathtub was breathtaking the f irst time I saw it, and I knew immediately it was a must have for my bathroom. From that single piece came the inspiration to use crystal pulls and knobs throughout the suite. I love the way crystal catches and ref lects light in this space, bringing such gorgeous brilliance and color with it.

My favorite part of the home is something no one at all will ever see - scriptures I wrote on the studs framing the house while under construction. I f ind deep comfort in knowing that a specif ic scripture was written for each room in the house. My home embodies what I consider most important in life, God, my son, family and friends. Above the front door, it is written, “You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out,” Deuteronomy 28:6. It was such a f itting place for those words. “By wisdom a house is built and by understanding, it is established; by knowledge the rooms are f illed with all precious and pleasant riches”. Proverbs 24: 3-4. This beautiful scripture was written in our living room and captures the joy and love that f ills my home when family and friends are present. Finally, in Levi’s room it is written, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity”. 1 Timothy 4:12. I could not wish for anything more for my son than to know he is loved deeply and to walk in faith throughout his life. This scripture says beautifully the words by which I pray he lives his life. Pictured at home are Kelly and Levi (8), with their two fur-babies Chloe (the Maltese princess) and Buddy, the sweet Australian shepherd-mix shelter rescue. Not pictured are Bryan, the blue tick beagle and Zoe, the precious cat.

- Drinks for -

LITTLES - Drinks for -

BIG S

No matter how big or little, there is something about relaxing at a party in the spring sun with a cool and refreshing beverage in hand. Whether you're at the lake, beach or just in your backyard, people of any age can enjoy a cool refreshing beverage. Here are a few of the best drinks, for either the Littles or the Bigs, that truly make your party fun!

LITTLES -

ST R AW B E R RY WAT E R M E L ON S MO O T H I E INGREDIENTS 4 cups seedless watermelon, diced 4 cups strawberries, frozen 2 tbsp lime juice 6 large mint leaves, fresh 2 tsp agave nectar, honey or maple syrup (optional) DIRECTIONS Add all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Enjoy! RECIPE NOTES 1) If you only have fresh strawberries, add 3-4 cups of ice and blend until thickened. 2) Use coconut water to thin out the smoothie if needed. 3) Depending on the ripeness of the fruit, you might want to add a natural sweetener to the drink.

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LITTLES -

F RU I T Y IC E C U B E S ODA INGREDIENTS 1 bag of frozen fruit of choice 2 liter Sprite ice cube tray DIRECTIONS Let the bag of frozen fruit thaw, or place the frozen fruit in the microwave for a few seconds to soften. Blend the fruit on high until it's a smooth puree. Add a touch of coconut water or regular water to blend if needed. Pour the puree into your ice cube tray and freeze for at least 2 hours or until set. Place a few ice cubes into a glass and pour Sprite over top, then serve!

LITTLES -

F I S H Y O C E A N WAT E R INGREDIENTS 4 drops of food coloring, blue 3 tbsp sugar 1 tsp coconut extract Ice 3 tbsp water 24 oz Sprite Swedish Fish candy DIRECTIONS In a gallon size pitcher, mix Sprite, blue food coloring, sugar, coconut extract, water and ice together and pour into glasses. Add a couple of Swedish Fish candy to make it fun for kids.

home | I N

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BIG S

ST R AW B E R RY S A NG R I A INGREDIENTS 1 750-ml bottle of your favorite Moscato wine 1/2 cup strawberry flavored vodka 2 cups lemon-lime soda 6 - 10 large strawberries, sliced DIRECTIONS In a large pitcher, combine the wine and vodka. Add strawberries and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the lemon-lime soda. Serve over ice.

BIG S T ROP IC A L M I MO S A INGREDIENTS 1/3 cup sparkling wine or champagne (brut) 1/8 cup orange juice 1/8 cup pineapple juice 1-2 tbsp lemon-lime soda DIRECTIONS Chill the sparkling wine/champagne in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The colder, the better! In a champagne flute, combine sparkling wine/ champagne, orange juice and pineapple juice. Top the cocktail off with the lemon-lime soda. Enjoy!

BIG S

B R A N DY IC E INGREDIENTS 9 cups water, divided 2 cups sugar 2 cups Christian Brothers brandy 1 can (12 ounces) frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed 1 can (12 ounces) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 2 liter Cherry 7-Up, chilled DIRECTIONS Add sugar and water in large pot and bring to a boil on medium heat. Take mixture off burner and stir in frozen lemonade and orange juice concentrate until dissolved. Set aside until cooled. Add brandy to mixture and pour into a 2 gallon pitcher with lid. Freeze for 24 hours. Add desired frozen brandy mixture to a glass and cover mixture with Cherry 7-Up. Enjoy!

TIPS & TRICKS TO DECOR ATE FO R SUMM E R

Add greenery

Whether you go faux or purchase real plants, adding greenery instantly gives a home summer vibes. Mixing both faux and real greenery in your main living areas adds color and brings the outdoors inside for the whole family to enjoy.

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home | T I P S

T R I C K S

Lighten up

If you have dark sofas, consider adding lighter, brighter pillows to them. Maybe paint a piece of dark furniture that has been bugging you for a while or even swap those navy curtains for sheer ones! Nothing feels more like summer than a light, fresh color palette.

Go patriotic

This is a super fun way to decorate for the Fourth of July, but patriotic dĂŠcor can be used through the summer months here in the South! Mixing in both burlap and grain sack here and there also helps add texture.

Freshen up

Most of the time we think of â€œspring cleaningâ€?, but cleaning out your home right before the summer months is perfectly acceptable and downright necessary! Open those windows, shake out the rugs, and get rid of the cluttered closets and drawers. You will be surprised at how fresh and summery your spaces will feel.

Summer up all your spaces

This may seem redundant, but there are so many ways to add summer to your home! Here are some places to start: Add fresh f lowers in vases in some of your rooms to make them feel lighter, brighter, and more inviting. Add a summer wreath to your front door, lighten up your furniture, add a summer quote to your gallery walls or chalkboards, add pops of white & bright colors to your rooms where you can, and switch out your cozy textiles like throw blankets and heavy pillows for lighter fabrics.

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WoodlandHeights.net

PRESENTED BY -

2 0 Q U E S T I O N S | W I S D OM F ROM T H E WO R D | S P O T LIGH T | P E T T H E R A P Y

*Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Woodland Heights Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

a l o ving | C O M M U N I T Y

96873_WHMC_ERpldg_8_375x10_875c.indd 1

4/5/17 10:09 AM

DR. LINDA AND HENRY CHASE, PHOTOGRAPHED AT HOME WITH THEIR COWS

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photo credit | LISA CROW

The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge – only at Woodland Heights Medical Center.

c o m m u n i ty | 2 0 QU E S T ION S

twenty questions -WITH-

JAZI & NAKILI

Two Female Hippos at the Ellen Trout Zoo

JAZI

I give you a goldfish as a pet; what do you name it?

JAWS Choose a song for your life’s theme song.

Working 9 - 5

WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU LOVE TO BE ON YOUR TOENAILS?

I THINK MAYBE PINK.

What’s your favorite afternoon snack?

are you most afraid of?

Your favorite words of wisdom?

Oh, that’s a hard one... I think Bruno Mars.

Who’s more a diva, you or Nakili?

What creature

LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO BE ANYTHING BUT HAPPY.

NAKILI, HANDS DOWN.. EVERYONE KNOWS I’M THE SWEET ONE.

I’m not a big fan of squirrels. Those things are scary.

Watermelon or pumpkin?

Why choose one when you can have both?

What is your favorite song to swim to?

B E S T PA RT OF BEING A HIPPO?

I HAVE BUILT IN SUNSCREEN THANKS TO MY BLOOD AND SWEAT, AND SINCE EVERYDAY IS A DAY AT THE BEACH FOR ME, THAT’S IMPORTANT. I F YO U C O U L D T R AV E L ANYWHERE, W H E R E WO U L D YO U G O ?

Foot massage or back massage?

I’M SUPER TICKLISH, SO NO ONE TOUCHES MY FEET!

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN.

Who is your celebrity crush?

Let’s just say I’m not upset to hear about Channing Tatum being single.

Anything my keepers bring me… literally anything. How much do you weigh?

Definitely All About That Bass.. Baby Got Back is sooo 90’s. I’m too young for that “classic”.

Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars?

NAKILI 1

Baby Got Back or All About That Bass?

Well, a lady never tells, but about as much as a Prius.

How do you scratch an itch on your back?

I USUALLY JUST ASK MY GIRL JAZI TO GET IT.

What super-power would you like to have?

THE ABILITY TO EAT WHATEVER I WANT AND NOT GAIN A POUND.

W H AT I S YO U R SPIRIT ANIMAL?

DOLPHIN. I’M PRETTY GOOD AT “PORPOISING” IN MY POOL.

I’D LOVE TO GO SEE MY DAUGHTER MARA IN L.A., BUT I’M NOT SURE THAT’S MY SCENE. I’M A SMALL TOWN GIRL.

What nickname does Jazi have for you?

Boss Lady.

c o m m u n i t y | W I S D OM F ROM T H E WO R D

WRIT TEN BY

AARON WILSON

SONG SOJOURNER of the

Have you ever been on the receiving end of devastating news?

Have you ever found yourself in a seemingly hopeless situation? Have you ever been mad at an act of clear injustice or wrongdoing? Have you ever been so discouraged in your faith that you question the goodness of God?

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If you’ve ever found yourself in any of those scenarios, you’re in good company. You see, every scenario mentioned above is taken directly from The Psalms! As Christians, we are sojourners in a world that is not our home. As we travel through, we are tried through and through. But we are not alone. The sojourner has Yahweh as his Shepherd, his Keeper, his Portion, and so much more! We have in The Psalms records of sojourners who have gone before us. We can hear their cries, relate to their complaints, model their prayers, join their praises, and sing their songs. The Psalms are relevant to us today because they were written in the middle of life, which is right where we are. In The Psalms we f ind ourselves among the actual sins and sufferings experienced by those who came before us, but also we f ind an anticipated Christ who is to come alongside us. Where did The Psalms Come From? You know, David wasn’t the sole writer of The Psalms (though he did write about half of them). Asaph (a temple worship leader), the Sons of Korah (temple off icials), Solomon, and even Moses are among the Spirit-inspired psalmists. They were written over a span of about 900 years of fullness and famine, war and peace, victory and defeat, best of times and worst of times. This proves that there truly is for us a psalm for every season because they were written across nine centuries of seasons! There are always reasons within the seasons that warrant certain psalms to be written and prayed and sung. Written both as national and individual praises and prayers, they were written from hearts of fear, faith, anger, joy, trust, doubt – practically any kind of emotion you might expect during the typical ups and downs of life. Who says the Bible can’t relate to us today!? What Do The Psalms Mean? You might think of the Psalms as an anthology or hymnbook. That is, there are many authors and contributors, over time, forming one volume. The 150 chapters of psalms are divided into f ive books, each ending with some form of benediction (such as, “amen,” or “praise the Lord”). Just take a peek at the end of Psalms 41,72, 89,106, and 150.

Psalms are written in different styles (genres) that give us clues to their purpose. You’ll f ind wisdom Psalms (giving proverbial wisdom); lament Psalms (cries of help, sadness, anger, or fear); thanksgiving Psalms, and praise Psalms. Psalms of ascent (120 – 134) were sung as the Israelites were traveling up (ascending) to Jerusalem for their annual feast. And then there’s the imprecatory Psalms. These diff icult (and often uncomfortable) passages are motivated by God’s glory and seek to invoke God’s wrath against his enemies. So, How Can The Psalms Help Me? The more we know about a psalm the better we’ll understand how to use it. For example, what better Psalm to read and pray when we’re heavy-ladened with guilt over sin than David’s repentance in Psalm 51? Or the blessing of forgiveness described in Psalm 32? Or how about a Psalm of ascent? Sung by people with their families in tow making the dangerous ascent up to Jerusalem for their annual worship, these Psalms give us hope as we are traveling this foreign land, many of us with family in tow, awaiting the new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2). They show us how to pray and what to ask and why to trust! The most important way the psalms help, however, is in pointing us to our Savior. Steve L. Lawson is a wellrespected expositor of the word of God and lover of the psalms. Listen to how he shows us the presence of Christ in the psalms: The Book of Psalms contains more Messianic prophecies about the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ than any other Old Testament book. The Psalms reveal him as the Son of God (2) and the Son of Man (8), in his perfect obedience (40:6-8), despicable betrayal (41:9), violent crucifixion (22), triumphant resurrection (16), victorious ascension (68:18), and royal enthronement (110). He is the chief cornerstone for those who believe, but a stumbling stone for those who refuse to do so (118:22-23). (Preaching the Psalms, Evangelical Press, 2014) Why don’t you try familiarizing yourself with The Psalms? Find some to memorize or pray through in various times of praise or problems. Remember, God sovereignly orchestrated the lives of the psalmists so that you and I can trust his sovereignty in ours. And, we have a divinely inspired record of their responses to his sovereign plan. These are preserved in Scripture for his glory and our good!

Aaron Wilson is the Pastor of Administration and Families at Keltys First Baptist Church in Luf kin, Texas. He has served in various ministries from children to adults for over 20 years. He also served for seven years with the national radio broadcast of Revive Our Hearts (Nancy Demoss Woglemuth). Aaron received his BS in Bible from Central Baptist College and is currently pursuing his Mdiv at the BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. Aaron and his wife, Anita, have four children and enjoy reading, photography, collecting vintage games & toys, being outdoors, and cheering for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

We are grateful to have Aaron contributing a short series on The Psalms. Be sure to watch for more in the next several issues.

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NACOGDOCHES

HERITAGE FESTIVAL “Nacogdoches in Bloom” paints such a lovely picture in our minds of our community this time of year as the azaleas and dogwoods lead a vivid display of color. But this year it is also the theme of the thirty-seventh annual Nacogdoches County Heritage Festival. The Heritage Festival was the brainchild of a group of Nacogdoches citizens, who in the early 1980’s became alarmed at the lack of historic preservation in our county. Many buildings of historical and architectural signif icance were being destroyed in the name of economic improvement. These leaders saw a way to accomplish both purposes, and the Heritage Festival was born. Each year, young women who are juniors at Nacogdoches County high schools complete a series of workshops and classes that polish the skills they will use as adults. “The junior year of high school is a very pivotal year for development,” says Katy Lanmon, Festival Co-Chair and longtime Princess Committee chairperson. “Each year we see these young girls start the process in the fall of their junior year; then we see these poised and conf ident young women in June when the events culminate.” And while there is a Royal Court chosen from the princesses each year, the process is what is valuable to the participants. Throughout the year they have workshops on etiquette led by the SFA School of Social Sciences. The young women and their escorts learn refreshers on basic skills such as writing thank you notes and introducing friends to others, as well as table manners. Since part of the goal of the festival is

photo credit | CLAY BOSTIAN making young people more aware of our history, they also attend a presentation about Texas women and the way they have contributed to the history of our state. The princesses also receive coaching on poise and interview skills. “No matter where these girls go in their lives, we want them to be able to conf idently present themselves in the best possible light,” says Lacy Hay, Princess Committee Co-Chair. “Whether it be for scholarship or job interviews or some other reason, we want these young women to always feel comfortable speaking in public.” Money raised by the Festival is funneled into the Nacogdoches Historic Foundation, whose current project is the completion of the renovation of Zion Hill Baptist Church on Lanana Street. The church, designed by Deidtrich Rulfs, is the oldest still standing African American church that is still meeting today. This year’s Heritage Festival events will begin on Thursday, June 14th with the Taste of Nacogdoches. Local restaurants and food trucks will provide samples of their menus on the square in downtown Nacogdoches. Friday morning, June 15th, is the annual Hall of Fame Breakfast at Clear Springs Restaurant. Tickets to both events are $15 each. On Saturday, three of the princesses will be named members of the Royal Court at the Coronation at Turner Auditorium, and the Ball will follow at the Fredonia Hotel. Coronation tickets are $25 per person, and Ball tickets are $100 each. For more ticket information, contact heritagefestivaltickets@gmail.com

c o m m u n i ty | S P O T LIGH T

Pictured from left to rightHunter Metteauer, Sunni Patel, Hailey Goggans, John Braden Green, Chloe' Perry Bailey Bowyer, Kennedy Grigsby, Evan Leonard, Josiah Kinman, Greg Marroquin II, Gracie Bedford, Luke Barham, Alizabeth Hagel, Sophie Perry, Cori Metteauer Blake Boyett, Victoria Langford, Lauryn Brasher, , Harrison Patton, Rowan Arrant Nathan Chambers, Jordan Vardeman, Abigail Stokes, Briana Rushing, Andrew Smith (Not pictured is Bryce Berthot)

THERAPY

D ogs

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esearch has shown that interacting with pets helps to lower peopleâ€™s stress levels and blood pressure, and

having pets can even extend the length of your life. Those of us who are pet owners can attest to how they enrich our lives. Being able to share our pets with others not only brightens up the day of those we visit, but is a blessing to us as well. There has been a local group of therapy dogs and their handlers for many years, going by the name of Good Shepherd Therapy Dogs. Over the years, they have visited at many of the local nursing homes, both hospitals, schools, and Luf kin State Supported Living Center. A visit from a therapy dog can help residents and patients take their mind off of their current situation or break up the normal routine of their day. Even staff members enjoy seeing and petting the dogs and taking a break from their hectic schedules.

co m mu ni ty | PET T H E R A PY

Some people reminisce about pets they had when they were young or talk about the pets they miss and had to leave behind when they came to the facility. Some like to just look at the dogs; many like to pet and interact with them. Sometimes it is not about the dogs at all. The dogs can act as an ice breaker and get conversations started with people who just want to visit with someone. Therapy dogs are not service dogs that you see assisting people with special needs. They are pets and are used in what is now referred to as â€œanimal assisted activitiesâ€? - visiting patients, residents, family members, and other visitors trying to brighten their day. There are several therapy dog registries. Some of the more well-known ones are Delta Society and Therapy Dogs

International. The therapy dog teams here in Luf kin are registered with Alliance of Therapy Dogs out of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Being registered with a therapy dog registry shows the dogs have been tested and shown to have the disposition to interact safely with people. Prospective therapy dog teams go through a testing and observation process before being registered. Those interested can go to www. therapydogs.com. Under “Join,” click on “Be a Member.” There, you will f ind the membership guidelines and a copy of the test. The test covers items such as: does the handler have control of the dog, does the dog get along well with a friendly stranger and other dogs, and does the dog allow a stranger to handle his ears, paws, and tail. At this website, you can also f ind the names and contact information for Tester/Observers in your area. For more information on Good Shepherd Therapy Dogs group, contact Donna Work at 936-637-2002 or email her at ddwork@ consolidated.net. 43 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

tim e | F A M I L Y

DR. JANSEN TODD AT HOME WITH HIS DONKEYS

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photo credit | LISA CROW

G A N D Y N O T E S | FA M I LY F U N I N T H E S U N | E V E RY T H I N G E L S E | C O A C H A S H L E Y

f a m i ly | G A N D Y

N O T E S

The Adventures of Callie Jane

THE FOLLOW UP STORY FROM SELF-PROCLAIMED “NON-PET LOVERS”

Angela is a multi-tasking wife and mother of two boys who keep her on her toes. She loves a good story and enjoys writing. You can contact her at angelagandy@gmail.com.

ere we are, a year and a lot of cat hair later. Callie, or as I named her, Callie Jane, stole

my heart and the hearts of my two boys in March 2017. On the other hand, my husband Maxx was skeptical. He has never been a fan of cats. However, I knew they were low maintenance, and we needed an animal to love on since I caught a lot of f lak last year after I said we would never have any animals. So, we took the leap and brought her home. A fter lots of names were tossed around, we settled on Callie. A lthough I have to admit, Brexx said Callie is a cowg irl name ( Disney Jr. much?) and it took him a while to accept it. Callie was sk ittish for a while and lived under our porch for quite some time. But it didn't take long for her to come out of her shell. My mother-in-law was one of the f irst to bond with Callie and witness her f irst f iasco. One summer morning, Callie found herself stuck in a tree. Ty pical cat, right? â€œW here's the f ire department when you need it?â€? was my f irst thought. But after my mother-in-law told me

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f a m i ly | G A N D Y

N O T E S

we couldn't leave her there, I did what any ‘animal Mom’ would do. I coaxed her out of a tree in my robe and slippers at 6 am. A fter a f limsy twig gave way, she came down with no broken bones, and I came away with just a few scratches on my arms. Soon, Callie became the “new k id on the block” and had a lot of new k itt y friends. You never knew what new friends would be eating out of her bowl, but she was always letting her friends eat with her. I like to think we raised her just like our actual children - to be nice and to share. But unfortunately, winter came and Callie had to come in to stay warm. So, as time went on in Callie's f irst year, she started to go into heat. Now me, being completely unaware and obliv ious, thought she was depressed from being inside and away from her friends. So, I made the decision to reach out to Callie's f irst love, my mother-in-law. A fter some sweet goodbyes, we took Callie Jane to live just 10 miles away. A fter a few days of Callie liv ing in her new home, I received a call from my mother-in-law that said, “Callie is NOT depressed. She's in HE AT!” A nd Callie did what she did best - made ‘ friends’. I'm sure you know how this part of the stor y ends, but just a few weeks after Callie's 1-year birthday, she became a Momma to 5 k ittens! I prett y much ate ever y word I wrote at this time last year. Is the cat hair worth it? Yes. A re the 6 am wake up calls to get your cat out of a tree worth it? Yes. Is watching your k ids bond with an animal worth the cost of food, litter, medicine, etc. worth it? A thousand times, yes. I know Callie doesn't live with us anymore, but we still see her multiple times a week, and I know she still loves seeing us just as much as we love seeing her. I can't tell you if we will indeed raise one of our grand-k ittens, because Maxx says there's only room for one k itt y in his heart, but maybe in another year I'll g ive you an additional update!

48 | M AY 2 0 1 8

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y l i m Fa

FUN SUN in the

Shake off the cobwebs and soak up the sun! Here are just a few Luf kin area recreational spots for you, your family and your favorite furry friends to explore.

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- E L L E N T R O UT PA R K Ellen Trout Park is Luf kin's hidden gem. The Park has one of the f inest Zoos in the country with many animals for you to see. Bring your family to the beautiful lake that is stocked for f ishing or let the kids enjoy the playground or ride the train while you take a stroll down the walking trail that surrounds the lake. You may even get a peek at the eagles who are known to nest in the tall pines along the trail.

- C AS S E LS - B O Y K I N C O U N T Y PA R K This scenic park provides excellent access to Lake Sam Rayburn. Enjoy excellent f ishing, boating, skiing and other water related activities while visiting in this fun atmosphere. If you are looking to stay overnight, this park offers campsites and picnic sites for your family fun get-togethers.

- E B E N EZ E R PA R K Horseback riding anyone? Ebenezer Park is the only area where horses are allowed on Sam Rayburn. This park offers everything to make your horses and you feel comfortable while you take in the beautiful scenery. Enjoy campsites, picnic tables and even a beach for you and your family to play around in when the sun gets hot.

- DAV Y CRO CK ET T N AT I O N A L F O R EST Want to explore the pineywoods forest? The Davy Crockett National Forest has a wide variety of wildlife hidden throughout the pines. As you walk the many trails offered you could be visited by squirrel, deer, quail, dove, turkey, waterfowl or the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species that lives within the carefully managed habitat of the forest. Hike down to a primitive campsite where you can pitch a tent or hammock and enjoy the peacefullness of the forest and all it has to offer.

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HARD-TIMES-BUILD

GREAT FAITH WRITTEN BY

K RI S B ALL

hen I was f irst asked to contribute to this f ine magazine, it was under the premise that maybe I could write about gardening or hunting. My very good friend, Kim, (the owner of this magazine) knows how much I love doing both of those things. I just didn’t feel that I had much advice or input on those subjects. Maybe it’s because I’m not that good at them. I suppose if you measure success by results, I’m a lot better gardener than I am a hunter. That was the last time Kim and I talked about what my articles would discuss. I like to write about my two boys and the things they say. I enjoy writing about how much

God loves us and the miracles he has worked in my life. Those are easy things to write about because they are true. The truth is always the easiest story to tell because you don’t have to make up any of it. About a month ago I bounced some ideas off of Kim for the May issue, and she reminded me about Memorial Day. We both thought it would be neat if I could write something about our brave service men and women, since Memorial Day is in place to honor them. I began to think about America and our military. I began to think about God and how his hand of favor has rested on the United States for so many years. I thought for a

56 | M AY 2 0 1 8

few more days and prayed about it for a week before I remembered a conversation I once had with a good friend of mine. I had conducted business with this gentleman for close to ten years before we found ourselves in a conversation about politics one day. I usually shy away from discussions about politics, especially at work because not everyone agrees on this topic, but nearly everyone has an opinion. This wasn’t an argument though, he was simply stating his opinion on the current state of affairs in the United States. He spoke about how he couldn’t always agree with decisions the government had made, but how he loved America and

would serve again if called upon. I said, “Wait, you were in the service?” “Yes sir, two years in the army. I was drafted in 1969 and spent six months in Vietnam. I was about 30 minutes from Hanoi. I saw some horrible things over there. Not to mention how I was treated for being a conscientious objector.” I said, “A what? You’re like against guns?” His answer, “Absolutely not. I own lots of guns. I was against the war completely; we should have never been involved in that mess. I objected to the war and to killing another person. But I love America.” I was f loored. I never knew Roger was ever in the service, much less in Vietnam. He went on to tell me stories of

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f a m i ly | E V E R Y T H I N G

E L S E . . .

battle and narrow escapes with the enemy. He wasn’t bragging but giving a testimony of his faith. You see, when Roger was drafted, he signed up as an objector and wrote medic beside his name. Then he went to basic training in San Antonio and informed them that he wanted to go to Vietnam. He had the option to stay stateside and work at a hospital; he signed up for Vietnam. Upon arrival, the other troop teased him, poked fun at his beliefs. “They told me they had seen my type before, that I’d be carrying a gun in less than a week. I told them no matter how many times I get shot at, I’m not touching a gun.” I asked Roger if his faith is what kept him alive. His response, “What about the 57,000 that died? Did none of them believe in Jesus? Did they not have faith?” I had no answer. I know, as a believer, that bad things happen to good people all the time. That’s when our faith is tested. What happens when we lose a loved one, or f inancial hardships fall upon our family? Does God slowly abandoned us, only to reappear when things start to turn around? It’s so easy to believe and have faith when things are just going my way. But how much faith do we have in the hard times, when life really beats you down? Do we have enough faith to run into battle, with no gun? Roger believed that if he were shot and killed while serving in Vietnam, he knew exactly where he was going. He knew exactly what was waiting for him on the other side. He couldn’t say the same for the men he would be shooting at. He said if he were to kill someone who didn’t know God, well that would be condemning them to hell in his eyes, and that’s not his job. Although he disagreed with everything that went on over there, he still chose to f ight for his country, never wavering from his beliefs or his faith in God. I wish I could say I that I’ve never abandoned my faith. My faith has been tested numerous times in the course of my life, test that I feel like I failed. But here is the thing, God doesn’t care about how many times I’ve failed, or how many times I think I’ve failed. God cares about how many times I get back up. God loves America; he loves freedom. I told Roger that I wanted to write about him, and asked if it were ok. He said, “Sure, I don’t mind. But what is your point, what are you trying to prove?” I told him, “I’m not trying to prove anything.” He said, “You need to tell people that they shouldn’t abandoned their faith so easily. Tell them to draw closer to the Lord when times get tough, to thank God for the hard times; it makes you grateful for the good things.” Roger is right, you know. Nothing in God’s world happens

by accident. Nothing. Everything has a purpose and a reason. The frustrating part about all of it, though, is we don’t get to know the reason. When a loved one is lost in a senseless battle or killed by a drunk driver, or when we lose a job and can’t seem to f ind another one, when nothing makes sense to us and we don’t understand why, that’s when our faith is tested. That’s when God sees where He stands. God doesn’t owe us an explanation for anything. But if we maintain our faith, it will all be explained in the next life.

Kris Ball grew up in Mt. Pleasant, Texas but has called Luf kin his home for the past 20 years. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. He brief ly toured as the Ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus. He was disbarred from the circus community after supporting the efforts to continue with live elephant performances. Kris has been married to his lovely wife, Leslie for 12 years. They have two boys, Brett who is 6 and Luke who is 4. In his spare time, he enjoys farming, hunting and coaching t-ball.

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f a m i ly | C O A C H A S H L E Y

, p u s m l Pa t o g Y ou ! s i th Ashley Berry|Lover of Jesus|Mother of One|Entrepreneur|Life Coach|Survivor Seeing others come to know Jesus as their Everything and extended naps are her idea of a great day! Sheâ€™s passionate about coaching others into better days and seeing lives transformed for the better. Her story of overcoming breast cancer is sure to inspire as she proves God's love for each of us even through uncertainty. Sheâ€™s certain her future husband is stuck in traff ic... in a random city, if you f ind him before she does... please contact her at: ashley@livingzoe.net

can’t even begin to tell you how many people sit in my off ice in tears because they feel so very overwhelmed with life, work, kids and other responsibilities. There are so many things that get squeezed into a day. Some of these things we must do, while others get added because in the moment we feel we can handle it. Before we know it, there are 8,642,899 things to do in a week that only consists of 168 hours! There just doesn’t seem to be enough time in a week to accomplish all we set out to do! I’ll be transparent here with you for a moment and list some of my weekly activities. First on my list, (and this will always be f irst) is “The Teenager” in my life. The one I love and adore the most. My child! Then there is scheduling events for Limitless Event Venues, marketing for Tome’ Catering and seeing clients for Zoe Coaching. A girl’s gotta put in some work to pay these bills! Then, there is volunteering at Relay for Life, Voices of Hope, Rotary & CASA. All while writing a business proposal, training to become a Foster Parent AND I just started working out and a new diet (which, according to “The Teenager”, has caused some road rage issues). Oh yeah, and he wants to be a Boy Scout so that he can eventually become an Eagle Scout!! Sweet Jesus!!! What am I thinking! Sometimes it’s really tough and at other times it’s better. We’ve all been there - to that place in life where we know for sure we are off icially overwhelmed! We try to keep it together, and we become really skilled at wearing our masks. We become really good at being someone we truly are not. We bravely attempt to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, FOR NO GOOD REASON!!! Why? Palms up, Sweetness! You Got This! I’ll never forget hearing that phrase for the f irst time. I was sitting in a service at my church during one of the more diff icult times of my life. My pastor asked all of us to place our palms up as an act of surrender, an act of giving our Savior every worry, every concern, everything that we had and everything that we are! Now, this is something I do on a daily basis. When life becomes a bit too much for me or I feel as though I am carrying so much that I become stressed or anxious, I simply lift my hands. I surrender because I know that I can’t do it alone. I don’t have to, especially when I have a Savior who is ready to step in and I can give Him what does not belong to me. The most diff icult part about surrender is the fact that we all want to be in control. After we’ve placed our palms up and surrendered, we often go and take back the very things we’ve surrendered! I’m so guilty of this, y’all! Most days, I want to know the outcome before I get started. I want to plan out every detail of my day and feel as though I’m in control. I am not. You are not. But we do have a perfect God who wants us to fully trust Him and the plans he has for our lives ( Jeremiah 29:11). He wants us to learn to depend on Him even in the toughest times of our lives. I remember vividly the day I received my breast cancer diagnosis. I remember being surrounded by people I love dearly and hearing them praying over me in the lobby of my church. I also remember wailing like I never had before in my life. It was a deep cry of fear and desperate need. I remember not understanding and asking “why me” saying, “I’m too young for this.” (cancer sees no age…. Go get your check ups!) I remember going to my f irst oncology appointment. I remember all of the MRI’s, PET Scans, CT Scans. I remember the fear that I did not allow my child, my best friend or my mom see. I put on my mask and I wore it well! I remember the day I lost my job because I was going through treatment and I could not fulf ill my duties. I also remember the moment I surrendered my EVERYTHING to God because I could not do it. Honestly, I didn’t want to! I remember being alone in my room and placing my palms up and asking God to “take this from me”. Take the worry, take the fear, take the pain, take the f inancial burden, TAKE IT ALL!! Well, He did just that and then some. I had nothing to loose! He provided for my every need. I never missed a payment on my car, my rent was paid every month, we always had more than enough food. He even provided me with a new car so that I could get back and forth to my appointments. Listen, whatever it is that you are facing or even covering with your mask, I encourage you to surrender it all and walk away…. placing those palms up and letting go, because God's Got You. 61 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

REMEMBERING ALL WHO GAV E T HEIR L I V E S T HIS

MEMORIAL DAY!

G I V H E O

THANKS TO THE

Lord

r He is G

! d oo

Psalm 106:1

ABELDT’S PH AR MAC Y - ABN EY & SONS - ANGELINA CO LLEGE BEARD FINE JEWELERS - CARROWAY FUNERAL HOME C AVANAUGHS JEWELERS - CEN TER FOR SIGHT C HICK-FIL-A SOUTHLO O P CROSSIN G - CIRCLE H IRO N WORK S CLAR K I N SURAN CE AGENCY - GEN CO HIGGINBOTHAM/DAVI S I NSURAN CE - IRO N GATE LAN D COMPANY LIM ITLESS - LUFK I N MED SPA - LUFKIN RUBBER & GASKET CO. MAD D UX LUMBER & HARDWARE - MASSINGILLS MED I TR I M O F EAST TEXAS - NATURE’S EYE PER MANENT COSMETI C S - PIN EYWO O DS COMMUNITY ACADEMY PINEYWO O D S O BSTETRICS & GYNECOLO GY S & W EXPERT C O LLISIO N REPAIR - SHWEIKI MEDIA ANGELINA C OLLEGE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELO PMEN T CENTER ST. CYPR IAN’S EPI SC O PAL SCHO O L - TEXAS STATE BANK TIMBER COU NTRY REAL ESTATE - TOMÉ CATERING WOODLAND HEIGHTS MEDICAL CEN TER

| R E A D E R ' S S HOWC A S E | C H A L L E N GE | YO U R JO U R N E Y

re a d e r ' s | S H O W C A S E

DR. AND MRS. DAVID PRICE OF LUFKIN, WITH THEIR TWO PUPS,MOLLY AND CHLOE 65 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

photo credit | LISA CROW

P L A C E S & FA C E S

rvice Pledge – only at Woodland Heights Medical Center.

*Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants nurse practitioners. Spring brings sunshine, emerging greenery and and longer days, but by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

many

people dread this season for the sinus pressure, headaches, itchy eyes and respiratory problems it brings. Spring allergies can start as early as February and last until summer. 4/5/17 10:09 AM While Americans spend nearly $2 billion each year on over-the-counter

allergy remedies, many feel their efficacy in managing symptoms is minimal. There are also potential risks to self-medicating, as some over the counter medications can interfere or interact poorly with other medications the patient is taking. If you suffer from more than just the occasional sneezing fit or itchy eyes, it’s best to schedule time with yourprimary care physician to map out a plan.

If you or a family member suffers from hay fever or allergic rhinitis, here are some helpful tips to keep symptoms in check:

Leave the pollen outside. Take your shoes off at the door as much as possible, to keep from spreading pollen through your house.

Be thorough in your spring cleaning. Wash down your walls, get rid of clutter, launder all sheets and comforters, dust and clean blinds, baseboards and everywhere else you can reach.

Sip warm beverages. Herbal teas can help ease congestion and keep you hydrated.

Keep your immune system strong. Eat fresh, clean, nutrient rich foods and stay active. The healthier your immune system, the more equipped your body is to battle histamines.

Be aware of the pollen count. It changes daily â€“ look up the count for the day, by zip code, at www.pollen.com.

Close your windows and dust your fans. Despite the nice weather, true sufferers should keep the windows shut to prevent allergens from entering. If you use a ceiling fan, give it a good spring cleaning. Replace air filters in your home and car.

Wherever you live this year, allergies are likely to affect someone in your home. In addition to tips for avoiding allergy triggers, there are many effective treatments to minimize symptoms. Enjoy all the wonderful experiences spring has to offer by talking with your doctor about the best allergy prevention or treatment path for you. 67 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

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( E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E A N D W I Z A R D S P H O T O G R A P H Y P R O V I D E D B Y L I S A C R O W ) ( H U D S O N O P E N I N G C E R E M O N I E S P R O V I D E D B Y B A R B A R A G I L B R E AT H H AVA R D O F O H S N A P P H O T O G R A P H Y )

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E

Th e t o p 2 0 s t u d e n t s o f t h e Lu f k i n Hi gh Sch o o l g ra du a t i n g c l a s s o f 2 01 8 s u rp r i s e d t h e i r t e a c h e r s w i t h a w a r d s a s E d u c a t o r o f In f l u e n c e t h i s p a s t m o n t h . T h e s e t e a c h e r s , c h o s e n sp e c i f i c a l ly b y t h e i r s t u d e n t s , h a v e h a d t h e g re a t e s t i mp a c t o n t h e e d u c a t i o n a l c a re e rs o f t h e s e 2 0 o u t s t a n d i n g s t u d e n t s .

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E

73 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

p l a ces & fa ces | W I Z A R D S

T h e w o r l d - f a m o u s H a r l e m W i z a r d s v i s i t e d L u f k i n M i d d l e S c h o o l Pa n t h e r Gy m o n T h u rs d ay , Ma r c h 2 2 n d 2 01 8 fo r a n e v e n i n g o f g re a t f u n a n d f u n d r a i s i n g . T h e W i z a r d s , sp o n s o r e d b y L u f k i n Co c a - Co l a , p l a y e d m u l t ip l e g a m e s a g a i n s t l o c a l h o m e t o w n h e r o e s s u c h a s t h e L u f k i n Po l i c e D e p a r t m e n t sp o n s o r e d b y M c W i l l i a m s a n d S o n H e a t i n g a n d A i r Co n d i t i o n i n g a n d m e m b e r s o f t h e L u f k i n F i r e a n d E M S D e p a r t m e n t sp o n s o r e d b y Co m m e r c i a l B a n k o f Te x a s ! P r o c e e d s b e n e f i t t e d t h e Angelin a Ro ta ry Clu b .

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p l a ces & fa ces | W I Z A R D S

76 | M AY 2 0 1 8

p l a ces & fa ces | F OR T H E L OV E OF PE T S !

AIN'T NOTHIN' BUT A HOUND DOG! -BY EMILY HAVARD

SMILING SISTERS, IZZY & LUCY - BY ALLYSON LANGSTON

GIA'S FIRST SPRING! - BY AMANDA REID MARTINEZ

GINNY THE BORDER COLLIE - BY ADAM & CHANDLER LOWTHER

ALLIE FROST AND BIRDIE ENJOYING A BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY AFTERNOON - BY GREG AND LIA FROST

Fo r t h e l o v e o f p e t s , w e h a v e h a d a n o v e r f l o w o f p i c t u r e s f o r o u r f u r r y f r i e n d s t h i s m o n t h . We w a n t t o s ay t h a n k y o u a n d h e re a re j u s t a fe w o f t h e s w e e t p i c t u re s o u r v i e w e rs s e n t t o u s i n h o n o r of th e ir fa v o r i te p e t .

PENNY AND PIPER ENJOYING PUPPY SNUGGLES! - BY JEAN PACHICANO

JUST A LITTLE LIGHT READING WITH MY HUMAN. -BY KELLY HUDMAN

BEST BUDDIES - BY LUKE TIPPIT

MADDIE WAITING ON THE POSTMAN - BY LAURA RAWLINGS KOCH

79 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E

p l a ces & fa ces | F OR T H E L OV E OF PE T S !

WHAT LOVE! - BY MARILYN THOMPSON

OUR LITTLE BEACH BUM! - BY DESTREY, HANNAH AND AINSLEY SELF

PAXTON ELIZABETH DOVER - BY MACI DOVER

All of these pages f illed with sweet fur-babies has made my heart so happy! I think I could make each month pet month for The Journey Magazine!

THOSE EYES! - BY BALEIGH HUDMAN

RYLEE RUSH - BY MIKE AND DEBBIE RUSH

WAITâ€¦ DID YOU SAY SNACK?! (HEIDI, BO & HANK BAILEY) - BY GRANT AND JOLIE BAILEY

p l a ce s & fa ce s | H U D S ON OP E N I N G C E R E MON I E S

Ph o t og rap h s p ro v i d e d b y B a r b a ra G i l b re a th Ha v a r d o f O h Sn ap Ph o t o g r ap hy

re a d e r ' s | S HOWCA S E

• South Loop Crossing • 4605 S Medford Dr • (936) 632-2333

EDWARD JONES – FOREST GRIFFIN - Welcome Edward Jones- Forest Griff in, Financial Advisor to the Chamber! Whether you're planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the f inancial future of the ones you care for the most, Forest can f ind the f inancial strategy that is best for you. Contact him at 936-634-4611.

STEEL HORSES Steel horses is an authorized American LandMaster® and Mahindra dealership serving the Luf kin, Texas area. At Steel Horses, they value the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with their customers and do that by giving you the best customer service available. Call them at 936-639-6878 for more information!

SUSIE CARDWELL After 12 years, Susie Cardwell retired as the Luf kin Chamber's Community Development Manager. We will miss her, but wish her well in this new stage of life!

HEALTHY IMPACT Healthy Impact is a local business that connects consumers with safe, toxin free household items and products through Melaleuca. For more information about how you can shop these items, contact Melissa Wheeler at MWheelerLeads@outlook.com.

DWTSET Esteemed members of Angelina County will be taking part in this charity event to show-off their dance moves. Dancing With The Stars East Texas wishes to bring awareness and support to the mission of the American Cancer Society though this fundraising event. Join the excitement and enjoy the smooth moves of Angelina County's f inest. The event will take place, Friday, May 11th at 6pm at the Convention Center in Downtown Luf kin. For ticket and table information, please contact Jennifer Garcia at 936-634-2940 or by email at Jennifer. garcia@cancer.org

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Congrat ulate

someone who deserves it.

BABY ANNOUNCEMENT! - BY LISA HUDMAN

SAY CHEESE COPPER! - BY ERICA MCGUIRE

ARE YOU A PRO OR JUST A HOBBYIST? SHARE YOUR BEST PHOTOGRAPHY WITH US AND GIVE YOUR JOURNEY SOME EXPOSURE. SELECTED PHOTOGRAPHS WILL APPEAR IN THE JOURNEY MAGAZINE. PLEASE SEND YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION (300 DPI) IMAGES TO

kkhudman@yahoo.com

DOGS ARE NOT OUR WHOLE LIVES BUT THEY MAKE OUR LIVES WHOLE - BY CAMRYN LEE

COOPER & RAZZI HAVING FUN IN THE MUD - BY VALARIE HUTTO

FRANKIE & MIA GETTING IN THEIR "CAT NAPS" - BY KENDALL WINDHAM BEATTIE

INCLUDE YOUR NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND ANY TITLE YOU WISH TO GIVE YOUR PHOTO. WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR JOURNEY IN THE BEST MAGAZINE!

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LITTLE BIT AND MINNIE FROST - FUR BABIES OF GREG AND LIA FROST

GUS RIDING WITH HIS FAVORITE HUMAN, SPENCER HINES! - BY VALARIE HUTTO

GUS THE PUG - SCHUYLER BACON

JESSIKATE DAVIDSON WITH HER BABY CALF ANABELLE - BY VALARIE HUTTO

PUPPY LOVE! - CALLANDRE HUNT

OUTLAW AND TRACE - LISA GEORGE

PATIENTLY WAITING TO DESTROY EVERY TOY IN THIS BOX! LOVE, FINN #ROADSIDETORICHES - BY STEPHANIE LOVE

WHO SAYS POODLES CAN'T HELP WITH CATTLE? LILLY LOVES VISITING THE COWS ON HER JOHN DEER - BY TORI CHARANZA

ENJOYING AN AFTERNOON OF READING. -BY ASHLYN THOMPSON

T EX AS OUT D O OR EV ENT S | FOR THE BIRDS | SPRI NG R EVI VA L | TAST E OF TH E OUT D O ORS | A ROU N D TH E CAM PFI R E

Prese n ts :

sp o r t s & | OU T D O OR S

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TEXAS - MAY -

sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | T E X A S O U T D O O R E V E N T S

OUTDOOR EVENTS

Texas state parks host a wide range of activities throughout the year. Weâ€™ve gathered a few here, but be sure to check out the TPWD online calendar for a full list of events across the state. You can also find more information on specific times, maps/directions, and contact info. Visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar

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SHELDON LAKE STATE PARK

May 5: Catfish Corral: Pond Stocking Event Come and catch the fun at the “Catfish Corral” from 9am-12pm! We will be stocking our Prairie Pond for this special event, giving you the chance to catch and keep up to five catfish per person. This event is free and fun for the whole family!

TRINITY PARK, FORT WORTH

May 5: Mayfest -

Fort Worth’s most beloved family festival in beautiful Trinity Park on the banks of the Trinity River.

LAKE TAWAKONI STATE PA RK

May 6: Wiki Wiki Man Triathlon -

Get ready for a super fun day of swimming, biking and running! Contact Big Earth Racing (www. bigearthracing.com) to sign up.

FANTHORP INN STATE HISTORIC SITE

May 12: Stagecoach Saturday -

Travel back to 1850 aboard a mule-drawn stagecoach!

LAKE WHITNEY STATE PARK

May 19: Night Sky Party -

Come out and view the waning moon at our Night Sky Party.

FOR THE

BIRDS

East Texas is a wonderful place for birders. Viewing opportunities abound in a wide array of habitats and landscapes. Most every state park has a specific field checklist, and the statewide checklist contains over 600 species. The Eastern Texas Pineywoods region boasts an incredible diversity of woodpeckers, with eight species currently in existence here. If you’re new to birding, one of the first steps is learning bird identification. There are a few basic principles to bird ID that, once grasped, will help propel you to expert level!

sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | FOR THE BIRDS

THE 4 KEYS TO BIRD ID: Size & Shape This refers to the overall size of the bird, as well as the size and shape of its head and body, and the shape of its tail and bill. Color pattern This refers to the colors and patterns on different areas of the body: head, throat, cheeks, sides, wings, chest, and back; among others. Behavior This can refer to the bird’s movements being busy or acrobatic, if they are solitary or appear in f locks, their feeding behavior, or how they call (actual sound of the call itself, frequency, timing). Habitat Knowing where certain species are most likely to be found is one of the best tools to identification. This refers to the type of habitat, such as forests vs. parks, as well as region, such as Eastern U.S. vs. Western U.S.

Birding is an excellent family activity, as it can be engaging, educational, and fun for all ages! It’s easy to begin learning online, and then take your new skills out to the woods to test them! The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has wonderful online resources with color photos and audio clips of bird songs and calls at www.allaboutbirds.org. TPWD also has some great resources specific to Texas birding here: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/parks/things-to-do/birding-in-state-parks.

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SPRING REVIVAL

sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | S P R I N G R E V I VA L

W R I T T E N b y - E m i ly C o u r t n e y

e often draw parallels between the renewal of spring in nature to a seasonal renewal in our own lives. In nature, f lecks of green appear on tree branches, f lower buds emerge, and tiny beaks can be seen popping up out of bird nests. As humans, we make New Yearâ€™s resolutions and engage in spring cleaning, trying to give ourselves a fresh start. The perspective gained through a nature based life brings an added dynamic. When we watch the processes of the natural world, we donâ€™t just see spring, summer, fall, and winter; we also see planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. Seeds are planted, either by us or natural processes, at a time that will maximize their growth potential. Nature takes over and generates the growth, and then we and other creatures reap what was sown. God crafted this masterfully intricate process of seasonality and reproduction, and our responsibility as stewards is to fit our needs around it and encourage the process as best we can. Mother Nature is simultaneously a creature of habit and wildly unpredictable. Farmers know this better than anyone. They have mastered the art of working within her routine 96 | M AY 2 0 1 8

and around her volatility. We can take the principles and wisdom gained throughout the history of agriculture and apply them to habitat management. Spring planting for wildlife is one of the most critical components of an annual management regime. Wildlife planting typically begins a little later than agricultural planting, because the goal is different. Our timing is based on having mature corn on the stalk during bow season or seeds on the ground for doves. There’s a narrow window of opportunity for planting in the spring to make the timing work out, so preparation and planning are essential. However, you must also be f lexible enough to adapt to nature’s inherent variability. The process of selecting sites for planting, mowing, and drilling seed may seem fairly straightforward, but when the wildlife on your property depend on supplemental plantings to get them through the year, it’s important to get it right. Each season is dependent upon each of the others. They work together as a continual process to ensure perpetual growth and renewal. Whether you see it as spring, summer, and fall or planting, growing, and harvesting seasons, it’s all a cycle that allows us to maintain the delicate balance of life on Earth. Finding your role in that process is one of the most satisfying things a person can experience when living a nature based life.

EVERY SPRING, GOD REWRITES THE BOOK OF GENESIS.

sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | S P R I N G R E V I VA L

-Author Unknown

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sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | T A S T E O F T H E O U T D O O R S

TURKEY JERKY Preparation Time: 30 minutes Cooking Time: 12-14 hours Yields: 10-15 jerky strips INGREDIENTS 1 pound smoked wild turkey breast, thinly sliced 2/3 cup Worcestershire sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons liquid smoke 2 teaspoons light brown sugar 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 2 teaspoons black pepper DIRECTIONS Combine all seasonings in a large zip top bag and stir to blend marinade. Place turkey strips in marinade, seal the bag, and massage to distribute marinade over meat. Squeeze any excess air from the bag, seal, and then refrigerate the marinating strips for at least 12 hours. Extract the meat from the marinade and pat off any excess with a paper towel. Place strips spaced evenly apart in a single layer on dehydrator racks. Dehydrate until meat reaches desired consistency.

D & G O OD F R

O FO

There’s nothing quite like gathering around a campfire to share stories and experiences from our time outdoors. We’d like to invite you to share your stories with us here by submitting photos of you and your loved ones enjoying the outdoors. Whether they’re snaps from a weekend camping trip, proof of a conquered hike, or a trophy shot of your kid with their first fish, we want to see them!

sp o r t s & o u t d o o r s | A R O U N D T H E C A M P F I R E

We know there’s a great community of outdoors enthusiasts in East Texas, and we’d love to see what you’re up to! Submit photos on our Facebook page, or post on Instagram using the hashtag #journeyout, and we’ll choose the best to print here every month!

SUBMIT PHOTOS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE, OR POST ON INSTAGRAM USING THE HASHTAG #JOURNEYOUT, AND WE’LL CHOOSE THE BEST TO PRINT HERE EVERY MONTH!

EXPLORING THE FOREST -BY JAMES BAKER

FISHING IS FUN! -BY KATHY STINNETT 102 | M AY 2 0 1 8

Less waiting for emergency care (and a lot more care, if you need it).

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MAY 2018

THE

magazine an original since 2005

D O G

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AG G I E

O W N E D

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