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. |
I thought about sharing what I am up to but then that would take the surprise out of all my fun. A quick visit to Walmart, some digging in the back of the cupboard for the easels, and pages of notes are ready to be combined to create. What am I creating? I cannot tell, at least not yet. The goal is the end of June, which starts tomorrow in case you missed how fast time is flying this Spring. I haven't even shared with my parents. My husband and daughter have a little bit more information yet no one other than me, myself, and my notebook really know. I do think one of my favorite aspects of creating something new, is the surprise element of the project. I've given you a few pictures as clues but this is all I can offer for now...but if you follow the TOP's Tuesdays during the month of June, I'll be "leaking" a clue each week. Let the fun begin. Also, I received an exciting email yesterday and once I have confirmation either way, I'll be sharing something amazing with you all! Regardless of how it pans out, I'm honored and blessed.
What do you think Lisa is up to?
Earlier this month I had the opportunity to share Heidi and my testimony with the women at Hillside Alliance in Ithaca, New York. We shared wonderful food, chocolate, coffee, stories, and a time of fellowship. In addition to all of this, they blessed me with a little goody-bag with a new coffee mug, chocolate, and a twenty-five day devotional. The first day I read the devotional, I decided the verses were in perfect God timing to where we are in life. I grabbed my stand that usually holds my cook book and a white board. There are already dry erase markers in the kitchen for the calendar so I was all set. I started to write the verse for the day on the board and leave it on the stand for Ed and Mags. One morning I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to share the verse on Facebook. I took a picture of the verse, shared it to Facebook, and was amazed at the number of "likes" and "shares". I didn't plan to share the white board verse on social media yet as I saw the number of people encouraged by the same verse God was using to encourage me and my family, I decided, why not. I know that many of you are not on Facebook so thought I would share this with you. Do you read your Bible everyday and a verse jumps out to you, why not write it down on a white board or chalk board to share with the ones you live with? Maybe even share it with your social media contacts? I have other devotionals, so when this twenty-five day devotional concludes this weekend ~ I'm dusting another one off and going to continue. I'm thankful God is using this daily post of my white board to encourage others, it is His Word after all. I'm just writing and posting the picture of the verse we read each time we stand at the kitchen counter, prepare a meal, or snack. Is there something you do to encourage your family on a daily basis? Why is it important to encourage our loved ones?
A special thanks to my wonderful husband, Ed, for weed-eating around the entire garden and star for Memorial Day weekend. It looks amazing. Rather than enjoying some time on the deck, he surprised us with this.  This is the first year since the garden was built that the garden wasn't spruced up for Memorial Day. There are a couple reasons. One, my parents have hired someone to build up the star again and stabilize it. The snowmobiles running over the top of it in the winters has done a number on the wood. So, rather than put in flowers and have to do it again, we are waiting until the new frame is built to add the flowers. Secondly, the lawn hadn't been mowed yet so we decided there wasn't much use in worrying about the garden since you couldn't see it through the tall grass. Well, my wonderful husband, Ed, decided to take the weed-eater up to the garden after working at our house and my parents. He knew how much we, my parents and I, wanted the garden to look nice for Memorial Day. He also understood that with the planned reconstruction, we couldn't plant. So he did the next best thing. He weed-eated around the garden, in the shape of a circle so when the store mows, they don't need to worry about getting in the triangles. I'm thankful for my husband for many reasons yet see the garden stand out in the midst of the tall grass brought tears to my eyes. It's funny how things come to pass down the road. When the star garden was built, I didn't appreciate the full meaning. It isn't really a garden, it's a symbol of community and hope.  Look at the photo and message shared on Facebook this past weekend...Heidi is remembered by many and some of those, stop at the garden to pay their respects. This might be the location of her abduction, but it's also a place of hope and community. No matter how tall the grass or worn the wood, one thing remains ~ the symbol of hope and community. Heidi is never forgotten and thanks to our wonderful town of New Haven, there is a place for everyone to stop, visit, pray, and remember Heidi...one of America's missing... Just like the story of Moses from the Bible, there is hope in the tall grass. This garden might not save lives yet it does offer encouragement to our community, family, friends, and others traveling through. "Just then, Pharaoh’s daughter went to the river to bathe. What symbolizes HOPE in your life? A ribbon, bird, or ? Yesterday as I checked Facebook for a moment for the time of the parade I noticed a post and I thought, This is something I can do and I'd be honored to join this day of prayer. Read the post below. "Over the past several weeks it has come to my attention that many in our Today is Tuesday and a day dedicated to Heidi, titled TOP's Tuesday. An attribute of Heidi most remember is her smile and generosity. Heidi put others first so often, it was natural. In honor of Heidi and this year's Missing Person's Day, with inspiration from a local pastor, today's TOP's Tuesday is an opportunity for us to come together in prayer for our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and who ever else we might know on a mission and journey to battle cancer. I hope you will join all of those coming together in prayer for those thrust into a battle they didn't volunteer for. Pray for the survivors to not look back and take the journey again. Pray for the families grieving the loss of a loved one to cancer. Thank you Pastor David for this encouragement and inspiration and for inviting all of God's people to come along side you in prayer. May there be a great healing of our sick today. If there is someone you would like us to pray for specifically today and when God places them on our heart, |
 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?
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!
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!
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 | 
2014 Mohawk Valley |
Mary and Lisa from last year to this year...
So many memories...so few photographs!
Do your memories outweigh your photos? I hope so...
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
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