ONE SISTER'S JOURNEY KEEPING IT REAL
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Faith Filled Friday:Journeying Through Psalm 23

3/22/2019

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Happy Friday Everyone!

Friday is one of my favorite days because of the "Faith Filled Friday" episode on my podcast, Livin' with Lisa ~ Keeping it Real. 

The first part of the year I shared the Armor of God and each week focused on a different aspect of the armor God's provided for us. If you haven't listened, it's not too late. You can go back to older episodes by starting at the beginning. It's easy, select a Friday episode between January 2019 and March 2019. It's a twenty-plus minute message on the Armor of God to encourage you in your spiritual walk.

Last week, March 15, 2019, I started a new series diving into Psalm 23. We'll journey through this short and powerful Psalm, one nugget at a time. Many are familiar with Psalm 23 yet have you taken time to focus on it verse by verse, nugget by nugget? It's an encouraging and insightful Psalm, I encourage you to take time to join me on this journey through Psalm 23. It's not too late...listen today.

Have you checked out my podcast yet?
Have you shared it with your friends and family?
If so, thank you - if not, what's holding you back?

Have a great weekend!

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Spring Puts the SPRING in your Step

3/20/2019

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I read an article this morning with ten fun facts about the season of Spring and one of them stated that our body makeup physically changes at the start of the season. This is cool stuff, "spring fever" isn't just a thing, it's a metabolic change in our genetic makeup. This is cool stuff!

To read the entire article, click here.

I found this interesting and it also explains why so many struggle with depression in the winter. Go figure, I enjoy learning new things, don't you? Instead of sharing pictures of a robin and flowers today, I chose a spring because we are experiencing a genetic change adding a little "spring to our step", tee hee. 

Happy Wednesday! Happy Spring! The weather in Upstate New York is supposed to be in the low fifties today, this is a heatwave compared to our 20's we've experienced the past months. I look forward to the sunshine, warmer weather, and maybe even driving with the windows down. It's a good day to celebrate twelve hours of daylight and the knowledge of more daylight hours in our future.

Whether you start spring cleaning, raking, or just absorbing some vitamin D...remember to LOOK UP and enjoy the day!

What is your favorite aspect of Spring?
What do you look forward to the most this time of year?

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T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Time to "Suck it Up Buttercup"

3/19/2019

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In the past couple weeks I've run into people inquiring about the blog. Some have asked, "Lisa, have you been blogging? I miss my daily inspiration." Another shared, "I just wanted to let you know I haven't been receiving my daily notifications in my inbox for the blog, not sure if something isn't working but wanted to let you know I miss it." These two comments aren't alone yet they stand out because they are from people I love and cherish. Their words encourage me and remind me of why I started this blog.
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Through reflection and prayer I thought about their words...I was reminded of my mom. If you have followed the blog for some time, you know my writing has been inconsistent since my mom's passing in September of 2015.

My mom was the first to read my blog, emailed me if there were PUGS in need of repair, and let me know, "That was a good one." This is the same reason I've struggled to write in general, Mom was my first editor. She provided valuable and honest (VERY honest) feedback. 

Here's the deal, "Keeping it Real", I've used my Mom's passing and my  grief as a crutch long enough.

It's time to write, to blog, & to create for a few reasons:

1) I MISS it - we shouldn't do something because others want us to, instead, we should want to do it and have a passion to do so. It is both therapeutic and enjoyable, I've missed it. 

2) You are missing it - my readers, you, have been reaching out and asking 

3) I can't hide or wallow any longer, it's time to move forward, after all, this was a theme prior to my mom's passing...she told me, "Keep writing, don't stop." To write is to honor her.

I know this isn't the first blog to say "I'm back" yet there is something different in my heart this time as I type these words. Not to say I didn't want to before yet in the past I planned to write/blog because others wanted me to, not because I felt called to write. This is the change...the drive behind the writing.

I don't plan to write more because you want me to...I'm writing more because it's a calling and one I miss. May the Holy Spirit guide my fingers, thoughts, and use these words to touch your hearts.

I've missed you...
What have YOU been up to?

Leave me a comment and let me know...

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My 2019 Scripture Verse...Well Verses are...

1/30/2019

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I realized yesterday that I hadn't shared my Bible verses for 2019. I apologize for this. If you follow the podcast then you've heard me talk about how I've incorporated my personalized version of my Bible verses into my daily meditation and positive affirmation. I want to internalize my verses so God can use them to inspire, motivate, and encourage me throughout the year. I look forward to the day when I get up and I don't need to be reading from the paper because I've hidden them in y heart for eternity.
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My word for 2019 is Renewal and as I consider different choices and opportunities throughout the year, my hope is have both my word and verses guide my decisions. If it is going to be a year of renewal for me then it requires change, an open mind, and a lot of strength to make the choices necessary to being the best version of myself I can be. My hope and prayer is to use the gifts God's given me and be the Lisa that HE designed me to be before I was even born. 

Let the year begin...
​My 2019 Scripture:
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful…Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts… The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Colossians 4:2; 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17 NIV
​My 2019 Scripture Personalized:
"I will devote myself to prayer, being watchful and thankful…Letting the message of Christ dwell within me richly, as I teach and admonish others with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in my heart… The Lord my God is with me, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in me; in his love He will no longer rebuke me, but will rejoice over me with singing. Amen.”
Colossians 4:2; 3:16; Zephaniah 3:17 NIV

If you'd like to learn about my previous verses,
​click on the Year below. I haven't found my older bookmarks yet but I'm still looking. They are tucked somewhere "safe". 

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2011 - Isaiah 4:6
2012 - Psalm 62:5-8
2013 - 
2014 -
2015 - Romans 8:26-27
2016 -
2017 -
2018 - 
2019 - Colossians 4:2, 3:16; Zephaniah 3:217

Have you selected your Bible verse for 2019 yet?

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Journaling the Journey: Written, Audio, and Video

1/24/2019

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Oh happy day! How is everyone? I hope you are doing well. As I de-clutter the house, it's helping to de-clutter my mind. In addition, the change in my eating and sleep habits is providing new energy and a renewed drive to be the best version of myself I can. 

One of my favorite Bible verses is from 2 Corinthians, verses 3-4:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
​those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
In life, we have a lot of choices. I can choose to "just return" to the scene or I can share the journey as I do. Many of my faithful readers and followers have checked in via a message or note and others have just wondered. Then there are those that found a new blog to follow. All of these are normal and okay.

We live in a busy society and time is valuable and priceless. Time is also necessary to heal wounds, Psalm 147:3 tells us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." There isn't a timeline with this because we are each uniquely made and it's in God's time, not ours. I've been in a funk since the summer of 2015, the summer when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer and was called home to heaven on my sister's birthday, September 14, 2015.

The journey from that summer to today has been a crazy roller coaster ride and one I've struggled to step off. I'm not claiming to have it all figured out or to be free of the pain BUT my spirit has healed a lot and it took me opening my mind, making a conscious decision, and listening to God's still small voice. 

To some, as I return more often here at the blog. You might think, "She's back!" but in truth, I never left, just took it slower. I started to attend a new church about a year and a half ago, this helped to renew my spirit and faith. This past May I started to podcast, this helped my spirit. This past Summer and Fall I started to focus on my  health. This month, January 2019, I put my good intentions into writing and motion by joining a Wellness Revolution to kick off my year. 

My hope in sharing this journey with you is so you'll understand that we all stumble and fall, we all have ups and downs, and we all have the ability to stand strong and in faith. The journey is what strengthens us and helps us to get our priorities into check. We all have something we are facing, it's a matter of attitude in how we face it. I choose to put myself out there. Some will ridicule and make rude comments BUT the majority will support, pray, and find hope in knowing if someone else can do it, so can they. So CAN YOU!

Happy New Year Everyone! Are you ready? It's your year!

Thank you for your encouragement, support, and time!

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Take Time to "See" The Beauty Around You

1/22/2019

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"We sometimes 
underestimate the
influence of the 
little things."
~ Charles W Chestnutt ~
As I walked with our dog, Faith, at the latter part of last week I noticed this beautiful sight. I'm thankful to have my phone in my pocket. As Faith played in the snow to my left, I snapped a few pictures. This single leaf in the snow took my breath away. 

The simplicity and beauty of one fallen leave. Notice the circle around it. There was a slight wind and because it landed on it's stem, the wind was gently spinning the leaf around, creating this circle. A framed leaf in the snow. The photo doesn't capture the glistening snow because the sun was shining yet if you take a deep break, or two, close your eyes and imagine a cool winter breeze and the warmth of the sun on your face...you might be able to see the snow glistening. 
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We need to seize the moments of opportunity because it only takes a second, a second, for the beauty to be erased as if it never existed.

I can still see the leaf and it's beautiful circle framing it as the sun shined down. Faith may have ran across it as she played, yet because I took the time to absorb the moment, I still have it in my memory bank.

This is a life lesson. We need to slow down and take time to absorb the little moments and when possible, snap a picture and share it with those we love.

If we each share joy and happiness with those in our circle of influence, imagine how much better the world might be? 

Share a picture of the beauty you saw today in a comment on Facebook, help to brighten someone else's day!

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Meet Today's Podcast Guest...Elaine W. Miller

1/21/2019

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Oh my goodness, Elaine and I had fun during this interview. It took a days to record, well, a few sessions over a couple days. We had a lot of laughter and phone calls. You will hear some of the laughter, joy, and conversation during the interview. Elaine's spirit and joy are contagious. I'm thankful she found time in her schedule to do this interview with me. Elaine shares her word and verse for the year, and then we dive into talking about her new book, Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the podcast. We encourage you to share the podcast, this interview, and Elaine's books with all your friends and family in need of hope as they battle cancer. As a caregiver, I find this book a blessing too. It's a must read for all.

Click on the triangle below to listen to our interview...

Meet Elaine...

 Elaine W. Miller is a popular international author and speaker (and cancer survivor) known for sharing biblical insights with warmth, enthusiasm, and humor.

A Member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, she has brought a splash of serenity to audiences for over 25 years. Elaine is the author of four books, Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You'll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can (available in English, Spanish, and Bosnian), Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Moms, and Splashes of Serenity: Bathtime Reflections for Drained Wives. Her work is published in Sanctuary—A Devotional Bible for Women as well as several magazines.

Elaine and her husband, an ordained minister with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, have led many marriage retreats and counseled numerous hurting couples. For many years they traveled to Europe as Pastoral Care Couple to missionaries there.

Residing in upstate New York, Elaine and Dan enjoy a beautiful life and ministry together. Three married children and 13 grandchildren complete their joy. 

Ways to connect
​with Elaine today...

Website & Blog
http://www.splashesofserenity.com/www.splashesofserenity.com/

Email
SplashesofSerenity@yahoo.com

On Facebook: Click Here

Twitter
@ElaineWMiller
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Click on any of the book covers for a direct link for more information and to purchase your copy today!
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If you'd like an autographed copy of Elaine's books, visit her website and click on the "Bookstore" tab. 
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Thank you for listening to our interview on today's podcast,
leave a message of encouragement & thanks here for Elaine.

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T.O.P's Tuesday: Let's do the Hokey Pokey

1/15/2019

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T.O.P.'s Tuesday got its name in honor of my sister, Heidi M Allen, known as the Tower of Power during her high school volleyball days. T.O.P. One of her favorite things to do during volleyball, because it was a song she and her team did to bond and intimidate the other teams. They were more than a team, they were a volleyball family and each time they hokey pokeyed, they laughed and increased the energy in the gym.

After Heidi's kidnapping, I still remember the volleyball team coming to the Command Center and doing the Hokey Pokey in Heidi's honor. An amazing group of young ladies.

The day Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey released, some of her friends came to my book release party and we did the Hokey Pokey together, Heidi was with us in spirit.

When I saw this comedian's AC/DC Hokey Pokey, I had tears in my eyes. Heidi was a big AC/DC fan so it's only fitting to share this in a new year's T.O.P.'s blog, remembering the fun-loving, dedicated, and family/team oriented sister I was blessed to be raised with.
Now that you've laughed, let us Hokey Pokey...

Is there a song from childhood
​that brings you joy and a smile?
Share in a comment below...

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T.O.P.'s Tuesday: New Logo - What do you think?

1/8/2019

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Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a fun evening with family and friends ending 2018 and ringing in 2019. Our family spent it quietly at home. I'm one of those, "it's safer to stay home on New Year's eve" people. I don't know when it happened, but I've gotten old in my thinking when it comes to some things.

My new podcast logo has been posted on my podcast page, click here, for a bit now but thought I'd share it today as one of the first T.O.P.'s Tuesdays in 2019. If you haven't taken a few minutes to listen to my podcast yet, you should. It is fun to record and the "Keeping it Real" sometimes cracks me up so much, you might hear a laughing snort. This might be too real but oh well, reality is more entertaining than making things up. Or at least to me, and my listeners agree.

My podcast, Livin' with Lisa: Keeping it Real can be found on twelve podcast platforms now:
*AnchorFM
*Apple Podcasts
*Google Podcasts
*Spotify
*Breaker
*Castbox
*Overcast
*PocketCasts
*PodBean
*RadioPublic
*Stitcher
*TuneIn

If you don't have one of these podcast apps on your phone, you can also click on the link above and listen through your computer. In addition, the most current podcast episode is available to listen on my website, in the upper right hand corner. 

If you like what you here, share it with your friends and family. If you share via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram...be sure to tag me so I can say thank you and interact with you and your friends.

Thank you all for your encouragement, support, and time! You are all blessings I count and thank God for in my prayers. Have a wonderful 2019 everyone - share joy, love, hope, and encouragement with everyone you come in contact with. It will help to make the world a better place, don't you think?

How are you keeping life real?

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Meet Today's Podcast Guest: Jeanette Levellie

1/7/2019

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​This past week I enjoyed a fun conversation with Jeanette Levellie, and my cheeks hurt from laughing. I've "known" Jeanette for a few years through social media, after reviewing her book, Two Scoops of Grace, here on my blog. Click below to listen to her visit on my podcast, Livin' with Lisa: Keeping it Real. You'll not only want to check out her books but you'll also smile a  lot as Jeanette's joy is contagious. If you can, leave a comment for Jeanette after you listen, and let us know what you enjoyed most. Have a great week!

 Listen to her interview on my podcast clicking the triangle below:

For more information, to buy, or download one or all of her books - click on the cover below for a direct link to Amazon.
​Be sure to leave a review for her on Amazon too - this helps us authors, and future readers! Thank you!

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To contact Jeanette for  speaking engagements or other questions, please email her at jeanette@jeanettelevellie.com

To find her Personal Facebook page

Her Facebook Author page

To follow her on Twitter

To follow her on Pinterest

Her Amazon Author's Central page

Her Goodreads page

To follow her on Google+
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Thank you for listening to the podcast, checking out Jeanette's books, and for leaving a message of encouragement for her!
​Have a great day!

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Opportunities...An Opened Door or Something You Create?

1/4/2019

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A favorite aspect of my podcast is sharing a quote each day. For 2019 I gifted myself a new book of quotes, one quote for each day.

Each Friday on the podcast I do a segment called, Faith Filled Friday. This morning, the quote for January fourth paired with my message on opportunities. I love the way God works when we are open to see Him leading us.
The quote I shared from Chris Grosser, "Opportunities don't happen, you create them." As I read this, my head started to shake left to right. It contradicted the message I planned to share. It only took a few seconds to decide the next step, move forward as planned. It was an example of the message I planned to share today.

The verses for today are Ephesians 5:1-16, focusing on verses 15 and 16. Opportunity is defined as "1) a favorable juncture of circumstances and 2) a good chance for advancement or progress." according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Keeping this in mind, we don't create our opportunities but instead accept our circumstances and access the to move us forward, when it 's God placing the opportunity before us.
"Be very
careful, then,
how you live--
not as unwise
but as wise, 
making the
most of every opportunity, 
because
the days
are evil."
​
Ephesians 5:16 - 17 NIV
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" So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise! Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times."
Ephesians 5:16 - 17 VOICE
"Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil."
Ephesians 5:16 - 17 AMP
I encourage you to listen to today's podcast. We can't create an opportunity. Opportunities are unexpected and out of our control. When an opportunity is placed before us, the only way to know if is God opening a door or the latter, is to be reading our Bible.

There was a time in my life when I focused on creating my next step, thanks to my faith and age, I've learned opportunity is placed before us, not created. Have you learned this too?

What opportunities has God placed before you today?

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My One Word for 2019

1/2/2019

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To celebrate the new year we are revisiting the importance of choosing your one word and Bible Verse to guide you through the new year. I couldn't remember when I started to do this so I used the search engine on my blog. 2011 was the first year I selected a word and verse to guide me through the year. Thankful for the blog, if it was a hand written journal, I'd still be looking.

On the flip side, I can't find my bookmark that has every year's word on it, I can't remember which Bible or book I left it in. When, and if, I find it, I'll update the blog. Until then, enjoy previous blogs about my one word and the words I chose.

Tomorrow I'll share my Bible verse for 
Previous "One Word" I've posted about:
Click on the word to read the blog associated with the word

​2011 - The First "One Word" and why
2011 - "Faithful"
2012 - "hope" 
2013 -
2014 -
2015 - "Courage & Strength"
2016 - 
2017 -
2018 - 
2019 - RENEWAL
Information about “Word of the Year”

Tips for choosing your word:
https://www.inc.com/megy-karydes/5-tips-for-choosing-your-word-of-year.html
 
According to Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_of_the_year
 
Word of the Year generator:
http://www.wordoftheyear.me/
 
2018 Words of the Year:
Oxford Living Dictionary – Toxic
http://www.wordoftheyear.me/
 
Cambridge Dictionary – Nomophobia
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6540355/Cambridge-Dictionary-reveals-word-year-Nomophobia.html

What is your word for 2019? Why this word?
Share below or call the station ~ 315-288-6962

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TOP's Tuesday: We Don't Get Over It...We MOVE FORWARD

1/1/2019

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This past week our nephew lost a fellow officer while on shift. This loss has effected his entire unit, neighboring units, and the families of all in the area. My husband spent time talking with his nephew. He's military as well as PD, losing a fellow officer in the line of duty has a deeper impact then serving on a tour of duty.

We think of the United States as safe and on some levels our military anticipate possible losses when serving overseas but not once they are home. We have no words of encouragement or hope for our nephew and family during this difficult time, yet the most important thing we can do is listen and pray. We've never met this officer or her family yet the loss and pain heard in our nephews voice hurts all the way to New York.

This loss for the Louisville PD will have a long term impact, our thoughts and prayers go to them all, especially this officers family. As I think about the transition and pain the department is experiencing, and the community, I'm reminded of a few things.

Our law enforcement and rescue personnel put their lives at risk on a daily basis, something I, we, might take for granted. I understand the risk and danger our nephew is in as he patrols yet to hear of his fellow officers death, my breath is taken away. We need to pray for our military, law enforcement, and rescue personnel...they risk their lives daily to keep us safe. The loss in Louisville has brought new awareness to a small town girl in New Haven, New York.

A special thanks to all who risk their lives on a daily basis.

We aren't designed to "get over it", 
we're wired to become stronger
and move forward!
You are strong...
How are you building your endurance?

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Say Thank You Saturday: December 29, 2018

12/29/2018

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A few things I'm thankful for this week:

*The breath in my lungs

*Quality time with family

*Safe travels while visiting family and friends during the holidays

*Running Water

*Electricity

*Heat in our home

*The ability and joy to bake

*For new business ventures: Avon & PURE
(click for a direct link)

*Inspiration from God for the next book

*For this vacation that offered time for sleep, laughter, renewal, and direction - bring on 2019!

What are you thankful for today?

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"Mind Games" by Nancy Mehl...A MUST Read

12/27/2018

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​"Kaely Quinn's talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she's demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely's, the reporter's ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem's predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis.
Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed."
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About the author: Nancy Mehl

http://www.nancymehl.com/
http://suspensesisters.blogspot.com/

​Check her out on Amazon - click here

Twitter: @NancyMehl
​
Instagram: #nancymehl

My Review and Response:

First I need to thank Nancy Mehl and Bethany House Publihers for sharing Mind Games with me. The book arrived about two weeks ago and I couldn't wait to start reading. I sat on the couch after dinner that evening and then closed the book because I couldn't read it. Don't misunderstand, it's not that I couldn't read it BUT that it was so well written and engaging I knew it would keep me up all night. I closed the book and counted down the days until my vacation, as difficult as this was.

On Christmas morning after the dishes were done and everyone was chose their mode of relaxation, I picked up Mind Games and got lost in a great book, engaging characters, suspenseful plot, and was on the edge of my seat with each turn of the page. It is such a good book, my family chuckled a few times because I was talking out loud (to the characters) or had sound effects as the suspense built. Have I told you how good this book is? It is.

My only negative is actually a HUGE positive, as I neared the end of the book there was a knot in my stomach. I held my finger on my page and looked to the cover and noticed something I missed when I first received the book...book ONE!! UGH! I CANNOT WAIT for book two. I told my daughter she needed to read the book next, her response is priceless, "I'll wait until the next one is out, I don't want to feel like you are right now.", then she smiled, 

Nancy Mehl doesn't let her readers down. Her books are available in print, on Kindle, and on Audibles. Check them out. You can follow her via Amazon and through her website. All these are listed above. My favorite series before the "Kaely Quinn Profiler" series was Nancy Mehl's, "Road to Kindgom", series. Thankful she has so many well written and suspenseful books to chose from.
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Take a moment to visit Nancy Mehl's site and check out her books,
you won't be disappointed. If you like suspense, you'll enjoy her writing!

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T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Nothing New to Report Here

12/18/2018

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My apologies to my blog followers, and a HUGE THANK YOU to those who continue as my faithful followers and readers. My posts have been intermittent, to say the least. As you know, I've been trying to better manage, "juggle", my crazy schedule. 

My grandmother used to say "You have the same amount of time as everyone else, it's how you spend it." I used to roll my eyes at her, I actually rolled my eyes typing it to share with you. This made me laugh. Why did I (do I) roll my eyes you might wonder, yes? Simple, she was right! We all have the same 24 hours in a day, 168 hours in a a week, and 8,736 hours in a year.

How are you spending your time? Your hours?

I'm a fan of reflection, which most of you know. I don't ask you anything that I don't ask myself first. Why so much contemplation and thought about my time? Simple, I don't seem to have enough time to get everything done. Each time I say this aloud I can hear my Gram's words echo in my head, "You have the same time as everyone else." Grr...so if there are things I don't have time to do BUT I want to do them, I need to repriortize.

I have the same twenty-four hours and a limited number of these hours are spent awake. I'm taking a look at my schedule. My plan is to list my weekly commitments, ways I "sharpen my saw", and the things I wish I had more time to do. THEN I'm going to organize the items on the lists that are a choice versus required. Then, priortize what needs to stay on the list, what should stay on the list, and the thing(s) I wish could make it to the list.

This will be a process and a few hours of well-spent time in the long run. There are things I really enjoy and wish I had more time to do and then there are a handful of things I'm doing but someone else could probably do, if I was to pass the baton, if you will. 

Have you ever felt this way? Is this a process you need to do to? 

What's New with You?
Do you have a minute ​to share in a comment below?
Why wait...reprioritize your schedule now!

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T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Christmas Magic

12/11/2018

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Oh happy day, it's Christmas in two weeks! Two weeks! I can't even believe it...As I look ahead I found myself wondering if anyone has traditions they enjoy during the next couple weeks leading up to Christmas. In my home, we don't have any unless you count going to the movies on Christmas Day afternoon. 

I typically avoid patronizing places who have employees work on holidays but a few years ago, after my Mom passed away we decided we needed a new tradition to fill the emptiness of the day. It was fun and the employees thanked us for coming in because they said their day goes by faster when people are coming in. It's a win-win, right.

​With the exception of the movies, we don't have any traditions unless you count avoiding crowds and the hustle and bustle to enjoy time together at home. Time is the greatest gift one can give to another, time is one of my love languages for sure. What are some of your traditions and favorite things to do during the Christmas season? Do they involve hustle and bustle or the quietness of home and family? Regardless of what it involves, will you share with me?

Christmas is in two weeks,
what is a tradition you look forward to?

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I Appreciate You - Thank You!

12/8/2018

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The first thing I'm thankful for today is finding time to write, blog, and create for all of you. This is so exciting! 

I extend apologies and thanks to you all this beautiful Saturday...

Apologies for the sporadic blog posts over the past weeks and months. My mother would be so disappointed with me over this. She looked forward to reading my blog each day, then following it through the day to read other's comments. She inspired and motivated me to maintain my blog with consistency. I think this is the reason I struggle to be consistent today, I know my biggest supporter and cheerleader isn't anxiously awaiting the post. I apologize for letting you all down. 

With this said, I want to thank you for continuing to visit the blog looking for a new one and reaching out to send encouraging words the past few years since my Mom's passing. Friends told me the hardest loss we experience is that of a parent, they weren't kidding. The good news, with God and my faith, one day at a time, I'm moving forward and adjusting and creating a new normal.

In reflection I think part of the struggle was that I lost my mother and daughter within a year. My mother joined family and friends in heaven free of pain and cancer. My daughter started a new journey as a high school graduate and full-time college student. I went from being busy caring for two wonderful ladies to a lot of quiet time.

You'd think with the extra time for myself that it would have sparked more writing and creating but instead I found myself lost, lost in the extra time. Time is a precious commodity and I tend to run full throttle the majority  of the time so when thrust into a lot of quiet and down time, it's been a difficult transition, one I hadn't anticipated to be so difficult BUT on sitting here today writing this blog, I'm happy to report, a new norm and new groove is happening.

I don't have this new routine mastered or fully organized BUT I'm moving forward and figuring it out. I'm a slow study I guess, taking me more than three years to start figuring this out. Thank you again for your patience and encouragement. Let's get this creative party moving forward so you will be encouraged and inspired for years to come. You are blessings I count, thank you!!!

What, or Who are you thankful for today?

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How Organized are You?

12/6/2018

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As I sat at the table earlier this week I was overwhelmed by the piles, boxes, stacks, and chaos surrounding me. While my husband was on vacation I erected the six foot folding table in the middle of the living room with intentions of working on my next children's book. Instead of it being of "work zone", it's become a "drop zone". Ugh! I don't even know where to begin.

Have you ever felt this way during Advent and the Christmas season? I don't think I'm alone and the more I think about this, it saddens me. Christmas isn't supposed to be about chaos and feelings of overwhelmment. We should be filled with joyful preparation and anticipation. It's Christmas! A time of year symbolizing Jesus' birth and reminder He will come again.

At Bible study earlier this week a woman shared how she struggles this time of year because of the commercialism. During our fellowship I shared how I avoid some of this and thought it might be worth sharing with all of you. My goal each year is to complete my shopping by the end of Thanksgiving weekend. It might not be wrapped or delivered, but the shopping portion is done.

​From Thanksgiving to Christmas I spend my time at home sewing, writing, wrapping, and watching mushy Christmas shows and movies. I find avoiding the malls and stores after Thanksgiving helps to keep my Christmas jollies and focus. Instead of pushing through the crowds and the temptation to overspend, I sip tea or coffee while listening to Christmas music or watching Christmas shows and creating gifts for those the closest and dearest to me. 

This is one way I find keeps the joyful preparation and anticipation alive and well in our home during the Christmas season.

How do you keep the Christmas Focus in your home and life?

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What is your favorite Christmas Show and/or Movie?

12/5/2018

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As part of today's podcast I asked my listeners to share their favorite Christmas show or movie.

I tried to share mine and my one turned into a list, too many good ones:
Kid Shows
Charlie Brown's Christmas
Twas the Night Before Christmas
The Year without Santa Claus
Rudolph
Movies: Drama
White Christmas
The Christmas Card
Christmas Shoes
Movies: Comedy
Christmas Vacation 
Elf
Christmas with the Cranks

See what I mean, I can't pick just one and even as I started to make a list, I had to stop myself from adding more. This sparked my curiosity, do you have ONE favorite Christmas show or movie? If you do, take a minute and share it below in a comment. Have a great day!

What is your favorite Christmas show or movie?

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    Why do I write?

    Writing to glorify God and help others!  "Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders."  Psalm 119:27 (NIV)

    Lisa M Buske
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