Buist Newsletter 2019


I was standing in one of those Christmas shoppers line where everyone was impatiently waiting to the point of complaint. I found myself instead with profound gratitude thinking, “I can stand without a cane and without pain! You see it’s been a long year with three surgeries on my knee.

I was finally approved for surgery in April, but since my leg didn’t heal properly they scheduled me again in May to cleanup more residue from the baker’s cyst. They were evil after the second surgery putting me in a soft, yet full leg cast. I had to endure crutches but thank goodness was allowed to put weight on it a week later. Stitches and cast were finally removed, and I was able to return to teaching with a cane. All was fine until my knee swelled up again. It was water on the knee and extremely painful. After draining it they decided to do one more surgery in August this time on the front of my knee where they removed pseudogout crystals. I’m walking normally now without pain, and my knees are beginning to match again in size. I also had two cataract surgery in November making my total surgeries to five this year. So my New Year’s Resolution is no more surgeries!

In my writing career, my book, Lone Falcon was on a blog tour where reviewers on twelve blogs reviewed it and two blogs had interviews with me. These were seen by a total of 248,603 people. I have my favorite review on the back. I finished its sequel, Lone Choices and hope to publish it in the new year. I’ve started work on the final in the series but need a trip to Africa to write it better. If you know of any organizations or missions I can volunteer with to the DR Congo, please email me. I’m also overdue for a trip to Seattle this summer and would be willing to do a book signing for any church group or book reader’s club you may have.

In my church career I continue to work with the children and our home-centered congregants. I serve ages 3 to 100! I preached three sermons, led a women’s retreat, and led our One Day VBS.

As for my teaching, the big news is I retired from substituting. After six months I am free to substitute again and still receive my retirement.

Yes, I have reached my Medicare birthday. I had a Medicare Part E (party) for my birthday where I rented a hotel suite for four of my friends to celebrate. We played Wine-opoly where you land on wine versus properties and we tasted the wines on which we landed.

My young men turned 21 and 27 this year. They’ve become great cooks and they and Don took great care of me during my recouping time. Benjamin even said, “In our family the men cook.” So when I do cook now, it’s a big deal. Ben is in college and enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons. John continues to work at a FedEx store and keeps all of our computers working.

The only way I survived all my surgeries and recovery times this year has been the love of my family, my church family, and friends. It is with thanks and gratitude I wish you all:

A MERRIJOYful CHRISTmas!

MJ for Don, John, and Benjamin Buist
mjbuist@anaheimumc.org


Ten Ways to Support Your Favorite Author (MJ’s Christmas Wishlist)
  1.    Buy their books
  2.    Write Reviews on Amazon
  3.    Give their books as gifts
  4.   Tell ten people
  5.    Read for a book club
  6.    Recommend on Goodreads
  7.    Request at your library
  8.    Promote on Social Media
  9.    Post pictures holding their book
  10.   Send the author a fan letter


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