Advice from Lady Traveler: from Russia to Israel to the USA, be aware of your surroundings

It's a big world we live in!

Since my first trip to Russia in 1991, Rob instructed me, always be aware of your surroundings, so whenever I travel abroad, I'm on the lookout for unusual sitings.  Today, more than ever since the Boston Marathon bombing, I'm keeping my eyes open here in the USA.  In the supermarket.  At the local mall.  Yes, times are changing fast.  Israel has lived for years with this type of terrorist attacks.  Now, again, terrorism has reared its ugly head on our American soil.

I'm not writing this blog to be political or religious, and this isn't meant to be a Bible study, but when I was recently in California visiting friends of different backgrounds, certain topics always seemed to surface:  How can such bad things happen to good people? Did God do this?  On and on.

I don't claim to have all the answers, but the Bible talks about these subjects.  So I'll make it as simple as possible.  If you want more details, you can study further via your Bible.  So here goes.

There were three archangels in heaven, Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer.  Lucifer was the worship leader; he was a beautiful, anointed cherub, perfect in all his ways, but as the years went by (thousands, millions?), iniquity (evil, distortion) was found in him.  Because he desired to be like (as God), Lucifer was cast to earth (Ezekiel 28:12-17; Isaiah 14:12-14).  One third of the angels decided to follow him, now called demons (Revelation 2:4).  Satan brought this evil and distortion with him to earth, and he is temporarily the prince and power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), going to and fro, causing as much havoc as he possible can because he knows his days are numbered.

When I became aware of this revelation, it helped me to understand why evil abounds all around.  But God gave us a way out ... he sent his son, Jesus, and through His death and resurrection, we have power over our enemy, the former archangel Lucifer, now called Satan, or more familiar--the devil.

TiP:  Go ahead, open your Bible and turn to John 3:16.  Once you start reading, you won't want to stop!  Until then,

I wish you smooth sailing ... be aware of your surroundings ... and yes, oceans of blessings and waves of peace in the midst of all turmoil.

www.sharonleaf.com

Making my way back Home ... slowly.

Central Coast, CA

After spending two weeks in SoCal, I'm home.  Home sweet home.  I still have jet lag.  I had JL when I was in SoCal, but I fought it because we had places to go and people to see, but now that I'm home, I can see through blurry eyes that my calendar is clear, so I'm giving into JL ... sleeping later ... naps  ...  slower walks ... no phone calls, emails ... well, perhaps just a Facebook entry or two. 

Besides my 'Lady and the Sea book launch' party last year, our SoCal trips have always been focused on family, but this trip was unique.  This time we connected with friends; I lost count at forty.  The older you get, the more friends you accumulate.  Most were 'spur-of-the-moment' hook-ups (Hey, if you're free in thirty minutes, let's get together!)  Those who weren't able to hook up on a moment's notice, we'll catch next time ... if there is a next time.

Friends are like jewelry ... there's fine jewelry and then there's costume jewelry.  You ask me why I just wrote that?  My answer: I have NO idea!  I'm still suffering from jet lag.  I knew when I sat down at my iMac that I would be rambling on about whatever, and I was right.  So, on that note, I shall close and come back later ... after I've slept in, and after a few more naps.  Until then,

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings!

Costume jewelry ... priceless

www.sharonleaf.com

Spring Break

Stay tuned .... Don't go away ... I shall return ... Just taking a Spring Break.  Decided not to blog while on holiday.  Too busy visiting fam and friends.

I'll be chatting with you soon!

www.sharonleaf.com

Travelin' Three-Thousand miles To...

Huntington Beach, January 2012
Looks like summer to me!

Dog sitter: check.  House sitter: check.  

Notify post office: check.  

Somehow I'm forgetting something.  

Oh, yes!  I must pack.  

For me, the most challenging part of traveling is 

figuring out what to pack, 

especially since I travel with only one carry-on and a large purse.  And Aunt Eunice is no help at all. 

"Darlin', shouldn't you take a see-through dress?  

After all, you are going to California!  

Who knows who you might run into!"

I can only sigh and answer kindly, 

"Aunt Eunice, I don't run around with the same crowd as you."

So I will throw a few things in my old, basic-black carry-on

that has been around the world a few times.  

Why buy a new one when the old one still works? 

I can hear my beloved Mother saying.

I feel strange flying to California and 

not staying with our kids, 

(Tom and Jacquie now live 20 minutes from us).  

Our son, Shawn, and his wife moved to 

Washington almost two years ago to follow their dreams.  

Not much family left in SoCal.  

So we opt to stay in a little Best Western on 

Pacific Coast Highway in our former home town of 

Huntington Beach.  

Nice, but strange.  

After we have a private memorial service for my Daddy, 

then handle some unfinished business regarding our 

former H.B. house, 

Rob and I will pack up our stakes and travel like 

nomads for the remaining eight days.  

We figured as long as we had to return to the west coast, 

we might as well take a mini-vacation.  

The Central Coast beckons, 

so we'll visit friends along the coast highway.

Yes, times change.  

Family has moved, but so glad we have 

special friends to reminisce with while we're there.  

Afterwards, I'll be happy to return to our home in the south 

where folks take time to chat, 

you can openly talk about Jesus, 

pack a you-know-what (with a CWP* of course), 

and spend the summer sipping sweet tea.

Hoping to see some of y'all in California!     

Sunset in Surf City, CA

Here's wishing you oceans of sunny blessings,

Sharon Leaf, the almost-famous author

(*Concealed Weapons Permit)

www.sharonleaf.com

He has risen indeed!

Sunrise service on Lake Wylie in Tega Cay, SC, 2011

Rob and I rose early to attend Sunrise Service at Saxe Gothe Church down the road.  Afterwards I got so blessed when we dined at IHOP.  Each time we gave a "Happy Easter" to someone, they would reply, "He has risen!" and we answered, "He has risen indeed!"  And when we dropped by to see Mom at Oakleaf Village, the lovely elderly folks replied in unison, "He has risen indeed!"  Oh, how I love the south.

I wish everyone oceans of blessings on this day of celebration of our Lord's resurrection.

"He has risen!  He has risen indeed!"

www.sharonleaf.com