Grace’s Day 1 reflections

Chris already gave a good overview of the food, hiking, and history we’ve experienced, so I’ll share my more internal experiences.

So far, the walking has been difficult but very do-able. There were a couple of very steep miles today that required me to go slow and take lots of breaks, but it was never super miserable. I don’t think I’ll be terribly sore tomorrow.

I’ve been looking at the book I made with everyone’s words of encouragement and prayer intentions, and have been holding everyone in my prayers. Yesterday, we saw lots of calla lilies growing around SJPP which reminded me of my maternal grandparents (Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Ray) so I lit my candle at the Church in SJPP for them. Today, on the toughest part of my climb I thought of the words my friend Patty sent with me “May your steps be a prayer…in hard times, may your sweat and tears be a blessing.” During that same time, we saw lots of butterflies and I thought of my teaching partner, Silvia, who wrote that I should think of her good wishes every time I saw a butterfly (we studied butterflies as our final science unit with the kids this year), so I spent that time praying for Silvia and our TK kids.

On the last kilometer, a passing van left the strong smell of bleach in its wake and that triggered a sense memory of hanging out in my Grandma Ruth’s kitchen so I spent some time praying for her and Grandpa Warren and I felt them walking with me.

The albergue is full with 13 or 14 pilgrims and I think Chris and I are the only Americans. I just had a lovely long chat with Pia from Sweden about the new Pope, MAGA Christians, and Sweden’s newest wave of immigrants. Looking forward to dinner in a bit. Our innkeeper is a retired chef, and it smells amazing!Read more