April Paper is Complete!

WHEW--the April paper is at the Wayne Herald, where it will be printed.

I had most of the articles done and to Jennifer on Wednesday, but I needed a little more time to complete my Editor's Letter. It's the last thing I do every month. I had the editor's letter and a few fillers (short articles to fill any extra space in the paper) by Thursday afternoon.

First thing Friday morning I checked my e-mail for the proof of the paper. It's always amazing to me to see all the articles I've gathered, together in newspaper form. When I send articles to Jennifer I indicate which page they should appear on (some can go wherever they fit) but she arranges them, chooses the font for the titles, and picks out pictures and graphics.

The proof is kind of confusing. Pull out a full sheet of a newspaper, and you'll see that the page numbers on the left side and the right side are not consecutive. Jennifer sends me the proof with the pages laid out like they'll be printed, so, for example, the back page and the front page are on the same computer screen.

I enjoy seeing how all of the articles come together. I proofread the titles and the articles I've written, and make sure that longer articles are continued on the page indicated. I also check to make sure all the advertisements that should appear, are in the paper. Once in awhile I ask Jennifer to find a different graphic, if the one she used isn't what I had in mind. (Last time I did that she said she hadn't been happy with the graphic either, so we both looked for one we liked better).

It's great to work with Jennifer--we've worked together long enough that she knows how I like things set up, and she's always willing to make any changes I ask. She also remembers all the details like making sure the Volume and Issue number are changed each month.

If there are corrections, I e-mail Jennifer and she makes them, e-mails the corrected proof back, and, if there are no more corrections, I give her the "OK" to send the paper to the printer. I'm a perfectionist, so check everything on the proof several times. I know that once I give the "OK" to send the proof to the printer, no more changes can be made! (Once in awhile, when I read the printed paper, I find an error I missed during proof reading...but I'm not going to tell you what mistake I missed or what issue it's in!)

Once I give the OK to send the paper to the printer, I breathe a big sigh of relief---and start to clear off my desk, which is usually buried under a pile of papers by the time I finish the paper!

Foot in Mouth Disease

Do you suffer from "foot in mouth" disease, or know someone who does?

It's happened to all of us--that painful moment of blurting out the wrong words in an effort to say something in the midst of an uncomfortable situation.

What Should I Say? The Right (and Wrong!) Words and Deeds for Life's Sticky, Tricky, Uncomfortable Situations was written for just those moments. What Should I Say? presents over 100 potential foot-in-mouth moments and gives the right words to say, whether you need to confront, challenge, question, or encourage.

It's not only what you say, but what you do that matters; you'll find practical hints combined with Godly principles in suggestions for what to do, and not do, that will help your message achieve its purpose.

With What Should I Say at your fingertips, you'll confidently face life's sticky, tricky, uncomfortable situations, knowing you're ready with just the right words.

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Because I don't have an out-of-home job anymore, I finally have time to promote my books! (Book promotion is also a necessity since, well, I don't have income from an out-of-home job anymore! :-) ) I just ordered a new shipment of What Should I Say? You can read an excerpt at http://www.shellyburke.net/. Order today so you're ready for the next tricky, sticky, uncomfortable situation! Only $15 with FREE shipping and handling! Pay by check or PayPal to shelly@shellyburke.net

And when you order What Should I Say? check out my other books, How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing and Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home, with the special price of ONLY $10 each and FREE shipping and handling! See the details on that special at http://nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/books-on-sale.html

Working on April Paper

The last few days I've been doing one of the things I enjoy the most--gathering articles for the paper.

Several columnists write for the Nebraska Family Times almost every month, and I look forward to reading their columns.

We have several new advertisers this month, so I've been working with them to get the information I need to have Tracy or Jennifer set up their ads. Please patronize the businesses of those who advertise in the Nebraska Family Times--they are a valuable part of my business--and let them know you saw their ad in the Nebraska Family Times.

Every month I look ahead to the holidays that will occur in the coming month, and find appropriate articles. In April the most important holiday, of course, is Easter. But April also marks National Organ Donor Month and the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. I've compiled the info for the article about organ donation, and am searcing for a good article about the King James Bible.

The National Day of Prayer if May 5th. I plan to have the May issue of the paper out before that date, but am including the information in this issue, so readers can plan ahead and attend events on that date.

I also look for articles about local and area events or issues. I found a great article that looks into the case of the male wrestler in Iowa who forfeited a match in which he was scheduled to wrestle against a female. The article looks at the issue from a values point of view vs. the "human" point of view and is very interesting.

I'm writing three articles for this issue; one about the Habitat for Humanity, which plans to build a home in Columbus, NE, starting in May; one about Heart Hero Capes, and one about local author and speaker Deb Burma.

If you have not seen the Nebraska Family Times but would like a FREE sample issue, e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 993-2467.

Books on Sale!

As well as being the editor and publisher of the Nebraska Family Times, I'm also the author of several books.

The last few years I've felt almost overwhelmingly busy with my family and home, church activities, nursing job, and learning about being the editor and publisher of the Nebraska Family Times, and other "life" activities. I prayed about it, asking God to guide me if there was something he wanted me to cut out of my life. The only message I felt was, "Do the best you can with everything for now."

From previous blog posts you know that several weeks ago my private duty patient died, so at this time I don't have a nursing job. After much prayer I've felt God pushing me in the direction of not seeking another out-of-home job at this time, but instead working on the Nebraska Family Times. Cash flow is tight, but during the last few weeks I've been able to devote so much more time to the paper, and I've done some things I've wanted to for a long time--including setting up a FaceBook page for the NFT. ('ve also gotten some long-neglected corners of my home cleaned and organized!)

Another thing I haven't been able to do for a long time is promote my books. Spring is the perfect time for that, as you'll see when you read about the books. You can read excerpts from both books at http://www.shellyburke.net/. (but don't order from that page--see the special pricing and order options below!)

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A nurse friend and I wrote How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing years ago. We'd both worked in many areas of nursing, and we'd met many nurses who were unhappy in their current job. How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing outlines more than 40 areas in nursing, including the pros and cons of each area and why it might or might not be an area of interest for the reader. How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing also provides readers with worksheets to define personal, family, and professional needs and goals, quizzes to evaluate specifications for the reader's perfect job in nursing, resume and interview tips, and much more!

How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing is the PERFECT gift for a graduate from nursing school, or a high-school graduate who is considering a job in health care, or that nurse you know who is looking for a job that better suits her (or his!) life.

My other book is titled Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom's Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. I wrote Home Is Where the Mom Is when I was a member of the first MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group in Columbus. I wanted to encourage moms to care for themselves, first--spirit, mind, and body--so they could better care for their families. Home is Where the Mom Is is a comprehensive resource for all moms, and especially moms who are at home with their kids most of the time. The book will show readers how to make decisions based on Christian principles and what they know about their one-of-a-kind family. Read excerpts at http://www.shellyburke.net/.

Home is Where the Mom Is is the PERFECT gift for any mom of young children! Put it in her Easter basket, give it as a birthday gift, or "just because," when she needs encouragement. It would make the perfect gift for your child's school or Sunday School teacher, day care provider, or babysitter. And Mother's Day will be here before you know it (May 8th, to be exact)! And it's not too early to start Christmas shopping!

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SALE! SALE! SALE! SALE!

For a limited time I'm offering both How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing and Home is Where the Mom Is for ONLY $10 EACH, including shipping and handling (sent via Media Mail)!

(please consider sending a link to this page to others you know who might be interested in How to Find Your Perfect Job in Nursing or Home is Where the Mom Is!)

Additional special offer: Purchase three books and get one FREE! (e-mail shelly@shellyburke.net with the title of the book you'd like FREE). Start your Christmas shopping, today! For a personal touch, I will autograph books with a personal message to the recipient! E-mail me with the recipient's name if you'd like me to sign their book.

Payment can be made by PayPal to shelly@shellyburke.net or a check sent to: Nebraska Family Times, 42887 G.G. Road, Genoa, NE, 68640.

This special offer is only good through March 31st, so order today! E-mail shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 993-2467 if you have any questions.

April Issue Preview

One of the reasons I enjoy publishing the Nebraska Family Times is that there are different things to do every week, and even every day.

Next week is put-the-paper-together week, which includes finding articles (mostly from various websites), getting and editing columns and articles from readers, writing articles, and contacting advertisers. By the middle of next week I should have gathered all of the articles that will appear in the paper, and then Jennifer Gleason (of Gleames Creative Design www.gleames.com) will get them laid out so I can see how they'll look when the paper comes out (more about this process in a future post).

Since next week is "put-the-paper-together week", this week is planning week. Today I'll send out reminders to regular columnists, asking them to have their articles e-mailed to me by next Monday or Tuesday. I'm blessed because all of the columnists are very punctual in getting their articles to me on time! It's fun to read their articles every month as they come in.

I also contact several organizations for information about upcoming events. I'll publish these events in the paper space permitting. (If there is an upcoming Christian event you would like publicized, e-mail it to shelly@shellyburke.net. Space permitting, it will be published in the papaer).

One of my favorite things to do it interview people for articles that I'll write for the paper.

Last week I met with and interviewed Deb Burma. She's the author of several devotion books, "Treasured" and "Beautiful Feet," which were reviewed in the last issue of the NFT. (See the reviews at http://nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com/2011/03/fantastic-devotion-books.html)

During the interview Deb said that since she was a little girl she "always liked words." (She even enjoyed diagramming sentences!) Her love of words took her from speaking on live radio when she was on the South Dakota State 4-H Council when she was a teenager, to sharing her faith in front of live audiences. In June she will speak in front of her largest audience yet, as the keynote speaker at the LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) National Convention in Peoria, IL. Read more about her journey in the April issue of the NFT.

I was thrilled to get back in touch with a high-school friend for an article about a cause that's important to her and the more than 40,000 kids (including Sondra and Tim's daughter Ashely) who are born every year with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD). Sondra and I talked for over an hour yesterday about Heart Hero Capes, an organization that provides capes for children with CHD. The kids wear the capes when they're headed to a doctor's appointment or for tests or surgery, to give them courage in a situation that can be very scary. The full article will appear in the April issue of the paper as well.

We also talked about the book Sondra is also planning to write, documenting the challenges she and her family have faced during Ashley's life with CHD. Ashely has had countless doctor's appointments and tests, and several surgeries (with serious complications following one surgery) to treat her CHD. Sondra is at the beginning of the book-writing process, and I'm already excited to read the book! Look for updates on the book here and in the NFT.

Habitat for Humanity is coming to Columbus, NE! The first Habitat house is scheduled to be built starting in May. Read more about what Habitat for Humanity is, how it works, and how you can help, in the April issue of the paper.

Now that I've done the interviews, it's time to write the articles! I'm looking forward to re-reading my notes and putting the articles together.

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If you have an idea for an article for the NFT, please e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net. I'm always looking for leads to articles that readers would enjoy.

If you are a subscriber, you'll receive the April issue of the NFT the first week in April. If you're not a subscriber but would like to see what the NFT is all about, e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net, or call (402) 993-2467 to receive a FREE issue.

God's Circle of Life

The last few weeks have been filled with sadness and joy for me, after my two private duty patients died. We are so sad, because they are no longer here with us...yet we are so happy knowing they are in heaven, healthy and whole.

Yesterday my niece, Leighton, was baptized. Several weeks ago my sister asked Tim and I to be sponsors, and we immediately said "yes." What a joy to be asked to be part of her spiritual life!

During the service, as Tim and I, the other sponsors, and my sister's family were going up to the front of the church for the baptism, Tim pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. He looked a little startled and then showed it to me. My eyes immediately filled with tears; it was the funeral service folder for my grandfather, who died almost exactly a year ago. His picture is on the front of the service folder, and seeing his face reminded me that he, too, had been baptized many years ago...and because of that baptism and his faith, he was in heaven. And now as we brought Leighton to baptism, she, too, would enter God's kingdom when she left this earth, just as my patients had both been brought for baptism and now were in heaven.

I do not believe in coincidences...I believe that when things like this happen they are "God-incidences." I'm so thankful that God reminded me of His promise to my patients, to grandpa, to Leighton, to Tim and I and our children...to my friend who lost her daughter in a car accident...to another friend whose grandson died...to everyone who believes in Him...because of His love for us, and His sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, we will ALL have that promise of heaven.

Fantastic Devotion Books

These book reviews, by Shelly Burke, Editor, appeared in the March issue of the Nebraska Family Times.

Treasured; A 30-Day Devotional Journey
Beautiful Feet; A 30-Day Devotional Journey
both by author Deb Burma

The small size of Treasured; A 30-Day Devotional Journey and Beautiful Feet; A 30-Day Devotional Journey is misleading. Author Deb Burma makes every word count; each short devotion is packed with thought, encouragement, and inspiration. The format of the books means I can stick one in my purse or work bag and quickly read a devotion any time I have a few minutes—although I will also want to take time to really meditate on the messages later.

The theme of Treasured is that God values each of us beyond what we can imagine. Burma reminds us that God sees us as precious and priceless; He sought us and claims us to be His own. During our faith lives we are being transformed in Christ as coal is transformed into a diamond.

Throughout Treasured Burma compares our lives to diamonds; she relates the formation of a diamond (requiring time, pressure, and heat) to the transformation of our lives. The qualities of a diamond (cut, color, carat, and clarity) describe how Christ takes us from rough and uncut to a gem who carries out His mission.

Other devotions include A Girl’s Best Friend, A New Setting, and Precious in His Sight.

Liberal references to Bible verses enhance the message, as do Burma’s personal stories. The devotions always point readers to God and His Word and each one ends with a prayer.

Beautiful Feet; A 30-Day Devotional Journey
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15)

In Beautiful FeetBurma encourages us to spend time every day taking a closer look at our feet, and the feet of those around us. She reminds us that Christ walks beside us, and urges us to learn (and follow) what the Lord is calling our feet to do.

Through devotions including A Map for Your Path, Calloused, and Make Tracks! you’ll be prompted to look inside yourself and your circumstances and apply God’s Word to your life, and to spread it to others.

Just as in Treasured, Beautiful Feet, includes Bible verses, observations and personal questions for reflection that make the devotions perfect for a busy day as well as those days when you have a longer period of time for deeper study.

Treasured and Beautiful Feet are carried at Crackers to Caviar in Columbus, NE; (402) 564-4768 and The Abbey Christian Store in Norfolk, NE; (402) 379-0712, or can be ordered from Concordia Publishing House; http://www.cph.org/ or call 1-800-325-3040.
Do you need an idea for your next woman’s retreat? Burma has created complete retreat kits on CD-ROM for both Treasured and Beautiful Feet. The CD-ROMs contain very detailed planning guides, handouts for participants and Power Point presentations. Everything you need to plan and host a retreat is included!

Deb Burma lives in Columbus, NE, with her husband, Pastor Cory Burma and children Chris, Courtney, and Cameron. Read more about Deb in the next issue of the Nebraska Family Times.

Nebraska Family Times on FaceBook!

The Nebraska Family Times is now on FaceBook! Check it out at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nebraska-Family-Times/115589301850052?ref=ts

If you enjoy the FaceBook page, please "like" it; if I get enough people to like it I'll have access to more information about what's working for the page and how I can improve it. And if you have any suggestions, please let me know!

(And next I'll try to figure out how to get the FB button on this blog.)

Why Should I Care?

Why Should I care?!
By Tracy Buzynski

It is no secret that the world is a mess. Just turn on the news and see the unrest in the Middle East, that the US economy and government spending are out of control, and media that seem to have their own agenda. I have a busy life. Why should I even try to figure out what is going on with the rest of the world? These problems are just too big to even contemplate, let a lone try to figure out what I can do about them as an individual. Why should I care?!

I should care because God cares. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Well, some times that is hard to put into action in the big picture. But God blesses us with knowledge and discernment. We have but to ask for these things. Maybe we should also ask Him how to love the least of these.

Even though there are many big problems, we still live in the greatest nation on earth. I believe that I was put here at this time and place for a reason. With my set of skills and God given talents, I choose to be an encourager to my family and those around me. Although the “politically correct” society and the social justice forces at work try to take God out of everything, the last time I checked, we still live in a “Free Country“. I am free to choose what I think, how I speak and what I do…As long as I abide by the laws. Why not take it a step further and align your actions by what is God’s will for you? Again, we have but to ask to find out what that is.

Integrate a God Attitude into your life. I am going to personally put God into as many things as I can throughout my day. Start out with a morning prayer. Ask for His protection over yourself and your family as you get ready to face the day. I use my God Attitude at my job by being helpful, kind and positive. I say a silent “Thank you God, you’re great!” for the little things that happen--like green lights, a warm sunny day and after a good laugh with my friend. Just see how many areas you can insert your God Attitude. It’s a start for the big picture. My God attitude is why I care.

Nebraska Family Attends National March for Life

Nebraska Family Attends National March for Life
By Virginia Nelson
My son Allen, grandson Luke, and granddaughter Wendy and I made the trip to Washington DC for the National March for Life on Jan 24th, 2011. We had a great time taking in the sights and the history of Washington DC. One of the sites we toured was the Holocaust Museum, and some of the things we saw there are too horrible to even mention. And all the way through it, I just kept thinking, this is the same mentality in the world today. The lack of respect for human life is staggering, with the slaughter of 4000 unborn babies each day through abortion. And just like now, so many people looked the other way, knew what was going on, and didn't do anything about it. I was reminded of the words of Genesis 4:10; "What have you done? Hark, your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground."

The March for Life was awesome. The day was bitter cold, but sunny and still, and 400,000 marchers participated. We spent about four hours standing for the rally and walking. I was proud to be a Nebraskan that day, as Lee Terry (Nebraska Congressman) gave a booming message of his commitment to the right to life, giving his assurance that he would do all he could to put an end to abortion and the use of our tax dollars for abortion; $363 million, according to Planned Parenthood's 2008-2009 Annual Report.

Nebraska Representative Jeff Fortenberry gave a short but stirring message along the same line. Both men said they can't do it without the grassroots support of we, the people!

Women from Silent No More spoke of regretting their abortions, with the young men standing by their side holding signs that said "We regret lost fatherhood." Many of the newly elected congressmen were there with many different messages but all saying much the same thing.They said they want us to send letters, emails, faxes and phone calls, even if we know how they're going to vote. This is a difficult battle and they need to know we're out there supporting them.

It was said that day that our abortuaries are nothing more than death chambers, just as those in Nazi Germany. Let's remember that a nation that kills its young is a nation without hope. One Pastor toward the end of the rally said, "Happy is the nation whose God is the Lord! As we march today we light a candle to pierce the darkness of rejection and despair."

Let's help pierce this darkness by getting involved, by sending those messages to our congressmen, by writing letters to the opinion page, by prayer, and if you can't do anything else, send money. It takes so much money to fight Planned Parenthood and its supporters. And we need to gear up for the next presidential election and elect a pro-life president who will move toward a pro-life Supreme Court.

I will continue to try to fulfill one of the other quotes I saw that day, "I call Heaven and earth to witness this day. I have put before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose LIFE that you and your descendents may live!" (Deut 30:1)

Virginia lives in Genoa, NE

Wesley Center: "Where all children matter"

The Wesley Center, Inc.
Where “all children matter”
By Shelly Burke, Editor

Years ago Dr. Burkhardt, a faithful member of the Methodist church, willed his home (now 120 years old) to be used as a “mission.” Later another pastor received a grant to provide respite care for parents who were overwhelmed by parenting. Today that house is Wesley Center, Inc., in Norfolk, NE, a mission whose core value is that “all children matter.” Wesley Center is a non-profit organization.

The Wesley Center, Inc. Crisis Nursery began in 1995 with a grant to provide relief to parents who felt they might abuse their children. In 1999 the State of Nebraska realized that children who were removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse needed a place to go until foster care could be found, and they contracted with the Wesley Center to care for those kids.

When a child (or children) is removed from his or her home, Wesley Center is notified. (Wesley Center will take children from anywhere in Nebraska, at any time of the day or night.) The child then lives at Wesley Center until he or she can be placed in a foster home or with appropriate relatives (usually less than two weeks). There are usually 1- 3 or 4 children staying at Wesley Center (there is room for up to 16 children), ranging in age from birth to 19 years old. Older teenagers are included so they can stay with younger siblings.

Tracy Olson, Director since 1999, says the biggest misconception about Wesley Center is that it’s “an orphanage, with bare walls and cots just lined up.” Instead, there are six cozy bedrooms upstairs and one downstairs. It’s “home” for the kids, with a regular schedule of meals, playtime, bedtimes, etc. Wesley Center staff members also take children to doctor or other appointments.

Another important service the Wesley Center provides is Respite Care. Foster parents (often caring for several children, some with special needs) who need a break can use the services, which are paid for through a grant from the United Way.

Wesley Center also works with Health and Human Services to provide a location for supervised visitation between parents and children who have been removed from the home. The hope is that these visits will lay the groundwork for families to eventually be reunited, with kids returning to live with their parents.

Wesley Center employs three or four full time employees and eight on-call, part-time people. Three shifts cover round-the-clock care for children.

Tracy says the most rewarding part of working at Wesley Center, for her staff members and herself, is “Interacting with the children. Despite abuse, the kids are loving and just want to play and be kids.” She has had children come back years after they stayed at Wesley Center, to see their old room and staff members who cared for them. She says that occasionally moms will offer gratitude to Wesley Center for caring for their children.

According to Tracy, “It’s hard to see children who are abused and neglected. We know God is angry at the injustice; we pray for wisdom to love and forgive. My faith in God helps keep me strong.” Wesley Center is a safe haven for children who need to feel love and learn about God’s love.

How can You Help? Volunteers are needed; they must undergo rigorous background checks and training.

Tracy says that Wesley Center is a home, so has needs for items every home uses; canned food, frozen meat, paper items like toilet paper and paper towels and so on. Heating bills have been high the last few months so monetary donations are also requested.
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Tracy loves to give tours of Wesley Center and will talk with church groups, civil groups, and anyone who is interested in learning more about what they do. For more information or to contact Wesley House, go to http://www.wesleycenterinc.org/ or call (402) 644-4749.

Nebraska Legislature to Debate Breastfeeding Bill

Nebraska Legislature to Debate Breastfeeding Bill
[NFT] Senator Annette Dubas (Fullerton, NE) recently introduced Legislative Bill 197 in an attempt to join Nebraska with the 48 other states that give mothers the legal right to breastfeed their babies in public.

LB197 would uphold a mother’s right to breast-feed “in any public or private location where the mother is otherwise authorized to be.” In previous years breastfeeding mothers have been asked to leave restaurants, outdoor concerts, and parks. One mom, asked to move to a restroom instead, was breastfeeding her baby in an out-of-the way corner of Joslyn Art Museum--next to a statue of a bare-breasted women.

The Centers of Disease Control says that 75% of mothers start out breastfeeding, with about 43% continuing past the baby’s six-month birthday. Breastfeeding provides many health benefits for the baby, including boosting their immune system (breastfeeding babies have a lower incidence of ear, respiratory tract, and urinary infections) and decreasing the risk of developing asthma. New mother who breastfeed often return to pre-pregnancy weight faster and breastfeeding also reduces the risk of ovarian and breast cancers.

LB 197, if passed, would provide breast-feeding mothers legal backing for doing so.

March Editor's Letter

NFT Editor’s Letter March 2011

Spring is in the air! Yesterday I saw a robin AND a bluebird, and the temperature is supposed to get up to 70 today! I’m enjoying every moment of it. We’ve been having baby calves and last weekend Morgan rode her horse, Maggie, for the first time this year. The trees are still bare and the ground is brown, but I know soon there will be green everywhere.

I love to watch Nebraska sunrises this time of year. The clouds and colors change constantly during the half hour or so before the sun rises. It’s amazing to see the beauty that God has given us to enjoy!

I have always been awed by how I can use the wise words of the Bible, written thousands of years ago, to guide my life today. I’ve been studying United States history and I’ve been amazed at how the words of the Founding Fathers also apply to our lives, and issues in our country, today. To that end there will be a new feature in the paper, called “Wise Words then and Now,” which will feature quotes from the Founding Fathers. I think you’ll enjoy what they had to say—the more I learn about United States history the more I want to learn!

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Nebraska Family Times. Every month I pray that the articles will “inspire, encourage, and motivate” readers on their Christian walk. I’ve been printing articles from some new authors and sources, and I hope you enjoy them. If you have any comments about or suggestions for articles or issues to cover, please let me know! Several readers have sent me links that have led to articles I would not have otherwise known about—THANK YOU!

If you enjoy the Nebraska Family Times, please share it with others. You can request up to 5 free copies to share; just e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net or call (402) 993-2467. My goal this year is to spread the word about the Nebraska Family Times to people throughout the state of Nebraska.

God bless you and your family as you enjoy spring!

Does God Ever get Tired of Hearing Our Prayers?

Do you ever wonder if God gets tired of hearing your prayers? Sometimes I do. It seems that there are prayers I pray over and over and over, day after day after day.

On Sunday our worship team sang a song that really touched my heart. It's called "He Never Sleeps" and here's the link to it, on You Tube. I hope the message speaks to you as it spoke to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEwRehgPPF4

Another Sad Day

Several days ago the private duty patient with whom I'd worked for several years, became sick and died.

Today, while I was at her visitation, I found out that another patient of mind had died. I'd supervised Josh's care for several years; he depended on the care of his parents and aides after a very rare progressive brain disease left him unable to care for himself.

I will never forget the first day I walked into Josh's home. I introduced myself to Josh and his parents, and his mother said that it seemed like she knew me from somewhere. We talked about the various organizations and groups we belonged to, but there were none that we both belonged to. I got to know Josh, did my nursing assessment, and made arrangements to visit again in two weeks.

The next few times I visited Josh, his mom and I continued to try to figure out where we had met, discussing extended family (we both have small families), past jobs, and so on. We still couldn't figure it where we could have met before.

Then one day when I walked into their home, Josh's mom immediately pointed at me and said, "You're Shelly Geil!" (Geil was my maiden name.) Since I had been a "Burke" for almost 20 years, I was very surprised to find she knew my maiden name! But something I had said on my previous visit had jogged a memory in her mind, and she realized that my dad had been the principal at the Lutheran grade school in Battle Creek, NE, where she'd taught many years before. She had even been at my 5th birthday party!

After that I felt a special bond with Josh and his parents. When I received an e-mail that Josh was in the hospital, I visited, and he appeared to be doing much better. He'd given everyone a scare, but we thought he'd be home soon. Instead, his condition became worse and he went to his heavenly home. In her e-mail to friends and family, Josh's mom wrote, "The victory has been won. Josh went to heaven this afternoon."

I will never forget either of my patients, who, for a reason unknown to us, died within just a few days of each other. Both of the families taught me so much about life, love, and God's love...

I am blessed to have been able to work with them.