Day 1: Marseille to Leon
Galen and I flew to Madrid and took a train to Leon. God kept us safe and even got our luggage there in one piece. We played cards to pass the time and Galen turned the volume up on his ipod to drown out the sound of the screaming 5 year old next to us on the train. Highlight of the day: Dominos pizza at the Leon train station!
Day 2: Leon to San Martin - 27km
With 14 of us all together, we started our walk about 8am today. We took a lunch break in the town we'd planned to stop in and decided to keep walking. We met a nice British man today who is traveling with a New Yorker. While I already had two blisters at the end of today, I feel like I could have walked at least 5k more.
Day 3: San Martin to Astorga - 26km
Today we left at 8:45 and arrived at 2:45pm. While it was a long day, my feet felt fine until about noon. I switched from the chacos back to my shoes and kept going. Some more friends joined us in Astorga and now our group is 18. I spent a lot of time today praying that God would help me let go of physical things here on earth as well as hopes and dreams that I have in my mind - replaing them with more of himself instead.
Day 4: Astorga to Foncebadon - 30km
Left earlier today, about 6am and arrived by 12:30. Stopped along the way today for Spanish tortilla (eggs, potatoes and onion served almost like a thick omlet) and cafe con leche. I walked the last 8km with Heidi and it was all up hill. What a great feeling when we finally reached the top! Some others arrived before us and we had a great lunch, steak and fries! I'm gaining more and more blisters and am in increasing pain. Maybe it will be better tomorrow.
Day 5: Foncebadon to Ponferrada - 25km
I've been in pain all day. There were a lot of hills today and I found that with my blisters and my quads, it hurt a lot less if I jogged down the hills instead of walking. I bought a walking stick back in Astorga and it served as a great balancing tool as I went. I must have jogged at least 5k but probably more today with my pack on. Sheesh! Made it about 5km outside of our destination and checked my feet. Once I popped a blister we were on our way, but I was in extreem pain. I began asking God what I should do. He told me I needed to take a car to the next town and rest. The only thing I could think was "but I want to do this, I want to finish!" It was very clear that I was being given an opportunity to lay down my pride and act out of obedience. I soon found a car with a really nice girl to take me in to Ponferrada. The albergue there had a spring fed pool for soaking your feet and a dr. to care for them. I was so thankful. God is so good!
Day 6: Ponferrada to Villafranca - 23km
I took a bus today with two others from our group. It was about a 30 minute ride while the group walked for about 5 hours. I went to a pharmacy and got some supplies and also visited the post office. A fellow pilgrim shared that you could mail extra things to Santiago and pick them up when you arrive. So for less than $10 I packed up about half of what I'd brought and sent it on! Thank you Lord for a lighter pack! Had some neat spiritual conversations today. I'm glad I was not only able to rest, but also able to hear how God is working in others lives.
Day 7: Villafranca to O'Cebreiro - 33km
Wow! I cannot believe I made it today! It was almost all up hill and the last 10km was very steep the whole way. My hiking buddies were a great encouragement today and I really focused my time in prayer to allowing God to be my strength. It is easy to depend on our own strength when we think we have it. Today I did not have strength, but only that which was given to me. Actually, that is ever day! But today I began to realize that truth! We hiked from 5:30 am to 2:15pm and there was not room for us in the ablergue so we had to get a hotel. Yet another blessing! Galen and I found a neat fair trade coffee place along the way today. It was a good, but very difficult day. Two friends prayed for me tonight that God would heal my body. I wait expectantly. I really appreciated the emails of encouragement today!
Day 8: O'Cebreiro to Triacastela - 20km
I walked the first 10km today and then was not able to go on. I secured a taxi and met the group at the albergue in town. Most of today was spent alone, in prayer, and resting. I was so thankful to rest. My achilles tendon has become very tight. Almost too tight to walk. It is possible I won't be able to hike tomorrow. I listened to a sermon today on Luke 19 and the pastor talked about how everything we have - material things, our health or our lack of health - all of it is a gift from God and should be used for the purpose of furthering his kingdom. What a great perspective to have. I was also reminded today of the story of Daniel when his three companions and put in the fire and the king tells them to have their God save them. They say that whether he saves them or not, he is still God and is still good! That's where I am. God if you heal me or if you don't, you are still God and you are still good!
Day 9: Triacastela to Sarria - 25km
Took a taxi today with two others. We arrived pretty early and spent some time in a hiking shop close to the street where the albergues are located. I was able to buy some hiking socks which should help my feet in the coming days. My spirits feel more lifted today and I am very thankful. I'm hoping that my pain will subside and I can make it the remaining 100km. (To receive your compostela - or completion certificate- you must walk the entire last 100km). A big group of us had pizza for lunch and I was able to spend some good time with the Lord. I had dinner with some new friends, one of which is a fellow longhorn! I'm asking today for the Lord's provision in all things and praying for the strenth needed to complete the hike.
Day 10: Sarria to Portomarin - 23 km
My friend and I left at 5:15 this morning and had arrived by 10:30am. We arrived early enough to get a bed in the municipal albergue (these are the least expensive placed to stay in each town). While I'm in quite a bit of pain, it is nothing compaired to the last few days. Thank you Lord for the strength to finish today and finish strong! I spent a lot of time today talking to God about thankfulness and he has healed my achilles tendon. I have no pain there. Listened to a great sermon today while walking. It was on servant leadership and said that to be a servant leader you must be willing to commit yourself to prayer and being in the Word. This is my prayer!
Day 11: Portomarin to Palas de Rei - 27 km
I left alone this morning at 5am. (I leave much earlier than others because I know my pain slows me down and I want to get a bed in the next town). I prayed as I left for God's provision today in finding my way, in strength to continue, and in encoruagement along the way. Not five minutes later I was joined on the path by two Spanish women. They chatted and I listed for a few hours until the sun came up. They shared their breakfast with me as we walked and bought me cafe con leche once the cafe's were open. They walked with me all the way to Palas de Rei and while they spoke no English and I spoke very little Spanish, they were the answer to my prayer for provision today. Lord, I am so thankful that you are quick to answer us when we are in need.
Day 12: Palas de Rei to Ribadiso - 27km
Left early this morning with Jake. We spent a lot of time talking about how God has brought us to the place we are in our lives and the ways he has molded and formed us. We talke about ideas for our time in France and with excitement about things that are already happening! We and 5 others stopped in Ribadiso tonight. The albergue has a camp like feeling with cabins and a river. We were able to soak our feet in the cold water, enjoy meals a the only cafe in "town" and enjoy eachother's company. While my pain was sever for the last 5km today, God was glorified. What more could you ask for! His will, not mine be done! Ran into some German friends tonight and am looking to visit them in January. So excited!
Day 13: Ribadiso to O'Pino - 24km
Walked today with two other girls from our group. We talked as we walked, we sang as we walked, we danced and laughed as we walked. The last 15 minutes of the hike today was raining. The only rain we've seen on the Camino. We walked faster! We secured a place in line and got breakfast until the albergue opened at 1. Today was the coldest I've been in Spain! God was gracious to provide strength today!
Day 14: O'Pino to Santiago - 25km
The six of us walked together today. We walked at a good pace but spent a lot of time laughing and singing. When we finally made it to the edge of Santiago we were so excited! Unforunately it was at least another 5km to arrive at the city center where the cathedral stands and where the line had formed to receive your compostela. Thankfully the Lord provided and we all made it! WOW! WE MADE IT! What a long journey it has been, but a great one. God has shown himself to me over and over again and beconed me for a response. He's opened up doors for great conversations along the way and I am learning more and more about who he is and who I am in him.
We had Burger King today and Dominos pizza for dinner in the plaza beside the cathedral for Courtney's 25th birthday! Six of us stayed the night in a woman's apartment that she's opened up for pilgrims. What a great day!
Day 15: Santiago
We moved to a new albergue today, had a quick breakfast and then attended the pilgrim's mass at the cathedral. It was interesting to listen to the Spanish being spoken for the service, see the hundreds who were there to witness it and get to spend about an hour and a half praying for those around me. We saw the shrines set up for Mary, the disciples and saints. They even had machines where you put in a Euro and a candle with a tiny light bulb lights up. It was a really neat experience.
We had frapes at a chocolate shop in town. I can honestly say it was much better than any Starbucks frapaccinno I've ever had! Courtney and Ester and I had a fun time looking at European fashion and trying on some outfits to pass the time! We passed friends from the Camino as we wlaked the streets and it was a fabulous culmination of the weeks of walking.
Day 16: Santiago to Madrid to Marseille
We made it to the airport in Santiago and checked in, had breakfast and were on our way. Galen, Courntey and I ran into some American friends in the Madrid airport and just made it to our flight. Courtney and I colapsed in the apartment as soon as the door shut behind us! Shower and clean clothes were at the top of our list!
Thank you to all who supported me in going on this journey financially and through prayer. I am so very thankful. I don't know what my expectation was going in, but I know now that I never expected to encounter God in such a real way! Thank you for making it happen!
Pictures to follow!
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