Yes, God, we'll see You in the things You have made.

We drove 8 hours up to Ely, Minnesota and stopped at the Ranger Station to pick up our Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permits.  From there we drove to the Moose Lake boat ramp where we loaded our canoes and said goodbye to our logistics staff.   Then we paddled off into the sun in a land of lakes.  Small, primitive campsites scatters the shores of the Boundary Waters, so each evening, we would paddle to a new site, set up camp, and enjoy the wilderness.  Daily we'd wake up, spend time with God, and then eat breakfast and hit the water for another day of paddling.  Most lakes were less than five miles long, so once we paddled to the other side, we'd get out of our canoes and carry them and the rest of our gear over to the next lake.  Small trails connected the lakes and genrally lasted about 1/4 mile to 1/2 mile in length.  Carrying our canoes was both a physical and mental challenge.  Rocks and steep slopes were frequent in the trails, causing us to step up in our "portage" skills. (Portage refers to the process of transporting gear and boats from one lake to another.

Weather in the Boundary Waters was unpredictable.  One morning we'd wake up to bright sunny skies, and within the hour, the clouds would roll in and a stead rain would make itself present.  Most days were calm, yet others were characterized by constant strong winds making paddling a challenge.  Generally we paddled about three miles per hour, yet on days when the wind was strong, we probably only managed less than 1/4 mile per hour. 

We saw many loons on the lakes....loons are frequent in the northwoods.  They resemble ducks and are known to be excellent underwater swimmers.  Their red eyes are stunning in contrast with their black necks.  Check out the picture:

Many sweet moments were had in the Boundary Waters...sunrises and sunsets, worship on the sandy beaches, campfires with hot cocoa, card games in tents, rain storms and blue skies, island camping, swimming, exploring the new camp sites, laughing, sharing inside jokes....the list goes on. 

The depth of the experience lies in the ways we encountered God.  We saw Him through the things He made.  There was a day when I was praying....I read a verse about being renewed and "soaring on wings like eagles"....I prayed to see an eagle, and 30 seconds later, one flew right overtop of me!  It was the closest I have ever been to an eagle!  God was present...and not only to send an eagle, but to simple just dwell with me.  He walked with us on this trip, guiding us in our route, but also in our journey of faith in Him. 

By the end of the experience, not only had we improved our paddle strokes and mosquito slaying skills, but we had also improved in our ability to recognize God in the natural world around us.  He was ever-present in the things He has made.