A friend today wished me blessings on my Sabbath rest as I go on this pilgrimage. What a wonderful way of putting it!
While I definitely won't be physically resting, I will be getting a rest from the daily life that overwhelms. The stresses, expectations, pressures, emotional demands. Jobs, family, ministries, church, friends, schedules, all pulling in different directions. It will be nice to be going in just one direction... forward.
To rest my soul and have it be still. Spend time with God. Rest in Him. *deep sigh*
I pray that each of us gets that chance occasionally, even if for a short moment.
Sabbath rest.
What does that mean to you???
Friday, November 9, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Feet and patience
I finally went ahead and had the procedure done to rid myself of the large plantar's wart on the ball of my foot. I knew this had to be done before I walked the Camino. OUCH!
God has this wonderful way of teaching us life's little lessons. We just have to let ourselves be aware of what He's trying to teach us. Boy, I have learned lessons from this little adventure.
The first is, Take care of your feet. Hotspots and blisters can be plenty on the Camino and now I know how much they can take away from or even derail your trip. The blister that formed on the bottom of my foot from the freezing procedure is painful! I could barely walk Monday and Tuesday, and still have trouble putting weight on it. My footcare kit will take priority in my pack now, from my boots and socks to the tapes, anti-chafing balms, and bandages. Prevent blisters at all costs. There are things I can do without to keep my pack light, but I'm not skimping on this.
The second thing God is teaching me is patience. Patience with the healing process and my own body's limitations. I can't do my 10-15 miles this week and I can't work enough to make what I need to put aside this paycheck for my trip, so I feel like I'm falling behind in my training, and preparing. It's frustrating, but I know I will need to learn this lesson over and over. And over and over. Be patient. God is in control, not me. He has the plan.
Another lesson is to slow down. I tend to walk fast and right now I can't. I walk quickly at work and I even take my walks at a quick pace so that I can "git 'er done" and get on with the rest of my day. On the Camino, walking too fast and pushing too hard is a recipe for injury. Right now I have to take my time and be sure of my footing before taking a step. The consequences of not doing that are a mighty zing of pain through my foot. A very needed lesson to learn.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
God has this wonderful way of teaching us life's little lessons. We just have to let ourselves be aware of what He's trying to teach us. Boy, I have learned lessons from this little adventure.
The first is, Take care of your feet. Hotspots and blisters can be plenty on the Camino and now I know how much they can take away from or even derail your trip. The blister that formed on the bottom of my foot from the freezing procedure is painful! I could barely walk Monday and Tuesday, and still have trouble putting weight on it. My footcare kit will take priority in my pack now, from my boots and socks to the tapes, anti-chafing balms, and bandages. Prevent blisters at all costs. There are things I can do without to keep my pack light, but I'm not skimping on this.
The second thing God is teaching me is patience. Patience with the healing process and my own body's limitations. I can't do my 10-15 miles this week and I can't work enough to make what I need to put aside this paycheck for my trip, so I feel like I'm falling behind in my training, and preparing. It's frustrating, but I know I will need to learn this lesson over and over. And over and over. Be patient. God is in control, not me. He has the plan.
Another lesson is to slow down. I tend to walk fast and right now I can't. I walk quickly at work and I even take my walks at a quick pace so that I can "git 'er done" and get on with the rest of my day. On the Camino, walking too fast and pushing too hard is a recipe for injury. Right now I have to take my time and be sure of my footing before taking a step. The consequences of not doing that are a mighty zing of pain through my foot. A very needed lesson to learn.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10
Friday, October 26, 2012
Walking
I find that over the last few months, walking has been cathartic. It is healing me in mind, body, and spirit. When you walk, you take your time. You think. You take in everything around you. Pray. Sing. Listen. See. Hear. You also listen for God's still small voice.
So much of our time is spent in noise. It's everywhere. We surround ourselves with it, subconsciously on purpose, so that we don't have to think about our lives, relationships, finances, pressures, sins, stresses, etc. Music, tv, computer, phones. It's even in the stores and malls. Constant noise. We forget what it's like to have silence -so much so that it makes us uncomfortable.
I often wonder how those in third world countries don't have the struggle with anxiety and depression that we do here in the West, despite their daily struggles. Hard labor for little pay, war, death and disease, tyrannical governments. I know there are many reasons we have some of the highest rates of clinical depression but it struck me the other day that one thing they do that we don't is walk. Everywhere. They have no choice. That constant exercise is so beneficial to our bodies. It releases endorphins that stabilize our mood. It gives our minds the time and silence needed to process things. It allows us to pay attention to the world around us. For those of us who are believers, it gives us time to talk to God.
I've felt it. I've seen how it helps others that I walk with. After a stressful day, to walk a mile or two clears the mind, calms the spirit, and de-stresses the body. In the morning, it refreshes and energizes. Helps you get your mind and body ready for the day to come.
I will be training to walk the Camino over the next 7 months. Whether walking one, ten, or 20 miles, I will be out there on some path nearly every day.
I'd like to start a walking ministry for women. We all have days when we need to get rid of the anxiety of the day. As women, we have unique stresses. Our church at one time had a ministry called Walk, Talk, and Pray. I'd like to rejuvenate that ministry, but with a twist. I'm offering to walk with you. Around your neighborhood, in a mall, on the Prairie Path or forest preserve. We can talk, pray, or just walk in silence. In turn, if you feel the benefits of these walks, offer to accompany someone else. Kind of a pay-it-forward effect. I'm willing to brave the cold if you need me to. Call, text, or email me.
So much of our time is spent in noise. It's everywhere. We surround ourselves with it, subconsciously on purpose, so that we don't have to think about our lives, relationships, finances, pressures, sins, stresses, etc. Music, tv, computer, phones. It's even in the stores and malls. Constant noise. We forget what it's like to have silence -so much so that it makes us uncomfortable.
I often wonder how those in third world countries don't have the struggle with anxiety and depression that we do here in the West, despite their daily struggles. Hard labor for little pay, war, death and disease, tyrannical governments. I know there are many reasons we have some of the highest rates of clinical depression but it struck me the other day that one thing they do that we don't is walk. Everywhere. They have no choice. That constant exercise is so beneficial to our bodies. It releases endorphins that stabilize our mood. It gives our minds the time and silence needed to process things. It allows us to pay attention to the world around us. For those of us who are believers, it gives us time to talk to God.
I've felt it. I've seen how it helps others that I walk with. After a stressful day, to walk a mile or two clears the mind, calms the spirit, and de-stresses the body. In the morning, it refreshes and energizes. Helps you get your mind and body ready for the day to come.
I will be training to walk the Camino over the next 7 months. Whether walking one, ten, or 20 miles, I will be out there on some path nearly every day.
I'd like to start a walking ministry for women. We all have days when we need to get rid of the anxiety of the day. As women, we have unique stresses. Our church at one time had a ministry called Walk, Talk, and Pray. I'd like to rejuvenate that ministry, but with a twist. I'm offering to walk with you. Around your neighborhood, in a mall, on the Prairie Path or forest preserve. We can talk, pray, or just walk in silence. In turn, if you feel the benefits of these walks, offer to accompany someone else. Kind of a pay-it-forward effect. I'm willing to brave the cold if you need me to. Call, text, or email me.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Proverbs 3:6
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
This came to me one spring morning while I was walking on the trail at Herrick Lake. I was praying about going to travel the Camino and as I rounded the corner, the path was lit up with beams of sunlight and I was struck by this verse.
Picking apart this verse, every word has meaning, He will direct my paths as long as I let Him and trust in Him. Not myself and my wants, needs, and fears but in the Lord who made me.
Trust. In. Him.
Easy to say. Hard to do.
But as I step out in faith on this endeavor, He will guide me.
Commenting fixed
It seems the comment settings were set to only members of Blogger could comment. Thanks Heidi for letting me know it wasn't working right. Now, if you want, you can make comments to the posts.
Kim
Kim
Saturday, October 20, 2012
500 miles
Yup, that's right. 500 miles. From St. Jean Peid de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
I've heard it all:
"That's crazy"
"That's such a long way to walk"
"How long will THAT take?"
"Where will you sleep?"
"Is it safe?"
Well, many of you who know me well know that I AM crazy, eccentric, etc. No getting around that one.
It will take about 31 days to walk the entire route. Just me, God, my backpack, and my hiking boots, walking through the Pyrenees mountains, over the flat Meseta, and through towns like Burgos, Pamplona, and Leon.
There are hostels called albergues just for the pilgrims all along the way, run by volunteers. You need a "Credential" to stay there. A Credential is something like a passport. You get it at the start of your walk and have it stamped at each stop. It gets turned in at the Pilgrims Office in Santiago for your Compostela, or certificate. Albergues run about 5-10 Euros each night. Depending on which albergue I choose to stay at every night and how far I want or can walk each day, I will be walking anywhere from 9-23 miles daily.
An average of 100,000 Pilgrims walk or bike the Camino each year, so the locals are very used to it. It is very safe. Crime is low. Advice is to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings- the same as if you were at home walking down the street or on a path.
Training is just walking for right now. As time gets closer I will be adding miles, backpack weight and variances in terrain. Rounding out training is pilates, which will create a strong core so there's less of a chance of back problems and injury. 500 miles, while hard, won't be as difficult as it would be without all this.
Goal for this month: walk at least 15 miles a week, with 10 being in one day, starting to use a light pack.
I've heard it all:
"That's crazy"
"That's such a long way to walk"
"How long will THAT take?"
"Where will you sleep?"
"Is it safe?"
Well, many of you who know me well know that I AM crazy, eccentric, etc. No getting around that one.
It will take about 31 days to walk the entire route. Just me, God, my backpack, and my hiking boots, walking through the Pyrenees mountains, over the flat Meseta, and through towns like Burgos, Pamplona, and Leon.
There are hostels called albergues just for the pilgrims all along the way, run by volunteers. You need a "Credential" to stay there. A Credential is something like a passport. You get it at the start of your walk and have it stamped at each stop. It gets turned in at the Pilgrims Office in Santiago for your Compostela, or certificate. Albergues run about 5-10 Euros each night. Depending on which albergue I choose to stay at every night and how far I want or can walk each day, I will be walking anywhere from 9-23 miles daily.
An average of 100,000 Pilgrims walk or bike the Camino each year, so the locals are very used to it. It is very safe. Crime is low. Advice is to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings- the same as if you were at home walking down the street or on a path.
Training is just walking for right now. As time gets closer I will be adding miles, backpack weight and variances in terrain. Rounding out training is pilates, which will create a strong core so there's less of a chance of back problems and injury. 500 miles, while hard, won't be as difficult as it would be without all this.
Goal for this month: walk at least 15 miles a week, with 10 being in one day, starting to use a light pack.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The journey begins when you make the decision to go.....
The journey begins when you make the decision to go.
Since last August, I have been looking- searching- for some way to be alone with God for an extended period. To get away from daily life for longer than a weekend retreat or a 1-2 week missions trip. No daily distractions, not doing things for anyone, not having to be anywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love doing things for people, especially the ones I love. It's what God created me to to do.. serve others. But I can also feel Him pulling me to some alone time to REALLY hear what He has in store for me. Where He has me serving and ministering next. What steps I need to take to follow in His will for my life.
I knew I needed to go somewhere where I could "be still" with God (Ps 46:10) to figure out where He wants me to go next in my life. I've felt Him call me to ministry since I was little and I find myself lost without a current full time ministry. My ministry of raising and teaching my children is about over. They are grown and Life and God are their teachers now and I just have to let go. I can give them grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love as they tread the minefield of adult life, and let them learn from the consequences of their decisions. I have the church I serve part time, and the homeless ministry once or twice a month, but I know God is calling me to something in addition to that, but I have no idea right now what that is or what it will look like in my life.
Since my mid-20s I've not been in the greatest health. Back problems, torn ligaments, serious allergy issues, thyroid and anemia problems, asthma, and most recently major joint pain have kept me from doing so many things. God has certainly taught me so much in all that. Perseverance and patience. He has led me to many things that have helped like an awesome doctor who gets to the root of a problem rather than fixing the symptoms, incredible information on the internet, and caring friends and family. I have overcome many physical problems with medication, diet (not eating what I'm allergic to, like wheat and sugar), and exercise; lost over 30 pounds; and have become healthy and strong again. Now that I'm free of many of my physical ailments and limitations, I also need time to learn more about myself and what I can accomplish. How far can I be pushed to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In April, I happened upon a movie called "The Way." Emilio Estevez wrote it for his dad, Martin Sheen, because Martin had always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James. I had never heard of the Camino but the movie intrigued me. The Way is an old pilgrimage route from France through Spain, walked for over 1200 years. Before that it was a Roman Road. Even more intriguing. I LOVE history. The movie was excellent and I recommend it. For me, though, it is the beginning of my journey.
After not being able to get the Camino off my mind at all, I began to do some research and praying. I thoroughly feel that this is what God is calling me to do. This is the answer to my searching. I began journaling consistently for the first time in my life and beginning the process of preparing myself mind, body, and spirit to go. I talked with my pastor, who is totally stoked for me, and a few other people who are my spiritual mentors to confirm that this was the right decision. Within a short time I made my decision. I'm going on a pilgrimage!
The journey has already begun.. Deciding, preparing, praying, and talking about this adventure have done wonders already in my life. The support I get from hubby and the kids is a particularly special thing- especially from Ed. God is already working on me, my relationships, and the way I see and interact with the world around me.
Since last August, I have been looking- searching- for some way to be alone with God for an extended period. To get away from daily life for longer than a weekend retreat or a 1-2 week missions trip. No daily distractions, not doing things for anyone, not having to be anywhere. Don't get me wrong, I love doing things for people, especially the ones I love. It's what God created me to to do.. serve others. But I can also feel Him pulling me to some alone time to REALLY hear what He has in store for me. Where He has me serving and ministering next. What steps I need to take to follow in His will for my life.
I knew I needed to go somewhere where I could "be still" with God (Ps 46:10) to figure out where He wants me to go next in my life. I've felt Him call me to ministry since I was little and I find myself lost without a current full time ministry. My ministry of raising and teaching my children is about over. They are grown and Life and God are their teachers now and I just have to let go. I can give them grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love as they tread the minefield of adult life, and let them learn from the consequences of their decisions. I have the church I serve part time, and the homeless ministry once or twice a month, but I know God is calling me to something in addition to that, but I have no idea right now what that is or what it will look like in my life.
Since my mid-20s I've not been in the greatest health. Back problems, torn ligaments, serious allergy issues, thyroid and anemia problems, asthma, and most recently major joint pain have kept me from doing so many things. God has certainly taught me so much in all that. Perseverance and patience. He has led me to many things that have helped like an awesome doctor who gets to the root of a problem rather than fixing the symptoms, incredible information on the internet, and caring friends and family. I have overcome many physical problems with medication, diet (not eating what I'm allergic to, like wheat and sugar), and exercise; lost over 30 pounds; and have become healthy and strong again. Now that I'm free of many of my physical ailments and limitations, I also need time to learn more about myself and what I can accomplish. How far can I be pushed to grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In April, I happened upon a movie called "The Way." Emilio Estevez wrote it for his dad, Martin Sheen, because Martin had always wanted to walk the Camino de Santiago, or The Way of St. James. I had never heard of the Camino but the movie intrigued me. The Way is an old pilgrimage route from France through Spain, walked for over 1200 years. Before that it was a Roman Road. Even more intriguing. I LOVE history. The movie was excellent and I recommend it. For me, though, it is the beginning of my journey.
After not being able to get the Camino off my mind at all, I began to do some research and praying. I thoroughly feel that this is what God is calling me to do. This is the answer to my searching. I began journaling consistently for the first time in my life and beginning the process of preparing myself mind, body, and spirit to go. I talked with my pastor, who is totally stoked for me, and a few other people who are my spiritual mentors to confirm that this was the right decision. Within a short time I made my decision. I'm going on a pilgrimage!
The journey has already begun.. Deciding, preparing, praying, and talking about this adventure have done wonders already in my life. The support I get from hubby and the kids is a particularly special thing- especially from Ed. God is already working on me, my relationships, and the way I see and interact with the world around me.
Friday, August 10, 2012
This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
-Jeremiah 6:16
I am at a Crossroads.
I am asking for the ancient paths.
I am going to walk in the good way.
I will find rest for my soul.
Join my on my journey...
I am at a Crossroads.
I am asking for the ancient paths.
I am going to walk in the good way.
I will find rest for my soul.
Join my on my journey...
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