I’m soaring 35,000 feet over the Golden State as I type this entry. I have had many a spiritual memory in SoCal. Not only did I go to college here, but my in-laws live down south. I thought it’d be fun to list a few of my most Spiritually Memorable locations in life and maybe a quick sentence or two as to why. I’d love for you to comment and list any of your own!
Malibu Club, Canada (British Columbia, Young Life Camp). On June 28, 1990, I trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. God’s glory shown at this beautiful scenic locale. I have been back 4-5 since and I am flooded with great memories of His majestic views and the new eyes He gave me for His Word.
Santa Clarita/Castaic, CA. Can’t really say “it’s beautiful,” but will say that this is where God began to build the foundation for the rest of my life. I met my best friends for life (most importantly my wife), began my first youth ministry and learned much about the “B-I-B-L-E!”
Lake Kachess, WA. As my friend Miki Vercammen was sharing at my going away shin-dig she reminded me of some great times I have had at Lake Kachess. Many of the most recent memories were of leading the Wave Campout. Great hikes, boating and plenty of fantastic talks/prayer/worship!
Rural America. Each town has a different personality. But each of my Rural Mission trips has had significant impact on my spiritual life. Specifically, Mineral, Morton, Pine Valley, Rockaway Beach, Unity (including the Bus Caravan there), and Julian stand out the most because of the settings and the people (on my team and in the town).
There are more, like Colorado Springs (married there, speaking at camps), Hawaii (speaking), Mexican Prison (a mission, not an inmate), India (mission) and others, but I wanted to keep my list at least somewhat short!
What about you? What physical locale has been significant to you?
Grace,
Brian
BRIANAABY.COM 
I think Pine Valley, CA would be my choice. haha. Anyone who knows me well would know that.
We went there on a mission trip last year (2007)
I just loved how God brought together everyone on our team as well as all the youth we came into contact with.
I remember God taking from me the vulnerability to distraction while I was there. I was constantly focused on him and the spiritual high I developed in Pine Valley evolved into much more than the average “Youth Retreat High”.
The trip totally tweaked my motives and drove me towards obedience.
The kitchen table at my childhood home on the farm where I accepted Christ at 4 is the start of my spiritual memorable locations (okay, the table was technically an object). My childhood church/ school is next: It’s where I spent 6 of the seven days of the week learning about Christ and trying to follow in His footsteps. Going back there will always be like I am going back home. And, it will also always be what I compare every church, pastor, youth program to for the rest of my life. Nope, none will ever quite measure up – sorry.
Hmmm, next it’s MO, GA, two states in Germany, NC, back to OR – all places where God brought people into my life that helped me listen more closely to God’s voice. And it wasn’t always because they knew Him. The outcome of all these places in 6 years: contentment! I am so glad He taught me that early!! It wasn’t fun though – for me or the two who dealt with me most during that time.
Everett, WA – Northshore Christian – where I finally was obedient in baptism.
Seattle, WA – My first roots since I was 18 were put down here, so BPPC and the ‘hood will always have a huge part in my life! God gave me my heart’s desire here…and I realized it wasn’t quite as important as I had originally thought!It’s where God had some jobs He wanted me to take on despite my utter inadequacies – and that’s what He wanted me to learn – that He can do all things – I just need to obey and say I would be available.
Tacoma, WA – Quite the shake-up in my life – still feeling a little adrift and oh, is it frustrating. Learning to wait on His perfect timing in all things.
And when I first read your post I thought I had nothing to share…
So here are a few of mine, just things that come to mind. Some obviously are more significant than others, but here our locations that stand out to me.
1) Buck Creek Camp, during our Stockade Camp Outs. Honestly the only specific thing I remember that impacted me was one of the leaders did McDowell’s “Lord, Lunatic, or Liar” talk. I was in 3rd or 4th grade but I remember it to this day.
2) Lakeside Bible Camp on Whidbey Island. I had some great counselors during my weeks at summer camp, and heard some good speakers too. The summer before my freshmen year of high school I served on a work-crew like team for a week, that was great.
3) Mexico and Montana (during High school mission trips). Again, it’s hard to point to just one thing I learned on these trips, but I know that being involved in service, and the relationships I built with the leaders and peers had a significant impact on my walk with Christ.
4) Hoonah, Mineral/Morton, Rockaway, Hornbrook, Spokane, and Beatty. These are all towns that I did rural mission trips too. Hoonah was significant for me because it was one of the first times I was entrusted with some area of spiritual leadership. Rockaway beach was the first place I gave a ‘talk’, when I shared the gospel from Luke 15. It was also the first time I led someone to Christ! (I wonder how Victor is doing?). Hornbrook was my first sermon that I ever gave.
5) The Master’s College and Grace Community Church. These two places were huge for me from 18-22. Master’s gave me so much valuable teaching and training in Bible and Theology, I’m so thankful for my time there. G-Comm built into me a love for God’s word and for preaching that have carried with me and grown till this day.
6) Kehei, HI. The year that I spent on Maui was spiritually challenging for many reasons, but it was probably the year where my personal walk with Christ was the strongest. I was in His word and fed by Him through my time in it probably more then any other time in my life.