I think I have at least some writing genes in my blood.

My great-grandfather on my mom’s side was a founding father of the town of Algonquin, Illinois. I remember talking to him when I was young, and reading some of the things he had written. After he died I recieved a copy of the history he had written about Algonquin.

My grandfather (my mom’s dad) was a teacher for many years. Teaching and writing have a lot in common, because often writing is a form of teaching. One of my uncles is a sports writer in Minnesota.

My dad is a retired teacher and pastor; obviously, being a pastor includes a lot of writing!

Whether or not there is a writing gene, it’s just as, or even more important, that I got encouragement at every turn! A teacher in high school appreciated my writing and dreams of writing . . . I remember him telling me that some of the things I did in my style of writing might not be appreciated in high school or college writing but in “real life” would be just fine (thanks, Mr. Metcalfe!).

My mom and dad always gave me the impression that I could do whatever I wanted to, and encouraged me to strive to reach my dreams. My grandparents were, and are, the same way–asking questions about what I’m doing, being proud of my accomplishments, and encouraging me in doing what I want to do.

Countless other people encouraged me through the years, and thanks to all of them! When you offer words of encouragement to anyone, no matter what their dreams, their desires, no matter what they’re working toward, you are a part of making their dream come true.  

Happy Leap Year Day! It’s kind of neat that we get a “bonus” day every four years.

I didn’t do anything special today, but it was a productive day. I started with a long to-do list, and crossed off quite a few things that were on it, including cleaning up the house, writing a short article for the Nebraska Family Times newsletter, updating my calendars for March, laundry, and e-mailing a friend several times throughout the day.

Sometimes the most productive days are the ones on which my to-do list is the longest! I just picked one thing to start with (the article, since it needed to be in early), and then went to the next thing . . . every time I completed a task I chose another one to work on (not necessarily the next one on the list) and just kept going all day long.

The best part was when a friend stopped by to pick something up . . . we had a really nice talk. It’s always a treat to catch up with a friend!

I’m still going to get the Shelmar Publications newsletter out tonight, so I better get going! I hope everyone else had a productive day, too!

Several years ago, writing in a “Gratitude Journal” became popular thing to do. Studies found that looking at the positive things in life could improve a person’s mood and even decrease symptoms of depression.

So here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I got to talk to both of my sisters today. I couldn’t tell you all the things we talked about, but I was smiling when I hung up the phone, both times!

2. Morgan isn’t feeling well . . . but her symptoms did NOT get worse during the day.

3. Morgan had her best cattle showing weekend ever, winning Supreme Grand Champion with her heifer. She also was 5th overall in the Junior Show, and won Intermediate Showmanship. I’m not trying to brag, but I am proud of her and all the hard work she puts into the cattle. It’s a great reward to see her confidence increase as she does show.

4. My day got off to an EXTREMELY slow start . . . but I got almost everything on my “to-do” list done! (posting on this blog was one of the last things, and here I am doing it)

5. My whole family is together right now, watching the Democratic candidate debate . . . the best part is just being together and talking about the issues.

What are YOU thankful for today?

I posted the following article in the Shelly Burke Shelmar Publications newsletter that was e-mailed last Friday. My prayer is always that I will be lead to write something that will help, or encourage, or inspire my readers. I received several comments about this article, so decided to reprint it here. I hope it encourages YOU!

P.S. To sign up for the Shelmar Publications newsletter, go to www.shellyburke.net.

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WISE WORDS: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zech. 4:10

I have grand ideas and big goals for my business-writing more books (I have several in mind!), having more people sign up for the newsletter, continuing to speak for different groups, reaching many through the blog . . . one of my dreams is to see a display of my book in the window of a bookstore!

I become discouraged and frustrated when I have to deal with the “small beginnings” of my business-organizing notes, paying bills, and just cleaning my office . . .

I try to remember that these “small beginnings” are a part of EVERY business, every goal, every plan.

My ultimate “dream job” of being a wife and mother and managing our home involves plenty of “small beginnings”-planning meals, clearing out the dishwasher, folding
towels (there’s an overflowing basket just staring at me from the couch right now!).

But I know that these small things, whether for my business or my family, are a necessary part of the whole, of the dream, of the goal.

When I read that ” . . . the Lord rejoices to see the work begin,” it is easier for me to make these small beginnings.

May God bless and lead you as you make your small beginnings on the way to your ultimate goal!

In my last post I relayed how I wasn’t feeling very motivated to do anything! That feeling continued, and I guess I kind of used it as an excuse not to do anything. I kept thinking that I’d feel like getting back into the swing of things “tomorrow.”

Yesterday two things caught my attention. For part of my Bible Study this year I’m reading the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date. Yesterday, therefore, I read Prov. 14. Verse 23 says, “In all labor there is profit, but idle talk leads only to poverty.” (Amplified version). I began to realize that I was only TALKING about getting something done . . . and if I wanted to profit (I certainly do not want poverty!) I need to do some “labor.”

I get an inspiring quote from www.leadershipology.com every day. Yesterday that quote was from Keith Craft, and said,

Keep doing what you know to do, even when it doesn’t seem to be paying off.

The Bible verse and quote did not magically inspire me to spring into action . . . but they DID show me that no matter how I “feel,” I need to do what I know to do, and not just wait for inspiration and motivation. So yesterday I started making my to-do list (which I’ve been adding to all day!), and today I’ve been working hard to cross off quite a few things from the list!

My motivation today was checking my e-mail periodically, and it was fun to “talk” to several friends throughout the day. I have a few more things to get done this evening, and I have a basic plan of what I’m going to get done the rest of the week. I feel like I’m getting on track!

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Morgan and Tim are now in Denver, Colorado, at the National Western Stock Show. This is a huge livestock show–last year almost 650,000 people attended! Morgan will show cattle and sheep. Cody will show cattle. Tim will display and sell bulls and other cattle and talk with a lot of people. He gets to see friends he sees infrequently, and is always meeting new people. I’m amazed at his ability to remember people’s names. He’s a great “PR” guy.  It’s a huge event in our year! Check out the activities at www.nationalwestern.com

I am feeling out of sorts today . . . actually I have felt that way since Christmas. I think there were so many things to do to prepare for the holiday, speaking events, and so on, that I was very focused and organized. Once the holiday was over, I was a bit lost!

Yes, my to-do list was and still is plenty long . . . I think it’s the lack of a deadline that has to do with my lack of ambition!

My sister had surgery on Wed. Nothing serious, but surgery nonetheless. I was very glad I could go and stay with her at the hospital and take her home the next day (her husband had to work and he took care of their little girl–my adorable niece!). Anyway, thankfully, she was in very little pain from the surgery itself (although a disk problem in her back gives her severe leg pain).

Since she was feeling pretty good, we actually had fun at the hospital that evening, just talking and watching TV. Since she works full-time and I do part-time, and we both have families to care for, it seems we never get enough time talking on the phone to completely catch up . . . and we sure didn’t run out of things to say while she was in the hospital!  

It was snowing the next day when I took her home (bringing back memories of our ill-fated Thanksgiving trip!) but the roads weren’t bad. I got to pick up my niece at school–she’s in kindergarten–and that brought back great memories of picking up my own kids at school when they were younger (and ran to me for a big hug, even in front of their friends).

 Skip ahead here . . . Tim and Morgan are headed to Denver to the National Western Stock Show, tomorrow, and I need to fold clothes and help them pack. They’ll be gone for two weeks! More details to follow . . .

Look! I did it! I accomplished my goal of learning to post pictures on my blog! (well, I’ve only done it once . . . but that’s one more time than I’ve ever posted a picture on my blog before!)

This is the Burke Family Christmas Picture, 2007. It was taken on Christmas Day (evening, really), just before we went to bed. We had actually said our “good-nights” when someone (probably the photo freak of the family, me) said, “We didn’t get a picture yet!” and insisted we get a picture.

First I took pictures of Tim and the kids (and dogs and cats), but I wanted to make it a true family picture and be in the picture too! With a bit of begging everyone agreed to wait while I found the instruction book so I could figure out how to use the timer. A little bit more begging while I read the directions and got the camera set (OK, I’ll admit it, Cody had to help me!), and finally took two true family pictures . . . and here is the result–a picture nicer than most of the ones we’ve taken with lots of planning and posing.

I laughed yesterday reading my friend Rox’s blog (you can check it out at www.randomthoughts-rox.blogspot.com); she said despite her efforts to get “the perfect picture,” she couldn’t . . . her family took silly pictures instead. She decided that the silly pictures were representative of her family having fun together and would use one of them.  

Two families, two approaches to the family Christmas picture . . . and “mission accomplished” in both cases. After all, the idea of a photograph is to capture good memories–why stress out getting those memories?  

I hope all readers had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! Our family agreed the holidays were the best ever. Not because of gifts or any specific event, but just because we were together! As with any and every family, there is at least the potential for stress between family members for any variety of reasons. Thankfully, the mood was light in our home throughout the holidays and there were no stressful moments.

The weather was cold, but not too frightful . . . the food was great, and most importantly, the company was wonderful!

Tim had throat surgery for his snoring and sleep apnea on Dec. 18th, and he was still having quite a bit of pain over Christmas and Ney Year’s, and didn’t eat much more than mashed potatoes and pasta and a few bites of his favorite, rare prime rib. But the surgery has made a HUGE difference in his sleep and energy level–it’s amazing! He is still having some pain, but seems to be normal for the course.

Morgan had 5 friends for an overnight New Year’s party. They all had a great time and with the exception of the dogs barking at 2:30 AM and waking me up (the girls had decided it was “too hot” in the house so went outside to cool off–the windchill was near zero! At least they wore their coats and boots!) Tim and I slept well. The girls stayed up until 5:30 AM so I think it was a quiet day in several homes (including ours) on Jan. 1st.

Cody went out with friends and stayed overnight with them, so he did a lot of sleeping the next day, too.

All in all, we counted our blessings and are looking forward to 2008.  

As I was looking over my Christmas list the other day, it occurred to me that there are two types of people we tend to spend too much money on; people who we would spend any amount on, but are happy with any gift . . . and people who will not be happy with any gift no matter how much money we spend. 

I would spend any amount of money to get my husband, kids, mom and dad, or sisters, something they would truly love or make their life easier. I used to spend lots of money on gifts for these loved ones. However, I’ve come to realize that they are happy with whatever I give them, be it big or small, extravagant or simple, just so it’s given with love.

For the last few years my sisters and parents and I decided that we would keep gift giving to a minimum. My sister now donates money to a charity on our behalf. My other sister and I have started a tradition of baking biscotti and making truffles for everyone. This year we took the treats to them when we visited at Thanksgiving, further saving money by not having to mail anything.

I took a bunch of pictures at Thanksgiving, and will be making collages (via computer) and sending these to family members to enjoy all year.

I get as much joy out of giving these less expensive gifts, as I did giving more expensive ones—and have the bonus of saving time and money and not stressing out over finding the “perfect” gift. 

I think we all have people in the second category on our list—people who will not be happy no matter how much time, effort, and money is put into their gift. 

For many, many years I spent way too much time and energy trying to “please” one person in my family this way. I wanted him to like me, to appreciate what I did . . . but the most he did was to grunt and then throw my carefully chosen, expensive gifts, on the floor.

Several years ago I realized that I was never going to please him, and decided NOT to spend the time or energy or money on gifts for him anymore. In the spirit of Christmas we still give him gifts, just not extravagant ones, and not with the expectation of receiving thanks or appreciation for them.

We give gifts that are inexpensive and simple—homemade candy or soup mixes, gloves, a coffee mug, or office supplies—things that will be used and appreciated by another family member if the original recipient doesn’t. I’ve given him books that I think he’ll enjoy—books that I know I or other family members will enjoy if he isn’t interested in reading them! We also give framed photos that can be easily displayed, and perhaps will bring him some happiness.

Take the next step: Look at YOUR Christmas list. Who will appreciate any gift given with love? Who will NOT appreciate any gift? Take the pressure off yourself and your wallet—simplify!

I’ve received several messages lately suggesting sending gifts and cards to soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital. I forwarded the address for WRAMH, and then received the following suggestions from a friend who lives in

She said that WRAMH receives many, many packages during this time of year, and sometimes the staff is overwhelmed and doesn’t even have time to open and distribute all of the donations. She suggested waiting to send things to WRAMC (pajamas, hot chocolate, etc.) until a time when less is received there, perhaps in February and March, between Christmas and Memorial Day.

It’s the time of year when we’re thinking of people who are spending the holidays without their families, and since we are so blessed to have soldiers who are willing to make that sacrifice (or have made it in the past), here are some suggestions for doing so for some soldiers who might not get the attention the ones at WRAMH are getting. 

First of all, consider calling your local VA hospitals and nursing homes, as many veterans from the

Another great way to give is to go to www.anysoldier.com. Soldiers from all of the services, who are stationed all over the world, can register. They then post information about their unit, what they do, and sometimes what some of their needs are. You can get the contact information and send them an encouraging letter and/or personalized package. You can search for a particular soldier, or by the state their unit is from, by the number of men or women in the unit, and so on. It’s a great way to give what the soldiers really need.

Consider including your children in the process—talk with them about what it means to serve our country. Allow them to help you pick out a soldier or unit to send a box to, and let them pick out things to put in the box. When you read the letters on the site, you’ll see how much letters from kids—from anyone!—make a difference.

I suggest sending your package using a Priority Mail box, which you can get free from the post office; they cost about $8 to send, no matter how much it weighs! I know from personal experience that you can fit a LOT of stuff into one box! If you send a package via Priority Mail by the first week in December or so, it should get there by Christmas.

If you’d like to support a wounded soldier and his or her family, check out http://soldiersangelsforum.com/index.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid=51

Our country is so very blessed to have soldiers who are willing to serve our country! Consider showing them your support this holiday season. And as always, remember the soldiers, and their families, in your prayers.