Medical Mission Team Returning to Nicaragua; Spaghetti Feed Sunday!

Medical Mission Team Returning to Nicaragua; Spaghetti Feed Sunday!

Mark your calendars for the Columbus Medical Mission Team Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser this Sunday, Dec. 9th, at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus, from 12:00-2:00 PM, and silent auction and Christmas Bake Sale.

The Medical Mission Team will be returning to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua in February for their fourth trip. Read about the team and a previous trip at Medical Mission Team Traveling to Nicaragua. 

Enjoying the “Little” Things

By Shelly Burke, Editor

“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” Robert Brault

I read this quote this morning and have been thinking about it all day! I scrapbooked with several college friends this weekend and of course we talked and laughed about college life and our lives since we’ve been together-- 20+ years! (We also talked about things that 20 years ago I’m sure we never even THOUGHT about—like facial wrinkles, house payments, and our kids who are now in college!)

Shelly, Mary, and Linda--college
friends and scrapbooking buddies

As we reminisced, we didn’t talk about the “big” things (classes, careers, or world events); the memories that made us laugh the most were the “little” things—pranks that made us laugh, silly comments and phrases and inside jokes we remembered.

I usually scrapbook specific events, and most often make pages for Cody and Morgan’s scrapbooks. This time I decided to make an album just for me, including pictures that make me smile and remind me of the good times with family and friends.  

I can't remember why my
sisters and I are doing "jazz
hands" behind my mom...but we
obviously thought it was very funny. 

Today, after I read this quote, I paged through the album I completed over the weekend. I quickly realized that even when the pictures were taken at an important event--Confirmation, a winning cattle show, an anniversary or holiday--it was the little things that made those pictures so precious--that millisecond in time that caught the perfect smiles, goofy faces and funny poses and precious moments that I am thankful I was a part of.

I hope that you will take the time every day to enjoy and thank God for the “little” things in life!

Thank you God, for the "little" things. Please help me to always recognize and enjoy them!

(I’m also blogging at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com.

Click to read my thoughts, and, more importantly, God’s encouragement directions as for us, regarding the election.)

Giving Thanks for Coconuts

By Shelly Burke, Editor and Publisher, Nebraska Family Times

Since Thanksgiving is in November, I’ve decided to make November the month of “giving thanks.”

The Bible commands us to be thankful; Psalm 106:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.” This command is repeated in Psalm 107:1 and 136:1. The Bible also tells us that we should be “always giving thanks…for everything.” (Ephesians 5:20) and that we should “…give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thess. 5:18).

(GoogleImages.com)

One of the things I’m most thankful for is the joy of being a mom. Cody will turn 21 this month, and Morgan will turn 19 next month. The years have just flown by! Every day this month I’m going to write about one of my memories of being a mom, and why I’m thankful for that experience or memory. And since I’m also thankful for my mom, she will probably be mentioned too. J

Today my memory has to do with…a coconut. Specifically, dropping that coconut…on Morgan’s head.

You see, one of my goals as a mom was to teach my kids about things they normally wouldn’t do/eat/see every day. One day in the grocery store Cody saw a coconut and asked what it was. He was fascinated by it so I decided to buy it so we could crack it, drink the liquid inside and taste it.

To crack the coconut the kids watched as I dropped it on the sidewalk outside of our house. I dropped it several times but it didn’t crack, so I decided to go up on the steps of our deck and drop it from that height. Unfortunately, Morgan walked under it at the exact moment I dropped it!

Thankfully she wasn’t hurt. She didn’t even cry, but gave me a very hurt look; she was only about 3 years old and just didn’t understand why mom would drop this strange-looking thing on her head! I was thankful that she wasn’t hurt, and the next “drop” successfully cracked the coconut and we did catch a few drops of the juice and enjoyed a few chunks of fresh coconut.

However, the memory both kids carry from that day is, “When mom dropped the coconut on Morgan’s head.” I belonged to a MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) group at the time, and one thing I always loved about MOPS was that no matter what experience I’d had, someone else had had the same experience…until I dropped the coconut on Morgan’s head. Until this day, no other mom has admitted doing the same to one of their kids. I guess I can also say that I’m thankful that I’ve done something to my little girl that no other mother has!

What have you done, as a mom, that no other mom will admit to? Share it in the comments!

(I’m also blogging at www.nebraskfamilytimes.blogspot.com;

read today why I’m so thankful for friends.)

His Kids Camp Part Two

by Shelly Burke, Nebraska Family Times Editor

(If you would like a FREE sample copy of the Nebraska Family Times, send your request, along with your mailing address, to shelly@shellyburke.net). 

(Editor’s Note: I was a volunteer camp nurse at Camp Luther’s His Kids Camp in June.)

The morning medication pass is the biggest one all day, but the campers and their buddies were patient while I double-checked names and medications. As I was getting things put away Josh Rausch, the Program Director, invited me to chapel.

 It was heart-warming to walk down the hill and hear the campers and their buddies chatting about the hot weather and what was scheduled for the day. Buddies cautioned their campers to watch their step on the rough ground, and helped them find a seat in the beautiful old building.

From the outside I couldn't imagine how the 50+ campers, buddies, and volunteers would fit into the chapel—but we did! And when we started singing—just WOW! I’m quite sure God heard our voices raised to Him! The campers who had been there before enthusiastically did all of the actions and those of us who hadn’t heard the songs quickly caught on. Campers and buddies listened intently as Josh taught how our hearts became dirty with sin, but God washed those sins away when Jesus died for us on the cross and then rose again. The simple lesson—the basis of Christianity--was presented in a way everyone understood and took joy in hearing.

A buddy signs while Josh plays his guitar to a camper
singing "Our God is an Awesome God"

The talent show on the final evening of camp was clearly a high point for campers and their buddies—as well as everyone who attended. Buddies worked with their camper to find a talent they wanted to share, and from the medication room I could see and hear some of the campers practicing their talent. Despite getting hints about the talent show, nothing could have prepared me for the actual event.  

As everyone found seats in Gerwick Hall, Josh, and Christina Hansen, another director, finalized the order of appearance of campers and prepared music and other props. As campers began showing their talents, I was amazed and touched at the response of everyone in the audience.

Campers and buddies singing during the talent show

Campers shared a wide variety of talents; one camper sang Our God is an Awesome God, and another invited all of us to stand, put our hands over our hearts, and join him as he sang and played drums to the National Anthem. A deaf camper and his buddy signed the Lord’s Prayer. Another camper demonstrated his ability to put together a puzzle. A camper I’d barely heard say a word smiled shyly as she was cheered and encouraged to sing a song.

The "evil stepsister" (right) and her camper were getting
along just fine when camp ended

Josh was quick to join a camper who had a bit of stage fright; he held her hand as they skipped across the stage. Another camper invited most of the audience to be characters in a play she had written. Laughter swept through the hall as she designated her buddy, a very sweet young lady, to be her “evil stepsister.” (I was glad the play ended on a happy note, with the “sisters” hugging each other.)

Every talent was applauded with cheers and shouts and whistles from the audience, and every camper was valued and lifted up for his or her talent and courage at performing in front of others. God’s love for every single one of us, regardless of our abilities, was poured out through everyone in the building that evening; I have tears in my eyes now, almost three months later, remembering.

A deaf camper (right) signs a story while his buddy
signs and speaks for the camper

I plan to make His Kids Camp a part of my summer every year! You can take part too. Volunteers are needed as buddies and helpers. (Buddies are given thorough training so they are comfortable with the needs of their campers.)  Nurses are needed to distribute medications and give treatments.

Supplies and financial donations are always appreciated. If you’d like you can donate specifically to sponsor a camper and his or her buddy; a full sponsorships is $400 and partial sponsorships are needed as well. And of course, special needs campers are needed! Please spread the word about His Kids Camp and Respite Weekends (see upcoming dates on the back page of this issue of The Nebraska Family Times). For more information go to www.campluther.org or www.hiskidscamp.org or contact Leila Rehbein, His Kids Camp Director, at (402) 981-5732. Camp Luther and His Kids Camp are also on Facebook.

Camp Luther also offers a variety of camps and retreats for kids and adults of all ages. 

Summer Update and His Kids Camp Part One

by Shelly Burke, Editor, Nebraska Family Times

Gosh time has flown by! I don't know where the summer went! Between taking Morgan to college in Colorado and some family issues, I was surprised to turn the calendar over today and realize that it's October! Last time I posted here was just after I'd volunteered as Camp Nurse at Camp Luther near Schuyler, NE. The days at His Kids Camp, for special needs teens and adults, truly changed my life. I'm going to begin "catching up" here by posting about His Kids Camp. 

These articles were originally printed in the Nebraska Family Times newspaper, of which I'm the editor and publisher. The mission of the Nebraska Family Times is "to inspire, encourage, and motivate you in your Christian walk." The Nebraska Family Times is a pro-life, pro-family publication, and we share national, state, and local news and events from a Christian point of view. For more information check out our blog at Nebraska Family Times and "like" us on Facebook. For a FREE sample issue of the paper, e-mail your request to shelly@shellyburke.net--be sure to include your mailing address--or call (402) 750-3496. 

Now, I hope you will enjoy reading about His Kids Camp! 

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His Kids Camp Part 1

By Shelly Burke, RN

I’m having a hard time finding the words to describe my experience at His Kids Camp in June. I volunteered as the Camp Nurse and was there  from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday morning.

His Kids Camp is a camp for special needs children and adults. The group that I was there for was made up mostly of teens and young adults with a variety of diagnosis, including Down Syndrome, autism, and so on. Each camper was paired with at least one “buddy,” who assisted that camper as needed with activities, meals, getting dressed, and so on.

I arrived before the campers did so I could get the medication area organized, and I was more than a little nervous about meeting the campers. I hadn’t been to camp for many years (and if I remember right I got so homesick my parents had to come and get me after just a day) and had never worked with special needs kids or adults. Would they take their medications for me? Would I remember their names? Would I be asked to handle difficult behaviors? Would they like me (do we ever stop asking that question)?

These thoughts were swirling around in my mind as the first campers and their parents and caregivers came in. Most of my nervousness went away and I quickly got into “nurse” mode when the parents brought their child’s medications to me. They gave hints for getting their child to take medications and described in detail treatments and other cares needed. When two campers came in with CPAP machines (the machine forces air through a mask into the mouth and nose of people who suffer from sleep apnea) I wasn’t sure if the buddies would know how to use them, but a buddy quickly came and reassured the father that we’d make sure the machines were used correctly.

When a mom handed me her daughter’s g-tube and liquid medications and told me about her g-button (a device used to give nutrition and medications directly into the stomach) I assured her I’d worked with a g-button many times and it would be no problem to take care of her daughter’s.  

Giving medications at supper time was hectic; I hadn’t figured out a routine yet and didn’t know any of the campers. However, they all came up with their buddies, who told me their names, and everyone took their medications without complaint. I began to breathe a little bit easier.

Enjoying snack time.

After supper I went to work double checking the medications and figuring out a routine for giving them. I looked up several unfamiliar medications on the computer and got everything in order. The little girl with the g-button came in for her medications, and while she didn’t speak, her smile spoke volumes. When she circled her fist in front of her chest and then pointed at me, I wasn’t sure what she meant. Her buddies were eager to tell me that it meant “I like you!” and I quickly signed the same back to her. After I was done she gave me the tightest hug I think I’d ever received! At that point I knew the rest of camp was going to be great!

The campers joined in the big hall before bedtime and sang several songs. When I heard the director ask everyone to join hands for the Lord’s Prayer, I peeked out the window of the med room so I could say it with them. All had joined hands…except for a camper and his buddy across the room from me. They seemed to be talking to each other and I was wondering if the camper was having trouble…and then I realized, with tears in my eyes, that the camper was deaf and he and his buddy were signing The Lord’s Prayer to each other.

During His Kids Camp I was also able to spend some time with Hank and Sue Rausch. Hank is the Executive Director of Camp Luther, and Sue is the Outdoor Education Coordinator. They have been part of Camp Luther for about 10 years.

Both Hank and Sue shared their thoughts about His Kids Camp with me. Hank sees God’s hand at work every year when the campers check in. If they’ve been to His Kids Camp before, Hank says one of the first things they ask is, “Is my buddy {from last year} here?” Hank continues, “If the answer is “yes,” they jump for joy. If their buddy is not there, they are sad at first but then ask excitedly who their new buddy will be. To know that they remember their buddies name and the great times they had the previous year shows how God uses the buddies to touch the lives of the campers.”

Dance moves

Sue said her favorite part is when the returning campers return to His Kids Camp and “having them come running to me from across the lodge with their arms open for a big hug.”

I also talked with some of the buddies for His Kids Camp. All of the returning buddies and volunteers said they’d been nervous as new campers, but quickly overcame the nervousness. LeAnn Miller has been a buddy and volunteer for three years. She remembers, “The first year I was very nervous about being a buddy to someone with special needs. But I quickly realized that it’s not a one-person job—all the buddies and volunteers help each other. The most rewarding part is seeing the smiles on the campers’ faces when they go home—knowing that Jesus loves them and others do too.”

Camper Nicholas Cech had been to a fall retreat (see dates for His Kids weekend Retreats and His Kids Camp for this fall and 2013 on the back page of this issue of the Nebraska Family Times) and knew he wanted to come to a regular camp. He said that his favorite part of camp was chapel—“I truly felt the Holy Spirit!” he exclaimed. As I was saying good-bye to Nicholas he said, “I don’t want to leave. But I’ll be back!” And from the looks on the faces of the campers, buddies, and volunteers—he’s not the only one who will be back. 

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Look for Part 2 of His Kids Camp tomorrow! 

You are "Treasured"!

Moms, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to take time for yourself, every day. Even a few minutes doing something you enjoy can make a huge difference in how you feel mentally and emotionally.

Today I want to encourage you to take more than a few minutes to to do something for "you"! Below is information about the "Treasured" retreat, which will be held at Camp Luther in Schuyler, NE, in November. If you have young children at home I know it can take some planning for mom to be gone for a day or even overnight (the retreat begins Friday evening at 6PM and runs through Saturday afternoon. You may stay overnight at Camp Luther or return home for the night. And if you can only come either Friday evening OR Saturday morning, it's OK! While the sessions all revolve around the theme, each one stands on its own as well), but you have over a month to plan! 

Deb is a great speaker and author and you'll be inspired and refreshed by her talks. I hope to see you there!

Fair Memories

The Platte County Fair is going on this week and that brings back a lot of fun memories.

When I was "4-H age" (age 8-18 as of January 1st of that year) my sisters and I were very active in 4-H. We sewed, cooked, learned how to garden, and gave demonstrations. I remember trying to find 4 or 5 IDENTICAL beans or beets or tomatoes to take to the fair--they had to be the same size, shape, and color to qualify for a blue or purple ribbon. I remember sewing that last button on my dress (one year my very elaborate dress had about 10 buttons on each cuff, and another 15 or 20 buttons down the front!) on the way to the fair. I remember seeing friends I hadn't seen all summer, and eagerly looking to see how we'd done on our projects.

I remember mom teaching us how to measure ingredients accurately and helping us sew perfect seams and teaching us how to make buttonholes. Looking back, I know that I didn't appreciate her endless patience as she taught us—thanks mom! Through 4-H we learned not only the practical lessons of how to make muffins or sew a hem, but lessons about following directions and working hard to make our entries perfect. We also learned life-lessons of confidence and talking to adults as we modeled our clothes and talked to judges about our other entries.

2011

Until Cody and Morgan were 4-H age and showed at the fair I didn’t realize how much parents looked forward to the too. We share secret smiles with other parents in the early morning hours as we rush between animal pens or back to the truck to get a forgotten item. It's the tears of pride we try to hide (but other parents always understand) when our kids do well...the swelling of our hearts when we see siblings helping each other or other kids when an animal gets loose or someone needs a word of encouragement.

Early morning sheep washing

It's why we put the (seemingly) endless dollars and hours into projects, why we wake our kids up early (even when they're crabby) to take care of an animal or work on a project, why we practice patience as we teach (sometimes over and over!) our kids a new skill.  We know it's not just the ribbons they'll get during the fair, it's the life-long lessons the kids will take with them (like going back into the ring for dog agility after your dog took a detour out of the ring and around the whole building), and hopefully pass on to their kids someday.

This is the first year since the new millennium that neither Cody nor Morgan is showing an animal at the fair. It’s bittersweet for me because there were so many wonderful family moments at the fair.

2010

One of my favorite memories is the year both Cody and Morgan were in the same class of showmanship during the cattle show. After several rounds, they were the only two left, competing against each other for the championship. For more than 20 minutes they were the only ones in the ring, leading and setting up their animals, watching the judge, and doing everything “just right.” Neither of them made a mistake. Finally the judge asked them to switch places in the ring…and Morgan turned her calf counterclockwise instead of clockwise. And that was it; Cody was the champion. But it was a friendly competition and both were happy at how they’d done!

Another great memory is the year my parents and grandfather came to the fair. It was so neat to share the experience with them; although we’d exhibited at many fairs as kids, my sisters and I never showed animals. It was a very hot year, but mom and dad and grandpa sat patiently through the sheep show and the cattle show. Cody and Morgan were so proud and happy to have them there and answered all of their questions about showing.

For two memorable (and very tiring) years in a row, Morgan showed sheep, cattle, and dogs. That meant three days in a row of being to the fair before 6:00 AM and showing for much of the day. Morgan did a great job and won several trophies…but agreed that showing three different species was just too much.

2008

Today and tomorrow Morgan will be cheering on several friends as they show their sheep and pigs for the last time at the county fair. Tomorrow she and Cody will be helping our neighbor’s kids show their cattle for the very first time.

Good luck at your county fair, everyone! Cherish those memories!