While In Rome...go to your Tree House

Some time ago mom shared with us an idea that you can close your eyes and visually go to a place in your mind that is peaceful and quiet. A place that you feel safe and secure. This is helpful at times when you're feeling anxious or stressed and especially comes in handy at bedtime. My dad used to say to me when I was little, "There is nothing on your plate" and I'd try to visualize an empty white plate. But if I started to pile tomorrow's to-do list on the plate with an extra helping of cares and worries, then would be a good time to go to my tree house.

I'd like to share my tree house with you! It happens to be way across the Atlantic Ocean in Rome, Italy. Tyler and I have been blessed to go to Italy two times in the last two years (and so far it's not very likely that we'll continue that tradition, but you never know with us!) and it's one of our favorite places in the world.

Sometimes I'll go back to Rome in my mind and remember all of our adventures. The sights, the smells, the tastes...especially the tastes! But if I had to pick one favorite place in Rome, I'd pick St. Peter's Basilica. This is my tree house because to me it's the most awe-inspiring, the most breathtakingly beautiful, the most majestic place..and yet it's so peaceful! I picture myself there in the early hours of the morning just as the doors are opened to the public. I go in and start to walk around, noticing how quiet it is because so few of us are there. As I take in the beauty of the artwork and the mosaics, my soul and mind are still, and even without an effort on my part I know that I am in the presence of God and I am at rest.

Where is your tree house? Check out one of my dad's here!