I Dreamed I Traveled to Paris ~ Part 1

We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly,

but let us never lose sight of the reason for the journey,

or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.

I always dreamed about Paris.
Now, in my sixty-eighth year, my dream came true.

La Vien Rose

Our eight days in Paris lingers in my mind.  

Warm memories to last through the coming cold winter.  

Paris' September weather was like summer, reaching the mid-70's.  

Luckily, I brought a white sleeveless silk blouse, 

(you will see re-runs of my wardrobe in my pictures,  

a downside of packing only a carry-on and large purse).  

Upside: I don't have so much to unpack when I return home 

(Rob is smiling; he taught me well).

Our hotel was a block off the Champs Elysees

Our four days with our Swedish friends, Danne and Birgitta were carefree. 
Oh, how Birgitta loved traveling through the city on the underground metro.  

Oh, the hundreds of stairs.  And oh, my left knee!  

But Lady Leaf is a determined, tough traveler, 

even with accumulating blisters on toes from 'too-tight-comfortable' shoes.  

Yeah, right.  And I know better.  Oh well, keeps me on my toes.

Yes, we ate--and sunned--at
many cafes along our journey

I adore goat cheese melted over toast

The architecture throughout the city is breathtaking.

The Opera House, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the museums.
I don't care to travel with tours, but they have their positives:
They do all the planning and thinking for you
(no wrong turns, no lines)
Negatives:
Strict schedules, no sleeping in, no napping when needed,
no exploring and/or getting off the tourist trails. 

If you'll be taking your first trip to Paris, I recommend taking a 2-day bus tour, 

hopping off whenever and wherever you choose.
(unless you love the metro and thousands of steps)  

Of course, spend a few hours boating up and down the Seine, day or night.
Spend an extra twenty+ minutes over lunch ...

...  a little street shopping and/or

... indoor shopping at the La Fayette.

My friends had wonderful suggestions of where I should go while in Paris.
There are websites and books galore.
I chose 'Walking Paris' pocket guide by National Geographic.
I studied the map closely--right bank, left bank--
then told Rob,
"I am creating my own journey.
Relaxing.  Fun.
Memorable."

Have you been to Paris?
Take a moment to share your own journey with me
(leave a comment)

 As you travel your journey, remember,
Let God direct your path
and you will never go wrong.

My foot has held fast to His path;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.
Job 23:11 NASB

More to come next time!

www.sharonleaf.com

Traveling to a place where there is HOPE

My brother's garden in Zion 2009*

Unto the upright there arises 
light in the darkness;
He is gracious, and full of compassion.
Psalm 112.4

There is so much turmoil happening in the world that 

I my day-to-day problems seem trivial.  

Just when things start settling down a bit, 

there's another news flash

(this week, in the state of Missouri), 

the continuing conflict between Gaza and Israel, 

Russia and Ukraine,

ISIS terrorist genocides and the 
be-heading of an American journalist,

and the suicide of comedian/actor Robin Williams.

Flying over island off Belize 2010*

Its hard for me to sit at my computer to

write, re-write, and edit my next novel,

Lady on the Run

when the world is crumbling around us.

Does anyone else feel this way?

So I haven't written much lately,

but I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying.

Mostly praying.

I know there are many people out there in Blogland

who are hurting.

Your situation seems hopeless,

like Robin Williams.

You may be fighting depression.

Or worse.

But wait!

There is help. 

You just have to reach out and ask for it.

To start somewhere, in the privacy of your home,
I ask you to PLEASE 

go to our church website, www.newspring.cc

go to bottom of page to Sermons, click on the Overwhelmed message #2

"Spanx, Sickness and Suicide"

It may save you.

(Pastor Perry Noble shares his personal journey

with depression and suicidal thoughts;

yes, pastors are human too).

Our former hometown, Huntington Beach, CA*

Why am I sharing this?

To promote my church?

No.

I want to reach out a hand to let you know that someone cares.

I care.

Jesus cares.

Crying out for help--

--from others and from God-- 

may be the strongest moment of our lives.

Hope comes with help from God and others.

Costa Rica 2014*

If you're not be experiencing 

anxiety, depression or suicidal thoughts,

you may know someone who is.

Reach out in love, not condemnation.

You may be the one who changes their direction.

*i thought a few of my nature photos would make you sigh, smile, and feel that there is HOPE.

www.sharonleaf.com

...if I perish, I perish....

(I wrote this post in 2014.  Since that time, since the recent terrorist attacks, the French Jews are now making Aliyah (moving) by the hundreds, possible thousands, to Israel.  Thus my reason for reposting while I finish my recent post.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.)

WWII ship, MS Restoration, at sea

...and who knoweth whether thou art come

to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

ON A SERIOUS NOTE:
Have you ever wondered why you are living now

rather than in the 1800's, the 1900's, or earlier?  

I have.

Personally, I'm glad I didn't have to wear those long, bulky skirts, wash my laundry by hand, and walk fifty feet to an outhouse.
(oh my, I just realized that there are those who still
do the above...hope I didn't offend anyone!)  

  

Lately, however, another thought has crossed my mind.  

God has called me to live in these last days for a purpose.  

For such a time as this.

WWII ship MS Restoration

FLASHBACK:

God planted a love for Israel in Rob's heart 

in the early '70's when he lived on the West Bank.

God planted a love for Israel in my heart 

in 1991 when I was in Bible school in Sweden.

Rob and I were volunteers on the
MS Restoration for fourteen months in 1994-95.  

This old WWII ship was put in moth balls 
by the government after WW2. 
Why?

For such a time as this.  

Together, we transported Russian Jews 

from Sochi, Russia to Haifa, Israel.

Seattle, WA to Stockholm, Sweden;
Shoreham, England to Athens, Greece;
Black Sea to Israel

He protected us on our entire journey 
and among the nations

through which we traveled.  Joshua 24:17

We stand with Israel

Whether or not you believe the Bible, 

you only have to watch the news or read the newspapers

to see a rising in anti-Semitism.  

Thousands of Jews all over the world 

have begun their journey (aliyah) to Israel.

We don't have the full picture yet, 

but God's Word predicts certain events 
shall begin to take place in Israel in the last days.

Don't take my word for it; 
read God's Word for yourself.

I KNOW ONE THING:

I have been created for such a time as this 
to take a stand for Israel.

And like Esther declared, 
if I perish, I perish 
(Esther 4:7)

When Esther was asked to go before the king
to save the Jewish people,
she had to make a decision:
Put her life on the line, 
or keep quiet and live.
We don't know what would have happened 
if she had said no to the request, 
but she said YES,
and the Jews were saved.

LESSON:
Is this YOUR moment? -- If it is, then don't miss it! 

QUESTION:

Do you want God's blessings or curses?

I made my decision in 1992; 

Hope you will too.

I will bless them that bless thee,
and curse him that curseth thee...
Genesis 12:3

I Will Stand with Israel Ralley
Charleston, SC 2012

Read the book of Esther, a very inspiring story of adventure and making right decisions.

To order Lady and the Sea: go to www.sharonleaf.com or www.amazon.com

Travelin' north to North Carolina

Joys come from simple and natural things; mists over meadows,

sunlight on leaves, the path of the moon over water,
water fights with the family.

Aiming at my granddaughter!

We laughed so hard we cried!
(Granddaughter Destinee)

I apologize for my absence from Lady Traveler,

But hey! it's summer!   

I'll make this short and to the point because

 I'm having a wonderful fun-filled summer.

I'm not taking much time to sit in my office

at my desk on my iMac.  My choice.  No guilt.

Instead, I'm spending an hour a day at the clubhouse pool

getting in my hour swim.

No lounging because I get enough sun swimming; 

the sun's reflection doubles my tan

so I make sure I put 70Block on my face). 

Sun block and an umbrella

 I'm also volunteering a few hours a week at our church office, going to visit Gi-Gi (Rob's Mom),

assisting Rob in business matters,

writing, and going on fun outings with family and friends.

Road trip vehicle, Rob's baby.
Ford Edge Sport with paddle shifters & 22" rims

We'll be taking a road trip to Winston-Salem, NC this week-end

to see our daughter.

We haven't seen her or her hubby in a year

so we're looking forward to our reunion.

In the midst of our sunny summer, lets take time to pray

 for those who are going through hard times, for our country, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  

Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem,

because the Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes.

Isaiah 12:6 NCV

I wish you smooth summer sailing and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

Travelin' Across Town To A Birthday Party

Destinee at an orphanage in Mexico

My quick, unedited blog (gotta get ready for a birthday bash):

Twenty-three years ago the sweetest little baby girl was born.

I drove her Mama (my daughter, Jacquie) to the hospital

(I think Tom thought it was another 'false labor').  

It was the typical So-Cal morning traffic, way too slow, 

bumper to bumper.  Jacquie was in labor.  

I was praying while driving (not the same as texting).  

Over the past weeks she had had several 'false labors' 

so I was familiar with the freeway to 

Kaiser Hospital in Anaheim Hills.  

We made it to the hospital just in time for little 

Destinee Taylor Blake to pop out 

(yes, Tom made it to the hospital in time) 

and our lives have been on a fast-track ever since. 

Destinee is my only granddaughter 

(I have three grandsons, thanks to Rob's daughter), 

so you can imagine the dilemma I had when we 

had to leave for Bible school in Sweden 

when she was only six weeks old.  

Whew. Tears. Doubts (am I doing the right thing?)  

But God honored our faithfulness to His calling by 

bringing Tom, Jacquie, AND baby Destinee to 

Sweden for New Year's.  

Two weeks with my sweet lil' darling was my shot in the arm to 

get me through the snowy Swedish winter.  

Then six months later, after touring Israel and 

trekking through Siberia for a month, 

Jacquie and Destinee flew to Sweden for two weeks, 

then we all flew home together.  Double blessing.

Okay, as you can see, this is MY story, so it's all about 

me, Destinee, and God's faithfulness.

LIFE LESSON:

Trust God, obey Him, 

and He will give you the desires of your heart.  

God knew I was longing to see my granddaughter, and Voila!  Thank you, Lord.

A few summers ago
eating at Mellow Mushroom with family

FAST FORWARD:  

Rob and I moved to South Carolina eight years ago, 

and after many plane trips back and forth, 

Tom, Jacquie, and Destinee moved here three years ago

and live fifteen minutes away.  We didn't plan it.  

We still laugh about it.  God did it.  Life can't get much better.  Well, yes it could.  

Son Shawn and wife Frances could end up here.  

How cool would that be?  

But when I pray, I always pray for God's will for my family, 

not my will.  

Destinee loves her mud runs

The 3 GLITS Gals*
*(Girls-Living-In-The-South)

Whether on a mud run, on the mission field, or 

working as a make-up artist for MAC Cosmetics, 

Destinee is a gifted, talented, God-loving young woman.  

She loves her family and friends, but most of all, 

she loves God.

I love Destinee more than words can say.  

Now that I think about it, she has followed me wherever I go ... Sweden, Seattle (when we lived on a WWII ship)

and now South Carolina.  

That says a lot about our love for each other. 

Today, this Grama prays for God's will 

to be accomplished in her granddaughter's life.  

And Destinee, if you read this, 

I wish you smooth sailing on life's journey, 

and oceans of blessings,

Love, Grams Leaf  

www.sharonleaf.com