Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 56

TOP's Tuesday: Two-Fold Goal Times Two

Meet Miss Lillian (left) and Miss Emma (right)
The Reason I Ride in the Great Cycle Challenge
to Fight Kids' Cancer
I ride for a 6 year-old childhood cancer warrior & her twin sister.
Meet Lillian and Emma Belfield. They are two of the strongest girls.
They inspire me every day! For the month of June I plan to dust off my bicycle after a decade of storage and ride to fight childhood cancer.

Miss Lillian's diagnosis of anaplastic astroblastoma brain cancer in January 2015
has not stopped her. Her determination to remain in school during her treatment
and her involvement with intramural sports with her sister outside the school day.
Lillian might have cancer but cancer doesn't have her, she is a fighter.

Her sister Emma is a fighter too. Childhood cancer is difficult in itself
but to have your twin experience it alongside you must be a challenge
outside anyone's understanding. Emma's grace and understanding
is profound and an example to anyone who sees her.
I'm in awe of Miss Emma's strength.

My 1st time on a bike since my daughter is 5 is to honor these two amazing young ladies and their battle.
​This June, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids' cancer!
My goal is to ride 100 miles throughout the month and I will be pedaling as hard as I can to reach my target...and my challenge starts NEXT WEEK.
Why am I doing this? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in the United States – 38 children die of cancer every week.
It will be tough, but it's nothing compared to what these brave kids face every day of their lives as they battle this terrible disease.
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.
And so I am taking on this personal challenge to raise funds to fight kids' cancer and give these kids the brighter futures they deserve...but I need your help.
Please support my challenge and join me in the fight to end childhood cancer by making a donation through my fundraising page.
Here's the link to my page: www.greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/LisaBuske
All funds raised will support Children's Cancer Research Fund to continue their work to develop innovative treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Thank you for your support.
Lisa Thank you for praying, remembering, and supporting
childhood cancers and the research to find a cure!

Anticipation + Excitement = Exhaustion

Ride for Missing Children
Mohawk Valley, New York
Thursday to Saturday Morning
Last High School Dance Recital & 1st Solo ~ Saturdat Morning - afternoon
Hannibal, New York Syracuse High School Theater Awards - Saturday late afternoon to evening
​Syracuse, New York
My brain keeps telling me there is more to be done but my body is trying to drown out this reality with exhaustion. I wouldn't trade one moment or minute of lost sleep for the amazing, beautiful, and inspiring weekend I spent with my hubby and daughter...and a variety of extended families.

We started with the annual Ride for Missing Children in the Mohawk Valley. It was a different beginning as Mags needed to stay back for a rehearsal at the Landmark Theater. Ed waited for her and they joined me late Thursday night. Friday we spent the day visiting a dozen or more schools and children to increase awareness of child safety, followed by a time of laughter, hugs, and tears with other families of the missing and exploited children across the country. Saturday morning instead of joining the families for breakfast we loaded the car up and headed to Hannibal for Mag's last dance recital as a high schooler. Not only were we on time, I was even able to help while she practiced and got into costume, hair, and make up. I love it when the dancers can handle the back stage details on their own.

Miss Jessica, the owner of Creation Studio, is so sweet and she made it possible for Mary's class to dance all three numbers in the first act, and for Mary's solo to be in the first act so we could scoot at intermission. We wanted to stay as this year's performance was better than last years but Mags needed to be in Syracuse in theater attire by 5:30 p.m. We enjoyed lunch with my Dad, well it was also our breakfast since we forgot to eat in the morning. Oops. We changed and hit the road again. The traffic was hectic and the pedestrians NOT using the cross walk at the "Taste of Syracuse" made for an interesting few blocks to the Landmark but thankfully we weren't the car rearended at the intersection. Thankful for the hedge of protection over us.

Our evening at the theater was nothing less than spectacular. To watch Mags perform on the Landmark stage with her high school theater peeps, and other talented theater kids from across the state was breathtaking. Little did we know the evening was only beginning. Mexico High School's production of "Mary Poppins" was up for five awards and our neighboring district, Oswego High School also had multiple nominations. Oswego County was represented and their talented shined brightly for others to see. One of Mexico's awards was for choreography but they didn't win.

​Everyone was thrilled they were nominated. Then the unexpected happened, there was a nomination no one was aware of, "Outstanding Special Achievement Award", and our student choreographers at Mexico High School were not only one of the nominees, but the winners!! I couldn't stop the tears of joy and love from trickling down my cheeks for minutes. Proud Mama and faculty member moment for sure.  Although my mind races with things to do, to write, and prepare...my body is telling me to turn off the computer, pack up the school work, and chillax. We have so much to be thankful for. Rather than focus on the "lasts" with Mary, I look forward to where God is leading her and to see all she'll accomplish in the years to come. One strong, talented, and determined young lady to say the least.

This proud Mom wanted to take a moment to share. I pray for senior parents, let's not spend our time crying and grieving the "lasts", let us celebrate them with anticipation of what is to come. To help us celebrate, my favorite to listen to when relaxing and writing. Have a great week everyone!!

Who Has Time To Think About An Empty Nest

June 1st, 2016...who knew how correct my mom and aunts were. The day our daughter started Kindergarten I was told to enjoy every moment because before I knew it, she'd be graduating. I thought they were being a bit dramatic but guess what, they are so right. In twenty-three days, our daughter will be a high school graduate. We are so proud of her.

She has dreams and goals, with a plan to reach them. She has a solid foundation preparing her for the journeys ahead. As she prepares and counts down to the first day of college I think about how many of her peers are counting down to the last day of high school. In a sense, both are a sign of their growing up and leave the parents thinking and reflecting.

I have some friends already grieving the loss of their child when they descend to college, the armed forces, or into an apartment on their own as they join the work force. I haven't thought about the "empty nest" as many refer to it. I've heard horror stories of parents sobbing in their children's beds for the first days after their departure. (My husband is taking side bets on my state of mind, but that is probably another blog, lol). I've heard of some counting down the days until they are "rid of" their kids. Yikes! I think I fall somewhere in the middle. 

At this moment and day in the year, I'm enjoying the memory making process. Today was her last senior photo shoot. This weekend she has her last dance recital as a high school student with plans of taking an adult class in the Fall. We have the opportunity to watch our daughter and her theater peeps perform on the Landmark Theater this weekend. I don't know what the end of August will look like but for now, I'm enjoying these precious and life changing moments. I'm not going to rush them by or overlook the gift they are to me.  Rather than focus on the what will be an empty nest,
take time to enjoy your little birds while they are still home!
I know we are and these are special moments...

Thanks to All Who Served & Serve Still Today

Memorial Day Parade, New Haven, New York 2016 Photos taken by Lisa M Buske To Them We Owe©
Don Nielsen More By Don Nielsen
Published on June 30, 2014
Happened today, and in the past;
Sacrifice made, for ours to last.

Wives to widows, families torn;
Gave their lives, for them we mourn.

Gone forever, souls are lost;
Freedom comes, with this cost.

Enjoy the life, they did preserve;
Fate they suffered, did not deserve.

On this day, lest we forget;
To them we owe, our life in debt.
Source: http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/to-them-we-owe #FamilyFriendPoems Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day 2016!

This morning I enjoyed morning worship at the New Haven Cemetery with members of the three churches in our beautiful town of New Haven. All three pastors led the service and community members provided refreshments and handed out bulletins and music. This service each year is an example of why I love our town and its unity. The photo on today's blog is from last year since I forgot my camera but the feeling and thankfulness it evokes is the same. Last year I stood, this year, I enjoyed a seat along the fence. The message of thankfulness for our men and women who serve and have served rang true and the patriotic songs filled the air. A beautiful way to start the day.

Our church had a BBQ later for lunch so I was able to go home for a bit before returning to New Haven to celebrate with our church family specifically. Does your community prioritize getting together as a fellowship of believers? I hope so, I'd like to hear how your church, churches, or community come together as the church God encourages us to be.
Come, let us sing praise to the Lord!

    Let us shout praises to the Rock who saves us.
Come and worship him with songs of thanks
  For the Lord is a great God,
    the great King ruling over all the other “gods.”
 The deepest caves and the highest mountains belong to him.

The ocean is his—he created it.
    He made the dry land with his own hands.

Come, let us bow down and worship him!
    Let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 
He is our God,
    and we are the people he cares for,
    his sheep that walk by his side.
Psalm 95:1-7 ERVCome, let us sing praise to the Lord!
    Let us shout praises to the Rock who saves us.
2 Come and worship him with songs of thanks.[a]
    Let us sing happy songs of praise to him.
3 For the Lord is a great God,
    the great King ruling over all the other “gods.”
4 The deepest caves and the highest mountains belong to him.
5 The ocean is his—he created it.
    He made the dry land with his own hands.
6 Come, let us bow down and worship him!
    Let us kneel before the Lord who made us.
7 He is our God,
    and we are the people he cares for,
    his sheep that walk by his side.
Share how your community celebrates Memorial Day.

Reflection: Necessary and Beautiful

For now, we can only see a dim and blurry picture of things,
as when we stare into polished metal.
I realize that everything I know is only part of the big picture.
But one day, when Jesus arrives, we will see clearly, face-to-face.
In that day, I will fully know just as I have been wholly known by God. 
But now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives.
The greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:12 - 13 Voice I want to thank you for remembering Heidi, our family, her friends, and our community in your thoughts and prayers, whether it is since April 3, 1994 or this past Friday when you learned of Heidi's kidnapping on Dateline. We appreciate so many remembering Heidi and joining us in prayer to bring her home. One day we will know where she is and I pray for God's peace during that time.

This weekend seemed to go by quickly, or was it the busyness that made it appear this way? I'm thankful to have a couple blogs scheduled ahead of time for this week because I didn't get-r-done this weekend. As I continue to work on school work tonight (no later than Midnight, I promise), I hope you enjoy a restful night of sleep or wonderful Monday, depending on when you read this.
What does this song make you think of?

Heidi Allen's Kidnapping Case on Dateline

Fall of 2014 I spoke with the producer, or representative, from Dateline NBC about doing an interview for an upcoming episode. Their interest sparked from local media brought them to Central New York. I was hesitant to do the interview because I wasn't sure of their intentions at the time but regardless of the story they intended to tell, I wanted Heidi represented for the missing eighteen year old she is. I accepted the interview against the better judgement of some but knew I was doing what was right and honorable for my sister. 

I made it clear that I would talk about Heidi and "who" she was before she became one of America's statistics and a face on a missing person/children's poster. Tonight at 10 p.m., #DatelineNBC will air a one-hour episode on Heidi's kidnapping. I don't know what to expect and am nervous to see how they use, or don't use, the hours of footage filmed in January 2015. I'll be honest with you, I'm nervous to watch and listen to the stories and interviews they share. I'm anxious for the effect of this episode on aging and ill friends and family. As the clip below is shared on social media and possibly other blogs (you can share it and access a "embed code" on the Dateline webpage), some are excited and can't wait. I won't speak for my family, but personally, my stomach is off and I can't sleep.

Throughout my interview I was cautious, not knowing who they were interviewing or their purpose for each question. Since my interview, and possibly before it, Dateline has been interviewing many people for this sixty minute broadcast. You take out the time spent on commercials and you are probably left with 48 minutes. How and what they will cut, edit, and mesh from hours and days of filming is mind boggling to me. I know I spent hours at their make shift studio, atop the Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, New York. 

I don't know what to expect and my prayer is the same, to find my sister, Heidi Allen, the eighteen year old victim in this crime. This was and still is, the most difficult interview I've yet to do. At times it felt more than an interrogation than it did an interview, but I was warned about this and half expected it. This is a national news show and I kept reminding myself, "This is for Heidi, what if someone sees it and they know where she is, let this bring Heidi home."

There were fun moments during the interview when I had the opportunity to share about growing up with Heidi and sister memories, the happier times. It was the latter part of the interview that took a turn and their focus was fierce and driven, creating anxiety and fear. Their focus shifted from Heidi to the court hearings, which I specified I wouldn't comment on. Things were asked and said purposely to stir up emotions and rile me. They were successful. This interviewed ended with a frustrated sister losing her cool, yes, I lost my cool and didn't handle myself well. I'm praying this isn't the only 30 seconds of the interview they use, it is my worst moment advocating for Heidi in an interview.

A friend joined me for the day, she lifted me in prayer during the whole interview and when the cameras finally turned off and I was in the other room, the interviewer told her he was surprised I did so well because he was trying to stir me up (or something similar to this) and he was impressed at my composure. Ironic isn't it, I cried the entire way home and on  and off for a week because I let Heidi and my family down, he viewed me as strong. I guess we all find out tonight.

I don't know who we'll see during the one hour segment tonight, at 10 p.m., on #DatelineNBC, but one this remains the same today as it did almost a year and a half later, Heidi remains missing and no one has come forward to say where she is to answer my parents' first question, "Where's Heidi?". Dateline plans to post a "Remembering Heidi" video to their website following the 10:00 p.m. airing tonight.  I used Dateline NBC's Embed Codes and the Embed option on Facebook so you can view Promos - you can also follow Dateline's Facebook page for a more up-to-date postings about Heidi's case coverage today.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 ~ Dateline Promo 
​Where's Heidi?
Thursday, May 19, 2016 ~ Dateline Promo
​Where's Heidi?Friday, May 20, 2016 ~ Dateline Promo
Where's Heidi?I'll try to keep this page updated with new Dateline Promo Videos but while you wait for me, you can follow Dateline's Facebook page and probably see them before me.Thank you for remembering Heidi, our family, and all involved in this case!
May #HopeHeidiAllen be first and foremost...bring Heidi Home!

Dateline: Thank you for remembering Heidi

I want to start today's blog by saying thank you to the outpouring of love and support for Heidi, our family, her friends, and our community. Dateline NBC's airing ofheidi's kidnapping case was beautifully done and they are reporting, something I wasn't confident of after doing my interview over a year ago. Are there things that flustered me? Of course, but overall it was wonderful.

I wish they'd shown her missing person'a flyer and lusted the Oswego County Sheriff's contact information, but if someone really wants to reach out, Google will connect them. The photo above is linked to the touching video Dateline created to remember Heidi, they posted it on their website after Friday's episode.

It was difficult to see the old clips and photographs from 1994, heartbreaking actually yet motivational. I can smell April 1994 but something is different (besides it's 22 years later), in God's strength in the hurt encourages me to keep hope alive and share it and the road I traveled to get there. A few people shared about Dateline with mention of my book, thank you. I pray God continues to use this tragedy to transform me and help others to know there is hope. Thank you again, #HopeHeidiAllen Forever

TOP's Tuesday: A Two-Fold Goal

As a teenager it was normal to see me on bicycle. My friends, Von, Tab, and Pam, spent every available moment on our bikes. We rode back and forth to the lake, each other's homes, and to the New Haven Building Supply for penny candies. To ride my bike was normal and what I did. 

When I went to college, my bike came with me. I enjoyed riding my bike along Cazenovia Lake. It was beautiful and peaceful. When I transferred to SUNY Oswego, I didn't have as much time to ride between work and classes but still managed to get on my bike now and then. College turned to marriage and bills. (You probably thought I was going to say love, lol, my hubby doesn't share the enjoyment of a bike ride).

Anyway, it wasn't until our daughter, Mags was a peanut that I got back on my bike. Her favorite part was kicking me in the bum to go faster while holding her hands up over her head. It was a fun time and it kept me in shape. Somewhere in those first five years, the ride time lessoned and my poundage increased (go figure, but this isn't my point, or is it?) Fast forward to 2008, I attended my first Ride for Missing Children hosted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It was an overwhelming and positive experience. We've only missed one ride since then because we were in Boston on a field trip with my daughter. I'm not ready to set a goal to ride 100 miles in a day BUT to get back on my bike and ride, I'm ready.

To motivate me to do this, I've set a couple goals (using my new book, Goal Setting for a Renewed You: Because You Deserve It!, to put them into writing. Here are a couple of my goals and how I plan to reach them.

First I need to get my bike ready to ride by June 1st, I'm hoping to have this done before the beginning of the month. I went to our local bicycle shop, Murdocks Bicycle & Sports, to price bikes. One of their associates, Ben, helped me. I told him my goal was to one day (way in the future) is to participate in the Ride for Missing Children but for now and probably next year, I just want to get back on a bike and ride and I'd like one before June.

I'm not sure the RMC is a realistic goal at this point but I wanted Ben's best recommendation for a bike, hoping to save money down the road. He was sweet and translated bike language into a "just to ride", "commuter", or "enjoying time riding", and of course the top of the line which was no where in my consideration. He gave me the "sweet spot" of cost and once he revived me with smelling salts, I decided to dust off my 10 - 12 year old bike and start there. It's a good bike and was taken care of, if I stay serious about riding then I'll save up for one of the sweet rides but for now, ol' red will do great.

Why do I need a bike by June you ask? Well, let me tell you. For the month of June, 2016, I have joined the "Great Cycle Challenge", riding to fight childhood cancers. I set a goal of 100 miles in one month, which I know might seem small, especially to my cycling friends because you do this in a weekend, but I wanted to set an achievable goal. If and when I reach 100 miles, I'll set another goal throughout the month. I won't give up but will try to log as many miles as I can. I've set a $500 goal amount, all monies raised go to research of childhood cancers. Thank you in advance if you can help to support this needed cause.

Not everyone can donate and I understand this. If you can't donate, will you take a moment to lift all the children, families, and communities fighting the battle of childhood cancer on a personal level? Your prayers are coveted and appreciated by those affected.  To learn who encourages me and the reason I ride in June,
check out next week's TOP's Tuesday! Next month, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge and my goal is to pedal 100 miles throughout the month to fight kids' cancer!
Why am I doing this? Because cancer is the largest killer of children from disease in the United States - 38 children die of cancer every week. 
Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.

The challenge will be tough, but nothing compared to what these brave kids face every day as they fight for their lives and battle this terrible disease.

And so to show my support, I am taking on my own personal challenge
to support cancer research to give these kids the brighter futures they deserve.
But I need your help.

Please support my challenge and join me in the fight to save little lives by making a donation through my fundraising page.

Here's the link to my page: 
www.greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/LisaBuske

All funds raised will support Children's Cancer Research Fund
to continue their work to develop innovative treatments
and find a cure for childhood cancer.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Thank you for lifting our kiddos with cancer in your thoughts and prayers!

?Focus on the Rain or Look for the Rainbow?

“When thunderstorms roll in, you make a choice
to either succumb with tears
to the gloomy downpour,
or smile & look for rainbows.” 
​
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year As I look out my window, I wonder if the sunshine and warmth of May will last for more than a day at a time, I thought about Noah. Do you know the Noah I'm talking about? Yes, the very one from mentioned in the book of Genesis. Check this out. Read a snip-it here.

"In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.  The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days...Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. Bring out every kind of living creature that is with you—the birds, the animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground—so they can multiply on the earth and be fruitful and increase in number on it.”... 

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”  Genesis 7:11-12,24; 8:15-18; 9:12-17 I'm thankful Noah didn't snub his nose at God or return to his home, with complete obedience, Noah and his family started to build the ark. An ark that saved mankind. Noah trusted God in the midst of the rain and and flood. He trusted God when forty days and nights were extended as the waters evaporated into the air and absorbed into the ground. Noah used the raven and dove to  search for land, using the very things God gave him before the storm. We should be like Noah.

Rather than laying on my bed watching the rain and wind increase and the likelihood of a walk or ride decrease, I should trust God and get my bum out of bed and do something. I need to trust there are better days and warmer weather in the forecast. Rather than focus on the rain, I'm opening my door to look for the rainbow. As I wait for the rainbow to appear, I'll trust God in whatever storm life deals me. Are you ready to trust God and build your ark while you wait for His rainbow and covenant to shine brightly in the dark sky? I am. If you need me, I'll be sliding down the rainbow with a smile on my face, thankful I trusted God and not the darkness of this world.
Where is your focus today? Will you share?