Lady Traveler, walking, biking, & swimming in Surfside ~ Part 3

One doesn't realizes how beautiful it is to travel until 

one comes home and

rests one's head on one's old,  familiar pillow.

Happy to be back in Surfside, SC May 2017

What a wonderful, whimsical week I had at

Ocean Lakes in Surfside, South Carolina.

Morning, afternoon, and evening swims.

Likewise, morning, afternoon, and evening walks along the beach.

Ditto bikerides.

Meeting new friends.
And of course, lots of writing.

My beach walks were my favorite times.
Each day as I gazed out at the magnificent Atlantic,
memories returned of the weeks spent crossing the Pond
on the WWII ship, MS Restoration.

Surrounded by miles of water, I was always reminded of how small I was,
and how great our God is.

Enjoying the surf with a dear friend.
Thank you, Betty and Reg, for driving down from Florence,
not once, but twice!
(they will follow us anywhere!)

I'm writing this blog from the comfort--and spaciousness--of my home-on-land.

(I consider Moon River to be our home-on-wheels).

Two homes.  Two worlds.

All the comforts of home.  It's called 'glamping'!

Popcorn loves glamping too!

Upon arriving home after our long drive home from the beach on Sunday,

(the traffic was bad)

my body needed to move around, so Rob and I spent several hours

emptying the RV of food, clothes, dirty laundry, etc.

Finally, after a long-awaited shower, I fell into bed and slept for 10 hours!

I never sleep that long, so I guess my body was telling me something:

Take a break.

Now, enough about me.

Many of you tell me that you are living vicariously through my travels,

thus, the title of my blog, Lady Traveler.

Some of you, due to circumstances beyond your control

--health issues, family responsibilities, work obligations--

cannot take off and travel for long periods of time.

(By the way, we couldn't either until Rob retired in 2015.

Also, we were care givers for Rob's Mother until she went to heaven in 2015).

A few of you just do not have the desire to travel.

You're content with staying at home, which is wonderful.

Travel isn't for everyone.

I just happen to love the combination of staying at home and traveling.

My encouragement to you is small, yet wise:

Wherever you are, at home or on the road,

Make each day count.

Smile, and thank God that He has allowed you to live another day.

Be aware of your surroundings.

There is someone outside your door that needs your smile,

that needs a word of encouragement from YOU.

Lady Traveler's view from Moon River
Surfside, South Carolina 2017

June will find Lady Traveler heading west to Shawnee, Oklahoma to an ACA Rally,

then north to Missouri to visit our son and d-in-love,

Shawn and Frances (yay!)

God only knows where we'll end up in July ...

Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, North Carolina ... 

Time will tell.

For now, this lady is going to spend the month of May 

enjoying every minute at home,

resting, writing, and 

inviting family and friends over for food,

coffee, sweet tea, a glass of wine,

and good ol' southern hospitality.

A view of Lady Traveler's backyard. Home sweet home.

Lady Traveler wishes you oceans of Mother's Day blessings,

and lots of rest in Him.

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

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

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www.sharonleaf.com

Life is a Journey

One large bouquet (YOU!) can go a long way.
When you mentor, you multiply

Life is not a journey to the grave

with the intention of arriving safely

in one pretty and well preserved piece,

but to skid across the line broadside,

thoroughly used up, worn out,

leaking oil, shouting

GERONIMO!

There are moments when we feel worn out, 

used up, ready to throw in the towel. 

 Our emotions can do a number on us physically,

telling us to go to bed and pull the covers over our heads.  

I've done that, but through the years I have learned a better way. When these feeling try to overcome me, 

I make a bee-line to my back door.  

Don't judge me...I'm not running away.  

I know that once I'm outside, breathing in fresh air, 

listening to birds chirping, admiring God's creation,

I will gather a better perspective of my challenge-at-hand. 

I'm not a psychologist, but I have a little tip:  

Next time you are met with a challenge or disappointment, 

go to that place of quietness where you can take some deep breaths, settle your spirit, quiet your emotions, and talk to your Creator.  Jesus is waiting for you, to lead you and guide you 

through the valley of the shadow of death.  

You will come out stronger, ready to get back in the race and shout, GERONIMO!

After running my first 1/2 marathon.
VICTORY!

A word for someone out there in Blog Land: 

Keep running your race--at your own pace.  

God is not finished with you.  

Look around.  

Someone is watching you, whether you know it or not.  

Point them towards heaven with the life you live.  

You lead, not with only the words you speak, but by example. Through your writing, your art, your gift of hospitality, your smile.

Holding forth the word of life;

that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.

Philippians 2:16

I wish you smooth running and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com