Off the Beaten Path in Southwest Montana

When I think of Montana, I think of a beautiful open country, and it did not disappoint. We explored some rural parts of Southwest Montana. I would love to revisit in order to float down the Big Hole River ( also a great river for fly fishing).

Where to stay in Southwest Montana

We stayed at Hyde RV Park  in Divide, Montana. This is a family owned and ran RV park in Montana’s Big Hole Valley. The owner share the history of this land, and she is very knowledgeable about the area as she grew up there. The park has pull-through sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups along with water. There is also a sanitary dump in the campground. 

Things to do in Southwest Montana

Along with fishing and floating the Big Hole River, there is a trail from the campground to the Happy Camp Park area. Here we found the Dewey Cemetery and a life size Tonka Truck.

Don’t miss out on the beautiful sunsets!

While in Montana, we took advantage of teaching our daughter to drive on the back roads. She loved it. I felt as if we were in a country song.

She drove us to Twin Bridges, MT. This is a quaint little town. We parked at the fairgrounds and moseyed around town.

If you are ever in this area stop by the Twin Bridges Historical Association Museum. We saw “3D art," as my daughter likes to say (mounted animals). The museum had pictures, displays, and records of the town's history. The volunteers there suggested that we visit Virginia City while in the area.

Virginia City, MT, has a rich history and resembles the “Old West”. If you find yourself in this historical town make sure to take a train ride, visit the many shops and museums, and don’t forget to indulge in small batch, handmade ice cream at The City Creamery. If you have a sweet tooth like me, make sure you also leave with a souvenir from Cousin's Candy Shop!

Our time in Southwest Montana was short so we didn’t get to try the many hot springs, state parks, or indulge in the chocolate trail. My kids have been to Yellowstone National Park twice, but Scott and I have yet to go. A goal of mine is to spend more time in Montana. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

Bible Verse of the Day

Romans 13:8 ESV

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Reflection

I prayed about our financial situation and God gave us this verse the next morning during our bible study. Then like Gideon, I prayed again and said “God is this really what you are saying, please show me again if this is what you mean.” Then the next day we were watching a random youtube channel and the guy quoted this verse. 

• Okay God I hear you, if we have the means to pay off a debt we should do it. It is scary giving up a big chunk of our savings to pay off a debt, but I need to learn not to hold on to money so tightly for security... Because God will provide, He always has.

• Also Paul is teaching that there is a debt that we will never pay off, which is the debt to love one another. According to some people, Christians have the reputation of being hypocritical and judgmental, but in reality we should be the most reliable and loving people. 

My family watched "Jesus Revolution" last night. It's an inspiring movie about a 60s-70s revival led by Pastor Chuck Smith and Lonnie Frisbee, who reached out and opened their church doors to hippies. They suspected that the drug use and free love was really a search for truth and enlightenment, in other words a search for Jesus and they were right! It shows how God uses imperfect underdogs, like Lonnie, and led to Greg Laurie's ministry, making it one of the biggest Christian youth revival's our country has seen.

• I couldn't help but think of the LGBTQ community. While I strongly support protecting our children from what I perceive as the abuse of gender reassignment surgery, safeguarding parental rights, and challenging government influence in our schools, I wonder if there are parallels to the hippie movement.

• Are they perhaps seeking God, but looking in all the wrong places? Christians often fear this community, but can’t we love an individual without condoning their lifestyle? Don’t we do this everyday anyway as none of us are perfect? Pastor Chuck Smith saw beyond drug addiction and free love in order to show kindness and open doors to the person, shouldn’t we do the same? It makes me wonder if Jesus, in today's world, would be hanging with these individuals, the new societal outcasts. 

• We don’t just owe a debt of love to people like us, but especially to those different from us, for that is where Jesus shines, isn't it? This is an area where I definitely need to grow as my shyness can really get in the way of being inviting towards people despite my genuine desire to do so.

My prayer for us all is that Jesus will take away our fear of being uncomfortable and help us to see, love, and minister to others with an openness we have never experienced before. May God give us the ability to pay off our financial debts and the courage to never stop loving others, especially when it is unpopular amongst our church, family, friends, and neighbors. I pray for another Jesus Movement in America!

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