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

Lady Traveler travels to Heaven ...

I Dreamed I traveled to Heaven ...

... I wasn't in a plane over Belize ...

It will happen in a moment,

 in the blink of an eye,

when the last trumpet is blown.

For when the trumpet sounds,

those who have died will be raised to live forever.

I Corinthians 15:52 NLT

... I wasn't in a hot air balloon over Paris ...

I was in my dream,

last Friday night.

And no, I haven't seen

"Left Behind." 

Suddenly,

I was lifted up off the earth,

traveling fast!

Before I knew it

I was in the clouds,

then above the clouds.

Clouds of orange, purple and yellow.

"Yikes!" I thought,

"This is really happening!"

Then I awoke.

I didn't know if I was relieved 

or disappointed.

I thought I was ready,

but the magnificent event took me by surprise!

Most Christians think about the coming rapture,

but no one really knows when this miraculous event will take place.

Some of our family and friends don't even believe in the rapture.

Hmm, perhaps you don't.  Well,

I do.

They think we are Crazy. Weird. Strange.

That's okay.  I'm not trying to win any popularity contest.

I know what the Bible says.

That's why I believe.  I serve a big GOD.

Do you?

What concerns me and saddens me are those people who think 

Christians are Crazy. Weird. Strange 

will be 

left behind.

I certainly don't have all the answers.

I have studied the Bible through the years.

I have studied other religions, 

but all roads led me back to

The Holy Bible.

My 'rapture dream' felt very real,

not like I was dreaming at all.

This particular dream reminded me that we can be

outta here in a flash!

Just like in the movies!

But one day, it will be real.

Will you be left behind?

For GOD so loved the world,

that HE gave HIS 

only begotten SON.

That whoever believes on Him,

will never perish,

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

Therefore be ye also ready:
for in such an hour as you think not,
the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 24:44

God loves YOU, and so do I.

www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com

NOW ...

Pour yourself a cup of coffee,

 click on the link below,

 and listen while Rob and I share our journey on 

Christian Devotions Radio.  

I hope our story will inspire you to 

lose sight of your safe shore and dive into a new ocean!

Christian Devotions Speak UP! REBROADCAST Sharon Leaf 09/04 by Christian Devotions Speak UP | Christianity Podcasts

Thank you for joining us on our journey.  

To know more, you can purchase 

Lady and the Sea on 

amazon.com Amazon.com 

and also available on ebooks.  

I wish you oceans of blessings in your endeavors!

I Dreamed I Traveled to Paris ~ Part 2

NOW, moving right along ... 

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel

until he comes home and rests his head on 

his old, familiar pillow.

There is the city life,
and there is the country life.

I like the city, but I love the countryside.

France has the best of both worlds

and for eight days I experienced both.

It was a breath of fresh air to leave Paris for a day

and travel through the Seine Valley

to the village of Giverny.

Claude Monet's home in the village of Giverny, France

Monet Gardens, Giverny, France

Monet Gardens, Giverny, France

Meanwhile, back in the city ...

Paris Opera Garnier

                                    Paul McCartney performed at this beautiful opera house.

I would have bought tickets if he had been in town.

Oh well.  

I shall be content with memories of Garth Brooks in Las Vegas.

When I ask someone, "How was your trip?"
I'm disappointed when they answer, 

"It was okay. Actually, a waste of time and money."

How sad.

Every trip has its ups and downs.

Choose to embrace the ups, and let go of the downs.

That way, you will have sweeter memories.

On the other hand, I'm disappointed to arrive at a destination

that everyone has exclaimed,

"Oh, it's perfect!"

when in reality I'm thinking, No its not!

There are usually downsides on every journey.

When we were in Costa Rica in May the mosquitoes followed us, 

along with the humidity.

As for Paris? Well, the crowds were bothersome; followed us everywhere, 

taking away from the romance and ambiance of the beautiful city.

And I will share this fact with those who ask

in order to prepare them ahead of time.

However, I still choose to cling to my fond memories.

And I close by saying with a sigh,

There is no place like home.

So, wherever you travel,
whether to the market or to another country,
Think of each journey as a fond memory.

Now I must fly away!
Until we meet again, 
I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings!

I know what it is to be in need,

and I know what it is to have plenty.

I have learned the secret of being content.

Philippians 4:11-12 NIV

www.sharonleaf.com

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