Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 85

Fun Friday: Which Way Do You Divide Your Sandwich?

Middle - Top to Bottom Middle - Side to Side
Diagonal - Left or Right
Quarters Who Cuts It? I just Eat! There are times in life when we just have to have fun. Each Tuesday I post a "TOP's Tuesday" blog. This is a day to reflect, remember, and share a little on Heidi, my writing, and speaking. It is one of the most viewed blogs each week. 

I have an idea, to lighten things up and have a little fun. I don't know if it will be weekly, but I'll start posting a "Fun Friday" blog, at least once a month. I have a feeling this could become a weekly blog because I like to have fun, so why not share the fun with all of you.

As I made my PB&J yesterday, this question came to mind..."Is there a Science to how people cut their sandwiches? A reason? Or does anyone really care?" Hence, the first of many "Fun Friday" blogs on One Sister's Journey. So how do you divide your sandwich? So, how do YOU divide your sandwich? 
There are multiple ways to share:
*Answer the poll above by selecting your answer and click "vote" - you'll get an instant percentage of where you stand compared to the norm

*Leave a comment below to Facebook

*Leave a comment directly on the Blog 

*Post something on all three places and share with your friends 
to see how they divide their sandwiches
Remember, not much purpose today, just a little fun!

TOP's Tuesday: More Than Candlelight

My office has a beautiful antique shelf in it, one my parents gifted me for Christmas in 2012. To some, it would be used in the dining room to hold one's good china but not me. Mine houses books.

Two of the shelves house writing resource guides, dictionaries, thesauruses, manuals, and other books to help me when writing and to be a better writer. Next to my helper books on the top shelf are proof copies of my books, I think it's good to remember how each book evolves from first proof to final copy. 

On the second shelf, in addition to the books are photos of me with my sister, one with my handsome husband (the one shown here), and one with my parents. On the shelf between these keepsakes are two battery operated candles. I don't leave them lit but on special occasions, I light the one next to my sister's picture.
Around our anniversary as Ed and I talked about going out for dinner or what we should do to celebrate twenty-one years of marriage, one of the candles lit up, the one next to our photo. I smiled and told Ed, Heidi is saying to have fun. We both laughed and enjoyed the moment before I opened the door to unwind the light bulb and disconnect its connection to the battery. Some will say this was a ghost or Heidi talking to us from the "other side", but we realize I probably hadn't loosened the bulb enough the last time I lit it and when the kitchen shelf busted, it probably jostled even this battery operated candle.

BUT, I do think God uses moments like this to give us encouragement. He is the Ultimate and Only Light. I love my husband so much and our anniversary is such a special day of the year yet sometimes, it also induces a touch of sadness. What do you talk about on your anniversary? Your wedding day, right? As we reflect, remember, and recall the moments of our day...Heidi's name is used often.
She was such a goof and always smiling. This year, I missed that joyous and bubbly personality more than years past. Many tears were shed. Ed called from work to check on me. 

Somehow this he knows when my mind is thinking. While I missed my sister, I also am so thankful to have her presence filling the most important part of my adult life...the day I married Ed. 

While I don't believe it was Heidi's ghost that lit the candle, I do believe God used His light as a reminder of how much He loves me and to remind me...Heidi is always with me, in my heart.

This is Ed and Heidi at our wedding...

For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," 
has made this light shine in our hearts 
so we could know the glory of God 
that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NLT

What sign of hope and light gives you encouragement? Please share...

Writing Process Blog Hop...The Next Blogger

To visit Terri's blog and website 
for today's Blog Hop:  
Click here or on the picture of Terri and I. 
This photograph was taken the Spring of 2013 when I spoke 
at Lagrangeville Alliance Church. 
Thanks for joining the Writing Process Blog Hop Terri! I hope many will pop over to learn more about your writing process. If you haven't visited Karen Beaudin's blog yet,click here or on her picture. 

Karen wrote, A Child is Missing . 

Her sister was also kidnapped and murdered, the difference, 
her sister was discovered. 
YET, our pain and loss are similar.

Thank you again Karen for the invitation to join the Writing Process Blog Hop. It was fun to be a part of this great hop.


And the blog that started the entire process and blog hop:
Click on the "Blog Hop for Writers!" image or click here.

Thank you in advance for taking 
a moment to visit my friend's blogs.

This is one way authors encourage, inspire, and support each other and their readers. 

What is one new thing you learned on any of these blog posts? Will you share below?

A Birthday Tribute...Happy 39th Heidi M Allen!

Today would be my sister's 39th birthday. Each year we remember, celebrate, and honor her differently. 

This year, we will place balloons at the Heidi Allen Remembrance Garden and on our mailboxes as a symbol of "Hope for Heidi".

Thank you all for your continued and ongoing support to find Heidi. Our family appreciates you all. Happy Birthday My Wonderful Sister!


You are always remembered...
always prayed for...
NEVER FORGOTTEN! Feel free to leave a note of encouragement for my parents and Heidi's family here...
thank you in advance!

TOP's Tuesday: Lifting Hope for All to See

This past April the community gathered to remember Heidi at the New Haven Fire Barn with a candle light vigil and time of fellowship. It was a beautiful evening with encouragement, remembrance, and hope as the overwhelming theme. My only sister, kidnapped on April 3, 1994, more than twenty years ago. How does one survive the abduction of a loved one for twenty years? How does the family find the strength to put their feet on the floor each morning? What motivates friends and family to not just get up but to enjoy life?

The answer is different for each person, for me, I lean on God. I spent the first decade running in the opposite direction of Him because I blamed Him for taking Heidi from us, after all, He allowed it to happen. Right? This is both truth and a lie at the same time. God is a God of love, comfort, and hope. This is TRUTH, yet God also gave man something called "free will". God can place a path of righteousness, morals, and goodness in our paths but it's up to us to accept this modeling. God did not kidnap my sister, man did.

The LORD is compassionate and merciful; 
he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love. 
Psalm 103:8

This Thursday is 9/11. the nation will remember the lives lost in 2001, along with the six lives lost in the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. What does this have to do with my sister's abduction, tragic loss. 

Families, friends, and communities rally and gather to remember the missing yet our nation as a whole come together on 9/11 to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost through the tragic terrorist attacks on our nation. God did not attack our country, terrorist did utilizing their free will.

In April, our small community gathered at the New Haven Fire Department, in the side lawn, in honor and remembrance of my sister, this Thursday, September 11, 2014, we gather to remember the men, women, and children who lost their lives on this tragic day, fourteen years ago. While our community might be small in number, it is huge in heart and love.

I hope you and yours will take time out of your busy schedule to remember the lives lost, honor the first responders who served, pray for the families effected, and to show unity as a nation through our time together. If you don't live in our area, check with your local fire departments, churches, and organizations. This is a national day of remembrance and honor, I hope you find time to pause, reflect, and lift a prayer for those dealing with the heavy grief and darkness. If possible, join your community and light a candle of hope too.

The LORD's loyal kindness never ceases; 
his compassions never end. 
They are fresh every morning; 
your faithfulness is abundant!
Lamentations 3:22-23

For those in the New Haven, New York area:
New Haven Volunteer Fire Corporation 
4211 State Route 104
New Haven, NY 13121
Non-Emergency: 315-963-8070
How does your family, community, or organization honor and remember 9/11? Please share, your idea might encourage another?

Writers Process Blog Hop: A Little Behind the Scene Fun

Link to Blog that inspired this Blog Hop A special thanks to author, speaker, and friend, Karen Beaudin, for inviting me to join this blog hop with her. Karen and I "met" the first time via email and then Facebook. 

A couple years ago, we had the opportunity to meet in person as Karen traveled through New York between speaking engagements. 

As I drafted my book proposal for Where's Heidi?, I found Karen's book, A Child is Misisng. It was a powerful and encouraging read for me. Karen's sister,Kathy, disappeared over forty years ago. Karen's sister was found and her family gave her a proper burial, yet her abductor and murderer, remains free. Karen uses this as the fuel for helping other families of the missing, educating law enforcement, and keeping cold cases on the forefront across the country. 

One way she helps victims of violent crimes is through an ongoing fundraising effort. She designed and is selling bracelets. For more information, she has a page on her website or you can click here for more information. To order Karen's book, click here.  To visit Karen's website - click on her picture or click here. About me:
1) What am I working on?  
At this moment, I have a few different things I'm "working on". This past June, I released my first children's book, YOU are a Rainbow. On the last page of this book is ideas for teachers, youth leaders, and parents to use that will help to take this book to the next level and ignite a reflective thought process and creative output in our children. I only listed a few ideas here but have some others so I'm working on a YOU are a Rainbow Resource Book to supplement my children's book, making the extension activities available with minimal prep. 

I'm also working on the book to build from Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey. My hope is to share the next part of the journey, when a loved one is missing, "Moving Forward While We Wait". I have a few other ideas for potential books but they are still in the dream and idea stages, so I'll wait before sharing them with you. 

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
If I were to compare Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey to Karen Beaudin's, A Child is Missing , the greatest difference is in the amount of time spent sharing about the legal process and actual case. My book focuses on my faith journey with minimal attention given to Heidi's kidnapping as a "case file", whereas, Karen talks about her faith and her sister's case, with vigor and intensity to find answers. Both are similar, yet very different. My writing is motivated by my faith and hope for Heidi, the greatest difference between my book and that of others about missing persons, it's written from a sister's perspective.

3) Why do I write what I do?
I write what I do because this is the direction I feel God is leading me. On April 3, 1994, Heidi was kidnapped and remains missing still today. An aspect of kidnapping and missing persons that you might not understand is the impact a loved one's disappearance has on the family and friends left to pray, wonder, and wait for the missing to be found. My greatest hope is to help others grieving the loss of a loved one. To lose a loved one, especially unexpectedly or "too soon", creates a heightened level of grief and sadness. I write and speak in hopes of encouraging and inspiring others to look beyond their loss and see how they can use this to be stronger and help others in the process. I write to share how God's love saved me from going through the motions to living life to the best of my ability and helping others along the way.

4) How does my writing process work?
My writing starts as an idea milling around in my head and then its first visit to paper is usually on a sticky note, napkin, scrap piece of paper, or in one of the small notebooks I travel with. Then the idea sits there for days, weeks, months, and sometimes years before I do anything else with it. Similar to high school, I do my writing first, then write the outline. I've learned if I get all the ideas out and don't worry about the PUGS in the first draft, I do better. Once the first draft is written, it's time for a read through and to formulate an outline to make sure there is a flow. I utilize the feedback and support from a few trusted friends and family during the revising and editing, before I enlist the skills of a professional editor. Also in the revision and editing process, my writers' critique group is an integral part. The editing process with a professional editor is vital and such a learning experience, when you have the right editor. The greatest lesson I learned in the revision process was when to say "Enough is enough, it's time." If we are truly growing and improving our craft, our book will never be good enough and you keep finding new mistakes or areas you can strengthen if worded differently. My hope is to publish the best book I can, with the next book showing my growth as a writer and to leave the reader wanting more. Everyone Has a Story to Tell... Meet Terri Groh - She'll join the "Writing Process Blog Hop" Next Monday - September 15th - Click on her photo or her for a direct link to her page. 
In addition to writing, Terri recently opened her first business, Terri's Country Crafts and Books: 

Located at 3291 Main Street, Mexico, NY
 
Wednesdays from 10-5 p.m. 
Thursdays from 10-7 p.m.
Fridays, 10-5 p.m.
Saturdays, 9-1 p.m.
The shop is closed Sunday-Tuesday. 
Here's a little about Terri:

Terri Groh is the author of three women’s devotionals, Words of Encouragement for a Discouraged World, One Clear, Still Night and Poured Out.  Terri first discovered how much she loved writing when she was a child and won a New York State writing contest as a fourth grader.
 
She has also had a love for God’s word since becoming a Christian as a young teen and her desire has been to encourage other women in their walk with the Lord and also encourage them to dig into God’s word too.  This provided the perfect outlet for her writing.  She writes with transparency and uses many examples from her own life.
 
Terri and her husband, Dan, minister in a church in Central New York.  She loves to write, sew, craft and cook.  One of her passions is taking care of her family.  Terri writes a daily blog at heartsinservice.blogspot.com. Thanks for taking time to learn more about Karen & myself this week ~ remember to visit Terri's pages too and her guest blog next week!

What Can YOU Do Today to Make a Difference

Today you can choose to count your blessings 
or you can count your troubles. 

Today you can live each moment 
or you can put in time.

Today you can take action towards your goals 
or you can procrastinate. 

Today you can plan for the future 
or you can regret the past.

Today you can learn one new thing 
or you can stay the same. 

Today you can seek possibilities 
or you can overwhelm yourself with the impossible.

Today you can continue to move forward 
or you can quit. 

Today you can take steps towards resolving your challenges or you can procrastinate.

You see today the choices are up to you 
in deciding what you do today.

You Can 
by Catherine Pulsifer 

What can YOU do today to inspire, encourage, & help someone else?

National Grief Awareness Day 2014

Visit the National Grief Awareness Day page by clicking on the above photograph or click here: "Coming Out of the Darkness & Into the Light"
2014 National Grief Awareness Day Project

We our trying to educate our society on grief and what grief is really like. Our purpose is to take grief out of the dark and into the light. We want to break the silence and smash the stigmas surrounding grief.

There is nothing wrong with grieving. 
No one person grieves the same. 
Time has nothing to do with grief.

We no longer will hide our grief!

Sending warm hugs to my grieving community.
Angie Cartwright 
To join the community on Facebook, click here

Grief affects nearly every person, if not all. Grief is that feeling of loss after losing someone or something close to you. The greatest grief a person can experience is that of a ....? You fill in the blank, because to be honest, the blank is different for each of us. It depends on the loss we've experienced thus far in our life. I have friends who would say their parents. A child might say their grandparent or beloved family pet. Regardless of your loss, grief is involved and necessary. This is one of the greatest lessons Angie and her team hope people will understand as they increase awareness of grief.

Angie Cartwright has a couple different pages on Facebook, you should check them out:
National Grief Awareness
National Grief Awareness - Texas

And of course you can visit the website here - 
http://www.griefawarenessday.com/nati...

If you like to follow blogs with a purpose, check out Angie's blog here: 
http://www.griefawarenessday.com/angi...

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGTU

This year's campaign invites those grieving to submit a video. The deadline was August first ,click here to view some of the videos submitted to share with you. May you be encouraged by their honest and loving grief, it's okay to grieve. In fact, it's healthy. Earlier in the week I said you would be able to view the cover to my next book. I apologize if you expected to see this today but I've decided to wait. While I believe the cover is complete, the title is still a work in process so until I confirm this is the title God will have for this next book, I'm going to wait. 

If you think of it, will you pray for me as I write this next book. My hope is to share the another part of the journey, when a loved one is missing. While I have direction, notes, a skeletal outline, and ideas to move forward, I don't want to rush it. When it's time, I'll reveal the cover and title. Until then, I'll keep writing, blogging, and speaking to share hope and encouragement with those God places in my life.  I hope you'll visit the National Grief Awareness Day pages

I invite you to leave a note of hope, 
encouragement, or remembrance 
below in memory of those you grieve...

As Angie Cartwright says, "We no longer hide our grief!"

It's the First Day of School...Yeah!

New Pencils & Crayons The first day of school is an exciting time for parents, teachers, and or kiddos. The feelings and emotions compared to those on the last day of school are polar opposites, at least for me. To say good-bye to our kids on the last day of school is bittersweet. 

We, the teachers, are excited to see them grow and blossom into the beautiful butterflies they are designed to be the next year yet to watch them leave is also sad. The part that gives a teacher encouragement is the knowledge that next year's teacher is going to love, nurture, and teach our kiddos with as much vigor and warm fuzzies as us.  With this said, today was a GREAT day! We met our new kiddos and their parents today as the kindergartners joined us for their "bus run" this morning. It's a great way to introduce the kiddos, and the parents, to the bus and the school setting. As the kiddos cross the threshold into their career of learning, they have their biggest cheerleaders at their side...their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or guardian.  Read Alouds & Learning to Read Adventures & Learning Once inside the school, the look of amazement and wonder captured in these innocent eyes can take your breath away. Education is a blessing many take for granted, if only we viewed it through the eyes of a four or five year old as they enter school for the first time...imagine the change of attitude and desire to learn, to be the best each of us can be.

Yesterday, as the staff in my district joined together for our kick-off to the new year, I was encouraged, inspired, and motivated to be the best teacher I could be. The superintendent's message, our union's goal, and our building principal's message all echoed the same thing - relationships! If you think about it, to focus on relationships isn't something new. Actually, it's Biblical and starts back with Adam and Eve.  But I don't want to lose you so rather than focus on God creating Eve so Adam wasn't alone, I'll say this...we need other people in our life. Positive, healthy, and like-minded relationships provide encouragement, support, inspiration, rebuke, motivation, and so much more. 

Our superintendent shared the usual curriculum and data necessary to remind us we teach in New York State yet placed a personal and important spin on our educational role. He said there are only two types of employees in our district now, instructional staff and instructional support staff. It doesn't matter a person's job title when it comes to investing in the lives of others. There isn't a job or person more important than the next, we are part of a team working towards the same goal. 

In this case, schools are working towards the education, development, and growth of future generations to make our United States of America the best it can be, with a generation empowered to carry on tradition with new and informed decision making. We're not all called to the field of education in a school system but we are all designed to build up and train others. It's a matter of perspective. You have so many different relationships and opportunities to be a blessing, never underestimate where you are or the lives you touch.

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

What is your role in inspiring, empowering, educating, or encouraging the next generation?

A Blast From the Past Delivers Encouragement

Awhile back I received a private Facebook message from one of Heidi's friends, Tracy. She wrote to let me know that while her mother was going through her jewelry box, she found Heidi's ID bracelet. For the younger generation, these were the in-thing, back in the day. Heidi spent a lot of time at Tracy's house in her early high school years so it wasn't surprising that her bracelet would be there.

I  remember packing to move in to my own place and finding a notebook and other items from my high school friends. It's amazing as teens how we pack rat, leave, and forget about things. I honestly don't remember the particular items that I found but they weren't something I felt needed to be returned to my high school friends. They weren't that important...or were they? It wasn't jewelry or anything super personal or I would of made sure it made its way back yet in hindsight, if it was important enough to tuck away years prior, doesn't it hold the same value and importance? I'm thankful Tracy and her Mom thought to contact me and return Heidi's ID bracelet to us. I didn't share the message with my parents in order to surprise them when the package came. I opened it while sitting in the car outside the post office. With a big smile on my face and slow trickles of tears down my cheeks, I thanked God for returning this treasure. I couldn't wait to deliver it to my parents. Their expression of appreciation and thankfulness as they peered in the box, priceless. This reminds me of cards, ornaments, and art projects I find when pulling out the holiday boxes. Some of the same trinket and hand made items I might have tossed because "we were just kids" when Heidi made them, are now treasures. Why? It's not that the glitter or sloppy hand writing have changed but the story behind each is more precious and instead of being a memory to laugh about with Heidi, they hold the memory of when Heidi was with us.

This mentality is one reason I am such a pack rat but as I grow and recognize the greatest treasure one can hold is their faith and relationship with Jesus, I'm able to let go of the dry-rotted paper crafts a little easier. I've learned it's possible to take a picture of the item for a tactile remembrance while eliminating clutter and potential bedding for winter guests. There are some items I will probably never get rid of, our daughter will have to be the one to sift through most of it. Her emotional attachment compared to mine is much different. To me, they are priceless but to her, never seeing them before, will be a box of wonder.

And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness--secret riches. 
I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.
Isaiah 45:3 NLT

What if we valued and cherished our relationship with Jesus 
like we do the priceless memories hidden away in storage and our attics? 

What if we spent time reflecting all God gave and sacrificed for us, 
would we be so quick to look the other way and go in a different direction? 

What if I held on to my faith like I do memories? 

Think of all God could do with me and with you. What is one item you've found or that was returned to you that reminded you of a loved one passed? Will you share?