Good morning…
Journeying through fog and mist our final three days, on Tuesday afternoon all twelve of us completed our Camino pilgrimage. Walking seventy-two miles of sacred trails in six life-giving days, we soaked in the magnificence of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the holy spot where the remains of St. James have been laid to rest. What an experience, what an incredible experience.
Before flying home from Porto, Portugal, we explored the fascinating city and kept up on reports of Hurricane Helene wreaking havoc in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and the Carolinas. The foggy, misty weather was our friend as we walked the Camino’s holy ground. How quickly violent winds and flooding rains can turn into our enemy. This morning, our prayers go out to all who are facing devastating loss. Though we finished our week-long Camino pilgrimage, God’s work within each of us continues, never completed as long as we are given breath.
What Bible verse might sum up our ongoing journey with God?
Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing (James 1:4, VOICE).
…Sue…
P.S. I got a text from Ohio on Wednesday morning. “I hate to send you bad news, but your mom is in Southwest Hospital with a blockage of her intestine. We hope that it can be resolved without surgery, but it’s not known yet. The nurse said that she is wanting to hike the Camino. Love, Dad.”
By Thursday at 4:24 pm, they actually began the unavoidable surgery to remove and reattach a section of her colon, clearing out scar tissue and fixing a few hernias. My 86-year-old mom came through the ninety-minute operation and is slowly recovering in the hospital, again. Thank you for your ongoing prayers for my mom and my dad, as we weather these tests and hardships together as a family.
P.S.S. If you may want to join us on our next pilgrimage to the Camino in October 2025, please reply to this email and we will get your name on our growing list of those interested in the trip details.
