Keeping it Real...One Sister's JourneyWelcome to my blog! No matter how you found this, God knew you'd be here today. May you absorb the message He has for you through my writing, photos, and more. I enjoy sharing hope to encourage others.
In 2011 it was through the written word, today I've learned there is more to me than just writing and speaking. I use my love of cooking with sharing and it's renewed an energy and hope within me. I look forward to sharing this with you here. Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to leave a comment on the blog or recipe that speaks to you. God is at work in all you and I each do, it's up to us to share this with others. |
Each year on the way to Auburn and on the way home, we pass this enormous Adirondack chair. There hasn’t been a trip in either direction someone didn’t utter the words; “We should stop and take our picture with that big chair.” Well, this year we managed to remember on the way home. Only two of us, and one little bird, braved the chilly wind for a photo-op.
With the exception of the Oswego Reading Council’s annual Writing Contest final preparations and its award ceremony in the middle of May, the only projects on my list relate to my writing and speaking. This is an amazing feeling. With each screw placed into the new deck off the back of our house, I smile. The neighbors might hear, “bzzz, bzzz, bzzz” all day but I hear, “Lisa, your backyard office and escape is one screw closer to completion.” I am blessed with a father, husband, and brother-in-law with the love, energy, and talent to make a dream…reality. This enormous chair is a reminder to us all to listen, to HIS words. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 God’s love for us is greater than anyone could express here on earth and His lap is bigger. If you are weary or tired, stressed or in need; then I encourage you to rest in the knowledge of God’s great love for you. I might have needed a ladder to climb onto this chair but the only thing you need to climb onto God’s lap are three little words… “Help Me Jesus!” 
We are home from God’s refreshment at the Alliance Women’s annual “Spring Refresh”. It was Mag’s first experience and she enjoyed it more than I could have hoped for, God answers prayer. The speakers were amazing, the women in attendance some of the most radiant and fragrant women in the North Eastern District. It was pure joy to spend the weekend with each. Last night I snuggled under the covers with my notes, a notepad, and my Bible. The goals ~ look up the verses I had written down and review my notes. The result ~ supplies tossed to the ground, glasses on the dresser, and fast asleep (literally). This morning I awoke and moved my pile to my comfy chair and accomplished my goal. The speakers challenged me while refueling my battery. Now I only need to catch up on the lost sleep from the past couple weeks and in God’s strength, I plan to move some mountains. I am sure to share more of the retreat over the next few days but for today, enjoy a photo blog!  A tradition for our time away is something to set us apart and unify us as the women from Community Alliance at New Haven. This year a wonderful friend shared her sewing talents to make these fabulous bags. Mags and I filled them with a few of the necessities you might need while attending a conference. A great way to begin…  Another creative and ingenious lady made us each a necklace and t-shirt with the theme in her designs. We looked amazingly sharp, if I don’t say so.  As if being challenged to grow in my relationship with God through prayer and a missional mind and heart, the Alliance Women’s director let me set my tri-fold and business cards out on the display table. I pray the women in attendance in search of a new and/or out-of-the-box speaker saw my brochure and contact me. I look forward to scheduling more events this year. If you are looking for an inspirational speaker for your women’s group or church, please contact me. You can use the contact me page through my website or email me directly at [email protected]. I’m on Facebook, Lisa M. Buske too! 
 It is the fragrance of Christ. “God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like sweet-smelling perfume. Our offering to God is this: We are the sweet smell of Christ among those being saved and among those who are being lost.” 2 Corinthians 2:14b – 15 (NIV) This morning started with a visit to the doctor’s office and concluded with worship with sisters-in-Christ from across the North Eastern District of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. We have had a wonderful and refreshing day together. The laughter from the moment we put the first bag into the back of the van brought sore cheeks and a warm heart. We might have started our journey later than expected but the fun shared, priceless. We arrived with three minutes to spare and pep in our steps. In addition to the time with the women and teens from church, I have been blessed with hugs and visits with some of my Facebook “friends”. There are mixed emotions as it pertains to social media yet as I exchanged real hugs with my FB friends this afternoon and again before retreating to our hotel room…nothing beats the embrace between friends. And a hug between sisters, the cherry on top of a great day!  Our first session reminded us to pray daily. Then we learned the blessing of obedience to God. A break and then a wonderful roast beef dinner followed by worship in song, missionary minutes, and a message to explain the connection between “body wash” and “sanctification”.
Faith Bogdan closed with this analogy, Jesus is our body wash. Through His death and the blood shed at Calvary, we are wiped clean of our sins. Just like you can’t take one bath and remain clean, neither can you recognize Jesus’ death and resurrection for your sins without reading your Bible and prayer. More tomorrow! So much fun! The planning committee and speakers have worked hard in preparation for this weekend AND they’ve done a fabulous job. Friday has been fabulous and with God in charge, Saturday is sure to be Superb. 
1 personal day + bags packed =
a weekend with my girlfriends 1 Bible + my journal = opportunity to learn and grow closer to my friend, Jesus 10 gifts + prayers and love = a surprise blessing for my girlfriends Today is my Friday! WooHoo! At this time tomorrow evening, I will be relaxed and in the process of being refreshed through teaching, worship, and messages shared by the women of the Christian Missionary and Alliance church. Each year I attend the Spring Refresh or the Fall Refocus I am in awe of the Holy Spirit’s presence as around 300 women gather in His name. The top photo is of my Gram, Mary (Hogan) Searles. She loved Jesus and trusted Him with everything. She quoted Scripture to me as I grew up and labeled them, “words of wisdom” or “Irish sayings” but the more I read my Bible, the more I realize she was sharing the Bible with me. Another thing she shared with me was her sense of humor and love of life. She knew how to have fun. If my Gram was in the room, plan on laughing. A trait I strive to carry on. I chose this picture of her because she was super silly and made the most of all situations. Her facial expressions always cracked me up. If I was in “one of my moods” as many in my family called them, Gram was one of the few people (next to my Dad) that could break the nasty ugly bug that possessed me. As we travel this weekend and spend time of refreshment, I pray to share a little spunk and joy with the women I meet. If the weekend itself isn’t exciting enough, Mags and a couple other teens will attend for the first time. A blessed weekend. Don’t worry I’ll share the experience via the blog with you through the weekend!  As I continue to “Walk with Him” thanks to Ann VosKamp I am encouraged at all, things I can be thankful for each day. The past twenty-four hours have been eventful and I remember a time when Mrs. Ugly would have come to visit. Only with the grace of God did I remain loving and with the right perspective. Our guest blogger on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month, Mags, has been sick. I won’t bore you with the details yet between yesterday afternoon as we left the driveway for the doctor’s office and today, after a long night of fever and illness ~ I have a thankful spirit. In spite of the yuck during the night, I still found things to be thankful for. Today’s list of thanks is dedicated to Mags. Continue to feel better my wonderful daughter! Many are lifting you in prayer. The doctor fit us in at the end of the day Wisdom Clarity of thought Diagnosis Meds prescribed Insurance to cover bulk of the cost A smile and hello from the pharmacist Enough money in the wallet to pick up yogurt too Not a single Mom A washer And dryer in our home Enough detergent Cold water for the cloth on her forehead The sleeping husband I’m not a single Mom “Mom!” when in need Prayers lifted... And answered Meds starting to work Peace in the storm Sunshine streaming through the window Ed had the day off Benefits of sick time Afternoon off to care for Mags And to get some sleep Prayers lifted on Mag’s behalf Hugs A kiss on a cool forehead Last load of laundry finished before I got home Bed made too Sweet sleep And healing Food in our tummies Hope for tomorrow As I listened to my husband’s snores during the night as I cared for Mary. As I washed the walls, carpets, and bedding the lumberjack sounds created began a spark in my soul but as quickly as they came so did the Lord’s love. From anger to realizing how blessed I was. “Thank goodness I’m not a single Mom. At least in the morning or tomorrow afternoon I can catch a nap. Ed has the day off so I don’t need to use an entire sick day, only half, and this won’t cost us financially. While I might be scrubbing now, I know Ed will finish whatever laundry isn’t done when I leave and will take over with the cool cloths on her forehead when I leave. Mags is home and fighting a fever and infection, true, but she isn’t in the hospital fighting for her life. So much to be thankful for.” I am most thankful Mags is feeling better this afternoon, due to the wisdom of our doctor and the medicine God has created to heal our infirmities. God is good ALL the time...ALL the time, God is Good! 
Can you believe it is snowing and hailing in Upstate New York on April 24th? I welcome the snow between Thanksgiving and March, or even early April but really, the end of April? Yikes!
Speaking of the end of April, deadlines are fast approaching. I have three fabulous books to read and review for upcoming blogs. I’ve started each and am looking forward to writing a snip-it to share with you. I have laughed until my sides hurt, closed them so I could think about a piece of wisdom shared, and read parts aloud to my family or whoever might be in ear shot because it touched my heart so much. In addition, there are a few writing contests I am praying about submitting to and then there is “Where’s Heidi?” and the next book, whatever that might be. I’m so excited for the words, both written and spoken; God has for me to share the remainder of this year. This weekend I will be retreating with my sisters-in-Christ to be refreshed. An added blessing, my daughter will attend this year too for the first time. God is good and we look forward to this time together and the time with our church family and extended family of God. I look forward to the way God will speak to me. Is there something on your agenda in the next week or weeks to stir anticipation or anxiety? I pray your schedule is one of blessing and peace. If there is something totally stressing you out, pray about it. Maybe that isn’t supposed to be on the calendar. Just a thought. As the publishers consider “Where’s Heidi?” for their publishing house, will you join me in prayer. I continue to pray for the publisher and team God has for my first book. For His timing, grace, and mercy throughout the process. May He be glorified in its publication and lives drawn closer to Jesus. I pray to be obedient to the call God has on my life. Thank you for your prayers everyone! May you be blessed in return. Your love, support, and prayers are blessings in our lives and I pray for each of you while I blog too.  Happy Day! Today is a happy day, for we live in a world where God can perform miracles, and save us all from the depth of hell. I'm going to be honest lately, I haven’t been my-self I’ve been "Hanging with the devil" and that’s not me at all. So, I’ve had to go back to God ask for forgiveness and ask for his loving hand to come and touch me. And may I say God has preformed the Monster of a Mags back to a reasonable level of snootiness No! God has made me a ton better, more like who he wants me to be. So now that I have shared with you, you can assure yourself that the Mags that does the blogs is a TEENAGER! She sins, then gets grounded. It’s a cycle that I am trying so hard to stop. But you or I can't stop all bad habits on our own. WE NEED GOD AND JESUS!! We need to pray and repent and learn from our mistakes. But the moral of this is ~ we are not going to get ANYWHERE without God and that’s the truth.  The pineapple photograph is dedicated to all eighth graders. Enough said!
Today’s photograph, taken last August during the Dunsmore family reunion. The theme, “Armed Forces”. Since Ed was a Marine (sorry, still is because “Once a Marine, Always a Marine!”) in our younger years I found this fabulous “I love my Marine” t-shirt at the Salvation Army for $1 and I wore it in celebration of the 2011 theme and to make sure everyone knew who had my heart.
As part of the festivities, there was a face painter too. With my silly sense of humor, I asked her to paint “Property of the Jarhead” on my forehead. She agreed and laughed the entire time she did it. A fun day with family and to celebrate my wonderful hubby. Have you ever done something silly or out of the norm to show your love for your honey? Please share it in a post below. Come on, it’s easy enough. If I can post a picture that should only be seen in next year’s family reunion photo album, you can certainly post one thing you’ve done to show your love for your wonderful husband or wife. I look forward to learning more unique, quirky, sweet, and enjoyable ways to express my love. Share!  Snow in the forecast! Seriously? To live in Central New York one requires the ability to accept change and be resilient. The recent weather forecast is evidence of this requirement. I remember my freshman year in college someone asked where I lived and I responded, “Upstate New York, less than a mile off Lake Ontario in Oswego County.” I’m not sure which was funnier their verbal or non-verbal response. Her eyes bugged wide open as she declared, “Oh, your tough then. My mom warned me to be careful of anyone from upstate because you are tough nuts.” Of course I laughed my head off and assured her I wasn’t too tough, if anything I was little dependent and wimpy. After some thought and a phone call home I understood this girl’s mother’s statement a little better. I don’t believe she meant to insinuate we were tough like bullies but instead, tough like nails. I’m all for being tough like a nail, aren’t you? Even though I didn’t see myself this way at the time, it is something I have been thankful for since my sister’s kidnapping. The first decade I tried to do it on my own but the more effort I put in, the weaker, I seemed to be, on the inside. I was only as tough as the cheap aluminum nail holding me together. Thankfully, in 2004, this changed and I learned it was possible to be the nail made of steel and coated with the protective seal against the pain, hurt, and all the ick life could send in my direction. Wikipedia defines a nail as “…a nail is a pin-shaped, sharp object of hard metal or alloy used as a fastener. Formerly wrought iron, today's nails are typically made of steel, often dipped or coated to prevent corrosion in harsh conditions or improve adhesion…A nail holds materials together by friction in the axial direction and shear strength laterally. The point of the nail is also sometimes bent over or clinched after driving to prevent falling out. Nails are made in a great variety of forms for specialized purposes.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_(fastener)  You are an intelligent and sharp individual, dipped in the blood of Jesus when you accept Him as your Savior. When life seems difficult, with a lot of friction in your path, remember the blood shed for our sins so many years ago. His blood is our protective coating. Just like a “…nail holds materials together by friction...” we have the ability to hold ourselves together when life’s challenges come our way because we have Jesus! In His shear strength, we stand and keep it together. It is only with friction that a nail can do its job. Don’t expect life to be all rainbows ~ in order to see the rainbow; we first have to get through the storm. Close your eyes and imagine all the glorious rooms built in heaven because of the friction in your life. Go and be a nail today, you can do it! Many nails working together can build great things in His name and strength.  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. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  A Thursday evening at home, a blessing. Instead of attending a free writing class at the Fulton Public Library tonight, I decided to put on my jammies before dinnertime and call it a “night in”!
My dad made dinner when I stopped to pick up Mags. While he cooked, I read a bit and then fell asleep sitting up. Of course my beloved daughter snapped a photo for proof I do rest. lol It is time for a night off. After eggs, bacon, pancakes, and homefries we headed home. I have enjoyed time with Mags – helping her study for a Science assessment, listening to her read, and now enjoying the piano and percussion serenading me. We finished our surprise for the women at retreat next weekend and sat on the couch together to watch a little NCIS. A brief blog tonight = extra time with my girl. Take some time for your kids tonight! See you tomorrow! Lisa ;)
Hello everyone, I pray you were able to get outside and enjoy the sunshine this week. I listened to a radio teaching this morning on my way to work (I apologize for not knowing “who” I was listening to – it was on 102.5 in New Haven, New York, lol). The person talking, and yes I cannot even remember if it was a male or female (how did I make it to work? LOL) either BUT I do remember the jist of the message.
The point of the message is we should NEVER stop being amazed or in awe of God’s working in our life. When we stop recognizing all the wonders He does for us and start to settle or “expect” them, we are allowing satan a foothold. Hmm...They recommended expressing our praises and thanks aloud and to others as a way of keeping our eyes fixed on the amazing blessings from God. This brought a smile to my face in light of our “Walk With Him Wednesday” blog today and it went along with one of the chapters I read in Elaine W. Miller’s new book, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You’ll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can. I love it when God puts the pieces together, don’t you. Ann Voskamp’s book, One Thousand Gifts and her website, “A Holy Experience” are such a blessing and I’m honored to join her on the journey to list one-thousand things I’m thankful for this year. Have you started your list? Why not? Here are a few on my list this week. Hope Folded laundry “Can I have a hug?” “I love you Mom” Fence taken down Deck blocks delivered New and old friendships Joy in heartache A sense of humor Spiders falling on my head – To make me dance – And shake – Then laugh – And itch all day…lol Very Interesting Edible (photo below) “I am thankful for this past year of getting to know the Buske family! What a gift God gave me!” posted on my FB from a sister-in-Christ Strength only found in Him Gifts…shared Many parts…one body Opened Doors 
If you have started to list the things you are thankful in your life – how has this process changed your outlook on each new day? Will you share ONE thing you are thankful for this week on today’s blog? Your thanks might be the blessing someone else needs today ~ you wouldn’t want to deprive someone of a blessing.
As we give thanks to God ~ hearts are encouraged and look to Him in awe. A great place to stand…in awe of God’s grace and mercy.  Hello everyone. It’s another week of Vlogging on the blog, love it! Thank you so much for your feedback, it is both appreciated and helpful. Although this is a one way conversation, I feel like we are in the same room. A special thanks to those who have sent a question for upcoming Vlogs. It’s never too late. You can post your questions below on the blog, send it through the “contact me” page, or drop me an email at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you. Today’s Vlog question: “Lisa, what is next after you find a publisher for “Where’s Heidi? The Search Begins”? *My apologies for the video quality this week. Oh my gosh, Mags and I had tears in our eyes as the computer microphone morphs my voice part way through. This Vlog will make you smile and laugh while you learn a little more about me! I believe both my computers need a TLC visit now. So sad. |