Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 110

Obedience, Faith, & Hope Equal Success: Part I of II

Today is my monthly post with the Indelibles, to visit their amazing website, click on either photograph. Indelibles is a resource for writers and self published authors. Some of us are self published by choice, in spite of contract offers. Some decide to self publish because they have a story to share with their family or maybe because they don't want to, or can't find a publisher for their book. Regardless of the reason, Indie (self published) authors look to each other and other avenues for support, feedback, and knowledge. To participate in this tour each month is one way we stay connected and help each other.

This month I want to encourage anyone, especially the Indie author to set goals and never underestimate the power of your story, and more importantly God. I released my first book, When the Waves Subside: There is Hope in February as a gift to my parents. In April, I released Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, written to share "one sister's journey" after the kidnapping of my only sister. This summer I released Encourage Others: One Day at a Time, to help myself, and others, keep important dates organized. With each new release, blog and speaking engagement -- I learn something and continue to challenge myself to be the best writer I can be. I shared my testimony and story for the first time in December 2010 and I NEVER imagined I would be traveling to Texas to speak three years later!!

God is so good!!

The Heidi Search Center in San Antonio, Texas invited me to speak at their annual banquet in December! As if this isn't exciting enough, this is also the same center that sent a search expert to aid in my sister's search and rescue back in 1994. The new director didn't know this when she first contacted me, only through conversation did she learn this. God lead her to my website and blog. Never did I dream this summer when we talked that she would call me in October to let me know I was approved by the board to come and speak.

So very exciting!! The details are still in the works yet the confirmation is there. As more becomes available I will let you know. Until then, don't give up on your dreams and don't underestimate the power of God when you are obedient to follow Him. Who would of thought small town girl would write a book or travel across the country as a professional speaker? Not me...thoughts?

TOP's Tuesday - EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT to come

Yesterday was a long day! Do you ever have days where it might be the same total of hours as the day before yet it feels much longer? That was my day yesterday. We left the house at 7 a.m. and didn't return home until after 8 p.m. So maybe it was as long as it felt? Regardless, Mags and I enjoyed each others company and the time we were blessed with in spite of the location of this quality time. Maybe I'll share more later but for now, it's a family thing.

BUT after a long day of school, drive time, appointments, a couple errands, and then an amazing band/chorus concert at the high school...a message on Facebook lifted the exhaustion and replaced it with joy.

JOY

THANKFULNESS

APPRECIATION

HUMILITY

OVERWHELEMED

EXCITED!!!

Once the concert was over and we visited with some friends and others in the community, it was time to head home last night. I couldn't wait until I got home to call the person that left the message so I called from my cell phone. Her joy and excitement on the other end of the receiver only heightened my curiosity as the goose bumps appeared on my arms.

"Hi Crystal, it's Lisa. What's up?"

I could almost see her dancing around the house (oh wait, that was me dancing) as she told me, "Lisa, I wanted to let you know...."

I'll share more in tomorrow's blog but if you want to know what it is today then sign up to receive my newsletter. I didn't plan on doing one until later in the month but this amazing God orchestrated news is cause to kick off the first one. I'll be sending it out this afternoon, probably between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. so sign up today.

No worries, I won't (and don't have time) to do daily newsletters. Some days are a joyful challenge to get the blog posted because family is first, not my computer. Have a great day!

Announcement on tomorrow's blog - If I can wait that long!! Be sure to sign up to receive my newsletter to find out before everyone else! Sending out the newsletter this afternoon!

New Feature Added ~ An Opportunity To Know First

While most of you follow the blog daily, many have a couple days each week they use to check in, and yet others get here now and then. TOP's Tuesday has become a day for me to "Make an Announcement" in regards to publishing or upcoming speaking engagements. I enjoy writing the blog, hearing from all of you, and sharing how God is working in my life. I think we all have a blog within us yet not everyone is called to write it down ~ does this make sense? Let me explain.

I think of blogging as an online journal for the world to read. If you journal, write in a diary, or leave a written legacy of your life for future generations ~ then you might just be your family's blogger - it won't be the world who reads it but instead your closest family and friends after you pass away. Regardless if you blog "live" or savor it within the covers of your journal, keep writing.

As times change and One Sister's Journey evolves, it's time to build my ability to reach more people to share hope, healing, and God with others. I write daily and still plan to blog often, if not daily. I have a few writing projects in the works and my "free" (LOL) time is scarce between working full time, being a decent wife and mother, and a couple other things going on. Something has to give so that my health isn't the first to go. I need to strong now, more than ever.

Don't worry thought, I LOVE to blog and hearing from all of you so I'll probably just take a couple days off each week and the other blogs will be shorter, or maybe I'll take what used to be one blog and make it a two part blog. This way I could still blog daily and have time to finish a project with a target DECEMBER 2013 GOAL!!

While the blogging is being modified, I am adding something new ~ a mailing list!! You'll notice on the right there is a new feature - "JOIN MAILING LIST HERE". Enter your name, email, and the format you would like to receive your emails from me. This will not be a daily email ~ I'm thinking weekly, if not twice a month. These will contain information about upcoming speaking engagements, book releases, or other exciting information.

My lovely friends Debbie and Mary encourage and inspire me to keep stepping out in faith and look ahead. The newsletter is one step forward in obedience as I wait to see all God has for me and my family. I'm still just me yet trying to figure out ways to maximize my time, to write, share, and stay connected to each of you in different modalities.

I hope you'll join my mailing list and invite your friends and family to do so too! Later this month there will be an announcement or two that will be shared via the newsletter first! If you want to know before Social Media or the blog, then JOIN the MAILING LIST. I hope you like this new addition. Have a great week. What do you think about the newsletter?

A Gift Received and Shared...

A friend gifted me this song today ~
little did she know, I was already teary
eyed listening to her sing.

Her words of encouragement, friendship,
and love are a constant blessing to me!

I would like to share the "Blessings" with you too... Is there a song you hear that reminds you of someone else?
What is the song and who does it remind you of?

A Great Family Day of Pop Warner Football, Vendors, & FUN!!

Come out and support our Pop Warner Football teams - games ALL DAY!

Vendors there 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.!

I'll be there with all three of my books
for sale and/or to sign ones
you may have purchased on Amazon.com.

If you are looking for a speaker f
or your church, women's group, organization, or whatever - I'll have information with me and I'd love to talk with you!

See you at the high school - 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

September's Birthday Bash Winners Announced

I'll start with an apology for not posting on October first, which was also a TOP's Tuesday. It's been a few days since I even logged onto my blog or written one. Typically I write daily, blog daily, and manage to fit everything in to the schedule. Life has won this week and I've chosen a much earlier bed time, before 9 p.m. one night was even by 8 p.m. I'm guessing my body is fighting something as I awoke at 3:30 a.m. with a dry throat and runny nose, yuck! Feeling alright but thankful I listened to my body, took my ImmuPro, and went to bed.

I would say, "I'll sleep in tomorrow" but we have a busy day planned. Instead of sleeping in, we are loading up the car so I can spend the day behind Mexico High School with other vendors. If you are looking for some Pop Warner Football fun or a Fall Vendor's Fair, stop by to check out what types of crafts, sports apparel, books, and whatnot are available and enjoy some family time supporting our kiddos. It will be a busy and fabulous day. I will be there 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. with copies of all three books. I'll try to post some pics on Facebook throughout the day too.

In addition to slight exhaustion and something I can't share at the moment, the school year started a few weeks ago and has slowly been catching up with me. Between April and June last year I enjoyed the busyness of working all day and then "working" in the evening on weekends as I spoke and did book signings. Yet, when the last day of school arrived, I took nearly a summer long vacation to recoup. There were a few work days incorporated, speaking engagements scheduled, and book signings but for the most part...I was wife, mother, and daughter only.

Now that school has started again I am energized by the teachers I work with and the kiddos in our classes. I'm blessed to work in a new building and although I was nervous and hesitant this summer, God continues to encourage, inspire, and uplift me each day I enter my new building. I'm thankful for God's wisdom and my obedience -- God is always wise but I don't always obey on the first tap of the shoulder. (Stop laughing Mom and no stories down memory lane either, lol)

I'm slowly getting back into the groove of the double life - educator and professional author. There is some exciting stuff to come and I can't wait for confirmation to share it with you. I can't even think of a clue to share because we are praying God will provide the way to make this happen. I tear up every time I think of it and each time I've asked someone (only a small handful) to join us in prayer. This is a HUGE step for me, Ed, Mary, and my parents - one only God could have orchestrated. So exciting...as soon as I know it will be blogged! Don't you worry... Okay, the blog has gotten a bit long today - this is what happens when I slack off, eh? God has a certain number of words within me to share and I need to keep pressing on and getting them out. He also wants me healthy and opened the calendar for rest this week. I'm scheduling into Spring 2014 already and travel is in our future. This is exciting and all God - if you are interested in having me for a book signing or speaking engagement, contact me at lbuskewriter@aol.com or you can private message me on Facebook, whichever is easiest for you, your church, women's group, or organization.

Let the waiting stop, the winners of last month's "Birthday Bash Contests" are listed below. We were blessed to give
away more than 1,000 copies of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey and When the Waves Subside: There is Hope in September as Kindle downloads. Many have taken advantage of the reduced Kindle pricing of $4.99. I've had request for them to be available for the Nook and my goal is to have this available this winter.

The birthday blog tour was a ton of fun and it was great to see so many people visiting the blog last month -- 13.6 thousand different people have visited the blog!! And in the past year, there have been 189 thousand page views! 

This is exciting stuff - Go God and Thank YOU!!

Congratulations to our winners and prayers of thanksgiving for each of you. Thank you for writing a review on Amazon Michelle and Denise! Thank you for reviewing Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey
on Amazon.com
Michelle and Denise.
You both win a FREE, autographed copy of:
Choose ONE of the books below...

1) Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey by Lisa M Buske
2) When the Waves Subside: There is Hope by Lisa M Buske
3) Encourage Others: One Day at a Time  by Lisa M Buske
4) We all Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can by Elaine W. Miller

Contact me by Sunday with your mailing address via my mail: lbuskewriter@aol.com with "Amazon Review Winner" in the subject line. Congratulations and Thank you!! Thank you for Inspiring The Photo Contest Tricia! Sadly, no one posted a creative picture with one of my books in it on Facebook and tagged me in it so it appeared on my page. I was bummed and so were my parents but live and learn. I thought it would be a fun way to share hope and Heidi while having a little fun. I'll come up with something different for next year.

Rather than remain sad, I decided to give away a book to someone who posted a picture of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey and her precious pup, Sasha awhile back.

The comment on Facebook with this post:
"Hey mom, what ya reading???" — with Lisa M Buske ."
I still love this photo and it's the one that inspired this contest.

So Tricia L., email at lbuskewriter@aol.com with your mailing address - let me know which of my three books you would like and it will be in the mail next week. Thank you for remembering Heidi!
There are direct links on all photos -
Where's Heidi? & When the Waves Subside
are both available on Kindle for only $4.99

I travel "One Thousand Miles" for today's blog...

Happy Monday everyone! A couple weeks ago I was invited by author Alyshia Hull to "guest blog" on her website this past week. Due to prior obligations and life I wasn't able to but I finished my post yesterday and emailed it to her. She posted it last night.

I hope you'll pop over (click on either photo) and read my blog, on her blog. My topic assignment: " A Writer’s Challenges Aren’t Bound by Age " - the student giving the teacher an assignment, isn't this wonderful? I love it...I'm also guest blogging at "A Mags Moment", my daughter's blog later this week. I feel like such a teenager - loving every minute of it.

http://alyshiahullauthor.weebly.com/3/post/2013/09/a-writers-challenges-arent-bound-by-age-lisa-buske.html Last Farmer's Market in New Haven is TODAY!!

Copies of
Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey
When the Waves Subside: There is Hope
Encourage Others: One Day at a Time
will be available.
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
State Route 104 in the center of town,
in front of the Town Hall/Highway Dept. Be sure to visit Alyshia's website to read today's blog!
http://alyshiahullauthor.weebly.com/3/post/2013/09/a-writers-challenges-arent-bound-by-age-lisa-buske.html

3 Aspects of Health: Part III ~ Your Emotional Health

Last weekend I started us on a journey about health. Do you remember the three types of health I planned to address? You got it…physical, spiritual, and emotional. I opened the series with physical health because I had just completed a 5K earlier that morning. Next, we looked at our spiritual health. Today, we are going take a sneak peak at the importance and root of our emotional health.

In case you missed Part I or II of this series, there are direct links attached to the photos below – feel free to revisit them before continuing on. To Read Part I
 "Physical Health"
Click on
above photo To Read Part II
"Spiritual Health"
Click on
above photo As I prayed, studied, and prepared for this final blog of the series a truth stood out to me ~ a truth you either already knew and were waiting for or one you started to realize also…one type of health doesn’t exist without the other. They are woven in and through each other beautifully. When we have all three in sync with each other and God, hold on to your seat because I believe this is when we join God on the mission, trip, path, or life He has been waiting to bless us with.

To think about one’s emotional health I found myself thinking of people I believe are healthy and have it all together, some of which, I find myself saying “In spite of “x”, they are doing so good.” And then I think of myself.

Rewind to 1994 through 2004, the months and first decade following Heidi’s kidnapping. Most people thought I had it together yet once I walked behind the security of my own home…the broken, depressed, and miserable woman I was reared its ugly head and attitude. 

Side note: How come we share our worst and ugliest moments with the people we love the most? It makes no sense, maybe it’s because we know they love us regardless and won’t leave us because they remember who we were before and/or can see the direction we are heading. Just a thought.

Now don’t get me wrong, not every waking minute was spend crying my eyes out. There are happy memories during these times too yet the dark times outweigh them all. The greatest joy and blessing God has given me happened during my darkest years. This joy is one of the reasons I started to laugh and see the good in the world again. This blessing brought smiles, hope, and something so powerfully positive to our family.

God replaced our loss with new life, the birth of my daughter. She was the first piece of true happiness I felt in years. Mags was evidence of God’s love for me and our family. I still remember the smile on my parents’ faces when they saw and held her – no masks that day, only joy and hope for a future and a new beginning. 

Why do I share this with you? Simple, I want you to think of the people in your circle of life. Is there a family or person in particular you find yourself thinking of because they’ve experienced such great hardship, loss, or tragedy? Do you ask yourself, “How do they do it? They look so happy.” I want to challenge you – are they happy or are they joyful? There is a different. This is where our emotional health comes into play.

I was happy throughout the darkest years of my life yet there was no joy until my pregnancy with our daughter. I was happy for my friends’ accomplishments, bonds with their siblings, and their friendships but behind the smile was envy for the milestones Heidi wouldn’t reach, the sister days we were missing, and the forever friendship of my sister into my adult years Heidi’s kidnappers took from me.

I laughed and made light of most things in life but went home to have childish temper tantrums that would put a two year old to shame because of the inner turmoil.

My emotional health was way out of whack even though to my coworkers, community, and even most of friends…I appeared okay.  I tried to think of a visual to show the difference between being emotionally healthy versus the alternative. I want you to think of the prettiest crown you’ve ever seen. Does it sparkle with rare and exotic gems? Is it unique? Does the silver or gold reflect light? Do the gems create a rainbow on the wall across the room when the Son shines on it? This is an example of a healthy person – so full of life and the love of God that they radiate it wherever they might travel.

An unhealthy person wears a crown of darkness and despair. Their crown might have broken stems and missing jewels. It may have scratches and dings from being beaten and abused. Dirt might smother its ability to reflect light. Sadly, it might even be so hurt, abused, neglected, and grief-stricken that no one even noticed it fell off the shelf and is lying on
the floor in the back of the closet. 

Thankfully, the light within the gems and jewels is still there. The dirt can be washed away. The dings and bruises will heal. The grief can be replaced with love. The anger and resentment smothered by forgiveness, one only found through a relationship with Jesus. God sent His Only Son to earth as a babe knowing He would allow Him to die a death on the cross for our sins. 

Why did God let this happen? Why did Jesus let this happen? Simple – God loves us so much that He overcame the world as a testimony to you and me. 

Regardless of life’s challenges, there is hope. I encourage you to get healthy. As you develop your spiritual and physical health, trusting God…a super strong faith and emotional health is sure to follow. Not only does God wipe away every tear, He sent Jesus to restore your crown.  Brush off the dirt of life & polish
it with the love of Jesus.
Have a great day!

September 2010 Revisited...Do you remember when?

Flashback to September 2010 - An Unedited Blog Blast from the Past
Hello Everyone!  Thanks for visiting my blog.  I am so thankful for a God that lifts us up when we are feeling down.  My previous post came from deep within my heart - I received a few emails and had a couple people stop to share words of encouragement or words of "I don't what to say" with me yesterday.  I was told it was a depressing post and some weren't sure why I had posted it.  While others thanked me for sharing the good, bad and the ugly! 

I honestly thought about whether to post or not the other day for these same reasons.  I didn't want to depress anyone yet I wanted you all to know that life isn't always easy.  I have friends that have lost loved ones (parents & siblings) to cancer, disease and old age so I know they experience similar sadness in attending the milestone events of other friends and family.  I don't believe my feelings are unique yet at the same time they are.  

When we lose someone to death - we know where they are.  If you have lost someone to kidnapping or abduction - unless the body or person is recovered - we never know.  We can presume...but we don't know for sure.  I had been praying for God's guidance to finish the revisions of my current chapter - He is so faithful and came through.  

A couple of my critiques and comments were to keep the grief and intensity in the beginning because I wasn't who I am today during the time I'm writing about at the beginning of the book.  This is so true but I was having a hard time finding that deep sorrow and sense of loss - until the wedding. 

Don't get me wrong - I'm not walking around wallowing in grief and depression.  I'm celebrating my sisters - sisters in Christ, sisters by marriage and the beauty of life's journey.  Yet because of the perspective God placed on my heart during the
service - HE found that emotion needed to wrap up the next chapter's revision! 

Thank you Jesus!  He always knows what we need, when we need it.  I apologize if you thought the previous posting was too much.  I only want each of you to travel this journey with me.  There are days that revising and writing break my heart.  There are days I can't formulate the words and sentences needed to finish.  So God finds the triggers in life to stimulate my creative genious, the gift He has given me to share and help others. 

Most of my post have been filled with sunshine and roses but that isn't always the life one lives when they wake up each morning not knowing where their loved one is...are they alive or dead? I write to help others and in the process...God is helping me grieve and heal through aspects I hadn't yet dealt with.  (and I thought I had)

Psalm 8
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands;  you put everything under his feet: all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.   O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! What stands out to you after reading this blog, compared to recent ones? Please share below...

A Poem Written and Shared...

You Can Count On Me
1, 3, 5, 7, 9...I love that sister of mine
2, 4, 6, 8, 10...Always hope to see her again
1, 3, 5, 7...it might not be until heaven
2, 4, 6, 8...but I'm strong enough to wait
1,3,5...thankful to be alive
2,4,6...her friendship is one of my favorite picks
1,3...sisters and friends we'll forever be
2,4...I couldn't have loved her more
1...this little poem is done
2...I wrote it just for you.
~ Lisa M Buske, 9/23/13 ~ Who can YOU count on when you need a pick me up?