Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 78

Choosing to Shine...Or At Least Trying To

Similarly it would be silly to light a lamp 
and then hide it under a bowl. 
When someone lights a lamp, 
she puts it on a table or a desk or a chair, 
and the light illumines the entire house. 
You are like that illuminating light. 
Let your light shine everywhere you go, 
that you may illumine creation,
so men and women everywhere 
may see your good actions, 
may see creation at its fullest, 
may see your devotion to Me, 
and may turn and praise your 
Father in heaven because of it."
Matthew 5:15-16 Voice

Thank you everyone...

Running TO God This Time...

"...I don’t want anything to do with God. I not only walked away from my family and the community that day, I turned my back and walked away from God...Twelve years later, in preparation for a prayer service to remember Heidi on the anniversary of her kidnapping the Lord spoke to me. I spent two weeks putting together my prayer. By this point I was praying daily yet I hadn’t taken the step to pray aloud in front of other people. I searched for just the right Scripture verses and revised my prayer too many times to count. It was during this revision and writing process I understood how foolish I had been the day I walked away from God and the vigil..."
Taken from: Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey

Day four of "the hearing" as it's referred to often on the news. Day four of a long week. This next part of our journey started last July. This past Monday, the intensity of the past six months became reality. One thing I am reminded of daily is God is in control, God is always with me, and because God is omnipresent...while He is holding me in His arms and love...He is holding my sister until she is found.

Thank you for remembering and praying for Heidi, and her friends, family, and community. We appreciate the time you set aside, whether it is a minute or hour, each is a precious gift...thank you. Have a wonderful day!

My heart has heard you say, 
"Come and talk with me." 
And my heart responds, 
"LORD, I am coming."
Psalm 27:8

God's Arms Are ALWAYS Open and Waiting...
Are you running away or towards Him?

Getting Over the Hump with Thanks and Hope

"Each day we have a choice to live with 
joy and hope or be overcome with the trials and tribulations of life. "
~Lisa Buske, 4/20/2011

Local media are doing a wonderful job of keeping everyone informed on the hearing details this week. If you are on Twitter, you can search hashtag -#HeidiAllen and find Tweets, articles, videos, and photographs throughout the day. 

Thanks for remembering Heidi - one day she will be returned to her family, friends, and community...her parents will learn the answer to their first question...Where's Heidi?

"Always be joyful.
Never stop praying. 
Be thankful in all circumstances, 
for this is God’s will 
for you who belong 
to Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

What is one thing you are thankful for 
and one thing you hope for? 
Thankfulness + Hope = Ability to Move Forward

There Is Power In A Song

Yesterday as I made my way home from one location and in route to another, this song came on the radio. I made note of the title as I didn't get to listen until the end because of arrival at my destination. Since it was an appointment, I couldn't be late to listen to a song on the radio. I tucked the title into my bag for when I got home. A couple more here-n-there travels before finally returning home.

It was on my way home that this same song from the morning played again on the radio. This isn't surprising as it had been a few hours so the playlist was probably recycling yet I know God was speaking directly to me through this song yesterday. I this time I drove, cried, listened, lifted praises, and listened from beginning to end. Once home, I made sure to find it on YouTube so I could share it with all of you today. There is power is words, music, and the combination of the two.

No one is like you, LORD; 
you are great, 
and your name 
is mighty in power."
Jeremiah 10:6

Name one song that encouraged you...

TOP's Tuesday: Orange = #HopeHeidiAllen

“It's really a wonder that I haven't dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.” 
― Anne Frank
The Diary of a Young Girl

2014 started with emotions on high as our family, friends, and community rallied on April 3, the 20th anniversary of Heidi Allen's kidnapping, at the New Haven Fire Station. The very location we gathered two decades earlier. The mission, goal, and hope the same...to find Heidi.

Spring turned to summer and while hope never waived, as with any open missing person/child case, new information and court filings happen. This past July wasn't our family's first experience with waiting to hear or to learn of a filed motion yet the tone in which we, our family, friends, and community were notified intensified the stress, reaction, and effect.

Yesterday, January 12, 2015, a hearing started, to hear from the defense and DA in response to the paperwork filed last summer. I don't know how long this process will take yet I see, understand, and know the toll its taking on me, my parents, our entire family, Heidi's friends, and the community who love and remember Heidi. We find ourselves searching for ways to encourage each other, and all of you who remember Heidi so fondly and continue to pray for her return.

One way we unite and share hope is to wear orange, the color chosen by my parents in 1994, to represent "Hope for Heidi". Some messaged or told me, "I'm wearing my button from twenty years ago, thinking of you and the family." Others said they planned to wear orange each day of the hearing to show their support and as a way of encouraging the family. My peeps at school, are wearing orange this week as a silent way to encourage me throughout the day.

This is the confidence we have 
in approaching God: 
that if we ask anything 
according to his will, 
he hears us." 1 John 5:14

I am so grateful for such wonderful friends, family, work peeps, church family, and those I've "met" on Facebook or who read this blog. You encourage, inspire, and uplift us. 

Thank you! If you decide to wear a little orange, a button, or remember Heidi in some way. Please lift a prayer for her, the hearing, and all who love and remember Heidi. One day, I pray God says yes and we all get the answer to the question weighing on the hearts of so many...
Where's Heidi?
HOPE for Heidi M Allen
Never Forgotten!
Thanks for encouraging her family, friends, and our community. May you be blessed in return.

More Than A Hash Tag...It's a Way Of Life

#HopeHeidiAllen

#WheresHeidiAllen
I remember the first time I saw a "hash tag". I wondered why there was a pound sign before certain words and phrases on Facebook. Now, this is before I started to Tweet, which I'm no song bird still today, but I do try to belt a couple tweets now and then. There might be some reading this blog, who have saved themselves from the world of Social Media wondering why I have pound signs before the two phrases above. 

Thankfully, I work with tech savvy peeps and I have the added bonus of teen technos in my life. One of my friends, Diane Estrella, she is amazing and our social media and blog guru and go-to-girl. She is up to date on current trends and how to use them. I miss hearing Diane's monthly tech tidbit and lesson. I probably wouldn't even have Twitter if it wasn't for her nudging and guidance. Anyone, I have gone off track, my apologies.

Whether you read #HopeHeidiAllen and #WheresHeidi as hast tags or words without spaces after a pound symbol, they mean more than both of these things. They represent one way to share hope with others as we remember Heidi Allen, kidnapped April 3, 1994 while working alone at the D & W Convenience Store in New Haven, New York.

Today starts a hearing to determine if the verdict for her convicted kidnapper will be overturned. This hearing has Heidi's family, friends, and community with mixed emotions. Heidi is never forgotten and so many hold out hope for her to be found one day. Hope is eternal and something we hang on to. 

I've done a few interviews over the past week and one interviewer asked, "What do you do on the days when you don't have hope?" I shook my head, or smh, at him. There isn't a day we don't have hope. Without hope, life would be dark and difficult to get through. Don't get me wrong, there are days and times when it's more difficult yet one thing remains constant, we hold out hope for Heidi. 

...but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 NIV

Hope is eternal...
A Constant to Help You Through
What gives you hope? 

How Do You Spend Your Time? Do you "list"?

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, 
but understand what 
the will of the Lord is."
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

Those who know me and/or those who follow this blog, know I'm a "List Person". I'm used to the teasing and jokes, always in fun, but as I thought about what to do this weekend and what I need to get done before the week starts...I stopped and simply laughed. 

With a busy week of appointments and attempting to carry on "normal" routines, I'm worried about my silly lists. While I still have my lists and enjoy making them, for the rest of the day I'm joining my family for whatever adventure it might bring. The lists will still be there when we return home...until then. Let the fun being... Thinking about the time spent 
over the weekend, how do you spend your time?
 
Is it geared around the "lists" 
or do you just go with it? 

Finally Friday...A Crazy Start to the New Year

Arise, for it is your task, 
and we are with you; 
be strong and do it.”
Ezra 10:4 ESV

This is the Challah bread I made for Thursday's snow day. 6 loaves. Each tasted even better than they looked and the house smelled like homemade bread ALL day.  For the recipe, click on the photo or here. It has been a wild and crazy week. Typically, a Friday blog following the first week back to school after a break is one expressing exhaustion, thankfulness, and anticipation. Exhaustion because of the adjustment to work five days in a row with an excited classroom of children. Thankfulness because I survived the week. Anticipation to sleep later than 5 a.m. this night

Well, this has been one of the goofiest weeks. I only worked one full day this week, today. Monday and Thursday were snow days. Tuesday was an hour delay, with a two-hour delay on Wednesday. Not to mention a couple “no after school activities” tossed in for good measure. I’m grateful for a job allowing me to stay home when the weather is terrible. It saves on a sitter and keeps us safe at the same time yet there is a flip side. There is no structure in a week like this.

If you have children at home and live in an area with “snow days”, you understand. As a parent, you are up watching for the delay, then to see if the delay develops into a cancellation. In the midst of this, since I can’t go back to sleep, I “putter” and debate on when or if I should wake our daughter up. Or, I wake her up, only to have the cancellation made while she is getting ready.

Then once we are out and on our way to school, when not cancelled, traffic patterns and usually driving conditions are altered. By the end of the week, I felt like I accomplished nothing yet am just as exhausted, thankful, and appreciative I can sleep in tomorrow morning.

Go figure, work less but more tired. I’m a woman who thrives on structure and schedules. Some of you are laughing because I can also be a big goof, but I usually schedule in the “goofy” days too. One reason the unknown or surprises throw me for such a loop sometimes. I’ve gotten better…

I’m a work in progress though, but aren’t we all. 
What is your favorite "Snow Day" recipe?

A Snow Day Reflection ~ January 5, 2015

Like birds hovering overhead,
    the Lord Almighty will shield Jerusalem;
he will shield it 
and deliver it,
    he will ‘pass over’ it and will rescue it.”
Isaiah 31:5 NIV

A typical snow day in our house typically involves homemade cinnamon rolls or waffles when our daughter wakes up. As I watch the delays and cancellations scroll, I work on erasing items on my "honey-do-list", since I was gifted with extra time at home. The remainder of the day is spent reading, watching movies, or playing cards and games. NOT today!

For the first time, I went back to bed. Our daughter was shocked, "Mom, You NEVER go back to sleep, you okay?" with a chuckle in her voice. I slept until 11:45 a.m. Oh my! In the words of the matriarchs of my family, "I must have needed it." Yesterday was exhausting. I knew it took a toll on me but I hadn't realized how deep and draining it was. So today, I rested.

Once awake, we accepted an invitation for lunch and supper at my parents. It was a fun and chillaxin' afternoon and evening. Nothing was crossed off any of the lists. New lists were not created. Instead of hustling and bustling to seize this unexpected time...I just went with the flow and enjoyed time with my husband, daughter, and parents. There is something to be said about an unexpected gift of time, versus those we know are coming.

There was a time when the idea of not getting things done or accomplishing anything would have stressed me out but today, I recognize there was a lot done. Things far more important than the honey-do-lists. I slept long and hard, waking up refreshed. We spent quality time with my parents (a priceless gift in itself) watching movies and enjoying two meals together. As the evening draws to a close, I'm not exhausted from working all day. Instead, I'm rested and refreshed. 

"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. 
Today's trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:34

When gifted with a "snow day", what do you do?

2015's One (Really 2) Word & Scripture Verse

“Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say infinitely when you mean very; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” ― C.S. Lewis

The past couple blogs focused on the end of the year and looking into the new year. In case you are still on vacation or haven't come out of your holiday slumber, the New Year has arrived. It's time to put your New Year's reflections and brainstorming to paper. Are you ready? 

I'm still working on my goals for the year but thought I'd share this year's "word". I started choosing a word and Bible verse back in 2011 after reading about selecting each on a friend's blog. In 2011, I chose "faithful", and in 2012, "Hope". My mother's word has been "HOPE" since 1994 and one she continues to hold dear to her heart until her youngest daughter, Heidi Allen, is found.

I write my "one word" and "Bible verse" on a bookmark that I tuck into my Bible. I've found this is the best way to remind myself throughout the year of the word and verse. I'm embarrassed to say I can't find my 2013/2014 bookmark. I've checked my favorite Bibles and it isn't there. I'm wondering if it's tucked within a book I was reading this summer. After wasting almost an hour searching, I decided to move forward with my word for 2015.  My friend, Terri, blogged about OARS in living out your one word - click here. In order to pick a word to motivate, inspire, and encourage you throughout the next three-hundred plus days, you must use all the information you've reflected on for the days (or possibly weeks) leading up to the end of 2014. 

Ask yourself, "Where do I see myself one year from today?", "What is a word I find myself saying when I talk about the future?", or "Will this word keep me focused to follow God's plan for my life?"  

It's only after asking yourself some questions and spending time in prayer that you can determine just the right word for the new year. I left out the final, and probably one of the most important steps, SHARE your word with someone else. I encourage you to put it in writing, possibly even on a book mark to remind you throughout the year. Next, tell someone else. Similar to our goals, when we have someone else who knows, it helps to hold us accountable. Once you've written down your word (somewhere you'll see it often) and told someone else, it's time for the final step. LIVE IT!

After reflecting on last year's events, I struggled to choose a new word. "Faithful", "Hope"x2, and "Trust" continue to be one-words to carry me forward. While many moments were spent on the deck, at my parent's kitchen table, and surrounded by friends as we waited to hear if my sister's body was found...faith, hope, and trust were necessary parts of my prayers and being. 

Since this past July, life has swirled in emotions, questions, and nightmares similar to those of the early nighties after Heidi's kidnapping on Easter Sunday, 1994. I've narrowed my "one-word" to two, "courage" and "strength". So, since the act of picking one word is an individual mind-set, I'm choosing two this year.  COURAGE: 
mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty STRENGTH:
: the ability to resist being moved
or broken by a force
My Scripture Verse for 2015... "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. 
We do not know what we ought to pray for, 
but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God."
Romans 8:26-27 NIV What is your "One Word" for 2015?
Do you choose a Bible verse of focus too?