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