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?
My happy place is anywhere that’s cool. Or just downright cold. No heat index, and preferably with snow.
I’m praying the mansion Jesus is building me is smack dab in a heavenly winter wonderland!!
I’m with you! Give me cold and snow!
I’m so excited to hear that my favorite teacher’s happy place is also mine! I love the mountains! I could just sit in front of a mountain with a good book and not move for a week and be happy as a clam! Sorry, no that would not be with a cup of coffee..yuk…but mountains so Glorious!!!Love ya!
Just to prove it….http://virginiasreads.blogspot.com/2010/09/for-beth-moore.html
I used to live near Jackson Hole. It is a pretty place but somehow the way you describe makes it seem more beautiful. Right now my favorite place is my swing in the back yard near my herbs with my hot tea. I love hearing the birds talk to each other and watch the sunset. My evening walks are never dull. I live in the country and well some birds think they own the road I live on. They nearly try to take my hair and hat to get their point across. But I am still walking…just faster. There is something about bubbling water that i find peaceful so I always stop at the bridge and ponder. God always surprises me. It is quiet and for this teacher of second and third graders that is a blessing.
I hope today finds you enjoying another cool day. It has been cool here for several days. I love it.
Beautiful trip. So sorry your husband could not be with you but He knows what He is doing and provides exactly what we need when we need it! My favorite place: Hawaii but I get the blessing of living in Alaska.
I have a few “Happy Place” favorites…
Tuesday Night Bible Study 1st Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Sunset on the beach at Boca Grande, FL with my family &
lots of others too numerous to mention. Thanks for sharing your weekend getaway.
How sweet of Curtis to give Amanda a break from mommy-hood to rejuvenate.
You ladies have some devoted men.
I loved this post! Don’t be scoffing at that girl leaving her shoes behind. I did step off of a trail in Canada when I was ten and the next thing I knew I was mid thigh deep in quicksand!!! Squishy ground freaks me out to this day. I’m anxious to see the cobalt blue mini hummer. I asked my hubby what a mini hummer was. He is thinking maybe you had an FJ Cruiser?? I love that country you were in. I live in the panhandle of north Idaho and just this afternoon signed the papers selling MY happy place. So grateful to God for letting us live there for 9 years but I am going to miss it terribly. I’m so glad that God can be found ANYWHERE I go.
How beautiful! My happy place is anything stunning in God’s creation but I do especially like the mid coast of Maine – specifically Boothbay Harbor area. We have vacationed there 8 or 9 times as a family and now that our daughter is all grown up, we missed her this year when we went without her! I have postcard watercolors of the area all over my office and I look at them several times a day. Thank you for sharing and I am looking forward to hearing God’s message delivered by you this weekend. Yippee!
I am so glad you got to take this trip! Sounds amazing!
Beth,
What a great question! I have two happy places. My first happy place is anywhere I am with my 4 kids. I just LOVE spending time with them. They are my happy place #1. My next happy place is Up North in Michigan, especially Otsego Lake. As soon as you hit a that point on I-75 you can smell the pine trees and know you are almost there! I grew up going to family reunions (mom’s one of 12 kids) so there were always somebody to talk with. I continued to go with my family and rent a cottage on the lake for years! Memories still make me smile:)
Isn’t our God awesome to give us such splendor?
Jackson Hole is MY happy place too! We used to vacation there every summer at a place called Lost Creek Ranch. I still dream about those Teton mountains! I cannot wait to take my own family there…it really is heaven on earth! And I like to pretend that Jenny Lake is named after me. 🙂
Beth,
I have been to that area of the nation and I had flashbacks with your descriptions.
I honestly cannot think of a physical place that I am happy and at peace such as you described.
I do know, that when I am allowed time for myself, to listen to quiet background music and enjoy my time in the Lord, this brings me peace.
My church was recently a host site for the LPL Simulcast on the 18th. Working with all the ladies in my church (and our one man), that brought me joy. It also healed some relationships that were torn for unknown reasons.
Whenever my biological mother is compassionate and caring enough to allow my children not to be held hostage for her vindictive nature and let me spend time with them, it is also a very happy time.
When my two girls who are living with me, show me that they love me by being amazing representatives of who I have taught them to be as modest, respectful and compassionate young ladies who want to serve God and see him glorified, I am in a happy place.
I am in a happy place in my heart, when I am able to reach out to another person within either of the ministries God has called me to, and share my story and help them in a way that they want to know more about my faith and why I feel so at peace in such chaos.
I am in a happy place in my heart, when I know that I have bridged the gap between who I was when I was in the world and people who knew me then, see the changes in me now because I have been free from that life through acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
I am happy each week as I continue to grow in my Lord and Savior with each and every bible study, each and every ever growing relationship with those in like mind with that of our Father in Heaven.
I am in pure joy whenever my heavenly Father provides me words to put in a blog I have been procrastinating on doing all summer.
I have hope for myself, and other Spiritual Widows and orphans whenever I meet with an amazing group of women who understand the pain of having been abandoned by the person who should be the spiritual leader in the home, whether it is through physical abandonment or mental, emotional, and spiritual abandonment, and the courage they give me for continuing to raise my “step” daughters and not leaving them destitute in the situation where they have been abandoned by both parents.
I have joy every time I log on to LPL blog and see a new post, knowing that this will give some more insight into how God can use others in our lives to bring us the smallest of pleasures.
Although I know you were looking forward to that time with Keith, I do believe that God set aside that time for you to have a refilling the way he intended. I pray you are able to rejoice in that time and know that you are cherished and adored by God, me and Jesus, our Lord.
Love in Christ always,
Akuas Keiki
I LOVED Houston’s MONDAY WEATHER! Can I just get that out of the way right now? We moved here at the beginning of June and I was starting to think it was going to be 112 degrees all year long. Monday’s cooldown reminds me of the first day above 50 after a looooooong Wisconsin Winter. 🙂
Your pics are SO beautiful.
My happy place is the beach. I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan and I’ve just always loved the beach.
We spent a long and beautiful day on the beach in Galveston this past Saturday. Watching the little coquina clams burrow in the sand and just soaking up the sun. It was a most perfect day. Such a happy place.
My happy place isn’t so much a place (well, it IS, but not a geographical one) as it is a position. My hubby and I have the most perfect snuggle position, ever! We spoon and since he’s 5’10 and I’m 5’6″, we fit like peas and carrots!
We don’t sleep like that every night, because it’s heck on his neck, but on nights that I’m struggling to get to sleep, he rolls onto his side, tucks his arm tightly around me and pulls me back against his chest. It’s my happy place. It really is the best place in the world to me. I almost always go to sleep within moments, and I just feel very safe and loved. That could be a little TMI, but that’s the first “place” that came to mind. I will, however, refrain from a pictorial. 😉
Your pictures were lovely, Beth. I’m so happy that you have a place you and your family can go that makes you feel so wonderful. I was blessed to grow up on a 148 acre farm, and I’ve always loved those wide open spaces like that. I’ll be praying you and Keith get your “get away” soon, too.
Kristi 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. Your teachings have been such a blessing to me so I’m so happy to hear you getting to spend some time relaxing. My favorite place is the Cimmaron Mountains which you & Keith drove through I’m sure on your way to Red River NM a few weekends ago. I spend every summer since I was a child there with my grandparents in their motorhome. That was their vacation spot. When I go there as an adult now I feel so much at home. That is my heaven on earth sitting beside the creek running through the mountains with a good book & smelling the fresh mountain air. Makes we want to head there now!!! Have a blessed week.
My happy place is the ocean! Funny, I was raised in the mountains and prefer the ocean. Although, I’m thinking I have many happy places, because I renewed my love for the mountains (although not as amazing as the Tetons) when I stayed at Camp Grizzly this last summer! (Can’t wait to go back in the summer.) Life was just so much simpler there. It gave me a lot of clarity. I suddenly knew what my purpose was and was content in that, far away from the pressures of other people’s expectations. I get really frustrated when people ask me to buy some new product to improve my health or some new diet that will help regulate the chemicals in my body (because of my chronic depression). Personally I think if people would just lead me back to God’s word and His perspective and not mess with me in those other areas, I’d probably be just fine. That’s why I love your ministry and your staff so much. They don’t try to “sell” me some new idea when I have no money and no time for anything else. Unless of course, I decide to get a life that requires me to run around like a chicken with my head cut off and completely forget about God and my children. I’m pretty fierce about protecting those relationships. I think I’m deciding once again, that that’s a good thing and it doesn’t make me lazy at all. It makes me someone who values her sanity as well as the sanity of those around her. Believe me, I don’t have to miss my quiet time for 3 full days before my sanity goes down the drain. But to be honest with you bears and foxes and moose kind of scare me. (Although, I saw one once here in town and was amazed at how beautiful it was. I’d never seen one up close before.) I wouldn’t be able to take a picture because I’d be too afraid that they might want to eat me or charge me or whatever they do when they feel threatened somehow. I’d say that I think the mall is also my happy place, but I think that’s more like therapy!
my happy place.have more than one.my serenity garden is one.with my bearcub is another.driving my truck in the woods on backroads and it peaceful and quiet is another.sometimes my happy place is in recovery meetings with friends whom glad i came and hug me when i go and make me feel loved just for having been there with them-.another is in my flannel sleeping bag with my purr cat.sometimes its at the holiday inn just me and god and luxury.today it a mixture- begun with seeing a friend at breakfast and receiving a text message from him cause his boss listening to everything he said otherwise- and i love the paints aisle,just all the possibilities and pretty colors,and too,sometimes my happy place is sticking my nose deep into a brandnew box of crayola crayons and INHaleing… wonderful.. oh, and yes, criminal minds on tv… i love to watch criminal minds on tv… it just puts my twisted head in a happy place for some reason….thanks for asking and for sharing.loved the meditative foxes!
oh yes, and on here too, that’s a happy place too.
My happy place involves you, Miss Beth.
This past winter we packed up our little family of six and headed from our home in frozen western Canada for a vacation in So. California. The home we rented in Palm Springs had an amazing back yard and I took over a cute little wrought iron table under a palm tree for my study space. Every morning I had a little meeting with Jesus, the characters of Esther, and you (through your workbook and audio) to further prepare to teach a Sunday School class of women back home. I loved that little spot and took a photo of my Bible, books, and coffee all waiting for me in the sunshine. Don’t know if I’ll ever get back to that particular spot but the memory of those mornings brings a smile to my everyday face.
to reneeC, i can so much relate to the picture you paint with your words, and I too have photo-ed an open book -one specific that comes to mind is one with fallen leaves scattered and me and such a book sitting among them, another photo I took of a book once, was my grandmother’s bible left open on a lace cloth with old timey glasses laying on top. all were on an old wooden table in the upstairs vestibule of my aunt freda’s home. both my grandmother and my aunt are with jesus now, and just describing this photo my mind’s eye holds- puts me in a serenity place within me, even now. thank you reneeC for helping me to remember this tonite, i really needed to…
Great post, man I would love to go to Wyoming someday!! I am in the Central Valley of California, Fresno to be exact, and it is still triple digits here as well. Our trees certainly have NOT been changing colors. We sadly don’t see much of a ‘fall’ season. It usually goes from blazing hot to cold and freezing in blink of an eye some years, so I appreciate these glimpses of fall you posted! My happy place….well we travel to the Central Coast quite often and it always delights me as we creep over the last bit of mountains into the fog blanketed Coast. The beach in Cayucos is so beautiful, its amazing to stand there and think you are on the edge of something HUGE. There is place called Ducky’s with the BEST shrimp tacos and slice of heaven called the Sea Shanty with the BEST (and I mean BEST) ice cream pies this girl could dream of!! There is actually an ice cream pie on the menu called the Kitchen Sink, yep you guessed it, it has EVERYTHING on it!! Um…do these desriptions mean my ‘happy place’ revolves around food….guess so and I am not ashamed. So, after writing about it, I think I need to talk to my hubby about a little trip we ought to take!
My husband and I were talking just today about how some people love the ocean and others love the mountains. We happen to be lovers of mountain scenery. The area around Jenny Lake is breathtakingly beautiful, and one of my favorite places, too. Another place that I count as a favorite is Crater Lake—what a gorgeous place for morning devotions! Seeing the sun set at the Grand Canyon is awe-inspiring as well. But the view that I have from my house on a hillside in southwestern NY is the one that most often has me exclaiming, “Thank you, Lord, for the beauties of Your creation!”
Definitely the ocean. And I’m a West Texas girl. Go figure.
My happy place is here in Traverse City, MI…..beautiful “clear” blue/green water……wonderful brilliant green area, rolling hills….clear almost ALL the time and wonderful blue skies. Now that fall is FAST approaching we can look forward to gorgeous autumn colors, reds, oranges, yellows and even browns that are pretty. (I am not a brown person.) Then…….we get that lovely white stuff, which I am not real fond of…..it’s pretty mind you…..but we have it wwwwaaaaayyyyyy to long!! Then spring…..and all the wonderful blues, greens and prettys. (Is that a word??)
I passed through Jackson Hole back in 1979 on our way back from a 3 yr stint in Hawaii. My exhusband was in the military and we were stationed near Honolulu for three yrs. Now THAT could be my favorite place or at least close to my favorite. I love the beach!!
Glad you and Amanda had a few days to yourselves….fun times!! Those sandals (is that what they were??) would have to go.
Blessings to all for a great week!!!!!!!!!!!
Bible Bunny in NO MI
Beth,
The mountains are my happy place too, even though I’ve lived in Ohio my entire life. I love the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. We were there this summer for vacation and we finally saw our first black bear – it was awesome! But I have to admit that I also love Walt Disney World. So, yes, I fall prey to the commercialism, but it is such a fun place for my family to vacation. The winter months are so dreary in Ohio so we really look forward to fun in the sun at Disney over spring break!
I’m glad you enjoyed your trip even though it didn’t work out quite as you had planned. And funny that you mentioned the place where you taped “When Godly People…..” because I’m currently reading that book! To say it’s eye opening material would be an understatement. I’m learning so much from it. Thanks for writing it.
Beth in Ohio
I just came back on Sunday from a long-awaited weekend in *my* happy place! For me, it’s anywhere that isn’t a busy, polluted city. I had never been to Mangrove Mountain, Australia before but no doubt about it, it’s on my Happy Place List now! 😀
Pix on my blog, if anyone else would like to share in my joy of being out in unspoilt nature. Have a great day, everyone :o) Hugs from warm, Spring-y Sydney!
Oh, yes, the Grand Tetons are amazing and we love Jackson Hole too. Living at the foot of the Rocky Mountains for most of my life, I do not take their majesty for granted. I love every minute in them, no matter if I’m in Colorado, Wyoming or Montana.
My husband and I travelled along the Blue Ridge Parkway Scenic Byway in Western Virginia last year, in September, and I think that that area of Virginia and North Carolina and parts of Eastern Tennessee might just be my new favorite spot. The Blue Ridge Mountains and changing leaves were just breathtaking!
I’m glad you didn’t have to cancel your trip and that Amanda was ready and raring to go!
My husband and I visited the Tetons for the very first time this summer. Words cannot do that beautiful place justice. I took a zillion pictures. Just so amazing.
Our raft ride down the Snake River was a highlight of the trip. It was a picture-perfect day. We saw eagles perched in the trees above the river. I loved every minute of it.
I want you to know that after I read your post I went to Expedia (.com!) and looked at Jackson Hole vacations. I hope to be able to visit there some day. I have several “happy places.” Probably my all time favorite is La Purisma Mission in Lompoc, CA. There are some wonderful trails there to take a nice, easy hike. It always feels like you’re in another world there. It is a simple, open, quiet place where certain times of the year there are babbling brooks and you can always see wildlife like deer or even coyotes. One time I saw a baby coyote – it was so cute. All over the Central Coast of California there are more beautiful places than I can count. It feels like home to me every time I get north of Santa Barbara. I was fortunate enough to live there for 5 years and it changed my life. I was born and raised right smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles, and never even knew until I moved up there that I was a country girl at heart. There is something so peaceful about all the open land with no tall buildings, the slower pace, the quiet, even the smells. I’m back in the big city now, but hope to retire up there one day.
So glad you had a nice respite with your Amanda. Thanks so much for sharing with us.
My HAPPY PLACE is anytime I get to travel… to Europe, or just a simple road trip…. been itchin’ for some travel… love the Tetons too… been there years ago!
The Adirondack Mountains! Beautiful pristine lakes, gorgeous views, accessible mountains to hike, beautiful star-filled skies at night, critters galore. Okay not so much the bears, they scare me. The Adirondacks are my happy place.
My happy place? The Northeast Georgia Mountains…I haven’t been able to go in awhile – but I need a trip to ponder what God is doing in my life.
Have Fun Girls and Enjoy!
I agree, the first time I visited Jackson Hole with my family, I was overwhelmed with the beauty and majesty of this spot on God’s earth. Other than the Grand Canyon,no geographic location has ever wowed me so- in fact, I felt I could “hear” those Tetons- never experienced anything quite like that sensation-
Blessings
Coronado California, everything about it brings me peace, it’s the place away from home that fits me, or I fit it, either way. The smile is on my face now as I think about it, crossing over the bridge from San Diego, seeing the sailboats and smelling the ocean air. Walking the shops (and I don’t like to shop!), grabbing a Starbucks, lunch at the pub (best clam chowder) that I can never remember the name of but I can get you there! Laying on the beach I’ve read many a good books and The Good Book. Oh, it’s beautiful, rain, shine, warm, cold, foggy or clear…my happy place.
Ah, I don’t usually comment here, but this too is one of my favorite places! I spent 2 summers working in Yellowstone and often drove down into the Tetons! I have a mental picture (still kicking myself that I didn’t stop) of the day I left in the fall, driving down through the Tetons there was a meadow off to the left with all dark green pine trees at the edge and one lone aspen that was brilliant yellow. Gorgeous!
My other favorite place (that I get to go more often) is the Oregon Coast. Just something about the ocean, the power, the way it’s the same yet different every time we go! Love it! And we’re so lucky we have a family cabin on the beach we can stay at!
I too am a mountain girl. I grew up in West Virginia but now I live in the flat lands of North Carolina. I love going to this one particular cabin in WV that is right on a mountain river surrounded by beautiful cascading cliffs. I can’t wait to go back.
I loved your pictures! I have friends that were just there visiting the Tetons and told me how spectacular they are. I hope to go one day.
Just wanted you to know that the Lord has put you on my heart a lot lately and I have been praying for you as you work on the study of James.
Much love!
My favorite place is the mountains also. I was not raised around them either (actually Naples, Fl. so very flat and of course beach!). However, the mountains are a bit of heaven on earth for me. I love Blowing Rock, NC. I love going there anytime of year, but my favorite is October and seeing how God paints the mountains in such brilliant reds, oranges and yellows! Creation just cries out — Holy, Holy, Holy is our God! Thank you for your post and pics that is definately my kind of place! 🙂
Wow!!! How beautiful everything is. I am in FL and know just what you mean about the first cool days after a long, hot, humid summer. My Facebook status last night simply said “55 degrees!!!!!!!” This is my favorite time of year.
My favorite getaway is the Smoky Mountains. I would probably love other mountain ranges even more but they are the only ones I have seen! We used to go all the time but haven’t been in a few years. I love the mountains. I’m glad God blessed your trip and that you all are having such an awesome time. Sounds and looks lovely!!
Eleven of us from church are going to see you in Birmingham in December 🙂 Cannot wait!!!! Then in Pensacola next December! We are all beside ourselves!
My happy place is usually the beach anywhere, but particularly when I go down to stay with one of my best girlfriends in the Lord in Tampa, and she takes us to a neighbor’s million-dollar condo on Madiera Beach to stay by ourselves overnight. It is lovely and private, and we have the best girlie fellowship there!
my happy place is in hawaii, with my husband. especially when he is romantic.
My happy place is Virginia’s Eastern Shore, on the Chesapeake Bay. My husband and I and our three children camp there every summer. There’s literally nothing except woods and beach, but the nightly entertainment is amazing! Gorgeous sunsets that He provides to show us His glory. Some days when I am at home during the off-season I think to myself, “Wow. . .even though there is no one there to see it, that gorgeous sunset is still happening.” Amazing.
This is unrelated but I wanted to share it. . .I had an incredible time studying Ruth this summer with some friends, and we are getting ready to start Jennifer Rothschild’s Me, Myself, and Lies. Like the first study, it will be informal, out of my home, with kids running in and out. I emailed everyone I could think of to invite them. I got several interested women, but also many responded, “I’d love to, but I’m already doing a Bible study.” How cool is that?? I don’t think I realized how involved women are involved in personal study. Glory to God!
A walk in the Redwoods and just standing and gazing at the ocean!
Good gravy, I decide to post and who is posting above me but one of my sisters in the Fresno/Clovis area! I also adore the central coast of California. I go a wee bit farther north to Cambria. Our favorite inn is on a bluff overlooking the ocean. We can hear the roar of the waves from our open window at night and sit in the big Adirondack chairs on the bluff during the day reading or enjoying the spectacular view. I’m with Krisin, the Sea Shanty has wonderful desserts but I think their Olallieberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream is to die for!!! I however take issue with her tacos though because the best fish tacos I have EVER tasted in the world are at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill. In fact, the hubbin and I are taking Buster dog on a get away to our favorite inn this weekend. It truly restores my soul.
Thanks for sharing your story and pictures, Beth! I love how you can turn a dissapointment upside down and see the blessings in it!
Lisa
Oh girls, the Tetons are my new happy place! My family and I enjoyed a trip of a lifetime to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone just this last July. We too shopped at Albertsons and stayed at a lovely condo in Wilson, and spent a fabulous afternoon horse back riding at Teton village, so I am envisioning your trip very clearly. I will say that the most beautiful day I’ve ever shared with my family was at Jenny Lake. We hiked up to the hidden falls and on to Inspiration Point, where we felt like we were on top of the world! After we crossed back over to the other side of the lake and just sat on rocks soaking our tired feet in the beautiful lake, soaking up the beauty of the Tetons. God is good! Thanks so much for sharing your trip. America is beautiful, but for me it’s going to be hard to surpass the beauty of Wyoming.
My family and I are leaving for our happy place on Saturday. For the 7th year in a row we will be spending the first week of October on Ocracoke Island, NC. My happiest place in my happy place is on the deck in the back overlooking Pamlico Sound reading a book, listening to the mullet fish jump out of and land back in the water, while I hear my kids laughing and playing on the beach. We can’t wait! Everyday we share one more reason we can’t wait to go!
Very early this morning, I asked my husband if he thought that Casey was on an early morning ride. (Casey is a ranch hand at the Turpine Meadow Ranch) We spent a week at the Turpine Meadow Ranch this past July and rode horses all week and loved the Teton Mountains. God’s beauty is tremendous there. Wy. is a sweet spot for both of us.
Oh thank you for sharing your trip to the Tetons. My family and I just visited Yellowstone and the Tetons for the first time just 5 weeks ago and I already feel like I must get back! There is definitely a feeling of “home” in Northwestern Wyoming. My little baby girl did get a leech in Jackson Lake, but that’s okay because it was GORGEOUS.
my happy place is the family cabin in Boulder, the Masters Mission retreat center in North Carolina, or the family ranch in Texas.
Makes us sound wealthy. We aren’t. Family cabins that go waaay back.
thank you for reminding me of this today.
Today I lost my job of 10 years. For the first time in ten years I am asking God where he wants us and I am actually open to going. Maybe I’ll end up in one of those happy places.
I visited here for the very first time in July 09. My Mom’s Sunday School class was taking a Christian Tour and she invited me to be her guest. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the God ordained beauty of Yellowstone. And then on to Jackson Hole. I have never felt closer to Him than when I was standing beside Jenny Lake gazing up at the Grand Tetons. How anyone cannot believe in Him or in His majesty of Creation is beyond me! I thank the Lord and praise Him for His Creation and His Grace.
My happy place is Boone, NC….the home of Travis Cottrell and also the home of my parents. Even though I was born in eastern NC, once I went to the beautiful Appalachian mountains, I was never the same. I went to college there and God met me in such a mighty way that I was transformed into a mountain girl. My soul is magnetized to that place. My Savior meets me there and applies the balm that heals me and the joy that bathes me in smiles and feeling of well-being. I met my husband there and he loves it as much as I do. We had so much fun introducing our boys to the mountains and when their grandma and grandpa moved there, it was more joy than we could possibly absorb! I thank Him so much for this special place that I’ve shared with my family and friends throughout the years. (I was there to see you, Beth, when you visited a few years ago. I had a GREAT time with my mom and sister-in-law at the conference!)