Seeing grace in a variety of ways--from my perspective

Here are the ways I've seen grace the last few days...

One of the ways is in food...another is in sunrises and sunsets...another is in friendships formed and loved ones who stay in touch...in art and architecture...in creation and finally in simple joys!

I may explain some but some need no explanation. 

Lindsay's these are those pimientos de Padron that we like so much!!!

That's only half!!! It was so good!!!

Then it was out of the city. The water was so still. 

Mural on a church wall

Working on my tan lines...and my third attempt at a walking stick. Glenn if I get this home it's yours. 

Bocadilla. It was half of a loaf of bread, olive oil, tomato, y queso. I could only eat half the bread. Absolutely amazing!!!!

By my bed in Villafranca. 

On the way out of Villafranca

These are all in Ruitelan...

None of us were very good at this but after 3 tries we were laughing so hard we were afraid the phone might end up in the river. 

The following picture was taken on the cab ride from Ruitelan to Sarria. 

If you look carefully there are clouds or a thick mist/fog hanging just below the mountains. 

I spent most of the day with my feet up, resting and relaxing, writing and reflecting, praying and quiet. 

I walked up to the church Santa Marina for noon misa (mass) and pilgrim credencial cello (stamp). At this point on you need two stamps a day for the last 100 kms. It's a little more than that from here 115.1 (71.5 miles). But the stamp from the church filled my original credencial book. Now I start a new one. ;)

It's on two sides in my original book. The last one is the red stamp by the Spirit of the camino

These are on the wall as you walk along the camino to the church. 

And finally the place where Marion and I stayed today...a hostal instead of an albergue---we have our own bathroom, shower, and towels! It's clean. And it was just €35 for both of us ($46). 

I'm HAPPY!!!! ;)

Between the encouraging words from friends, texts, nursing advice, talking to family (especially my daddy on Father's Day) I'm feeling refreshed but still cautious about tomorrow's walk. Probably limit myself to 15kms (9 miles)

Takes me close to the top of the mountain. And if you know me id rather go uphill than downhill. ;)

But one step at a time...

Humbled by grace

I haven't posted for several days so those of you who are not on Facebook will not know that I have had foot issues again. I'll resist showing you a picture because it looks much worse than it is even though it is bad. 

So today, thanks to the advice from my good frien Tracy my feet are up!!

When I walk too long or in the heat of the day is when the pain starts. Many of the albergues have rules about getting up too early and leaving (not before 6). Pilgrims are an interesting lot there are some who like to rise early (4:00 or 4:30 and walk 50+ kilometers-31 miles). But often they miss things doing this. 

But I digress....

I gave in yesterday and with a walking friend Marion, from Germany, who was also having some trouble with her feet we took a cab for 3 miles. Then in the evening decided we would take another car on to Sarria which was about 29 miles on. It leaves me 71.5 miles to walk. And it is well within the last 100 kms required to get the certificate of completion Compostella. 

I have kept track of a few things: I have walked 443 miles (those are actual miles not resting or riding miles); I've fallen 3 times (you can guess why the name of my blog is tripping into grace, perhaps I should go ahead and change it to falling into grace); and I have gotten back up all three times; I have left behind two pair of walking sticks and my rain jacket accidentally; i broke a glass in my hand when I was trying to be helpful; I have sent a pkg on to Santiago so my backpack is lighter; learned to discard things so that I'm not weighted down by unnecessary items; appreciate letting go of things material as well things I cannot control or change; I have filled up my pilgrim credencial and will start a new one tomorrow; I'm getting better about asking for help; about being vulnerable; I have pushed ahead when I had the strength; quit when my body was tired; rested a day or two or three; enjoyed not having a migraine or a headache of any kind in more than 30 days; listen more; forgiven; and by telling you some of these things I am letting you know that this has been very humbling while at the same time very inspiring and exhilarating and transforming. 

In the midst of tears I find joy. 

In the midst of the pain I discover hope. In the midst doubts I am given faith. 

In the midst of struggle peace. 

In the midst of weakness a strength. 

In the midst of loneliness...

...I remember love. 

And so much more. 

Thank you for continuing to share this journey with me. 

Steeped in Grace

I started today early so that I could get to the Cruz Ferro early and maybe in peace.

I was carrying stones from the USA as well as ones I had picked up along the way...

The morning was ripe for possibilities and hope and grace. I had no idea!!!

 

After two kms I had my first glance of the cross. 

I was pleased and in awe. I made it this far. After spending 3 days in Burgos I just wasn't sure this day would happen. each step is grace...each step is amazing!

I placed my rocks/our rocks...it was a very uplifting and emotional experience. And then I placed the rock that I found in the shape of a heart for love conquers all.

 

I shed my tears and I moved on, though more tears came along the way...through the day...

The way was beautiful today but very difficult. 

I tried to keep a smile on my face. 

We finallyade it to Ponferrada...

And I can tell you going downhill is still not my favorite but having done it today and not falling...getting to talk to my parents on FaceTime and seeing their joy...spending time alone and with new friends ...and hearing from so any of you...as well as feeling God's presence even in the midst of pain...I am steeped in grace!!!

. 

Spirit of Gentleness

Yesterday's walk was all about silence and peace. It didn't start that way....

As we headed out of Leon it was crowded and noisy. We walked along the busy street through the middle of town, and though there were signs...

There was lots of noise. We moved out of town into the industrial area until finally we got to a quiet road. 

I was happy!!! In fact heard that playing in a coffee shop!!!

After a few minutes all of the sudden Eyleen and I both commented it's so quiet. Neither one of us were talking. Just listening to the sounds of nature. 

We walked a lot in silence yesterday. It was nice. 

It was also a day of weather changes. It started off very cool. Then it heated up. There was no wind. Then all of the sudden the clouds moved in and a blustery wind came with them. And finally rain. 

Eyleen and I had decided to walk a bit farther than Villar de Mazarife. But the rain came. However I am getting ahead of myself. 

While we were walking a long a stretch of the camino when the wind started blowing...

 I looked up and saw this dove. She was fighting against the wind, I thought at first, but then I realized she was hovering, over what, I wondered? As I walked closer she would flap her wings and soar and move ahead. This happened for the rest of the day. 

When Eyleen and I made our last stop and fixed our lunch of brown bread and cheese, covered our backpacks and put on some rain gear and then headed out we were asked by other pilgrims if we thought it might rain. Eyleen and I both looked up in the sky at the dark cloud and simply said, "yes". 

And rain it did. My dove was still hovering ahead of me. I decided when the rain started that I wanted to stop at the next town. But I also decided to say in my head and heart, "hey I've never seen anything quite like this dove flying ahead like a beacon and a sign so if it continues beyond Villar de Mazarife so will I."  

Well we got in a conversation with some other pilgrims for about 3 kms. Then the rain really started to come down. They stopped to help some other pilgrims that they had been traveling with earlier and to get their rain gear on (yes they are the ones who asked us if it was going to rain.) 

At this point I looked up in the sky and my dove hovered...flew ahead...hovered again then flew away. I told Eyleen that I was staying in Villar de Mazarife even though I knew it might mean she would go on. She said, "me too!"  We found a really great albergue. 

In the evening we had the most amazing dinner...

Then afterwards while I was treating my feet the French gentleman in the bunks next to us were very concerned about my feet so they came came to help!

I am filled with incredible peace even in the storms. It was a good day. Always there are people to share a meal with, a laugh, a story, the silence of the road...And in the end the day was concluded once again by many pilgrims snoring. 

A day in Leon

We headed out from the albergue and some men were busily working on this. They asked if I wanted a photo, hurriedly finished and moved out of my way. 

The morning was beautiful 

So we headed up the road to the cathedral...

And spent some time enjoying it

It was built when Leon was only a city of 5000. 

The pulpit

This is so incredible. Often you see statues of Mary holding the baby Jesus but here you have her touching her belly...great with child...full of expectation and hope. 

Dancers headed to the festival 

I didn't bring the right clothes!

Dancers in Plaza Mayor 

The second of three worship services I attended. 

Leon cathedral after the rainstorm 

Sunset after dinner and a beautiful, worshipful, peaceful day.