Picking up the Paper

I went to Wayne to pick up the paper today. As I’ve said before, it’s always fun to see how it turned out in “real life.” I know the trend is for newspapers to appear online and “real life” print newspapers are becoming fewer and fewer. But I, for one, will never stop reading an actual book or newspaper. One of my favorite things to do is lie in bed, eat popcorn, and read a book . . . I can’t imagine that it would be quite the same “turning pages” on a computer, as it is turning actual paper pages!

I think many others feel the same way, at least I hope they do! There is just something about reading a newspaper that you can feel, and see more than one article at a time, and clip article and cartoons out of to look at again later. I hope that people feel that way about the Nebraska Family Times!

As always, if you have any complaints, compliments, or suggestions about what appears in the paper, or what you’d like to see in it, please let me know! I appreciate your comments—they help me print and write articles that you want to read

Cody's Senior Pictures

Cody had his senior pictures taken today. I still have a hard time believing that he’s a senior! It seems just a short time ago that he started high school. I think the pictures went well (an NO, I didn’t take pictures of Karen taking pictures of him!); it was a little chilly for the outside pictures but the grass is still green and I think she got some good pictures of him.

It's just another reminder that Cody's time at home is limited . . . I've shared before that it's a bittersweet time for me. I pray that we've taught him, and will continue to teach him, what he needs to succeed on his own and become a productive member of society.

AKSARBEN Cattle Show

Cody and Morgan exhibited their cattle, and Morgan her sheep, at the AKSARBEN cattle show this weekend at the Quest Center in Omaha. (Did you know that AKSARBEN is “Nebraska” spelled backwards? I didn’t until several years ago, and still don’t know why they used it as the name of a show . . . )

It was a very successful weekend. One of Cody’s steer, named The Yellow Steer, was a Reserve Division winner, and Morgan’s heifer, Amber, was the Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer! People from 5 states exhibit at AKSARBEN (despite the show being named after “Nebraska”) so it’s a big win. Pictures appear in this post.

Many of our other cattle-showing friends won honors at the show, also. It’s neat to see the kids’ hard work pay off. They work with their animals every day—often putting them in the air-conditioned barns before school, and when the weather is warm, the animals often don’t go back outside until after dark.

Part of the fun is also seeing friends, and it was fun to spend time with and catch up with many of our friends.

October Issue Completed!

October Issue Completed!

The October issue of the Nebraska Family Times is complete! There is always a feeling of satisfaction in getting it done.

A new feature in the Nebraska Family Times is the “From Our Readers” section, where comments from readers will be published. I look forward to what YOU have to say—about the paper or current issues. Your letter could be published! You may submit your letter by e-mail to shelly@shellyburke.net or by regular mail to Nebraska Family Times, 42887 G. G. Road, Genoa, NE, 68640.

October is clergy/pastor appreciation month! In the paper you’ll find ideas for showing your pastor or clergy person how much you appreciate what he (or she) does.

I’ve received several comments/letters regarding listing sponsors of the Nebraska Family Times. When I took over the paper I decided to add more articles and information in the form of The Play Room pages, in place of listing sponsors. However, in light of the comments, we will bring back a list of sponsors in some form, perhaps listing sponsors from a city or several towns, every month. We appreciate our sponsors and THANK them for making the paper available! If you get your paper at a local business, please thank them for making the paper available to you!

We have lost several sponsors in the last few months. In an effort to continue to make the paper available, the Nebraska Family Times has continued to stock papers at those locations. However, the number of papers I can contribute at no cost is limited. Would you or your business like to sponsor the Nebraska Family Times?

You can make a one-time contribution towards sponsorship, or sponsor for one month or as many months as you’d like. A sponsorship costs $10/month for 10 papers to that location; you can sponsor more papers if you’d prefer. Please contact me if you’d like more information. You can reach me by e-mail at shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 750-3496 or (402) 993-2467.

Sad Day

Lori Clausen is a long-time friend and assistant at the Nebraska Family Times. On Friday afternoon her 16 year-old daughter Rachel was in a car accident. Rachel died Saturday, September 19th.

Rachel indicated on her driver’s license that she wanted to donate her organs, and her wishes were granted. Several lives will be changed forever because of her thoughtfulness and generousness.

Rachel was baptized as a baby and confirmed her Christian faith on May 15, 2007. We find joy in knowing we will see her again, but of course are very sad because she is no longer here on earth with us. Please remember Rachel’s parents, Dave and Lori, and her brother Ryan, as well as her grandparents and other relatives and friends, in your prayers.

Starting on the October Issue

I’m starting to work on the October issue of the Nebraska Family Times! It’s always fun to start finding articles for the paper. I’m always on the lookout for potential stories or articles.

This month I’ll be profiling Keith Coleman. Keith is a Christian singer and song-writer from Omaha, NE. Keith was a classmate of Tim’s and mine at Genoa High School, many years ago. It was fun to catch up with Keith and find out about what he’s doing. Check out his website and hear several of his songs at virb.com/keithcoleman.

My Nursing Job and "How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing"

I worked at my nursing job today.

I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl—I gave ballpoint pen “shots” to my dolls and set them up with IV’s that were taped together straws. I’m so glad I went into nursing—I love taking care of people and it’s a career that offers so much flexibility in the way of jobs.

The job I have now is private duty, meaning I go into my patient’s home to take care of her. My “commute” is only about 15 minutes, mostly on country roads! Another nurse and I “share” our job; I work 1-2 days every week and she works the other days. We get to make our own schedule so it’s easy to work around our kids’ activities and days off and other appointments.

I enjoy my nursing career so much that a friend and I wrote a book called How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing. The co-author of the book, Martha Whited, and I became friends shortly after Tim and I moved back to Genoa and I got a job in the local nursing home, where she was the Director of Nursing.

Several years later we decided to write the book. We want it to encourage people who are nurses but not happy with their job, to look for a job that is perfect for them! The book is also ideal for people considering a nursing career—almost 100 different nursing jobs are described, along with techniques for determining during an interview and tour if that job might be the reader’s perfect job. How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing is just $15, including postage and handling, and would make a great gift for any nurse, or anyone considering nursing or entering nursing school!

For more information contact me at shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 750-3496 or (402) 993-2467.

Where Were You?

I think we’ll always remember exactly where we were and what we were doing eight years ago when the terrorist attacks took place.

I remember being very sad that my children would never know a world where “terrorist” wasn’t a word they heard every day.

In the uncertain times after that day, I, like many, many people, wondered what to tell my children (at the time they were 7 and 9 years old), and how to reassure them. I told them the truth. “The likelihood of a terrorist striking in Nebraska are very small . . . the likelihood of it happening near us is even smaller. But if the very, very worst thing happens, we know that we believe in God, and we will be in heaven with Him.”

And the most reassuring thought to me during those turbulent weeks, and still is today; God is in charge. Not terrorists, not politicians, but GOD. Nothing happens that He does not allow to happen (we might not understand WHY He allows it to happen, but He still allows it to happen).

In your prayers today, please remember the people who were affected by the events of that day, and our service men and women who fight all over the world and in the United States, to protect us from threats, most of which we’ll never know about.

Update on Grandpa

Grandpa broke his hip on June 26th, and I’ve shared brief updates of his recovery with you on this blog. Grandpa was transferred to a rehabilitation facility several days after his fall and surgery, and should be returning to his home this weekend!

I’ve talked with him on the phone several times and he sounds just like grandpa! Sometimes I can tell he's a little tired, and depressed . . . but he usually cheers up during our conversation. I think he is anxious to get back into his own home. He lives less than 100 yards from my mom and dad, so they’ll be able to check in on him easily as he continues to recover.

Thank you so much for your prayers and well-wishes for grandpa!

(the picture above was taken on Thanksgiving, 2007; grandpa is in the center of the front row)

Paper Delivery and Mailing

Today was paper delivery and mailing day, in Norfolk. Lori and I were able to do it together again, after several months of conflicting plans. Rain was falling when I picked Lori up at her house, and as we made the first few deliveries, but after we took a break at the Norfolk Coffee Company, the skies cleared. It was nice to see Lori and have the day to talk.

Enjoy the paper! If you receive your issue at your church, doctor’s office, or other business, thank them for sponsoring the paper so you can enjoy it!

FREE Trial Subscription! FREE Book!

I’ve owned and managed the Nebraska Family Times newspaper for almost a year now. I’ve gotten fairly comfortable finding and writing articles and features for the paper, and my next goal is to increase the circulation of the paper.

Have you seen the Nebraska Family Times? The mission of the newspaper is to Inspire, encourage, and motivate you in your Christian walk. Would you like a FREE trial subscription? E-mail me with your name and address and I’ll send you the August and September issues immediately, and the October issue, when it is published, FREE!

After the October issue you’ll be billed just $20 for the November 2009-November 2010 issues (the paper is printed monthly). If you do not want to continue receiving the paper, just write “cancel” on the bill and send it back to me.

Do you have friends or family members who would enjoy the paper? While Nebraska issues are covered in the paper, out-of-state readers will find many articles to enjoy also! Send me the names and addresses of five people, and they will receive three issues FREE, and then be billed as above. By sending me five names, you will receive a FREE copy of my book, Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home!

The paper is also distributed in churches, doctor, dentist, and chiropractor offices, auto dealership and insurance company waiting rooms, grocery stores, and other businesses. Would your business like to sponsor the Nebraska Family Times? Do you know a business in which you’d like to see the paper offered? E-mail me the name and address, and they will receive a FREE three-month sponsorship of 10 papers every month.

After three months, they will be billed just $30 for the next three months, receiving 10 papers/month. Sponsors may cancel at any time also.

Thanks for your help in spreading the word about the Nebraska Family Times!

State Fair Champion!

Morgan showed her heifer, Amber, at the State Fair today. She received the honor of winning Grand Champion Open Class Heifer! Many, many people were involved in making it a successful day, and some of them are pictured here.