Keeping it Real...One Sister's JourneyMy name is Lisa Buske and I enjoy sharing my faith, hope, and laughter with those I meet ~ whether it's here on my blog, my podcast, or in person. Life is a gift and we have the opportunity and blessing to enjoy it. May you find the encouragement, hope, and connection here.
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Prayers for those struggling with thoughts of suicide or have lost a friend or loved one to suicide. Hope is defined as "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best." according to Dictionary.com. HOPE was my mom's word each year and she said as long as she waited to know where Heidi was, hope would remain her focus. We continue to hope as we wait and are thankful for those who remember Heidi in their prayers more than twenty-five years later.
What are you hoping for today?
A few weeks ago, while at The Great New York State Fair, we purchased a new flag pole for my father. He is one of the most patriotic men I know. His knowledge, respect, and love for America and our beautiful flag is inspiring. For as long as I remember, my parents have always had a flag pole with Old Glory waving in the wind. The powerful Lake Ontario winds bent the past pole beyond repair. The past couple years my hubby and I visited this one company in the Center of Progress building and dreamed of purchasing one of their flag poles for my Dad. This year we had enough money saved and bought it. The past two days were spent installing and charging the solar light. The final product is breathtaking...I'm thankful for many of the things my parent taught me BUT one of the best is the legacy of respect, admiration, and love for our country and the flag. Enjoy this video with history of the flag... Do you fly Old Glory?
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 | This Saturday, September 14, 2019, we will remember and honor Heidi on her 44th birthday. Initially, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Mohawk Valley's Ride for Missing Children planned to do a special bicycle ride for Heidi on Saturday. Due to circumstances out of their control, they have to cancel the ride yet we will till gather with cyclists and volunteer for the Ride for Missing Children to remember Heidi on her birthday. |
Our family planned to host lunch for the cyclists and SAG, with SUNY Oswego's APO Fraternity serving everyone but as we all know, change is a constant. Since we already planned to spend lunch with our Ride for Missing Children family, this will still happen. Instead of arriving on bicycles, they will use their cars and motorcycles. Life throws curve balls, it's up to us to take a deep breath and keep moving forward. We look forward to this Saturday, remembering Heidi and my Mom.
A HUGE shout out to APO for weeding the Heidi Remembrance Garden this week!!
A HUGE shout out to APO for weeding the Heidi Remembrance Garden this week!!
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Thank you for remembering Heidi in your prayers
and hearts, may this be the year
God answers "Yes" and brings Heidi home.
It's a great time of year to look at our comfort zones. I learned something when I was very young, each person's comfort level is VERY different AND to make it more interesting, your comfort level (or zone) will change as you mature. As a child, I was more withdrawn and fearful to try new things. As a teen, my zone widened but was still smaller than my peers. In my early 20's, still held on to fear and let it control my comfort zone. Somewhere between my late 20's and early 30's, I learned life is too short and let my feet cross the line.
One pastor told me, "Your toes are always over the edge", because I was willing to try something new or take a chance. I wasn't always like this, my life experiences as an adult taught me to appreciate each day as a gift. Life is too short and tomorrow isn't a guarantee. If we let fear dictate our lives, we'll miss opportunities and challenges to grow us into the adults God has designed us and wired us to be.
Let me share an example, after my sister disappeared I never thought I'd write about and travel sharing my testimony of faith to encourage and inspire others to trust God. When a church reached out to me to speak I hesitated in my heart. I said "Are you sure?" or something along that line? If God calls you to do something, we need to trust, step out and say "Yes!" I agreed then prayed, studied, and prepared. The blessings that followed, only God could orchestrate.
People shared how God used my words to encourage and uplift broken hearts. This is such a blessing and joy to have God use me. I'd like to say it gets easier and fear doesn't get to me yet when God asks me to step out to do something for Him, I'll say yes then pray for God's peace, strength, and ability to follow through. Are you ready?
One pastor told me, "Your toes are always over the edge", because I was willing to try something new or take a chance. I wasn't always like this, my life experiences as an adult taught me to appreciate each day as a gift. Life is too short and tomorrow isn't a guarantee. If we let fear dictate our lives, we'll miss opportunities and challenges to grow us into the adults God has designed us and wired us to be.
Let me share an example, after my sister disappeared I never thought I'd write about and travel sharing my testimony of faith to encourage and inspire others to trust God. When a church reached out to me to speak I hesitated in my heart. I said "Are you sure?" or something along that line? If God calls you to do something, we need to trust, step out and say "Yes!" I agreed then prayed, studied, and prepared. The blessings that followed, only God could orchestrate.
People shared how God used my words to encourage and uplift broken hearts. This is such a blessing and joy to have God use me. I'd like to say it gets easier and fear doesn't get to me yet when God asks me to step out to do something for Him, I'll say yes then pray for God's peace, strength, and ability to follow through. Are you ready?
Where is God calling you
to step outside of
your comfort zone?
What, or who, is stopping you?
The last corner of the writer's cottage is my writing area, when I opt for a desk. Auntie M stopped to see how the writer's cottage was coming along and said she had the perfect table/desk, "It's just the right size, it will fit perfect." .She was right. In addition to the table, she had a small desk lamp not being used. The combination dressed up the last part of the cottage.
The pencil/paper organizer at the end I've had for a few years and found it at a thrift store for $2. The drawers hold my paperclips, allowing all my essentials at my fingertips yet look neat at all times The chair is from my grandmothers, with a cushion made for my daughter many moons ago.
The pencil/paper organizer at the end I've had for a few years and found it at a thrift store for $2. The drawers hold my paperclips, allowing all my essentials at my fingertips yet look neat at all times The chair is from my grandmothers, with a cushion made for my daughter many moons ago.
The last item added was a new dog bed for Faith. Faith wasn't a fan, she prefers my chair when I'm sitting on the floor BUT my dad's dog enjoys it. The cottage isn't big yet the two dogs and I fit nicely and the first day I worked in my new space I banged out over 3,000 words.
The days when I stopped at the lake or the library after working out, I only wrote between 700 - 1,000. Now I can leave out the notes and such when I'm done for the day and pick up where I left off. No more packing it all into a notebook and binder, and then my bag before driving home. The time saved from not driving to and from my writing spot, setting up to write, and then having to clean up when I'm done so I can drive home equaled about 2,000 words. Woot Woot!
The added bonus is the company I have while working, two dogs and my Dad. Life is good and the writing is even better. Mom is smiling and my daughter likes my writer's cottage, she couldn't believe the transformation. A little insulation board, contact paper, and a lot of love.
The days when I stopped at the lake or the library after working out, I only wrote between 700 - 1,000. Now I can leave out the notes and such when I'm done for the day and pick up where I left off. No more packing it all into a notebook and binder, and then my bag before driving home. The time saved from not driving to and from my writing spot, setting up to write, and then having to clean up when I'm done so I can drive home equaled about 2,000 words. Woot Woot!
The added bonus is the company I have while working, two dogs and my Dad. Life is good and the writing is even better. Mom is smiling and my daughter likes my writer's cottage, she couldn't believe the transformation. A little insulation board, contact paper, and a lot of love.
What is the last thing you added to your special area?
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Available on Amazon.com
Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey * When the Waves Subside: There is Hope * Encourage Others: One Day at a Time No More Pain: I Can Fly * YOU are a Rainbow * Goal Setting for a Renewed You *Also available on Kindle* |
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