Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 40

Let It Snow...Somewhere Else

What do you think about my Ba-hum-bug attitude with the snow? It's only been snowing a few days and I'm ready for a break and to see the sun come out.

I enjoy a white Christmas as much as the next person yet this year I'm just ready for a break. 

The good news, break is only a couple weeks away and I'm looking forward to it. I look forward to time with my family. I look forward to sleeping in. I look forward to reading a few books and doing some writing.

I look forward...I look forward...

Do you ever find yourself in this kind of mood? Always looking forward? Or are you looking back? 

As I look forward to tomorrow's blog, I hope you'll join me and find out why looking forward and looking back aren't all they are cracked up to be. See you there...
What do you look forward to?

My First "Live" Prayer Small Group

Earlier this year God opened the door for me to lead a small group on prayer. Each month we've looked at different ways to pray. For instance, last month we learned and shared about keeping a "Gratitude Journal".

This month I shared the Advent Devotional, what it is and why it can be beneficial to your mental and spiritual health during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

We were supposed to meet last night but due to the never-ending falling snow and the newest Lake Effect Snow Warning, I opted to cancel. I knew a few people were looking forward to attending and I was excited to share what I learned in preparation.

As I thought about everyone's safety, cancellation was a good choice. I was going to miss getting together with the small group yet knowing everyone was tucked in at home, there was peace with the decision. But...I know, I just negated the previous statement, BUT, it dawned on me that we could still "meet".

Last night I did my first "Live" small group. I was overwhelmed when I finished the video to see that 63 people had watched. To those who watched the video, you reminded me there is so much good in the world. Social media isn't all bad, it brought a lot of people together last night, who knows, maybe some are doing their Advent Devotional instead of reading my blog. This is cool.
Thank you for following the blog
BUT more importantly,
thank you for taking time
to enjoy the meaning
of Christmas this Advent Season. 

A New Advent Song...

My alarm went off yesterday morning and I did not want to wake up, get out of bed, or go to church. Fact. So what did I do?

I tossed the covers to the side, swung my feet to the floor, made a pot of coffee, and started getting ready.

If there is one thing I've learned over the past 23 years, it doesn't help to stay home and in bed on the tough days.

I'm thankful that I got myself together and made it to church. Ms. Ann selected a song called "Star Child" and I nearly puddled.

Don't get me wrong, pastor's message hit the spot to but this song resonated to my toes. If you haven't heard it, I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen.

​I included the music too, the words are written by Shirley Erena Murray. Click on the photo, or here, to visit the page with more musical information.

Have a great week! Happy Monday!
Do you have a favorite Advent Song?

Want to Tour Bethlehem?

Head to Lycoming, New York... A fun, free, and family event. The different shops of Bethlehem will have crafts and goodies available also. All proceeds will be donated to the Mexico Food Pantry.

The Lycoming Methodist Church is located at the intersection of County Route 29 and Miner Road in Lycoming, NY. For those traveling, enter 174 Miner Road, Oswego, NY, into your navigation system. 

We look forward to seeing you and hope you can make it. A great way to experience the joy and reason for Christmas.

When do you decorate?

I hope this question helps to get you talking and leaving comments. This is a common discussion in our vehicle, starting shortly after Halloween.

When is it okay to start decorating for Christmas?
When do YOU start decorating?
Is it ever too early to decorate?
I can't wait to hear from you. When do you decorate for Christmas?
Is it ever too early?

Beauty in the Night

Tomorrow is December first, can you believe it? I can't, I'm not sure where time has gone or how it seems to be moving faster this year. Since you can't stop the clock, try to focus on the positives and blessings. Whether time moves fast or slow, be thankful you are here to experience each breath and moment.

Earlier this year we welcomed a new addition to our family, a sweet and highly energetic puppy. She house trained easily and is good to wake us up when she needs to go out. The only downfall to this wonderfully trained puppy are the 1 a.m., 2 a.m., or 3 a.m. wake ups to go out. We don't complain because it's easier to go out and clean up first thing in the morning. 

With this being said, there is a another blessing to these middle of the night wake ups, it "wakes up" my senses. It's quieter and easier to see God around me when most of the world is asleep. 

Today I share a couple snapshots of God's beauty, they don't do justice to the moon that shone above me earlier this morning yet when I see the photo and this blog, I'll remember.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
    the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    human beings that you should care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4 NLT
When are you able to slow down and see God's beauty around you?

God's Beauty Brightens My Nights

Earlier this year we got a new puppy. She is full of energy and a sweetheart. If you haven't had a puppy in awhile then you might have forgotten how much puppy training is like having a new born then toddler in the house.

​We are in the toddler phase. We're exhausted when our heads hit the pillow yet we did such a great job potty training our pup, it seems like as soon as you hit REM sleep...she needs to go out.

As much as we'd like to sleep through the night, we are more thankful not to clean up messes. But I digress. Let me refocus.

I try to find the positives in any situation and as the weather is getting (much) colder at night, in the twenties last night, I need a reminder beyond "not cleaning" to keep me motivated to get out of my warm and snuggly bed. 

A few nights ago as the moon struggled to shine through the overcast sky I noticed a spectacular sight. The ground was covered with a frost and my sandals crunched atop the grass as we walked. The moon was just bright enough to catch the glistening of frost on the grass, bushes, and leaves. It was beautiful outside. I paused and in the quiet, said "Thank you".

I took the puppy back inside, grabbed my camera and returned to the bitter and beautiful cold night. I ended up spending nearly thirty minutes trying to capture God's beautiful light show from the moon illuminating the frost. Similar to a rainbow, sunrise, or sunset...it's impossible to capture the true beauty one witnesses. 

These pictures don't do justice yet they are a reminder to me to keep looking for the positive, looking up, and saying "thank you".
Have you ever
tried to capture God's
beauty on film?
​
If so, what was it
and how did you
picture turn out?

Veterans' Day 2017 - Remember

Happy Veterans Day to one and all, especially the men and women who served our country to keep our freedoms and protect us from some of the terrors we watch on the news each day. We appreciate you!

For the past few years, my hubby, his brother, and some of their friends get together to remember. Most of them served and others couldn't or didn't but on this day, they take days off and make time to get together.

A couple years ago they invited me to join them for their dinner outing (did I mention they start with breakfast and make the rounds in two counties for their free donuts, sandwiches, and dinners?) It was a great evening of laughter and war stories.

To listen to them share and laugh I often think about the stories they do not tell...the real life instances of horror, tough choices, and death they witnesses but were trained not to share. It's the silent stories that remind me of why we honor our Veterans 24/7/365, not just in November. 

I'm thankful so many places offer Veterans discounts and goodies to spoil our vets yet I wish they would do this throughout the year instead of waiting because these men and women, and their families, didn't only serve one day a year. Some of them served decades and even if they only served a couple years, they witnessed things we, the protected and free in the United States, will most likely not witness because of the brave acts of our Veterans and current military.

When you see a Vet standing in line at the grocery store, pumping their gas, or getting a doughnut...take a moment and thank them for their service. These five words will encourage them more than you might know. Thank you to all who served
and to the families who waited
and prayed while they served...
Happy Veterans Day!

Tonight at 10 pm in Investigation Discovery

Tonight at 10:00 PM, on the Investgation Discovery's Discovery channel, you can watch Tamron Hall's coverage of my sister, Heidi Allen's, kidnapping case.

For those with cable in my area, it's channel 138.

Thank you for your continued support, hope, and prayers for my parents' first question to be answered...

Where's Heidi?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Is Happiness a Project?

I'm a new "listener/reader" on Audibles and loving it! I joined over the summer and my listening experience got better last week when someone shared that I could listen while in the car too!

Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy reading a hard copy of a book and on my Kindle but Audibles expands the amount of time I can spend reading. The ability to listen while traveling in the car is probably one of my favorites, or while walking on the treadmill.

Each day there are daily deals. One of these deals was Gretchen Rubin's, The Happiness Project . I liked the sound of the title and asked myself, "Is happiness really a project?" I never thought of happiness as a project to tackle and after reading more about the book, I was intrigued. I bought the book and have enjoyed listening to it. So much so, I visited her website and started to follow her on Twitter, @gretchenrubin. 

I didn't start the book right away but since I have, I look forward to listening during my lunch break or while making dinner. I've learned some new things, found myself saying "amen" out loud in response to something the author wrote/said. I've laughed out loud at her honesty and humor. 

I still don't look at my happiness as a "project" yet I am enjoying this book. The strategies, suggestions, and humor of The Happiness Project encourage me. There are subtle reminders and some A-has. If you are looking for an easy read with a positive tone, I suggest this book. I might even download another one of her books when I finish. 

One thing I've learned in life, we all have different perspectives because we are individuals. We can learn from each other when we have an open mind to listen, observe, and apply something new to our life. It might not work for us but we'll be a better version of ourselves because we tried. At least that's my thought. I receive no royalty from Audibles for this post but from one reader to another, sharing a resource to enhance your reading experience if you are looking for one. Is happiness a project or habit for you?