Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 104

Will we get the storm or not?

If you live in, or are familiar with the weather patterns and winter storms in the Northeast, then you know this is a question asked often between November and April. Today is one of those days - as the temperatures drop and the snow accumulation predictions increase, so does the buzz and excitement. Some run to the store to stock up "just in case" and others ignore the warnings because if the wind shifts or you aren't in the "belt" ~ you may not receive a single snow flake.

One thing we are all experiencing together is the "arctic chill", whether we get the snow or not. This morning we entered school slushing through puddles created from melting snow and rain. Eight hours later, we were greeted by ice and multiple people fell between the building and reaching their cars due to the thick and slick ice. Thankfully no one was severely injured that I'm aware of - bruised spirits but not bones, so this is good.

Do you live where the winter weather is a lunch room discussion or possibly even a debate? Some believe there will be a "snow day" tomorrow, while others believe it will blow past us and we'll be in school. It all depends on which way the wind blows and how Ol' Man Winter decides to shake things up.

I know this weather is affecting a good portion of the United States, so if you are in the belt of this winter storm - let's have some fun and do a poll. Will there be school and business closings tomorrow are will this too pass? This could be fun... What is your favorite "snow day" memory?

A look within...What am I reflecting through my behavior?

Yesterday’s blog was written, I asked my Mom to read it before I posted and then it sat in my “draft folder”. It remains there today. I might still post it later this week, or maybe it will just be deleted and remain between God and myself, and of course my Mom since she played editor and friend for me. Time will tell but for now, I’ve decided to blog about the same topic but in a completely different way after God’s message to me this morning through Pastor Dan.

Let me open with the most profound words (in my opinion anyway) spoken this morning as pastor started his message:

“Values affect your behavior;
 Behavior reflects your values.”
 Pastor Dan Groh

I know, awesome, right? I listened as he spoke it the first time, wrote it down the second time, and reflected on it throughout his message and into the afternoon. Why did this resignate so much with me? For different reason, yet let me share a couple with you. Pastor’s message was about “Prayer is the primary work of God’s people”, for those familiar with the C & MA core values, it’s the second one.  

In a nutshell, Pastor dissected Philippians 4:6-9 to show us that we need to:
1) Pray about EVERYTHING
2) Pray with THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
3) Result of thankful prayer is CONTENTMENT and JOY AND RECEIVING GOD’S PEACE
 
As if this isn’t enough to have you thinking about your prayer life, as he broke it down and added other Scriptures to highlight even more truths, he revealed there is a need within all of us. We all have needs and it is a prayerful attitude that moves us forward with joy and contentment, not having our circumstances change. This is what brought tears to my eyes and a deeper level of thought on a much more personal level.

Pastor Dan asked the congregation to share a stress or anxiety we are dealing with. I think when we are honest, everyone is dealing with some type of situation or circumstance but we might not share it. My blog yesterday was sharing a great weight on our shoulders currently, one I couldn’t bring myself to share with my church family this morning. Each time I thought about raising my hand, tears welled up in my eyes and I wasn’t sure I could even share the prayer request without crying. Then I found myself having a conversation with myself (in my mind) while we prayed and moved through the morning as I debated why I didn’t share yet I was willing to put it on the blog yesterday? 

Is it because it’s far more humbling to verbally share a prayer request to your family than to write it to your online friends, family, and prayer team? Is it an issue of pride because I don’t want those closest to us to worry? Did I remain mute because I know some of our struggles are self-inflicted and don’t feel worthy of the prayers from others? Is it a combination of these?

If you were me this morning, would you of raised your hand and shared a personal need, fear, struggle, stressor, or object of anxiety in your life? Once everyone who wanted to share was finished, the church prayed for each other. It was such a beautiful expression of love for each other. I opened my mouth to pray a few times and tears started before sound so my prayers for my church family were between God and I. I closed by thanking God for loving us and being the Omni God and for the amazing family of God I belong to.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.
 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time 
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:5-7

If I’m to humble myself and ask for prayer requests, then I must open myself up. There are a couple things weighing on our shoulders currently, things I understand God may choose to answer or might leave us to endure the season YET one thing is for sure – with a prayerful, content, humble, and joyful heart…we will keep our eyes fixed on Him through it all.

If you would like to join us in prayer:
Pray for our current financial situation and that we are able to make our payments on time and glorify God in the process of moving forward out of debt as we live and serve Him. May we all be blessed this year and give witness of God’s love, provision, and faithfulness when we are first faithful and obedient to Him in our lives, finances, and in all we say, think, and do.

Pray for a family member close to us. Last year was a medical struggle and something we’ve kept very private for the sake of this person. As the new year starts, some of last year’s issues are returning and we are praying for 100% healing for her and that she will be able to give testimony of how God healed and provided for us all during this time. There are more doctor appointments and specialists in the months to come, pray they aren’t needed and we are able to provide the
way we need to in this situation. Can you relate? Will you share a bit below?

An Aroma of Color from the Mug of Life

The first moment I saw this photo it stirred a thought in my head. Typically there is a cloud of warmth rising from my coffee cup as I transition from the kitchen to my comfy chair. In today's photo though, there is more to the cloud - it's one of color, variety, and hope.

It also reminds me of a couple verses in Galatians. These are ones you are probably familiar with, talking about the "fruits of the Spirit",

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Galatians 5:22-23

Think about each bubble of color as a fruit of the Spirit, and each time you carry a piping hot beverage or enjoy one with a time of fellowship with friends or family - remember we are to release positive, encouraging, and Christ like aromas to those around us.

Who looks forward to a cup of depression, grief, or sadness? Not many, yet at times, it will be your aroma that eases the burdens of another so they leave with their cup full and colorful, not dreary and empty.

What rises from you cup? Are you sharing with others? Do you need someone to share sow if their joy with you?

Praying we all have an aroma of color lifting from our hearts and mugs. What is your favorite hot beverage on a cold day?

Breast Cancer Awareness & Prevention Pencils..A Gift of Friendship

Last night I enjoyed yet another Christmas movie marathon. Some of my favorite movies air in the weeks leading up to, and the week after Christmas. Movies of hope, love, and miracles. While Ed watched football in the living room, I invaded my daughter’s room to watch from her room. She read. I crocheted until my fingers cramped up. Then as quick as my fingers cramped, God gave me a thought.

I jumped from the couch and went to my office. All I could hear behind me was, “Mom, are you okay.” I smiled and chuckled as I responded with a “Just got an idea, grabbing my stuff.” Even though I couldn’t see her, I know she was smiling and shaking her head at me. My family is used to such things when it comes to living with me. I commend anyone who lives with the artsy-creative being, we can be a bit odd, flighty, and go with the moment when the idea/thought/muse/inspiration hits.

I pulled the white basket from the, retrieved my pretty-in-pink breast cancer awareness pencils from their special spot, grabbed an additional steno pad, and returned to the movie marathon. With Mags by my side, I went to work, with tears in my eyes. Why such an emotional ordeal? To write is nothing new. To jump from my seat with the idea I’ve been praying and thinking for, nothing new. To have multiple notebooks, binders, and writing utensils around me…normal. So what was different? Why the tears? Simple…because of the
pencils.

A sweet and special friend gave me a pack of pencils to “write your next book” in the fall of 2012. I told her, “Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey doesn’t release until April 2013, so why the pencils now?” She smiled, gave me a hug and said “Because you have more to write and I know it will be great. Thank you for being my friend.” I assured her I would tuck the pencils away until I started to seriously work on the sequel to Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey.  So last night, I went to work. I’ve been making notes, jotting down ideas, and organizing my thoughts for this book since about half way through writing the first one. There are things I want to share with others to help, encourage, and inspire them yet in order to write Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey as if back in 1994, and move forward, some things had to wait. Until now…

Usually when I grab the pencils, use the coffee mug, or whatever someone has blessed me with for a certain time…I contact them to say thank you and let them know their gift of love is being used. I couldn’t do this last night. My friend, LMD, is one of heaven’s angels now. Shortly after encouraging me and giving me the pencils, her battle with cancer returned ~ a battle God chose to relieve her of by calling her home…to Him. To use these pencils brought mixed emotions. She would be thrilled I was using them yet probably laugh because I really saved them. I wrote part of a chapter last night with these pencils…who knew a pencil, and the conversation when gifted, could be such an encouragement? I posted a couple pictures last night to Facebook and asked what each had to do with each other. Linda F. said, “planning”. You are so right Linda, I’m planning and working on the sequel to Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey. Laurel V. said, “someone you know uses them” ~ this is true also. Actually, each time I see Laurel’s pencils floating around the room I think of LMD, friendship, and how God’s plan is always perfect. So these pencils bring encouragement and confirmation, all at the same time. Cool, eh?

I don’t have a calendar of deadlines created for the sequel or even a time frame to finish, leaving in God’s hands. All I know for today is this, I used the pencils a friend gifted me for this very purpose last night and the writing and moving forward with this book has been set in motion. Similar to Where’s Heidi? One Sister’s Journey, there will be much emotion to accompany the writing and editing process yet I feel God is saying, “It’s time.” What "little thing" has made a BIG difference in your life?
Please share...

Who is Praying You Through?

My hope for the week ahead is to wrap up the four pages of saved "blog drafts" so they are ready to post in the weeks to come. What type of things end up as a "draft" depends on the who or what that triggers a God moment, thought, or reflection. Some of the drafts are partially written, while others contain only a photo, Youtube video, or Scripture verse. These are blog ideas God gives me yet at the time, either I can't do them justice so I wait or it feels like there is more to the blog than the initial tidbit.

I don't think my "draft" folder on my blog will be empty, actually, I pray it never is ~ because each draft is a way I see or interpret God working in my life, the life of my family and friends, or in the world around me. May I, or you, never lose sight of all the goodness and love God has for us each day.

I heard this song one day, a couple months ago. It brought tears to my eyes. We may never know who is praying for us. On some occasions, it is neat to learn after the fact, that while I was having a tough day or going through something difficult ~ to learn down the road that someone "just happened" to pray for me at the very day and time I needed it, even though they didn't know. God always knows and provides a way.

I hope you know someone is praying you through...I thank God for answering each and every prayer. I thank God for each of you, and those I may not connect with...that are praying me through...May God bless you in return. Do you jot down the ways God encourages you each day?

More than a house...it's a home!

On Christmas morning we didn't expect to see many gifts since my parents blessed us with the beautiful, hand crafted, and amazing book shelf unit a couple weeks ago. BUT, I should of known, in keeping with my Gram's philosophy in life ~ there needs to be gifts under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning. This key ring holder, above, was one of the family gifts we opened. Isn't it beautiful?

Mom and Dad used a photograph of our house to size the wood, trace, wood burn, and paint our home onto a piece of pine. Dad cut the wood to size around Mom's sketch and rounded the edges and then Mom went to work. Once Mom exercised her patience and skill, Dad attached the hooks and applied the glass top finish. (It has a fancy name, Apoxy or something but no sure so I'll call it "glass top", lol) Our expectations on Christmas morning were for Dad's special cooked breakfast and time with family, making memories.

It was a morning of seeing Ephesians 3:20-21 lived out. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

We have the greatest gift a person can have in our life...love. A love for each other, and the love of our Heavenly Father. We don't live in a house, we live in a home. Struggles and challenges may come our way yet to know we have LOVE, God, and family...anything is possible. Will you share a Christmas Day memory of this year below?

A Gift of Love and Hope ~ "No More Pain: I Can Fly"

Since this summer I've had an idea for another short story, well a couple, but this one, No More Pain: I Can Fly, I wanted to gift my parents on Christmas morning.

Although the angel ornament hangs from an evergreen tree, the message of hope carries throughout the year and isn't only for Advent or Christmas. Hope, encouragement, and assurance are daily needs and desires.

This short story is written similar to When the Waves Subside: There is Hope. A poetic lay out and style combined with photographic memories. There are pictures of a sunrise from my parent's yard, the sun shining through the clouds captured one afternoon on our way home from Lowville, and of course pictures of Heidi and I.

A request from many of you has been, more pictures of "the sisters", I hope you like the ones I chose. There are a few with Heidi and I, and a couple that only show our hands, hands held by those of our parents. I was blessed to share this with my parents first and foremost, they didn't even know another book was in the works. In only thirty-three lines, I share the story of one of God's children suffering as God looks down from heaven...waiting.

What is God waiting for you might ask?

He waits for an invitation. God is a loving God and although His heart breaks to see His children, you and I, struggle ~ He waits to hear you call out to Him and ask for His help and invite Him into your life. To wait is one of life's great challenges, doesn't it make you feel good to know even God waits?

I wrote this story for Heidi and all those who leave us too soon. My hope and prayer is that it will bring comfort to those left to wonder what happened to their missing loved one as well as the family grieving the loss of a child, friend, or loved one before we feel it was time. God's timing is always perfect, this is true, yet the pain we feel when someone near and dear to us passes away is real.

As we grieve our loss, it's important to remember, when we call out to Jesus for help and strength - He is faithful to answer.

I know some wonder, "Will I see my loved one when I get to heaven?" I remember asking myself this same question. I can't answer this but I can assure you, if they believed in and trusted God, invited Him into their life, and called out to Him...God is faithful to answer. No More Pain: I Can Fly is written to share this knowledge with others and give hope to the hurting...a hope to see their loved one again.

The book ends with a letter from your loved one in heaven ~ one God inspired me to write in the wee hours of the morning one day. As I wrote, and later reread, tears filled my eyes as if Heidi was speaking to me from heaven...free from pain and smiling as she donned her wings...the wings of an angel.

I ordered proof books for my parents to unwrap on Christmas morning but they have yet to arrive. Oh well, I printed the spec pages from the publisher, put them in plastic sleeves, and into a binder. If you've ever seen the specs, it is two pages on one page, so it was small so I also had the PDF version of the book saved in a draft email.

Once at my parents on Christmas morning, when I knew they wouldn't be checking their Kindles again, I emailed the PDF to their Kindles. When they thought the gift exchange was through, I went and grabbed their Kindles, handed them to them, and had them turn them on - their response...a gift in itself.

"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to
all who call on him in truth."
Psalm 145:18

No release date is set at this time...stay tuned.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Do you get your Christmas wish this year?

Merry Christmas 2013 from our family to yours...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone went to their own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
 
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace
to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been
told.

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Luke 2 :1-21 NIV Merry Christmas!
Celebrate Jesus birth and make memories!
We are...

More than a "Christmas Wish" Part III

Before... After... Note: There isn't usually so much knick-knacky stuff but it is Christmas! :) Like I said yesterday, this beautiful book case unit didn't just happen. The idea began with a comment by my father and then the thinking and planning went into action. Its hard to imagine this started with a pile of lumber, some of which was unfinished and Dad had to plain prior to the actual cutting and building. Dad first sketched the design and then started to formulize the actual specs to start building. So glad Dad is a visionary and can "see" his designs long before the first piece is cut. Once the side pieces were cut to size, Mom joined the party to add roses, leaves, and hearts. With the exception of the four red heart roses inlaid, the rest are sketched, wood burned, and painted by my Mom. Dad said Mom's hearts were more difficult and as you may guess, Mom said Dad's hand carving the wooden hearts and then inlaying them was more difficult. I'm not getting involved in this "discussion", I think both required patience, talent, and time. Great job to you both. The hearts are connected with pink, bleeding heart, roses. To incorporate the rose of hope that bloomed in April a couple years ago, and the same rose from the cover of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey.

Mom wood burned and painted roses from the top to bottom at the end of the book shelve and then along the scalloped top. Within the two hearts on the scallop, she wrote "OSJ" to stand for "One Sister's Journey". 

There are twelve separate shelves on the top and then the bottom has two open shelving spaces on the outside with the inner two hidden behind two doors, bearing the same rose as the top and side. In addition to the roses, Mom wood burned my initials, an "L" and "B", for each door. Within the doors is a special note from them to me, one that will remain private and ever so precious. I tried to capture the beauty and love of this beautiful and special book shelf unit yet regardless of which camera I used, none seem to do it justice.

An aspect you may not realize about this amazing gift is the gift within the heart. In 1994, my parents joy and desire to create, build, and share their talents with others slowly decreased. When you lack joy, it zaps the joy out of you. Thankfully, with time and prayer ~ the hope, joy, and love to share their talents with others has returned. A blessing many have received this year. A gift that keeps on giving.

Yes, I LOVE my shelf because it's beautiful, functional, and made just for me BUT the thing that brings tears to my eyes the most is the healing that continues to take place in my parents heart in the days, weeks, months, and years after Heidi's kidnapping as we wait.

We wait and wonder, "Will we know this side of heaven where our sweet and wonderful Heidi is?" Thankfully, as we wait, we move forward in hope and covered in prayer. One day, and sometimes one moment, at a time. I pray you can do the same. Thank you Mom and Dad! Your love greets me many times a day and to see Heidi's heart while sitting at the table...a joy!

More than A "Christmas Wish" Part II

Note: This is the before picture. Some might see this year’s sentimental Christmas gift from my parents as extravagant, over the top, or even unnecessary ~ and you might be right on some levels but it is so much more than all of these things. I will agree you to some extent yet I see it as so much more and the meaning behind the gift is deeper than it being handmade. To this daddy’s girl, it is a priceless treasure and overwhelms me with thanksgiving and love. Don’t get me wrong, I thank God for my parents on a daily basis yet when they do things like this, it is just humbling and amazing to me. 

A snip-it about my parents and why these special Christmas gifts the past few years mean so much. In 1994 my younger sister, Heidi M Allen, disappeared…kidnapped from the convenience store she worked at to pay her way through college. In addition to my sister, the kidnappers stole our communities security and on some levels, faith and hope for the tomorrows yet to be.

“This is what happened to our family in 94’
My sister went to work and was found no more.
Mom and Dad lost more than their child,
Security, trust, and fear were riled.”
Lisa M Buske, When the Waves Subside: There is  Hope

As children, my parents teamed together to create, design, build, and finish various projects for Heidi and I, our friends, and family. They used their gifts to develop items to last a life time, those priceless treasures that no amount of money could replace if they were lost or damaged. I still have one of the first book shelves my father made me, nestled in our bathroom to keep things organized and easy to access. In the living room is a little bookend shelf that holds my morning devotionals and journals on the end table. Each special and designed, built, and finished by my parents’ hands. 

Of course to receive these beautiful, heartfelt, and special gifts isn’t the best part. On so many occasions instead of telling us “Don’t touch” or “Stay in the other room I’m working”, Mom and Dad invited us to help them so we could learn and one day do the same for our kiddos. I would like to tell you I have my parents’ eye or talent to work with wood, painting, and building but this is not my area. (Not that there hasn’t been time and effort put in, lol) So my lack of mastery makes their gifts all the more special to me: first, because each always starts with the love in their heart and second, I know how difficult and tedious much of it is.

So this brings me to this year’s sentimental and amazing gift of love from my parents. Within our living room is a section of wall that we always said was wasted space. Due to the entry from the front room, you can’t put any large furniture there without it sticking out into the walkway. There aren’t any outlets on the wall so you can’t make it a reading nook or set a narrow table and lamp there either. For the past couple decades we’ve tried different things in this area, none of which really worked, until a few years ago. A friend of my parents passed away and when we helped to clean out her home, she had oodles (and I mean oodles) of books and the shelves to store them on. In addition to accumulating more books, we were blessed to inherit many of the shelves too. At first we didn’t know where to put them but then as I looked at the void of a space in the living room, the light bulb came on. Within a week, the mismatched shelves were put against the wall, the stacked ones screwed to the wall, and the books “inherited” and stored throughout the house were organized on this new “unit”. I loved it. Not only was wasted space utilized, the books were all in one area.

Fast forward to this summer, as my father puttered on a project at our house he mentioned possibly building a shelving unit to replace the hodgepodge of shelves I had. My response, “Dad, I don’t need it. These work fine.” He laughed at me and said, “I didn’t ask if you needed it.” The conversation continued for a bit and then I thought it was dropped. Not so much. 

For Christmas this year, Mom and Dad put their creative juices together to design, build, wood burn, stencil, paint, and finish the most amazing work of art and expression of love I’ve seen. Each time I pass by it, my heart overflows with love and thanksgiving, how did I get so lucky!?

But we all know luck has nothing to do with it, God blessed me with the amazing parents I have and this is just one more thing to be thankful for on a daily basis. Would you like to see this masterpiece?
If so, stop by the blog tomorrow to see the transformation and learn more to the story behind each design and creative attribute of the shelving unit.
Thanks again Mom and Dad!

I believe I just heard my parents call me a Brat! tee hee Is there a gift of love you were given in this
lifetime that stands out more than others?