Travelin' north to North Carolina

Joys come from simple and natural things; mists over meadows,

sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water,
water fights with the family.

Aiming at my granddaughter!

We laughed so hard we cried!
(Granddaughter Destinee)

I apologize for my absence from Lady Traveler,

But hey! it's summer!   

I'll make this short and to the point because

 I'm having a wonderful fun-filled summer.

I'm not taking much time to sit in my office

at my desk on my iMac.  My choice.  No guilt.

Instead, I'm spending an hour a day at the clubhouse pool

getting in my hour swim.

No lounging because I get enough sun swimming; 

the sun's reflection doubles my tan

so I make sure I put 70Block on my face). 

Sun block and an umbrella

 I'm also volunteering a few hours a week at our church office, going to visit Gi-Gi (Rob's Mom),

assisting Rob in business matters,

writing, and going on fun outings with family and friends.

Road trip vehicle, Rob's baby.
Ford Edge Sport with paddle shifters & 22" rims

We'll be taking a road trip to Winston-Salem, NC this week-end

to see our daughter.

We haven't seen her or her hubby in a year

so we're looking forward to our reunion.

In the midst of our sunny summer, lets take time to pray

 for those who are going through hard times, for our country, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  

Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem,

because the Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes.

Isaiah 12:6 NCV

I wish you smooth summer sailing and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Travelin' Across Town To A Birthday Party

Destinee at an orphanage in Mexico

My quick, unedited blog (gotta get ready for a birthday bash):

Twenty-three years ago the sweetest little baby girl was born.

I drove her Mama (my daughter, Jacquie) to the hospital

(I think Tom thought it was another 'false labor').  

It was the typical So-Cal morning traffic, way too slow, 

bumper to bumper.  Jacquie was in labor.  

I was praying while driving (not the same as texting).  

Over the past weeks she had had several 'false labors' 

so I was familiar with the freeway to 

Kaiser Hospital in Anaheim Hills.  

We made it to the hospital just in time for little 

Destinee Taylor Blake to pop out 

(yes, Tom made it to the hospital in time) 

and our lives have been on a fast-track ever since. 

Destinee is my only granddaughter 

(I have three grandsons, thanks to Rob's daughter), 

so you can imagine the dilemma I had when we 

had to leave for Bible school in Sweden 

when she was only six weeks old.  

Whew. Tears. Doubts (am I doing the right thing?)  

But God honored our faithfulness to His calling by 

bringing Tom, Jacquie, AND baby Destinee to 

Sweden for New Year's.  

Two weeks with my sweet lil' darling was my shot in the arm to 

get me through the snowy Swedish winter.  

Then six months later, after touring Israel and 

trekking through Siberia for a month, 

Jacquie and Destinee flew to Sweden for two weeks, 

then we all flew home together.  Double blessing.

Okay, as you can see, this is MY story, so it's all about 

me, Destinee, and God's faithfulness.

LIFE LESSON:

Trust God, obey Him, 

and He will give you the desires of your heart.  

God knew I was longing to see my granddaughter, and Voila!  Thank you, Lord.

A few summers ago
eating at Mellow Mushroom with family

FAST FORWARD:  

Rob and I moved to South Carolina eight years ago, 

and after many plane trips back and forth, 

Tom, Jacquie, and Destinee moved here three years ago

and live fifteen minutes away.  We didn't plan it.  

We still laugh about it.  God did it.  Life can't get much better.  Well, yes it could.  

Son Shawn and wife Frances could end up here.  

How cool would that be?  

But when I pray, I always pray for God's will for my family, 

not my will.  

Destinee loves her mud runs

The 3 GLITS Gals*
*(Girls-Living-In-The-South)

Whether on a mud run, on the mission field, or 

working as a make-up artist for MAC Cosmetics, 

Destinee is a gifted, talented, God-loving young woman.  

She loves her family and friends, but most of all, 

she loves God.

I love Destinee more than words can say.  

Now that I think about it, she has followed me wherever I go ... Sweden, Seattle (when we lived on a WWII ship)

and now South Carolina.  

That says a lot about our love for each other. 

Today, this Grama prays for God's will 

to be accomplished in her granddaughter's life.  

And Destinee, if you read this, 

I wish you smooth sailing on life's journey, 

and oceans of blessings,

Love, Grams Leaf  

www.sharonleaf.com