I love book signings!

I had a blast at my book signing at Books A Million in Sumter, SC, the town where I was born.  The feeling of sheer nostalgia filled my senses as I drove past Shaw Air Force Base where my Mom and Dad met and fell in love sixty-eight years ago.


As I shared my story of Lady and the Sea, I could see their eyes light up at the spoken word.  One woman is taking Lady on her cruise next week; another will read Lady while convalescing from her surgery she's having tomorrow ... I love their stories too.  And I met several young women, Shannon and Jessica, who's passion is writing.  I encouraged them: "Don't give up.  Write your heart and soul.  Your dream can come true!"


The Books A Million manager invited me back for more book signings, so I'll be returning to my home town in the near future to meet more friendly folks.


Writing is one of my passions, but encouraging readers and inspiring writers I meet along the way is the frosting on my cake.  


Now I must go and finish enjoying my Mother's Day with the man of my dreams.  Actually, ladies, he is the frosting on my cake, if you know what I mean.  *wink*


I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the coming week.  And I hope you're having a special Mother's Day.  Sharing my day with my daughter, Jacquie, after being apart for five years, is another dream come true for me.  Hang on to those dreams ... they DO come true!

Author Julie Carobini: Lady and the Sea

Author Julie Carobini: Lady and the Sea

What brings you joy?

Yesterday's guest speaker at our Literary Luncheon in Rock Hill was Merry Taylor of Taylor and Associates.  She is a motivational speaker so of course she asked us a few questions that got us to thinking.  What brings you joy?  What are your goals?  Why do you write?  or paint?  or cook ... fill in your blank.  I was forced to reflect.  Besides God and family, my thoughts brought me back to my recent debut novel, Lady and the Sea.  


I wrote Lady and the Sea because there was a story that took place in the 90's that needed to be told.  It was not my story to keep.  I was compelled to share it.  Lady is not a fantasy or a fairytale.  It is a true story of finding faith for forgotten dreams while sailing on the World War II vessel MS Restoration.  The ship's Swedish engineer finds an American wife.  A father-daughter relationship is restored.  A vision comes to pass for a captain and his wife.  A woman overcomes her fears to fulfill a dream to serve God in a foreign country.  An old World War II ship stored in moth balls gets a second chance to sail the seas when she is assigned to transport Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel.  The dream of over 1,500 Russian Jews coming to pass as they arrive safely in their Promise Land of Israel.  And much more.


My goal to write and publish Lady and the Sea is my legacy.  If I never publish another book, I am satisfied.  Now, my present dream and goal is to place Lady in the hands of those readers whose lives will be changed and challenged by the story.  I have no agent or publicist, but I have the Lord (II Chronicles 32:7-8).  I guard my heart against comparing myself with other authors.  I rejoice with them when they share their victories, knowing that they are celebrating with me when I share mine.  


No matter what brings you joy, may you continue to sail on to yet another personal goal and victory.

The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

 The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy.  

Psalm 19:7-8

publicist goals joy vision Lady and the Sea

My Farewell to Pastor Jesse

The loss of a great man of God is felt throughout the world today.  As we look back over the years, we all have our own stories of times spent with this humble man called Jesse Mason.  I'll briefly share mine, as he is worthy of my time to tell a short tale.  A few random thoughts cross my mind as I sit on my screened patio listening to the birds singing a song of victory ... and I'm sure I hear angels joining in as they are welcoming Jesse home.


Sunday School Teacher.  Worship Leader.  Associate Pastor.  Senior Pastor.  Boss.  And always a missionary at heart.  That is how I know Jesse Mason.  


The early 70's.  Around 9:15 am every Sunday morning, Jesse would lead the way as we walked next door from Christian Chapel to the condos that were still under construction.  As we trekked through mud puddles from a storm from the night before, I smiled; I felt as if we were following Jesse on one of his missionary trips.  In the freshly painted clubhouse he taught an adult Sunday school class.  So much knowledge of the Bible, I thought.  He'll be a pastor one day I'm sure.  


Years later, I left Chapel but returned in 1987; Jesse was now the Senior Pastor. I was delighted to see two familiar faces at the first singles meeting that my girlfriend dragged me to.  Jesse and Clare greeted me with open arms and I felt as if I had come home.  The following week I met my future husband, Rob, and a year later he became Singles pastor; during that time I was honored to be Jesse's secretary.  I spent many hours sitting in his office taking notes and listening to wonderful stories of how he and Clare met as missionaries in Japan.  When I grow up, I'm want to be like them and travel the world for Jesus.  Finally, Jesse gave Clare permission to re-decorate his office, so Clare and I had fun choosing blue wallpaper to match the long, dark blue leather sofa that she chose for her husband. "I know Jesse will love this," she sighed. (I often wonder what happened to that sofa where so many men and women sat and listened to Jesse prophesy, or just talk about topics-at-hand).


Rob and I have traveled the world for Jesus, and in all of our adventures for God, we can honestly say that Jesse and Clare Mason are one of the two most humble, sweet, giving, loving people on earth.  Whether hosting them in our home, or house-sitting in theirs, their sincerity, gratitude and honesty always shined through. 


Our dear Pastor Jesse, you will be deeply missed.  Our conversations shall be sprinkled with good memories of you so that your legacy can live on for generations to come.  My words are dimming through tears, so I must close.  See you in heaven, boss. 

Week of Remembrance: A Celebration of Jewish Culture

"We will sing to the Nazis what we cannot say to them"

Rafael Schachter

Yesterday I shook the hand of a Holocaust survivor. As I waited patiently in line for my turn to greet Ela Weissberger, I stood in awe at this brave 88-year-old woman who had survived one of the worst tragedies in history. I leaned towards the small group surrounding her, hoping to hear the words of a wise lady who spoke as if she had never experienced a 'day-gone-wrong' in her life.

Before her entourage whisked her away, I gently took Ela's hand and said, "I only want the honor of shaking your hand." I briefly told her that I had been a volunteer on the World War II ship MS Restoration that transported Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel in the 90's. I couldn't help myself; I wanted her to know that I do care. The short, stout woman stared at me and then spoke with conviction, "God bless you! So many Americans do not know the persecution that still goes on today. I will never stop sharing my story."

As we strolled up the aisle of the large auditorium, we quickly spoke about another ship, the Henry Gibbons--I mention this ship in my novel Lady and the Sea--who brought one thousand Jewish refugees to America after World War II. It was our moment to speak of our heroes. Then too quickly, we parted ways, but I will never forget this lady who was among 1,500 children in the Terezin concentration camp in Prague. Only one hundred children survived. A small opera written for children called "Brundibar"* kept their spirits alive during those dark hours.

I am thankful that South Carolina's capitol supports the Jewish community by teaching about the Holocaust and through the University of South Carolina School of Music and the City of Columbia. The Bible says those who bless Israel will be blessed, and those who curse Israel shall be cursed. I choose to bless Israel. And you?

*I have a 30-second video on my Facebook page of Ms. Weissberger and the children performing "Brundibar."

To read more about Lady and the Sea, go to www.sharonleaf.com.

Another great book is Haven, a true story about the ship Henry Gibbons.

Life's Journey

Istanbul 2008

He protected us on our entire journey and among all nations through which we traveled.

Joshua 24:17

Whether we are traveling around the world on a World War II ship or moving to another city, isn't it comforting to know that God's protection is with us? No matter where our journey takes us, we can have confidence that the Lord is guiding us, directing us, and protecting us every mile of the way.

After fourteen months at sea, Rob and I arrived home to the USA in 1995 from many ports-of-call around the world. Today we have arrived safely in our port-of-call here in Lexington. Through the years I have learned that no matter how near or far I travel, I want my heavenly Father leading me. When we trekked through Siberia on the former Communist Youth Propaganda train in 1992, I sometimes felt a million miles away from my familiar surroundings. However, when I read Joshua 24:17, I was once again assured of the presence of God traveling with me.

As you begin planning your next journey, I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ will be the Captain of your ship. I wish you smooth sailing in the days ahead, and oceans of blessings!

To read more about Lady and the Sea, visit my website at www.sharonleaf.com

New Beginnings

Sunrise in backyard of our new home in Lexington, SC

Boxes stare at me every time I open the garage. I ignore them for now. I have something more important to do. Enjoy life. Have an extra cup of coffee on our screened porch. Breathe in the aroma of the pine trees. Listen to the birds sing. And the view ... ahhh. Whatever are in those boxes can wait. And those of you who have moved certainly know what I'm talking about. I've changed over the years. In times past, I wouldn't rest until everything was in order; usually took a week or so. Today I keep all boxes in the garage and unpack one at a time. The house is tidy and presentable. The other afternoon a neighbor dropped by with a large basket -- our dinner! She looked around and commented, "My, you are all moved in." I didn't dare show her the garage lest I burst her bubble.

I am keeping this short, but wanted you to know that I'm still alive and well, just a bit more tired. I'll post some photos of our new home, our cottage amongst the pines, with a lake, on a golf course. And a screened porch with an overhead fan, a necessity on those steamy days in the south. God has truly brought us to a beautiful port-of-call where our souls are nurtured daily.

I'll be glad to get back to some type of normal schedule ... no blog talk radio show for this month, no writer's group, no writing. But one thing I do have now that I missed for six years since living in the south: my daughter, Jacquie, granddaughter, Destinee, and my son-in-law, Tom. Life is grand and I thank God every day for his loving kindness that He has bestowed upon our lives.

Oh, yes, Lady and the Sea is sailing towards new horizons. I'll soon be having a book signing in Sumter, the town where I was born. And my cousin, Kiera Cass, will be at the Columbia Book Fair May 19th to promote her new novel, The Solution, of which a major TV network is filming a weekly series, The Solution, airing in the fall.

Bye for now. Oceans of blessings and smooth sailing,

Sharon

www.sharonleaf.com

Farewell Fort Mill, I will miss you.

Moving is always bittersweet. The packing is very bitter and the cleaning is even bitterer (is that a word? it should be). The sweet part of our move is now we'll be ten minutes from our daughter, Jacquie, and her family. They are the family who drops by just to say hello, or calls and asks if we can come over for a BBQ, or go boating on the lake. Rob and I are so looking forward to that. Ahh, family.

Today I took Popcorn and we drove down some Fort Mill country roads for the last time. When I moved here six years ago, I loved exploring the back roads. As I listened to Tim McGraw with the wind blowing in my face, I couldn't get enough of this country feeling. I still can't. Never will. This is where I belong.

I might be saying farewell to my hometown, Fort Mill, but I will never say good-bye to my Fort Mill Friends. They have made my country move complete. Anyone who knows me, knows that I hang on to my friends, from my junior high school buddies, Teri and Kathy; to my neighbor, Shirley--we raised our kids together and opened our homes to the weekly "Good News Club." And my friend who always has an ear to listen to my whining, grumbling, and other negative attitudes--Debbie, what would I do without you?? Friends are those who stay in our hearts no matter how many miles apart we may be, and when our paths cross, it is like we never parted. Friendship takes two. I'm blessed to have friends who feel the same way as I do.

My last box is packed, but the memories that I take with me to Lexington can't be put in a box. They will live in my heart. I love you, my Fort Mill Friends, and I plan to have many parties and y'all are invited! Much love, smooth sailing, and oceans of blessings,

Sharon

A Message for All Generations, Lest We Forget

Photo taken in SoCal on my granddaughter's high school graduation 2009)

Update on my life: We sold our Fort Mill house last week so I've had to speed up the packing process. But while I'm taking my afternoon coffee break today, I had to share something special that happened to me at our monthly Literary Luncheon two weeks ago.

I was feeling a bit guilty for not doing more marketing for Lady and the Sea. Then God smiled at me.

Before the critiquing began, a fellow-writer announced, "I gave Lady and the Sea to my two grown daughters for Christmas, and my 13-year-old granddaughter called me the other day and said, 'Grama, I read Lady and the Sea and I loved it. I have never heard of the Holocaust!'" My mouth dropped as fellow-writer continued, "Then my daughter got on the phone and told me, 'Mom, Lady and the Sea has opened the door for my daughter and me to talk about premarital sex, teen pregnancy, and other hot topics of interest." (yes, my debut novel touches on many hot topics of the day.)

My soul and spirit was touched by this testimony. So attention all you mothers out there, think about giving your daughter a copy of Lady and the Sea. And don't worry if she doesn't pick it up right away; I believe she will read Lady in God's perfect time. There are many layers to the story for women of all ages. My prayer is that every reader will find that certain story within the story to find faith for their future.

I will share another testimony in my next blog, but now I must put my coffee cup down and pick up another empty box. Until next time, oceans of blessings!

You can order Lady and the Sea on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, e-books, and

www.sharonleaf.com

Video is actual footage taken on MS Restoration in 1994.

Moving, Staying, Retiring

Huntington Beach CA 2012

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.

My head is spinning. I have dived in to my new ocean and I'm swimming in the swirling waters. For those of you who don't know, upon our return home from SoCal, Rob and I bought a smaller home in Lexington, SC where we'll some day retire. Look at your map and you'll find Lexington just northwest of Columbia, the capital of SC. Our cozy brick home is on a golf course with a small lake in our backyard--yep, we're trading one lake for another-- surrounded by tall Carolina pines. The club house looks like a big barn because the property was once a dairy farm. No cows left, but lots of squirrels, geese, and deer.

Our daughter Jacquie, hubby Tom and granddaughter Destinee live on the much larger Lake Murray about ten minutes northeast us. We've been apart for over five years so having them close by is a blessing indeed. We're not too far from their office, Life Wellness Center, so that makes me a happy camper. With shops and eateries close by, it makes for a nice place to retire. Retire? What does that actually mean? I'll let you know down the road a ways.

Our Fort Mill home is still for sale so we'll be living here for awhile until Rob retires next year. In the meantime, you'll find us driving down the Interstate every week or so, taking bits and pieces of furniture and treasures (that's what I call my stuff I can't part with). But right now I have a desk full of correspondence to answer, bills to pay, a manuscript to revise, and floors to swifter, and of course, little Popcorn to take for a cold brisk walk. Bye for now ... happy sailing and oceans of blessings!

Come unto me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 NIV