Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 49

A Writers' Wednesday: Week 15

This is a week focused on HOPE!

What do you hope for today? This week? This Year?

As you look at those four letters nestled in the fall leaves,
what is the first thing you noticed?
What memories does it trigger?
Who do you think of? How old are you? 

If one doesn't have hope,
then what does this person
​have to keep them moving forward?
Will you share your writing, or at least a snip-it for others to read today?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: The Hope of Advent

Good morning everyone! This past Sunday kicked off the Advent season, the countdown to Christmas. It's not time to start opening the chocolate countdown or opening the little gifts from the Advent tree, these begin on December 1st but the true season of Advent started a few days ago. Let the reflection, celebration, and HOPE fill your hearts today and this week. We have hope because of Jesus.

Our pastor preached about "HOPE" this week after the first candle on the advent wreath was lit, the candle of HOPE. Our pastor preaches outside of the box and gets people's attention. He asked us this question, "What are you hoping for?" Instantly I thought, I hope this is the year Heidi is found and returned home to her family. He continued after giving a few seconds to think, or it was a few seconds before I rejoined the sermon. It was his next statement and my take away from his message that stops me in my thought process.

After asking us what we hope for, he stated this, "Most stuff you hope for, you have no control over." I felt tears well up at this thought. My hope and daily prayer is for Heidi and pastor's words echoed such truth, "Most stuff you hope for, you have no control over." Amen! I have no control over when or how my sister will be found and returned to her family BUT this doesn't mean I should stop hoping and praying. On the contrary, it is because of HOPE, that we are able to seek God and ask Him to fulfill our hope. I can't control Heidi's discovery but this desire and hope "brings us to our knees in prayer" (another quote from pastor) to a God listening and answering every prayer.

God answers EVERY prayer. Sometimes it is "Yes", other times it is "No", and then there is the "Not yet". I keep hoping and lifting my prayers to God because He is faithful to answer our every prayer, this is our HOPE. As you celebrate Advent by opening little gifts, eating a daily chocolate, and in prayer...remember you have HOPE. A hope found in a relationship with Jesus. We may not be able to control the things we hope for BUT we have a God ready and able to answer these prayers. I won't lose hope. Instead, let this knowledge bring us to our knees in prayer, for God, who is in control, to answer our prayers of HOPE in a way that acknowledges He is real and our Savior.

“Advent, like its cousin Lent, is a season for prayer and reformation of our hearts.
Since it comes at winter time, fire is a fitting sign to help us celebrate Advent…
If Christ is to come more fully into our lives this Christmas,
if God is to become really incarnate for us, then fire will have to be present in our prayer.
Our worship and devotion will have to stoke the kind of fire in our souls
that can truly change our hearts.
Ours is a great responsibility not to waste this Advent time.” 
​Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac

The first week of Advent focuses on HOPE...
My HOPE is in God and I HOPE for Heidi's discovery and return...
I HOPE you seek God and share YOUR HOPES.
Seek the one that has control to fulfill your heart's greatest hope. What are you hoping for this Advent Season?

Are You Out for "Black Friday"?

Happy Thanksgiving and Black Friday to one and all.

I waited to share this video until today because in honor of my family and the holiday, I didn't turn my computer on Wednesday or Thursday. It felt good too. I might take a couple days off more often. When is the last time you opted for time with your family versus posting about them? Just a thought.

Anyway, it is Black Friday and for the first time in years, we slept in. We will brave the fun, fellowship, and shopping this afternoon and/or evening but rather than rush through the day, we opted to sleep in and take the day easy. There wasn't a deal worth setting an alarm for, at least for us.

I hope you enjoy this Thanksgiving weekend and start to the Christmas season. As you enjoy the hustle and bustle, remember the reason for the season. Let the fun and festivities begin.
Did you get out today for a Black Friday MUST HAVE?

A Writers' Wednesday: Week 14

I will give thanks to you,
LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
​Psalm 9:1 NIV

Holidays are a joyful time for most and others struggle to avoid a depressive state. Where do you see yourself this week? Seeking joy or avoiding it? 

Do you have Thanksgiving traditions? Is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving "Pie Day" in your family? Or is it a time to retreat and start praying for the holiday season to end? 

This week's #WritersWednesday is quite different. This isn't an entry to be shared with the blog-o-sphere (unless you choose) but instead, it's a time to reflect and focus on the the amazing and powerful season of hope, healing, and joy we are entering.

If you find the holidays to be more depressive than encouraging, I encourage you to write about ONE thing you could focus on as your positive. This might be your spouse, your kids, your career, or the pure blessing of a relationship with Jesus. As you write this week, remember, you are prayed for and loved. May we all find and celebrate the joy and thanksgiving of this season.
Can you encourage someone with a little Thanksgiving joy today?

Meet Robbie Raugh...

I "met" Robbie Raugh early in 2015 via Facebook and Email. I enjoy following Robbie on Facebook, she is encouragement of how it's possible to be healthy. She offers uplifting and motivating posts throughout the week and she has her radio show on the weekend. If you are in the Buffalo area, you might have the opportunity to attend her workshops, classes, and speaking engagements on a regular basis. Robbie also travels around the country to share and present. 

Late this summer or early this Fall, Robbie invited me to be a guest on her radio show. I look forward to talking with Robbie about my faith journey after Heidi's kidnapping. Initially I planned to travel to Buffalo and make a day of it with a friend but thankfully, Robbie is able to do the radio interview over the phone so my voice and testimony will travel from here to Buffalo and beyond thanks to modern technology.

These weeks leading up to the interview have been filled with prayer and "weather watching". To drive in the snow isn't anything new but to know winter hasn't quite settled in eased the mind and stress. Now I can sing, "Let it Snow" because I'll share how I ran away from Jesus after Heidi's kidnapping on Easter Sunday and then returned to Him in a new and restored way more than a decade later, thanks to one of my students.

​The Bible is true, a child shall lead them, at least he led me. This is the foundation for Where's Heidi: One Sister's Journey . I wrote Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey to share how Heidi's kidnapping effected me, as Heidi's only sister. It is a story of faith and the journey one sister traveled to accept and establish a relationship with Jesus. It's a story of hope, healing, and discovery.

The most popular complaint about this book is the lack of case and court coverage. The preface of this book is to share how life changed and some of the grief and journey of faith after such a tragic loss. When people ask, I let them know it isn't about anything you can read in a newspaper or the archives. My Mom selected the "Where's Heidi?" as the title because it's the not knowing that is the foundation of living in a cycle of grief. The subtitle, "One Sister's Journey", reminds the reader this is only one sister's journey, as each person's journey though grief is as unique as we are. 

Description of the book on Amazon:
"In 1994, my only sister was abducted while working alone at a local convenience store. This isn't a book about the case or courts, it's a journey of faith in spite of tragedy. The journey starts with an early morning phone call then details of the emotions, grief, and confusion felt in those first moments while transitioning through the days, months, and years that follow.

A sibling's journey is different from that of a parent. Our role and feelings cannot compare yet they are just as important. Parents experience the greatest loss of their lives through the loss of their child and the emotional loss of the surviving children is just as traumatic.

I lost more than my sister on April 3, 1994 I lost my faith. Thanks to the boldness and faith of a child, I have hope and a story to share. There is no one person or thing here on earth to replace Heidi or the friendship we had together yet after ten years of searching I realized there is Someone who can, God...“Mrs. Buske, you need Jesus.” He was right...

My writing and speaking isn't about court cases, it's about hope and a faith lost then restored on a new and more personal level.

​I learned a "relationship" with Jesus is different than believing in God. When the two co-exist, life is good, even when it is spiraling around you. 
​It might not be easy, but it's possible and worth it. We, those who experience tragic loss need to let others know it's possible to move forward. Robbie Raugh, RN
Board Certified Integrative Health & Nutrition Practitioner
Host of The Raugh Truth Health and Fitness  WDCX 99. 5FM
​every Saturday at 11am and streaming live world wide on www.wdcxradio.com

Certified Fitness Trainer
Motivational Health and Fitness Speaker
www.RobbieRaugh.com and www.therawtruthrecharge.com

Book -  The Raw Truth Recharge  on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles
Supplements: http://www.nutraMetrix.com/bfit4lifeshop
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

https://twitter.com/RobbieRaughRN I look forward to sharing my faith journey Saturday with Robbie...
Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Ready to Bloom...

As an educator I'm often reminded of this idea, "ready to bloom". So many students struggle in school because a concept, idea, or process is too difficult. This is normal and sometimes it's because he/she isn't willing to give the effort to try and learn something new but then there are times and kiddos that just aren't ready, it isn't there time to bloom.

This year I have the joy of working in the second grade. This is a fun year because most of our students are ready to bloom. Second grade is a transition year from "learning to read" in September and "reading to learn" in June. The average kid is ready to bloom and the reading, writing, math, and brain take off on adventures only halted by the student's willingness to explore. You can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone when you read a good book.

For our students, this is difficult. As an adult you might not remember this time and think "It's so easy, why can't he/she just...", you fill in the remainder of the sentence. They can't because they might not be ready or they're afraid. We are JUST LIKE OUR KIDS!
There are situations and challenges in front of us as adults, everyday. We have a choice, we can face them head on or go through our laundry list of excuses of "why" we can't. BUT there are also times when it isn't our "time to bloom" because God isn't done with our learning curve or preparing us. On the flip side, often fear (just like a child) will prevent us from moving forward.

As an adult you have the ability to examine and determine what is holding you back. Is it an attitude or fear? Or is it that you, or God, just aren't ready for this next step? If it's fear or an attitude preventing you from achieving your dreams or goals then  face them head on and strive for it and move forward. It you have that gut feeling that "you aren't ready", then take time to pause and pray. 

Sometimes WE aren't ready but God is, God is ready for us to bloom but we let the fear and doubts become stumbling blocks and get in our way. It's a challenge to determine if it's fear or not our time, but when we take time to focus and reflect, it will become clear. This combined with prayer will lead you in a forward motion and who knows, you might realize it's your time to bloom and let go of the things and/or people holding you back. What are you waiting for? 
Is it YOUR TIME TO BLOOM?

A Writer's Wednesday: Week 13

P * E * A * C * E If you could change one thing to increase peace in your community,
understanding money and time aren't an obstacle...
What are you going to change and how?

A Writer's Wednesday: Week 12

The teacher went to the office and left Bernice in charge. Little does the teacher know that Bernice is the very one who ignited the controversial ____??_____ debate the last time she entrusted her classroom to the student she perceives as the "good student". 

Today is not different, with her arm wrapped and braced, Bernice stands on the table and invites her merry band of followers to join her. 

In less than two minutes, Bernice has convinced the class to _____??______ before Mrs. ___?___ gets back but the quiet kid in the back row stands up, slams his/her books on the table and shouts ____???_____. Who is feeling brave enough to share their writing this week?

Post Election Morning ~ How Are You Feeling?

Good morning! I hope you are able to open your eyes to listen and watch the news of recent election results. As a voter for more than two decades, this was the most difficult and challenging presidential election for me. I am proud to be an American and exercise my right and the freedom this represents as I  vote for our elected officials. This election my daughter joined the ranks of active voters. It was an exciting day for her and her friends also. Did you vote? I hope you did. 

Regardless of who you voted for, the winners have been chosen by us, the people. As a nation we need to stay UNITED and pray for our nation. I believe today would be a challenge on some level for many due to the controversial nature of our presidential election yet this offers us the opportunity to lean on each other and pray. Our nation was founded on prayer and we are the next generation to continue this great tradition and foundation.

Let us celebrate the rights and freedoms we have in these United States of America. Let's not lift grumbles or negativity into the air, instead, focus on the new beginnings and possibilities. Whether you are shaking your head or celebrating, remember to look up and say thank you, and pray.

"If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed,
if His love brings you some encouragement,
if you experience true companionship with the Spirit,
if His tenderness and mercy fill your heart; 
then, brothers and sisters, here is one thing that would complete my joy—
come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. 
Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over.
Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. 
Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; 
be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.
In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. 
Live with His attitude in your hearts... 
Do all things without complaining or bickering with each other, 
so you will be found innocent and blameless; 
you are God’s children called to live without a single stain
​on your reputations among this perverted and crooked generation.
Shine like stars across the land."
Philippians 2:1-5;14-15 Voice

I pray you are thankful to be an
American and exercising your right to vote.
Let us be a light shining for Jesus and for other nations to see.

A Writer's Wednesday: Week 11

A Video Prompt today... Pretend you are George Constanza (reddish orange jacket)...

Do you tell the Soup Nazi you need bread or slink out the door like Jerry?

What would you have done differently and/or the same?