Ready to take off

It's that time....time to leave. The shell is on the backpack, and waiting to be packed.

I got my clothes and sleeping bag treated with bug spray. Unfortunately, there wasn't any left for my backpack. A trip to the outdoors store is on my to-do list this week. 

The only thing left to do is to treat the backpack, pack the backpack and put Candy's shell on my backpack.

My Saturday visit with Candy was all about how I am going on my "trip of a life time and leaving her behind" (those are her words, not mine). The first thing she said to me what I walked in the door was "when are you leaving". Didn't even get a chance to say hello! She wants to go so bad! I told her that I would go with her once she is physically able. She was glad to hear that, and promised to hold me to it. At one point she told me that she was thinking about going now, and she would let me take care of her (can't you see it now...me pushing her in a wheelchair through the various mountainous areas). Candy was disappointed that no one agreed with her. I told her that I needed to come see her before I left, and she told me that she's still going to be sad. Candy said, "I'll think, why is Sam not here? Oh yeah, she's in Spain without me". I did try to cheer her up before I left--I'm not sure that it worked.




Next time you hear from me, I will be in France. 

Hopelessly Trying to Get Prepared

You know that you're trip that you've been planning for 2 years is almost here when your dentist says "we need to get this fixed before you leave for Spain", and you doctor says "we need to get you well before you leave". I thought that the day for me to leave would NEVER come, but it has--it's just around the corner. I have been counting down the days until I board the plane, and hopelessly trying to learn Spanish (I have come to the conclusion that I am learning impaired when it comes to languages).

The Airport
I have studied the layout of the Paris airport. That place is HUGE! I never thought that an airport could have so many levels. When I get off the plane, I will make my first stop to immigration. Where is immigration you ask, heck if I know! After looking at about 5 or 6 different maps, there is no mention of where immigration/customs is location. This is going to be interesting. The buses stations on the other hand, were nicely marked on each map, and close to the terminal I should be arriving at.

Training
I have been trying to get a little in here and there. I have tried to dedicate 3 days a week to doing kickboxing (trying to build some endurance for the Pyrenees). This is what I did when I was training for the Spartan Race and it helped tremendously! Therefore, there is hope that it will work it's magic again.

Pack Weight
I am happy to announce that my pack officially weights 5.27 kg (11.6 lb)! This does not include food and water. My goal was 5.67 kg (12.5 lb). Whoot whoot, I'm under my goal! On a different note about my pack, Candy would be proud to know that I have made sure that my pack includes a sarong. Thanks to Ebay, I was able to get a silk one from India for less than $10. Score!

Mapping It Out
Brother Tom, I am expecting you to keep an accurate account of my where-abouts with that map of yours. Br. Tom is going to keep with where I am each day and place pins in a map with the correlating location. Nothing like the pressure to post everyday! It will be pretty neat to see when I get back (The pressure is on Brother Tom for to keep up your map now, he he he).

Final "To Do" List
Since I marked off all things from the "sticky notes" on my computer for things to get, I had to make a list for things that needed to be done before I leave. My "to do" list is almost compete! There's nothing like the feeling of making a list and being able to mark things off.

Make list of bills that need to be paid
 Get travel insurance
Get Euros from the bank
Talk to Verizon
Make substitute plans
Get medicine for Pete (my dog)
Treat clothes and sleeping bag with bug spray
Pack backpack

Final Thoughts
Each day I go into my classroom and start getting things ready for the end of the year, and it just makes me more and more excited. It helps me to know that my departing day is getting a little bit closer. I do have to say that it is getting a little harder to sleep now that I it's actually May.

I would like to thank everyone who has been praying about this trip, and sharing in my excitement. I am still not sure what I God will show me while I'm gone, but I know that it's got to be good, right?

.

Got My Goods Together!

After months of research and shopping, I have purchased everything that I need! It feels good knowing that all my items are now ready to go into my backpack. Man, I never thought that I would need this much stuff just to go on a trip. After all of my packages came in the mail, I made sure that I weighed everything and put the information into my fancy Excel spread sheet that I made to do all of my calculations for me.

(Click on the picture to make it bigger)

This may seem a little much for some people, but when you have to carry all of your belongings on your back for 6 weeks, every gram counts! If my calculations are correct, I should not be carrying any more than 15 pounds/6.8 kg when I have food and water in my pack. That's about 13% to 14% of my body weight. The recommended is 10%, but I can't see that happening.

 I was already trying to find ways to shed some extra weight. I even took apart my book of maps in order to save a few grams (It worked! I saved 50 grams). Traded my Keen sandals for those ugly Crocs. That saved my over 200 grams alone! Also, I had my hand towel cut into smaller pieces (only needed wash cloth size anyway) to help save me 30 grams. The one thing that did disappoint me was not being able to take my St. Thomas's My Way of Life that Mom got me for my birthday. Although it is light, I don't have any extra weight that I am able to spare. On the brighter side, I am going to be able to take the Anglican prayer beads that she got me! I have already started learning some of the prayers that go along with them.

I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do about communication. I do know that I am taking my phone, so relax people. However, I have to talk with the people at Verizon to see what is the best option for me. Texting and emailing is all that I will need to do. Mom already has said that she will only require a text or email every now and then, which I understand. So, an international plan might not be necessary, but I'll check all that out when I talk with Verizon soon. Not sure what plans Candy has in the communication department, and I don't think she doesn't either since she keeps asking me what I plan on doing.

Dad gave me an old iPod that I will be using for video and pictures. It is set up with the Blogger app, this way I can update my blog when I have wifi, and email. Don't worry, I have created a separate email address to use while in Spain. Just let me know if you want it, and I'll get it to you.

Candy and I have been trying to use our weekends wisely. Meaning that each Saturday is devoted to hiking with our fully loaded packs for 10 miles or more. During the week, however, I do try to go running at least every other day. I am able to comfortably run about 5 miles. **Note to self: don't try to run right after it finishes raining because it just might start raining again. Then you will have to stop by your friend's house on a Saturday morning begging for covering. Thank you Ms. Janet and Joy!!

As I am typing all this out, it just hits me on how real this trip really is. In less than 2 months I will be half way around the world doing something that I would never thought I would be possible. Mom said that she is sure that this is only the beginning for me. I told her that most people say that once you do the Camino, you'll be coming back for more. I am sure that this will be true. I am getting more and more excited about the spiritual side of this trip, about what God has planned for me in Spain. I know that I have said this before, but there is just a burning desire and passion to see what God has waiting for me that I just can't wait to experience it. Even that means suffering is part of it (well, I KNOW there will be suffering, ha ha ha).

Cathedrals, Poles, and Glasses vs. Contacts

Getting things crossed off my list just reminds me that I will be leaving before I know it! Oh, how I can't wait...in just 3 more months I will be taking my shell off my rear view mirror to attach to my pack!

In just 3 months, I will be seeing the beautiful country side of France and Spain along with some awesome cathedrals. I think that is what I want to see the most. Being able to see these amazing structures that were created to glorify God just gets me "all riled-up".  Here is just a preview of what I'm going to see (hopefully go inside to explore and partake in a pilgrim's service):

This is St. James' Cathedral to mark the end of the journey.

This is inside a cathedral in Burgos

This is just somewhere along the way. Don't know where, but I want to go inside ;)

This shows all the cathedrals that I will pass. I know that it's not a great picture, but it gives you an idea of what I'll be seeing. 

Moving on before I get lost in looking for more pictures.....

Candy asked me if I would like to go shopping with her for some gear Sunday, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what else I needed. While we were there, Candy looked at trekking poles which reminded me that I needed to get a better set. The ONE that I bought without really doing my homework is bulky and heavy...the moral of the story kids is to never buy trekking poles online. I was trying not to spend too much money on poles, but that didn't work very well. If I wanted the kind that I truly needed, it was going to cost me a little bit. So here is what Candy and I both ended up getting:

They are Black Diamond Trekking Poles. They are adjustable from 100 cm to 120 cm I believe. They are very lightweight at only 17oz. Plus the poles collapse. 

Just in case you haven't heard...I was able to make my reservation at Orisson (a private hostel along first day)! It just made it seem more real and unbelievably close. Making the reservations were easier than I thought. You just have to email them from their website with your information. Then they email you back with an invoice to pay through PayPal. Couldn't be simpler.

Click on the picture to go to their site. The hostel looks beautiful.

Candy did find some information that said the hostel gives you a 5 minute token to do ALL of your washing. Oh boy! I will be coming up with a plan because it could end badly. I will also have to think about maybe getting some food at the markets in Saint Jean before we head out since I don't know what the meals are going to be anything that I can eat. 

A summer trip means lots of sun, right? Well, that means sunglasses. Since I wear glasses, I will have to have clip-ons.....not my favorite choice. I thought that I would get around that by wearing contacts. I needed to get some for my mud run next month, so I thought that I would give them a go over the weekend to see if I could handle wearing them everyday for 6 weeks. The answer is a big fat NO! Ever since I got an infection in my eye from contacts several years ago, contacts became extremely uncomfortable and still are apparently even with "dailies". All well....back to glasses. It was a nice thought though. 

I do have to say that I will miss this little girl right here while I am gone:

The Weight Dilemma

Two posts in one week. Wow! What has gotten into me? Oh yeah, excitement. This post was carefully crafted with a clingy dog that has commandeered my lap and hand (she's laying on my hand while in my lap) for her comfort.

It's getting about that time....getting my pack the right weight. I started weighing the items that I already have. My pack empty alone is 2kg. That means I am only "allowed" 3.44kg of stuff in my pack. Well, now that I think about it....I will probably want it less than that because of water and food that I will be carrying from day to day. This is going to be an interesting task...

So far, I am at 2.18 kg. This may be a problem since I have several other items coming in the mail (still more that I have to get from the store) that I will need to put inside my pack. There will be some major case of prioritization. With the help of experienced Camino pilgrims I should be able to shave off a few grams here and there. However, it felt did good to mark more things off my packing list.

 I think that I got all the items that can from Amazon, the rest I can get from the store. Wow, I'm actually just about finished shopping! *super excited face* This just hit me....

Amongst the many conversations that I have been having with Candy about our trip, the topic of "why" came up recently. "What are you going to tell the people at the end of the pilgrimage why you did this?" asked Candy. This is something to think about. I know that this is something that God wants me to do, but I am not sure why. It just got me thinking about what is the purpose of this pilgrimage. This has caused me to start praying more about my trip. There's such a sense of expectation.

A friend of mine just asked me if it seemed real that I'm going or not. Well, now that I have my plane AND train tickets it does seem real. "Holy Toledo! I'm going to be gone for six weeks! It's really happening!" was the first thought that came to my mind. As the time gets closer, I am sure that the anticipation of it all will become greater and I will get where I can't sleep from the excitement. As for now, I just sit and dream about what it's going to be like. I know that it's not going to really be like "The Way" (the movie), but my imagination of the whole adventure still pretty romantic and unrealistic.

(I hope this post is long enough for you Mrs. Janet)

Got the Train....A Little Bit Closer Now

I just purchased my train ticket to take me to Bayonne from Paris! *squeak*

Once my friend decides when she wants to start walking, I will be able to make the reservation at Orrison. This is so exciting!!!!

It's getting so close I can almost taste it!

Five More Months

This past week it just hit me...I only have 5 months until my trip! It seems like yesterday I was planning for a trip that was 2 years away. Now I only have 5 months! This means that I need to start making sure that I need to start gathering those "little" things that are on my packing list. After I get everything, I will need to start analyzing the items to make sure that I really them--no need to take unnecessary items that add extra weight to my pack. Then I will need to find the best way to pack it all. I can't believe it's getting close enough for me to even think about such things!

Training is going as well as could be expected.Trying to make sure that I train in the cold is really tough. I had to get some gear to make sure that I don't get too cold while on my runs. Next week might be a little tougher since the wind chill will be below zero for a few days (one of those days is supposed to be my running days) which means I will have make alternative plans. My focus is mainly on my Spartan race in March. I mean, if I can consistently run a 10k then surely I should be able to WALK many miles each day. The full pack isn't really an issue. During the past summer I was able to consistently hike over 10 miles with a 15 pound pack. When I'm gone, my pack should way only about 12 pounds at most.

My dad gave me an Ipod so I can take pictures and video while I am gone. Hopefully I will be able to keep everyone update here this way. The other option is to email all the pictures to myself and do my postings when I get back. We'll see how good the wifi is in rural parts of France and Spain.

I mine as well face it...my Spanish skills are going to stink! Every time I post, I keep on saying that I need to start my Spanish podcasts. But do I?? NOOOOO! Procrastination has been getting the better of me. Someone is going to have to keep me accountable and ask me about my Spanish or it might never get done. It would be awful to go and not know how to say anything but my name, where I'm from, what my job is, and if I like my job.

Several people have asked me what I'm going to do about food since I have to get gluten free. Well....I plan on eating a lot of yogurt, fruit, vegetables, and nuts for sure. There are a lot of little markets along the way which enable me to stock up on needed food items that I can eat during the day. Also I found these cards, in Spanish, that explain what I am not able to eat and why if Candy and I decide to go to a cafe or restaurant.

               

 

The journey in planning and preparing for this trip has been so exciting. I keep picturing in my mind what it's going to be like and the things that I'll get to see (mainly the old churches along the way), not to mention the different types of people that I'll meet. These 5 months can't go by fast enough! I get excited just to see the number of days decrease on my "count down"!!

Plane Tickets and Such

It's that time....time to buy the plane tickets! Whoot! Whoot!

My friend and traveling buddy, Candy, and I got together last night to discuss the final dates and flight times for our El Camino. We had our paper and pens ready to sketch out the details. Ipads and Macs were handy to look up the flight info and new blogger information.

We went through several different dates and scenarios that could affect the traveling dates. How long should we allow for arrival and rest before starting? What if there was an emergency? Why not just stay a few extra days to relax before returning home? Those were just some of the things that went through our minds as we perused the internet for tickets.

It took us a little bit to find some returning flights that we NOT at 6:30. But we did. Hallelujah!! It don't know if I could get up at the butt crack of dawn to fly home after a journey like the El Camino. 

So on Thursday, I will be purchasing my plan tickets for May 25th to July 8th!! We are going to fly out of Birmingham into Paris. After the flight, we will catch a couple of trains for the final destination of Saint Jean Pied de Port. Neither one of us has ridden on train before, so this going to be exciting. I am more excited about riding on the TGV (the high speed train) than the "regular" train...I don't know why, but I am. When coming home we are going to fly out of Santiago (well, actually about 14 km outside Santiago) into Birmingham. I can't wait! Candy and I have been planning this trip for a little over a year now, and it is finally coming together. We are actually going to do this. It's amazing how God has been working out all the details for this trip. The direction God has been taking my prayers about this journey. The anticipation about what God is going to do while I'm gone is just so exciting.

Candy did mention to my mom last night that she has read many stories about how people met their spouses on the Camino. Hhhhmmmm.....maybe. The only thing Mom said was, "all I ask is that he speaks English". Ha ha ha!! 

Before we called it a night, Candy showed me this blogger on About.com that wrote every day of his journey on the Camino. It has some really good information about what to expect from the locals in some of the cities, cities that make great stopping points due to food and accommodations, and some general tidbits that could be useful. 

Stages in Rough Draft

Well, I broke down and order maps for the French route along the Camino.

I never would have thought that they would be so helpful! They have everything--hostels, churches, monuments, cafes--located for you! When I get there, I will see how accurate the maps are ;)

In order to map out each stage, I printed out a list of all the hostels along the way to use with my maps. This print out gives 3 different ways to travel along the French route. In addition, it tells how far you'll have to travel to reach the next stopping point. I think that my favorite thing about this source is how it tells you the services each hostel provides and its prices, SO helpful!

Anywho...I mapped out a 34 day walking schedule. I am thinking that I want to have at least 2 or 3 extra days just in case someone is injured or sick.

There are a 30 km days. Oh my! While mapping out each day, I started thinking "what have I gotten myself into" (ha ha ha). God is going to really have to help me on those l-o-n-g days! 

Now, it's time to run it by my traveling buddy, Candy. She's been given the okay for the whole trip, but I don't know how many days she has to take. If she doesn't have 40 to 45 then we'll have to figure something else out. 

God seems to be getting everything in place for us to do this pilgrimage together. YAY! I love it when a plan comes together! 

Mom asked me today what I wanted God to do in my life while I am gone. Man...I have NO idea. Even though I have been praying about on occasion, I still don't know specifically. Coming home in the same condition that I left isn't an option. 

Communication, Tickets, and Mapping

My poor neglected blog.....I promise that I haven't forgotten you! I worked on three assignments today which gives me some down time to work on my neglected baby.

First of all....grad school is for the birds....I don't like it. Haven't learned anything profound. Can't wait until I'm done. Only a couple more weeks before it's "Goodbye UAB"!

Now down to business.......

I have been itching to get outside and start hiking again. My poor body isn't going to know what to do with itself walking/hiking so many miles soon. Candy texted me a picture today of her outing

....what a turd (don't worry, I did text her back telling her)....rubbing it in that she's getting ready. You just wait until I get out there again Missy! LOL. Now school (work) is coming up soon, so I will have to split my time working to get my room ready and training. I think that hiking will have to be a weekend adventure until I get my goods together with work.

Communication...This is giving me some trouble, because I just can't find a simple solution to not wanting to carry a camera, video camera, and a phone with me. Who needs all those devices anyways??? There has been some perusing on the message boards trying to figure out the best solution. People talk about getting an unlocked phone then putting a Spanish SIM card in the phone. Others have mentioned just using an iPod for Skyping using Wi-Fi. While a few people said that they just got a simple Spanish pre-paid for a few Euros. Still not sure what I want to do. If Candy does get to go the whole way with me, I'm not going to worry about carrying a phone since I can Skype and send emails with Wi-Fi. But if she doesn't I will have to figure out something else. Thinking about talking with my cell phone company to see what they say. Any suggestions??

Tickets....It's almost that time--purchase those plane tickets (trip is LESS than a year away). Wow! I never thought that it would get about that time. There are several routes that I could go, but they are pretty pricy. The ticket service that I was going to use turns out isn't very reputable, so now it's to plan B--whatever that is. It could be me flying to JFK with one airline then having a separate ticket with a different airline to Paris. I am not too sure if I am comfortable with that though (I don't think Candy is either). Anyone out there know of an easy and cheap way to get to Paris?? Ha ha ha.

Mapping...Once school is over, I am going to sit down and map out the rendezvous points for each day. This will help me be able to make some hotel reservations (it's going to be for one of those swanky hotels too) for the end of the trip and tickets home. Also, it will keep those at home an idea of where I am at everyday. 

I might use stops "Cutie of The Camino" uses (it's linked if you want to take a look)

Spanish...Again, once school is over it's Spanish learning time. Okay, my brain totally broke out into MC Hammer's "Hammer Time", ha ha ha! Back on track. Last year, I downloaded a podcast created by Scottish people for learning Spanish (I know....Scottish talking Spanish?? It's okay to laugh, because I did). I just haven't gotten around to really listening to it. When I did for a couple of weeks, the only phrase I learned was "I'm from the United States". It might be important to know more for my gluten free self especially if I am going to be by myself for part of the time.

The next few months can't pass by fast enough!!!

On Hold...Bummer

Well....my training has to be on hold for the next couple of months....booooooo!! Here's why:

So much school work to be done before graduation. All well. At least after August first I will be free to pick up where I left off.

Even though I am not able to take any extended hiking trips, I am able to do some other preparations ;) A friend of mine recommended a book to me that his friend wrote about pilgrimages. It was a little hard to track down for a reasonable price since it is out of print and I don't like reading from an e-reader.

On a side note, I was pretty excited to see that Calvin Miller wrote the forward to the book! George Christian tells about all the different pilgrimages he has taken over the years, and what they have done for him to have a deeper relationship with the Lord. Every trip gives him a new perspective about himself and his relationship with God. It's very interesting and challenging. It gives me something to think about. Also, this book helps me to become excited about what God will show me along the way. What I will learn about  myself, what kinds of things need to left on the pilgrimage, and how my love of the Lord can become even greater. I'm super excited about it. I have become more focused in my prayer when it comes to my pilgrimage. The time will come before I know it to hop on the plan heading for Paris and trains to Saint Jean Pied de Port for my journey to begin.

Okay, confession. While I was going to Amazon to find the picture for The Sacred Travels, I found another book that I would LOVE to read specifically about the Camino

It's on my Amazon wish list, just in case anyone is wondering ;)

The 10 Mile Mark!

School is out for the summer, so I want to take advantage of the time that I have to get this training underway. My summer job and grad school classes will be here before I know it. Today was an outing by myself since others are working. I packed my backpack and headed to see how many miles I could tackle.

My pack was about 2 pounds. I know that some of you are thinking "big deal"; but I don't normally go around with a heavy pack everywhere I go. This is going to take time to build myself up to a full pack's weight (who knows when that I will be because I am going to be spending about 99.9% of my time finishing grad school this summer). 

I was able to tackle about 10 miles!! I surprised myself!!

 There are various different trails that people can take in this state park, so I thought that it would be a great idea to try one I have never done before, the "blue" trail. Wouldn't call it a mistake, but it wasn't the smartest decision. Anyway....the "blue" trail has a VERY narrow walking path with all sorts of plants going onto the trail. I thought that it would be a good idea to keep my eyes pealed for snakes because we all know that they are everywhere in Alabama. There were countless times that I mistakenly taken this little critter for a snake:

It's silly I know, but they blend in with their surroundings and don't move until you're right up on them. Goodness! They scared the mess out of me about 7 times!! Then I thought I was just about back to my car when I realized I was on the wrong trail!!! I guess I should not have taken the "red" trail so far...Thankfully there was a "green" trail connector to take me to my car. I passed a group of people that probably thought that I was looking pretty rough. Well, by that point I just wanted to get to my car to go home.

SO much work to do if I am going to be walking/hiking at least twice what I did today with a full pack on. Got to get where I am not begging God to please help me make it to my car in one piece after 10 miles, ha ha ha. It'll hopefully happen....

Several times along my hiking adventure, I did take the opportunity to pray a little and admire God's creation. I did enjoy those parts very much!

Before calling it a day, I did notice a couple of things....first, I believe I was starting to get a blister. What?!? This CANNOT be happening! I am going to have to find out some ways to prevent these little buggers from getting on my feet. Secondly, my hands were so swollen. Normally that doesn't bother me, but I don't want them to be that way during my entire trip. I wonder if there is a way from preventing this from happening...Any suggestions????

Getting a Training Plan Together

         I can not believe that around this time next year, I will be getting my things together to leave for France/Spain! It will be here before I know--oh, I'm so excited!!
Training hasn't been happening lately since I been having a lot do during the last few weekends. I know that with only about 11 months left, I have got to get crackin' on my training. Hopefully I will be able to start getting it together in the next few weeks since so school is almost out. This will mean that I can do the yard work and other projects during the week too!

         Since I will have a lot of school work to do during my LAST semester of grad school, I had to come up with some way to train and get my work done. Here's the plan: The days that I want to go hiking, I am going to load up my pack with my school stuff. After hiking for a little bit, I will stop and get some work done while out in the great out doors. Hopefully this will work. Most of my work will be reading and reflections so it shouldn't be a problem. Doing it this way gives me a chance to get used to having a loaded pack during my hikes (Maybe by the time school starts again all I will have to do is maintain my training from the summer). Sound like a plan???

        The only things that I have left to gather for the trip are things that can wait closer to time. I don't want to buy clothes and things too far in advance. You never know what might happen between now and then, ha ha ha. Every time that I buy something for this trip, I get excited all over again.

         I do have a confession-->I am getting a little addicted to the Camino message boards. I got the app for my phone and I am reading posts ALL the time! "I just have to know what is going on. What are people bringing? How are people training? How are they getting there? What advice are the veteran pilgrims giving?" These are just a few of the questions that I want answered. Also it reminds me off all the things that  I still have to do in order to be prepared.

God's Plan

Oh, how I want God to do amazing things for me on this trip! This is just more than a long walk; it's a journey to become what God wants me to become. In everyday life, it's hard to get away from the hussle and bussle of  life. People are always demanding things, we're plugged into the internet all the time, watching t.v, listening to music, etc. There comes to a place that we are too busy even to listen to Christ. We are not able to hear what He wants us to do next, where He wants use to go, or even what He wants us to say.

This life isn't about ourselves, but it's about pleasing God--glorifying Him. Through this trip, I hope that I am able to disconnect myself from everything around me and spend those 35 days getting to know Jesus the way He intended for me to know Him. Our church has been studying a Catechism, which will continue until the end of the year, but several of the questions just came into my mine. "How and why did God create man?" just one of the questions. The answer is "God created male and female in His own image to know him, to love him, to glorify him, and to live with him. It is only right that we who were created by God should live to his glory". This is what I am supposed to be doing! This is what I want to do! This question spins into other questions about how to glorify God and how to live out his commandments. 

There are so many things that I want God to accomplish in my life during this time, but I know that He has a goal for my life during this time. While I know that I have a little over a year before I embark on this pilgrimage, there is always time for God to prepare me for His great work in my life. Constantly praying that God prepares my heart, makes me ready to listen and obey everything while I'm gone. Nothing will be accomplished with out obedience. Nothing can get me more ready than prayer, prayer, and more prayer. I'm so grateful for a church family that is lifting Candy and I in prayer to make sure the His goal is reached.

I want to glorify Him while I'm gone. I want to please Him while I'm gone. I want to be a light to the world while I'm gone. This trip was organized by God and I will never forget that. There is such an anticipation of what Christ is going to do that I am just over come by excitement...I want to go NOW! 

We never know what they next step is in our journey towards the new heavens and earth, but I do know that I want to be open to whatever God has for me on the Camino.

How it all got started

I have never heard of The Way of St. James until I was listening to my brother and uncle talk about wanting to go. Well, it wasn't too long after that that I saw the movie "The Way". This movie really showed a spiritual of various people. It peeked my interest, so I began look into this pilgrimage. A few hours on the internet and I was hooked--really wanting to go.

It wasn't too long before I was able to find the path that I wanted to take, the amount of time that I needed to be out of the country, and a friend to go with me. At first I was wondering about how I would be able to prepare for such a journey.

• What do I need to take?
• How long would I be gone?
• Is there any special equipment that I will need?
• How much is this going to cost?
• Is it safe?
• Where would I sleep and eat (I am allergic to gluten)?
• How would I get there? What is the best way to get there?
• How much Spanish would I really have to now?
• How long is this pilgrimage?
• How far do I have to walk everyday?

Those anxieties were quickly put to rest when I found an amazing online community of pilgrims--past, present, and future ones--called Camino de Santiago de Compostela. This place has been wonderful. Any question that I have either has been answered or can be quickly answered by the thousands of people ready to reply to my questions. I have spent many hours search the boards trying to find out exactly what I need to take in order to make sure that will have everything possible. Walking/Hiking from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago is a little scary.

My mind was put to rest, as well as my mother's and a few of my friends, when a good friend from church decided that she wanted to go too. Now the trip was for real--no backing out. My mother even made sure that I was trapped into this trip by telling everyone at church about what I was planning on doing. Dirty dog! Just kidding. Candy (my friend) and I have been in constant contact, sharing ideas and tips that we have found to help make our trip a lot easier.

The next step was trying to find out when we were going to make this happen. I needed to make sure that I was finished with graduate school and I was out of work for the summer. This set the date for May 2014! YAY!!!

I am grateful that there are people the know about this journey in order for them to pray about it. God does very special things for people on this pilgrimage and I don't want it to be any different for Candy and I. Therefore, I have committed myself to pray about this--pray that God do something so that I am never the same, my relationship with Him is forever changed, I have a deeper love for Him, and able to see the world and people the way He does. This is one of the things that makes me the most excited--what God is going to do. There is no way that I want to travel hundreds of miles and not come back changed!