Unity in our Community

 Unity in our Community

Some of our Boardwalk Babes!

I only have less than an hour to write this blog,

so I'm just going to cut to the chase and copy and paste what I wrote on 

Facebook and our "Boardwalk Babes" group a few minutes ago.

I'm so proud and thankful for our little community.

Read on:

10/27/22: The Boardwalk Babes had another wonderful Thursday eve "Faith, Fitness & Friendship" gathering. We all agreed how thankful we are to be living in a community that 'reaches out' to each other in times of need. I won't mention names, but each one of us can be used by God to encourage and help those around us. After all, we are His hands and feet down here. He tells us what to do, and we obey. That's what makes our community special. No hard feelings, no harsh words or 'grumpy' looks...just a wave and a smile will do!

We closed in prayer for our family and friends, our community, and our nation.

 

"Unity for our community!"

This says it all. God wants to do a mighty work in our family, friends, community, our nation ... BUT He needs our hands and feet to do the work!

Are we ready? I pray that I am. Each morning my simple prayer is:

"Lord, let me be a blessing, not a curse, to those around me."

I'm not perfect, but who is? If you think you are, then you just blew it!

Our time is at hand. At 76, I want every day to count,

only if I spend time praying for those around me.

I love my neighbors. I feel blessed to know each one.

We're all different, but we can learn from each other if we allow the time.

October is almost over and November brings lots of thankful days.

Now I must go ... my Robinski awaits to haul me off into the sunset!

This verse popped out on my daily verse:

"And now abide faith, hope, love,

these three;

but the greatest of these is LOVE.

I Corinthians 13:13

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

A New Decade. A New Season

A New Decade.  A New Season

At every crossroad, follow your dream.
It is courageous to let your heart lead the way.

The holidays are coming to a close.

A thankful Thanksgiving.

A joyful Christmas.

The ringing in of a new year.

A new decade.

2020.

Like most of you,

I've been pondering on several things that I plan to change.

(I do not call them New Year Resolutions).

I recently received a rejection of my manuscript

Lady on the Run.

(due to a wonderful editor having to retire for personal reasons)
Disappointment. Questioning my writing gift
(even though the editor loves my story and my writing).
Lots of emotions involved that all writers experience.

So I came to a crossroad and had to make a decision.

Do I continue on until my book is published,
 Or,

do I put it on the shelf and forget about it,
like I did forty years ago?

For this moment in time ... neither.

However, I have decided to lay down my writing for a season.

Writing takes hours upon hours of time spent in front of the beloved computer.

At my golden age of 74 next month,

I'm choosing to cherish my last days, months (years!) on earth

by focusing on

Spending more time with family, friends, and neighbors.

Volunteering locally.

Researching subjects that are near to me, such as Israel.

Reading.  Taking longer walks.

And lots more.

I'll be spending less time on social media and more time 

reading and studying my Bible.

And talkin' to Jesus.

I know, I know!  I can hear all of you dedicated writers saying,
"You can do it all! Just be more organized ... be more .... "
I am organized.  Well, somewhat. Now that I'm a
RED* (Retired-Extremely-Daring)
I often get distracted ... it's the elusive butterfly syndrome.

But whatever else I'm doing (even washing the dishes), I have this little voice whispering in my ear,
"You should be in your office, pounding on your iMac, writing, writing, writing!"
And that little voice is what I want live without for ... maybe a month, or two ... we'll see.

Sunset from our back patio 2019

I recently read about a friend/writer who did this, and she found a new sense of inner peace.

Relaxing instead of stressing about her next blog.

This was another confirmation of what I need to do.

Ahh, yes ... the right thing for me to do ... for a season.

Until Lady on the Run* is published,
you can enjoy my adventures on the high seas in my book
Lady and the Sea
(available on Amazon.com)

As you ponder and pray for God's direction for your next season in the coming year,

I wish all of you, my dear friends, 

oceans of happy and prosperous New Year's blessings!

My aim is to raise hope by pointing the way to life without end.

This is the life God promised long ago--

and He doesn't break promises.

Titus 1:1 (the Message)

*Lady on the Run now available!

www.amazon.com/author/sharonleaf.com

Lady TraveleR is back on the island.

Lady TraveleR is back on the island

On the Road again ... foR the last time?

I no sooneR Returned fRom my wRiteRs confeRence

than Rob planned a Road tRip foR us.

Yes, I was getting Restless,

but a road trip so soon after I returned home?

"We're only driving up the road," he said.

"We're going to Dreher Island?" I asked.

"Why not? It's one of our favorite hangouts.

Besides, this might be the last trip before we sell her."

That did it.  I almost forgot that we're planning to sell
Moon River, our beautiful home-on-wheels.

"Yes, we shall go to Dreher Island," I replied with a note of sadness. 

I'm glad Rob had the bright idea to spend some days at Dreher Island State Park.

Pure serenity and peace to be surrounded by the
tall pine trees, the chirping birds, not to mention all the friendly campers.

So here we are, camping on Lake Murray in our motor home, 

just an hour north of our cozy condo on ...

Lake Murray.

I'm glad that God put the bright idea in Rob's heart to come here.

where there are less distrRactions.

Today I'm typing aways at our little table in Moon River,

sipping on FolgeRs, glancing out the window

at the same lake I admire every day from our patio.

We've enjoyed many sunny days at Dreher Island on Lake Murray
Prosperity, SC

But at this moment I'm looking at the lake from a different angle.

This might be the last time I'll be glancing out the window of our

home-on-wheels.

Wheels that has safely taken us thousands of miles to over 

25 states in the past three years.

Sadness and thankfulness fill my soul.

Campsite at Dreher Island State Park, one of our favorite getaways.

I continue typing, trying to fill my mind with thoughts of what to write

in my next blog for the Retired and Good Living website.

Then I stop and say a little pRayeR.

Sometimes that's what we have to do with our present situations.

Instead of looking with our narrow minds,

we need to pray and ask God to show us our
circumstances from His angle.

For you it might be your relationship with your mate, a friend, a neighbor, or a recent loss,

a change in lifestyle ....

Now, I can turn my thoughts to an unwritten blog,

chapters that needs to be revised ....

Yes, I'm really enjoying my days here at Dreher Island,

just an hour north of our home on the same lake,

in my home-on-wheels,
perhaps for the last time (tear).

I shall Rejoice in the LoRd foR all that He has done for me,

and foR what He has foR me in the days to come.

www.sharonleaf.com

www.retirementandgoodliving.com

Lady Traveler is now welcoming fam and friends to Leaf's Lake House

There is no place like home.

Author unknown?

Thanksgiving Sunset 2018 (untouched)

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the skies announce what His hands have made.
Psalm 19:1

3 1/2 weeks of packing, tossing, and donating.

Two weeks of unpacking, tossing, and donating.

Then came Thanksgiving.

Our day of relaxation and eating.

and eating. and eating.

Friends dropping by Leaf's Lake House

Sunset from our veranda with Popcorn and friends

Ahh ... the first day in weeks that I've sat down in my new office.
I've really missed writing.

I turned on my iMac and decided to write a quick blog.

Nothing deep.  Just a simple message of

THANKFULNESS.

The recent months have been filled with

hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and fires.

Our hearts and prayers must continue to

reach those in need, both near and far.

My thankfulness sounds like yours.

Thankful to God for

Family.  Most anyway.

Extended Families: community, church, interest groups (my writing buddies).

Friends.  True friends.  Near and far.

Our homes.  Big and small.

Our country.  Freedom!

The list goes on.

Thank you for listening to this old Lady Traveler who loves

to travel, loves to write ... (who hates to move!) 

but who loves life! 

What do you love to do?

What are you thankful for?

Take a moment to thank God for ...

I wish you oceans of Christmas blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com