Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 57

A Walk Cures What Ails You

I was CRANKY today! I woke up cranky and then went to make coffee, only to realize I put vinegar water in the pot to soak and clean it last night BUT never followed the process through. Before I could make coffee, I had to clean the pot. By the time the coffee maker was ready to make coffee, it was time for me to go. I decided to use a gift card on my DD Perks and stop on my way to the soccer field BUT the line was wrapped around and I didn't want to be late, so still no coffee. I arrived at the community field and there was minimal parking (I forgot how busy it was on a Saturday morning). Since I had 4-wheel drive, I backed it into the lawn by the entrance and parked. Rather than let the cranky win, I buried it and put on a smile and celebrated the little things that are so big to me, my kids.

​I'm lucky in the sense that I have one amazing daughter and a multitude of students I care for. Today was an opportunity to encourage them as they played soccer. Six of our students are on the same team and I saw a couple others on different fields. It was such a joy to watch them play and see their excitement when they look up and realize their teachers are there. The teacher I work with is cooler than me though, she brought donut holes for the team, she rocks. We, like many teachers in our building value investing in our students in and out of the classroom so they understand and see how important they are to us.

On the sidelines I visited with friends and laughed, only checking my phone a couple times when my daughter messaged, I miscalculated my time and she was making sure I was okay. (A good kid, right?) After the game, high fives, and hugs, I ventured home. All I wanted to do was chillax but the lists never seem to end and the cranky feeling still tried to swallow me. Rather than be ugly to anyone, I confined myself to my bedroom. It was for the better good.  I contemplated walking but used the weather as an excuse and then I decided the only way to get rid of cranky was to exercise. I WAS RIGHT! In less than a mile I realized the root of my cranky, it was seeing my Mom's headstone. I just missed her so much and it was eating at me and I couldn't even think about sitting and opening my Bible, this only made me crankier. What is a girl missing her mom supposed to do? Walk 3 1/2 miles in the fresh air, wind, and wild life...and it felt good.

Fast forward to the next half mile into the walk and I startled three blue herrings from the water, majestic as they flew away. I walked another half mile to see one of my mom's favorite birds, the Baltimore Oriole. Then another quarter to half mile, a beautiful Indigo Bunting. Then the sound of Lake Ontario playing rock and roll joined this serene walk.

Long story short, rather than sitting in the house and feeling sorry for myself or crying into my pillow...I got moving. Moving Forward, I think it's time to write and finish the next book. Hmm...amazing how a little fresh air, exercise, and prayer can clear the mind.
What helps you clear your head
and figure out the cause of cranky?

Taking Time to Reflect

There are moments in life when you might feel overwhelmed and question "Why?" certain things happen. You may even question God's role in it. When I think back to the days, months, and years following my sister, Heidi's, kidnapping, I was angry with God because He allowed my only sister to become a statistic, and then denied her the dignity of a burial, and the peace for my parents to know where she is. 

There are days these feelings and thoughts attempt to return and smother me. A recent event compiled with my Mom's headstone nearing completion, the announcement of Dateline's airing next week, and a family member not feeling well, have my heart heavy and my mind swirling.

Yesterday I didn't want to get up. My stomach was so upset and all I wanted to do was lay in bed and cry all day. My heart breaks for a family grieving the loss of their little girl, one so full of life, beauty, and smiles. The anticipation of seeing the headstone is overwhelming. The thought of losing anyone else makes me sick to my stomach. The unknown direction of a national news show take on my sister's kidnapping and if they will even remember Heidi, the victim and missing teen, increases my anxiety. All of these things are legitimate feelings and a good friend told me something profound about "feelings", they are just that, a feeling. 

My feelings, anxiety, and fears are real and personal to me. I'm not wrong or a terrible person for feeling this way. As I put my feet on the floor yesterday morning, I shook my head and said aloud, "I can do this. There are others in far greater pain than me today and the least I can do is get out of bed." A simple task that I had to talk myself through, have you experienced days like this? 

I encourage you to keep getting up and putting your feet on the floor. Your feelings and emotions will come and go, they will change like the wind in CNY BUT one thing remains constant and unchanging...God. Trust Him and look to Him for guidance, love, and strength. It works for me! "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Hebrews 13:8 NIV Dressed and ready for another day...
What helps you put your feet on the floor on the tough days?

A dedication to My Mom on Her Mother's Day In Heaven

My Mom's Legacy of Mother's Day comments...
click on the title below to take a step back in time.

A few of my favorite Mother's Day Blogs.

2015
Happy Mother's Day Everyone 

2014
Mother's Day: Generations of Moms
A Mother's Day Weekend Video
Who Calls You Mom 

2013
Mother's Day Can be a Challenge Too 

2011
Happy Mother's Day Mom, I Love You
​Remembering a "Mom" on Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day!
​Keep making memories with your moms readers.

What Letters Do You Tap the Most?

One day as I sat staring at my computer, also known as writer's block, I noticed something on my keyboard. (Besides cat hair, that is) I noticed shininess to some of my keys and then realized the weight and repeat tapping on certain keys has left its park. There was an episode of Criminal Minds, NCIS, or was it National Treasure that highlighted this fact? I can't remember which, but that's not important. My point, criminal cases have been solved because of the patterns left on our computers. This is neat, don't you agree? On the flip side, it can be eerie, to think someone with a trained eye can view just the keys to our laptop and learn a lot about us.

Without even turning on the computer or opening a document, our computers and their wear and tear of use can help law enforcement know if we are right or left handed. They know which letters we use the most (like our passwords, encouragement to change your passwords often), and if we rest our wrists while typing or hold a proper form like taught in high school. I find this interesting.

Now think about yourself, sometimes people look at us and see the bags under our eyes, the extra pounds (or lack there of), or the sparkles (gray) in our hair. They can't determine details like a criminal investigator but they are able to see we aren't sleeping  or eating well, and in addition to aging, we may be under stress. While there isn't one person who can look at our keyboards or our outward appearances and KNOW without a shadow of doubt what lies within, we DO HAVE a God who does. He created, designed, and loves us and knows EVERYTHING about us. Nothing is hidden.

Thank goodness. Not only does God know everything, He is right there along side you, 24/7/365. Don't try to carry the trouble or bury your troubles in the depths of a document or journal entry no one will ever read. Instead, fall to your knees and give it to Jesus. He's right here waiting for you. What Message Will You Type to Jesus Today?

TOP's Tuesday: Goal Setting Available May 8th

“Goal Setting for a Renewed You:
Because You Deserve It"...

An opportunity to put your goals into writing. If you are like me, the busyness of work, school, and life interfere with this task. I challenge you to pause and look to your future. Don't stop with tomorrow or next month, consider who you desire to be in one, five, or even ten years. Not every thought we have is a goal to strive for but when we take the time to consider where we are going, it's easier to see the direction necessary to travel.

Are you ready to reflect and
​set goals for a renewed you?
This past January I announced this book was in the works, Goal Setting for a Renewed You: Because You Deserve It!. If you missed the initial announcement, click here. Since then, a few people volunteered to prioritize their goal setting and preview the book. I didn't give them a deadline to send me their feedback, instead, I encouraged them to work through the book at their own pace. Goal setting is tough work without attaching a timeline to it, don't you agree?

I ordered books to bring with me on May 21, 2016 at the New Haven Congregational Church, 4270 State Route 104, in New Haven, New York. I'll be there from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. with all my books. It is the church's Spring Chicken BBQ and Craft/Vendor Fair. The food is delicious and the the variety of crafters and vendors is wonderful. Mark your calendar.

With this being said, I await my first order so I can get started on my goal setting. I encourage you not to wait until January to set your goals. Instead, set aside time to do it today. You deserve it! While most people focus on their goals and resolutions with the new year, I challenge you to use this book when the urge hits. Don't wait. My Dad will get the first book, and the second, will be mine so I can get to work put my goals into writing.

This book is set up in the same format I organize my goals each year. I can't wait to get started transferring my hand written goals into this organized & neat goal setting journal.  Goal Setting for a Renewed You: Because You Deserve It!
Releases on May 8, 2016 ~ Mother's Day
Happy Mother's Day Mom!

She's not here, she is 'somewhere out there'...

While flipping through the stations last week I saw "American Tail" listed. I smiled as memories came to mind of when this movie released in the late eighties. Heidi and I enjoyed this movie and could quote different lines.
Then as quickly as these thoughts came to mind, a sadness came over me as I thought about the words in the song, "Somewhere Out There", from the movie. Tears. Prayers to bring Heidi home! What song reminds you of a lost or passed away loved one?

Symbol of Remembrance & Hope

In the photo below: My Mom, Sue Allen, and Marie Strong getting ready to decorate. On this day, over twenty years ago, the children at New Haven Elementary School planted a tree at the intersection of New York State Route 104 and County Route 6 in New Haven, New York. Also on this lot at the time, was the Heidi Allen Command Center. There was a lawn sale fundraiser held to help defray the costs of postage and expenses involved in keeping the command center open and active.

This tree has grown quite a bit in the past two decades. Jimmie and Robin Guyle contacted our family, and Maggie Sue's, a few months ago to ask our permission to honor both girl's memories with plaques. The plaques will be attached to the rock located on their corner lot.

They designed a plaque for each child. Today, May 1st, 2016, they will rededicate Heidi's tree and dedicate a memorial rock to Maggie Sue. This is an opportunity for our community to gather and remember two young lives lost due to tragedy. One to kidnapping and the other to EEE. We are grateful for Jimmie James and our community, thank you for remembering Heidi and honoring Maggie Sue too. New Haven, New York is a special place to live in. A blessing to count.

Read below the post on Facebook from Jimmie James BBQ about today's small dedication. From Jimmy & Robin Guyle's of Jimmie James BBQ:
On Sunday 5/1/2016 @ 2:00 pm there will be a small dedication service
held at 4249 State Route 104, New Haven, NY
(At the corner of State Route 104 and County Route 6, the old Jimmie James BBQ and Current All Wheel Auto location.) This is also where the Heidi Allen Command Post was in May 1994.
​
We (Jimmy James BBQ) would like to take this opportunity to invite the community
to join us in the re-dedication of the evergreen tree that was planted on May 1, 1994
by the students of the New Haven Elementary tree.

It was planted in honor of Heidi Allen, the young woman who went missing on April 3, 1994.

We would like to rededicate the tree, as well as dedicate
a new memorial rock and plaques that will help us remember both Heidi Allen
and the young girl we lost to Eastern Equine Encephalitis (Triple E),
Maggie Sue Glenister Wilcox, on August 14, 2011.

Reverend Vivian Summerville will be there to help lead the dedication service.
There will be light refreshments served. Our family thanks Jimmie James BBQ, aka Jimmie & Robin,
for remembering Heidi & Maggie Sue with their dedication.

An Annual Refreshing of the Website

Each year I try to modify or freshen up the website. It's usually around the anniversary of Heidi's kidnapping  to brighten my Mom's mood. She enjoyed watching the website and transform into something different, yet the same. I didn't finish the update in time to reveal it on the third, but it's ready today. I hope you all like it. 

I follow a few blogs and enjoy seeing how different authors, speakers, and organizations display their websites. I like to keep it simple yet clean. I want you to feel comfortable reading and for those new to the page, my hope is to have it easy to maneuver and utilize. I moved the blog to the first page so when new viewers stop by, the blog is the first thing viewed.

I have a page to introduce myself and share why I write, and my testimony of how God changed my life after my greatest loss, the loss of my only sister. There is a page to contact me and another with answers to commonly asked questions, making it easier for anyone interested in having me speak at an event, retreat, or a pulpit fill, to find what they are looking for. I try to post blogs and reviews of my books on one page to help you decide if my books are right for you. The last page has links to some of the media coverage from the release of Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, and a couple others since then. I hope these pages and the set up of my site are inviting and encourage you. Happy Spring! See you tomorrow!

Painting a Picture Can Be Done In Different Ways

How do you “paint a picture” for others? Some creative people use paints, oil pastels, or other more ingenious tools to do this but for me, I use words. To me, words are beautiful and the way in which we manipulate them into sentences, paragraphs, and chapters creates a place for our readers to journey to without leaving the comfort of their home or bus stop. A couple weeks ago I shared my testimony and a message of transformation with Live More Ministries using both paints and words. It was a first for me and I learned so much in the preparation.

Part of this time was therapeutic as I watched YouTube videos to learn how to paint a valley, or looked at old pictures of my Mom painting. Am I my mother’s daughter with the talent to turn liquid color into something beautiful? No way! Am I mother’s daughter in the sense that I’m willing to try and to mesh different creative venues to create a new and unique way of sharing my thoughts, story, and testimony? Yes!

I learned more through the process of painting my “Kindergarten Butterfly” in front of more than one-hundred ladies than I did in the weeks and months of preparation. You see, I forgot in the planning process that it isn’t about the method or final product, IT IS A HEART ISSUE. Don’t get me wrong, I only saw a kindergarten painted butterfly but the women, especially Shirley, saw the transformation God did in my heart through the words I spoke to them. To watch me paint was amusing and kept their eyes busy. I didn’t paint the picture of my transformation through my relationship with God with paints that day; it was with words and tears.

We are each unique and created to be an individual. We each have a story to tell that is special to us, one only God knows unless He chooses to bless us and let our story be made more public to encourage and inspire others. There isn’t a day I don’t miss my sister, and these days, my mother BUT when I am feeling my lowest and weakest I know one thing that is true and helps me continue to create in whatever mode God calls me to…God loves me and provides the strength and hope I need to face each day. Do you know this to be true on a personal level? I hope so!

The short of it, we are each made to share how God works in our life. We need only accept who we are and how God made us (hmm, reminds me of my daughter’s new book – gotta share it). YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL, WHO and HOW will you share your testimony?

How will you paint your story today? Maybe with someone in the checkout line, over lunch, or possibly while getting coffee? The choice is yours…let the creating and sharing begin, God trusted YOUR story to you. No one else can paint YOUR picture! How will you paint your story?
Maybe to share in a post below is the 1st step!

More Than a Trip to the Dentist

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance 
the race marked out for us, 
fixing our eyes on Jesus, 
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV As I sat in the dentist chair earlier this week I thought about a few of the verses shared and explored during last weekend's retreat. With my nose tingling because EVERYTHING on the left side of my face was numb, and the sound of the drill echoing in my head...I thought of this verse from Hebrews. Then I thought about the stereotype of going to the dentist in comparison to the pruning process (as some call it) of God when we life seems tough and even unbearable. Yet, it's during these times that when we look back, we recognize ALL God did during that time and the transformation we endured and experienced. 

In preparation for my speaking engagement for the Live More Ministries, I studied some of the same verses the speakers at our annual women's retreat shared. I LOVE HOW GOD ORDERS these things in our life. I'm thankful to have my eyes fixed on Him so I can SEE how God lined up my study, our speakers study, and merges them into a powerful and profound message direct to my heart this past weekend. It built on God's message to me over the past few months.

Have you ever sat in the dentist chair with the eerie sound of the drill making you cringe and creating goosebumps on your arms? What about the pressure as the dentist works on your teeth? No pain, but pressure. Has the novocaine ever wore off before the dentist was finished, or start to wear off? These are fun memories, right? Not so much.
BUT when you think about it, isn't going to the dentist similar to God's correction and redirection, "recalculating", if you will? The difference between God and our dentist, well one of many of course, is that even with an x-ray, its only possible for the dentist to SEE within to a certain degree.

Our dentist can make an educated guess to what we've been eating and drinking, how many times we've brushed our teeth a day, and even the type of toothpaste and mouth wash we are using. It's even possible for them to tell if we use the dental floss they give us every six months or if it uses spaces on a shelf in the bathroom. BUT even with their x-rays, education, and diagnosis...they don't KNOW for sure.

They will question us and ask about our eating, drinking, and hygiene habits. We choose to answer them honestly or shrug our shoulders. God on the other hand, knows EVERYTHING without asking or needing us to tell Him but He desires us to throw off our hindrances and sins so we can run and not be weary or lose heart. What are we waiting for? God already knows so why do we procrastinate in sharing our sins with Him during our quiet times?

The dental hygienist can scrape and clean our teeth, the dentist will check and fix them, but in the long run the prelim is the same...WE HAVE TO DO OUR PART or no matter how many suggestions or wellness visits we have...cavities and sin will take over requiring more work than one visit for repairs will allow. This is one reason we to do our part and persevere. Are you persevering or just doing the minimum to get by?

I don't know about you but I want to throw off all that hinders, keep my eyes focused on God, and win this race...I might not see the prize while on earth, it's an Eternal one BUT I KNOW IT'S WORTH IT. The next time you sit in the dentist chair and the machines grind, scrape, and repair...remember God is ALWAYS WITH YOU and is waiting for you to throw off all that hinders. Once you release this weight and LOOK UP with your eyes and heart...then a true cleaning of our soul begins and the pioneer and perfecter of our faith can finish the work he has for us. Pretty cool, don't you think? Embrace your next dental visit, God's talking to you .
What do you think about when you're sitting in the dentist chair?