Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 73
April 18, 2015
The alarm went off at 6:50 a.m., while tempted to hit the snooze, I decided to get myself up and out of bed to enjoy this beautiful day. The only reason I had to remain snuggled in was to find out how my dream ended. Have you experienced a morning like this? You are involved in a dream, full color, and you're just reaching the end...when the alarm BUZZ! BUZZ!...interrupts. That was today. 
April 16, 2015
"Where Have You Been?" You Wonder...
Photos with "shadows" taken by Nedra Isenberg Last week and through the weekend we celebrated
National Sibling Day
with a few sharing a childhood memory, and thousands of you reading these journeys to times of past. To celebrate such an important day, I gave away one of each of my books, winners were announced on Sunday. I've heard from all but one winner, books will be mailed tomorrow at the latest. Monday evening, my family and I traveled to join cyclists, volunteers, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) staff at the Mohawk Valley Community College for their April Ride for Missing Children (RMC) Meeting. Most of you know how dear this organization and group of individuals are to me and my family. As we walked across campus and started to give and receive hugs from all, my heart soared. God used these selfless and wonderful people to boost my spirits. Their energy is contagious.
While there, I had the opportunity to spend a few minutes talking about my sister, Heidi Allen, the RMC, and the impact they are making in the lives of their communities and the families of the missing and exploited. It was such a powerful evening, Wendy Fical, Program Director for the Mohawk Valley's RMC, shared a recovery story. A child recovered because someone recognized a child's face on the poster and they picked up their phone and called. They brought a child home and saved her from sex trafficking.
In addition to the emotional stories of recovery and hope from being a part of this beautiful family, we were able to catch up with friends and make new ones. A couple riders and myself might even start a Bible study, meeting once a month throughout the year. I think this is so cool!
While this only counts for one day's absence, the emotional drain wiped me out. A drain I wouldn't exchange because while drained, I'm uplifted, encouraged, and ready to move forward with more hope and energy than I've had in months. Thank you to my RMC family.
In addition, I haven't even turned my computer on in the evenings. Rather than burrowing in my office, I've spent time walking, watching shows, and enjoying time with my friends and family. This evening starts new schedules and routines, so in a sense, "free time" for me to write. I might work on my next book. I've puttered here and there yet couldn't get my head, or heart, into it. Thanks to this week's recharge, it's time! What recharges and inspires you
to move forward when you feel drained?
I wonder if anyone from Monday's meeting
can share the symbol your shadows represent?
April 12, 2015
National Sibling Day 15' Book Winners Announced
Thank you again to everyone who left a comment on the blog to share a memory with your siblings. Some didn't post on the blog but shared in person or in a private message. Regardless of whether our siblings are in our life, still alive, or living next door...it's important to celebrate, remember, and share the memories we have. While not everyone has positive and happy memories with a sibling, rather than focus on the negative, think back to a happy and joyful memory with friends and other family members. Heidi and I were blessed with a multitude of happy memories and time with each other. Today is National Only Child Day, a day my daughter celebrates. For those without a sibling, celebrate your family and friends, make memories and celebrate the positives.
Congratulations to my FIVE winners. Can you believe I miscounted my own books? Yikes! This is embarrassing. You still benefit though, because instead of four books, five are being given away. To my lucky winners, be sure to email your address to me at lbuskewriter@aol.com so I can mail your book to you. If you want it signed to anyone in particular, please let me know that too. Thanks for sharing a memory with me and all my readers. Your memories triggered memories and conversations with others, keep sharing them. Who knows, maybe one of your memories is the next best seller.
Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey$13.00 Print/$1.99 Kindle Version
Congratulations
Sarah Wansink When the Waves Subside:
There is Hope
$9.25 Print/$.99 Kindle Version
Congratulations
Mary Parish
No More Pain: I Can Fly
$9.25 Print Only at this time
Congratulations
Kristie Smith
YOU are a Rainbow
$8.32 Print/$.99 Kindle Version NEW!!
Congratulations
Lena Hotis
Encourage Others:
One Day at a Time
$5.00 Print only
Congratulations
Edith Varga Thanks to all who shared, commented, and celebrated National Sibling's Day!
Congratulations to my FIVE Winners...
April 11, 2015
National Sibling Day 2015 - Giving Away FREE Books
Thankful for the Eighteen Years God blessed me with Heidi...
Forever Sisters!
I knew my brain was on overload lately between the hearing, being sick, and having ones I love not feeling well but as I drove to school this morning, I realized how "out of it" I am. Today is National Sibling Day! A day I try to do a blog in honor and memory of my beautiful sister.
Rather than beat myself up for not remembering the national holiday, I was reminded that I remember Heidi each and every day. It must be genetic. Our family is known for "not waiting" when it comes to expressing our love, thankfulness, and appreciation of each other.
For me, every day is sibling day, Heidi will always be remembered and I'll share the stories I have as long as you're willing to read. Since it is National Sibling Day, I've decided to honor my sweet sister and that infectious smile by giving away a few books!
To be entered for a chance to win a free book ~ leave a comment, on this blog, below to share your favorite "sibling" memory. I'll try and share a new memory when I announce the winners on Sunday.
My hope is to give away at least one copy of each of my books:
Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey
When the Waves Subside: There is Hope
No More Pain: I Can Fly
YOU are a Rainbow
Encourage Others: One More Time
If you are an only child ~ share Your Favorite Childhood Memory!
Who knows, your story might not only bring a smile or tear to another's eyes, it may bring a FREE book to your mailbox.
Be sure to enter your email when posting your comment on the blog. I'll post the winners this weekend.
You have until Sunday, 4/12/15, afternoon.
We Look forward to hearing your sibling memories,
memories are a treasure we carry in our hearts,
regardless of the distance between us and our sibling.
April 9, 2015
Why Do We Share Missing Person Flyers?
Each flyer above has a link if you want to print and post in your area or share on Social Media. Thank you! 
Thank you for remembering Heidi and sharing a little hope on your social media.
April 7, 2015
TOP's Tuesday: And the Hearing Continues...Week 4
Photos designed and used with permission from Donna Seabrook ~ Thank you again Donna!
Since January, some family and friends have attended the hearings, one month and one week at a time. Today starts week four. The hearing is a result of motions (I think that is what they are called) filed in July 2014.The hearing will determine if Heidi's kidnapper will receive a new trial. Some think the hearing will conclude this week and others aren't sure. I have no wisdom in this area but will be thankful when both sides have concluded. Like most of you, we have been praying for twenty-one years for the answer to my parent's first question...Where's Heidi?. A question left unanswered still.
As the hearing concludes, our hope and prayer is the same. Thanks to the recent stories and accounts, Heidi's case and disappearance are on the hearts and minds of many. Some who never knew Heidi are now aware. Awareness, discussion, hope, and prayers have multiplied over the past months...prayers for Heidi, truth, and justice.
Some ask, "How do you want me to pray?" or "What are you praying for?" I'll be honest, my prayer is the same today as April 3, 1994...for Heidi to be found. Today, I pray she is found so she can be given a proper burial and so my parent's dying words aren't, "Keep looking for Heidi, we love her but we can't wait any longer." Words I've heard from other loved ones before they closed their eyes and breathed their last breath. I can't bear the thought of this happening to my parents too, no parent should go through this.
No one knows what will happen today, this week, or after the judge renders his decision yet if this process helps to bring Heidi home...then prayers will be answered and we'll start the next portion of this journey.
As you think of Heidi, the hearing, and all involved - pray for Heidi to be found, for truth, and for justice. God is the Ultimate Judge and He knows the truth - may He reveal this and have all involved held accountable.
Thank you for remembering her, our family, her friends, and this beautiful community - this isn't easy for anyone...family, friends, neighbors, or the adults that were only children twenty-one years ago.
Compassion, kindness, and understanding are necessary for everyone affected by Heidi's kidnapping and this hearing. Holding out hope for Heidi and trusting God to make a way for her to come home... Thank you for lifting Heidi
in your prayers and positive thoughts...
May this process help bring her home.
#HopeHeidiAllen and #HeidiAllen Visit the Where's Heidi? Facebook Page to join in sharing #HopeHeidiAllen and #HeidiAllen missing person flyers across the United States - look at where the flyer has been, just since last night.
181 Shares as of 7:07 a.m. on Tuesday - So far the flyers have been to New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Vermont, Georgia, Nevada, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, Indiana...
do you think we can keep it going?
April 6, 2015
What Was Your Easter Main Course?
One of the first lessons I learned when I started to date the man I'd marry was the difference in meal choices on holidays. I don't know about you, but until I started "venturing out" to another family's holiday festivities, I thought EVERYONE had ham on Easter. I was wrong. Did you know some dare to eat turkey? Everyone knows this is a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner meal. Seriously!Okay, relax. Before anyone gets to upset or the loud jeering of "Yes, yes, finally, someone understands." Guess what the first lesson I learned as the future bride to Mr. Buske, every family has their own traditions and their own favorite foods to enjoy on the holidays. Unlike my teen and early twenty-something self, this is not wrong, it's just different. Difference is what makes life interesting and also exposes us to tastes, aromas, and possibilities we may never know exist...if it wasn't for this variety. To have turkey on Easter is not taboo, it's just different than how I was raised.
Can anyone else relate or am I alone in this thought and realization? What sparks this main course discussion, or debate depending on who you share it with? Let me tell you, because yesterday my sister-in-law hosted the family after church and she had both ham and turkey so regardless of your Easter tradition, it was covered. (Well for herself, her in-laws, and guests) Everyone was happy and selected their meat of choice, or possibly had a sampling of both. Although I'm a "ham on Easter" gal, I must admit, the turkey smelled and looked so good...I ate turkey. (Yikes, don't tell my family, lol) Seriously...what is your families Easter traditional meal?
Do you have a holiday meal with the in-laws story to share?
Happy Monday!
April 5, 2015
Easter and Forget-Me-Nots
This Easter I did something different, rather than letting the busyness of preparation for today fill my time, I spent time with family and friends. Did I make the "break basket" to surprise my family today at dinner? No. Did I manage to prepare a special treat? No. BUT...I did enjoy time catching up with friends. I did enjoy a 3+ mile walk for a few days in a row. I did bake and frost cookies with daughter. I spent time with my parents.One lesson I've learned, all the stuff, baked goods, and things will never replace the time spent and memories made with those we love and care about. So rather than stress on what I didn't do, I'm celebrating the new beginning of this year. It's not about the fancy break basket or treats, it's about Jesus sacrifice on the cross and resurrection this morning. It's Easter, a time to celebrate and enjoy life, love, family, and friends.
I hope you will do the same today! To share a snip-it of how God worked through social media over the weekend, check out how many people viewed, shared, and loved on Heidi...21 years later. Since Friday, the posters and flyers on just the Where's Heidi? page have been viewed almost 17,000 times as of 7 p.m., with 213 actual shares of the posters, and over 4,000 views just on Sean Kirst article remembering Heidi. That's over 20,000 views and shares of #HopeHeidiAllen#HeidiAllen
This doesn't count the views and shares on my personal page or your pages - may God use one of these views or shares to bring Heidi home. Thank you and again, HAPPY EASTER!
Thank you for your outpouring of love, support, and encouragement the past 21 years, and especially this weekend.
Have a wonderful day and
make some wonderful memories!
HAPPY EASTER!
April 3, 2015
April 3, 2015...21 Years Missing and Good Friday
Last year, for the 20th anniversary of Heidi's disappearance, Heidi's family, friends, and community gathered at the New Haven Fire Hall. Similar to 1994 when she disappeared, the doors flooded with people stopping to say hi, share a memory, and remember the young teen taken from us to soon. This year, with respect for Good Friday, we aren't gathering as a community to remember Heidi but instead, to remember the sacrifice of death on a cross by Jesus. In years past I've spent a week or more sharing photos and memories with you all. Last year I did a short blog series called, "Missing My Sister: Heidi M. Allen" Part I, Part II, and Part III. To read these, click on the part you'd like to read. A look back to one year ago. One thing remains the same, I miss my sister and continue to pray she is found one day.
A tradition I enjoy and miss on Good Friday is the annual Cross Walk. A few years ago, my mother-in-law and one of my sister-in-laws, went together. As we walked through Oswego listening to Scriptures read, singing hymns, and alternating turns carrying the cross...there was something more special happening. The cross walk is a witness of our faith for others to see. I couldn't find information for the one in Oswego but there was one in Fulton, NY today. If you've never experienced a "Cross Walk", I encourage you to step out, it's beautiful. Sorry the blog posted after the start time this year, but mark it on your calendar for next year, you will be moved and understand the importance of Good Friday. I had a few different ideas for a blog but with it being Good Friday, wasn’t sure how to move forward and share on this anniversary. God is faithful and answers prayer. Rather than writing more, I invite you to visit my friend, author, and speaker, Elaine W. Miller’s blog today. Her servant’s heart and gift to write are demonstrated once again. As she blogged about Good Friday, she remembered Heidi and those that love Heidi. To read Elaine’s blog, click here for a direct link. If you prefer to copy and paste, her website is: http://elainewmiller.blogspot.com/
In addition to Elaine’s blog, Sean Kirst wrote a beautiful article on Syracuse.com to highlight Heidi’s personality and a snip-it of how anniversaries and Easter effect our family and others who love and care for Heidi.
If other blogs or media share Heidi on this, the 21st anniversary of her abduction, I’ll try to post links below so you have one place to connect, view, and share. As always, thank you for remembering Heidi. Our family, her friends, and our community. Her kidnapping touched many lives, well beyond the extent we could ever reach. May God bless you in return.
Thank you News Channel 9 for sharing And remembering Heidi, like so many others, 21 years later.
Feel free to share a memory, words of encouragement, or a message to Heidi’s family, friends, and community below.
This is a safe and loving place to remember Heidi and share hope with all who read. Have a great day!
April 2, 2015
Traditions at Easter: Egg decorating Brightens the Mood
“A sister is a gift to the heart,
a friend to the spirit,
a golden thread
to the meaning of life.”
― Isadora James
The photo on today's blog isn't new here, yet, it's one that still brings a smile to my face. My Dad worked a lot when we were younger to provide for his family but Dad always made sure he did things with us. One of my favorite times spent with Dad happened in the Spring, sometimes before the snow even melted completely. You might guess decorating the Easter eggs but this isn't the case. Melting snow meant it was time to start throwing the softball around, practicing my pitch, and hitting some balls. Regardless of the length of Dad's work day, he would point at me through the kitchen window to meet him out back. Even if it was only a half hour, it was a couple hours each week spent bonding with my Dad while warming up some mad softball skills. Okay, they weren't mad but a girl can dream.
What does this have to do with coloring Easter eggs you are wondering? Both were time well spent with my Dad and some of my fondest memories. Mom was the scientist of the egg decorating, whereas we just dunked them, but Mom...oh my. If Easter egg coloring is a reflection of one's patience, then we should have known she could wait and endure anything. Her eggs were the prettiest but at the end of the day, they all tasted the same. LOL
In 1994, Easter wasn't about decorating Easter eggs or finding them. It was about finding Heidi, kidnapped on Easter morning while working alone. For the first decade after her abduction, Easter wasn't about the celebration of Jesus resurrection. It wasn't until more than ten years later that hope returned. Slowly and with the help of a restored faith and relationship with Jesus, Easter became the joyous holiday it is meant to be.I shared of this hope and joy with a couple years ago, with Dr. Mary Starr, before she moved away. I had the honor to be a guest on her blog and Vimeo for an interview. An interview I shared on my blog also, so as to highlight each other in the process. As I looked through blogs of past Easters, I was reminded of my friend and our last meeting. Since this, Dr. Mary has established herself in Florida and is changing lives there as she shares the benefits of Young Living and healthy living.
Why do I share about decorating Easter eggs and an interview with Dr. Mary in the same blog? To be honest, I found the above interview as I searched my blog for another blog and realized there are many new followers and you might be interested in an interview from two years ago. Both a memory. Decorating eggs and sharing time with a friend as we talked about a mutual friend, my sister, Heidi M Allen. One thing I've learned in life, sometimes the oddest things will trigger a memory of something completely random and not on one's mind. It's often these memories that touch our hearts the most. What does decorating Easter eggs remind you of? A person? Place? Tradition?
Will you share below? Thank you in advance.
