Pictures:
A walk in the countryside
Break time with the Oregonians (actually their name is Salyers but they are from Oregon).
A beautiful river running through the town of Najera ( we stayed the night)
Only 574 kilometres to go (358 miles) till Santiago.
It was another great day of traveling along the Camino. Rain made for a more contemplative first half of the day. We met a Dutchman and a Spanish father/daughter pair (a little older than Kristina and I).
Our conversation with the father and daughter was really good. It was great asking an older Spaniard his perspective on the Camino having heard about it from childhood, but what the daughter said really resonated with me. Upon asking her reason for doing the Camino, she stated sometimes when you are looking or expecting one thing many times you find something else. When we are open and allow room for God to move and speak in our lives, He often presents to us something unexpected.
I pray that we never miss that "something else. "
Pictures:
At a beautiful entrance in Navarrette
An interesting directional marker for the Camino: guiding us through the city of Logrono
Kristina and Molly posing with one of the many pilgrim statues along the way
Getting closer; entrance sign into Viana with the amount of kilometers until Santiago
The walks have been hard, but they are getting better! I think that our bodies are finally getting used to the long walks. Today we got to travel with the Oregon family, again. It was great, they are just a fun family to be with and walk with! The walking part of the day is becoming more beautiful as our physical bodies adjust! We got to look back and see where we had come from amd then look forward and see where we were going!
The easier it is to walk the more time I have to focus on God. But I've realized that is how I've been operating in my life. When life is easier and less stressful then I can give my time to God and figure out what He wants to say. Instead I need to give my time when it is hard and hurts. That is easier said than done, though!
I would like to ask that you would please pray for everyone on the Camino as they are getting out of the physical stage and into the mental and spiritual stage. Pray also that God would show himself in a powerful way to each and everyone of us! I would especially like prayer for God's words in my mouth, to speak life and love in to the people's lives on the Camino!
♡♥Kristina Kay
1. The path we walked on for a while
2. Us walking along the road towards our city
3. The city we are staying in
We are beginning to find our rhythm with the physical challenges as each day passes. We continue to hike through beautiful mountains/hills, vineyards, and spring wheat fields. It is interesting to discover what God wants to show us as we have alone time, dad and daughter time, and group time. It is a joy to realize the community that is forming amongst the pilgrims as we all pursue a common goal.
Pictures:
On a Roman road.
Sunrise on our hike
The clam shell is the symbol of the Camino and it appears in all shapes and sizes; this one happens to be edible.
The road less traveled
A very unique stop with a wine and water fountain. Guess who is at which one?
Thomas
This is the third day of walking and your body is realizing that you are going to keep doing this and not stop. The above title is from a book I read that I referenced in an earlier post. If you allow it, the Camino can be a full workout: mind, body and spirit.
We began walking by 8 today (very late by Camino standards) and enjoyed a great day and clear weather (despite weather forecast for rain - it seems forecasting is not much different in Europe).
I am finding myself getting further from the time oriented/"control" life and getting familiar with being present and seeing what He has for this moment, this conversation, and this day. Letting go of habits is tough to do, especially when I have worked so hard to make things pleasant, easy, no - risk, and predictable.
It is amazing to see how much of scripture deals with walking, paths, journey, ways, or feet. One of our verses for the day relates to these themes: "Make me to know your ways, Oh Lord; teach me your paths" (Psalm 25)
Quote of the day:
Thomas "I am glad you came with me"
Kristina "I am glad you came with me"
Pictures:
Walking the Camino - a good example of today's terrain
One of many Middle Age's bridge
Lunch in Pamplona - only a few days we were trying to get out of here by bus only to return on foot
Filling up our credential (Camino passport)
Thomas
Just a few pictures today from our 4th day:
A girl and her dad
Alto de Pardon
One of the most picturesque bridges built specifically for the pilgrim's on the Middle Ages.
We started our first day of walking by making our way through the Pyrenees mountains. Well worth the extra travel in order to walk through the clouds and see some fantastic sites. Finally walking, our adrenaline kept us going for some time. One of our verses for the day was "I lift my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come from?", very appropriate. Mountains and hills make us look up physically; the Camino continues to take physical realities and point us to spiritual ones.
Throughout the day's walk, we had pilgrim's in front of us and behind us. It's comforting to know others have gone before and others will follow. We are helped by those ahead and can help those behind us ("surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses").
We continue to meet different pilgrims from around the world and hear their story and share ours.
Pictures below:
Sunrise in the Pyrenees
Walking in the clouds
Not much further to go
Kristina with a great view
Chapel window - Roland's last stand in Roncesvalles
Thomas
Still on the way to our beginning destination for the Camino, yet God continues to show us that we have already started our pilgrimage (and it continues on even after we arrive in Santiago).
Because of plane/metro/train/bus schedule and Good Friday, we are unable to get to St.Jean Pied de Port in one day. In trying to get to the bus station in Pamplona, we had three people tell us to take bus 9 and two told us bus 7, so bus 9 won. Reminds us of Romania. Another reminder that this is God's Camino not mine.
The pictures are breakfast in Pamplona and then a contrast of the sacred and secular: a 13th century church and a sign tracing the route for the running of the bulls.
As we finish Passion week, we ask God to remind us what He has done for us and open our eyes and heart to what He is currently doing.
Thomas
We are on our way! We said farewell and put our home behind us. Through all the worry, excitement, and nervousness, we have made it to sitting and waiting to board the plane. It has been a long journey getting this far, and now a whole new journey begins!
Our packs are heavier than we would have liked them, but there is the possibility of getting rid of things. We also had to realize that our hopes may have been set at an unrealistic place. My backpack is around 12 pounds and Tati's(my dad's) is under 20. Right now they are hopefully getting loaded under the air plane. For safety they are wrapped in a plastic wrap and a garbage bag! Please pray that our packs do not need to be searched, and that they are there in Madrid when we arrive. We also have a very tight connection to get to our starting place. We hope to get there by train and bus,(but if push comes to shove we may have to resort to riding a mule(: )
Our camino has begun.....
♡♥Kristina Kay
Probably one of the most critical pieces of equipment we will take with us. I thought a before and after picture would be interesting.
These are our official passports for the Camino! They are given for us to have proof that we have walked the Camino. They also give us different opportunities to interact with the local people. Tati(my dad) and I have learned throughout this time of preparation that the Camino is what we make it, however long or short it might be. We have realized together that we need to have an open heart and mind about the Camino, so that we are able to stop and help, whenever and whoever. In getting ready for this adventure, we ask that you would pray for all the people we meet along the way. Also, please pray for our health and for our physical and spiritual walk. We are both blessed and excited for this life changing opportunity.
♡♥Kristina Kay
