Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 93

For Every Dark Cloud There is a Ray of Sunshine

One of the most beautiful aspects to living near Lake Ontario are the sunrise and sunsets. The colors, brightness, and majesty take my breath away still. As a child I loved riding my bike to the lake to sit on the shore and watch the sunset with the sound of the waves as a background serenade. 

Ed and I spent our first couple years renting my Gram's camp on the lake, regardless of the season, to sit and watch the lake swept me away from whatever life was bringing me. Sometimes the sunrise brought tears because Heidi was still missing but then the sunset reminded me there was hope for tomorrow. Something as simple as the sun...many emotions and blessings.
To watch the sun rise and set directly on the lake is my favorite yet in Upstate New York, as long as you are close to the lake...you can usually capture its beauty and magnificence. 

When not lakeside, to watch the sun settle behind my father's garden still ignites an awe and energy within me. It's the best time to do the dishes because you can watch the light dim and lower behind the trees. Not only do you have clean dishes, a sense of peace and tranquility overcome you.

This evening I went for a buggy ride with my Mom to visit a friend. I looked forward to the visit and hug but what took my breath away was the view. The sun glimmered off the lake and reflected in all directions. Wow, I'm thinking if I lived there, I might never leave. The sun wasn't even setting yet, it was simply preparing for the descent but it still amazed me with its beauty. 

The photos in today's blog were taken last night. This is the same tree on the cover of Encourage Others: One Day at a Time, sitting on top of the hill. The pink blossoms were lost in the color of the sun setting but something else peeked through...a ray of hope.

Today's picture reminds us that when the clouds of life seem to surround us, when we slow down to let the light in, there is hope. 
What brings you hope? 

Words of Wisdom from the women in my life

"Once she starts kindergarten, hold on to your hat, time flies. 
You won't believe how fast the years go by. First it's kindergarten
and then it's high school graduation."
Paraphrase of my Mom, Aunts, and Gram

When our daughter started kindergarten I honestly didn't believe the matriarchs in my family who warned me to cherish each moment because before I knew it, Mags would be getting a job, graduating, and heading off to college. Thankfully, graduation and college are not on the forefront at this point yet the first job and college research is. 

It's with mixed emotions that I accept and release for this next part of our journey as parents, and as the sister to one of America's missing children. This shouldn't impact the way in which I parent, but it does. I'm sure all parents struggle with their children growing up and becoming young adults. I'm positive that when you dropped your son or daughter off for their first job, you had reservations and butterflies. As you looked at colleges, you thought about the quiet in the house and the "empty nest". But...did you pray "Lord, protect him/her today and keep them safe." 

I'll be honest with you, to let our daughter grow up is one of the most difficult and wonderful things I do each day. I'm proud of her and the young woman she is becoming. Her dreams, goals, and energy to persevere encourage me on a daily basis. I'm thankful God blessed us with a daughter...now it's time to cut the strings and let her shine for Him.

Any parents out there relate to this bittersweet and mixed emotion blog? Excited to see the young adult blossom while grieving the child he/she once was. Butterflies in my stomach are more common lately. Reflection and memories flood my mind. Hugs, love, and laughter fill the moments in between. Letting go... What is the best and most difficult part of letting your child grow into the young woman and man their designed to be?

A Look Back at this past week's Ride for Missing Children...

Click on a photo for a direct link to read full blog posts The Ride - Rain Didn't Stop Us Mohawk Valley Day 2 Then and Now... CNY Open House Episode Mohawk Valley Day 1 More than a Designated Rider...friends & family... If you've experienced the ride first-hand, 
what is one thing you would share with someone?

If you're learning about the ride through this blog and my Facebook posts...what stands out to you the most?

TOP's Tuesday: More Than A Designated Rider...

2014 I waited to share this thought today because, just like our designated riders are more than a rider...a sister is more than a blood relative. At my first ride, which was in 2007, not 2008, like I have thought. Only in looking for pictures with our designated riders did I realize I was off a year. I found pictures of Mary at the ride from 2008, and I attended the first year with only my cousin Missy. Mary joined me the following year. 

Anyway, for those not familiar with the ride, a designated rider is someone who rides a bicycle for one-hundred miles for your missing loved one on the family's behalf. Some family members choose to participate at the ride as a volunteer, ride in the family van, or in a more discreet way behind the scenes. Regardless of how one chooses to participate, their missing child (actual child, brother, sister, niece/nephew, cousin, grandchild) are honored with one designated individual riding on their behalf. The missing child's photo button is worn by other riders but one is selected as the family's rider for the day. It is such an honor and joy to meet our riders each year, and get to know them better.

This year was no exception. Kristie joined us for the family's dinner and we shared before, during, and after dinner. It was neat to see the way God orchestrated our meeting and the insight she offered to us on things unrelated to the ride, yet important with a future college student researching and inquiring. We said goodbye and looked forward to seeing her in the morning. Once at the ride on Friday morning, we exchanged a few more hugs and prayed for her before the day's trek.

God is so good. Due to the terrible weather, Kristie was in a minor accident with another cyclist during the ride. It was unavoidable yet her words to us when we saw her, reminded me of how faithful God is when we ask. She said, "I knew you were praying and it was only because of the prayers we (the other rider) were not seriously injured." You see, her foot clip (shoe clip?, can't remember the name) came un-clipped when she started to fall. This is not supposed to happen she said but she told me it was the only reason it wasn't a terrible experience. We were able to see God's hand of protection as He lifted the other rider over her and separated her from the bike to prevent serious injury. Both stood and were able to finish the ride on Friday. This is one reason we pray for our riders each year.

At this point, neither Ed, Mary, or myself have participated in the ride as a rider. I've been blessed with the opportunity to speak at the family's dinner, opening ceremonies, and closing ceremonies but I've yet to venture onto the bike for one-hundred miles. My cousins, Kaziah and Sabrina have wore the jersey and joined the riders and it was exciting to cheer them on and at the closing. Maybe, one day, we'll get on a bike. For now, we honor and remember Heidi, and encourage the riders, in different ways...using the gifts God has given us. We are thankful for the different venues available to the families so everyone feels like they are a part and have a role, after all...we're all connected.

Below are pictures of past designated riders. These individuals do something we can't do at this point...ride for Heidi. This means so much to us. To all the riders wearing the pins of a missing child, please know you are prayed for and counted as blessings. As I scan the pictures from the rides, I always look for a button of my sister. If I see her face, I tag either myself or my Where's Heidi? Facebook page so others will know...she is never forgotten. 


NEVER underestimate the magnitude of what you are doing in life, regardless of how small you think it might be...to someone else, it might mean the world. Thank you! 2013 2011 2009 2007 2012  Although someone rode for Heidi Allen in 2012, only our thoughts and prayers were with you in 2012 because Mary & I were in Boston for her 8th grade Band Competition and Field Trip. There was a bike ride through Boston the day we toured and we cheered for them like crazy, I'm sure the tour guide was thinking..."Tourist!" , little did he know we were missing "The" ride back in New York. Actually, we told him all about it while we quacked at people on our Duck Tour. LOL 2010 2008 Not due to a lack of effort but I couldn't find pictures of our designated riders for 2009 or 2007. My apologies to my riders for those years, if you have a picture of us, I'd love to have one for our file and to keep the memory. I don't have to share it on the blog but would love to have it in our collection. Thank you all for riding for those who cant, may you be blessed in return. What is something someone did for you that meant "the world" yet they didn't see the importance or significance? Please leave a comment below, you might be the little encouragement someone needs today!

Ride for Missing Children...Then and Now Photos

 Dick & Mary ~ 2008 Dick & Mary ~ 2014 Clare & us ~ 2010 Clare & us ~ 2014 Families photo 2010 Families photo 2014 Deb Sunshine & Lisa~ 2008 Deb Sunshine & Lisa 2014 2008 Albany 
Ride for Missing Children
Doug and Mary, with Mary 2014 Mohawk Valley
Doug & Mary, Lisa & Mary
Mary and Lisa from last year to this year... So many memories...so few photographs!
Do your memories outweigh your photos? I hope so...

Ride For Missing Children - Mohawk Valley "The Ride"

A special thanks to Anna Egresits for letting me share a photo from her Facebook page with all of you today. You an see the cyclists all the way in the back, rounding the bend. Amazing! Photographer: Duane Isenberg #wsite-video-container-623184419768891796{ background: url(//www.weebly.comhttp://www.lisambuske.c... } #video-iframe-623184419768891796{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-623184419768891796, #video-iframe-623184419768891796{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-623184419768891796{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } A quick video I took and shared on Facebook as we were getting ready to leave the hotel for opening ceremonies and to see our RMC family... #wsite-video-container-190728224258991098{ background: url(//www.weebly.comhttp://www.lisambuske.c... } #video-iframe-190728224258991098{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... } #wsite-video-container-190728224258991098, #video-iframe-190728224258991098{ background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; } @media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and ( min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and ( min-resolution: 2dppx) { #video-iframe-190728224258991098{ background: url(//cdn2.editmysite.com/images/util/video... background-repeat: no-repeat; background-position:center; background-size: 70px 70px; } } Video taken as the riders came in to Bellamy Schools on Friday morning - the cold, rain, or coming storm didn't stop or slow them down...Thank you for riding! Here is the written out message I prepared to share with the riders on Friday morning yet with the predicted weather and looks on their faces as I stood at the podium, I shared a similar message yet different in hopes of encouraging them in the moment they needed it. 


In case any of the riders wanted to know what was written on the paper, here was my original message of hope and encouragement. Love you all and know you were covered in prayer, not just rain yesterday as you persevered! 


"Hello. I know the planning for the ride starts shortly after the previous ends so I’d like to start by thanking the men, women, and children that have dedicated hours and sacrificed family time to make this day a reality. Thank you.

To the families of the missing, thank you for your love, understanding, and friendship. You are blessings I count throughout the year and look forward to seeing each May. I would say it is like a “family reunion” each May yet wouldn’t want anyone to misconstrue my word usage to think we celebrate this time together. Instead, it’s an annual gathering with family we cherish and an opportunity to share changes in each of our missing loved one’s cases.

Last month, our family and community gathered to remember my sister, Heidi Allen. Heidi disappeared while working alone on Easter Sunday from the small town of New Haven, New York…twenty years ago. This has been the most difficult anniversary to date, for me personally. Two decades later, we still don’t know where Heidi is. 

The positive side of this was nearly two-hundred people joined us. I wanted to remember Heidi and have people leave encouraged, one way I found to do this was by inviting our local law enforcement to do finger printing with the children in attendance and our very own NCMEC came to share about their “Take 25” campaign and increase awareness. Similar to your visits to the schools, we need to encourage and inspire the kiddos and their parents – education is key.

For some of you, this is your first ride and you might only see the physical aspect and drain of this day but this is more than a day on your bicycle, this is FAMILY.

April 3, 2014…the 20th anniversary of my sister’s kidnapping. A terrible and difficult day yet one that showered me with love, with a lot of love from THIS family, all of you. Your texts, private messages on FB, your posts, and phone calls…priceless gifts to me every year. To know you remembered Heidi and our family in such a personal way emphasized what I already knew, you are an extension of family.

Later in the evening as I checked into to FB, your generosity and love overwhelmed me again as I see the training ride on April 3 was dedicated to my sister. But it was so much more than that – as I see our friend Clare holding a sign for Heidi with tears rolling down her cheeks and Mr. Dick Jordan standing at her side.

As if this wasn’t enough, I looked up to scan the room during the community gathering and tears instantly filled my eyes as I saw Mr. John Nabors walking through the door. As he wrapped me in a hug, he said, “We love you. I’m here on behalf of the entire RMC.” Thank you all so much.

For the veteran riders, you know this isn’t a ride – it’s a mission of hope on wheels. For you new riders, you will experience an aspect of life, hope, and love you’ve never seen or witnessed before today.

Welcome to the family from our family (motion to the families of the missing section) to yours (motion to all of them). May each inverted decline remind you that life isn’t always easy yet it’s possible to not only reach the top but to sore with the wind on your back when you get to the other side. Never give up, we haven’t and won’t. You inspire us and we’ll be cheering you on from start to finish, and in the months to come. The actual ride is one day, the mission is eternal.
THANK YOU!




"RFMC 2014 What rain? 
What hail? What wind? 
Children are missing. 
Children need to know 
how to stay safe. 
Children need to come home. 
We ride."
Emilie Huxley
5 year rider, 6th ride

“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, 
but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. 
If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, 
stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?” 
― Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

This year's ride was a testimony of this ~ they did not quit but persevered!
They didn't give up but pushed harder.
They never appeared defeated but instead...inspired.
The Ride for Missing Children riders remind the families of the missing, pain is temporary and to never quit - thank you for encouraging and inspiring us every year but especially this year.

Check out the smiles on these riders faces as they come in cold and wet. Amazing, such an encouragement and blessing. 
One rider shared this yesterday afternoon, thank you Anne Marie Ambrose for your permission to share this with others. 
Anne Marie writes:  
"4pm, and we have been 'done' for hours but we were never really 'done'. From the beginning of the day, I thought 'Take it all in, you all worked for this day. Watch all the new riders, watch the families, this is a powerful day' all the while we peeked up at the sky and begged the rain to hold off. We didn't stand a chance. 

We got to Bellamy school and I ran into Mary Lyall. She was encouraging us and I said 'Mary, you are going through FAR worse than we are!'. Another family member with a green shirt sitting at the table, as we were literally shivering said to me 'You don't know how much what you are doing means to me'. I talked to him a while and the conversation ended. 

Tony Artessa then asked a room full of people 'Who's coming?" and we ALL screamed that we were IN. My heart was in but my head was so far into a warm, dry, safe spot that I was conflicted. I then thought of Mary and that gentle man who softly said to me 'You don't know how much what you are doing means to me'. 

I looked at my friends and we hugged. We would get each other through this. We saddled up and rode in some of the toughest weather conditions we've ever ridden in. I thought of those 2 moments and rode to New Hartford. It wasn't until The Ring of Hope was playing and we did a tribute that my tears started flowing (um, I don't cry). Big tears. 

I looked around me and was sad the day was ending. Sad for all the families who need answers and loved ones brought home! I love everyone in that room as much as life. I love this organization and the awareness it raises. I love my husband for joining this group with me 5 years ago."
Thank you Dana Nimey-Olney for letting me share the above photo. Thankful for God's angels in uniform...

Ride for Missing Children - Mohawk Valley Day 2

It's here! It's here! The 2014 Ride for Missing Children in the Mohawk Valley. I'd love to leave you a long blog about how amazing and humbling it was to see the Mohawk Valley's National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's (NCMEC) Mohawk Valley's office. I could share the excitement, overflow of love from our NCMEC/RMC family. The bittersweet reunion with other families of the missing. And the list can go on...BUT - It's 4:52 a.m. and we need to be in the lobby for 5:15 a.m.to start this powerful day and mission.


Keep the day, the riders, families, schools, and weather in your prayers! Thank you!


A couple news clips, one is from Iowa!! Also a few pictures from last night's family dinner. KWWL.com - News Please leave a comment for the riders...

Ride for Missing Children - Mohawk Valley Day 1

Photo taken at the Ride for Missing Children 2013 by one of the riders ~ used with permission I was going to write about the impact the statistics had on me yet decided not to. Only 3% of abductions of children are non-family. The Heidi Search Center of San Antonio, Texas, sent a search and rescue expert to help us find my sister, Heidi M Allen. Our Heidi, was one of their 3% not recovered or found. Heidi disappeared on April third, another three. 

Something to ponder...on a happier note, let this year's Ride for Missing Children commence with much success and keep our children safe...one child at a time. Will you join us in praying for good weather, safe travels, endurance, strength, and whatever God places on your heart.

A special thanks to the over 500 cyclists, the hundreds of volunteers, family members, and all involved in making this such a powerful and encouraging weekend that helps the families of the missing throughout the year. To the communities and law enforcement and rescue personnel, thank you for your hospitality and love. KWWL.com - News Please leave a comment of hope for the riders, volunteers, and families of the missing - who knows when your words might be the encouragement someone needs...

TOPS Tuesday: Thank You CNY Open House ~ RMC 2014

Almost two months ago I received an email from one of the Ride for Missing Children planners. She wrote...

"We have an opportunity to do a short Ride documentary video and I really wanted to be able to include something from a family's perspective. I was thinking you would be perfect. Is this something you would be interested in being involved in?"


To say I was honored to be asked is an understatement. The Ride for Missing Children is more than a bicycle ride, it's a mission. Hundreds of men, women, and children come together to educate, inspire, and raise awareness of the plight of missing and exploited children. Since my first ride in 2008 with my cousin Missy, this has become an annual event we look forward to and try not to miss. 

On one hand, it is a draining and emotional weekend, yet it is one of the most encouraging times of the year for me and my family. To see hundreds of people coming together out of love for the missing and exploited children across the states, especially those in New York, is beautiful to say the least. 

When Katie extended this invitation, I prayed for God to give me the words to share The Ride from the families' perspective. One to encourage the riders, volunteers, benefactors, community, other families of the missing, and anyone that might have the opportunity to see the video. Due to scheduling conflicts I wasn't able to make it to the actual taping so I submitted my portion in writing. 


Katie sent me the draft of the video so I could watch how they used it, tears of joy, thankfulness, and hope dripped from my eyes. They did a beautiful job and my husband said, "Wow, you wrote that? That's good." God used their videography talents and my writing to end the video with the intensity and hope the Ride for Missing Children magnifies on a daily and yearly basis.

I hope you take a few minutes to watch the video, share it with your friends and family, and lift prayers for this year's ride. The official ride is this Friday - keep all involved lifted in prayer. Prayers of protection, hope, healing, strength, endurance, and to bring the missing home. Thank you in advance for setting aside a few moments to learn more about the Ride for Missing Children. http://cnyopenhouse.com/category/epis... Can you leave 1 - 2 sentences to encourage this year's Ride for Missing Children participants? Thank you in advance...

Symbols of Different Meanings...

Do you collect something? The past couple years we've done something called "Secret Pal" at work. One of the questions on the information sheet we fill out asks this same question. I usually answered with humor with something like "dust" or "books" but in truth, I never thought I had a collection. 

This past April, a friend gifted me the "Sisters by Heart", one of The Willow Tree figurines. As I unwrapped it and thought, where do I put this?, it dawned on me. On the table in our entryway with the other ones. Hmm...maybe I do collect something? I hadn't intended to, yet God has used the thoughtfulness of others to bless me with these beautiful figurines. Each from a friend and with messages of hope to accompany them.

I don't plan on making a Willow Tree wish list and start becoming a collector, yet I cherish the ones I have and the beautiful meaning each represents. 

Do you see the Woodstock puzzle? That was my sisters and this reminds me of her. The Dreamsicle Angels on the table were gifts of hope in 1994 when Heidi first went missing. 

The framed poem is one I wrote for my mother-in-law, titled, "Thank You is Enough" ~ this reminds me of her and her generous heart. 

The medicine bottle collects our change during the month, then we donate it to the GCW Missions at the beginning of the month. 

The angel Scentsy was a gift from my Aunt Fran after she read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey , and reminds me of her.

The lamp itself is the very lamp my Gram and Aunt Nancy kept on in the kitchen around the clock. Gram believed you had to leave at least one light on at all times, so others knew they were welcome. Within the basket part of this lamp are different little trinkets that remind me of different people or events in my life.

So I've decided I do collect something...
Reminders of HOPE...ENCOURAGEMENT...LOVE... What do you collect? Is it a thing or symbol?