CELINA TM
September 2016 | $2.50 Celina’s Community Magazine Since 2014
CelinaMagazine.com
CISD POLICE DEPARTMENT BOBCAT PRIDE | NEW CELINA POLICE STATION
PROSPER DERMATOLOGY OPEN 5 DAYS A WEEK & SELECT SATURDAYS
JENNIFER SNIPES, MPAS, PA-C
NATALIE WRIGHT, MD
MICHAEL MCGUINESS, MD
2440 EAST PROSPER TRAIL SUITE 70 PROSPER, TX 75078 469-481-3001 3 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU: PROSPER | PLANO | FLOWER MOUND
GENERAL DERMATOLOGY
|
COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY
|
SKIN CARE
M C G U I N E S S D E R M AT O L O G Y. C O M
Appointments 7am–7pm! Call Today for Your Appointment! © Chrisad, 2016
214-851-0130
Meet Dr. Ganjoor
We Love Insurance & Maximize Your Benefits!
3248 South Preston Road • Suite 140 • Celina We are located at the intersection of Preston Road & Road 83, at the edge of Carter Ranch.
CelinaFamilyDentistry.com
See Our BOBCAT Pride!
Celina Town Center
1060 S. Preston Rd., Ste. 100 | Celina, TX 75009
972-382-2020 | www.LoneStarVision.com
Let us Build Your Dream Retreat
Patio Covers | Arbors | Outdoor Kitchens & Fireplaces Stone Patios & Walls | Landscape Lighting | Custom Landscaping
S e a s on s L a n d s c ap e . c om | 9 7 2 - 4 9 1 - 2 5 1 1 September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
5
Contents
12
Celina’s Community Magazine Since 2014
September 2016 VOL III, Issue 6 Published By Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Editorial/Marketing Director Heather Reynolds Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com
Featured St ories
10 CISD Police Department
12 Bobcat PRIDE 18 New City Council Chamber 20 Party Perfect Tips for your BBQ In Every Issue
8 CISD News 16 In Good Taste 22 In His Presence
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Celina! For up to date news, events and web-exclusive content visit www.CelinaMagazine.com
6
CELINA TM
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
FOLLOW US!!
Production/Creative Director Jason Reynolds Jason@CedarbrookMedia.com Senior Account Executive Michele Vasquez Michele@Cedarbrookmedia.com Contributing Writers Rick DeMasters | Jill Roza | Heather Reynolds Jessica Matehuala | Karen Ehman Photography Contributors Cedarbrook Media | Chris Fritchie Studios Holly Farrow Photography Production/Design Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Admin@CedarbrookMedia.com Editorial Please send editorial considerations to Heather@CedarbrookMedia.com Advertising Information For media kits, contact Advertising at
972.347.6231
or email us at Sales@CedarbrookMedia.com Visit our website at www.CelinaMagazine.com Celina Magazine P.O. Box 405, Prosper, Texas 75078 972.347.6231 | www.CelinaMagazine.com A Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC Publication
CedarbrookMedia Connect | Engage | Prosper
Celina Magazine is wholly owned and published by Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. Celina Magazine is published 12 times a year. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or copied whole or in part without expressed written permission from the publisher, Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC. Š 2016. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. The title and all material are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. Although the greatest of care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at time of going to press, neither Celina Magazine nor Cedarbrook Media Group, LLC can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors.
Complimentary
Exam and X-Rays with Teeth Cleaning ~$240 value~
Free
Orthodontic Consultation & Treatment Plan
~$400 Value~ *Includes all necessary x-rays
Smile Makeovers | Adult/Children’s Braces Implants | Bridges Wisdom Teeth Removal | IV Sedation Available Partials/Crowns | Gum Disease Treatment Zoom! In-Office Whitening Dentures | Veneers | Root Canal Therapy Most Insurances Accepted & Filed Emergency Appointments Available In-Office Sleep Dentistry Dr. Thomas Chandler
Proudly serving the Prosper community and surrounding areas.
972-346-2080
Dr. Jeff Gilson
Continuing his 10 years of clinical Excellence in Prosper!
110 N. Preston Rd., Suite #10, Prosper, TX 75078
www.ProsperDentistryAndOrtho.com
CISD News
From the Desk of Mr. Rick DeMasters Celina ISD Superintendent of Schools A few weeks ago, our campuses opened their doors for the 20162017 school year. As I watched our young families make their way into the elementary foyer, I couldn’t help but notice the smiles on the students as they were showing their parents the way to their new classrooms. Moments later, a Kindergarten mother who told everyone that she would not cry began to tear up as her son went to his seat and said, “I’m good Mom,” and like that was no longer in need of her assistance. Our Kindergarten staff already had on hand little bags of Hershey’s Kisses for the parents who were in need of extra hugs and kisses as they found it a little harder to leave their precious children that first morning. What makes Celina special?... It is the student that arrives at his or her campus smiling and laughing with hopes of getting in a quick hug and words of encouragement from their previous teacher before making their way to their new classroom. It is our parents that provide their input and time to help organizations like C.A.R.E. or P.T.A .provide money and resources for our students to be prepared to take on the world once they leave our campuses. It is our community that supports the district and our goals. Finally, it is our faculty and staff that go out of their way to make sure that our students are loved, feel safe, and are given numerous paths to succeed in and out of the classroom setting. As I have mentioned many times, we are on the cusp of growth and are working with our city officials to design the Celina of tomorrow. Our new elementary campus located behind Carter Ranch is scheduled to open its doors August of 2017. Preliminary groundwork, including the installment
8
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
of piers and plumbing have been completed. Power to the site is scheduled to be in by the middle of September. Playground equipment and furniture for the new campus will be decided in the months to come. The district has also been in communications with a new developer, Cambridge Crossing and have closed on fifteen acres located within the development as a future school site for Celina ISD. The developer hopes to be moving dirt with rooftops going in by the last quarter of 2017. The first phase will have a total of 750 homes, with a grand total of 3000 homes at the completion of the development. Psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “ In any given moment, we have two choices to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.” At Celina ISD, we only have one choice and that is to step forward. Stepping back will not provide us with the security we need to give our students classrooms where learning can take place without interference of overcrowding conditions. Stepping back will not stop the growth that continues the urgent need for more housing. The safety actually falls upon the organizational planning that has been taking place over the last few years. Planning alone will not alleviate our growing pains, but will provide outlets and avenues to make them more manageable. In turn, we will continue to serve the students of Celina through our community, traditions, core values and the embracement of excellence. No matter how large we grow, those four attributes will lead Bobcats now and those who will be wearing the orange and white in future generations.
Let Our Family Take Care ofYours
Medical, Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology mckinneydermcenter.com
Medical Procedures:
Skin Cancer Surgery • Mohs Surgery • Skin Cancer Screenings • Mole Removal Dry Skin & Rashes • Cyst Removal • Nail Problems • Acne • Eczema • Rosacea • Psoriasis Skin Allergies • Hair Loss • Skin Tags
Cosmetic Procedures:
Botox/Dysport • Restylane/Juvederm • Zeltiq CoolSculpting • Ultherapy/Skin Tightening • SkinPen Microneedling • Photofacials • Chemical Peels • Facials • Brow & Lash Tinting Fraxel Laser Resurfacing • Laser Hair Removal • Microdermabrasion • Spider Veins Brown Sun Spots • Waxing
5971 Virginia Parkway, Suite 100 | 5913 Virginia Pkwy., Suite 300 | McKinney, Texas 75071
972.542.4646
September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
9
Celina ISD Opens District Police Department
By Jill Joseph Roza
At least once a day, I get that phone call with an unfamiliar number from a city or state that no relatives or friends presently live. I tell myself not to answer it, due to the fact that nine times out of ten, it’s a company wanting to sell me life insurance, home warranties, or they heard I could use 10,000 dollars and all I have to do is give them a call. Well, just recently that call came from Boston, but this time, on the other end was a high school friend with whom I had only exchanged Christmas cards and newsletters with over the past thirty years. We spent the next hour reminiscing about our high school years, the teachers, the old boyfriends and finally to our favorite topic Chief, who was our high school police officer. Nothing but great memories flooded back about Chief. Now, as an adult, I have no idea how he put up with all of us, but he must have had an extraordinarily high level of patience. The drama, the rollercoaster of emotions, and the usual highs and lows that come with being a teenager was his “beat.” He was someone we could talk to, bounce ideas off of, and he always gave great advice. The relationships he made year after year helped many of the fifteen hundred students that walked our halls, which in some cases changed the wayward path they were traveling to one of hope and promise. With the tragic events of Columbine and Sandy Hook, most people think that school districts just recently added School Resource Officers, and/ or established police departments within their districts, but actually both entities have been an integral part of the campus climate since 1953. School Resource Officers, or SRO’s for short are sworn law enforcement officers employed by the local police department to work with the school district administration to create an environment that is safe for both students and
10
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
faculty. When problems arise, the SRO must go through the local agency if the issues escalate to the arrest level. This increases the call load for city officers and reduces their ability to perform enforcement and crime prevention activities elsewhere. In the State of Texas, the legislature allows school districts to create their own police departments. Argyle, Aubrey, Melissa, and Prosper School Districts have all formed their own Police Agencies. Police Department Officers within a school district are required to be state certified and academy trained. They are completely independent of other agencies and solely under the direction of the Superintendent. ISD Police Departments investigate all crimes on school property and can cross county and city limits if determined by their school boards. ISD officers undergo extensive training in school based law enforcement, active shooter response, human trafficking and truancy violations. Celina ISD started looking into the possibility of creating their own district police department many years ago. With the fact that our district will be growing at a rapid rate over the next ten years, the district felt the time was right to create a district police force. The force would not only provide security for all campuses, but would be committed to fostering positive relationships between the department and Celina students much like Chief did for our student body. Mr. Kelly Davidson, Chief of Melissa ISD Police was a presenter at the CISD School Board meeting last January where he shared his expertise regarding the advantages of having an ISD police department such as; developing relationships, working with students and parents before truancy becomes an issue, and being able to redirect students before the criminal justice system takes over.
We look forward to serving you with a mortgage strategy to make your dream of home ownership come true!
Lynn Reed www.lynnreed.net
(972) 483-5495 NMLS #251648
Former Information Technology Engineer and Security Director, Mr. Bobby Manson was one of four candidates for the position having been recommended by Mr. Kelly Davidson, Melissa ISD Police Chief and Mr. Chad Vessels, Prosper ISD Chief of Police. Mr. Manson attended the Collin County Law Enforcement Academy starting in 2013. The City of Celina Police Department commissioned Mr. Manson as an officer with their department in 2014, and was also commissioned with the Prosper Police Department during his eighteen months of Field Training. He is required to have forty hours of training every two years and at present, has in almost 500 hours of training specifically in School Based Law Enforcement, not including additional training through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA) in the areas of school incident command, crisis management, and emergency planning. Mr.Manson understands the importance of the role he has been given. He is excited about building positive relationships starting with the youngest of our Bobcats, so that when they finally walk through the doors of the high school, they will have someone they can trust and have built a relationship with over the years. When asked about his new position, he states “it’s about the kids and earning their trust, so that we can steer them in the right direction, before negative influences take over.” Knowing first hand the relationships we built with Chief those many years ago, the students of Celina will have the same opportunity to build a relationship with Chief Manson that will give them the insight and skills to keep them on the path to success.
Let’s Go BOBCATS WAYNE BARTLEY Car ing for Clients and Community
®
Wayne Bartley, REALTOR
Owner, RE/MAX Performance Group
972.658.5108
WayneB@remax.net
PERFORMANCE G R O U P
/ProsperCelinaHomes September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
11
Bobcat PRIDE Fall 2016
Celina Bobcats – Varsity Volleyball Coach: Michele Tucker
4 – Damie Morgan
8 – Crystal Lawlis
20 – Abby Martin
1 – Lauren Tibble
5 – Kaylan Yarbrough
9 – Hannah Hodges
21 – Grace Tuinstra
2 – Kylee Meares
6 – Avery Hodges
14 – Barbara Teakell
3 – Casey Thomas
7 – Annie Griffith
15 – Sadie Southwell
Celina Bobcats – Varsity Football 12
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
2016 Schedule 8/8 – Ford (A)
(972)382-4433 or (972)382-VETS (8387)
www.mycelinavet.com
8/9 – DeSoto (H)
400 N. Preston Rd. Celina Tx 75009
8/12 – Ponder (A) 8/13 – Godly (A)
Allison M. Stead DVM Angie Campbell DVM
8/16 – Sherman (A) 8/19 – Allen Tournament 8/30 – Whitesboro (A) 9/13 – Krum (H) 9/16 – Sanger (A) 9/23 – Aubrey (A) 9/30 – Bonham (H) 10/11 – Aubrey (H) 10/18 – Bonham (A)
Dental e Procedur s Discount r in Octobe Small Animal Medicine and Surgery All Dog and Cat Breed Grooming and Boarding
Coach: Bill Elliott
Jill H. Sentlinger DDS Lara L. Coseo DDS, FAGD Cara Kessler DDS
Prosper Family Dentistry provides customized dental care for every member of the family. Our team has over 120 combined years of dental experience. Dr Jill, Dr Lara and their team incorporate the latest advances in dentistry with traditional principles to provide each patient with individualized care. Whether you desire a routine check-up and cleaning or a complete smile makeover, we are here to meet your needs!
2016 Schedule 8/26 – Princeton (A) 9/2 – Liberty Christian (H) 9/9 – Argyle (A) 9/16 – YMLA (A) 9/23 – Pinkston (H) 10/7 – Caddo Mills (H)
Prosper Family Owned & Operated
Serving Prosper And The Surrounding Area Since 2004
201 N. Preston Rd., Ste. A, Prosper, TX 75078 | ProsperFamilyDentistry.com
972-347-1145
10/14 – Community (A) 10/21 – Melissa (H) 10/28 – Bonham (A) 11/4 – Aubrey (H) September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
13
Bobcat PRIDE Fall 2016 Celina Bobcats Varsity Cross Country Coach: Tim Moore 2016 Schedule 8/20 – Celina Relay Meet 9/1 – HS Gingerbread Run (A) 9/10 – McKinney Boyd Meet (A) 9/17 – Celina Fun Run (H) 9/24 – Pottsboro Meet (A) 10/1 – Celina FCA Meet (H) 10/8 – Melissa Meet (A) 10/18 – District Meet (A) 11/12 – State Meet (A)
2016 Roster Catalina Bradley McKenna Dunn Rachel Dunn Aubrey Duffield Mackenzie Graf Tori Howard Celeste Knowles Macy Robinson Ansley Smith
Celina Bobcats
Bailey Smith
Varsity Cheerleaders
Kylee Terry
Coach: Jennafer Smullin
Celina High School Band Director: Lance Bell 14
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
Delaney Wright
Celina High School Las Gatitas Director: Kelly Babb
September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
15
In Good Taste
Fast Family Meals as Easy as 1-2-3 As summer comes to an end and the reality of back-to-school season sets in, it can be challenging to get organized and jump back into your day-to-day routine. But even as things get hectic, it’s still possible to create delicious dishes that leave you plenty of time to savor meals together as a family using a few simple tips and tricks. Whether the weeknight dinner rush puts you in a panic or you’re simply looking to spice up the same old lunchbox staples, these three steps will make it easy to assemble quick, flavorful dishes ideal for the busy back-to-school season.
1. Plan a weekly menu and shop accordingly so you can avoid scrounging to piece together a meal from the odds and ends in the pantry on a night when you’re already pressed for time. Meal planning eliminates all of the guesswork, so your family can enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals while also saving time, money and stress. 2. Rely on a versatile, easy meal-helper that lends itself to a variety of preparations, such as Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork. Packed with protein and already seasoned with juicy, delicious flavor, it’s the perfect base for any weeknight meal. For a hassle-free dinner, try Pork with Balsamic Glaze and Rosemary, which is ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish – less time than it takes the kids to finish their homework. 3. Opt for simple, flavorful dishes that don’t require a ton of ingredients or multiple sides. A zesty take on a traditional favorite, this South of the Border Pizza is convenient, kid-friendly and a great way to banish lunchtime boredom. Use this recipe as a starting point then experiment with more toppings to create your own unique family recipe. Find more family friendly and time-saving recipe ideas at Smithfield. com.
16
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
Pork with Balsamic Glaze and Rosemary Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 25 minutes
Paint & Body
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 Smithfield Applewood Smoked Bacon Marinated Fresh Pork Loin Filet, cut into 3/4- to 1-inch thick chops 1/4 cup prepared balsamic vinegar glaze 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
CT Concepts is a Total Paint & Body Shop Solution Domestic and Foreign Automobiles. We back our work with a "Written Lifetime Warranty." CT Concepts offers body repair & paint at wholesale pricing*
In large, nonstick skillet, heat half the oil over medium heat.
Spot repair and paint | Complete paint jobs | Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) | Hail Repair | Insurance claims accepted
PATENTED SPRAYLESS SCRATCH REPAIR (SSR) PROCESS. (Only 2 companies in the DFW area are lisc. to use this process.)
Working in two batches, cook pork chops 4-5 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 150 F. Remove pork from skillet and place on rimmed serving platter; cover to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and pork chops.
CT Concepts Paint & Body Shop 6335 N. FM 2478 Ste E | McKinney, TX 75071
Serve pork chops drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with rosemary.
www.ctpaintandbody.com
469.513.1007
* Cash, Credit Card,or Check. Insurance jobs not included.
September Special Patented SSR Sprayless Scratch Repair Normally $90 entire car $60 this month September Special 10% off any repairs
South of the Border Pizza Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes 2 French bread sandwich rolls, halved 8 tablespoons refried black beans 8 tablespoons (2 ounces) Smithfield Anytime Favorites Hickory Smoked Diced Ham 8 slices pepper jack cheese 4 tablespoons picante sauce 4 tablespoons low-fat sour cream Heat oven to 375 F. Place four French bread halves on ungreased sheet pan. Spread 2 tablespoons beans evenly over each bread half. Top each half with 2 tablespoons ham and two cheese slices. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Remove from oven; top each pizza with 1 tablespoon picante sauce and 1 tablespoon sour cream.
Your Premier Plumbing Company! Veteran family owned and operated in North Texas for over 20 years!
North Texas Custom Plumbing 972-382-8324 johncarter@ntxcp.com WWW.NTXCP.COM Discounts for Military, Teachers and Seniors!
September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
17
City Council Chamber/City Hall AnnexThe City Council Chamber and City Hall Annex is currently under construction at the old Methodist Church. The renovation will include refurnishing the first floor for engineering and planning and development staff. Also, all of the windows will be replaced and will add a new platform with improved audio and visual elements for city council members.
Celina Police Station Celina’s Police Department is rapidly growing and will soon have a new building with expanded space. The new police station will be located next to the City Hall Annex building at 112 S. Colorado Street and it will be approximately 3,700 square feet. Construction began on August 1, 2016 and should be completed by October 1, 2016. The new police station will include three offices, a patrol room, a training room, holding cells, interview rooms, and separate workspace for CID and Sergeants.
18
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
Dr. Bietsch has been creating beautiful smiles for over 17 years!!!
221 N. Preston Road, Suite A Prosper, Texas 75078 DrBbraces.com
Dr. Thomas Bietsch, D.D.S.
972-347-2222
New Patient Special! $1,000 OFF BRACES/INVISALIGN Expires 10/1/2016
Get into EVERY local mailbox, reach your target market and grow your business!
Glass and Mirror
Residential & Commercial
Free Estimates 972-762-1347
Mention this ad for 10% off any job Contact us today to start your postcard campaign for as low as $0.34/per card (min. of 5,000 pcs.)
Building your business is our business!
CedarbrookMedia Connect | Engage | Prosper
972.347.6231 | www.CedarbrookMedia.com
Broken & Fogged Window Glass Energy Efficient Replacement Glass Framed/Frameless Shower Enclosures Mirrors and Table Tops Solar Screens and Bug Screens Family Owned with 25+ Years Experience September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
19
Party-Perfect Tips to Boost Your Backyard Barbecue Grilling and entertaining go hand-in-hand, but summer barbecues often mean guests come and go, making it difficult to time your meal so everyone can enjoy savory flavors fresh off the fire. These tips from the grilling gurus at Johnsonville Sausage will help ensure your next backyard bash is a hit from the first bite to the last.
Make grilled meat great Bratwursts are a backyard barbecue staple, and a brat hot tub is the perfect solution to feeding a large group. The tub keeps the brats hot and full of flavor until your guests are ready to snag one. To add some variety to your party menu, you can even create multiple tubs, each designated for a different brat flavor. This recipe shows how easy and delicious this trick can be, especially when you start with a burst of flavor from a seasonal favorite like Johnsonville’s Firecracker Bratwurst, Hatch Green Chile or Jalapeno Cheddar.
Round out the menu Replenishing the spread all day won’t leave you much time for your own celebrating, but with brat hot tubs lining the table and low maintenance side dishes, you can jump in and enjoy the party. Round out your menu with items such as chips, grilled veggies, a simple antipasto platter, corn on the cob, baked beans and grab-and-go desserts such as brownies and cookies. A fan set on low near the food station is a nice trick to help deter uninvited insect guests.
Clean Up Quickly Unfortunately, an exciting backyard barbecue won’t clean itself. When it’s time to take care of the dinner mess, try these simple, quick solutions so you can get back to entertaining your guests: • While the grill is still warm, brush the grates to make sure your tools are ready for next time. If there isn’t a grill brush handy, try crumpling up a sheet of aluminum foil and scraping it along the grates with a pair of tongs. • Instead of dirtying glassware, set out disposable plates, cups and utensils
20
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
to cut down time at the sink or loading the dishwasher. • To keep from roaming the entire yard on trash duty, set wastebaskets or trash bags in plain sight so guests can help clean up as the party goes on. Find more recipes and tips to help step up your grill game at Johnsonville. com.
Brat Hot Tub Prep time: 30 minutes Servings: 6 1 large (11–by-9-inch-by-2 3/8-inch) aluminum foil baking pan 2-3 cans (12 ounces) beer 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium yellow or white onion, sliced 6 Johnsonville Brats, plus additional (optional) Heat grill to 150 F. Place baking pan directly on grill. Pour in beer and add butter and onion slices. Grill brats until juicy and golden-brown, approximately 20-25 minutes, turning occasionally over low flame.
McKinney 972.547.0811 700 N. McDonald Street
Prosper 972.346.5150 430 Business Park Drive
Garland 972.272.8821 2054 Forest Lane Suite 450
www.TheBodyShopTX.com
Serve immediately, placing any remaining brats into steaming hot tub to keep warm.
Whole Body Cryotherapy Now Offering Professional Sunless Tanning! Special Offer for First Time Customers!
$30 Sunless Tanning Session
*Valid August 1, 2016 to September 15, 2016, Use promo code PMSunless
Infrared Sauna | NormaTec® | Massage Therapy* Celluma LED Therapy® | CryoFacial® Targeted Cryotherapy | HydroMassage® Medically supervised and accepted by most FSA/HSA’s *Licensed Massage Therapists
Located in The Shops at Carter Ranch 2750 S. Preston Road, Suite 103 Celina, TX
214.457.3272
info@collincountycryo.com | www.collincountycryo.com September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
21
In His Presence
Calming My Back-to-School Mama’s Heart By Karen Ehman, Proverbs31.org
“Then He went down with them and ca me to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” Luke 2:51-52 Neatly lined notebook paper. Sharpened number two pencils. A brand-new box of brightly-colored crayons. A sturdy lunch box ready for the first PB&J of the year. Permission slips. Sports schedules. Class lists. So many details and so much stuff! This time of year, shopping for 3-ring binders can seem almost like a 3-ring circus. Gone are the lazy days of summer. The fall school routine brings new courses, loads of homework and many extracurricular activities. While the arrival of the school year brings a fresh start — and soon the change of seasons — it can also bring a lot of worry to a mama’s heart. Our thoughts turn toward our children’s interaction with others. We wonder how our timid child will fare in a brand-new classroom, when most of his friends are in another class. We fret about our prank-pulling middle schooler, earnestly hoping he doesn’t make a habit of getting called to the principal’s office. We fear for our high school student, worried she will start hanging around the wrong crowd. Or we stress over academic concerns. Will our struggling first grader ever make progress in her reading? Will math ever click with our fifth grader who gets hives when she sees a story problem? Will our high schooler get into his hopedfor university? Besides relational and academic matters, we also long for kids who are spiritually and physically healthy and strong. If left unchecked, our thoughts and concerns as mothers can wreak havoc on our hearts as we allow the tentacles of worry to choke out our joy. We find an antidote to worry in the gospel of Luke and the story of Mary and Jesus. Luke 2 mentions four areas Jesus grew in as a young boy: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.” Our Lord grew wiser each year. He physically grew. His relationship with His Heavenly Father continually strengthened. Jesus even gained favor with people here on earth who saw Him day to day. And how I love the simple sentence that precedes this: “His mother kept all these things in her heart.” When Mary was mothering Jesus, she tucked thoughts of her son safely in her heart. Some Bible translations say she “treasured” them. Others use the word “cherished.” The original Greek word meant, “to keep safe or hold fast.” In none of these descriptions do we see Mary fretting and fussing, worried and anxious, disquieted and unsettled. She pondered about her son and his growth, but she didn’t allow her mama heart to become rattled. This fall, let’s turn our anxious thoughts into treasured prayers, kept safe and held fast by our loving Father — the one who knows our hearts and loves our children even more than we do. When a concern pops up in our mind, let’s drop to our knees and carry that concern to God. When we start to fear for our child’s future, let’s petition the only one who knows exactly what the future holds. When we turn our worries into our prayers, we create space in our hearts to treasure and cherish the sweet moments with our kids. These paper-and-pencil school days won’t last forever. Let’s delight in all that God is teaching our kids, whether it’s how to read, how to forge friendships or how to solidify their walk with Him. And realize they aren’t the only ones being taught; we moms are learning a life-long lesson in trusting and treasuring, knowing God is always in control.
Father, please help me this year to turn my worries into prayers, knowing You are in control. Allow me to treasure each moment with my children as they grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with others and also with Y ou. In Jesus’ Na me, Amen. 22
CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016
Fall in love with
Your Smile! 972-471-9681 Extended Hours 7am-5pm In-Network With Most Insurances 821 N. Coleman St., Ste. 120 Prosper, Tx 75078
See Our Wonderful Reviews
TC
®
THE CELL 360˚Of Wellness
● Personal Training ● Nutrition ● Lifestyle Changes ● Strength Training
~ Where a handshake still matters ~ EST 1994
Specializing in: Land, Ranches, Homes, and Commercial 972-382-4747 www.HerrinRE.com
Prosper’s Elite Health & Wellness Gym Labor Day Special! If any one joins during the month of September, they will receive a free headband**, 10% off your membership fee and your initiation will be cut in half! *Offer valid the month of September 2016 only **while supplies last
133 Dylan Road, Suite #D, Prosper, TX 75078
TheCell4Life.com
/TheCellinForLife
972-347-6586 /TheCell4Life
September 2016 | CelinaMagazine.com
23
Postal Customer
Brace yourself for another Amazing Season!
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S.POSTAGE PAID Prosper TX Permit #68
Go Bobcats! Free Braces/Invisalign Exam
Check out our 5 star reviews!
Your Smile,Your Life,Your Orthodontist. Call today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic or Invisalign exam.
• • • • •
Dr. Trevor P. Bodine Orthodontic Specialist
972.347.1700 Orthodontic Specialist Individualized Treatment Plans Invisalign and Invisalign Teen State of the Art office In-Network with most dental plans
CHILDREN + TEENS + ADULTS 24
821 N. Coleman, Suite CelinaMagazine.com | September 2016 110,
Prosper, T X 75078 | 972.347.1700 | www.bodineorthodontics.com