This past Tuesday was our last official “Master’s Writing Class” with Bob Comenole. Over the past five weeks we have gathered each Tuesday evening to share our writing, have it critiqued and become more familiar with each other and our writings.

During each class two writers shared a piece of 3,000 word piece of writing. It was submitted to the professor the week prior and then organized with numbered lines and emailed to the entire class. It was our homework to read the highlighted author’s writing.

While reading we were asked to look at different aspects of the piece:

*What we really liked (with specific line numbers)

*What we wanted to know more about

*What we found confusing as a reader

*Areas we would improve

On Tuesday evening we joined for class and shared the items we had noted while reading the piece privately. I volunteered to share the first week so I would have more time to revise before the final debut. I left class that first night inspired, humbled, intrigued and motivated to make the necessary corrections. I tried to implement the strategies suggested by the professor to enhance my writing and make the changes noted by my classmates.

A month later, although not satisfied with my revision (because I didn’t meet one of the professor’s challenges for my revision, and I’m a touch compulsive like this) I scheduled my 1:1 critique with the professor which was included in the cost of the course. My writing buddy from class and I traveled to his home today for a wonderful three hours of critique, encouragement, and motivation. I left full of anticipation for the next revision of this chapter and the thought of sharing my writing with the community.

Along with my classmates we will be sharing our writing with the community in July! Location, date and time to be announced tomorrow…be sure to visit tomorrow’s blog.

And yes I will be reading an excerpt from my book!!!

A special thanks to Bob Comenole and my wonderful classmates…it has been a wonderful experience gathering each week to learn, critique and support each other.

Proverbs 27:17 says “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”

Slept until nearly 9 a.m. today! Working through the listand enjoying time with my daughter. We're off to shop a bit and then I'm surprising a friend with a trip to the Sarah Groves concert in Oswego this evening. :) Shh...

Longer blog and an announcement tomorrow! Mark your calenders for July 12th!!! Hmm...do I have you wondering?

Have a great day!
Lisa :)

As I rested my head on the pillow last night I relaxed in the knowledge there would be no alarm to wake me up at 4:45 a.m. A fabulous feeling. At 6:15 a.m. my eyes opened slightly, long enough to see it was too early to be awake. I closed my eyes, snuggled in and went back to sleep. By 7:00 a.m. I was awake and the smell of coffee was filling the house and helping to open my eyes. The house was quiet so I opened my Bible, sipped my coffee and enjoyed some time with a dear friend in prayer, worship and study.

Refreshed and full of the Holy Spirit I got dressed and started to putter around the house. Although the bedroom is complete, the overflow has settled in the living room and our entry way. Some of the items have been delivered, recycled and organized while others are staring me down while I work on the blog. My goal was to have the entire house organized and clean so when I got up this morning I only had to worry about writing. I didn't quite make it but I will for tomorrow morning.

In the past I have posted my goals. I do this for a couple reasons. 1st - it holds me accountable with God and all of you. 2nd - it helps you to know how you can be praying for me and my writing.  Since I'm spending my summer "working" as a writer, I want to share my goals with you once again through the blog. Thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support. The notes, emails, and prayers always inspire me!

Yesterday's Writing Accomplishment:    Finished Chapter 10 revisions

Today's Writing Goal:  Print a copy of all my blogs since July 2010 when I started. Email chapter 10 revisions to my friends helping me edit. 

Tomorrow's Writing Goal:  start chapter 11 revisions, attend memoir writing class and work on some of the blogs I've started for future use

Prayer Request:  Continue to pray for the agent and publisher God has for this book. Join me in praying for those who will read my book when it is published, that they would see God's hand and working in my life and find healing in his Again, thank you all for following my blog and for your prayers. Your emails, posts, and notes of encouragement and prayers lift me up on a daily basis. 

Summer vacation officially starts tomorrow morning at 4:45 a.m. when the alarm does NOT go off! Yippee...I was excited on Friday when we counted down the last seconds of our work day in the main office yet tomorrow is the true beginning. I have made the most of my weekend as you know - cleaning, organizing, painting, and returning items to their proper homes.  As of tomorrow morning, I have a new full-time job!

Labor Day through June 25th ish...I work full-time as Lisa Buske, Teacher's Assistant and part-time as Lisa M. Buske, writer. As of tomorrow morning I will spend my summer working full-time as Lisa M. Buske, writer. I'm so excited and looking forward the revising, writing, and rewriting I can accomplish this summer. I am registered for a Christian Writer's Gathering July 7 - 9 at the Delta Lake Bible Conference Center in Rome, New York. I'm thankful for God's leading for me to attend this gathering last year as it has sparked a wonderful journey this year.

For more inforation about this great opportunity - visit:
http://fromconcepttocontract.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/UpstateNYChrWriters2011-b.pdf

I entered Delta Lake with my original manuscript in my bag in hopes of learning if finishing this book was part of God's plan for my life and if He wanted me writing. God answered my prayers loud and clear. I learned so much in a few short days and spent the remainder of the summer working to implement the marketing aspects of becoming a professional writer and started digging in to the revisions of my book. Less than twenty-four hours of returning home I had established my first website and blog (with the help of my then eleven-year-old daughter) and hoped to understand how it all worked before returning to school. 

I've spoken at Cayuga Community College about writing, presented to the Oswego Reading Council about writing and my book writing, I've taken classes to improve my writing, joined a writers group (which I love), and have a writing accountability partner that I meet with weekly. God is working mightily in my life...a living testimony of Ephesians 3:20-21.

In addition to attending the Christian Writer's Gathering at Delta Lake, I'm hoping to attend the Christian Writer's conference in Philadelphia in August. I'm still praying and budgeting this one. :)

I submitted my book proposal to an agent at the beginning of April. July 1st marks eight weeks since my submission, so I should be hearing back from her soon. I know God opened the door and I trust Him. If this is the agent He has for me then her response will be one of acceptance. If this isn't the agent God has planned for me, then her response will state that also. Either way...my nails are shorter as I await July 1st! :)

I submitted a revised book proposal to a publisher this month and should hear back from them mid-July. God used a wonderful friend and writer to open this door so I trust Him as I await their response. He opened the doors...I walked through.

I have another publisher who contacted me in January interested in reviewing my book proposal too. I have been waiting to submit it to them as per their website and also want to wait to hear from the first publisher I submitted to. In addition to this publisher, I learned through a wonderful lady and new friend there might be some other publishers I could submit my proposal to this summer. Oh my goodness...

For these and many other reasons I encourage you writers out there...attend a conference. You can start small and work your way up, the important thing is to start! I'm amazed at the friends, writers, and connections I've made since last July. Open the door and an adventure of a lifetime...writing for God!

Lisa :)

The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind of exciting events. The most exciting is my daughter joined a wonderful friend and her fabulous family for a weekend of camping!! Oh my gosh...I have such a sense of peace and comfort with this venture. Those that know me this is VERY new and a huge event for her, us as the parents and for her grandparents. This weekend is complete and utter trust in God, as each and every day should be. A wonderful blessed way to start our summer vacation!

Our next exciting event was the painting of our bedroom. My husband and I have been sleeping in a Pepto-Bismo pink room for probably four years. To top off the pink was the castly, angels, fairies and our daughter's name written in brighter purple and glitter across the walls. It was a beautiful children's room but not the romantic or serene escape for a couple. My father recently built us an amazing wall storage unit with a great bench seat for me to watch the sunrise each morning. The dressers have been emptied and sold, the storage unit organized and now the new "glimmer" light green paint is on the walls. I've opened the new bedding and put it on the bed. New art work is hung and the curtains and a few other decorative items will be complete following this post.

Originally my friends were coming over to paint because I can't stand to paint. While plans changed. My husband and I spent the time time together while our daughter camped, we moved furniture and painted. We snuggled on the couch  and watched television and fell asleep in the livingroom. It was wonderful. I appreciate my friends willingness and ALWAYS being there yet it was a blessing to transform the pepto-bismo children's room into a sweetheart's hide-away...with my sweetheart. 

We are off to a great start to the summer! God is good...
Lisa :)

This past week my daughter had to write "Word/Color" poetry for English. Although the assignment was only to write one, she had written three. I was amazed and the depth and beauty of her writing. I would like to publish her poems for you all to read.

Ever since my daughter was very young, I have watched the news with her. I feel it is important she knows and hopefully understands current events. While this isn't her favorite thing to do, she will for me. It isn't that she doesn't care about the news as much as many of the stories sadden her. She has a high level of empathy for others in need or experiencing the trials and tragedies of life.  As she has gotten older she will say "Mom, I can't watch this, it is too sad." or the outrage of the injustice will fuel her up and the will respond with "Mom, why do people do things like this? Don't they know it is wrong?" She as a heart for others, I'm ever thankful.

Maybe this is the reason her poetry touched my heart so much. They are a reflection of her care, concern and love for others. They show a level of empathy I think is becoming less common with our young teens.  I hope you enjoy them and see the spectrum from the joy and laughter of hot pink to the stench and grief of brown and dark purple.

Laughter is Hot Pink
It smells like a field of roses while in bloom
It tastes like a truck full of cotton candy
It sounds like a fully loaded ice cream truck going down your street
It feels like jumpin into a cold pool on a hot summer day
It looks like your dream party coming true
Laughter is making the world stay round

Hatred is Brown
It smells like a burnt turkey on Thanksgiving
It tastes like a bowl of garbage
It sounds like a screaming of an innocent child
It feels like a sword going through your heart
It looks like a baby dead on the street
Hatred is pulling this world in two different directions

Prejudice is Dark Purple
It smells like an animal's body decaying
It tastes like your friend's blood
It sounds like a mother weaping over her dead child
It feels like getting hung on your birthday
It looks like your true love dead with no clues
Prejudice is the reason of of war

Have you ever woke upin the morning with a Scripture verse on your heart? Has there been a time when you said "Thank you God, that is the exact verse I need at the exact moment needed. Only You!"? I know I have.

Then other times I have verse on my heart and have no clue what it means or how it applies to my life. I've learned this verse is sometimes a source of strength later in the day, for the event or situation only God could have known was coming my way ~ before it did.

Other times I've had a verse placed on my heart with no idea why. Yesterday was one of those days. As I prayed, Psalm 90:14-15 came to mind. I flipped back to Psalms and read verses (already highlighted and dated) familiar to me:

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,  that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble."

As I read them my heart was encouraged as these were verses I prayed throughout the weekend a couple weeks ago. Yet as I reread them I wondered why the Lord had given them to me again. I thought I was having a good day and had handled some stressful situations in the past week much better than in the past. Hmm...Thank you Lord, you know the reason. I've learned to not second guess God and finished my morning routine and went to school.

Within minutes of arriving at school the reason for these verses was clear. They were never meant for me but for a dear friend. She stopped me and asked me to pray for her ~ in the quiet as she asked me to pray, Psalm 90:14 -15 came to mind so I prayed these verses over her. The tears flowed...her response "That is just what I needed. How did you know?" I didn't know but God did before I even left my house.  Isn't He amazing?

The next time the Lord places a verse on your heart or possibly places a name on your heart ~ be obedient. Absorb the Scripture and name, pray the verses, pray for the name He laid on your heart and thank Him for trusting you with one of His children. God doesn't make mistakes ~ learn to trust His leading and direction.

I started this blog shortly after Mother’s Day yet it was still incomplete this morning. Each time I started to write today’s blog, my father’s day gift to my Dad ~ I would tear up. I’m not sure why –it could be the fact of how absolutely precious my father is to me and I would love to share his soft and sensitive side in detail with you, yet that is a bond and treasure for those who personally know him to witness.

I have an earthly father who has unconditionally loved me always and raised me with the values and morals shared in the Bible without realizing he was. I’m thankful for a father who believed in discipline and responded to the words “I hate you” with “Your welcome” ~ because he knew one day I would thank him. I never stopped loving my father, yet the anger and disappointment stirred up such a grr… inside of me, I spewed terrible words out of my mouth…I’m sorry Dad!! You were right, I’m thankful for your discipline ~ you’ve made me the person I am today (with Mom’s help of course, lol).

Another reason this blog was a challenge is because my loving father-in-law is no longer with us. This stirred up the reminder of those of you whose fathers have already passed away. Although we can’t visit my father-in-law, we will visit the cemetery for a time of prayer and remembrance. We’ll enjoy the beautiful flowers his sisters and mother have planted as we look to the future, knowing we will see him again in heaven!!

I’m so thankful for a dad that lived by example and always was honest with me. I could and still can go to my father with and for anything. He answers in truth, wisdom and love. I may not always like his answers yet I return to him for guidance. Why? Because he knows what I need to hear and knows that when I go to him, I’m looking for the honest answer not one of assurance. Yes my father provides assurance and encouragement daily yet it is the honest and straight-forward guidance, even in my adulthood that strengthens and continues to grow me into a seasoned adult.

The more I think about my relationship with my Dad, the more I realize the importance of running to God with our problems, questions, hopes, desires, concerns and need for honest answers. God is faithful and will answer in truth and love. He might answer yes, or no and possibly not right now BUT God answers ALL prayers. We need only go to Him for guidance ~ open up our Bibles and read His words!! All truth! I will continue to run to my Daddy as long as he is with me knowing I’m blessed with an Heavenly Father who will not die and is available 24/7 even when He calls my precious Daddy home.  I pray to see my Dad in heaven one day, to know I can spend eternity with my Dad…tears once again.

We need to remember our Heavenly Father on Father’s day too – He gave the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus. Whatever the reasons ~ this has been a wonderful blog to pray over and write the past few weeks. I hope it touches your heart, urges you to call or visit your father and most importantly…I hope you look to your Heavenly Father and thank Him.

This song and blog is dedicated to my Dad – I love you!!!
Brat

Hebrews 1:3 - "The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven."

Our Saturday started bright and early so we could join the entire middle school band and chorus for a wonderful day at Enchanted Forest. With more than twelve hours of fun in the sun laughing, serving, checking on the students and fellowshipping with friends and other believers. It was a glorious day.

The cherry on top of this great day was the surprise welcoming us home in the driveway. I mentioned to my mom I was going to look for a chair or something to place on the old front steps to dress them up ~ when we pulled in…my heart was full of joy that dripped from my eyes. Thank you Mom! Thank you God for the protection and blessings of today!

Psalm 100 NIV
 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
 Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his;
   we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
   and his courts with praise;
   give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
   his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Happy Flag Day! I hope everyone takes a moment to honor our flag and remember this is the day to remember the day of its adoption as our flag. The above photo was taken on Memorial Day this year and the photos below are the afghan I made for my mother-in-law last year. Our flag is a sign of hope, of freedom and glory ~ June 14th is a day designated for the purpose of remembering and honoring our flag and what it stands for.  For more information visit: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/flag-day

It was a beautiful day today...it started with rain to water the new bushes and flowers planted yesterday, then some fellowship and worship before enjoying an afternoon with my husband, daughter and my parents. With the exception of an hour when my hubby and daughter met friends at the park, the entire day was spent together. I'd like to tell you I did something super creative while they were gone but unless you consider doing the summer budget creative thinking (hmm...good possibility), I worked through the "To-Do List". We had a productive weekend at the "Buske Manor" - outside and in.

Tomorrow starts finals for my daughter, play days at the elementary schools and visions of summer and sand in the children's heads. The true challenge of teaching at its prime the next two weeks - their brains start summer vacation in spite of the desk and classroom encompassing them. LOL These are fun weeks ~ incorporating the learning and teaching I enjoyed the most as a child. A banana creme pie celebration with the wonderful 4th graders I work with in the morning too...they worked so hard!

I pray you enjoyed your Sunday and took time to relax. I found it refreshing to sit and go through the day without a strict agenda guiding me. I'm a list person and so I worked through my list yet it was a short and easy one. We laughed a lot, worked, played and now we're going to rest. Looking forward to the week ahead...

Lisa

This beautiful red barn takes my breath away each time I walk, ride or drive past it. I'm not sure if it is the nostalgia of it or the bright red color. The property hosting this site used to be the home of one of New Haven, New Yorks best bakers ~ Mrs. Hyde. Oh my gosh... the aroma of baked breads, cookies and pastries add inches to my hips just thinking about them. She was one of the sweetest ladies and loved her hometown, her family, neighbors and us kids. One barn...many memories!

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday...I know I did. Shortly after 7 a.m. I was outside pulling weeds, planting and sneezing. With my Dad and brother-in-law Scott working along side of me ~ we transformed the front, back and side lawns. My husband was working and my daughter sleeping most of the time. At 12:30 p.m. I left Dad and Scott to wrap up while I showered and got ready to spend the afternoon at the Music Festival at the Mexico High school with my daughter. Tired, hungry and a van of groceries we ventured home.

As we came over the hill, the lawn was a beautiful "Welcome Home" and witness to the day's hard work.  The groceries are put away, dinner has been served, myI've journeled my praises, thanksgiving and prayers, all before turning the laptop on. Emails have been read and responded to, my notes for the current chapter I'm revising are scattered on top of my daughter's mini-card table and the today's blog is complete. Although I would like to crawl into bed and sleep until morning ~ an hour of revisions sounds like a plan. Hopefully my eyelids agree...

The day didn't work out as originally scheduled yet I couldn't think of a better way to have spent the day!  Thanks again Dad, Mom and Scott! Great job MACS MS Jazz Band!

While a friend weeded the garden near the corner of her house she noticed the nook near the basement window had become a “snake pit”. Too many slithering and uninvited guests were more than enough reason to retreat to her writing and leave the snakes alone to absorb the warmth of the sun. I asked “Are you going to blog about this?” Although I was serious, she laughed and teased, “You could a find a blog in just about anything.”

Well…this past Sunday while at her house, I visited the dreaded snake pit in hopes of capturing some snakes on camera for a future blog. Thankfully there weren’t any snakes, yet there was a snake skin left behind. I smiled, secretly took the picture, returned to my vehicle and returned home. With the photo downloaded and a itching to write…I prayed about my friend’s snake pit and how it relates to life.

I was overcome by the thought of that many snakes taking up residence outside one’s living room. If it was me, the window directly above this garden would be not only shut but locked and sealed. I was impressed with her strength to overcome and rid her garden area of this slithering and intrusive creature. She had a choice to make. Either let the snakes overtake her home and the serenity of her garden OR take action to regain her precious garden and security within her home. My friend is a fighter and survivor so she researched, shopped and armed herself with everything she needed to preserve her garden. After reading the directions and protocol she actively began eliminating the snakes and their babies. She even learned ways to prevent them from returning. She was motivated, determined and thus far…successful. Two weeks later, only one snake skin remains among the leaves and cobwebs of the nook. A reminder of the battle recently fought and won.

The multitude of snakes that were lurking within the branches of the tree, under the leaves and throughout the dirt housing my friend’s flowers represent the various trials and tribulations we face in life. What snakes are lurking in the trees of your life? We all have something that has tested, afflicted, grieved, or caused us great stress in our lives. I let my sister’s kidnapping hold me captive for ten years, “afraid to open to the living room window” and lacking the strength to face the fears keeping me trapped within myself.  Thankfully God used one of my students to point out the snake repellent I needed in life…Jesus Christ!

Life isn’t fair and it does throw events, diseases and tragedies at us we would never expect yet there is a repellent stronger than any of those. In 1994 I was angry and walked away from God because I blamed him for taking my sister away but this wasn’t true. Proverbs 3:5 tells us “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Since grasping the truth of knowing God didn’t take my sister I’ve researched, studied, read and armed myself with the toughest armor available to me…The Word of God.

I’ve overcome and rid many of the snakes in my life with the love and support of my family and most importantly…with the strength, power and repellent of Jesus on my side. God has given us the power to “trample” the snakes in our lives. Not only will we trample them, but we will overcome “all power of the enemy”, “NOTHING WILL HARM YOU”. God makes it clear though, we aren’t to rejoice because of the power but instead we need to be celebrating and rejoicing for the eternity we can spend with Him.

I’m happy to say my windows are open, my heart is trusting and my strength comes from the Lord! I’ve faced trials and tribulations in life, with the greatest of these being the loss of my sister. With Jesus by my side I can look at the old snake skin lying in the pile of leaves and see it as a reminder. A reminder I will face different troubles and snakes in my life but with Jesus repellent…I will trample and overcome!

Luke 10:18-20  He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Early in May the tree resting on the southern side of my father’s garden caught my attention. Although the leaves hadn’t even started to bud, it touched my heart.  I couldn’t pinpoint the lesson to be taught yet knew there was one there. Trusting God I pulled my camera out of my pocket and tried to capture the lesson God was teaching me.

Nearly a month later, the lesson is clear. After starting my day in God’s Word and prayer, I started to close my Bible and pick up my study when this photograph came to mind and the parable it was reminding me of. I was drawn to the book of Mark and I read about the healing of the blind man in Bethsaida. Are you asking yourself how this tree and Mark 8:22 – 26 relate to each other? I hope so…read on to see my interpretation.

While at first glance this is another of God’s miracles. A blind man is brought to Bethsaida to be healed of his blindness. While his friend’s faith is strong, knowing Jesus can heal their friend. Although his friends believed, he must have had some doubt since it was the people “begging” for Jesus just to touch their friend. Jesus does more than touch the man. Not only did Jesus touch him, He was walking with him and leading him outside the village. They exercised obedience not to follow, to remain at Bethsaida amidst the hustle and bustle of the village while their friend experiences the healing touch of Jesus Christ in a secluded quiet. Can you see the people who brought him, falling to their knees in praise and thanksgiving for the miracle about to happen?

What if you were the blind man holding the hand of Jesus, trusting Him, recognizing the village noise and confusion becoming softer and in the distance. Does your heart race once outside the village walls and you realize you are alone with Jesus? Do you cry? Speak? Bow down? Or simply stand in trust and wait.

The blind man…he trusted.  Jesus spit on the blind man’s eyes, placed his hands on him then asked, “Do you see anything?” When the blind man looked up he answered with “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

The man’s sight was partially returned yet it wasn’t focused enough to discern with clarity. While Jesus must have known his vision wasn’t 100%, He still asks for a description. The response shows the similarities of man and nature, both having a trunk and both God’s creation. God cares for ALL he’s created.

At this Jesus placed His hands on the blind man’s eyes one last time and his sight was restored completely. He not only saw, but he saw clearly. Instead of sending the man back to the village to tell of the miracle, Jesus sends him home saying “Don’t go into the village.” Once again the man trust Jesus and obeys, heading for home.   

The healing of the blind man precedes the opening of Peter’s eyes as he recognizes the Messiahship of Jesus. God healed one man’s blindness to show we need to have our eyes open and recognize Jesus as our Savior, Sanctifier, Healer and our Coming King! I pray your eyes are opened.