The Journey

FEBRUARY 2019

THE

magazine 'n a t u r e - b a s e d l i f e'

HOM E T OU R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D | GA N DY NO T E S AG G I E

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F E B RUA RY Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history.

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GROUNDHOG DAY Groundhog Day 2019 is a holiday that focuses on the folklore idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather. Legend has it that on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way.

Groundhog Day 2019 is observed on February 2 in many states throughout the United States of America.

SUPER BOWL This year's Super Bowl will be held in Atlanta, Georgia at the new MercedesBenz Stadium. Millions of people around the world attend Super Bowl parties at houses and in their living rooms. Of course many tune in just to watch those funny ads. No matter what you are there to see, just know you will be watching the biggest game of the year.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated each year on February 11th, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. This day is a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.

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VALENTINE'S DAY Valentine's Day 2019, also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is an extremely popular holiday that celebrates and honors St. Valentine. It is a day to express gratitude and love to dear ones. So, express your love for someone on this day in anyway you want. A sweet note, flowers, a homemade gift or candy are just some ways to show that special person you are thinking of them.

ST. CYPRIAN’S 20th BAYOU BASH This year, St. Cyprian's will be celebrating their 20th Bayou Bash, which is their largest fundraiser.

There will be a dinner and auction at Pitser Garrison Convention Center. Cajun-style dinner from Texas Custom Catering will be served, a festive signature drink, music, and opportunities to bid on unique live and silent auction items. This event is open to the public. Call (936) 632-1750 for more information.

PRESIDENT'S DAY President's Day, formally known as Washington's Birthday, is a federal holiday observed in the United States on the third Monday of February. It is a day that celebrates all U.S. presidents (past and present) specif ically George Washington (born on February 22), the f irst President of the United States.

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Corner of Loop 287 and HWY 59 S. 936.637.2848

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a l e t te r fro m th e

E DI T OR

Recently, I came across the letter I wrote here last year

bound to get hairy at times. However, if we could just

at this time. The message bears repeating, so I’m going

remember to show deep love I think it would change the

to do something I’ve never done and reprint it. It never

outcome of many situations.

hurts to be reminded of what true love looks like.

The latter part of that verse says that showing love can

The festivities of this month remind me of one of my

actually cover many sins. It’s so much easier for people to

favorite verses in the Bible that I pray to model in my

overlook our shortcomings when we are showing genuine

life. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Most important of all, continue to

love to them. The opposite is true, as well. When we

show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude

are intentionally showing love to others, even when they

of sins.”

are hard to love, their weaknesses don’t seem quite as

Growing up, my mom had many ‘one liners’ that were

annoying as if we had a negative attitude towards them.

really pearls of wisdom packed with truth that have

I wish I could say that I always handle struggles with

made me the woman I am today. When I was frustrated

this truth in mind. I wish that my f irst thought was how

and angry, mom would always say, “You can be angry,

I could deeply love the person I don’t agree with or the

but you never have a reason to be unkind.” Frustrated?

one who has wronged me. That’s a hard kind of love, but

Yes. Hurt? Yes. Angry? Yes. Unkind? Never.

I’ve come to learn that it’s love in its truest form. May

That truth is a paraphrase of 1 Peter where we are

you love others well this month, and may it become a

encouraged to show love to others regardless of what

discipline that we practice often.

emotion is swirling through our hearts. Our lives can get messy, and when people are involved, things are

All the Way Home,

Beth

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CONT food & design

family

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HOME TOUR

GA N DY NOT E S

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IN THE KITCHEN

KIDS' CORNER

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L E T ' S C E L E BR AT E

TOP 10 WITH GRIFF

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TIPS

& TRICKS

REAL LIFE

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jour ney outdoors

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2 0 QUE STIONS

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B AC K YA R D B A SIC S

SPOTLIGHT

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LA N D S CA PE BE HOLDE R S

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W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D

OUTDOOR EVENTS

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THE

magazine 'n a t u r e b a s e d l ife'

The Journey Magazine is available free of charge each month per reader. Mail service of The Journey Magazine may be purchased for $15 for 12 issues. Mail check to: The Journey Magazine, P.O. Box 150351, Luf kin, TX, 75915, or contact kogden@luf kinjourneymagazine.com.

OWNER & DIRECTOR: Kim Ogden kogden@lufkinjourneymagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR: Beth Johnson beth@lufkinjourneymagazine.com L AY O U T & A DV E RT I S I N G D E S I G N : Kelly Hudman kkhudman@yahoo.com F E A T U R E S P H O T O G R A P H Y: Lisa Crow Valena Spradley CONTRIBUTORS: Emily Courtney/Nature's Eye Erin Cuccio Angela Gandy Jessica Grenier Eric Griffith Becky Reeder C O N TAC T U S : Mailing: P.O. Box 150351 Physical: 106 E. Lufkin Avenue Lufkin, Texas 75901 936-366-5463 Online: facebook.com/thejourneymagazine instagram.com/thejourneymagazine www.natureseyemedia.com

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0% 100% Perfect - Forgiven I’ve been the ugliest of humans you can imagine. I am a sinner.

My sins are absolutely the worst things I’ve done in my life and yet, they don’t def ine me and they don’t def ine the ones I hurt. My sins are forgiven by God and slowly, by myself and by others I affected. Keeping my head above the waves of regret, pain, and destruction is no easy feat and quite honestly, it is a f ight that on some days, I lose.

I am a sinner admitting her hardships, admitting she hasn’t always walked the right path, writing about my messes, my ugliness, and my darkness. Why? Because it’s life. Because as the owner of a Christian-based magazine I need to be the one who stands up and says, “I’ve been an awful person”, and honestly, admitting that to our readership is hard. But if I don’t admit it, if I don’t seek forgiveness and healing, how will I ever change? If I don’t LIVE RIGHT, how will I ever truly live?

Recently I’ve found forgiveness and grace from the most unexpected people; grace that I never thought I would f ind and truthfully, grace I didn’t feel that I deserved. But y’all...... that’s when God is at His best. I was the last person on Earth you would forgive and yet, He put me on a path that led me towards it. If He can forgive me and others can too, then maybe that’s the only message I can give. Your sins don’t have to def ine you.

I will never claim, in these pages or elsewhere, to be perfect, to have the answers for raising children, for f ighting for a marriage, for hurting a marriage, for being a friend, a daughter and sister. I won’t tell you how to live your life because I’m still f iguring out how to live mine. I am 0% perfect. Not everyone will understand or approve of me, but that’s okay. I am still here because I refuse for my sins to have the last word. I’m still here because I won’t let the sins of my past wreak havoc on my present and future.

My hope is that you read these words and see yourself somewhere in them. The sins won’t be the same, but the feeling that you aren’t worthy might be. Y’all, we’ve all been in hard places and felt like we weren’t good enough because of things we’ve done, but He gives us hope that it will all be okay because He loves us.

I am not perfect, but I am not weak. I am troubled, but I am learning. I am a Christian, but I’ve done bad things. I am a sinner, but I am forgiven.

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H OM E T O U R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | L E T ' S C E L E B R AT E | T I P S & T R I C K S

F O O D & D E S I G N

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M A L I N DA A N D JA M E S WOR L E Y welcome us home

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P hoto C r ed it - LISA CROW February2019.indd 13

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home | H O M E

T O U R

My in-laws surprised me with this steer head for my birthday one year. I love the look of the stones and how it goes with the decor but is also bright and fun.

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My husband James and I built this house a little over 2 ½ years ago.

A fun fact is that while a contractor built the outside of it, all of the inside work was done by James himself. He and I both have a love of older homes, and we kept this in mind with the design. It was important for it to have the look and feel of an older home in terms of being comfortable and homey (i.e. bricks, beams, and wooden floors), but I also love shiplap, so we combined the elements and created a “cozy farmhouse” on the inside.

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home | H O M E

T O U R

Speaking of shiplap, it’s in

every single room except

the closets! We absolutely love shiplap, so from

room to room we just kept the momentum going. I

remember when James

finished the last board he

walked around almost in a

daze looking at all the rooms,

not believing he was finished.

When it was all said and

done, he used over 40,000

nails putting up that shiplap!

But-as James says, "It was all worth it." We love it!

Pictured on the right is the

Worley's 15 year old cat, Claire.

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Most of the furnishings throughout our home are antique, adding to the “comfortable, homey� vibe that James and I were going for. We found many of them at antique auctions and then mixed those f inds with pieces from my mom and dad. Both James and I have always loved the character of antiques and the atmosphere they bring to a home. Here in our farmhouse, they are truly the perfect f it.

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A huge blessing of this home is the neighborhood it sits in. There are twelve houses out here and everyone knows everyone and watches out for each other. We even have neighborhood get-togethers throughout the year; that’s not really something you f ind in most neighborhoods anymore.

The community pond was another draw for us, as well.

James and I love sitting out there watching evening roll in and the ducks swim around (they live here year-round). We were lucky enough this past year to watch six newly hatched ducklings grow into adults and James even built the duck house so the mama ducks could sit on their eggs inside of it.

It really is such a blessing to be right here near town and yet be surrounded by nature.

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Protecting them is a big decision...

Go with Texas’s biggest broker.

59 South • higginbotham.net • 936-634-2291 February2019.indd 19

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home | I N

T H E

K I T C H E N

Garlic Herb Chicken & Zucchini Serves 4-5

INGREDIENTS 3 Tbsp butter

4 garlic cloves, minced

¼ cup chopped oregano 1 tsp chopped rosemary 1 tsp chopped thyme

1 pound boneless skinless thighs, or breasts salt and peper

2 medium sized zucchini, sliced

DIRECTIONS • In a medium sized skillet over medium heat add the butter until melted. Add the garlic, oregano, rosemary and thyme. Add the chicken and cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until chicken is no longer pink and internal temperature is 165 degrees F. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.

• Add the zucchini to the pan and salt and pepper. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add chicken back to the pan for a minute or so and then serve.

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Pork Tenderloin & Squash Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 2 tsp chopped rosemary leaves 2 tsp chopped sage leaves 1 tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

1 pork tenderloin (1 to 1 1.4 lbs) 3 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, cut into 2-in pieces (about 2 lbs) 1 medium sweet onion, cut into ½ inch wedges

1 large Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cut into 12 wedges

DIRECTIONS • Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Line a large glass pan with foil. In a small bowl, mix rosemary, sage, salt and pepper.

• Place pork tenderloin in pan and rub 1 Tbsp of the olive oil onto it. Sprinkle with 2 tsp of the rosemary mixture on top.

• In large bowl, stir squash, onion, remaining 2 Tbsp oil and remaining rosemary mixture until well coated. Place squash mixture around the pork.

• Bake 20 minutes. Add apple slices, bake 8 – 10 minutes longer or until internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees F and squash mixture and apples are tender.

• Let pork stand 3 minutes before slicing.

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K I T C H E N

Italian Sausage & Vegetables Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS 2 large carrots (~2 cups)

2 red potatoes (~2 cups)

1 medium zucchini (~2 and 1/3 cups) 2 red peppers (~2 cups)

1 head broccoli (~1 and ½ cups) 16 ounces Polska Kielbasa

½ Tbsp EACH: dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, garlic powder ½ tsp EACH: onion powder, dried thyme 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large sheet pan with parchment paper or foil (easy clean-up!) and set aside.

• Prep the veggies. Peel and very thinly slice the carrots. Wash and chop the red potatoes (we like halving the potatoes and then cutting each half into 10-12 pieces).

• Halve the zucchini and then cut it into thick coins. Coarsely chop the broccoli.

• Remove stems and seeds from the peppers and chop into medium-sized pieces. Chop the sausage into thick coins.

• Pour all veggies and sausage on the sheet pan.

• In a small bowl, combine all the seasonings with the olive oil. If desired, add 1/8 tsp pepper and ½ tsp salt. Stir to combine.

• Pour seasoning and oil mixture on top of the veggies and sausage and toss to coat.

• Place in heated oven for 15 minutes. Remove and toss around the veggies/sausage and return to oven for another 10-20 minutes or until veggies are tender.

• Remove and top, if desired, with shredded Parmesan cheese and parsley.

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Savory Steak & Green Beans Serves 2-3

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

1 lb (450g) flank steak, sliced against the grain

1 lb (450 g) fresh stringless green beans, trimmed

• In a large bowl, combine the steak strips with soy sauce, olive oil, pepper and hotsauce. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes while you prepare the green beans.

5 garlic cloves, minced

• Arrange green beans on a microwave-safe dish with ½ cup water. Cook in the microwave for 8-10 minutes, until almost done but still crisp.

Juice of ½ lemon Salt and pepper

• Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lay the steak strips on one layer in the skillet, keeping drained marinade for later use.

Sear on one side for 1 minute until nicely browned.

crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Add half the garlic and red pepper flakes and turn steak strips to finish cooking for one minute more (adjust timing depending on how you like your steak).

3 Tbsp butter, divided

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ cup (125 ml) beef stock ½ cup chopped parsley

1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves

1 Tbsp olive oil

• In the same skillet, lower the heat and melt the remaining Tbsp butter.

Add chopped parsley, thyme, remaining garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes and pre-cooked green beans. Cook 4-5 minutes, stirring regularly. Deglaze with lemon juice, beef stock, and reserved steak marinade and reduce the sauce for a couple of minutes.

fresh cracked pepper

• Add grilled steak strips back to the pan and reheat quickly.

Pepper to taste and serve.

THE MARINADE ¼ cup soy sauce 1 Tbsp hot sauce

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• Transfer steak strips to plate and set aside.

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1.

Bake cookies and deliver them to some of your neighbors.

Call a non-profit and ask for a list of things they need donated, then go shopping for something off that list.

5.

Buy a book that you enjoy and gift it to a friend.

Make Valentines and deliver them to a nursing home.

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7.

Put little love notes in your children's and spouse's lunch box.

2.

Pay for someone's order at the drive through line.

Leave a generous tip for your server when you are out at a restaurant.

6.

4.

Take dinner to someone going through a difficult time.

Write a hand written letter to someone letting them know how much they mean to you, and drop it in the mail!

10.

8.

Call your parents and let them know you appreciate them.

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WIN T ER G ARDENING

TIPS

We all know spring is right around the corner. Warmer temperatures mean outside lawnwork. Most people do not mess with the lawn in the winter time, but here are a few winter gardening tips to help you so you won't have extra work in the spring. These tips might even make your yard the envy of the neighborhood.

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TUNE-UP

Be sure to have all of your lawn equipment serviced during winter when they are not in use. Like any vehicle, lawn mowers, chain saws, and any motorized machine you use for your yard needs to have a thorough check, as well. This will help make your spring yard work run much smoother.

CLEAN OUT GUT TERS

Gutters are a very important part of your home's well being. They control the flow of rainwater that protects your roof, walls, foundation and landscape. If your gutter gets clogged with leaves and sticks, this can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior and exterior of your home.

TRIM TREES AND BUSHES

Removing dead, damaged and diseased areas on trees and bushes helps prevent insects and decay.

Be sure to remove limbs from around your house that may be touching your roof or windows to prevent unwanted damage.

CLEAN WINDOWS

Cleaning windows helps with improved air quality, better heat efficiency and makes for a more enjoyable view. So don’t forget to remove those cobwebs, dirt and grime this winter.

CARE FOR POT TED PLANTS

Frost is bad news for plants in pots. Here in East Texas, if you haven’t brought your potted plants inside, you might want to do so now. Not only can your plants freeze, but the cooler temperatures can cause some pots to crack, which can damage their roots.

LEAF-FREE L AWN

Leaving leaves that have fallen on your lawn will kill your grass. It can also cause moss and other lawn diseases. Be sure to rake them up. This will not only protect your yard, but it makes for beautiful curb appeal in winter time.

Q U I C K W E E D AT TA C K

If you have any really weedy areas, cover them with a piece of old carpet or thick blanket. Doing this will kill off weeds over winter and make your spring planting much easier.

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GA N DY NO T E S | K I D S ' COR N E R | T OP 1 0 W I T H GR I F F | R E A L LI F E

FA M I LY

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home | G A N D Y

N O T E S

Valentine's Vs. Weather WRITTEN BY -

ANGELA GANDY

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Between all the rain we've had and major temperature swings of 40 degrees, East Texas takes the crown for bipolar weather patterns. So now that we've recovered from Christmas and the new year, all of our attention is on Valentine's Day. How do we prepare for a night out of sweet love when we don't know what the weather is going to do? Aside from stalking the weatherman like he's our new “bae”, here are some quick ways to have a fantastic Valentine's Day with the one you love!

Valentine's Night In Take “Netflix and Chill” literally! Call in food for takeout from your favorite restaurant and lounge on the couch while watching a movie. No need for worrying whether you'll need a jacket or not, if it will be raining or not, or whether your feet will start sweating in your cute boots. You can be as cute or comfortable in your own house, or theirs!

Single Ladies Night Out If you're embracing the “New Year, New Me” motto, and you're focusing on yourself in 2019, then plan a night for you and your girlfriends to get your hair and nails done! Your hairstylist won't mind if you roll in with a hat (my go-to weatherproof item) because you'll be walking out with a fresh new do. And hanging out with your friends makes the time even better!

East Texas Escape If you can't figure out the weather, then run away from it!

Valentine's falls on a Thursday this year, which would be perfect for a long weekend getaway. If you're the social couple, go to the boats in Shreveport. If you're the quiet couple, I hear a cabin in the woods calling your name.

Either way, you and your loved one will make it a trip worth remembering.

Suck It Up , Buttercup So, you didn't plan ahead for Valentine's night.

It's 3pm and you need to get dressed for the evening. Girls, he won't care if your hair frizzes from the humidity. He won't notice if you are sweating (just call it glistening and now it's not gross), and if you get cold, he will jump at the chance to share his jacket with you. Guys, if she didn't dress appropriately, don't pull the “told you so” line. Bring an extra blanket if she needs it or suggest she wear different shoes.

No matter what you do on Valentine's Day, the love is the most important, not the weather. From one selfdiagnosed "stresser" to another, try not to focus on the things you can't control. Embrace our crazy weather patterns, because odds are, they will be similar to your crazy love patterns.

XOXO,

Angela

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- FEATU RI NG -

COOL CATS There are so many fabulous kids doing amazing things!

Do you know a Cool Cat who needs to be recognized?

Email the details to kogden@lufkinjourneymagazine.com and you just might see them featured here.

LET'SLOL

WORD FI N D AN D MORE !

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Happy Valentine's Day!

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hy.

SCES, took home the winning trop ling Bee. Alex Tiu, a 7th Grader at Spel 2019 ol SCES Scho the in High d in pete Lufk 2nd at the St. Cyprian's students recently com ling Bee, set for Saturday, February compete in the Lufkin Kiwanis Spel The two teams will now go on to and congrats to you Alex!

Auditorium. Good luck to ever yone

g n i R E W O P em February2019.indd 35

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LO V E B U G F R U IT C U PS

SUPPLIES: Fruit cups Red and white cardstock paper Red or Black mini duck tape Glue (Elmers or hot glue) Black marker

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cut out 2 1-inch hearts. Then tape or glue onto the bottom of the fruit cup.

Cut out 1/4 inch white circles for the eyes and draw a black circle inside.

Alternatively, you could use googly eyes. Glue onto the front of the fruit cup.

If creating a lady bug, draw a line down the middle and then polka dots around the fruit cup.

Cut out a piece of tape about 2 inches long. Fold in half and then round off the top. Repeat with a second piece of tape. Tape or glue the two together on the bottom of the fruit cup to create the antennas. For an extra special touch, add two hearts to the top.

!

L O Let's L

1.

2.

3.

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KNOCK, KNOCK.

WHO’S THERE? HOWARD. HOWARD WHO? HOWARD YOU LIKE TO BE MY VALENTINE?

KNOCK KNOCK

WHO’S THERE? AL AL WHO? AL BE YOUR VALENTINE IF YOU’LL BE MINE.

KNOCK KNOCK

WHO’S THERE? ATLAS ATLAS WHO? ATLAS, IT’S VALENTINE’S DAY.

4.

KNOCK KNOCK

WHO’S THERE? FRANK FRANK WHO? FRANK YOU FOR BEING MY FRIEND.

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Hang Up & Hang Out! This Valentine’s Day, show your child how much you love them by giving them your most valuable resource - time.

Much attention is given to the many adverse effects of excessive screen time and social media in children.

Just as important, however, is social media use by parents. Parental phone use during family time causes “continuous partial attention”, which is harmful to the emotional and behavioral health of our children.

Children must have quality, interactive, fully engaged time with their parents in order to develop to their full potential. This is impossible if parents are distracted by their phones.

Make it a priority to “Hang Up and Hang Out” with your children in order to take full advantage of the short amount of time you have together.

Limit social media use in your family by leading by example. Some day your kids will thank you!

H

G

T E

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G N I V O M t Home.

A l o o Sch

i t h Art - Set up easels and paint pictures.

W Science - Bake a loaf of homemade bread. un F English - Go to a coffee shop and write poetry. g n i Math - Create patterns making beaded bracelets. v a History - Interview your grandparents about their childhood.

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10

Top

with

Griff

With Valentines Day quickly approaching, I know some of you are wondering what to get that “special someone” in your life. Well... you’re in luck. I’m here with some invaluable advice to get you through another commercialized holiday designed to cost every dime you have. Whether you’re like me and refer to Valentines Day as “V.D.” or you embrace the idea of a single day on which you can profess your love and affection to your significant other, you’ll want to take this list under advisement. So... here we go.

Eric Griffith is a husband, a father, and a nurse who tries to find humor anywhere and everywhere. He states, "If you go through life without laughter, you're missing the point."

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At Home Wax Kit ($20-$100). Back in the day we just went on getaways, watched movies and had dinner together. Let’s face it - been there, done that. Let’s kick it up a notch. Very few gifts can create the bonding experience you’ll get from attempting to remove unwanted body hair with what could actually be hot lava mixed with super glue.

3 4

7-Day Metabolic Cleanse ($50). With Spring Break barely a month away, what’s a faster way to get that beach body kick started than a soothing 7 consecutive days of being afraid to venture more than 20 feet from a bathroom? It’s risk vs. reward.

Gym Membership (<$100). I feel like this is a good choice. Seriously, what else says “Here, sweetheart.

I’m going to do something for you that you’ve been talking about for 10 years. See...I do listen”. I think this is an awesome “Go to” gift idea.

5 6

At Home Whiskey Kit ($86). This is a personal favorite among men everywhere. Or at least it should be.

This combines chemistry, a potential grain alcohol fire, possible poisoning and the risk of being busted...for under $100.

Jason Momoa Aquaman Body Pillow ($31). While a hot commodity, be sure that this gift doesn’t ruin the holiday with the unreal expectations it brings to the relationship. That $31 could create some separation in the relationship.

7 8

Make Cheese at Home Kit ($26). Let’s face it. Cheese is amazing. It can literally be put on or in almost everything. But you better be ready for potential food poisoning, IV antibiotics and a lengthy hospital stay if you decide to embark on this journey. It’s going to take some commitment.

Snoop Dogg Cookbook ($23). Snoop Dogg’s 'From Crook to Cook Platinum Recipes From the Boss Dogg’s Kitchen' has the only recipe, at least that I’ve ever seen, for “Baby Got Back Ribs”...and who doesn’t love those? Exactly!

9 10

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Articles of clothing ($$$). This is a tip for the men out there. If you don’t know what size clothing your significant other wears, just look at the tag and it will have the size in it. It’s like children’s clothing....the size is age appropriate. Example: If a child is 3 so they wear a 3T. If your special someone is 35...just get a size 35. You’re welcome.

Always positive pregnancy test ($12). Nothing says “We’re about to see how much you love me” like dropping the bombshell of “We’re going to have a baby!!!” This one, however, could backfire.

Handmade Coupons (Free). They’re the credit card of gift giving. They didn’t cost you anything, and if you’re lucky they’ll get lost and you’ll never have to honor them.

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co m mu ni ty | REAL LIFE

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with a

Whisper

1/11/19 2:02 PM

I

I have to confess that before having kids I was one of those moms. And if you read that sentence carefully, you will see the glaringly obvious issue… before I had kids. Among the many opinions that have long since fallen away with ten years of actual maternal wisdom, I was of the firm conviction that my child was NOT going to go to daycare. I’m not sure how I envisioned that working so perfectly being a working mom myself.

Nevertheless… (insert all the eye rolls here)

However, as the time came for me to go back to work, it became apparent that we would in fact need to send our sweet darling baby to daycare. And in a story only the heavens could write, we found one that was a perfect fit for our family which went on to essentially raise all our precious babies from weeks old on up.

And then, nearly nine years of loving on my children later, they closed. I was devastated because these women had become like family, and I set out to find another option that undoubtedly had incredible shoes to fill. And of course, just as God always does to work things out, we found just the place.

On the day that we went to tour the daycare with our youngest who would be attending, I felt the nervousness build. How would he react? How would he adjust to this life change? Would he be utterly miserable? You know, kids are way more resilient than we give them credit for, and he did just fine.

We arrived just as they were wrapping up centers and starting to head into story time. We observed from the back corner the structured chaos typical of any pre-school classroom that I believe is earning those teachers a direct ticket to the best spot in heaven. It was noisy. It was busy.

It was filled with worries called out from small children and

instructions called out from their leaders. And then…

With a voice I struggled to hear, the precious teacher sat down and whispered, “If you can hear me, touch your eyes.

If you can hear me, touch your nose. If you can hear me, touch your knees…”

The chaos calmed. The children settled. They all began to silently obey the instruction. All because of a whisper.

Many times in my life, I have tried to gain attention through the yelling. I have also looked for direction from what I hoped to be a metaphorical giant gaudy billboard flashing in the sky. But the truth of the matter is, sometimes the most important instruction comes after we have stilled to hear the whisper. The quiet moments where we have settled our souls and are quiet enough to notice the still small voice that is speaking.

Don’t miss the whisper.

We live in a society where there are nearly no quiet moments. If we are stilled, we are scrolling and when we are silent, we are often distracted with all the noise of life. And if that remains the case, how will we ever hear the whisper?

Believe me, I am not casting stones; I’m the chiefest of sinners. But every day I am trying to reach for quiet rather than reach for my phone. I am trying to tune out the noise for something new. I am aiming for more still moments.

Moments that make my heart feel alive and attentive to the whisper. It’s in these moments where we recognize the Voice that longs to speak to us. It’s a Voice we may have stomped our feet and adamantly declared we could not hear. But friend, it’s been there all along. The Voice has never quieted.

Just simply quiet your heart to hear the whisper…

Erin Cuccio is a wife, mother to three sons, writer, speaker, and daughter of the King. After nearly a decade as an educator, she retired to her true passion– Secretary of Internal Affairs at the Cuccio Household. Today, she spends her time raising her sons with a heart after Christ and supporting her husband in his many entrepreneurial endeavors while embracing the grand adventure to which God has called them. She is a published columnist, contributing writer for several online sites, and author for her personal blog (www.erincuccio.com). Erin delights in connecting with women by speaking wherever God opens the door. Her heart is to deliver a scripturally sound message wrapped in relevance and revelation for women of all ages. She has seen God’s faithfulness in joy and in tragedy, and has learned that in all things, He is good.

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PRESENTED BY -

C

2 0 QU E S T ION S | S P O T LIGH T | W I S D OM F ROM T H E WOR D | GE T F I T

COM M U N I T Y

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co m mu ni ty | 20 QUESTIONS

S

TWENTY QUESTIONS -with-

DAVE FENLEY MUSICIAN, SONGWRITER AND TOP 10 FINALIST ON THE VOICE

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1

W H AT I S Y O U R FAV O R I T E MIDNIGHT SNACK? Nilla Wafers and peanut butter (make little sandwiches!)

IF YOU COULD HIRE ANY ACTOR TO PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE, WHO WOULD IT BE? I’d love to say Brad Pitt, but you’d prolly have to get someone like the guy who played Hagrid in the Potter films.

What is your motto in life?

7

3

A REALLY NICE GIBSON GUITAR TO MY GUITAR PLAYER. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT ONLINE?

NO, NOT REALLY

15

What would you tell your 18 year-old self?

MOVE TO NASHVILLE NOW! DON’T WAIT TILL YOU’RE 35 TO START CO-WRITING SONGS.

18

12

9

16

YOU GET ONE SONG TO PLAY AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY. WHAT IS IT?

Def initely one of my originals… something respectful to the institution and the audience, maybe “Pocket Full of Dir t”.

when you hear it?

GIVING What is your go-to guy movie?

13

Favorite words of wisdom?

Even if you’re scared or nervous on stage, act like you belong there… eventually you will.

makes you happy

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

COOL HAND LUKE HAHA!! So I was unbuttoning my pants the other day and the whole danged button apparatus flew off into the abyss of a gas station bathroom. I sure as heck wasn’t gonna go hunting for it. So I ordered a replacement.

6

What song always

'SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED'

BY STEVIE WONDER

BEACH, BUT IN THE SHADE

What was the last gift you gave someone?

Spread Love Like Peanut Butter!!

Have you ever been star struck?

4

Mountains or Beach?

Other than my own fat a**? Definitely my guitar.

Who would you have narrate your life?

MORGAN FREEMAN

17

YO U R T RU C K I S ON FIRE A N D YO U C A N O N LY S AV E O N E T H I N G. W H AT WO U L D I T BE?

If you could have dinner with three people (dead or alive), who would it be?

OTIS REDDING, TRAVIS TRITT, AND EDDIE VEDDER.

I GIVE YOU A NARWHAL AS A GIFT. WHAT DO YOU NAME IT?

14

Johnny Cash or Hank Williams?

JOHNNY If you could be any animal in the world, what would you be?

20

A CHEETAH. Fast

enough

to catch

dinner, fast enough

Who is your celebrity crush?

K ATE BECKINSALE

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BUDDY

to not be dinner.

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46 | F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 9

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“I just love being in the house – there’s a sense of peace.

You can feel God’s presence every time you walk in the building.” We hear comments like these often at The

Mosaic Center. If you haven’t been in the beautiful, historic

Denman House right across from the Convention Center – be sure it’s on your to-do list this year. You will be glad you did! The Mosaic Center, Inc. is a Christian women’s

education center affiliated with Christian Women’s Job Corp. It was birthed out of the vision God gave a group of

Lufkin ladies to help disadvantaged women of Angelina

County. In the fall of 2005, The Mosaic Center opened their doors for the first 11-week job and life skills training

course to Class 1.

Currently, The Mosaic Center is in the middle of its

28th Core Program: now a 12-week job and life skills

training course that includes classes like Bible Study,

Computer Skills, Jobs for Life, Boundaries, DecisionMaking, Resume Writing, Mock Interviews, Personal

Money Management, Health and Wellness, and so much

more! One of the newest classes to be included in the program is ENGAGE: a parenting discussion class from

Karol Ladd’s Engage Positive Parenting Initiative. The

Mosaic Center offers the 12-week Core Program twice a

year; once in the spring and fall. In addition, The Mosaic Center partners with Angelina College and The Adult

Learning Center of Lufkin to offer GED and English as a

Second Language (ESL) as independent classes from our

Core Program. Other classes offered include 2 Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) courses in the summer, and ENGAGE

Parenting offered year-round, which is an approved curriculum for Child Protective Services’ referrals.

There are now over 300 ladies who have graduated from

The Mosaic Center’s core program, and thousands of

women who have been helped by our services. With a small staff of only 6, it takes over 350 volunteers and the

support of the community to efficiently run The Mosaic

Center. Much of that support comes from local churches, business, and support services.

In January of this year, Rebecca Reid joined The Mosaic Center staff as the new Executive Director. She has been

involved with The Mosaic Center since the beginning. God

gave her a vision of the church – women from all Christian

churches in our community – coming together to provide

a place to help women grow in mentorship and training in

Jesus’ Name. Soon, The Mosaic Center was born. Rebecca

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

volunteered as a Mentor for the first class at The Mosaic Center. She also

incredible glasswork from broken pieces of glass, and shares the

for one. For the last 21 years, Rebecca has worked as a Pharmaceutical

vase from this series to our auction. The vase is currently on display

with hundreds of healthcare providers. She is certainly no stranger

doing at The Mosaic Center.

served on the Board of Directors for 3 years, and the Executive Board Consultant. She traveled across the region building relationships

to community involvement here in Lufkin. She has volunteered with

The Chamber of Commerce as part of the Recycling Committee and

served on the committees for the Texas Forrest Festival and Downtown

gospel message through his art. He donated a breathtaking 33” tall

at Harmony Hill Baptist Church, representing the story of what God is

We would love your prayers and support for this ministry and this event. There are many ways for you to get involved:

Hoedown. She has volunteered and served on the boards for Junior

Achievement of Lufkin, Seasons of Hope Center, and Pregnancy Help

• Donate an item, service or gift card to our auction

Center. We are so thrilled to have her and know God is going to do

• Provide a dessert for the dessert auction

• Volunteer to help the night of the fundraiser

amazing things with her in this position.

• Sell raffle tickets personally or at an event

This March, The Mosaic Center will host our annual Hearts for Hope

Dinner and Auction. This is our biggest fundraiser and event of the

year, historically bringing in about 1/3 of our annual budget. God has

grown this event to a sell-out crowd of over 500! The unforgettable evening includes a delicious meal, entertainment, and testimonies

from Mosaic graduates. There’s a live auction, silent auction, dessert

If you would like more information about The Mosaic Center, call us at 936-639-5068 or come see us at 601 N 1st Street. If you would like more information on anything Hearts for Hope related, contact Jessica Grenier at 936-639-5068 or jessica@ mosaiccenter.org.

auction, raffles, and beautiful long-stemmed roses paired with a

year, one of the Mosaic graduates who attended was awed by the

The Mosaic Center. We would love for you to be a part of it; you will be

surprise gift available for purchase – something for everyone! Last

support shown at Hearts for Hope. “I had no idea all of this went on to support us,” she said.

This is one of our favorite nights of the year for many reasons, but

especially because it’s so encouraging to have the whole community come together to celebrate and show generous support for a common

There is truly nothing like watching what God is doing in and through

forever changed, I guarantee it.

Hearts for Hope Dinner and Auction March 26, 2019 Pitser Garrison Convention Center Auction opens at 5:30, Dinner at 6:00

mission. When we touch the life of one woman in Jesus’ name, it not

Seats are on sale now, $40 ea./$400 for table of 10.

will ripple out to the people she knows and at her job and to the

Featuring Texas Custom Catering’s Chicken Fried Steak

only radically changes her life, but her family as well. That change

community at large, making a difference in Angelina County and

They are selling fast so be sure to reserve your spot today!

Dinner and the musical talents of GMC Trio.

eternity. Who doesn’t love that?!

This is certainly a group effort – everyone contributes their talents to

make this event successful each year. A dedicated committee begins meeting in September, with various sub-committees involved. The

community shows up big-time as well. Every year, multiple times, God

gives jaw-dropping moments of his provision through the generosity

of this community and beyond. Businesses and individuals become Hearts for Hope Sponsors at different levels and donate incredible

items or services to our auctions. Last year, the mission of The Mosaic

Center captured the heart of nationally known Oklahoma artist Chris McGahan of Bella Forte Glass Studio. He has a ministry creating

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

What Really Matters “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life

by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” Philippians 1: 9-11 50 | F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 9

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WHAT REALLY MATTERS. “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ – for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” Philippians 1: 9-11

I have a history of people pleasing. I still struggle. If I am not careful, I fear what people might think and second guess decisions that I know in my heart are right. It’s not so much that I want people to like me, it’s that I don’t want them to dislike me. Sometimes, I don’t even know who it is I am trying to please, just that I want to fit in.

Not fitting in is what landed the apostle Paul in prison. The Roman political and religious system expected you and your family to fall in line. Bow down to their gods, participate in their worship, or risk judgement. Christianity was considered bad for society. If you were a Christian, you were an outcast.

Even though I haven’t faced persecution like Paul did, my decision to follow Christ and his will for my life sometimes makes me an outsider. Like Philippi, our culture gives importance to what you have, who you are, who your friends are and where you spend your time. It’s a culture that is hard to break from. I’ve even seen it within the walls of our churches.

I imagine that the Roman culture found its way into the early church as well. That’s one of the reasons why Paul wrote to his friends at the church in Philippi. He wanted to make sure their source of joy was in Christ, not in fitting in. He wanted them to know what really matters.

WHAT DOES REALLY MATTER? When we are focused on measuring up or fitting in, we forget what really matters. But Paul knew the answer – love.

I know the answer, too. So, how can I so easily forget and let my desire to fit in keep me from loving others like I am supposed to? It’s hard to love people that make you feel unloved, not good enough, or overlooked.

If I am honest, when I first read they passage from Philippians, I skipped over the let your love overflow part right into the grow in knowledge and understanding. But the truth in the scripture calls for

love first. (Luke 10:27) Without love, we will never experience what really matters.

HOW TO LOVE. I could lay out 10 ways to love but knowing how to love is not the problem. It’s choosing to love. God chose to love me, even though I know, without a doubt, there are times when I am unlovable. We have a choice, too.

I’ve messed this one up more times than I want to admit. But I’ve come to realize that if I quit worrying about fitting in and simply love, then fitting in doesn’t matter.

Love the one that hurts you. Chances are they’ve been hurt.

Love the one that seems to have it all. If they don’t have Jesus, they have nothing.

Love the one that stands out in the crowd. They may be hiding their pain.

Love the one that acts like you don’t exist. God sees you.

The list could go on and on. The point is, when we focus on what really matters (love), instead of fitting in, we grow in the knowledge and understanding of Christ. When our focus shifts from self to the Savior, we see others and ourselves in a different light – His light.

No perfect place In a perfect world, church would be the place where everyone fits in.

But we are not, and our churches are not, part of a perfect world. So, what do you do when disappointment falls on your heart because you still don’t fit in, even at church? You choose to love.

Not fitting in is part of my testimony. I attended eight different schools from kindergarten to twelfth grade and I never “grew up” in a single church. I was turned away from youth groups, made fun of at school and left hanging dry when I simply needed someone to help me through tough times.

In a culture where so much emphasis is placed on fitting in, it’s no wonder our heart aches to be part of the crowd. Whether that crowd is at school, at work or even at church, God does not want fitting in to compromise our relationship with him.

Along the way, no matter where my feet landed, I began to understand that if I keep loving, God reveals what really matters. It is following a Savior who loves me so much, he died for me. He died for you, too.

(Romans 5:8) And it’s because of his love that the empty spaces in our hearts that long to fit in are replaced by love overflowing for each other.

Becky Reeder is a wife, mom, teacher and writer from Lufkin, TX. Though her roots are in Kentucky and Indiana, she has lived in Lufkin since 2012. She has a heart for teaching God’s word and shares her life-story she calls R E M A D E through her blog at beckyreeder.com.

When she is not writing or helping her husband lead college students at their church, she is traveling, or working on a new painting and design projects. Becky has been married to Michael for 28 years. They have four children and one grandchild.

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co m m u ni ty | GE T F I T

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

8 WAYS

FAT EFFECTS THE FEMALE BODY

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As women these days, the

ability to multi-task â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to be a high-performance employee, business-

owner, daughter, spouse,

parent, etc. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has become

a badge of honor, albeit a

heavy one for many of us.

Feeling like a stressedout, stretched thin and

tired version of our own

self can be an obstacle to not only our daily grind,

but to our health, as

well. Anxiety and stress

can cause high blood pressure, depression

and sleeplessness;

unfortunately for women,

these dangers also can

lead to weight gain. Read on to see the dangers

associated with weight

gain in women.

1: HEAD - The risk of migraines increases by

almost 40% in younger women with general or

belly obesity, according to the American Headache

Society.

2: BRAIN - Being underweight was associated with a 36% higher risk of developing dementia, while being obese conferred a 42% higher risk,

per a study done at the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

3: HEART - One study found that overweight

people have a 32% higher risk of coronary artery disease than those at a normal weight.

4: BREASTS - After menopause, women who are

overweight have a 30% to 60% higher risk of breast

cancer than those at a normal weight.

5: BLOOD SUGAR - According to one study,

women who had BMIs higher than 30 had a twelvefold higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

6: OVARIES - Six percent of infertility cases are

due to being overweight according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine.

7: BONES - One international study found

postmenopausal overweight women had a higher risk of getting vertebral fractures.

8: KNEES - A European study found that

overweight women had six times the risk of

developing knee osteoarthritis of their men counterparts.

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& PLACES

FACES

A N G E L I N A A RT S A L L I A N C E P R E S E N T S J U N I E B . J O N E S , W I N T E R VAC AT IO N S , LU F K I N I S D W I N T E R F O R M A L

&

A MO N G T H E P I N E S B O O K S I G N I N G

( P L A C E S & FA C E S P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y L I S A C R O W A N D VA L E N A S P R A D L E Y )

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

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | A N G E L I N A A RT S A L L I A N C E P R E S E N T S J U N I E B . J O N E S

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During the holidays, everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite first grader showed up at the Angelina Arts Alliance to celebrate! It was holiday fun with a lesson about giving; a perfect treat for the holiday season! The Junie B. Jones series has sold over 60 million copies in North America alone, has been translated into multiple languages, and is a beloved and time-honored staple in elementary school classrooms around the world.

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

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | W I N T E R VA C AT I O N S

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Winter break was an enjoyable time for many families this past December. Sun, sand, snow and sleds... as these photos show, our readers had a wonderful time during the Christmas season.

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

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | W I N T E R VA C AT I O N S

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | LU F K I N I S D W I N T E R F O R M A L

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Lufkin High School Winter Formal, celebrated at Crown Colony Country Club.

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

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | LU F K I N I S D W I N T E R F O R M A L

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | A MO N G T H E P I N E S B O O K S I G N I N G

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Anne Brookshire has been a wedding photographer for eight years & captures lifelong love with the beauty of film. Originally a Dallas native, she moved to East Texas with her husband five years ago. In December of 2018, Anne published her first book, Among the Pines; a volume showcasing all the things that make East Texas great. A book signing was held at Spruce for family, friends and special guests.

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p l a c e s & f a c e s | A MO N G T H E P I N E S B O O K S I G N I N G

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

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TO:

Our Advertisers

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

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

American EChem broke ground yesterday on their soon-to-be expansion to their facility on Kurth Drive. The project is expected to take roughly a year and will provide 20-25 new jobs for Lufkin.

Congratulations EChem on your success!

Welcome Jeremy Branske State Farm to Lufkin! Jeremy, his wife Melissa and their six children have recently moved to Lufkin from Las Vegas, NV. Jeremy has made it his mission to treat his customers with integrity and honesty as well as adhering to high ethical standards. His passion is to serve others, as well as, use his knowledge and God given talent to help others reach their financial and life goals. Stop by Jeremy at 1105 S Timberland Dr, Lufkin, TX 75901.

Losing electricity today did not stop attendees from enjoying 2019’s first, First Friday Luncheon. Thank you to Dr. Sylvia Leal from TLL Temple Foundation for educating everyone on what the Angelina Nacogdoches Area Manufacturing Council has in store for our community. A big thanks to the presenting Sponsor, Lufkin Coca Cola Bottling Company and our other sponsors, Merrill Lynch, Loggins Plumbing and Lufkin City Economic Development Corporation for making the lunch possible.

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your | C H A L L E N G E

Grace always shocks.

Grace always stuns.

GRACE IS ALWAYS what we need.

It 's what ever yone groping around los t in the dark has to know:

Turn toward grace and you turn on all the lights.

74 | F E B RUA RY 2 0 1 9

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ARE YOU A PRO OR JUST A HOBBYIST? SHARE YOUR BEST PHOTOGR APHY WITH US A ND GIVE YOUR JOURNEY SOME EXPOSURE. SELECTED PHOTOGR APHS WILL APPEAR IN THE JOURNEY MAGAZINE. PLEASE SEND YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION (300 DPI) IMAGES TO kkhudman@yahoo.com INCLUDE YOUR NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND ANY TITLE YOU WISH TO GIVE YOUR PHOTO. WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR JOURNEY IN THE BEST MAGAZINE!

A TOAST AT THE NORTHSTAR SKI RESORT IN LAKE TAHOE! - BY SARAH ALVIS

MY BOYS AND I IN FRONT OF THE GINGERBREAD SUPERDOME IN NOLA - BY DR. KARINA URQUIA

LESS THAN A YEAR TILL "I DO." -BY VANESSA GARCIA

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DEVIL'S POOL @ VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA, AFRICA - BY ROBIN FLOURNOY

GARRETT JAMES DOVER, BORN 10/23/2018 - BY MACI DOVER

ENJOYING THE MET GALA - BY BOB AND JEAN BOWERS

FUN IN GALVESTON - BY VALENA SPADLEY

ENJOYING THE SHORES OF LAKE MICHIGAN WITH THE GIRLS! - BY JENNIFER WEBSTER

ICE FISHING IN WISCONSIN - BY KELLY HUBER

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HENRY MURPHY & HIS HORSE LADYBUG AT THE PINEYWOODS YOUTH RODEO ASSOCIATION RODEO - BY BREANNA MURPHY

OUR FUTURE AGGIES - BY JENNIFER LA CORTE

LOVING D.C. - BY BECKY COTA

THE GABRIEL FAMILY TAKES ON NEW YORK AT ROCKEFELLER CENTER TO WATCH THE TEXANS BEAT THE JETS AT METLIFE STADIUM - BY DEANNE GABRIEL

MUSIC FEST 2019 IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - BY HEATHER FARR

WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR WHOLE FAMILY WEAR MATCHING PJâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S - BY STEPHANIE CLIFTON

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#naturebasedlife

NATURESEYECONSULTING.COM | 888.381.4638 February2019.indd 78

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L A N D S C A P E B E H O L D E R S | B A C K YA R D B A S I C S | O U T D O O R E V E N T S | E AT O U T D O O R S

J

JOU R N EY OUT D O ORS

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Landscape Beholders WRITTEN BY - EMILY COURTNEY

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“The difference

between landscape and landscape is small, but there is

great difference in the beholders.”

R A L PH WA L D O EM ER SO N Recently, I found an old copy of Emerson’s Essays. I began my writing about Nature’s Eye inspired by a quote from Emerson, but admittedly I’m not overly familiar with much of his writing, so I was excited to delve into it more deeply. He wrote on subjects ranging from history to art, love to spirituality, intellect to character, and of course, nature. I naturally skipped to the Nature essay first, and, inevitably, came across a quote that struck me: “The difference between landscape and landscape is small, but there is great difference in the beholders.”

This sparked a long and winding string of thoughts and musings. Initially I balked, thinking, “there’s vast difference between landscapes?! How could he come to that conclusion?” I re-read the surrounding paragraph a few times to see if maybe I’d missed something in the context. As it sunk in, a particular moment from a college course came rushing back to me, when a professor had pointed out how subtly landscapes can change in space. He demonstrated how change in elevation as slight as a

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couple of feet could alter soil types and plant communities. I began to wonder if maybe Emerson knew this, too.

It made me think about all the different landscapes I have seen: mountains, river valleys, prairies, deserts.

They do seem different to me. But, there is a commonality.

There is a horizon.

There is the earth itself, and the sky. All landscapes share common elements to their composition. It’s all nature, and the beauty of nature is consistent everywhere she resides. Perhaps that was his point.

However, that wasn’t the end of his thought, and I wonder if possibly his ultimate meaning was less about the landscapes themselves and more about how we, the beholders, relate to them.

All of our life experiences boil down to perception. The way we perceive the world around us ultimately determines how we experience life. It is circular, however, as our perceptions are also shaped by our experiences. The crux of the line seems to be that we all have different perceptions and that translates to how we perceive nature as well. For some reason, Emerson felt it was important to convey that.

Perhaps it’s because he knew that there would come a time when people would have to agree upon a value to place on wild places. He knew we would have to decide what a landscape is worth, or how many dollars to assign to a mountain, and he knew that each person that beheld such places would value them differently.

Maybe he knew that our perceptions of nature would shape how we cared for it. Knowing that some beholders of landscapes were also stewards of them, he may have hoped to inspire cooperation between conservationists.

The truth of Emerson’s sentiment can

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clearly be seen in current conservation and land management, with a wide range of perspectives bringing a variety of different approaches to the field. Each individual biologist, conservationist, land manager, farmer or rancher, has their own unique appreciation for nature. At some point in their life, they looked out across a landscape and decided it was worth caring for. Whatever they saw, whatever their perception was, it inf luenced their future work. Different managers can approach the same property and have completely different ideas about the best way to manage it. There are disputes over land use, where one beholder will see the perfect landscape for a farm, and the other will see a forest. There is no one right way in conservation, and I think that’s the beauty of Emerson’s thought; that he allowed space for everyone’s different perceptions.

Embracing the different perceptions of nature and ideas for conservation can be a great thing in our field. Nature thrives on variety. Having a variety of management practices used on properties and a variety of land use alternatives chosen across landscapes is a positive direction.

At the end of the day, I can’t know for sure what Emerson intended, or the purpose behind what he wrote. I can only read his words and let them ripple through my mind, creating a waterfall of my own thoughts. It seems to me that he wanted to bring to our attention that we all perceive nature differently, but that nature’s beauty is a constant, immune to the whims of our perceptions. I think he also wanted us to think about how we might work together, despite those different perceptions. Or, perhaps he simply meant that we can each take in a scenic view of a mountain and appreciate it in our own way. Intended or not, his words inspired a newfound appreciation for the varied perceptions each of us have as landscape beholders.

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B A S I C S

TREE PLANTING PREP

Late winter can be the perfect time for planting new trees. Planting seedlings when they are dormant

allows them to settle in to their new site before spring green-up. This timing also capitalizes on the rainy season in many areas around the country. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been thinking about adding a few more leaf-bearers

to your yard or property, here are a few reasons why you should, and some things to consider during your preparation process.

TREE BENEFITS

Trees can provide wildlife with all three of the elements they need to survive (food, shelter, and water). Trees can provide us with increased aesthetic appeal for our property or a natural visual buffer where privacy is needed. Trees can provide an effective form of erosion control through the way their roots grasp the soil.

PLANTING PREP - Identify your vision -

Are you planting trees for wildlife food or for aesthetics? Shade trees or a fruit orchard?

Determining your purpose will allow you to determine the rest of the process, and the types of trees you should consider.

- Survey existing trees -

A quick look around to understand the existing species composition on your property is a key element when planting something new. This information can give you insight into which types of trees grow best there, and what might be lacking if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking to supplement wildlife food sources.

- Suit your site -

Soil type and rainfall are the two of the most important considerations for matching a tree species to the correct site for optimal growth. Do your homework to determine which species that will fit your needs and fulfill your purpose, and will also grow well with your site conditions.

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OU T D O OR EV EN T S FEBRUA R Y 2019 E V EN T S C A L ENDA R

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TEXAS

Here in East Texas, we just happen to be living amidst some of the best outdoor recreational opportunities in the country. This is partly due to our own gorgeous state, but also partly because we happen to be neighbors with states that call themselves “Sportsman’s Paradise” and “The Natural State”. This puts us in prime position for all the outdoor fun anyone could handle. Check out these few places and events we’ve gathered here, and drop by the website of each individual state for a more comprehensive calendar!

Visit tpwd.texas.gov for more info and registration.

STATE PARK EVENTS FEBRUARY 2:

NATURE CUBS CLUB – SHELDON LAKE STATE PARK

the East Texas forest and discover the health benefits of being outdoors. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, bring water, and be ready for a 3.0 mile moderate hike. Meet at the Multiuse trailhead near the Blackjack Campground.

FEBRUARY 6:

HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM: STAR IN THE SKY – MARTIN DIES, JR. STATE PARK

Join Ranger Amy to learn about the life of our star. Registration required.

FEBRUARY 9:

WOODPECKERS! – TYLER STATE PARK

Let’s take a walk through the forest to find as many of Tyler State Park’s seven woodpecker species as we can. We will learn how each has its own niche to fill.

Join the monthly meeting of the Nature Cubs Club at Sheldon Lake State Park! This club is for kids and has been created by kids.

Club members will have a chance to meet other nature lovers, learn about a topic, and then explore the park together! Be sure to bring water, bug spray, and closed toe shoes. All programs and events are FREE and meet at the Pond Center.

FEBRUARY 16:

ANNUAL KID FISH CLINIC – FORT BOGGY STATE PARK

FEBRUARY 2:

BACKCOUNTRY HIKE SERIES – TYLER STATE PARK Escape into the forest with a backcountry hike. Learn about

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Youth (age 5-12 years) and adults can learn the basics of fishing.

Equipment and bait will be provided, or bring your own gear.

Topics will include; knot-tying, fishing rules and regulations, fish ID/habitat, safety, environmental stewardship, beginner/advanced casting and an opportunity to catch rainbow trout.

Pre-registration is available, but not required.

FEBRUARY 23:

FORT SHERMAN DAYS 2019 – LAKE BOB SANDLIN STATE

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PARK Join us as we go back in time to view our area history. Come experience the early 1800s from authentic fur trappers, spinsters, settlers and Buffalo Soldiers.

Fort Sherman was commissioned in 1838 and was essential to the founding of local communities.

This event is good for all ages, so bring the whole family out to sit by the campfire and learn about the beginnings of East Texas as we know it today. The schedule will include various demonstrations, a ranger-led historical hike, and a cemetery tour.

OTHER EVENTS FEBRUARY 16:

FLY FISH TEXAS 2019 – TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER – ATHENS, TX

parks in the state, and are both an hour and half drive from Lufkin.

Many other parks host a wide range of activities and events, and there is plenty of outdoor recreation to be found outside the park system as well.

Visit louisianatravel.com for more info on individual events.

FEBRUARY 9:

PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY – LOUISIANA STATE ARBORETUM, VILLE PLATTE

Visitors will examine the different types of wetlands that occur in the state of Louisiana. A 2.5 mile hike through three different types of wetlands is scheduled so visitors can observe why these wetlands are important to the park. For more information call 888.677.6100 toll free.

ARK ANSAS

FEBRUARY 16: TOAD ABODES – LOUISIANA STATE ARBORETUM, VILLE PLATTE Join the site naturalist to learn all about toads and why they are good for your garden. Participants can then paint a toad house to take home with them. For more information call 888.677.6100 toll free.

Part of our border with Louisiana is made up of the expansive and extremely popular Toledo Bend reservoir. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the eastern shore of this beautiful system of lakes, Louisiana maintains two state parks here, North Toledo Bend and South Toledo Bend. They are two of the most scenic and visited

WETLANDS – LOUISIANA STATE ARBORETUM, VILLE PLATTE

Participants will learn all the basic techniques to make a pine needle basket. Materials are provided.

Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. $10 per person.

For more information call 888.677.6100 toll free.

Fly Fish Texas is held at TFFC each spring in cooperation with Texas fly fishing clubs. You can learn to tie flies, practice casting, learn about fish and their habitats and even fish for rainbow trout and bass. Expert fly fishers conduct seminars and demonstrations, and you can try out kayaks and other gear. It's all included with your regular admission!

LOUISIANA

FEBRUARY 23:

The Arkansas wilderness is famous for it’s natural beauty. If you’re looking for a little different scenery to explore for a long weekend, you might find it here.

There are ample opportunities for all types of outdoor recreation at Arkansas state parks, as well as fun and educational family activities. Visit arkansasstateparks. com for more information on individual events.

FEBRUARY 1:

CRITTER CRUNCH – DAISY STATE PARK (KIRBY, AR) Daisy State Park provides diverse

habitat for species large and small. Join us as we discover some of the smaller creatures and feed lunch to our co-interpreters, our speckled king snake and turtles.

FEBRUARY 8:

SPORTING GOODS SWAP MEET – JANET HUCKABEE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY NATURE CENTER FORT SMITH, AR

Buy, sell or trade old or new fishing, hunting and outdoor gear. No

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firearms allowed. Civic organizations, church groups and other groups are welcome to gather sporting items and have a table.

For those who want to get rid of old items and don’t want to set up a table, the nature center will accept items as donations.

To reserve a free vendor table or for more information, call the nature center 479-452-3993 or email danielle.simmons@agfc. ar.gov.

FEBRUARY 9:

COUPLES FISHING DERBY – JANET HUCKABEE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY NATURE CENTER - FORT SMITH, AR Bring your sweetheart to this couples fishing derby. Participants must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid Arkansas fishing license and trout stamp.

Daily limits and fishing regulations apply. The couple with the overall largest weight of fish will win an overnight stay at Mount Magazine Lodge (subject to availability), courtesy of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation.

Registration is required. Call 479-452-3993 to register or for more information.

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BRAISED RABBIT Preparation Time: 45 minutes Cooking Time: 90 minutes Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS 2 cottontail rabbits 1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup stock (made from spare rabbit parts, or may use chicken stock) Extra virgin olive oil New potatoes Sliced carrots Celery Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS Use a large cast iron dutch oven with a lid for this recipe.

This dish can be cooked over a grill, open fire, or a cook top. Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pot and place it on your grill or fire pit, allowing it to heat up sufficiently.

While the pot is heating, season the rabbit meat with salt and pepper. Once the dutch oven is hot, sautĂŠ the onion and garlic until tender, but not browned.

Add the rabbit and as many of the remaining vegetables (potatoes, carrots, celery) as desired, leaving enough room for the stock. Pour the stock over, just partially covering the rabbit and vegetables. Add any other desired seasonings or additional salt and pepper. Place the lid on the dutch oven and allow to simmer for about 45 minutes.

If cooking on a grill or fire pit, try to maintain as consistent heat as possible.

Stir occasionally, and flip the rabbit after about 45 minutes.

Let simmer for another 45 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on your heat source. The meat will be tender and beginning to fall off the bone when done.

Dip the meat and vegetables out of the stock, allow to rest for a few minutes, and serve.

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FEBRUARY 2019

THE

magazine 'n a t u r e - b a s e d l i f e'

HOM E T OU R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D | GA N DY NO T E S AG G I E

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O W N E D

A N D

O PER AT E D

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