Ellen White on Vacation

by Anna Galeniece

Do you like going on a vacation? Many kids traveled with their families, went camping, or visited new places this summer. Even if you didn’t get a chance to go anywhere, there’s still time to enjoy nature before the weather gets cold. A trip to a park, a bike ride by the lake, or a picnic near a river can be just as memorable. 

You might wonder, Did Ellen White ever take a vacation? As a very busy woman, she shared God’s prophetic messages with others and wrote many books. But even someone as hardworking as she was needed rest. So the answer to this question is both yes and no. Mrs. White didn’t take vacations the way people do today, with games and fun rides. But she did take time to rest, heal, and enjoy God’s creation.

For example, James and Ellen White went to the Colorado mountains in the summer of 1872. They stayed there for about two months on the way to California. They needed fresh air and quiet time to get their health back. Some family members accompanied them. 

While Mrs. White enjoyed the time in the mountains, she kept writing. She didn’t completely stop working, but she felt refreshed because she was surrounded by nature. Daily walks in the fresh air amid tall evergreen trees, colorful flowers, and cheerfully singing birds filled her heart with joy.

The family liked to explore the area, pick fresh berries, and ride ponies. One day they visited stamping mills, where workers crushed rocks to find valuable minerals. They even collected some mineral samples to show others!

They especially liked to hike closer to the snow-covered mountaintops. Their son Willie enjoyed climbing to the top of gigantic rocks towering hundreds of feet high. After a long walk, they would sit on rocks and discuss God’s amazing creation. Then the family would humbly kneel and pray with hearts full of gratitude, “Oh, our loving Father, we thank You for Your beautiful creation. As You care for it, care for us and continue guiding us forward!” 

Sometimes while enjoying the outdoors she would read to her husband what she had been writing. “You are a good listener and editor,” she said. Being more educated in grammar, James helped prepare it for print. They worked as a team, even on vacation.

Along the way, the Whites met people and befriended them. This allowed them to share God’s love and Adventist literature with the residents of the region. As you can see, Mrs. White didn’t separate rest, work, and faith. Their vacation wasn’t just fun. They got peaceful refreshment in the mountains, strengthened their health, purposefully did God’s work, and spent precious time with people.

So next time you take a vacation or go on a short trip, remember: You can relax, enjoy nature, appreciate your family and friends, and still stay close to God!