Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Lady Traveler walks, hikes, and rides far and wide--without pain!

There will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, 
ever-ascending, ever-improving path.
But this, far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.

AFTER surgery:
Bike riding in Huntington Beach CA October 2016
AFTER surgery:
Hiking in Moab Utah, September 2016
'Lady Walker' 5 months after surgery
 Moab Utah 2016

BEFORE:

April 18 2016: One year ago I had my knee-replacement surgery


In the 1970's when running became the craze,
at the age of 32, I became an avid runner.
Running was my thing for over 40+ years.
I couldn't wait to run out my door to places unknown.
My motto:
You cannot discover new roads
until you are willing to lose sight of your front door.

So off I ran, like the wind.
Well, okay, more like a gentle breeze.

Besides my daily runs, I ran 10K's (6.2 miles) every month,
my first was the Los Angeles Marathon.
Picture this:  The finish line was in the
Los Angeles Coliseum!
And yes, I felt quite elated by the whole affair.
In 1979 I ran--and finished--a half-marathon with my faithful running buddy,
Mary Haworth. She was a young 54 at the time.

In all my running years, I never had a running injury,
but soon after moving to Huntington Beach, CA,
I had a work injury.
In 1999 I slipped and fell on a wet, solid concrete floor,
right smack on my left knee.
OUCH!
Through gritted teeth, I bore the pain for a year.
I even painfully hiked up to Masada when we traveled to Israel in 2000,
proving what a determined woman I was.

However, when I returned home, it was evident that I needed to have minor surgery,
which enabled me to run and hike again.
YAY!

Unfortunately, through the years the pain returned and increased,
and eventually x-rays showed that my left knee was bone-on-bone.
So last year, in 2016, I made the decision to have knee replacement surgery.
And I'm so glad I did!
Although I cannot run, I can now walk, hike, swim, bike-ride ...
... all the things I love to do ... without pain!
DOUBLE-YAY!!

I guess you say that this traveling bionic gal can also be called Lady Walker.

The moral to my story:
If you're in pain and contemplating whether to take the next step to bring a better quality to your life,
I suggest that you pray and seek wise counsel until you have peace about your decision.
Eating right, exercise, and prayer will make us stronger,
and our travels much more rewarding.

I wish you oceans of healthy travel blessings in the days to come!


So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering,
dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.
I Thessalonians 3:7



Sunday, April 9, 2017

Lady Traveler's thoughts on Palm Sunday

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Not all roads lead to heaven.

Easter is the time to remember and celebrate
the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh, happy day, Oh happy day,
when Jesus washed my sins away.
(love that song!)

When I recently read an article on Facebook
about Universal Christianity* I felt both anger and sadness.
The article compelled me to write this blog because the Bible warns us that
in the last days many will be deceived, even the very elect.
Don't become another statistic to fall for such lies.
oops ... did I step on someone's toes?
Well, come along for the ride anyway.
It might get a little bumpy but it'll worth the trip.


Jesus said,
"I am the way the truth and the life.
No man comes to the Father but by me."
John 14:6

"For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Luke 19:10


Good deeds are good, but not enough to get anyone to heaven.
There is only one way:

"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."
Hebrews 9:22

Jesus said,
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,
that I might take it again.
No man takes my life from me,
but I lay it down myself.
I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."
John 10:17-18

Jesus said,
"Thou could have no power at all against me,
except it were given you from above: 
therefore, he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin."
John 19:10


For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all,
to be testified in due time.
I Timothy 2:5-6


During this Easter season take time to read the gospel of John (new testament) and 
you will read Jesus' loving and lifesaving words to you and to me.

As you study the Bible, remember to keep the gospel simple.
Don't be deceived by Universal Christianity.
Jesus loves you.  He chose to die on the cross for us so we can have eternal life.
It is our choice to come to him. 


Jesus said,
In my Father's house are many mansions ...
I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you unto myself;
that where I am, there you may be also."
John 14:2-3

Jesus is coming again soon.


~I wish you oceans of wise choices~



www.sharonleaf.com

My 72nd-year photo

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Lady Traveler's Travel Tips wherever you may wander

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money,
Then take half the clothes and twice the money.

One of my favorite summer shirts you'll see in many of my RV travels
(Kentucky Lakes, Kentucky 2016)
There are hundreds of websites, U-tubes, and such
that focus on various travel topics.
but I thought I'd share a few of my own personal thoughts to make
packing a little more personal.
Today I'll write about wardrobe tips for your upcoming summer trips.

When packing clothing for a long or short trip,
take a look at what you packed, then cut it in half.
I promise you won't wear half of what you packed so no need to
add work to the process.
When there is climate changes involved, packing can be a bit more challenging.

A favorite t-shirt-- wash-N-wear items to throw in the washer-dryer in our 40' motor home
(Aspen, Colorado 2016)
We drove our motor home to California last September,
so shorts, a few of my favorite t-shirts, and my favorite pair of 'safe' sandals
were my priority wardrobe.
Fortunately, the weather was warm and beautiful on our 6,000 mile, 2-month journey.
(In colder weather I pack a sweater, a pair of jeans,
and a pair of boots incase the weather turns cool).

The most important thing to wear everywhere is your
SMILE!
Your smile will outshine anything you will wear.
So don't forget to pack it!

See? I wear the same t-shirts over and over and over.
 (in Zion, Utah)
My only piece of luggage when traveling international to warm countries such as
Belize and Costa Rica is my faithful backpack on wheels.
For cooler countries, such as Paris, London, or Scandinavia,
I roll everything in a carry-on, take a large purse, dress in layers,
carry my coat on the plane, and wear my boots.
Look for websites and u-tubes for packing information.

My very favorite shirt; I wear it everywhere.
I love Paris! (2014)
I wear and pack very little make-up.
I use facial wipes to cleanse face every night,
smear on lots of lotion, and drink gallons of water.
We love to eat at local restaurants in every town and country,
so I keep my Isagenix shakes and vitamins nearby to keep me on the straight and narrow.

I love Paris when I eat!
(Dreyer Island, SC)
So whether you love to travel,
enjoy watching TV travel programs,
or just enjoy reading about traveling on blogs, hopefully mine,
I'm happy to have you on board.

We'll soon be heading to the beach for two weeks.
I'm looking forward to relaxing days of reading, wRiting, walking, blogging,
eating, swimming, meeting new friends ... sound fun?
Please come along!
You can find more about my travels on my website
www.sharonleaf.com

A few more important tips:
#1: Before we leave our house, we call our local police department.
They'll drive by our house several times a day or night, at random times.
#2:  We contact our local post office to hold our mail.
#3:  We have a trustworthy neighbor that keeps an eye on our home.
Now, we're off to a great start!


You gave me life and showed me kindness,
and in your providence watched over my spirit.
Job 10:12

Whether you travel around the world or around your block,
I wish you oceans of travel blessings!

On life's journey, whether traveling around the world or walking around your block, there's lots to learn about life, faith, friendship and fun! so lets dive into a new ocean together ... and lets keep that body movin'!