Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 13

What Piece is Missing In Your Life?

How do you spend your Saturdays? I enjoy taking time to relax and catch up on all the neglected, overlooked, and trivial things I ignored because of exhaustion after getting home from work. Why do I share this with you?

I'm glad you asked. If we let the busyness of life and the piles left in their wake, we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, moody, depressed, and these are only a few. Today, instead of focusing on your lists, piles, laundry, and preparing for the next week...take some time to read, relax, pray, and absorb some quiet. If you pray, ask God to speak to your heart.

Ask Him:
What am I avoiding? What is missing? Why do I work so hard to stay busy? What motivates my busyness? God, when you look at me, what do you see is missing? Help me Lord to fill in the missing piece with the person, thing, or time YOU desire. May I accept its okay, and healthy to not have a busy plate. Amen.

Now the most important part, LISTEN to what God is showing you then ask Him to guide you and give you the strengthen you as you fill in the space. When you remove the busyness ad hustle with peace and prayer. You will be amazed, blessed, and encouraged as your missing pieces are filled with an Eternal peace, grace, and mercy. Good luck and enjoy the weekend!

I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13 ESV

How can a change in your mindset fill in this piece?

Yes, You Can! Overcome Crises with God's Help

Click here
​for Jeanette's website
​Order the book
by clicking here! Click here
for Beth's website Are you ready to overcome crises with God's help? Do you remember Jeanette Levellie and Beth Gormong? They were guests on my podcast and blog when their first devotional, Hello Beautiful!, released. ​​ I'm pleased to share they have released their second book together and it is even better than the first.

If you like to doodle, journal, draw, and color then this is must buy. Their stories will draw you closer to God, connect with people of the Bible, and strengthen your relationship with God and your prayer life. Their gift of writing, sharing, encouraging, and uplifting others is only surpassed by their bubbly and lovely personalities.

​I hope you'll take time to listen to their interview on today's podcast, it's embedded above for your convenience in case you land on this blog after September 3, 2020. I appreciate all of you and I promise this interview will make you laugh and you'll feel like you've known Beth and Jeannette for year. The laughter, honest sharing, and sharing tidbits about their newest release will leave you wanting more. Happy Listening and remember to share it on your social media feeds. Tag Jeannette Levellie, Beth Gormong, and myself when you share so we can say hello.What crises do you hope to overcome?
This book is the encouragement and hope you need...

Celebrate the Success of Others

Today I want to give a HUGE shout out to a couple authors and dear friends. Beth Gormong and Jeanette Levellie released their second devotional. Individually, they are powerful, moving, and inspiring authors and women. Together, they are a powerhouse of encouragement for others, especially women. 

Their first book, Hello Beautiful! released last year ad I had the honor to have both of them guest on my podcast. We laughed, cried, and enjoyed sharing their writing lives, fun personalities, and their first devotional as a duo.

Last year we attended the same Christian Writers' Conference and I was there when they signed for their newest release, Yes, You Can! . It was exciting and there was a lot of joy shared during the conference, prior to the hard work of writing, editing, and meeting deadlines. I'm grateful to know both of these women and to celebrate and share their newest release with all of you. In addition to this spotlight on my blog, Jeanette and Beth will be guests on an upcoming podcast too. I look forward to visiting and laughing with these two ladies. They are role models and encouragers! 

I haven't started mine yet, it only arrived yesterday but know this, it's the next one on my reading list. If you are looking for a new devotional, check this one out! These ladies don't disappoint ad I'm sure there will be much laughter, tears, reflection, and growth through reading this book. For now, I just want to share and congratulate them. Your life will be blessed through both these books. Be sure to click on their names and pictures for direct links to their personal websites and blogs. Sign up to follow them and learn about their other writing endeavors too. 
​
Their newest release, Yes, You Can! Overcome Crisis with God's Help released this past week. I am so excited for them and their readers. If you haven't checked out their first devotional, Hello Beautiful! Finally Love Yourself Just as You Are , click on the title ad you can order both copies. You will not be disappointed.
Jeanette Levellie Beth Gormong Click on Jeanette and Beth's photo or name for a direct link
to their websites to learn more about each of them,
their writing, and sign up to follow their blogs! Congratulations Beth and Jeanette!
To my readers: leave Beth and Jeanette
encouraging words as they start
book signing and speaking tours!

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Assessing Where I Am

CheckThis summer was , or should I say, IS, busy. I organized life in February while traveling with my daughter for Graduate school visits.

​I created a goal journal and set a few things in motion: 1) Word goals for my first devotional
2) Publication goals for this same devotional
3) Organized household details
4) Weekly writing goals
5) Reading for fun
6) Reading to learn

The biggest goal achieved was submitting my devotional to the editor by the end of June. I celebrated this and started my next writing project. This project is a women's Bible study and my goal is to have my first draft complete by September 2, 2020. This is going to be a challenge but I like a challenge. I have a third book I hope to start outlining when I complete this draft so I need to stay on target and focused on the goals. One goal flows into the other.

In addition to my writing, I started a new venture to help fund my passion. I signed up as an Epicure Independent Consultant. Not only is this fun, it offers healthy alternatives benefiting my family and friends. When I signed up, my hope was to enjoy the health benefits and pay for my kit. I didn't expect to fall in love with sharing the products with others and having as much fun as I am hosting and doing cooking shows. It is a blast and to know I"m sharing health and wellness tips, foods, and products with others is a bonus. This is a win-win. 

As I move forward not only do I see the opportunity for this to help fund my writing and publishing, I see it expanding my network of readers and empowering my confidence to share my writing, speaking, blogging, and podcasting a similar confidence and ease as I do the Epicure products and joy of hosting a cooking class. My dad, hubby, and aunt were concerned I was doing to much by adding Epicure to my plate but it honestly isn't one more thing...Epicure compliments my busy schedule by offering me more time and freedom. With Epicure, you can create a meal from raw to ready in twenty minutes or less! And it works. Check it out by clicking here! What are you doing to challenge & support yourself?

Are You Playing it Safe? Why?

Early in 2020 I set out on a new adventure,. Last month, I started a venture just to keep things interesting?  The adventure was, is, starting to write and publish the next book. It's an adventure because I started with only a peace in my heart that it was the path God had before me. As I sat down to start to write one thing, God gave me something totally different.
​
Last month I joined Epicure as an Independent Consultant, it's a risk yet the possibilities are endless for growth within the company, if this is something God prompts me to pursue. For the most part, this venture is one for health and wellness, and to share with others. While my plate is full, it's not crazy or chaotic.

Have you ever set sail on an adventure or venture and felt overwhelmed? Have you signed up or volunteered for something and a week later the regret overtakes you? Why do you think your feeling this way? Over the years and many moments, months, or years of exhaustion, I think I figured it out. I've told you before I'm a slow study. This is my realization and thought: If God is leading the way and we keep our eyes, heart, and mind focused on Him ~ I feel rested, energized, and things fall into place. If God has a different plan for me then the exhaustion, stress, and cranks creep in.
​"A ship is safer in the harbor, but that's not what ships are for." Here is my challenge for you, if God docks the ship, there may be a reason. If you dock the ship, then pick up the anchor and get to work. There are great things awaiting you, your greatest challenge, and opportunity is to discern God's leading versus your own. As you reflect on this well known quote, author unknown, think about what, or Who is docking your boat. If you need to follow through on something God is leading you to, push that ship into the water. If you aren't sure, pray about it. Don't trust your gut with adventure and ventures...trust God. What needs to change in your life
so your ship can sail?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Deadlines & Goals Met

It has been a busy few months. Since March I have been working on my first devotional, scheduled to release in January or February 2021. In June I shared about this new book and setting goals in order to accomplish the release in time for you, my readers, to purchase the book prior to Lent so you can enjoy this Journey to Easter!

My writing, edits, and changes concluded in June, five months after starting. It was sent to the proofreader/editor for and she worked her editorial gifting, not once, but twice. She returned it to me and I went back to work making changes, playing with words, and omitting. I returned the rewrite and I received the final copy over the weekend. Only a few more changes BUT I learned so much. She was amazing! The editor went above and beyond, explaining why some of the changes were made, triple checked my Scripture verses, and explained some Biblical misunderstandings I had, or was conveying by the way I worded things. Phew...

I'm so thankful God gifted people who are PUGS Super Heroes! What are PUGS you ask - PUGS are my nemesis but this is why I hire an editor because I like to write and know my weaknesses. 
PUGS
Punctuation
Usage
Grammar
Sentence Structure
You might think it's time to relax and wait for January BUT this is only the beginning of the next step. Now it's time to format the books, add the nuts and bolts that turn an author's writing into a book. This is the fun part for me. Some authors procrastinate and dislike formatting because it's not the most creative part of the process yet I enjoy it because I start to see how my sticky notes and scrap papers are transformed into a book. 

I'm sharing the video I made in June when the first set of proofs arrived. Since then, I have received two more and can't wait to finish the formatting so I can receive the fourth, and hopefully final, proof before it goes into publication. I'll be looking for people to join my pre-release and book promotion later this early and into the New Year. If this is something you are interested, stay tuned and I'll let you know when it's time and how you can help. Have a great day!
My first book in my new series to release in 2021!
Who is ready for their new Easter devotional?

Lesson In Love Through a Butterfly

 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 
the new creation has come:
The old has gone,
the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 VOICE

Since my mom's passing in September 2015, butterflies have left an imprint of hope, love, and family on my heart. Someone gifted my Mom a caterpillar. She enjoyed watching it form its chrysalis then the color changing from a darker color to one of translucency. The next visual excited her, although her sight was failing and becoming blurry, she would have me gently move the container closer so she could see the different colors forming behind the clear covering. 

I was at school the day this miracle bust from its safety to fly around in the container. Mom had my Dad call me at school. It was the first time in days she spoke with joy and excitement. It was muffled but I understood, there was now a butterfly. Her happiness was as evident hours later when I arrived as she tried to tell me about it. She felt bad it was trapped in the jar (it had air). She and Dad released it and watched it flutter and fly around the room, then after some time, opened the window to let it go free.

The day my Mom passed, Dad opened the window. Like the butterfly, her spirit left and soared with a freedom none of us have experienced yet. Now, when I see a butterfly, these are the moments I'm reminded of. I had a few tough days this past week and this butterfly was a reminder of hope and love from Heaven. A reminder to keep the faith and have hope because God is in charge and has my back. 

I share this with so that when you have a bad day, a challenging situation, or tough time...look back and find a time in your life when you can smile. Remember the moment of pure hope and joy and focus on this. You are strong and God is there to hold you up. He places people and butterflies in our life to uplift us in the moments we need it. What will lift you up today?

 I tell you the truth: only someone who experiences birth for a second time can hope to see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 VOICE

When you see a butterfly,
​what is the first thing, or person, you think of?

Thankful for Time at My Sewing Machine

A few weeks ago I signed up as an Independent Consultant for Epicure.
Epicure is a "...a community that unites and inspires each other to rally around healthy eating. Epicure is dedicated to sharing delicious meal solutions that use only real, whole ingredients you can trust, while never ever compromising on taste. Epicure educates and inspires their community with a three-course solution—for ourselves, our children, and our planet. Our mission is to take back our health and change the course of our next generation's wellness and relationship with food." To learn more, click here!

But today's blog is not about Epicure, it's about being creative, so let's keep moving. Epicure is a company dedicated to helping families create meals "raw to ready in 20 minutes or less". They have a "Never Ever" List - some of the things on this list: No Gluten, No Peanut, No Nut, No High Fructose Syrup and many others. Their company is based on home parties and sharing, teaching, and connecting with others.. 

Currently COVID is keeping us at home and doing virtual cooking classes BUT I'm hopeful to do home parties in the future. Once I take my cooking classes on the road and into the home of others, I wanted something to transport my cutting boards to prevent them from getting damaged or scratched. As I stared at them I had an idea, off to the sewing room I went.

My goal was to do an eggplant or at least a purple but couldn't find one but I had this scrap left from curtains I made in our front room, fabric my mom and I picked out years ago. The batting is left over from a t-shirt quilt I made my Auntie using her Relay for Life t-shirts, and the flannel on the inside is scraps from jammies I made my daughter when she was a toddler. Without realizing it at the time, I not only created a padded slip cover for my Epicure cutting boards and cutting sheets...I created a visual remembrance of some of the most influential women in my life. 

I love the way God works. I set out to create a quick clip cover and ended up creating a generational remembrance. Have you ever started to create something with one intention but when you finish you realize it has a deeper meaning and purpose than you initially planned? I like these moments, they are God-stops. I hope you'll share yours with us in a comment here and if you share on Facebook, share a pic too. Share your creativity with the world. You are gifted and talented, let others know. If you feel brave, share the meaning behind the creation.
Share the last thing you created in a comment below, if you are commenting on Facebook - share a pic too!

Something to be Thankful For

I have happy news today, my knee is feeling better and the pain is lessening. After I saw the orthopedic surgeon last month, he assured me the pain would be getting better, swelling was and would continue to improve, and he anticipated my range of motion and mobility would also continue. I did NOT believe him when I left but told him I'd have to trust him.

Of course he mentioned I have arthritis in both my knees (this was new information) and this is why the healing was taking longer than normal. Note: My x-rays were done at the hospital close to me and it took almost two months for the orthopedic to get a copy they could access, otherwise he would have known this in May when I saw him the first time.  My outlook might have been more positive if I knew this also, it's the arthritis that slowed my healing down and maintained the intense swelling. Fun fact, ay!? I left the office with new knowledge: 1) "Arthur" as my Gram called arthritis moved into my knees 2) The slow healing was normal because of Arthur and 3) with continued daily exercises and PT, I'd be feeling better by the time school starts. 

The next few days were spent driving 7 hours and moving our daughter into her new apartment for Grad School. There were no elevators and we tripled our daily step goals due to parking and unloading locations. I traveled with ice packs, essential oils, and my Cool Azul to ensure the weekend and the 7 hour trip home were a success. I brought exercise equipment so as not to miss daily knee exercises. Due to my self-quarantine, I've been continuing my home PT exercises and guess what...the knee is feeling better!

Woo hoo! It's not 100% but it's moving in the right direction. Between exercising and God answering prayers, I'm believing the doctor is right. Of course Arthur is evident and some of the ache may not go away and will be a new visitor but I guess I have my own weather predictors now. Tee Hee! Since the pain is much less and the swelling is better, it's time to start incorporating a daily exercise routine. Next week I'm off self-quarantine so I hope my schedule allows me to go to the YMCA for some of the outside classes. Things are moving forward...thanks for praying. What are you thankful for this Thursday?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: When the Editor Contacts You

It's been awhile since I talked about my first devotional, A Journey to Easter. I submitted my manuscript to an amazing editor and proofreader at the end of June. As I wait to hear from her, I've been working on my first women's Bible study. It's exciting and fun to be writing and publishing again. In addition, I'm outlining my next book.

I am writing, revising, and striving to reach my deadlines for three manuscripts at the same time. They are all at different phases and if I'm to have them all release in 2020, 2021, and 2022, then I need to be mindful of the calendar. It feels good to spend time each day writing, reading, and listening. If we want to succeed in life, we need to be focused and intentional. Goal setting is a great way to do this. My deadline's are written down and posted in my writing cottage and in a notebook so I can visually see them. 

I'm excited (and nervous) to receive the manuscript back from my editor but if A Journey to Easter is to release in February, then I need to stay on track. I started a new entrepreneurship venture with Epicure, so this will require me to be hyper vigilant with my goal setting and time management. One thing I'm aware of is in order to remain emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy, I need to be conscious of my time management and maintain healthy habits. If you think of me during your prayer time, please ask God to help me as I move forward writing for Him and sharing healthy and wellness with others.
What goals and deadlines have you set for yourself?

How can we pray for you today?
​Thank you for praying for me, and each other!