Lady Traveler Travels the 7 Seas on a WWII ship

~ You cannot discover new oceans until

you are willing to lose sight of the shore ~

Photo of me on deck of the MS Restoration, raising my hands to God,
thanking him for a successful--and challenging--voyage!

Have you ever had a day when everything was going great ...

dancing on the deck of a ship in the middle of the Mediterranean ...

when suddenly, out of nowhere,

there's a rifle staring you in the face?

Well, that was me.

Entering the port of Sochi, Russia in 1995 to pick up Russian Jews.
Liv, the beautiful ship's nurse, and I on deck of the MS Restoration.
Note: Liv went to heaven on August 2017. She had recently married,
and was a strong pro-life advocate in Norway and Sweden.
She is missed.

I'm going to take you back to 1995.

Here is Chapter One of my book:

1

July 1995

Within minutes of the MS Restoration's entering the Haifa harbor, an Israeli gunboat sped from the port and circled the World War II vessel.  Two soldiers aimed their deck-mounted machine guns at the ship. Another soldier shouted instructions in Hebrew through a loudspeaker.

     The captain of the MS Restoration responded over the ship's radio, "Please speak to us in English!"

     Rosie grabbed the rail.  "Do they think we're terrorists?"

     Jesse touched her arm.  "Rosie, calm down."

     "They think we're pirates."

     "Just calm down," her husband repeated, holding her hand.

     "Will they make us jump overboard?  I don't have my life jacket," she spoke, fighting back her fear of water that was trying to surface once more.

     "Rosie, you must get hold of yourself."

     Her mind raced as she gazed up at the man who'd brought her on this unpredictable journey.  Jesse's right.  What's come over me? Rosie asked herself, all the time wishing she didn't have to go down below to the head.  She didn't dare leave his side.

     The ship, her fellow crew members, and their special passengers--the Russian Jews--had finally reached their destination.  No more troubled waters.  No more hurricanes.  No more delays.  On this hot July morning, they were home free--or so they thought.

     Rosie looked at the crew, poised as if they were ready to hit the deck.  "Isn't this ironic?  We've traveled halfway around the world, and this is the welcome we get."

     "Stop your engine!" the soldier shouted.

     Within seconds, they were dead in the water.

     Rosie's stomach churned.  She hung her head over the side of the ship and let it rip.  She wiped her mouth with a hankie, then grabbed hold of Jesse's arm.  She'd heard stories about people who'd experienced close calls.  Her seventy-year-old father once told her about the time his ship almost went down in the China Sea during the war.  "At that moment, my whole life passed before me," Talmage said.

     Feeling lightheaded as the Israeli soldiers glared at the Restoration through their binoculars, Rosie wondered if this was her moment.    

end of Chapter 1

(60-second video of crossing the Atlantic Ocean, sailing by Istanbul, and Israeli gunboat in Haifa Harbor is available on my website)

After being in mothballs after WWII,
this is the MS Restoration after dry dock in Seattle, Washington 1994.
The beginning of her complete make-over. Isn't she pretty?
Believe me, she was a mess!
What began as a week of volunteering, Rob and I stayed 14 months
as volunteers on her maiden voyage to Haifa, Israel.

Map of Restoration's 1994-95 maiden voyage from Seattle, WA to
Panama, Stockholm, Sweden. Scandinavia. England.
Latvia.  Greece.  Russia.  Israel.
I visited places I never dreamed of.
And a few places that I had.

We sailed under the two bridges of Istanbul, on our way to the Black Sea.

One of many lessons I learned during this journey:

If God can bring an old ship out of mothballs and use her for such a time as this,

how much more he can use us for that which he has planned for us.

The crew truly saw God do great things before our eyes,

on shore, and mile after nautical mile at sea.
Many miracles.

I consider it an honor to have been chosen to be a small part of God's prophetic word

to help bring the Jews home to Israel.

Always remember,
it's never too late to say yes to what God has called you to do.

Whether big or small, the task that he has chosen for you is 

GREAT in his eyes.

The Restoration transported almost 2,000 Russian Jews

before she was laid to rest.

If you haven't read my book, jump on board

for a great adventure!

Until then,

I wish you oceans of travel blessings!

Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem,

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

Isaiah 12:6

You can order at www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

or go to my website:

www.sharonleaf.com

My 72nd year portrait

Lady Traveler ~ No place like home for Christmas

Lady Traveler is home for the holydays!  

I'm re-posting this blog from last year (2016) because the message is the same.  

Enjoy, and I'll chat with you next year.  2018!

Christmas in our first South Carolina home in Fort Mill, 2006
The mural painting was in the house when we bought it.
The canal reminded us of when we lived in Uppsala, Sweden in 1991-92
so I kept it and created a little cafe where the Le aRtist's Studio
met each month to share our dreams. 

There's no place like home for the holidays,

No matter how far away you roam...

Fa-la-la-la-la, la la la la!


On the other hand...
For a few moments while we were on the road

traveling cross country in Moon River, our 40-foot motor home,

the thought came to me,

I could do this...full-time.

Everyone is so busy at home...

No one would miss me.

Everywhere Moon River took us,

the wide open roads seemed to be 

beckoning me,

from Route 66 in Springfield, Missouri

across I-70 through Kansas and Colorado.

Even on the I-15 from Utah to California,

the desert, the hills, the blue Pacific

I heard them calling...

Come, stay with us.

Like my Daddy, I have a spirit of wanderlust.

I'm a happy wanderer.

A gilded gypsy.

A vagabond.
A sojourner.

I've traveled the USA by bus, bike, train, plane, car and RV

HOWEVER, like my sweet southern Mama,

I'm a homebody.

I love to nest.

I adore my little treasures

from around the world.

Russia, Siberia. Latvia. Estonia.
Turkey. Greece.

Sweden. Norway. Finland.

England. France. Spain. Italy. Germany.

Israel.

There are more countries but I can't seem to remember.

That's what treasures are for, 

to remind us of those places where we first saw them, brought them home, and 

found a special place for each one.

beLeaf in your dreams and they will come true.
Believe.

Some day I might have to part with these treasures, but not today.
And the highways and byways will have to wait.
Because for now, I'm singing ...


There's no place like home for the holydays,
where
family and friends gather
to celebrate
the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.


No matter what you believe,
I wish you oceans of holyday blessings!


And she (Mary) shall bring forth a son,
and thou shall call his name JESUS:
for he shall save his people
from their sins.
Matthew 1:21


and He still does.

Lady on the Sea is available:

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

sharonleaf.com

S-S-S-Seventy, the new Seventy...who da thought. Part 1

"S-S-S-Seventy, the new Seventy...who da thought - Part 1

"Lord, Can You Use Me?"
(the answer is "YES")

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
You have made my lot secure
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Psalm 16:5-6

Hello...it's me.
A week after turning seventy, I was asked to speak to over a hundred ladies at Red Bank Baptist Church on the theme, "Lord, Can You Use Me?" Afterwards, I asked the Lord, "did you use me?"

Why is it that after we study and pray and do everything possible to share what the Lord has given us, our insecurities try to steal our joy?  I should be used to that by now.  After all, I am seventy.  I'm sure some of you have experienced this, so that's why I'm going to share--in a nutshell--two reasons that keep me from saying yes to God when he has a great--and sometimes scary--plan for me.
(taken from my somewhat organized notes).

The #1 reason is FEAR.  There are several kinds of fear. One is the fear of stepping into the unknown.  Oftentimes Jesus has asked me to come out of my comfort zone in order for me to totally rely on him.  Now, I know there are several of you who are saying, "I don't need God's help; I can do it myself."  That's nice, but I assure you that there will come a time when you will hit a brick wall, throw up your hands, and humbly admit, "God, I think I need your help on this one."

Fear of man will paralyze you.  When I was in eleventh grade I took a speech class because I loved to write and wanted to learn how to write formal speeches.  What I didn't know was that I had to give a speech from what I wrote.  The thought of speaking in front of a room filled with varsity football players made my head spin and my stomach churn.  My sixteen-year-old body was experiencing fear in the first degree.

After giving a successful speech, still standing in front of al of those cute football players,  I fainted and woke up underneath a table with Toby-the-darling-quarterback holding my hand.  Embarrassed is putting it mildly.  At that moment I resolved never speak in public again.

Well, God had different plans.  Throughout my life I have been asked to speak, share--whatever you want to call it--to various groups...Singles Ministry, Bible school classes, women's groups (USA and international), garden clubs, assisted living, where several dozed off within 5 minutes (great for the ego), book clubs, book conferences, and book signings.  Each time I speak I recall one of my favorite verses to overcome my fear of man: 

He gives power to the faint and 

to them that have no might he increases strength.  

Isaiah 40:29

MS Restoration sailing over the Pond (Atlantic) from Seattle, WA to our first port, Stockholm, Sweden

Personal fears cause stress, anxiety, and illness.  After spending a week working on a WWII ship in Seattle, WA, I knew God was asking my husband and I to volunteer for a 14-month term to be part of her maiden voyage.  After saying yes to God, I suddenly remembered, "Eeek!  I can't swim!"  Fear hit me like a mighty wave.  I began plotting how I could get out of this situation until the Lord gave me two comfort verses:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you... Isaiah 43:2

Thus saith the Lord, which taketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters...Isaiah 43:16

MS Restoration's maiden voyage '95.
Arriving in Sochi, Russia after my heart attack in Athens, Greece

FEAR struck me in Athens, Greece 
when I was experiencing what I later discovered was a heart attack.  
After living on board this old ship that was ready to sail to the Black Sea to 
transport Russian Jews to Israel, this old gal was determined to sail to Sochi, Russia. 
I would not fly home.  
Why? Because God's Word says:

My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is the strength of my heart,

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

I will share the #2 reason for not saying yes to God in my next blog.  Can you guess what it might be?  I will share some personal examples on this hot topic.

Until then, wherever your feet may take you,
I wish you oceans of blessings

Read my book for details of my travels
www.sharonleaf.com

A Special 'Thank You' to my readers...

Christmas 1994 on board WW2 ship MS Restoration
Stockholm, Sweden

Christmas is here and I want to take a moment to say a 

warm, heart-felt thank you to all of you out there in Lady Leaf Land 

who have bought and read my book, 

LADY and the SEA.* 

There are too many of you out there to thank personally, 

but you know who you are.  

I run across people at the market, social events, and of course all the emails, 

telling me how much you loved my novel, based on my true story.

I can honestly tell you that writing LADY was a 

Labor of Love.  

God has taken me to over fifteen countries 

where I have had the honor to meet the most loving, sweet people 

(Russia, Siberia, Latvia, Estonia, Turkey, Israel...just to name a few), 

so I wrote about my life's journey up until 1995.

The beautiful woman I inspired
to take a risk and be gutsy!
2013

As I mentioned in my last blog, I entered my 500-word essay in the

"Have you inspired someone to take a risk and be gutsy?" contest.

I won!!

  

Have you ever inspired someone?  

You might not ever know about it in this world.  

The only reason I know is because I asked on Facebook and 

Regina responded immediately.  

WOW!

So I'll share my story, "I Inspired Someone to Take A Risk and Be Gutsy!"
to remind you that there is
someone watching and listening to you. 

It was 1991.  

I was forty-four, happily married, and co-pastoring a large singles ministry with my husband, Rob.  Did I mention this was my third marriage?  

I'm not proud of that fact, but life's journey isn't all glitter and happiness.  

With four grown children between us and three grandsons, 

I wasn't prepared for God's gutsy request for us to leave California to 

attend an international Bible school in Sweden...for a year!  

How could He ask me to move when my daughter was about to deliver my first granddaughter?  Besides, we loved pastoring our singles ministry.  

Well, not our ministry...God's ministry.  

Over a hundred singles of all ages showed up every Friday night for fellowship and to 

worship the Lord, 

not to mention the summer and winter camps, sprinkled with fun ministry outreaches.

After much prayer, Rob and I made the decision to lease our house, sell our cars, 

take a sabbatical, and leave our family behind.  

We had no idea how we were going to financially pull this off, 

but we experienced--step by step--when we say yes to God, He will meet our every need, 

from Rob finding leather gloves hanging in a tree as we 

traveled home on a bus one freezing December afternoon, 

to a surprise January birthday gift from my California friend, 
a check in the exact amount needed to purchase a pair of much needed snow boots 
(thank you once again, Shirley).

Returning home was like starting over--

new jobs, buying a used car, putting our house back in order, 

and paying off a credit card that helped take us to Israel and Siberia after graduation.

From the beginning of this journey, 

there was a twenty-three-year-old single woman watching, praying, participating.  

Although Regina's job didn't pay much, she sent us a monthly donation of a hundred dollars.  

Like us, Regina wanted to experience God in a new, fresh, and powerful way, 

so I encouraged her to stretch her faith and experience the unknown.  

In other words, take a risk and live a gutsy-for-God kind of life.

Rob helped Regina get her finances in order, 

so in 1992 she quit her job, packed up and moved to Sweden to 

attend the international Bible school.  

And God supplied all of her needs.

When people ask, 

"Why did you go all the way to Sweden for Bible school?" 

I simply answer, "Because God asked me to go."  

Sweden was a door for me to walk through that 

led to many other gutsy doorways.

People ask Regina why she went all the way to Sweden and 

her answer is the same, but she adds, 

"there was this gutsy woman, Sharon Leaf, who inspired me 

to lose sight of my safe shore and dive into a new ocean."

I didn't know this until I placed a message on my Facebook page, asking, 

"Is there anyone out there who I inspired to take a gutsy risk?"  

Within minutes, Regina answered.

Today, Regina is still inspiring!

End

LADY and the SEA
My legacy

Again, thank all of you for the kind words you've given me after reading 

LADY and the SEA.  

Now, pass the book along to someone who needs to 

find hope for their forgotten dreams.

I wish you oceans of CHRISTmas blessings and a Happy New Year!

www.sharonleaf.com
Available on www.amazon.com, Ebooks, and my website.

...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

To Sochi, With Love ~ Part 1

Me and nurse Liv Kersti in Sochi Harbor 1995
on WWII ship MS Restoration
Behind us is the seaside town of Sochi
directly behind are the mountains where the skiing events will take place

He protected us on our entire journey 

and among all nations through which we traveled.  

Joshua 24:17

We don't know how the 2014 Winter Olympics will turn out next month, but I know of a very successful event that took place in Sochi that is written down in God's history book.  I was a small part of this prophetic journey.  That is why I was compelled to write Lady and the Sea, a novel based on my true story.

The photo above was taken on the deck of the MS Restoration June 23 1995 in the Sochi harbor.  The day was clear, warm and full of electricity.  After fourteen months on board the WWII ship, we had finally arrived in Sochi, Russia where we would pick up and transport eight Russian Jews to Haifa Israel.  A small group, yes, but it was our 'breakthrough' trip for the thousands of Russian Jews that would follow, free of charge.
Note: You never know when your own 'breakthrough' moment will take place, so stay alert.

For security reasons, the crew was told to stay on board except for the captains and those who loaded the large crates that were filled with the Russian Jews' personal belongings.  And Rob.  How he got permission to set foot on Sochi soil, I'll never know.  Neither will he.  Only God.

Next week I will write an excerpt from Lady and the Sea that tells one of the more emotional moments of my journey.

As we each travel our own journey, 

Who knows where their paths will lead?  

We take one step at a time and trust God.  

God is great.  God is good.

Knowing this will give us peace to take the next step.

www.sharonleaf.com

This Christmas, I'm a Stay-at-home Traveler

Christmas at the Leaf's
beLeaf in your dreams

For unto us a child is born ...
A Savior ...
Christ the Lord!

Christmas is my favorite time of year, especially if it snows like it did several years ago when we lived in Fort Mill, SC.  Snow or no snow, it is very cold, windy, and rainy, with a touch of sleet and snow flurries, creating a holiday atmosphere in our small southern town.  I'm more than content to stay at home around the fireside and celebrate Christmas with loved ones.

I feel blessed to have more family members close by.  Our daughter's mother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and their three dogs moved to Lexington last month.  New homes, new beginnings.  Of course I would love the rest of the fam to join us, but I leave that in God's hands.  

It's not even New Year's yet and I'm already looking forward to a new year to focus more on my writing.  I have a book to finish (Lady on the Run); today I registered for the Writer's Advance Boot Camp at The Cove in Asheville, NC in February; I've been asked to share my book, Lady and the Sea, at The Golden Hills Garden Club.  And that doesn't even touch on all the family events, church activities, and friend gatherings.  And I think Rob has a big Christmas gift surprise for me up his sleeve (a trip to Paris?  Israel?).  Yep, that's what retirement is all about.  Enjoying life and serving God.

A few of my favorite things ...

Me and Teri (Jacquie's mom-in-law)
enjoying the snow at Riverbank Zoo
December 2013

All I want for Christmas is

little 'Popcorn'

Jacquie, Destiny and me at

The Riverbank Zoo

Christmas 2013

My ice skate tree

The love of my life

Istanbul 2008

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas 

and oceans of blessings for the New Year

www.sharonleaf.com

Order Lady and the Sea for the readers on your Christmas List!

Lady Traveler's Gutsy Story -- VOTE today!

WWII ship, MS Restoration
I was a volunteer for 14 months on this fine lady

I was invited to share my gutsy story, I Sailed the Seven Seas on a WWII Ship and Lived To Tell About It and it is nominated to be the July winner.  All you have to do is vote for me on the following blog:

www.soniamarsh.com

I'm up against four other wonderful, inspiring gutsy stories so it will be a close race.  May the best story win.

Russian Jews awaiting to arrive in Haifa, Israel

I Wish You Smooth Sailing and Oceans of Blessings!

My gutsy story based on my book

www.sharonleaf.com

From Israel to the Interstate, I love to Travel

Sailing from Sochi, Russia to Haifa, Israel on the MS Restoration ('95)

As I watched the The Bible series on the History channel the other night, I was taken back to the days when Rob and I traveled through Israel.  The Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, Masada, and ahh, the Holy City, Jerusalem, surfaced from my memory bank.  David's citadel, the Upper Room, the old city, and my favorite place, the Western Wall where I placed my small, white piece of paper between the stones.

Rob and I at the Western Wall

Rob and I have traveled to many countries and found each one unique.  But no matter where we travel, or live, what makes up the places where we are?  The people.  It's the people who add flavor, zest, and wonder to that particular corner of the world.  Cultures are different, so the people are in so many ways.  In my travels, I took the time to get to know the Swedes, Norwegians, Finnish, Russians, Estonians, Latvians, Turks, Greeks, Israelis.  And of course I have to add that their delicious food and delicacies was icing on my cake! (note: I write about my travels in my novel, Lady and the Sea)

When we moved from sunny Southern California to sultry South Carolina, it was a big adjustment.  More for Rob than me.  I was born here so I was returning to my southern roots.  But Rob is a beach boy at heart.  Thankfully, we are only a few hours from the east coast shores, and we can visit our hometown of Huntington Beach periodically, but this is our home now.  We are surrounded by big-hearted folks who have taken us in like their own children.  Pretty nice since we're in our mid-sixties.

Driving down the Interstate

So remember, wherever you travel, near or far ... wherever you live, on the west coast or in the heartland, get to know the people around you.  Those are the ones that God has placed in your lives, whether for a small season or for years and years and years to come.

I wish you smooth driving and highways of blessings!

And remember ... there's NO PLACE like HOME

At the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God.  

So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest  

Hebrews 4:9-10

www.sharonleaf.com
www.sharonleaf.blogspot.com

Waving farewell to 2012!

MS Restoration sailing from the Black Sea to Israel in 1995

Let Christ navigate you through 2013

May this year be the year you wave farewell to your safe shore,

and dive into a new ocean of dreams that will lead you to your God-given destiny.

Through rough seas or silky waters, your Captain will guide you to safe harbors.

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the New Year!

MS Restoration crossing the Atlantic in 1994
(from Seattle, WA to Stockholm, Sweden)

(photos by Julie Langaker)

The Day after Christmas

One of my favorite pastimes ... laughing! Big and loud, like my Mama used to do.

Ahh, the day after Christmas.  After a grand time with family on Christmas Eve and Day, a calm silence has fallen throughout the house. So I will take this time, upon request, to post an interview about a simple southern belle ... ME!  I'm part of a blog tour, similar to the old fashion chain letters we used to send.  So pour a cup of coffee while I indulge myself for a few moments.


Where did the idea come from for Lady and the Sea?
I was a volunteer on the WWII ship, MS Restoration, for fourteen months back in 1994. Upon returning home from sailing the seven seas, when I told stories about the miracle ship, people insisted, "You must write a book about your adventures!" They are right, I must write! I told myself.  And so Lady and the Sea was born.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition of Lady and the Sea?   Who should play Rosie, the main character?  Oh, that gorgeous, classy, talented brunette ... ugh,  what's her name? Can't remember.  Oh well.  Then my second choice would be Sandra Bullock.  Now, for Rosie's prince charming, Jesse?  Without a doubt, Tim McGraw.  Hmm, now that I think about it, didn't Sandra and Tim star in a movie together?

On board the MS Restoration in Stockholm, Sweden 1994

Give us a synopsis of Lady and the Sea? After two failed marriages, forty-eight-year-old Rosie Atkisson struggles through the process of rebuilding her life with her husband, Jesse. But the settled rhythm of her new found comfort is interrupted by a tug in her heart when she encounters a photo of another aging lady, the World War II ship, MS Restoration. A special mission to transport Russian Jews from Sochi, Russia, to Haifa, Israel, means an adventure of a lifetime; does she dare pass up this dangerous assignment that will take her thousands of miles from her family and her comfortable life? In spite of her fear of water and the unknown condition of the ship, Rosie says farewell to her safe shore, and dives into this new ocean. After fourteen months on board the old ship--from hurricanes to a heart attack, from miracles to menopause, and being held at gunpoint in the Haifa Harbor--Rosie wonders if she will ever return to her own safe harbor.

Is your book self-published or traditional published? After much prayer and research, I decided to self-publish. The best investment I made was to hire a professional editor. It's worth the money to make your book shine! I'm proud of Lady and the Sea, thanks to its fine editing.

Crossing the Atlantic in 1994

How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript? Two years. Then after much prayer and research (as you can see, I do a lot of both), I changed the story from a non-fiction to a novel, based on a true story.  Another two years. Yes, I'm slow, but sure.

Who or What inspired you to write Lady and the Sea? The history of the WWII ship, then sailing the seven seas with her, inspired me to share our story with the world. Her past and my past had many parallels (when I heard that the government put her in mothballs after the war, I immediately identified with her--I put myself in mothballs after my second divorce!). It was actually fun to tell the tale of two aging, lovely ladies.  Together, we prove that it is never too late for dreams to come true.

Russian Jews arriving in Haifa, Israel 1995

What else about Lady and the Sea might pique the reader's interest? The ship's sole purpose was to transport Russian Jews from the Black Sea to Israel. Hundreds donated gifts, and their time; miracles showed up daily on the deck.  If you love to travel and are looking for true adventure with sprays with romance and sprinkles of humor, and if you desire to find faith for your forgotten dreams, then Lady and the Sea is the book for you.

Thanks for reading! Next Wednesday, please visit the following fantastic author, Rosemary Hines, to read about her new books and her works-in-progress at www.rosemaryhines.com

You cannot discover new oceans until you are willing to lose sight of the shore

Can't Sleep; Count Sheep

Going over contract with publisher

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Two a.m. When I can't sleep, and all else fails, what to do? Write a blog. I have much to think about, but most of all, I have much to be thankful for. I lay in bed, counting my blessings which appear in the form of little white sheep. Wait a minute...that's not a sheep...that's Popcorn! She's supposed to be asleep too. Oh well. Get up, tip-toe to my office and sit a spell, and write. Great idea. It doesn't matter if anyone reads this or not. It's great therapy for a tired body that refuses to sleep.

Memorial Day. Thanks to all the thousands of men and women who have given their lives for my freedom, and yours. I pray safe-keeping for all those who are out there protecting us (I'm thinking of you, Brandon).

My heart is full of joy. My girlfriend, Tia, told me today, there should be a way to bottle this joy and sell it...we'd make a million. But then we realized that each one has to find their own joy, their own way. We call ours "Le Jesus Joy"--and it's free. Splash it on, and you will immediately feel the difference.

My manuscript is with the editor, so now I wait for my turn at the wheel to edit/change/keep/re-write, etc. The process is such a wonderful adventure...a real dream coming true.

We're still praying about where to go on our next mission trip. Istanbul was a blessing two years ago. I dream about Israel, but we shall wait for God's direction.

Rob's daughter has lived close by for five years. Now my daughter, along with husband, daughter and two dogs, are moving to South Carolina. They realize the value of family, so we look forward to making more wonderful memories together--another dream coming true. Carrie is getting married in November, which will bring yet another great guy to the clan--and I'm sure a dream of hers coming true!

Sleepy yet? A little. Off to bed I go, to count sheep...I mean, to kiss Popcorn goodnight. Rob? Not to worry. He's been asleep for hours. He's such a good boy. Another blessing. Now that I think about it, I'm ready to cuddle with my two blessings.

Nightie-night, and see you on the radio!