Saturday, November 30, 2013

FREE 2014 Verse Card, "God's Promises to You" with gift subscription

A subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is the perfect gift for anyone who appreciates traditional values the old-fashioned way--in their mailbox! The mission of the "Nebraska Family Times" is "to inspire, encourage and motivate readers in their Christian walk." We cover local, state and national news from a Christian point of view, and every issue also includes devotional articles, Bible Study and much more! 



In the past year we've covered:
  • National news from a Christian point of view--including Miley Cyrus's behavior, the suicide of Arial Castro in prison (he was the man who held three women prisoners in his home for a decade), and the Boston Marathon bombing
  • Nebraska news--what the legislature did, what Common Core Educational Standards are and why they are damaging to kids; Nebraska is one of a handful of states who are fighting against adopting the standards
  • Local stories--Bruce Wall, the new director of Camp Luther in Schuyler, NE; Grace Knuth, a Lincoln resident, and her story of adopting a child with Down Syndrome from Bulgaria; Befriend Mentoring Program in Norfolk, Fremont and Columbus; the Global Passion Ministries-Nebraska team's fifth mission trip to Nicaragua coming up in February of 2014, and much more! 
A gift subscription to the "Nebraska Family Times" is perfect for anyone on your list including: 
  • Someone who is shut-in and appreciates reading Christian news
  • A Sunday-School or school teacher
  • A mom of young children who needs encouragement and only has a few minutes at a time to read 
  • Day care provider
  • Elderly friend or relative 
  • Anyone who enjoys reading a "real" newspaper made of paper--not pixels on the internet! 
A one-year, 12-issue subscription is only $20 and with every subscription the recipient (and the gift-giver, if it's a gift subscription) will receive our 2014 verses card, "God's Promises to You."


To order, click "Subscribe to the Nebraska Family Times" in the right hand column of this page, send $20 to PayPal, shelly@shellyburke.net or mail your check to Nebraska Family Times, 209 27th St. #13, Columbus, NE 68601. Questions? E-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net. 

Give a gift of encouragement that will last all year! 

I will be at the Scotus Craft Botique in Columbus, NE, tomorrow! Stop by if you are there--I love to meet readers and if you don't receive the "Nebraska Family Times" pick up a free copy at the craft fair! 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Warrior Open Golf Tournament

By Megan Phillips
Photos by Diana Swanson

United States military veterans, who have been seriously injured in combat since September 11th 2001, gathered in Irving, Texas in late September to participate in the Warrior Open Golf Tournament hosted by former President George W. Bush.  This was the third year of the annual tournament that is held to highlight the sacrifices and resiliency of veterans who have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The tournament kicked off with a practice round that was attended by professional golfers including Lee Trevino and Ryan Palmer.  The following two days showcased a 36-hole competition featuring veterans who have overcome devastating combat injuries like the loss of a limb, and others who are dealing with less-visible wounds such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  These veterans have found that learning to play golf helped give them focus and positive challenges to conquer while recovering from their injuries.  They also shared the camaraderie and fellowship of other veterans who have had similar experiences. 

Wearing matching white caps and blue polo shirts emblazoned with the tournament logo, men who have faced enormous challenges since being wounded enjoyed competing as they mingled with their former Commander-in-Chief and completed two days of golf.  They supported each other as they played for a trophy that few could have imagined earning in the difficult days, weeks and months after suffering their injuries.  More than a few expressed some trepidation about teeing off in front of their famous host, who was always ready with good-natured teasing and encouragement.  Army Sergeant Timothy Gaestel made the first hole-in-one of his life during the first day of the competition.  “They’re willing to overcome serious injuries which is an inspiration not only to me, but should be an inspiration to everybody,” President Bush said. 

The purpose of the tournament was also to highlight various organizations that support veterans and their families.  Representatives from The Folds of Honor Foundation, which grants scholarships to children and spouses of disabled veterans, and The Fisher House, which provides temporary housing adjacent to military hospitals for families of the wounded, were among the organizations represented. 

In the end, the two-time champion of the tournament, Army Corporal Chad Pfeiffer pulled out another victory; he has now won each year since the Warrior Open’s inception in 2011.  All the more impressive, he did it in spite of losing his right leg below the knee, competing with the help of his prosthetic leg. 
 


Veterans Day is November 11th.  To find out how you can get involved in improving the lives of America’s veterans through national volunteer organizations, or to learn more about the Warrior Open Golf Tournament including video highlights and interviews with the warriors, you can visit the website:
 www.bushcenter.org