Arrived

 I didn’t write last night for several reasons- mainly because I was exhausted and because I needed to process the day. This morning, I am well rested but still working on processing. But, I’ll throw out some initial thoughts. I think this walk will be giving me gifts and insight for days and weeks to come. 

I didn’t think we’d make it. The storm that hit the day before we were supposed to arrive in Santiago and continue through yesterday was fierce! But, we looked at the radar and decided to set out a little later than usual and stop if we needed to. We walked through puddles past our ankles, took a detour when a road was flooded and blocked by down trees, and walked through so much mud! But, we got to Santiago and the rain stopped! A few showers and cold after we arrived, but all in all, we were so lucky! 

Five of us arrived together. I am grateful for those friendships and sharing that experience with such special people! As we walked the last 10 days, we talked, listened, processed, and laughed. We supported and encouraged each other. 

Living in a collective society for these 2 weeks has shown me the blessings of that life. I had read about it in classes but until I spent the last two weeks living it, I didn’t know what it meant to experience it. Living in a world where everyone helped each other, where things like money for laundry or other things wasn’t something to be split to the last penny, where someone I just met did my laundry, or I did theirs. How do we get there in our real world? I dread going back home to the hate that politics and racism, along with other things, have put into my world. 

The time in Spain is different. They have a siesta in the afternoon and they eat dinner late. I don’t get a siesta, but I usually eat dinner late. Ha! I always thought I was weird but now I know I am just living the Spanish life! The pace here is so much different and it’s a goal of mine. I know I am too busy and I feel like I’m on a treadmill unable to get off. This time has helped me to process this. I don’t have solutions, but I’m working on it. It’s possible and I hope to figure it out eventually. I think it will be trial and error when I get home.

This walk is a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey. So, I’m considering how this has affected me spiritually. I’m still figuring it out. I do know that there were many times when I leaned on God. When things were hard, there were times that I chanted in my head “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) and that would get me up the hill or through a long stretch of walking. I also felt so amazed by God’s handiwork and when I see it I wonder how people doubt his existence. At times, I thought in amazement that I am walking through places that existed in Bible times. How is this possible?! So cool! The churches we visited were so old and beautiful, the church that someone sang in when we arrived was so inspiring! Today I plan to visit the tomb of St. James and tour the cathedral. I’m looking forward to seeing everything. Overall, spiritually, I guess I would say that this journey has made me so grateful to God for the experience and for the confidence in Him that it has given me.

As I talked about before, this trip began on my dad’s birthday and ends on the anniversary of my mom’s passing. So, thoughts of them were present throughout this trip. Hearing bagpipers made me miss my dad so much! A few times I struggled with grief. Overall, I just wish I could tell them about my adventures! Several others here also have family they are grieving. I think it's a reason many come. I'm glad I have been able to be here in the time leading up to my mom's anniversary of passing. It honestly made it easier. But, I wish I could be with my sister on the day and instead I will be flying home. 

I'm sure I will have more to say, but that is enough for now. 

So, where was God today? He got us here safely.

blessings,

Jennifer