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?
“He leads me beside quiet waters, where He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:2,3. I read the Scriptures and my devo books by the waters edge as often as I can in the summer. Is 10 minutes to the nearest marina and beach from my home. It is there I give my heartaches to the Lord, my health issues, my surgeries, my parents to Him upon discovering their cancer and subsequent passing into His Glory, and now my son, saved at a young age but definitely not interested in things of the Lord at present. It is there I walk and pray my Scripture verses over my family and friends- the Lord sure gave me specific verses for the SMT- was amazing just like He is so I honour Him by praying them over others for specific needs that absolutely match those verses. I also have a favourite water’s edge where I do the same, once every summer, 8 hours north of here in the Canadian Muskokas surrounded by the rocks, huge hills, deer and pine trees. – It reminds me “The LORD is my Rock, my fortress and my deliverer.” Ps. 18:2. I so love to praise Him for His Awesome Creation!!
My happy place is Mackinack Island, Michigan. For so many reasons this place has captured my heart. First and foremost, it has been the first vacation we have taken solo, without extended family members, as a family of 5. Just my husband, myself and our 3 children. We had the time of our lives! I feel a little guilty in saying that we had the privledge of staying at the Grand Hotel which added to our all ready wonderful experience.
It is here I saw my husband actually relax, it is here we got a chance to experience a vacation without the presence of a blackberry, computer and work interuptions, it is here that we introduced mountain biking to our kids and they loved it, it is here where we could have adult time while our children were well taken care of, it is here that we could all dress up for dinner and play “grown-up” with our kids, it is here we found peace.
My husband and I tried very hard to stay in the word, read and pray. I love that about my husband. He knows, well, we both know, that all blessings come from Him alone. I love the fact that even on vacation we try to find some quiet time. Sometimes we are successful and sometimes we aren’t. But we try.
Now we do want to get our kids to like the outdoors and hiking. The Teton Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Bryce and other places our on our list. But for now, our happy place is Mackinack Island with our family of 5, mountain bikes and our bibles!
There is no place like Wyoming. Truly God reveals Himself through so many avenues out there. Glad you were able to get away and rest.
One of my favorite happy places is in the Canadian Rocky Mountains about an hour west of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I feel so blessed to live with Banff National Park only an hour from our house. If you love the mountains and you’ve never been to Banff or Lake Louise, Beth you just HAVE to come some time! No matter how many times I visit the mountains I am awestruck by my Creator every single time!
I have never seen the Teton Mountains!! They are absolutely gorgeous! I was also born and raised in Arkansas and took for granted how beautiful it was until I moved to Louisiana and everything was so flat! After moving back to AR, I am always careful to never take for granted the beautiful hills again!!! I have lots of happy places but my favorite happy place right now is the Colorado mountains. We went to Winter Park last year and the drive from Denver to Winter Park was just glorious!! It was breathtaking!! It was truly a winter wonderland. I kept saying, “I feel like I’m in the movie Narnia.” 🙂 I cannot wait to go back!!! What a fun post! I have enoyed reading about everyone’s happy place.
We have been blessed to travel to some pretty awesome places but…at this point, our oldest daughter is in college, our middle daughter is a HS senior & our youngest daughter is in 8th gr. They are growing up and preparing to move on. We have lots of “girl world” at our house with frequent overnight friends. So, my happy place right now is anytime it’s just the 5 of us doing anything! It is rare now that all of us are together and no girlfriends or boyfriends are with us. I know the plan is to train them up to move on & move out to be Godly women, wives, moms…but right now, I LOVE just the 5 of us being together anywhere. Admittedly, if I get to choose, I’d prefer we be together hanging out right on a beach in the Caribbean! Seriously, where did God come up with those colors? He is THE Creative Artist!
Love you Siesta Mama!
Hi, Beth and Siestas,
My Happy Place is a bit north of Jackson Hole…Flathead Lake in NW Montana. Our cabin sits on the gorgeous lake and we can see all the way to Glacier Park from our porch. I would love to post a photo from our porch – believe me when I say it’s as gorgeous and as mountainous as Jackson.
I agree, mountains and their high lakes are also home for me – peace and quiet only just begins to describe it here! I do remember Jenny Lake way back in 1960 when I hiked it with my sister and cousin, feeding the chipmunks as we went. Amother gorgeous, peaceful place. Amen.
Dear Mama Beth, Thank you so for this mini-vacation; it was so needed and we can’t do vacations, so I loooooooooovvvvvvveeeeeeddd it!! I know how my heart beats faster when I see one of God’s lovely birds–so I can only imagine! Thank you!!
My new happy place? My boyfriend, Phillip, and I walk together a couple evenings a week and just we Tuesday tried out the trails at a wilderness area nearby.
It is like a little bit of peaceful country in the middle of the city and it was so wonderful!
My happy place is the beach in Daytona Beach. As fate would have it, I live 5 minutes away from the beach !
I am truly blessed.
My happy place is southern Utah, near Zion National Park. We had a log cabin not far from Navajo Lake, where the altitude is nearly 10,000 ft. We usually drove up every weekend from our home in Vegas to get rejuvenated with the fresh mountain air, the wildlife, the aspens and pines and solitude. We always played Steven Curtis Chapman’s song “The Mountain” as we drove up the mountainside from Cedar City. We had no television, no phone service, and our cabin was off grid. I totally loved it. Every summer I took your studies with me and I would spend a whole week up there by myself just immersed in God’s Word, your teaching and quiet time alone in the woods. I had a special place I called my “Prayer Cathedral”, it was nestled into the aspens, pines and some rocks, and I would sit and talk with God there. It was such a special place. He always delighted me with wildlife coming by. I learned to dress and sit in such a way that it didn’t scare the deer off, and they would walk right by me, nervous, of course, but with my eyes partially closed, I could still get good looks at them. (They run when they see your eyeballs wide open.) In 2009, God told us to sell that cabin and the 40 beautiful acres. I cried and cried, though I knew in my heart it was the right thing to do. We put it on the market around July 4th, thinking it might take a couple of years to sell. I wasn’t too worried that it would sell very soon with the economy the way it was. But within a month, we had an offer. When my husband told me, I ran upstairs to my bedroom crying and fell on the floor with heartbreak. Too fast!!! It was too fast!!! I just prayed….I needed to know that we had really heard God right. I reminded God how much I loved that place because of our time together there, and how much it broke my heart to think about saying goodbye to that precious corner of the world, but oh, how I loved Him! Las Vegas can be so crazy…but God knows all things and all the why’s. I asked God if He would just please give me a sign that it was what He wanted for us by giving us a second offer. I didn’t need signs to believe Him, I wanted a sign for my own peace of mind. In less than 24 hours, we had a second offer on that cabin. And it was much higher. We went through several back and forth situations with the buyers, but we closed on the sale one year ago. I still miss it, and I still cry thinking about my happy place, but I trust God for all good things. It is a season of change. My husband and I went back this week to the area, and the aspens are in all their beautiful, fall color glory. I cried, but I also rejoiced and had a marvelous time with our Father God.
We went to Jackson Hole and the Tetons right before Christmas last year, and Jackson Hole has become one of our favorite places. My kids love to snowboard there. My husband skis. I do none of the above, so I get to sit in the lodge and do my Beth Moore studies and drink hot cocoa, all by myself. I am a mountain girl, who lives in the desert, and my God is faithful….He knows my heart. Someday He will take me to the mountains again to live.
My happy place?? I’ve never considered anywhere to be my happy place, so I had to think about this! But I did come up with it!
About 2 years ago, as I was struggling so hard with depression and increasing anxiety- getting almost to the point where I couldn’t leave home, certainly never alone- My husband came home from work and found me all up in arms about the house and the unfinished laundry and who-knows-what-else, so he helped with dinner and clean-up. Then he told me to put on walking shoes and grab a sweater. Of course, I wondered where on earth he was planning on taking me, but I do trust him. He packed me into the car and took me about 25 minutes away to a state park called “Peace Valley Park”. It has a man-made, but very beautiful lake and completely surrounded by trees that were in full fall foliage at that time. It made me cry that he would think of such a thing. I soooo needed it that very day. We walked along the path which follows the lake’s edge, and I just soaked it all in. Indeed, God brought a special peace to my heart that day. And my husband didn’t take me back home until he was certain that peace was residing in me. (I remember it was getting pretty dark and the park rangers were out to shuffle out the slow-pokes so the park could close.)
Since that day, we frequent the park several times a week when weather permits. It’s become “our place”. And no matter the stress that tries to follow us, it always seems to get left behind. We come back home more rested in our spirits. We love it! I love it. And I love this sweet man my God has given to me. A precious gift. (No, he’s not perfect!)
Jackson Hole, Wy is one of my favorite places also. God reveals Himself in so many ways but it seems like He really outdid Himself with the Tetons.
My other favorite place is the beach. I live 5 miles from the coast of NC and we have received more than 20 inches of rain in the past 3 days so are literally almost swimming in our own yards.
There is nothing like God’s creation to make you aware of His great power and majesty.
My happy place is anywhere my family is and my camper can take us! We really love Hunting Island State Park. It is a barrier island off the coast of SC and there is no one there but the other campers. The beach is deserted and when the tide goes out, you can walk for what seems like miles into the seabed and find shells, starfish, and sanddollars! Love it!
I live in WI so fall begins to get a bit chilly this time of year, though yesterday and today we were blessed with beautiful weather. My happy place is my screened in porch. I absolutly love the spring-fall season. It is so peaceful out there, I have spent many a day reading one of your books or doing one of your studies from my porch swing. I love it because my boys (12,14,16) know better than to interupt me while I’m out there. It is the ONLY place in the house they will stop and think before interupting what I am doing. We did take an RV trip to Yellowstone a few years back and did get to see the Teton Mountains…you are right! what a sight they are, God’s creations in nature are nothing short of spectactular. What an awesome God we serve that gives us so much beauty to behold! Thank you so much for sharing so much or yourself and your family with us! I am always blessed by the posts you and the girls make! God bless!
Precious Beth,
My Journey Continues daily 🙂
Answer to: My favorite happy place ~
First, you must close your eyes.
Picture the most beautiful blue/green ocean you can imagine.
*The sea is blue because it reflects the sky.
Listen to the crashing waves.
*Waves are made by the wind blowing across the surface of the water.
Feel the breeze across your face as you listen to the current.
*wind-driven currents are controlled by two types of winds.
1. Westerlies (blow west to east)
2. Trade winds (blow east to west)
Inhale the smell of the ocean air.
*Starbucks in hand adds to the amazing smell. 🙂
Walk on the seashore and dig your piggy’s (toes) deep into the sand.
Touch the starfish,anemone,hermit crabs,whelk,winkles,cockles,limpets,mussels,and many other sea creatures.
*wash hands after touch or you will smell like a fish.
Watch the seagulls, seals, whales,dolphins as they entertain all guests and locals.
*Sunglasses are necessary on the seashore. Saves eyes!
THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS ~
THE PACIFIC OCEAN IS MY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE HAPPY, TALK,SHARE,LISTEN AND SING PRAISES TO GOD.
*The Pacific Ocean is the deepest as well as the largest ocean on Earth. It covers 1/3 of the Earth.
“and HE walks with me and He talks with me”…
Siestas ~ Come join me!!!
Beth, I just love and cherish the stories,photos, and blessings of your precious family legacy on this blog.
THANK YOU DEAR SWEET FRIEND!!!!
Happy Harvest with “Heaven Bound” blessings,
Kim Safina
by the way,
My Happy Place brings me to reality that I am a
“Born-From-Above-Christian”
love you Melissa! 🙂
Amanda, I love you too!!!
I live in the plains of Nebraska, but my heart is at home in Colorado. My family owns 10 acres and an out-house just an hour west of Co. Springs and I have been going there every vacation for all 34 years of my life! We are in the beginning stages of interviewing for a middle school youth pastorship in a church in Co. Springs and if God would plant us there…well, there are no words to describe how happy that would make me. Beth, I’ve done almost every one of your studies; I feel like we are best friends. One day in eternity, I hope we get to have starbucks together. What a wild ride life is!
Oh, Beth…you have just described one of my happy places! My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon in Jackson at the Jackson Hole Lodge! We returned 9 years later with our 5 1/2 year old son, Jackson =), and our 2 year old daughter for my husband’s brother’s wedding. The rehearsal dinner was at Sweetwater! They still live there – in Wilson. The last great picture we have of my husband and his brothers with their Dad was of them standing in front of the Tetons after the outdoor wedding on the Snake River; he died suddenly less than a year later, a huge loss for our family. While we were there we toured Yellowstone (oh, the wonder of all that God has created!) and the kids threw rocks in Jenny Lake. And we took them down the alpine slide in Jackson – you must take your grandkids to do that one day! We could have stayed forever. And when you said that you had the strangest feeling of being “home” when you first arrived there, I immediately was taken back to the place where I first experienced that strong emotion…stepping off of the plane at Ben Gurion airport in Israel. Blessings on your trip to MA this weekend!
My sweet man and I went to Jackson Hole for our 25th anniversary 2 summers ago in large part due to your descriptions of it…I absolutely loved it! I asked God to “show off” for us and when He allowed us to see a Momma moose and her calf tears welled in my eyes b/c while no one else on our wildlife tour knew it was His doing, we did and it was all I could do not to brag on Him right then and there! My whole goal was to see moose and we did! Our last night there we saw a “moose couple” all by ourselves at a little place (I can’t remember the name). It was a fantastic place to visit. For my 50th birthday this next year I hope to take some of the kids with us and visit Grand Junction in addition to driving down to the Grand Canyon. Thanks for sharing your love for the Tetons…it is contagious 🙂
my happy place is skypeing with my family in australia.
my happy place is hugging my baby after coming home from work.
my happy place is being in church
my happy place is reading to my kids
my happy place is this blog, too!
Mama Beth,
Thanks for your beautiful rendering of the GRAND [indeed] Tetons. We have been there once, around 13 years ago I think. A memory etched that will never be forgotten. Going again soon, I pray. I have a picture of that moose on Jenny Lake! We were much closer than you were to the fox.
My happy place is a little south and closer to home. I could live and someday I just may, in Estes Park, Colorado. Whenever rest and peace come calling, the trail to Emerald Lake or to the Pool in Rocky Mountain National Park is the answer to my longing. I know you think God lives in the Tetons, but really, He is just a half a state farther south. Sometimes you can even hear His voice as it whispers through the pine trees (what is left of them after the beetles came by!). But even with that, the new life that will spring from the death of the old will be his beautiful handiwork.
I have an idea. How about a Siesta gathering someday in Jackson. Wouldn’t that be fun? Or maybe in Estes Park. Have you seen the YMCA of the Rockies? Have you stayed there? How about if we just get together for coffee and bagels on that little lake and chat together. All of us. Heaven is going to be such fun!
By the way…hope Boston was an absolute blessing. I had a time there once myself. Wasn’t walking on those cobblestone streets in front of Paul Revere’s house the bees knees. Did you think that he walked on those VERY SAME STONES??? Uuh…
Thanks for the memories and relaxing good word tonight. On with life…
Hi Beth, loved hearing about your wonderful day with your daughter! God is so good to us!!!
The ladies at my church are LOVING your study of Daniel. I think about it every day! Praying for you as God uses your life to touch so many~
Love, Dayna
This is soooo awesome!! I don’t have a place to go in the natural, but at home, at work or where ever I am, and things get too much for me to handle, I will tell my coworkers, or whomever I am with at the time,” I’m outta here, I’m going to my happy place”, and I just get alone with MY LORD, Take a deep breath and let it out, and there I Am-is still there….
i know i’m a little late on this one.. but it’s been a very crazy week for me. treading water, but with my head barely above the surface….
my happy place has just been discovered this summer. This past year has been about getting to know myself…. because I never took the time to cultivate hobbies, passions…. part of this journey was reading “So Long, Insecurities.” it has been instrumental in changing my life this year.
so, with all that said… i have two “happy places”….. one is wood’s cove, which is a small beach (very hidden) in Laguna Beach… I went alone MANY times this summer EARLY in the morning with a warm starbucks, a good book, my bible, and my journal all in hand. then I introduced my dear friend to join me…. she was going through a rough time and I knew she’d love the spot.
my 2nd happy place (but equally beautiful) is crystal cove in Newport Beach…. there I go with a very special friend as well and we walk, talk, spread out a blanket at night and stare at the stars. To be able to see the ocean and the star speckled sky…. at the same time…. to me is breathtaking. Both represent the VASTNESS of our God…. and how He spoke both into existence…. how He can hold the oceans in the palm of His hand…. and yet, He still knows me by name… knows my intimate secrets… cares for me… little ol’ me. that just blows my mind!!!
oh, just rememberd a 3rd “happy place”… curled up in my bed… with the alarm clock off… and nowhere to go…. i’m happy there too. 🙂
Wow! That is beautiful there.
My happy place is at the camp I grew up going to and then worked at for three summers. My favorite thing to do when I was on staff was to get up early, just as the sun was rising, and go down to the lake and grab a kayak. I would head out on the lake, as the mist was still rising off it with the sunrise and I would paddle out into the middle of it and then I would just sit and read my Bible and pray until morning staff meeting.
I still get to head up to that camp at least once a year and I still do that same thing every morning I’m there. I’m not usually a morning person (in fact, I usually avoid any sign of morning whenever I can, noon is a great time to get up), but when I’m there it’s like I can’t sleep past about 15 minutes before sunrise. Anywhere at that camp, but especially on the lake watching the sunrise, refreshes me in ways no other place can. I love being there.
My happy place is Jackson, WY. I just got back from two wonderful weeks there (we were there at the same time – crazy!) this morning. I have several “musts” whenever I go home (I grew up there) and they include eating at Pearl St. Bagels (whole wheat with veggie cream cheese please), New York City Sub Shop, and spending as much time in the park as possible. We hiked Jenny Lake, String Lake and walked around Jackson Lake Lodge several times. I also love the chicken salad sandwich at Sweetwater, but didn’t go this time. Have you tried the lamb at the Blue Lion? Glad you had a good time in my favorite place!
The Tetons and Yellowstone are about my favorite places in the world. Live in West Texas and going to Wyoming is like heaven to Kerry and I. You’re pictures made me anxious to go back and soak up all of God’s Wyoming Delights.
Hi Beth,
The Tetons ARE beautiful and as I live in the Rocky Mountains you would think they would be my happy place…but alas, they are not. My happy place is the beach; it became my safe place when I was going through EMDR; intense memory recovery therapy. Now, whenever I visit the beach; hopefully once a year; I feel like I’m home…at peace, totally relaxed and even though it’s been 15 years, I feel safe. Ps. 31:7-8 mentions a “spacious place”, that verse and the visual of me and Jesus on the beach make me feel at peace no matter where I am or what I’m going through.
I’m so happy you got to have a retreat in your “happy place”…God is so good!
Joni Leahy
I can totally identify with your instant connection with the outdoors, specifically the mountains..As I viewed your pictures and read your commentary, I could feel the cool mountain wind blow through my hair..I did not grow up with an adventurous family..We went to the mall and to the movies, but mountain hikes were NEVER on the agenda..When I became a flight attendant in my twenties,,i became familiar with the unfamiliar..I went to places I had never been and somehow felt ‘at home’..Strangely comfortable in an utterly unfamiliar place…my first experience with this was while bicylcing in Paris on a bike tour..Id never been to this church in Paris but the moment I steered my rental into that square,,I felt consumed..flooded with sensations of home and comfort…My immediate response was laughter..I felt a warmness in my soul like I was not alone..Though i literally was…But God was there..I like to think riding a bike along side me…He was an ever present childhood friend who had tagged along, unbeknownst to me…He just showed up…Ive had many trips to hiking trails and other foreign places..All the experiences are similar in one way..He is there..With that same warm, ‘your not alone, child’ thing He does…God makes the unfamiliar places,,strangely and wonderfully familiar with Himself…
My happy place is along the coastline of Maine: specifically Pemaquid Point. It’s a popular tourist spot, but unlike the major touristy spots like Bar Harbor and Camden, there’s not too many people. You can climb on the rocks, walk for several miles along the coast, or find a God-made crevice in those huge rocks in the perfect shape of a seat and read 🙂
Thank you for sharing your travels and your pictures! Our family is young and it is difficult to get away. The sun streams in through the back windows of our house. I absolutely love to sit in the sun with a cup of tea and enjoy time with God.
the Bitteroot Valley in Montana (specifically Stevensville) is my happy place…much of what you’ve written here could have come straight from my own heart. I’m an Arkansas girl (can’t wait to see you next spring at Verizon!) too but Montana will always be home to me-though I’ve only been once. I walked around that entire week just staring at the mountains and watching people walk into the grocery store without even noticing them. Did they not SEE them?!! Some day i hope to go back…but I may not get back on the plane to come back to AR. 🙂
Greetings Siesta Mama Beth,
Your and Amanda’s trip seems so wonderful, and God was there with you, tis true:) He wanted to thrill your heart, and He did. I don’t have any particular place that would be my happy place, but maybe some in the running to become my happy place. Strangest thing, but anytime I’m near any body of water, whether it is a lake, a river, or the ocean, I’m at home. I could stare at the water’s movement forever. Perhaps because it reminds me of cleansing. Perhaps because it reminds me of purity. I don’t know exactly why. And if it is secluded, that is all the better, because if I’m feeling like I want to ugly cry and pray with a heart rended, then who is there to be appalled by my lack of togetherness? There’s not enough time for moments like that it seems, life being busy. It’s just me and Him in those moments, at that happy that I’ve been there place. Perfectly and securely at home in His arms.
Blessings always,
katiegfromtennessee
My happy place is in my backyard on a love swing, it sits 2 people.:). I have a bird feeder, where I gaze and watch the birds feed, also the squirrels, and field mice. I guess you could call it a small wild life sanctuary. I pray, think, ponder. I count it all joy, peace.
Thanks for the smiles:) Love the photos – especially of Amanda running out of her shoes! Thanks for always sharing — it means so much more than my feeble words are able to express. Be blessed, sister.
my place is the same as yours. Took a 2 week trip when my two girls were 5 and 7 out west (from Ohio) and fell in love with Jenny Lake! There is a picture I can see at this moment on our piano of my man and me with our girls at Inspiration Point With Jenny Lake in the background. Time of my life with my family. God showed us so many things on that trip and my girls still talk about it 🙂
Beautiful trip!
My favorite trip is to my kitch each a.m. whence I make a lovely latte. Not much of a traveler, but my husband is heading to Ethiopia in a few weeks…me, maybe soon to follow. Our pilgrimage of sorts.
the shoes that you pondered and asked yourself “why” … i have a pair that are similar but not exactly like those. i love them!! are they boots or are they sandals??? my friend calls them my oxymorons!!!
I have yet to find my happy place.
Right now, the only place I feel HOME is when I look into a friend’s eyes. He’s no longer in my life.. but when he’s near, the world around me disappears and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
My HAPPY place is at my mother in law’s house. It’s always so peaceful and serene and the presence of the Lord lives there.
Wow! This is our home away from home! I have grown up in Southest Idaho most of my life and love, love, love Jackson Hole and Yellowstone! We have walked around Jenny Lake so many times I can’t count and even camped there serveral times in our tent! We are going up to Jackson on the 23rd for some get away time and also going back in Novemeber to take some Christmas pictures of our family in front of the Tetons! Wish you could be there Beth! I so want to meet you some day!
Beth, I remonissed with you. I too love the mountains and I am from East TX. But my husband and I moved to Alaska just after we married and remained there until 1976. We returned in March of last year and fell in love with the place all over again. I think God will give us the desires of our hear in heaven and we will live in the mountains!
Love you to the sky, my sister.
Myra
Hello Beth, this response is a month late, but better late than never. I’ve been away from Jackson Hole for 3 years now, but previous to that lived there for 12 years. I also loved and frequented the very places you love (surprised i didn’t run into you) would of loved to have met you. I heard that at one time you were going to speak there and me and all my beth moore fans wanted to hear you but we never got the chance for unknown reasons. I share the same sentiments that you have for Jackson-the serengheti of America. Just wanted to thank you for all that you do for the women in the body of Christ. We love and appreciate you. I am going through the”Inheritance Study for the 2nd time, all I can say is Amazing. I asked God about inheritance for almost a year and then finally you came out with it. Thank God and thank you. Just wanted to share another scripture in light of inheritance that amazed me too. Isaiah 61:7 “Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs. So now that i understand inheritance more fully than before all I can say to this scripture is WOW!! May God bless you and your family and I look forward to seeing you in Spokane at the end of this month. God Speed!
The ocean. I used to picky about which one…but now I don’t care! My soul just longs for the ocean and I feel as though I may shrivel up if I don’t see it at least once a year. I feel so close to the Lord there and always stand in the surf and sing praise songs like “The Majesty and Glory of Your Name” and “Something, about the ocean, makes me rise up and praise.” I haven’t been to the ocean in almost 2 years now…so I’m in shrivel mode:-( My husband has promised to take me this summer though.
Thank you for this! I’ve been sitting at my desk (college homework, you see) for hours fretting and stressing about my upcoming week. I was about to give up and go to bed, but prayed for a moment of peace before I fell asleep, and somehow your blog came to mind. My family loves visiting the mountains (we’re from Austin, though), and some of my favorite memories are hiking through different ranges in Colorado, Canada, Wyoming, and Alaska. There’s something about mountains that inspires even the worst in us I think (because let me tell you, after a week in one car with six people, I was not always in the mood to be inspired.) Thank you for giving me the opportunity to fall asleep thinking about my family and happy memories instead of stressing!
I live in Buffalo, Wyoming, a small town at the base of the Big Horn Mountans. We moved here just over 10 years ago from another city in Wyoming. The mountains have always been my refuge and where I feel closest to God. I have found sanctuary there, along trails, the creeks and in the trees. I love to run and have found the combination of running in the mountains to truly be my most blessed time with God. I have been to Jackson a number of times and understand why you would call it your favorite place. No matter where you are, the tetons are right there…as if only a few steps away at every turn. There is something so powerful, yet comforting about the majestic peaks. Truly one of God’s finest creations. I am so happy you find Wyoming and it’s beautiful mountains to be a place of refuge too.
My happy place is YOUR happy place however I think I had it first….1978. Been going there to watch moose almost every winter since then.
Beth-
My husband grew up going skiing in Jackson Hole. One of his parents really good friends from college was an engineer on the tram. SO guess where he wanted to take me on our honeymoon? We stayed at the Alpenhof Lodge. I had never skiied in my life. I fell in love. We have been back once since then – 5 years ago. I think it is time for another visit! Last time we took a snowmobile tour of Yellowstone – I highly recommend it. I have amazing pictures and we saw all kinds of animals and just GORGEOUS moments in God’s creation.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. It makes we want to go back now.
my Happy Place is not that far from yours. Its in Wyoming too, but on top of Green Mountain, near Jeffrey City. Looking off the south side you can see all the way to Colorado.
I was there two weeks ago. I got to sit there and slow down to a stop. I got to spend time with my dad and uncle. And God showed me joy in resting with Him.
The Tetons are my happy place as well! I literally crave them every year. I go at least once or twice and I live in Virginia! Two months ago, I was visiting my brother and his family in Montana. My niece and I decided to load up the suburban and take a roadtrip to the Tetons. So, we did! We slept in the vehicle in the woods, with the Tetons in clear and close view. I know God is everywhere, but I feel oddly closer to him when I’m in Jackson Hole, WY. Strange, huh!
Oh, Beth! I also love the Tetons and Jackson Hole, WY. As a matter of fact almost anywhere in the mountains is fine with me.
Thank you so much for sharing and for letting us “talk” to you this way.
By the way, I am currently doing The Patriachs and LOVING it. Tonight we are doing DVD #6 about Jacob facing Esau–I’ve already listened to my CD twice and watched the DVD twice! God has been speaking to me through this.
Bless you! I’m praying for the Lord to continue to be with you!