"From Challenge to Change to Courage...God's Master Plan" for your Life! Introduction

"From Challenge to Change to Courage ... God's Master Plan" for your Life!

Introduction

A Swedish chandelier that I wanted to bring home in my carry-on!

I've accumulated various titles along my journey ...

Lady Traveler ... Gypsy Mama ... Road Runner ... Wild (power) Walker ...

... Amazing Author (I just made that one up)

... The Almost-Famous Author ... that's me!

For my next season of writing I'm going to take a shift.

Fourteen years ago (2006) when we moved from Southern California to Fort Mill, South Carolina,

I landed a great job working in the H.R. office at Books-A-Million (traveling included!) 

I soon began attending weekly meetings for working Christian women.

One evening after an energized session I was asked by the founder of the non-profit organization  

if I would write her blog.  "I just don't have time!" Jane blurted.

"And I love your blogs," she added.

She did?  Jane actually had time to read my silly ol' blogs that sometimes 

ramble and drift down bunny trails?

I was new at this whole blog experience, but what could I say?  

As I gazed into her tired, blood-shot eyes, I accepted her offer.

Yes, success oftentimes leads to frustration.

Jane's red eyes teared up, she smiled, then threw pages of notes on the table.

"Here. Take my notes and make the blog your own," Jane said.

One of my favorite places ... Florence, Italy ... Tuscany!  I shall return!

 So now, my eclectic ladies, near and far,  I'll be sharing my 

"From Challenge to Change to Courage" blog with you!

Whether you're a working mom, a stay-at-home mom,

a single gal, a retired lady (like me!)

there's something for everyone.

Here's a small sample:

Today's women are facing many Challenges.  Challenges that call for Change.  Speaking from experience, I can tell you that Change can be scary, but as we trust in the Lord we realize that God allows Change for our benefit.  However, when we're going through these Challenges and Changes we sometimes 

cannot see the forest for the trees.  

But when we allow God to direct our path, 

Courage comes on the scene ...

then anything can happen!

Next time we're going to talk about God's perfect timing, 

Until then,

Keep reading, and

keep that body movin'!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

http:/www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's Journey with brother John Part 2

(UPDATE on brother John at the end of this blog)

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of striving safely 

in one pretty and well preserved piece,

but to skid across the line broadside,

thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting

GERONIMO!!"

Up and Away ... Brother John and me on our Mexico cruise
(Cabo San Lucas)

The above quote describes me on most days,

(especially the 'thoroughly used up' part)

because then I know that I've accomplished something,

no matter how small.😓

I felt like this on my "Making Memories" cruise last week

with my brother John, Ger, Christie, Todd, and my Robinski.

Since returning from our California/Mexico trip last week

I haven't done much in the way of communicating to anyone.

Just me and my thoughts,

and Robinski and Popcorn, which is adequate for the moment.

Today is the first day that I've felt like sitting myself down in front of my iMac
in Lady Leaf's Lounge.

I don't know how long I'll sit here so I'll type

the first thoughts that come to mind.

As I wrote in my previous blog,
the purpose of our Mexico Riviera cruise was to 

spend time with my baby brother John.

He was and is my priority,

so whatever he felt like doing, I did.

I followed him around like a puppy.

Watching every move.

Listening to every word.

Holding back tears.

Wondering if these might be the last words I would hear him speak.
(I'm just being honest)

THEN, I told myself, "SNAP out of it, you little baby!

Where's your faith, hope, and love?"

Or maybe it was Jesus speaking to me, not sure.

The first day on board after breakfast, we were walking on the top deck exploring,
when suddenly he stopped and unashamedly said,

"I'm going to my cabin to take a pill and rest."

Me and brother John having dinner on our first night at sea.

I did a lot of talking to myself on the cruise (silently of course),

and even more, talking to Jesus,

especially at night when I returned to our stateroom at the back (aft) of the huge ship.

I'd wrap myself in the long white robe that the large Havana staterooms furnished,
(remember, this was the LAST cabin available when we called!)

and go out on our spacious veranda to 'sit and sip'

while watching and listening to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean kicking up waves below,

and sometimes counting the stars in the sky.

These were some of my favorite moments on our cruise ...

Each night sitting, listening, watching.

These moments took me back to my fourteen months when we sailed
the seven seas and three oceans on the WWII ship Restoration back in 1994,

only this time on a ship that had stabilizers and air conditioning.

The view from our balcony on the Carnival Panorama Mexico Riviera cruise.
the deck below is private for "Havana staterooms" ... two jacuzzis and a serenity pool. 

Morning coffee and evening wine on our spacious Havana balcony 

Each day I silently listened as John shared his heart with me.

Pure straightforward honesty.

I wasn't going to bring up half the stuff he talked about,

but he is so brave, and honest, and funny.

He made talking about stage 4 cancer seem easy,

until he began to speak about leaving his beloved family behind.

Yes, we shed tears together,

but knowing where his strength and his hope comes from,

gives us both courage to face each day that God gives.

Taxi boat to shore in Cabo San Lucas (our ship in the background. Big, huh?)
Christy, John, Ger, and lil ol me!

We shared a week of fun and laughter,
combined with somber, yet peaceful moments.

A glass of wine with John, a margarita with Christy in Cabo and Mazatlan,

and gallons of coffee on board with everyone.

My humble, kind, loving, and funny brother.
Last day in my cabin preparing for departure.
How I hate to leave my baby brother.
A prayer and a kiss,
Until we meet again ....

There was more but I'll ponder those memories in my heart for now.

Upon John's return home to Zion, Utah, his doctor 'installed' a port.
He will not go the chemo route.

Instead, John is now waiting to be approved for
"Keytruda immunotherapy."

I will keep you posted.

John and our family appreciate your concern and prayers,
more than you'll ever know.

(Update below)

I am blessed to have a humble, kind, loving and funny man of my own!
I love you Robinski, especially in Cabo!

I wish you oceans of daily blessings!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run* in such a way as to get the prize.

I Corinthians 9:24

*For whatever reasons, many of us can only walk. 

That's okay, as long as we're moving toward the prize that is set before us ...

Eternal Life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

UPDATE MARCH 2022:

Two years now, and the Keytruda therapy is no longer helping.

The cancer has spread.

John's doctor gave him two options:

Chemo or hospice.

At this writing he is choosing chemo.

He is weak, yet strong in spirit, never complaining,

only speaking the reality of his journey.

Rob and I are on standby but at this writing we'll be driving to

Utah the end of April to spend precious time with him.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

A miracle is appreciated.

Sweet precious brother John went to heaven

March 25 2022

Lady Traveler in Spain... Barcelona! Part 4

Spain in the Fall



Most new discoveries are suddenly-seen things that were always there.

Part 4
Our European Trip September 2017

Famous church. Amazing architecture

I've slowed down on my blogging due to
Life happenings.
I'm sure you understand.


I want to begin where I left off on our last European journey ...


The train from Valencia to Barcelona was scenic and very enjoyable.

Ticket included a nice little breakfast and COFFEE!

Once we arrived in Barcelona,
it was easy to travel to our hotel via taxi.

The hotel was nice. Hot breakfast was available in their cafe.

Our days were filled with touring the beautiful city

and hanging out near the port and the beach.

Beautiful architecture abounds in Barcelona!

Of course, Rob found an authentic Tex Mex restaurant just around the corner.

The owners were from Texas and had moved to Barcelona many years ago.

The food was delicious and the atmosphere was welcoming,
so we returned again before leaving for Sweden.

Little Tex Mex restaurant around the corner from our hotel.

I was determined to walk Las Ramblas
where the terrorist attack happened last August 17th.

I spoke with a young man who made his living by
transporting tourists in his bicycle-buggy.

He still feared driving up and down the walkway

so I encouraged him to take it slow.

"By you just showing up here daily shows that you are

overcoming your fear a step at a time."

He smiled at my encouraging words.

The famous walking street, Las Ramblas, 
where the terrorist attack occurred.

From Las Ramblas, we walked the bridge to the beautiful port of Barcelona,
ate lunch, and sat on a bench to 'people watch',
one of my favorite pastimes.

Port of Barcelona.  Yachts galore!

We spent two days basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean Sea.

We had perfect weather in Italy and Spain.
Our next stop will be Sweden.
Cloudy, rainy, and cold,
but oh so nice after many days of very warm weather.

Can you see why we love to travel?

I have details of this journey on my Facebook page.
(Food, places to stay, etc.)



Our next stop will be Sweden.
We'll be flying to Stockholm to visit friends for 10 days.
Until then,

Wherever you travel, 
take time to smell the roses, the salt air, the pine trees
and most important,
stop to chat with the people that God has placed in your path.



I wish you oceans of travel blessings,
wherever you are!



For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten Son.
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish
but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's thoughts on Palm Sunday

For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten Son.
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

Not all roads lead to heaven.

Easter is the time to remember and celebrate
the death and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Oh, happy day, Oh happy day,
when Jesus washed my sins away.
(love that song!)

When I recently read an article on Facebook

about Universal Christianity* I felt both anger and sadness.
The article compelled me to write this blog because the Bible warns us that
in the last days many will be deceived, even the very elect.
Don't become another statistic to fall for such lies.
oops ... did I step on someone's toes?
Well, come along for the ride anyway.
It might get a little bumpy but it'll worth the trip.

Jesus said,

"I am the way the truth and the life.

No man comes to the Father but by me."

John 14:6

"For the Son of man came to seek and save those who are lost."

Luke 19:10

Good deeds are good, but not enough to get anyone to heaven.

There is only one way:

"Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin."

Hebrews 9:22

Jesus said,

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,

that I might take it again.

No man takes my life from me,

but I lay it down myself.

I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again."

John 10:17-18

Jesus said,

"Thou could have no power at all against me,
except it were given you from above: 
therefore, he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin."

John 19:10

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all,

to be testified in due time.

I Timothy 2:5-6

During this Easter season take time to read the gospel of John (new testament) and 

you will read Jesus' loving and lifesaving words to you and to me.

As you study the Bible, remember to keep the gospel simple.
Don't be deceived by Universal Christianity.

Jesus loves you.  He chose to die on the cross for us so we can have eternal life.
It is our choice to come to him. 

Jesus said,
In my Father's house are many mansions ...

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again and receive you unto myself;

that where I am, there you may be also."

John 14:2-3

Jesus is coming again soon.

~I wish you oceans of wise choices~

*For more information regarding Universal Christianity go to:
http/biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2017/03why-hoping-all-men-will-be-savedis.html

http/theheresyofuniversalsalvation.html

www.sharonleaf.com

My 72nd-year photo

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.