I'm Here: Southern Alberta, Canada
by Boundless Community on 07/13/2009 at 9:15 AM
I’ve lived here in sunny southern Alberta for eleven years now, and one of the reasons I love it is that you get the best of both worlds: the huge open sky and prairie, and an hour’s drive away, the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. (This is why I had to attach two pictures!)
Although I have been a devout follower of Boundless for a few years now, you won’t find me listening to a Podcast in these amazing locations. Instead, you will find me gazing silently upon the wonders of Abba’s creation – frequently with my mouth half open in awe and worship. The sky here reminds me of one of my favorite Anne of Green Gables quotes (forgive me, gentlemen ... ):
“That’s the part I never really could understand ... why must one kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray, I’d go out into a great big field ... all alone. I’d look up into the sky and I’d imagine it was the dome of a great cathedral. Oh, and then, I’d close my eyes and just feel a prayer.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. :)
Shalom,
Melissa
1. Joe said the following at 10:45 AM on Jul 13:
Absolutely beautiful! I love the mountains. Thanks for sharing.
2. BDB said the following at 11:08 AM on Jul 13:
Without smog, the view is amazing!
3. L said the following at 11:20 AM on Jul 13:
You are so right. Alberta is so beautiful and it's diversity is just part of that. A few hours drive and you can look at dinosaur bones, a glacier or wheat fields. I miss the people, too. Especially once you are out of Calgary, Albertans are their own culture and it's great!
4. Adam Thompson said the following at 1:46 PM on Jul 13:
Fitting use of the AOGG quote. :-)
5. Sarah22 said the following at 4:17 PM on Jul 13:
TRULY AWESOME SCENERY!!
6. Priscilla said the following at 4:35 AM on Jul 14:
Those are stunningly beautiful pictures, Melissa! (And the colour of your clothes complements the colours of the scenery beautifully as well!)
I visited Alberta for the first time last year, even though I grew up in Canada, (in the Maritime provinces, much closer to Anne-land!) and yes, it was the spaces of the prairies and the grandeur of the Rockies that captured the eye and prompted spontaneous worship.
I also love the Anne-quote. Isn't that from her early days at Green Gables when she's shocking the staid Marilla with every second sentence? Marilla wanted her to pray "Now I lay me down to sleep" and Anne comes up with this gloriously wider concept of prayer instead. When she finally does pray, she thanks God for the Lake of Shining Waters and the White Way of Delight, and asks that she be good-looking when she grows up, and ends with "I remain, yours respectfully, Anne Shirley"!
So far as the feeling a prayer while out in a big field looking up into the dome of the sky is concerned, to me, it's the ocean that does that. I can sit and watch the waves for ages, and my heart is full and overflowing with praise to God without my ever articulating a word.
7. Kristen said the following at 7:10 AM on Jul 14:
WOW - beautiful scenery! Is the first photo Waterton? And I always loved that Anne of Green Gables quote, too!
8. Melissa said the following at 12:42 PM on Jul 14:
Thanks for the comments, all!
Priscilla (#6):
You've got it! The quote is from when Anne first comes to Green Gables and Marilla is finding out what a "heathen" she is. I love that scene. And, I am in total agreement with you about the ocean...it's actually my favorite place to be. I just don't get there as often as I'd like. It is my earnest desire to visit the Maritimes for the first time next summer -- I found a great cottage on PEI!
Kristen (#7): Yes, the first photo is from Waterton Lakes park. :) Are you from the area as well?