Lady Traveler has traveled to how many capitals?

Lady Traveler has traveled to how many capitals?

Paris is always a good idea

A friend of mine recently asked me, 

"How many capitals have you traveled to?"

Hmm, I've counted countries, but never counted capitals.  

Lets see ... I must think about this one ...

Jerusalem, Moscow, Stockholm, Athens, Istanbul, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Oslo, London...

... and then there's Paris.

And I'm probably leaving out a few.
(it's the memory factor)

On a mission in Moscow

First trip to Jerusalem

On a mission in Istanbul

In all my travels, I have come to this conclusion:

It's the people who make the country inviting, or not.

I sailed the seven seas on a WW2 ship,
and lived to tell about it!

People come from all over the world to tour our nation's capital,

Washington DC.

I've never been there.

Must go some day.

But I do live next door to our state's capital,

Columbia, South Carolina.

There is something special about capital cities.

Most of the capitals I've explored were not intentional.

I just ended up there.

A few were intentional:

Jerusalem.  Istanbul.  London.

And of course, Paris.

When I'm asked, 

"What country do you suggest?"

I answer, "It depends on what you are looking for."

Adventure?  Relaxation?  Romance?  History?

A spiritual experience?

Good questions to ask yourself before you spend all that money.

Where would I like to travel 
while I'm still able to load my backpack?

Israel, again.
Israel has 'all of the above.'

Have you been to any capitals lately?
If not, where would you like to go?

Or are you satisfied to stay around home?

I'm a 'homebody' at heart.

Like my Mama, I love my familiar surroundings.

Farm table overlooking the pond

But like my Daddy,
when that wanderlust spirit begins nudging me,

I reach for my backpack

and begin planning.

Wherever you go, near or far,

be sure to ask the Lord to be your Guide.

That is when the fun really begins!

We are not alone on our journey.

The God of love...

sent us His only Son to be with us

at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost.

My foot has held fast to His path;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

Job 23:11  NASB

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com

Wherever you travel, you are in a battle

God protected the WWII ship and her crew
 from piracy as we sailed
the seven seas in 1994-95

Neither give place to the devil...

Ephesians 4:27

It doesn't take much to see that there are 

wars and rumors of wars all around us. 

 But do you ever stop to think that you are in your own

personal battle?  

It may feel like a cold war, 

but still the battle rages from within, and from without.  

This was brought to my attention this past Sunday.

Pastor Perry gave a powerful message, 

reminding us that we have an enemy, and his name is Satan,

 and his mission is to destroy us.  

He gave the modern day example from the movie, 

Captain Phillips, 

showing scenes from the movie as he spoke.  

It was riveting.  

(pour a cup of java and go to the website below; 

you will be reminded of the importance of being aware of your surroundings, both physically and spiritually.)

newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one 

(If you haven't seen Captain Phillips, you can Netflex it.) 

In a nutshell, wherever our walk of faith takes us, 

we are not to surrender--give any ground--to the enemy.  

The devil knows our weaknesses and lurks behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to jump out and exploit us.  

When he finds an opening in our armor (Ephesians 6:11-18), 

he can weaken our effectiveness in what God has called us to do.  The Apostle Paul exhorts us to avoid giving Satan that opportunity (Ephesians 4:27).

As believers we have the possibility of making forward progress without ever having to lose any ground by putting on the whole armor of God.  Unfortunately, there were times in my journey when I laid my armor down and allowed the devil to have a field day with my life.  

In 1984, after being married for sixteen years, 

the process of my divorce put me in a numb state of mind.  

Instead of fighting the good fight, I placed my armor aside, 

so to speak.  

I went about my daily routine of working a full-time job, 

coming home to focus on my two children (ten and eighteen), giving special attention to my mother who had been 

recently diagnosed with MS, 

and to my father who was in the beginning stages of ParkinsinsDecease.  

Three years of ups and downs, 

I finally decided to pick up my armor and fight the good fight.  

Why did it take me so long? 

 I loved Jesus, and I still prayed, but 

I had been living my life according to Sharon.  

Not very smart.  And I was miserable.

So I began my path of saying no to wrong choices, 

wrong relationships.  

I started going to church again, praying more.  

Within a short time I met Rob, fell in love.  

Within a year we were married, and

 suddenly I felt that I was making up for the lost time

 the devil had stolen from me 

(for more details, you can email me OR buy my book, 

Lady and the Sea, a novel based on my true story.)  

A few tips:  

(1) Read Ephesians 6:10-18. 

(2) Keep your armor on.  

(3) Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  

Key word: resist! 

(4) and watch the video!  newspring.cc/watch/noothername/the-one

I wish you oceans of blessings while fighting for your life!

To Sochi, With Love ~ Part 2

The Sea of Marmara, Istanbul, Turkey,
Near the entrance to the Black Sea on our way to Sochi, Russia

The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia begins this week.  Anticipation is in the air for many reasons and I plan to be watching in the comfort of my living room.  But there was an event  in 1995 that transported me out of my living-room-comfort-zone, to a place I had never heard of before: Sochi, Russia.

Rob and I in crew uniforms on deck ofWWII ship MS Restoration
 Athens, Greece, last port before arriving in Sochi, Russia
June 1995

As I mentioned in my last blog, I am including an excerpt from my book, Lady and the Sea, that tells of my own personal moments of anticipation when the WWII ship, MS Restoration, arrives in the Sochi Harbor.  It is the moment the crew has been anticipating for fourteen months.  Now, one morning before the break of dawn, we are finally at the Sochi dock, picking up the Chosen Eight, as we endearingly named our beloved passengers. I truly believe these eight Russian Jews were hand-picked by God to make the five-day Breakthrough Journey from the Black Sea to Israel.  Now, for a few moments, travel back in time ...

Excerpt from Chapter 46:

... The crew held out their hands to greet the Chosen Eight as they walked carefully up the gangway.  The captain's wife shook the hands of each man, and wrapped her arms around each woman as if she were welcoming an old friend to her home.

     "Welcome to the Restoration," Tina said.

      They smiled and shyly answered, "Spasibo."

     Tina took the stewards aside and gave them specific instructions, as if she had done this many times.  

    "We cannot imagine what our passengers are thinking and feeling as they leave the port.  We must allow them personal time and space.  They are leaving their homeland and are wondering about this Promised Land they have heard so much about."

     The Restoration pulled away from the dock as the new day broke.  Silently, a mother held her daughter as they watched the shoreline fade from sight.  A family of four stood together, holding onto the ship rail and to each other.  An older couple, with arms wrapped around each other and tears streaming down their faces, made small conversation in their native tongue.

     Rosie and Tina watched from the balcony.  "Now I see with my eyes what this ship is all about," Rosie said as her own tears fell to the deck.  "It's about these eight brave souls."

     "Yes, the Chosen Eight.  But this is only the beginning.  Many more will follow.  As the Bible predicts, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will guide them out of the darkness, into the light. and to a life they have only dreamed about until now."

     Rosie put her arm around Tina.  "And this is what your dream is all about."

     "Yes, this is my dream come true.  And what is your dream, Rosie?"

     "When I was a young girl, my dream was to travel the world with Jesus, and with the man I love.  Now, as I am participating in this prophesy on this ship, my dream is coming true."

     Together, the two dreamers cried tears of joy.

Our tiny one-room cabin
WWII ship MS Restoration May 1994 to July 1995
Notice fan & stereo at foot of our bed; shortwave radio next to Rob's pillow;
Reading lights hooked on metal headboard
The good life.

We all have our moments of anticipation, especially when we are right smack dab in the middle of that moment.  Have no fear; know that God has placed you there for a purpose.  Then when you look back, you too might want to write about it.  If not a book, how about a short story to give to your family--so they won't forget.  Or at least a note to yourself in your journal--so you won't forget.  Believe me, time has a way of filling the brain with so much stuff that it sometimes pushes the important events out.

Remember,

~ You cannot discover new oceans until 

you are willing to lose sight of the shore ~

Until next time, I wish you oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady travels down Memory Lane to Seattle

Forground: House boat in movie 'Sleepless in Seattle'
Background: Dry dock where Restoration had her
Extreme Makeover in 1994

Rob and I returned from our holiday in Seattle refreshed and full of rich memories.  Spending time with family and friends in the midst of God's beauty does that to a person.

We were invited to stay with our friends Stan and Sharon Langaker.  Their condo overlooks the Puget Sound, so we spent most of our mornings drinking coffee and evenings sipping wine as we watched the ships sail by while soaking in blue waters, tall trees, and breathtaking mountains.  We shared our Restoration memories as if we had been on that old World War II ship just a few months ago instead of nineteen years ago.

Many who have read my novel, Lady and the Sea continue to ask me about the people from whom I based my characters.  Rob and I had a reunion with four who now live in the Seattle area.

MS Restoration 1994

Captain Stan and his wife, Sharon Langaker (Captain Stuart and Shelly) have devoted their lives to the Lord.  After giving the WWII ship to Word of Life Church in Sweden and spending over seven years on the Restoration, they returned to America and worked for the non-profit organization, Friendships, based in Louisiana.  They are now beginning to reap the harvest of the many years that they have sown for God's kingdom.

Sharon, Stan and me
near Pugent Sound, WA

Rob and Clark Davis (Clive) worked side by side on the Restoration, from the engine room to the monkey bridge.  From Seattle's dry dock to the many ports-of-call on Restoration's maiden voyage that ultimately ended in Haifa, Israel, they made lifetime memories together.  Clark is married with two children, owner of American Family Insurance, and is involved with missions work in Africa. Rob and I, Clark and his family, and Stan and Sharon, spent a memorable evening at his home.

Clark (Clive) on Restoration 1994

19 years later: Rob (Jesse) and Clark (Clive)

Jeannie (Jeans) with 2 of her 6 kids
on her backyard deck in Cascade Mts.

We spent a cool autumn morning with Jeannie in her home nestled beside a lovely river near the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.  Jeannie (Jeans) still journals and creates delightful books about her family.  Most of her time is spent with her husband and six children.  She is still as beautiful as she was nineteen years ago, and her contagious laugh still brings music to my ears.

The highlight of our trip was taking a road trip south to Richland, WA to visit our son, Shawn, and his wife. Three years is too long to be apart so our reunion was sweet and fun!  They live on the Columbia River so Shawn took us on a grand tour of the area, including lunch on the river at one of their favorite eateries.

Mom and son on the Columbia River, WA

Our daughter-in-law, Frances, is a producer of a local TV station so we went to her studio to watch the 6:30pm news.  I vowed to myself to not make a funny face at her while she was on the air.  Wouldn't have mattered.  She's too professional to succumb to faces.

Back in our hotel, watching Frances on the 11pm news!

All too soon it was time to board our red-eye flight home.  Travel TiP: Buy one of those cushy pillows for your neck so you can sleep without your neck wobbling all over, then leaning on the person next to you and slobbering all over them.

As I sat on the plane, gazing at the lights below and the stars above, I recalled our ten days in Washington, and I was reminded once again that God can speak to us while we enjoy life.  He doesn't take vacations when we're seeking answers from Him.  Our answers can come through a friend's comment, or directly from that still, small Voice within.  The important thing is to listen, ponder, then respond.  That's my homework assignment for the rest of my life.  In the meantime ...

... I wish you smooth sailing through these autumn days, and oceans of blessings.

Stand at the crossroads and look... 

ask where the good way is,

 and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

  Jeremiah 6:16

www.sharonleaf.com
http:/www.facebook.com/clarkdavisagency
www.friendships.org

Lady Leaf the Traveler Is A WINNER!

Lighthouse on Tybee Island, SC

I'm thrilled to announced that I'm the winner of My Gutsy Story contest for July!  It was a close call because all five stories were inspiring and gutsy.  I want to thank all of you who voted for my story, "I Sailed the Seven Seas on a WWII ship and Lived to Tell About It."  I pray that this story will encourage readers to find faith for those forgotten dreams, whatever that dream may be.

I admit that I don't spend a lot of time marketing my book, Lady and the Sea.  I have a hard time sitting at my iMac for too long.  I was diagnosed last week with arthritis so I need to keep the old body moving as often as possible (thank the Lord for swimming and my SaSuBe class!).  So Lady has been mostly word of mouth, book signings, and speaking engagements.  I'm always delighted when someone tells me they found my book in their local book store. *smile*

Go to the link below to read my winning announcement from author Sonia Marsh.

www.soniamarsh.com

Our road will be smooth and untroubled no matter what care life may send; 

if we travel the pathway together, and walk side by side with a friend.

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings on this rainy day in South Carolina

Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, 

binding yourselves together with peace. 

Ephesians 4:3

 www.sharonleaf.com

The Day after Christmas

One of my favorite pastimes ... laughing! Big and loud, like my Mama used to do.

Ahh, the day after Christmas.  After a grand time with family on Christmas Eve and Day, a calm silence has fallen throughout the house. So I will take this time, upon request, to post an interview about a simple southern belle ... ME!  I'm part of a blog tour, similar to the old fashion chain letters we used to send.  So pour a cup of coffee while I indulge myself for a few moments.


Where did the idea come from for Lady and the Sea?
I was a volunteer on the WWII ship, MS Restoration, for fourteen months back in 1994. Upon returning home from sailing the seven seas, when I told stories about the miracle ship, people insisted, "You must write a book about your adventures!" They are right, I must write! I told myself.  And so Lady and the Sea was born.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition of Lady and the Sea?   Who should play Rosie, the main character?  Oh, that gorgeous, classy, talented brunette ... ugh,  what's her name? Can't remember.  Oh well.  Then my second choice would be Sandra Bullock.  Now, for Rosie's prince charming, Jesse?  Without a doubt, Tim McGraw.  Hmm, now that I think about it, didn't Sandra and Tim star in a movie together?

On board the MS Restoration in Stockholm, Sweden 1994

Give us a synopsis of Lady and the Sea? After two failed marriages, forty-eight-year-old Rosie Atkisson struggles through the process of rebuilding her life with her husband, Jesse. But the settled rhythm of her new found comfort is interrupted by a tug in her heart when she encounters a photo of another aging lady, the World War II ship, MS Restoration. A special mission to transport Russian Jews from Sochi, Russia, to Haifa, Israel, means an adventure of a lifetime; does she dare pass up this dangerous assignment that will take her thousands of miles from her family and her comfortable life? In spite of her fear of water and the unknown condition of the ship, Rosie says farewell to her safe shore, and dives into this new ocean. After fourteen months on board the old ship--from hurricanes to a heart attack, from miracles to menopause, and being held at gunpoint in the Haifa Harbor--Rosie wonders if she will ever return to her own safe harbor.

Is your book self-published or traditional published? After much prayer and research, I decided to self-publish. The best investment I made was to hire a professional editor. It's worth the money to make your book shine! I'm proud of Lady and the Sea, thanks to its fine editing.

Crossing the Atlantic in 1994

How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript? Two years. Then after much prayer and research (as you can see, I do a lot of both), I changed the story from a non-fiction to a novel, based on a true story.  Another two years. Yes, I'm slow, but sure.

Who or What inspired you to write Lady and the Sea? The history of the WWII ship, then sailing the seven seas with her, inspired me to share our story with the world. Her past and my past had many parallels (when I heard that the government put her in mothballs after the war, I immediately identified with her--I put myself in mothballs after my second divorce!). It was actually fun to tell the tale of two aging, lovely ladies.  Together, we prove that it is never too late for dreams to come true.

Russian Jews arriving in Haifa, Israel 1995

What else about Lady and the Sea might pique the reader's interest? The ship's sole purpose was to transport Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel. Hundreds donated gifts, and their time; miracles showed up daily on the deck.  If you love to travel and are looking for true adventure with sprays with romance and sprinkles of humor, and if you desire to find faith for your forgotten dreams, then Lady and the Sea is the book for you.

Thanks for reading! Next Wednesday, please visit the following fantastic author, Rosemary Hines, to read about her new books and her works-in-progress at www.rosemaryhines.com

You cannot discover new oceans until you are willing to lose sight of the shore

The Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour

WELCOME TO THE GRACE FILLED CHRISTMAS BLOG TOUR!

I am thrilled beyond measure to be participating in the first annual Grace Filled Christmas Blog Tour 2012, sponsored by the Grace Awards.  It's another dream come true for me to be in the company of all these talented and gifted authors.  I would like to suggest a Christmas read that took me on a great adventure of sailing the seven seas on a WWII ship, and living to tell about it.  Yes, Lady and the Sea is a novel based on my true story.  You can travel with me without wearing a life jacket or leaving the comfort of your cozy chair by the fireplace.  You'll even spend a white Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden on board the MS Restoration.  So come, sail away with me.

"You cannot discover new oceans until you are willing to lose sight of the shore"

After two failed marriages, forty-eight-year-old Rosie Atkisson struggles to rebuild her life with her husband, Jesse, in Southern California.  But the settled rhythm of her newfound comfort is interrupted in l994 by a tug in her heart when she encounters a haunting photo of another aging lady, the WWII vessel MS Restoration.

A special mission to transport Russian Jews from Sochi, Russia, to Haifa, Israel means an adventure of a lifetime; does she dare pass up this dangerous assignment that will take her thousands of miles from her family and comfortable life?  In spite of her fear of water and the unknown condition of the ship, Rosie says yes to that inner voice that says GO!

After surviving fourteen months on board the old ship--from a hurricane to a heart attack, from miracles to the M word--menopause--and now being held at gunpoint in the Haifa Harbor--Rosie wonders if she will ever return to her own safe harbor.

Christmas on board the WWII ship MS Restoration
 Stockholm, Sweden ('94)

What makes Lady and the Sea perfect for Christmas reading and/or gifting?  Once Rosie found faith to say farewell to her safe shore and dive into a new ocean, her fourteen-month journey full of adventure, romance, and miracles enabled her to find faith for her forgotten dreams.  After traveling with Rosie, you too will find faith for YOUR forgotten dreams!  From teen-agers to 89-year-old great-grandparents, women and men who are reading Lady and the Sea are bidding farewell to their safe shores.  Lady and the Sea is the perfect gift for this season of miracles.

Purchase Links:  sharonleaf.com  amazon.com Books A Million, Barnes and Noble, E-books

I wish you a Merry Christmas, smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for this holiday season!

Please continue the GRACE FILLED CHRISTMAS BLOG TOUR through December at www.graceawardsdotorg.wordpress.com/grace-filled-christmas-blog-tour-2012/

About Sharon Leaf
Born in sultry South Carolina and raised in sunny Southern California, since turning forty, Sharon Leaf has traveled to over fifteen countries, including living in Sweden while attending an international Bible College, traveling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, and volunteering on the WWII ship, MS Restoration, whose sole purpose was to transport Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel.  She received a degree in theology at the age of sixty, proving that it is never too late to fulfill another dream.  Lady and the Sea is Sharon's debut novel.  She lives in South Carolina with her husband and their malte-poo, Popcorn.
http://www.sharonleaf.com
http.//www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com