The Majestic Falls | Ontario, Canada

When we lived in Rhode Island, we took every opportunity to travel around New England that we could. Boston was particularly one of my favorites, but another favorite was our trip to Canada. I know, right? Canada. The land of hockey, all things maple, and the annoying little phrases “aboot” and “eh?” to name but a few. Why, especially in all the places that we frequented in New England, would I consider Canada to be a favorite trip?

I really enjoyed it simply because of Niagara Falls. At that point in my short little life  (I was about 11) it was really the most majestic thing I had ever seen. Honestly, other than the ride up the mountain, it’s really the only thing I remember about our time there! Aside from the millions of maple leaf paraphernalia that undoubtedly could be found every where you looked, naturally.

But goodness, what a lasting impression. We were able to view the falls form both the American and Canadian sides, see it in crisp daylight, and by the soft spell of moonlight. We stood on the desks (complete with my umbrella hat – oh yes, just like the one in Bruce Almighty – and those obnoxious yellow disposable rain jackets) and the closeness to such power was incredible. The sheer size of the falls was enough to astound anyone, but I will say that the one thing I couldn’t help but notice is the vastly commercialized area that it had become…

T-shirts, lapel pins, postcards, tiny figurines, and the like were at every corner you turned. It was almost as though the beauty of the cascading waters was overshadowed by the multitudes of individuals merely desiring to check it off their list.

But then I realized that, though few and far between, there were those people who were truly breath taken with what was before them. That more than just a bucket list, it was an opportunity to take in with such awe of this magnificent creation. That in it’s vastness, that we could simultaneously see just how incredible the Creator is, but just how tiny we are in comparison. This trip sparked within me a longing to witness His creation in as many forms as possible. To see the pounding waters of the falls, and the expansive open of the desserts. The luscious rain forests, and the forgotten beaches. To explore the wonders of this world, both natural and manmade. It was during this trip, that as I was beginning to understand not only who I was, but what I liked, and what defined me. Though I was a few years from truly understanding who Christ was and just what that meant for my life, it was this trip that planted the seed of yearning for something more. That there was something bigger than myself, and that these incredible sights pointed to the one true God who created me and loved me.

I had no idea in those moments just what was taking place and what was starting to grow within me, but looking back, I am thankful for the opportunity to stand there with the water misting around me, and to be filled with the awe and wonder of what this world had to offer. And so began my desire to conquer this world in some capacity; visiting such marvels, learning the cultures, the languages, the people. A beautiful start to what has become such an integral part of my life.