After each day I wrote a little paragraph about what I experienced:
Day #1
Check out my prior blog called Camino Con Lisa. (Day 1 was my favorite day so far)
Day #2
19.5 miles
Today was the most physically challenging day of my life.
Our team had a plan to hike 13 miles to a hostel. I was struggling so I was so grateful our team didn’t plan to go further. My feet fell like they were going to explode and my shins had never been in so much pain. However, when we got there we were told it was booked up and the next available hostel was another 7 miles which meant another 3 hours for us… I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I did. I was to a point where I was limping the last hour because the pain had worked it’s way all the way up to my hips. My legs and feet were done for.
It was asking for the Lord’s strength and pitting mind over matter that I made it.
Thank You Lord for Your strength.
Day #3
13 miles
We were all struggling from yesterday pretty badly and paid the price today. Definitely more mind over matter talk. My feet went a bit numb and I was able to finish feeling stronger than I did yesterday. I got a big ol blister between two of my toes on my right foot. I can feel that my feet are getting used to this abuse I’m putting them through and my mind is starting to acclimate to this schedule.
Thank You Lord for teaching me endurance and perseverance.
Day #4
10 miles…. up and down hills
Today was one for the books. My day started off with being by myself (not on purpose) and my phone dieing (because the cold weather drained it) as it was still dark outside so I quickly became lost. At this point I had to slow down so I didn’t trip over rocks on the trail since I couldn’t see them and therefor was too far behind to catch up to my team. I ended up rolling my ankle anyway and had to finish the rest of the hike with my ankle throbbing. Every time I came to a fork in the path, there wasn’t always clear signs on which way to go so I would stop and pray for guidance. At one point I stopped, took my pack off, and started crying. I wasn’t sure if I was going the right way and I hadn’t seen another person since my team. It had been a couple hours since I was lost. I prayed hard that I would see another Camino sign so I at least knew I was going the right way. I started to walk again and saw a Camino sign in the distance and felt immediate relief, not even noticing my ankle anymore. I started to walk really fast towards it and long story put short, eventually ended up running into one of my teammates! I yelled her name and she turned around. Again, I started to cry, but this time from relief. From there we finished the hike together with laughter and good talks.
Thank You Lord that I’m never alone!
Day #5
16 miles
Beautiful day overall. My ankle was throbbing with all of the downhill we did, however it was so beautiful that I didn’t seem to notice the pain as much as you’d think. One of the many pros about having community on the Camino is that talking to people passes time so fast and it’s distracting from the physical pain. Thank You Lord for community.
Day #6
10 miles
Today was much easier than all of the other days. Still sore, but it’s getting easier. Today went be fast as I had good conversations with a couple of my teammates.
Thank You Lord for healing my body.
Day #7
13 miles
Ohh man today my shins were hurtin real bad and near the last half hour I began to limp. Today was the first day that our entire team stayed within eye shot of each other for most of the hike. Today also marks our half-way point of the Camino!
Thank You Lord for this last week and all of the self awareness and You’ve brought to me.
With all of that being said, Spain has been absolutely gorgeous from the views to the people you meet, from Spain or anywhere else in the world. I have learned so much about myself, others, and the Lord’s character all while traveling this crazy path that’s hundreds of miles long. Ohh the journeys the Lord has taken me on this year… Ohh the journeys He has planned for me. After experiencing this year, I have no doubts that He has big big plans and that I don’t need to fear if I can do them or not because “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:17
