Missy Buchanan

Feeling Your Way Through Grief

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 19:58:38 GMT

As seen on Good Morning America!

Nothing can prepare you for the death of a loved one, and nothing is ever the same after. How do you even begin to live after loss?

When author Missy Buchanan lost her beloved husband of 43 years, she was devastated. As she looked for meaningful resources to help her with her grief, Missy found most books too long or heady. So, she decided to process her grief in her own way … by writing personal notes to her husband, unfiltered and straight from her heart.

In this poignant collection of reflections from that first year, Missy opens the window wide onto her personal journey and all the raw emotions that bubbled up from day to day. From family holidays to everyday tasks such as pumping gas or taking out the trash, Missy’s tender notes resonate with the shared experiences of grief, offering a guiding light and true companion for your own journey. Along the way, she also affirms that faith is not lacking when you don’t feel "strong" and that being vulnerable can help support the healing process.

Feeling Your Way Through Grief is an invitation to embrace the complexities of loss, find solace in genuine emotions, and embark on a faithful journey toward healing. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter invite you to explore your own emotions more deeply, gently guiding you along your unwanted journey of grief.

Feeling Your Way Through Grief

Wed, 29 May 2024 21:11:23 GMT

As seen on Good Morning America!

Nothing can prepare you for the death of a loved one, and nothing is ever the same after. How do you even begin to live after loss?

Beach Calling

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 19:31:53 GMT

Imagine listening to the rhythmic ebb and flow of the tide, feeling the heat and grit of the sand between your toes, and viewing the vast expanse of the sky stretching across the horizon. The wonder of the beach illuminates the magnificence of the Creator.

With Beach Calling you don't have to be at the beach to experience the sea, the sand, the sky, and the glory of the One who created it all. Author Missy Buchanan's brilliant descriptions—intertwined artfully with scripture—paint a vivid picture that invites you to a closer, more authentic walk with God.

Allow the holy words of scripture and the vibrant text to lead you to contemplate where you are now in your life, what brought you here through your yesterdays, and what God has in store for you in your tomorrows.

For more information on the book, including a video about the book, visit this page.

Vivir con propósito en la vejez

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 21:28:31 GMT

«¿Por qué sigo aquí? ¿Por qué Dios me deja sufrir tanto tiempo?»

La fragilidad, la dependencia y el dolor constante pueden conducir a la desesperanza espiritual en las personas adultas mayores. Aunque de vez en cuando nos inspiran las noticias sobre un extraordinario cumpleaños numero cien, es más común afligirse a medida que los seres queridos se debilitan.

Con compasión y honestidad, Buchanan da voz a las personas que tienen que depender de otras para que les ayuden en las tareas diarias. Muestra a quienes les cuidan y a sus seres queridos que vivir con un propósito en la vejez es una extensión de los desafíos vividos durante toda la vida:

aprender a ofrecer nuestra voluntad a la de Dios
confiar en la gracia de Dios
seguir respondiendo con la alegría y la fortaleza de la fe

Buchanan fomenta la empatía con las personas ancianas frágiles y expresa sus preocupaciones más profundas sin dar vueltas a los temas difíciles. Cuarenta y dos meditaciones breves y reconfortantes ofrecen aliento espiritual a quienes se enfrentan ahora a las limitaciones diarias y al deterioro de la salud.

Las meditaciones están escritas en primera persona, lo que permite a quienes las leen hablar directamente con Dios sobre sus preocupaciones. Con cada meditación se incluyen escrituras de apoyo del Nuevo Testamento y de los Salmos. Buchanan escribe sobre las experiencias de las personas cristianas de toda la vida, así como de las personas ancianas no creyentes que están pensando de nuevo en Dios.

Ayude a un ser querido a encontrar una razón y una forma de vivir el propósito de Dios a pesar de sus limitaciones.

From Dry Bones to Living Hope

Fri, 20 May 2022 15:28:39 GMT

Though the shadow side of aging is a reality, author Missy Buchanan brings spiritual light and nourishment to people in the later years of life. Older adults struggle with chronic pain and diminished physical abilities. They contend with losses that pile up like the dry bones in the prophet Ezekiel's vision—the loss of loved ones and friends, the loss of their home and belongings, the loss of independence, and the loss of purpose. In a culture that values youth more than age, older adults often feel forgotten and without purpose.

Each chapter of From Dry Bones to Living Hope opens with an intimate, prayerful lament to God from the perspective of the older adult who longs for spiritual renewal and purpose. The authentic voice of lament establishes credibility with older readers who yearn for others to empathize with their struggles. The second part of each chapter, "Cultivating Hope," guides them to God's perspective on aging and specific actions they can take that lead to hope and joy.

Vivir con propósito en la vejez

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:37:28 GMT

«¿Por qué sigo aquí? ¿Por qué Dios me deja sufrir tanto tiempo?»

aprender a ofrecer nuestra voluntad a la de Dios
confiar en la gracia de Dios
seguir respondiendo con la alegría y la fortaleza de la fe

Ayude a un ser querido a encontrar una razón y una forma de vivir el propósito de Dios a pesar de sus limitaciones.

My Story, My Song

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:37:01 GMT

My Story, My Song is the heartwarming memoir of the late 88-year-old Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts, mother of Good Morning America coanchor Robin Roberts. It details pivotal moments in Mrs. Roberts' life, revealing how faith in God gave her strength and hope to face the challenges of life.

Good Morning America viewers came to know and love Lucimarian Tolliver Roberts. For many, the heartfelt connection began the day after Hurricane Katrina blew through the Gulf Coast. They eagerly watched as Robin stood among the remnants of her hometown and talked about her desperate search for her elderly mother, who had ridden out the storm in her Mississippi home.

Once she knew that her mother was safe, Robin admitted she was not surprised to learn that even as the winds howled and floodwaters rose, Lucimarian Roberts sang hymns.

As she was working on her memoir, Lucimarian still was able to recite the lyrics to hundreds of hymns and spirituals first learned in her childhood church. She credited hymns for helping her, a black woman born in 1924, live faithfully through the turbulent times of the Great Depression, segregation, the civil rights struggle, and the loneliness and constant moves that came with being married to a U.S. Air Force officer.

Robin writes, "Folks are drawn to Mom's humility, wisdom, and spirituality. Countless times I've been told, 'Your mother should write a book.' Reflections from Robin on her mother's life and faith cap each chapter.

Now you will be able to gain insights from Lucimarian Roberts' amazing life. "God has brought the most wonderful and sometimes the most unlikely people, of all ages and races, into my life to encourage and guide me on this spiritual journey of life," Mrs. Roberts said with bright eyes.

Highlights of My Story, My Song include:

Inspiring stories of how a mother's love and character affect generations to come
A tribute to the power of hymns and music to lift the heart out of loneliness and grief
Honest childhood stories of poverty and alcoholism and the strength to overcome
Insight into life as an African American during segregation and beyond
Examples of the powerful influence of mentors and role models
Encouraging stories of aging with grace
Reminders of the impact of integrity, character, and love

You will be inspired and uplifted by this memoir of a woman who faced the best and worst of times with faith, dignity, and grace.

My Story, My Song

Sat, 14 May 2022 04:07:52 GMT

Once she knew that her mother was safe, Robin admitted she was not surprised to learn that even as the winds howled and floodwaters rose, Lucimarian Roberts sang hymns.

Highlights of My Story, My Song include:

Inspiring stories of how a mother's love and character affect generations to come
A tribute to the power of hymns and music to lift the heart out of loneliness and grief
Honest childhood stories of poverty and alcoholism and the strength to overcome
Insight into life as an African American during segregation and beyond
Examples of the powerful influence of mentors and role models
Encouraging stories of aging with grace
Reminders of the impact of integrity, character, and love

You will be inspired and uplifted by this memoir of a woman who faced the best and worst of times with faith, dignity, and grace.

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body

Sat, 14 May 2022 02:29:17 GMT

"Why am I still here? Why is God letting me suffer so long?"

Frailty, dependence, and constant pain can lead to spiritual hopelessness in older adults. While we're inspired by occasional news about an extraordinary centenarian who swims every day, it's more common to grieve and wonder as loved ones grow feeble.

With compassion and honesty, Buchanan gives voice to the those who have to depend on others for assistance with daily tasks. She leads caregivers and those in their care to see that living with purpose in old age is an extension of the challenges lived all along:

learning to offer our will to God's
trusting God's grace
continuing to respond with the joy and fortitude of faith

Buchanan fosters empathy for the frail elderly and expresses their deepest concerns without tap-dancing around the tough issues. Forty-two short, comforting devotions offer spiritual encouragement to those who now cope with daily limitations and failing health.

The devotions are written in the first person, allowing readers to speak directly to God about their concerns. Supporting scriptures from the New Testament and Psalms are included with each meditation. Buchanan writes to the experiences of lifelong Christians as well as elderly non-believers who are thinking anew about God.

Help someone you love find a reason and way to live out God's purpose in spite of their limitations.

Beach Calling

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:45:32 GMT

For more information on the book, including a video about the book, visit this page.

Voices of Aging

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:01:23 GMT

Voice of the younger: "I wish my mother understood that there are only 24 hours in my day."

Voice of the older: "I don't want to be a burden to my family."

Missy Buchanan offers a compassionate look at adult children and their parents as they face the fears and frustrations of aging. She invites both generations to stand in each other's shoes in a series of 20 scenarios presented as paired conversations with God.

Each reading includes a scenario, scripture passage, suggestions for dealing with difficult circumstances, and a prayer.

Topics addressed include:

Doing the Best I Can
Parent/Child Roles
Chronic Health Problems
Finances
Dignity
Boundaries

Your heart will be softened as you experience new understanding and discover ways to talk about sensitive subjects.

Joy Boosters

Sat, 14 May 2022 00:46:50 GMT

Know an elderly person who needs a little encouragement?

Best-selling author Missy Buchanan, an older adult advocate and a former creativity educator, offers you a bounty of ideas for lifting the spirits of older adults. Her passion for and sensitivity to the needs of elderly persons shine through in this practical book that's packed with simple, creative ways to boost the joy of older adults.

Joy Boosters is perfect for families and friends of older adults, caregivers, senior residence facilities, and churches that want to minister effectively to older adults. Don't miss the opportunity to make someone's day…or week.

Aging Faithfully

Sat, 14 May 2022 00:32:37 GMT

Aging is part of God's plan, says author Missy Buchanan—and it's a gift, not punishment.

Buchanan reminds us that aging is a matter of perspective—if we fix our eyes on negative images of growing old, we will miss the treasures right before us. But when we focus on God, we will discover an abiding joy that comes only with a long life.

Aging Faithfully is divided into four weekly themes:

Accepting the Challenges of Aging
Finding God's Purpose in Aging
Overcoming the Temptations of Aging
Discovering the Joys of Aging

Each week contains daily Bible-based readings, scripture, prayers, and suggestions for practical application or deeper thought. At the back of the book you'll find reflection questions that can be used for group discussion or further individual exploration.

Let each day's reading wash over you. Prepare your heart to discover what it means to age joyfully—and faithfully.

A great resource for Sunday school classes and small groups! Also makes a great gift for homebound persons.

Don't Write My Obituary Just Yet

Sat, 14 May 2022 00:30:26 GMT

Even when we're old, God can still use us.

In Don't Write My Obituary Just Yet, Missy Buchanan will warm your heart with her stories of older adults living with a sense of purpose and gratitude for the life God has given them.

As Buchanan writes in the introduction, "Good stories leave an imprint on our hearts and inspire us to live differently."

The 30 stories in this enlarged-print book give us glimpses into the lives of ordinary people ranging from 70 to 100 years old. Some of these folks are active; others are dealing with physical or mental decline. All exemplify how strong faith can help us overcome struggles and sorrows and live in hope.

A scripture and prayer accompany each story.

This book will uplift any older adult who needs to know that their life still matters to God and others. It's also an encouraging guide for middle-aged people wondering how they can live meaningful lives in their later years, even if they are ill or frail.

Talking with God in Old Age

Sat, 14 May 2022 00:22:08 GMT

Aging often brings concerns about health, worries about finances, and frustrations about change. The so-called golden years can seem filled with loneliness and pain. How is a person of faith to cope with the challenges and find purpose for the rest of his or her life?

Missy Buchanan encourages older adults to maintain open dialogue with God. Through a series of personal poems and reflections, each coupled with a selection from Psalms, Buchanan presents heartfelt talks with God. She addresses topics such as the fear of falling, despair over feeling useless, and grief after the loss of a spouse.

For professionals, friends, or family members seeking to understand an aging loved one, Talking with God in Old Age offers a glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of someone who speaks with candor and from experience.

For seniors currently grappling with the aging process themselves, this book can serve as a daily devotional with a friend who is "in the same place." Readers can join Missy Buchanan on the journey of faith as she shares with honesty both the heartaches and concerns of the elderly persons she has interacted with on a daily basis and the hope they reveal in old age.

Talking with God in Old Age

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:50:52 GMT

Living with Purpose in a Worn-Out Body

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:48:23 GMT

"Why am I still here? Why is God letting me suffer so long?"

learning to offer our will to God's
trusting God's grace
continuing to respond with the joy and fortitude of faith

Help someone you love find a reason and way to live out God's purpose in spite of their limitations.

Aging Faithfully

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:47:05 GMT

Aging is part of God's plan, says author Missy Buchanan—and it's a gift, not punishment.

Aging Faithfully is divided into four weekly themes:

Accepting the Challenges of Aging
Finding God's Purpose in Aging
Overcoming the Temptations of Aging
Discovering the Joys of Aging

Let each day's reading wash over you. Prepare your heart to discover what it means to age joyfully—and faithfully.

A great resource for Sunday school classes and small groups! Also makes a great gift for homebound persons.

From Dry Bones to Living Hope

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:46:13 GMT

Spirit Boosters for the Journey of Aging

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:29:48 GMT

Find hope for the journey of aging with this attractive reusable calendar.

Designed for older adults, the calendar features:

brief daily devotions and Bible verses
easy-to-read enlarged-print text
a gift presentation page
space to add celebrations—birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, etc.
an easel-like stand and spiral binding for easy display

The encouraging devotions will help older adults keep a positive frame of mind and trust that God is always with them. Show your loved ones how much you care by giving them daily reminders that they still have purpose, no matter their age.