Good and glorious Autumn morning to you, my sweet Siestas! Would you believe that it is actually under 112 degrees here in Houston? Everyone in the city is in such a great mood. Even at a four-way stop, drivers wave for you to go right ahead and turn in front of them. No one even tried to run me – the leading cause of road rage in America – off the road for my slow driving. The first few days of cool after a long, hot, humid summer in Houston are like Heaven on earth. All 3 million of us are so happy.
I’ve been on an excursion since I last talked to you. My man and I had planned a four-day getaway to our favorite place on the planet for this past weekend but the evening before our flight out, he had to cancel over a work issue. I was heartsick. My son-in-law Curtis felt so sorry for me that he told Amanda he wanted her to book a flight and join me. We couldn’t find available seats on Thursday so I went ahead and she joined me on Friday.
The Teton Mountains are my happy place. Years ago a group contacted the ministry and said that if I’d come and speak, they couldn’t provide an honorarium but they’d put me up in a modest condo for a week. I’d never been to Wyoming before and I asked a well-traveled friend about whether or not he thought I should go and he answered me with one question, “Are you out of your mind?” So I went. I had one of the strangest sensations of my life when I stepped off that plane for the first time. I felt the word “home.” I still can’t explain the feeling but I get it every time I go and those visits are now way more than I can count. I wasn’t raised in the mountains so it doesn’t make sense. Don’t get me wrong. I know what beautiful looks like. I was raised in the rolling hills of Arkansas in a home perched amid the piny woods. My older sister and little brother and I practically lived in a tree house built between two tall pines by our Dad and our Papaw. When our feet touched the ground, we shaped rooms out of pine needles in our imaginary house. We never played in doors in those days. Such good memories of bag swings and beetles. I love my home State. But for some reason I have the soul of a mountain girl.
So do my daughters. As my plane began its final descent into Jackson Hole on Thursday afternoon, I – a consummate rule-keeper – longed so much for Amanda and Melissa to be with me and feel the thrill that I – yes, I – slipped out my I-phone and clicked a picture (on airplane mode) from my window seat. It was this:
Michelle had made my flight and rental car arrangements. I’m not much of a car person and usually don’t know one make from another but it was so much fun to walk out to the designated spot down the Avis aisle and discover a cobalt blue mini hummer. I didn’t get a picture of it but AJ did later in our trip. Maybe she’ll insert it here later.
I drove straight to Albertsons and got a few necessities then drove out to Teton Village and checked into a hotel. Things can be really fancy out there and art work is a pretty big deal. For some reason, though, this piece of fine art in our hotel lobby amused Amanda and me. Sorry it’s not centered better. I was getting ugly looks while taking it.
Hmmmm. A fine piece indeed.
You don’t go to the Tetons to sit in your room so as soon as I dropped my stuff off, I headed straight into Teton Park. God was so sweet to me. I was sad that our plans to spend a long weekend in the mountains together (Keith and I) had not worked out but God went out of His way to tell me He was there. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that within 20 minutes I’d seen a juvenile bear, a female moose, and several bull elk. I tried to get pictures with my cell phone but it was nearly dark and, needless to say, I couldn’t get close enough to get them to say “Cheese!”
The next morning I headed to my favorite bagel place in the area. It’s in Wilson, Wyoming and they make their bagels and stir up the cream cheese right there on the premises. They scorn toasters and hang a hand written sign on a chalkboard that says “We don’t toast our bagels. We serve them (all caps like this) FRESH.” OK then. I won’t have mine toasted. I love to get a Honey Sunflower bagel with Honey Walnut cream cheese and sit out at one of the picnic tables in the back to eat it. I took this from that spot:
I kept an eye on my watch while I ate my bagel and drank my dark roast and gave myself plenty of time to head to the airport to pick up Amanda around noon. I was the kind of happy to see her that you are when you haven’t seen your loved one for a year. It had been one day. We were hungry so we headed into town to eat at one of our favorite little restaurants. It’s called “Sweetwater” and the cranberry chicken salad sandwich on toasted raisin bread could almost give you a lump in your throat. We paid out then walked the square but weren’t really in shopping moods. The woods were calling. But, we did see these in one store and reflected on them for quite some time. There are times when the only word that comes to you is “Why?” The hand model is AJ.
We dropped Amanda’s stuff off at the hotel and headed straight to Jenny Lake. I cannot count the times I’ve hiked around that gorgeous place, often alone and other times with Amanda and Melissa (Keith is not quite as taken with hiking as we are. Maybe because I can out-last him in the altitude. He’s very athletic but I have him there. No brag. Just fact). Melissa was a dizzy mixture of happy and sad while her sister and I were in the Tetons. She’s wanted to join us so badly but couldn’t make the schedule work. She kept texting us with messages like, “Send me a pic!” with tandem feelings like, “No, don’t! Yes, do!” These spots on the hike do NOT do justice to the scene but I’ll show them to you if you’ll magnify them in your imaginations by about 100 times.
Yes, that is the Grand. She’s far more powerful in person.
It is already autumn in the Tetons.
The next day we hiked again a much longer way and had the greatest time. We love to eat at Signal Mountain Lodge after a good hike and watch the sun go down over Jackson Lake. I don’t have a picture of it because I’ve taken a thousand of them over the years but imagine it lovely. It’s main attraction is Mount Moran. On our last evening after dinner, Amanda and I decided to take a little stroll around Teton Village and see some of the houses that had been built since our last visit. We got to see a house we’d rented for Thanksgiving several years in a row way back when and also stood in front of the house where “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things” was taped. It brought back so many memories. Some good. Some painful. It’s just painful material. While we were walking (in a housing development no less) we somehow got into some mud. Amanda kind of freaked out and bolted from her shoes lest she perish in Teton quick sand. Don’t scorn her for not wearing boots at this point. We were taking a stroll through a neighborhood. Not climbing the Grand.
This is her in the aftermath before I braved the quicksand and retrieved her shoes. She looks like she did when she was about five years old in this picture.
While we were on that very walk with no expectations but to gaze upon dreamy mountain cabins, God had delights for us.
Foxes. And, yes, that close to us. It was getting really dark when I took this one and I had to enlarge it and crop it for you to get the idea. It’s not really post worthy but I might as well show it to you. They were just chillin’ at this point.
It was not the trip I had planned but it was a wonderful trip nonetheless. God was so gracious to us and the weather was spectacular, the sights restoring to our city souls. Thank you for taking a stroll back through it with us.
So, that’s my happy place. What about yours?
I have never been to Jackson Hole(that I can remember) but my family lives in Sheridan and I was raised in Northwestern Montana – There is nothing like waking up early and walking outside right into His Majesty – Oh what peace it brings to the soul. So now I live in your neck of the woods – outside of Beaumont – and how I am thoroughly enjoying this weather that is so wonderful!!!
So glad you had a wonderful trip! Hopefully your man can go next time!
My happy place is anywhere out in God’s amazing creation (Preferrably the mountains)! We lived in the hills of NY for a couple of years and I marveled everytime I walked out the door at God’s handiwork. I love having time to reflect in the quiet woods or splash my feet in the cool river we now live near. I think about Psalm 98:7,8 and how creation praises God!
“Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell in it; Let the rivers clap their hands;Let the hills be joyful together before the Lord.”
My “happy place” is generally in bed on a Saturday morning reading a good book. But if I had to choose a location, this southern California raised girl would take New Providence, IA any day of the week where my parents have a summer home and I can prop my feet up on the south porch. I have a view of 30 miles of corn/bean fields bending int he breeze and locusts at night singing (or screaming…whichever you prefer).
On stormy summer nights, my Dad and I usually sit on the south porch and watch the storms with all their lightning cross the sky. Someday, we’ll manipulate our cameras well enough to get a shot of a bolt of lightning, but until then, we just shoot the breeze and watch God’s display.
Rocky Mountain National Park is my happy place. I love it there. I’ve had moments with God there. I love the smell of the pine trees, the crisp mountain air…Ahhh. It is cleansing to a city-girl’s soul isn’t it.
Marcella
Crosby, TX
There is a special little valley in So. Oregon that GOD has blessed, and that place is…Applegate, Oregon. Take a walk thru Jacksonville, then go kayaking on Applegate lake! Stunning!
Dear Beth,
I can SO relate to your feeling of “home” when you got to the mountains. I was born in Philadelphia and lived on the East Coast all my life until God moved me to Minnesota to marry my husband. After my father died, my mom and siblings moved to the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. They were so far back in that you had to drive 1/2 hour to get to a “small” grocery store. You can imagine the beauty. I lived at the farm with my mom and all 11 of my siblings for 1 year after I graduated from college. During that year, the mountains became my happy place. Like I said, I live in Minnesota on the edge of the prairie (think Laura Ingalls Wilder) and though it does have its breath-taking and beautiful moments, I will always be a mountain girl at heart. Whenever I go to Virginia to visit family, I cry at the first glimpse of the mountains and sob like a baby when I leave. In fact, I love the mountains so much that my husband and I spent our honeymoon in Banff, Canada. Honestly, it is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The first day we were there, we hiked to a lookout place and I was in tears for the first few minutes because of the majesty and beauty of the Canadian Rockies. I sure hope there’s mountains in heaven.
I wrote the following poem on the plane flying home from my youngest brother’s wedding in 2006.
My Heart’s in the Mountains
My heart’s in the mountains
Though I live far away
On the edge of the prairie
I now spend my days.
I cannot explain
How they speak to my heart
But tears fill my eyes
Whenever we part.
Each view is so lovely
I stand and just stare
At the beauty around me
God crafted with care.
I can’t put my finger
On just what it is
I just know that those mountains
Got under my skin.
It could be their color
That deep, gorgeous green
Or how each bend in the road
Reveals a new scene.
There are days when my heart
Is so homesick for there
I long to return
And to breathe mountain air.
My heart’s in the mounatins
That place far away
On the edge of the prairie
For now I must stay.
I love Banff, AB too!! It’s in my backyard, well almost! I live about 2 hours from it. I have lived most of my life in the country and even though I now live in a city I will always be a country girl at heart. The beauty of creation at times just takes my breath away.
I have also been to Jackson Hole and loved it!!
Mary, Love your poem!
Oh, yes mountains do it for me too. And there’s no figuring it: I’m a city girl born and bred deep in the heart of Deetroit (that’s how true southerners say it).
Well, I was caught bragging already about a week ago but I must offer you my newest “happy place”: The Alps. Dear Lord have mercy! Just outside Salzburg, Austria is to date the most beautiful mountain scenery I’ve ever laid eyes on. You know the opening scenes to The Sound of Music that look completely breathtaking? They really are there and they’re all that and then some! It made my soul feel like it just took a long, cool, drink of water. It was so rejuvenating. I hope and pray that’s just how your soul is feeling right about now, Beth.
“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.” Ps 121:1-2
I get excited wondering what mtn ranges He has in store for us on the new earth. He knows we love them so.
My happy place is the BIG HOUSE!! haha!
Ha! Atta girl. 4-0 Baby!
I am gonna do my best to not get “deep” here:) But I am going to be honest and say after listening to ” I will never be the same again,” by Hillsong…after not hearing it for YEARS,
and sitting back and remembering the beginning for me, and then thinking back to things I’ve shared with close friends this week…
My Happy Place is my quiet time in the prayer center, anywhere I can pray and bawl my eyes out, my Happy place is while I write in my journal, my happy place is when I’m driving in the car listening to praise music and blasting it and repeating the same songs over and over because I can’t get enough, my happy place is at church on sunday, its a good conversation with a friend by phone, text, or email..its reading and writing comments on a blog, its spending time with dear friends at bible study crying together to God, its wherever there is a could in the sky, that God has the sun shine through…
What God has shown me personally that no matter where we are, or what we’ve gone through, or going through…
Where He is…is where we will find joy…He makes our sorrows our joy…So He is my Happy Place:)
xoxo
angie
🙂
Love this, Angie! You’re so right!
Beautiful!!!
home ALONE!
I live in a suburb of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
We have the mountains on one side and the ocean on the other.
Some days my favorite is to go up the local mountain and view the layout of the city and all the surrounding area for miles and miles.(Dusk is my favorite time with the sun setting and the lights of the city sparkling like diamonds). Other days it is such a delight to go out to the ocean pick shells and watch the majesty of the waves hiting the shore.(Eating fish and smelling the salt of the ocean breeze). Both options are only 30 minutes either way. On occasion it is the drive out into the valley and the quiet country roads where deer and wildlife are spotted, grazing on the grass at the side of the road.
Beth you came a couple years ago and taught us, now you need to come and just visit and see what God has instore to delight your senses!
I’m jealous. I love the mountains. I wonder when I see them how anyone can look at the beautiful mountains and not belive in the God who made them. I’m glad you had a wonderful time.
I’d have to say my happy place is anywhere I can get away with my husband..does that sound too cheesy? We don’t have a place specifically that we return to over and over. We’re just best friends with three small children and we sooo enjoy the rare opportunities to get away together. We went to Vail 2 summers ago and that was a pretty stinkin happy place!!!
My hubby and I will be empty nesters in the next couple of years. I am hoping for a season of getting to explore many new happy places! I think I like the water a whole lot. Oceans, walking around lakes, reading on a boat, etc. Looking forward to figuring this out! 🙂
But for now – happy places are quite simple. I like watching high school football sons while my son marches in the band. That is pretty cool. I love baseball games. I get a few hours to just get involved in a game – no phone, no work, no email. Ummm… and of course time sitting with my husband drinking coffee and talking about God stuff. That is just the best to me.
Kelly
Oh and Beth, tonight I am going to my very first Line-dancing lesson. You cannot imagine how excited this country girl is to find a class like this in so. cal. And does GOD not bless??? The class is only $5! Praise the LORD!
Although I love the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone, my happy place is in the mountains of Colorado. I grew up in the flatlands of that state, but my parents always took us to the mountains for vacations. I love the Creede/South Fork area! We have taken a couple of family vacations in that area, and my children always comment on how much fun they have. The last time we were there I remarked that I wouldn’t mind living in the Colorado mountains. Everyone said, “NO! It’s too cold!!” Oh well, I can dream.
The mountains of Colorado are my happy place. I’ve never been to the Tetons, though, and oh, how you make me want to go now! 🙂 Maybe one day…
Well, I’m an original Idaho girl so I always saw The Grand from the other side : ) The Tetons are a favorite and I’m now homesick thank-you very much! My favorite little mountain place is a small town in Idaho called McCall. It was about a two hour drive from my house growing up and a great place to play, any time of year. Lakes and mountains….Idaho happy! But now I live in PA so I don’t get back there much. And there are definitely a shortage of mountains out East!
Hi Siesta Andrea………I’m a former Idaho gal myself…..years ago. Mountain Home AFB abour an hour from Boise. Loved living there. Skied alot at Bogus Basin.
I’m an Idaho girl too. Born and raised. I have to say, the best Mountain place for me is a small town called Atlanta. I think the population is still only 30 ppl!! Dirt road in. Not too many people travel up there. We’d spend our summers working in the church and doing VBS for the kids. Happy memories.
And I have to give a shout out to our team, Boise State Bronco’s!!! 🙂
Wow!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing your experiences and pictures with us!!!!! There is absolutely NO QUESTION that my happy place is anywhere in the mountains and my heart is incredibly full when I’m able to be there….wherever “there” is!!!! Especially during skiing season as I am an avid snow skiier!!!!
Blessings,
Ginger
Wetumpka, AL
Early morning overlooking the gulf in fort myers, Florida. There is something about the water hitting the shore and the wind and the sun making it’s debut. I love it! It’s a special time with Jesus.
My husband & I spent a week in the Tetons last summer & absolutely loved it!! We did a float trip & a guided fishing trip down the Snake River – fabulous!! Jenny Lake is beautiful & the hike up to Inspiration Point is well worth the steep effort!! Our favorite treat was Hagen Daz on the town square!! Thanks for sharing!!
We drove through Jackson Hole the summer before last on our way home to Boise after a 3 week road trip. It truly was beautiful & I’d love to go back someday. The Tetons are so majestic and powerful looking! A truly beautiful getaway spot – I can see why you love it so.
My happy place? I don’t have just one right now. It’s pretty much escaping anywhere warm (you can tell I don’t live in Houston but the Northwest with that comment!) with my husband and daughters. We have so much fun together. We’ve taken a couple of road trips across the U.S. that are so special to all of us. We just love discovering new places together, eating good food, shopping, and taking pictures. 🙂
I love the Tetons, too, Beth – my family stayed at Togwotee, WY just above Turpin Meadows in July. My husband loves that area so much, he goes online to see the webcam on the square in Jackson Hole every day to see the weather and lament about not being there! My favorite place was discovered at the end of two mission trips to Nairobi, Kenya –at Fig Tree Camp at Masai Mara – there’s no place like it in the world. When I die, my family knows I want my ashes sprinkled on that land! love it!
Thanks for sharing, Beth. What a vivid reminder to each of us that we plan but always keep in mind that we abide in Him and He has the right to come in and edit as He desires. How good to live and rest in the contentment that our Heavenly Father is in charge…and for us, that a GOOD thing! I love His many surprises!
Our SS class prayed for you when we met this past week. We asked the Lord to refresh you and yours and we are grateful for your obedience and all the hard work the team at LPL does so we can enjoy rich times in God’s Word!
JoAnn
The Grand Tetons is my all time favorite place! My husband and I had our honeymoon there some 25+ years ago. (Teton Village, actually) Our favorite place at the time was Jedediah’s.
I understand that feeling of home. We used to go there often as a little girl, trading with Mt. Rushmore. In those days the bears were so plentiful that it was unusual to NOT see a bear.
This last weekend my husband and I were driving back from Nebraska to the Seattle area but because of time constraints we did not go through Yellowstone area. We could see the mountains calling us from I-90 and it took all we had not to jump off and spend the night there. Just seeing the pictures, I wish we had!
That is uncanny – Jackson Hole is at the tip-top of our “places we want to visit” list! Ah…empty nesting! It does have its advantages! As far as my “happy place,” I’m a water girl – love lakes, rivers, beaches, rocky coastline, waves – any place with water. The desert does not do it for me. But I’m also a huge fan of mountains – Crested Butte and Mount Hood have been favorites of ours. Suddenly, I feel very grateful to have had the opportunity to travel – even though there’s some new place I want to visit always looming…
I am a Tennessee girl. I grew up in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and I love those mountains. But my happy place is the ocean shore, with the waves crashing and God just holding all that power in check. Standing at the edge of that is my happy place!
Our Bible Study group is going to my Happy Place in 2 weeks and I can not wait!
Much love to you and yours!
Pam
Beth, I just wanted to tell you that I love reading your blogs! I just recently found this sight and open it daily, anxiously awaiting your next post! I also just discovered your Wednesday TV segment and look forward to seeing it each week. Your story about the man in the airport had me laughing and praising God all at the same time…which I think is a priceless combination! You are such a blessing to so many people! I see that you are going to be in Charlotte in July of 2011 and I have already made plans to be there! God bless and have a wonderful day!
Welcome! I hope you enjoy Siestaville.
Thanks…I’m having a blast so far!
Welcome Amber – So glad you are here!
Thank you Siesta! 🙂
My happy place would be the beach anywhere! Our fall back beach is South Padre Island, but I love Mauii, Kauai, Big Island, Cancun, Cozumel, and most recently Belize. Any time I need to de-stress I just go there in my mind. The wind, waves, and sunshine just make me feel at peace and tranquil!
GO RANGERS!!
Kathy W
I have two ‘happy places’. My favourite one is the foothills just outside pigeon forge in the smokies but that can prove an expensive trip and not so likely nowadays. I have to make do with pictures on the wall and my memories.
I also have a more local happy place in England. A little place called west bay on the dorset coast. Cliff walks and cream teas – yum!
So so glad that you and Amanda got a delightful little visit away. And even though your heart was saddened by not being able to have that time with Keith, our God blessed you still!
My happy place is Lake Tahoe! I love how beautiful it is and how being there is so relaxing for me. I was there in the beginning of August with my brothers and their wives and was just blessed beyond words. My favorite parts of visiting Tahoe is sitting by the lake and taking in how blue it is! Sitting with my Creator and just being…it’s good 🙂
Cannon Beach, Oregon . . . . in the vicinity of Haystack Rock. I love the Pacific ocean and this place just feels like home to me. SO thankful that it’s only about 1.5 hours from my house 🙂
Two years ago we went to Wyoming and stayed at Jackson Lake at the Signal Mountain Lodge. Every morning I would get up and sit with the Lord, drink my coffee & watch the sun rise. We stayed there seven days. During most days we would drive into Yellowstone Park, and one day we went into Jackson Hole. We went horseback riding & saw a bear. We saw every kind of animal you could hope or dream to see, except the wolves.
Mamma Beth, I’m telling you my heart ACHES to return. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. It is definitely my #1 happy place. There isn’t any other place like it, at least not that I’ve seen. Not that I want to go there in the winter, mind you. Brrr… LOL But I miss it so much that my wonderful man is taking us back there next year on vacation. I’m so excited!
Anna
I was raised in Montana, and currently live in Laramie, Wyoming which is a town in mountain range at 7200 feet(not bragging, just fact). Although I LOVE the smell of pine needles roasting in the afternoon sun, my happy place is the city! I was just in Denver for a Women of Faith conference, and at one point I stopped and told the women that were with me, “Hmm…I LOVE the smell of the city”! They did give me a strange look, fyi.
As far as the boots: why? Fat ankles is the only thing I can think of. 🙂
My happy place is Pigeon Forge, TN. It’s not Wyoming but I feel like I am home when I am there. I love being in the Smokey Mountains with my family. One day in the future, I would love to go out west (the farthest west I’ve been is Waco, TX). My husband grew up in the Seattle area and can’t wait to take me to see the sights. Maybe one day soon we can go. Until then, I will enjoy my trips east to my mountains.
Mrs. Beth,
My family and I went there this summer for the first time. Amanda was gracious to respond to an email that I sent asking her some questions about lodging and things like that. We stayed at Signal Mt. Lodge while we were there!!! It is a beautiful place to be. My husband loved the wild life. He will be so envious that you got to see the foxes!!! Thanks for sharing! Maybe you and Keith will be able to take another trip very soon.
We love the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area. We feel at home there!
The majestic wonder of God’s creation just overwhelms me!
Last Christmas when all the snow and through the ice storms we had down south_God’ miraculous work just seem to be praising God for His presence is here! Rejoice, my child I am still God, still holding you, and I have not forgotten, nor will I forsake you.
I will never forget as we were coming back home, we travelled through the Smoky Mountains.( Actually, I had felt alittle under-the-weather.) The trip took us off our original mapped out adventure and we kept going up higher and higher into the mountains. As we travelled in this snow-covered area, it became more and more beautiful. But, when we reached the top of this mountain_I was speechless. My family and I had tears in our eyes, because what we saw, we will probably never see again. The sun was appearing behind the clouds, the smallest little snowflakes were trinkling down so softly and very slowly. The clouds were fluffy and white. I thought God is going to reach down though those clouds and He is going to touch us right here and now. His hand of mercy is going to flow over us. He was right here with us and lead us to this place of specticular beauty. His very presence so very real. God, thank you.
I have been to Yosimite National Park and the Alps in Germany, but that day in the Smoky Mountains__God just seem to cover us with His love. He reminded us that He still loves us and watches over us even after all these years, He wants to bring snows of joy into our lives, to let us know He is still watching, caring about our ordinary lives in extra-ordinary ways.
Now, about that work of masterpiece art_I wouldn’t cast it into the sea of forgetfulness after_all it is a reminder that God knows the number of hairs upon our head. LoL
Love the thought of a little girl going barefoot, brings back alot of memories. I put on my mom’s shoes and I have a picture of me when I was probably two. God wants us just as we are_empty footed.
Beth, always love you poems and I share this one I wrote for autumn, although you might just consider it thoughts and prayers.
Lord, I am like a frighten leaf
blown into the wind
whirling around with no place to land
Then, You reach out Your hand
and catch me
But, instead of crushing me
and throwing me away__
You glue me into Your Scrapbook
to keep me and remember me.
~joyce~
My happy place is any place with space to roam without being shoulder to shoulder with humanity. I’ve even found little pockets of stillness here in Amsterdam and I love to sit and absorb the tranquility.
Btw, those sandal/boot things are all the rage here in Europe. I saw them in Rome this spring and I’m seeing many variations here in Amsterdam now. I have the same question as you two…Why? In what kind of weather will I want a boot and a sandal? Maybe for the person who has extremely hot toes? As you can see, I’ve thought about this a little too much. (=
Been there in Amsterdam_beautiful tulips!!
Hello Beth and Siestas!
My happy place is the swing on my back patio. It’s not a far away place (I live in Arlington, TN outside of Memphis) but when I actually have time to go out back and just sit in His beautiful presence it is wonderful. The moment I sit down I feel like the weight on my shoulders is lifted right off of me. I lean my head back, close my eyes and let the God breathed breeze brush against my face. It is as if He is caressing my check letting me know He is there. Especially when the tears are falling. So that is why my swing is my quiet place.
Much love,
Jamison
Yes, I am replying to myself. My other happy place is walking my Schnauzer, Gizmo, early in the morning. Looking at the colors of the dawn and watching the sun break through sky is amazing to me. My mind begins to awaken and I just begin thanking the Lord Jesus for a new beautiful start to the day.
Much Love,
Jamison
http://www.saltyandbright.blogspot.com
Glad you got to go anyway. Also glad you had a good time. I have to many places I would consider my happy place to narrow it down. But if I had to choose it would be some where in Switzerland. I have only been there once but oh I loved it. So does that count. Hmmm if I have to choose closer to home it would be Mt. Diablo in Walnut Creek, Ca or Upper Creek in Chico, CA. Ok I told you I could not just name one and yes I could go on.
Have a great day.
Glad you had a great time, that part of the country is definitely on my list of places to go one day.
Last week I tagged along with my husband to a conference in South Padre Island. I’m not usually a beach girl b/c I get sunburned easily, but this trip was fabulous! We didn’t do anything spectacular, but I got some much needed rest and relaxation.
I think that I have told you about mine. It is being in the woods hunting in the fall. Funny thing is that I was in my happy place this weekend too. We went out for the first day of bow season in TN. I was in my treestand for 6 hours. The weather was awesome and I really enjoyed it, although I don’t usually stay that long. We were hunting the moon phase but the deer didn’t get the memo. They worked on their usual schedule. I did get to see 5, And no I didn’t kill one.
I love the mountains too. Have you ever been to the Smokies? They are beautiful.
I love that you wrote, “the woods were calling.” I know what that feels like! My happy place is often in a book–the landscape of the mind! That’s a blessing since I can’t always travel. I try to find the flair in the ordinary place since that where God has me! Amen! http://livewithflair.blogspot.com/2010/09/bravo.html
Oh my goodness!!! Beth, my heart just melted with this post…I was having a kinda down day, but reading this post brought the warm memories to my heart of the Tetons as well. My FAVORITE place (so far!) is Grand Teton Nat’l Park. The Lord brought me out there for some healing and much more. I worked on a Dude Ranch in Moran for a year and experienced some of the deepest healing in my life while hiking or snow-mobiling in those mountains. The mountains have come to mean so much to me and many prayer talks with the Lord were spent in GTNP. The Lord strategically brought me out there at such a difficult place in my life to speak tenderly to me and send me off to Bible college in Chicago. Now, in the concrete mountains, I long for some Teton Time. Thank you for going – haha! My favorite retreats are in the mountains, either camping or a cabin, snuggled with Him, some coffee and some adventure 🙂 By the way, I LOVE the cranberry chicken salad at SweetWater! My Gravatar photo is of the Tetons from Buffalo Valley Rd., where I used to live. *sigh*
That does look like a happy place. 🙂
I love discovering new places and if the woods, mountains, and my camera are involved, I’m all the more happier. A friend or two coming along is always a treat, but if not, it doesn’t stop me from venturing.
Ohhhh Siesta Mama, us flatlanders freezing up north (high of 53 degrees) love love that you refresh our hearts. God is soo Good. (All the time!) Thanks for reminding us and sharing your joy!
Hi Beth!!
My happy place is several different places:
When I have turned the world out and am having my Jesus time with my cat, Madison nestled against me as tho she is reading the bible study with me and Jesus is talking to us both; sometimes as she tries to climb in my lap as I journal to Jesus, I feel that she wants to take the pen over herself and jot down a few of her own thoughts…
When I am with my family at our camp in the middle of the woods of Louisiana….all off us on the back porch swapping stories;
When I am with my sister and her family at her place in Missouri and she’s teaching me how to cook something;
When I was living in Seattle, now currently home in Dallas, and getting to see the majestic Mt. Rainier to my left with the Olympic mountains across Puget Sound in full view;
Thank you so much for all that you do in Jesus name!!
Blessings to you, Shawnie
=sigh= So happy to join you… I’ve been to the Tetons twice and reading your details made me physically hungry to inhale the crispness. Fortunate ladies!!
Beth, before I read about the artwork, I thought you had found a lovely wad of hair waiting in your sink for you –Ha!!
OK, my Happy Place is not the mountains, although I do love them, and they speak of God like no other. I love Disney World!!!! That place brings me joy and happiness. I love that I can be a kid at 43 and no one cares. I love that the people are friendly and it’s clean. It truly brings me much happiness.
Disney World the the Orlando beach-mine, too! only been twice, first on our honeymoon 28 years ago, and then 21 years ago, with our then 3 year old
Dear Miss Beth,
Lately I’ve been having a longing to be in NY City!! Born and raised mostly in the south. My Hubby is Army and we’ve actually spent eight years in New York. The City is so much fun during this season.
Macy’s Day Parade for Thanksgiving. All the Window Displays for the Christmas season. The big tree in Rockefeller Center. I miss it and would love to take a stroll just for a couple days. Visit the giant ToysRUs and FAO Schwarz. Walk through Central Park. Eat good food, or at least intersting food 🙂 Need some Bag of Nuts.
On a completely different note, I was hoping you would write today. I wanted to tell you that you have been messing with my MakeUp!! I’m doing the Revelation series and 7 seals made me cry. On my Birthday I was reading Jesus the One and Only and almost lost all my make up (right before pictures) as I was reading about Christ’s sacrifice for us. In all seriousness, Thank You for encouraging our hearts to draw near to His.
Love,
Michelle
Reading the comments has confirmed something that I have thought for a long time. That most people fall into one of two categories: mountain people or beach people.
hmmm, I love the mountains, too, but if had to pick, guess I would choose the beach. Truth is, we all love all of God’s beautiful world!
I completely agree. Perhaps it has to do with what type of temperature the person finds refreshing. My hubby loves the ocean and would much rather be hot than cold everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.
I, on the other hand love mountains and cold weather.
I am glad you said “most people” because I fall in the “both” category. I love both the mountain and the beach, although each tends to arouse a different emotion from me. The beach tends to have a calming effect on me while the mountains makes me feel like soaring. Sometimes it is vice versa though. But come to think about it, I also love the woods, praries, rain forest, etc., so I guess that puts me in the “all the above” or “variety” category :).