16 days in Costa Rica ~ Part 1

First 2 and last 2 days in Playa Panama, Costa Rica

Two roads diverged by the sea,

and I -- 

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference.

Part 1

Trekking through Costa Rica for sixteen days 

in a small 4X Suzuki was Rob's idea, 

and I'm glad I decided to go along for the ride.  

Costa Rica was on Rob's Bucket List so 

he made the flight arrangements, 

found several boutique hotels online, 

rented the 4X, and the rest 

we made up along the way.

Part 1 

will give you some suggestions on 

what to pack to make your travels easier, 

whether you're traveling through Central America or 

the USA.

 I'm not a professional travel guide, but 

I've been around the block a few times...

...Russia, Siberia, Greece, Israel, Estonia, Sweden, 

to name a few.

Standing next to our rented 4X Subaru with my teal backpack and Rob's basic black

First, travel light.  

Rob told me while packing for our first trip to 

Russia and Estonia back in '91: 

"Take only what YOU can carry."  

As I slowly began removing items that I thought I needed, 

I later realized this was good advise for women 

who think they must bring several outfits per day, 

loads of make-up, skin and hair care, and  jewelry galore.  

As for me, I've learned to be a light traveler because 

I dislike having to come home and unpack.

Since this trip's destination was Costa Rica in the summer, here are a few suggestions.

Plane travel: White casual roll-up pants that 

I only wore on the plane (Old Navy); 

striped vintage t-shirt

 layered with a beige pullover (Free People) because 

planes are always cold; 

walking shoes (Sketchers Moving Foam) that I only wore on plane; 

watch, earrings, bracelet. That's it.

Backpack and purse (TJ Max)
Blue clothes carrier* fits perfectly in backpack.
Zipper carriers* for undies and cosmetics fit in backpack with ease.
Don't forget your journal!
*I bought mine at AAA on sale but you can find them at TJMaxx

Backpack: 

In my clothes carrier: 2 pairs of White Stag walking shorts, white and tan (Walmart for $7.98); 

2 vintage cotton striped tops (Loft); 

2 sleeveless tops (Belk); swimsuit (TJMaxx) and a 

cover-up (also used as a sundress). 

Shoes: walking sandals (Easy Spirit @ Belk); 

I lived in my blue flip-flops.

Cosmetic/accessory carrier: 3 oz. bottles of shampoo, moisturizers, lotions, wash cloth 

(some smaller hotels do not offer these items), 

razor, deodorant, etc. 

Undies carrier: 8 lower, 3 upper (sports bras), 

nightie.

It was Costa Rica's rainy season so 

I stuffed a roll-up rain jacket in it's little pouch 

but didn't use it--too hot!

Purse: 

In case of emergency I carry my make-up case 

(only wore lipstick and eyeliner most of trip); 

med-case for my 3 prescriptions and vitamins; 

small butt pack with passport and money; 

small wallet; toothpaste/toothbrush; 

mini-iPad; iPhone; pen/journal.  

Bored yet?  

I'm almost finished.  

Breath mints, kleenex, sani-cloths, comb and hair clip.  

I'm leaving something out, but I can't remember what. 

Oh, yes...on day 8 we did our laundry at the Bula-Bula Hotel.

White sleeveless,
morning or evenings
Costa Rica

Blue striper wears morning or evening
(wore this hip hat once at
a coffee plantation in the rain forest 
Monteverde, Costa Rica

I wore these flip-flops everywhere.

  

A Necessity I forgot: 

anti-diahrea pills in the event that 

Montezuma's Revenge finds you. 

Rob went to a local pharmacia to get me some help.  

Day 13 found me in bed all day, and 

MR followed me home for a week, so pack the pills!

Part 2 will take you 

On the Road with Lady Traveler and her 

sidekick, Robinski (Rob's Russian nickname).  

Hold on because our journey could make you a little car sick.  Faith, Food and Friends will be the topic of Part 3.  After all, isn't that what traveling is all about?

Running on the hot sand at Playa Pirates, Costa Rica

Until next time, 

I wish you smooth sailing and 

oceans of blessings 

on your hot, summer days.

Put your hope in the Lord.

Travel steadily along His path.

Psalm 37:34 NLT

www.sharonleaf.com

WheReveR you tRavel, Relax!

Spring at Mid-day in our backyard

Walk on a rainbow trail; 

walk on a trail of song, 

and all about you will be beauty.  

There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail.

Not much time to write today

due to preparing the house and garden for the 

Golden Hills Garden Club fiesta tomorrow night at 

Leaf's Lake House.  

Instead of dreading the 'spring cleaning', 

I decided to dig in, a little at a time.  

Now I can stand back and admire my clean cottage and 

lovely gardens.  

Rob has been a big help with my spring-cleaning-honey-do list.  

He just gets sweeter as the years go by.  

Well, we do have our moments but we still enjoy 'make-up s--'  (this blog is rated PG so not sure if I can spell out the word sex...

oh well, too late now).

Early morning spring 

TIP: 

After cleaning and gardening, 

remember to pour yourself a cup of coffee or sweet tea or wine, 

and travel down the path to your garden and 

appreciate God's creation.  

Relax and thank Him that you have working hands and feet

--even a bum knee--to accomplish your daily tasks.  

I've always dreamed of having a garden...to sip coffee...to read...

...to write...to dream.  

Mmm, so nice.

Now I must continue re-writing my manuscript 

Lady on the Run.  

Bye for now!

I set my rainbow in the cloud, 

and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between 

me and the earth.  

Genesis 9:13 NKJV

I wish you oceans of sunny spring days sprinkled with a few refreshing showers!

www.sharonleaf.com

Traveling through Time

Jacquie's 48th Birthday
Me, Jacquie, and Destinee (my granddaughter)

As we travel on life's way, we meet with angels everyday.

Our daughter turned forty-eight last week.  

When did my sweet little girl grow up to become this 

charming, beautiful woman?  

If we could only hold time in a bottle.  

If we could remember every moment.  

But life isn't that way.  

Where was I when I was forty-eight?  

On the WWII ship, MS Restoration, as a 

volunteer on the maiden voyage from Seattle, Washington, 

to Stockholm, Sweden, and 

ultimately sailing to the Black Sea to 

transport Russian Jews to Haifa, Israel.  

Wonderful memories.  

Glad I can remember.

in my little cabin on WWII ship MS Restoration 1994

I'm not feeling poetic today.  

Words are not coming smoothly.  

In fact, my mind is a bit cloudy from all of the 

different directions it is going 

... planning Rob's mother's 90th birthday ... 

... planning our Costa Rica holiday... 

... attending meetings for the opening of NewSpring Church-Lexington ... 

... making doctor's and dentist appointments ... 

... just your ordinary daily activities.  

I have mine.  You have yours.

In the midst of our daily routines, we must 

take time to sit, relax, reflect, meditate, and pray. 

That is where our peace flows from.  

The Lord is waiting for us to calm our minds and focus on Him, even for ten minutes.  

He enjoys our friendship. 

Before I sat down at my iMac, 

I had so many great thoughts to share.  

Now I cannot remember them. 

Happens a lot lately.  

So I write what's on my mind at the moment.  

Take time for loved ones.  

Send a note.  Make a phone call.  

Take a short visit.  Plan a lunch date.  

Surely you can think of a kind gesture to make someone happy.  

I did.

Mary and Me
Morro Bay, California 2013
We haven't changed much!

Mary and Me
Half-marathon day 1982

The other day I picked up the phone and 

called my 90-year-old friend, Mary, who 

lives near Morro Bay, California.  

She was so happy to hear from me so that made MY day.  

We didn't talk long, just long enough to share our love. 

 I love traveling to see Mary.  

You see, she has been my mentor for years.  

We ran our first half-marathon together 30-some years ago 

when we both lived in southern California 

(I write about it in my upcoming book, Lady on the Run). 

 That's one great way to bond, wouldn't you say? 

Whether near or far, I see Mary's smile, hear her laughter.  

She loves the Lord, has a glass of evening wine, and has 

stayed active through the years.  

Mary still takes short hikes up the hill behind her house 

(with an escort now).  

She didn't know she was my mentor until I told her on the phone.  

I wanted her to know how much her life had influenced me.  

She was stunned and happy at the same time.

Today's Tip: 

Make someone happy today.  

Has someone influenced you?  

Have you told them yet? 

 Lets remember, it's not all about us. 

I sometimes need someone to remind me of this.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, 

for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.  Hebrews 13:2

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!

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