A brief update to say that we have arrived in Lagrono. The wifi seems to be better and we are catching up on posts today. A post about Day 6 will be coming later. Hopefully we can add pictures too. Below please see Days 4 & 5!
Buen Camino! It’s hard, it’s a challenge, it’s even frustrating! The Air Force trained me in my youth to be an intelligence analyst. After a number of years I became the lead analyst for 4 different sub-element areas. Then I was trained as a war planner and mobility officer - I eventually directed mobility/deployment operations for an entire Air Force Base. I re-entered the Air Force as Chaplain, where I was trained to be an officer and leader. And eventually I came to St Anne’s where I serve as the rector.
What’s hard? What’s challenging? What’s frustrating? Not leading, not being “in charge”, not setting the pace. Thus far this Camino has been, for me, a time of learning to follow, to listen, to count cadence rather than set cadence. Rachel for the most part, and Sue sometimes, have served as our leaders, our guides, our pace setters. And I have spent the first five days of the Camino settling in and trying to not make the decisions as though I was the Officer in Charge. In marking step after step and kilometer after kilometer, I have wondered how viewing myself as “being in charge” has frustrated the Holy Spirit. Let’s face it, we (that’s the royal we, most all of us) like to be in control, in charge, planning and doing…but in that role, I wonder if we more often offend God, the God of all Creation, by trying to be the god of our own lives? Today the Camino was unrelenting…it was hot, long, barren of towns, and dusty. And during that journey, during each step of the way, I considered where God is in my life. I also considered the reality that in my life there are places where god (small “g” = me) is trying to be in control, places that are unlike the areas were God is involved…places where life is unrelenting, where the journey is hot, long, barren of life, and dusty. I have some god slaying to do, some places in my life that God has been shut out of…what about you? Do you like to be in control, in charge, make all the decisions? Do you resist listening to, and following the cadence of Another? Ultreya my friends! Today was a day of transformation. I will let you read Rachel’s and Sue’s blog to understand the challenges we have encountered as we journey.
Tomorrow will be a walk across a more barren part of the countryside, as we move from the mountains to the flatter lands, from town after town to field after field, and is projected to be in the upper 80s! And we will face tomorrow with the unknowns of how far, how long, and can we? What the Camino has taught me thus far is that most anyone can put on a pair of shoes and take a 10-15 mile walk…try it! For those of you living in De Pere, next Saturday put on your walking shoes and walk to St Brendans and back home again - you can do it! That’s the beauty of the Camino…the challenge of the Camino, however, is doing again the next day, and the next, and the next…up hills, down hills, across fields, through forests, and in the mud. Those are the challenging parts. Some, well most, suffer physical abuse (sunburns, bruises, blisters, muscle pulls, or hairline fractures). Some, well most, enjoy a type of serendipitous fellowship that is unique to the journey. Complete strangers immediately breaking down the barriers of nationality, language, religion, and such…and sitting next to each other for coffee, rest, lunch, or dinner…sharing a time of laughter and support with one another. It is said the Camino gives you what you need. The Camino gives us much, and some of the best is simple serendipitous fellowship with fellow pilgrims…it started several days ago with the native people like Alex and Angel that I wrote about, and now “it” is changing us too - it is a time of transformation - to simply be content and embrace the moment, to enjoy where I am, what I am doing, and those with whom I am doing it! Happy Trails! While you were sleeping…Today is Friday and it was a warm experience as we climbed up about 400 meters to the Alto del Perdon…thats the place with all the windmills and the statues (hopefully the picture posts today). The descent was treacherous and one slip of a foot would mean a rapid rolling fall or a long skid and bounce on the bottom - neither of which are desirable. Jacob again saved me at least one time as the rocks underfoot gave way unpredictably. We had a nice “stroll” into Puente del Reina - about 15 miles total with temps around 79 degrees (cool when you are sitting, very hot when in the sun, walking distance, with a backpack!). Last night we spent the night is Pamplona. A wonderful city of 200K people, and quite quaint during the day, during siesta, and during the dinner hour as well. But buddy let me tell you what! When 8pm hits, the stores close, and everyone turns out to party! I mean of the 200K people in Pamplona, at 100K were on our street until 2:30am - drinking, talking, singing, arguing, fighting, yelling at some dog (who barked for at least 6 straight hours - didn't hear him anymore after the parties died out.). I believe Pamplona is a wonderful place to visit, but not a place to spend the night…press on to the next town for the night, well, if you want to sleep that is! Speaking of sleeping. I’m not, well, not too well. Part of this sabbatical experience was to embrace with understanding the Sabbath. And I am beginning to learn something here. We began our Camino and it was a complete shock to the physical body - from little exercise (yes I did walk 3-5 miles a day to prepare) to outrageous exercise (climbing up a silly mountain with backpack for 17 miles, followed by 12 miles, followed today by 15 miles). So at the end of the day, my body is zonked…but my mind is another story. My mind has not engaged in 27 emails about personal and professional work at the St Anne’s. My mind is not absorbed in sermon prep. My mind is not solving counseling issues, budget issues, leaks, or running toilet issues. So here’s the thing…all my mind has to do during the day is to watch the path in front of me and not trip or slip, watch for yellow arrows marking the way, and look at all the beauty of God’s creation. So at night, when I lay myself down to sleep, I turn on CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity (as I do nearly every night because CS Lewis has been able to put me to sleep at the drop of a hat ever since seminary days) and instead of falling straight to sleep my mind jumps to work - I mean for hours and hours on end! Finally, it seems to say, something to grapple with - and so it does. I find myself wrestling with CS Lewis when I should be sleeping. Now I don't blame CS Lewis, and if this is going to happen I’m glad I don't have Garth Brooks playing, but I find this remarkable! I don't know how to take a sabbath! I don't know how to let my mind slow down, to stop trying to engage, solve, or create. Our devotion today came from Mudhouse Sabbath. And it spoke to us about creation…that in the Jewish sabbath many things are not allowed on the sabbath such as cooking or carrying certain items, and at first glance we would consider it totally legalistic…but consider this. God instituted the sabbath and God rested on the sabbath. God created everything we will ever discover in this universe or beyond in those first 6 days and then rested on the 7th. You see, creation is the work of God, and our ability to make things is a participation in the creation of God..and God says rest! And so, my friends, I must learn how to rest my mind, and embrace sabbath. What about you? Ultreya! While you were sleeping we rose casually and began our journey. Just over 10 miles from Larrasoana to Pamplona. More ups and downs, but nothing so severe this day. However, there seemed to be no stops today. No cafes, no villages to speak of - if you didn't bring it with you, you didn't have it. During 3/4s of our journey today, we followed along side of a river. Amazing too. Again, it was so quiet, no cars, or other sounds to drowned out the sounds of silence, of nature, of breathing and stepping, and of water. The river has a life of its own. It is so calm at times, still and quiet. At other times it is wide and seemingly deep. At other times it is so narrow and shallow…hard to believe its the same river. And at other times it is a whitewater rapids…later on it becomes a forceful waterfalls. The same river, experiencing so many different shapes, sizes, and movements. Much like this Camino. The path is so wide at times, other times it is less than a narrow pathway. Sometimes it is filled with pilgrims chatting away, and other times it is completely silent. At points there are cacophany of laughter (at the fellowship gather at night) like the sound of the waterfalls. But isn't that like life too? Life is calm, smooth, filled with friends, filled with loneliness, filled with calamity, and filled with serenity. And through it all, the river is never alone but part of the creation around it, and through it all, we are never alone, but part of the Body of Christ…God designed it that way.
We arrived in Pamplona and immediately joined in the local custom of “siesta”! It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. Ultreya!! While you were sleeping…While you were sleeping we walked from Roncesvelles to Larrasoana. It was our first day on the Camino and we started with a bang. It was 17 miles of up and down. There is really nothing in Wisconsin to compare it to. Winding around and over mountain peak after mountain peak. We started at 6:30 in the morning, as did many other pilgrims. Each walks their own speed (nearly everyone much faster than us). As people encounter one another they question most often asked is “where are you from”,or “What nationality are you?” And often times when you see each other again, this is how you refer to each other “Hi Boston” or “Hello Ireland”. We begin walking through the cattle fields filled with serenity and slight fog. The tops of the mountains are enshrouded in clouds - it is so quiet - no cars, no busy-ness, all you hear are the occasional cow bells.
Then came the mountains, the steep climbs and wicked descents on shale smoothed over from the 10s of thousands of feet that have proceeded us. And finally we arrive at our accommodations…tired is word that simply does not capture the fatigue of the day. Yet, we shower, change, and walk from one end of the village to the other (200 people live here). And then we find them…the other pilgrims are gathered. Many of these people we have met along The Way as they passed us. The gang from Ireland is there, so to is the group from Michigan, as well as many others. Included in this assemblage of pilgrims is a 70+ year old man (has to be upper 70s) and his daughter (easily my age) - they are sitting there visiting with several younger ladies who they have just met - this old man breezed by us on one of the initial ascents of the day somewhere around the 8 mile point! I was zonked and he was slow and steady up the climb - never saw him again until now. A real character owns the establishment, his name is, are you ready for this…Angel. Angel loves the Beatles and is blaring them away, often times breaking into dance with contagious smiles. Angel bears a remarkable resemblance to Robert de Niro. Another person who has embraced his life, where he is and what he does…he has decided to love it…and as it says in movie I once watched (well at least once) “You don't choose your life, you live it!” and Angel is living his life! What a wonderful first day. Ridiculously fatigued and couldn't get enough of it. Lastly, I want to let you know that during the course of the day, I named my walking stick. At first the stick simply tapped out time and cadence as we walked, but once we got into the mountains and foot became uncertain and legs became fatigued, the walking stick serviced an incredible need. It maintained my balance, helped me climb, and made descents more sure footed and controlled. It kept me from stumbling on several occasions and one point a rock broke loose that I had place my weight on during a descent. The stick supported my entire weight just as my knee locked in place. I am sure that without my stick this would have been an epic fall, resulting in devastating knee damage and who knows how far I might have rolled and bounced before stopping. At this moment Jacob (the walking stick) and I became fast friends. Jacob absorbed the limp that would have surely been all mine! If you're wondering, my backpack has also been named: “Ultreya”. It is wonderful pack that sits perfectly on my hips and carries the weight so well that while it is heavy to put on, it immediately becomes forgotten that it is there. Each time I reach for it to put it on, I am reminded that the journey continues - Ultreya!! I know, I know, for a true pilgrim the camino begins when their heart says go…but for someone on the camino it seems to me that when you have taken your first steps on the same ground as millions of pilgrims before and you leave a footprint in the dirt, that is when the camino really begins. And tomorrow we begin.
First a word of explanation, Rachel has a wonderful and colorful view of life and she is recording her experience (sometimes quite humorously so) at https://ramills03.wordpress.com. And Sue is writing a wonderful blog at suescamino.blogspot.com which is full of all the detail of our journey. Its not that I don't enjoy details because I do. And its not that I don't enjoy wonderful and happy stories because I do. But its because Rachel and Sue are so much better at their writing than I could ever be that I refer you to their posts and stay tuned here for my rumination and reflections on the journey. I have only arrived at our start point for the Camino as we journeyed by taxi from St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles by taxi (thank God for big favors and great advice.) We drove for 45 minutes to cover 30 kilometers (18 miles) and for 40 minutes we climbed and climbed and climbed - my hat is off to whoever would and can make that hike! And we are in Basque country…and the Camino has already taught me a lesson. To speak of this lesson I have to return to what we experienced on the trip here. While in Chicago, as you know, our flight was cancelled. The behavior I witnessed was appalling! People from all walks of life converge at the counter to hear the news that the flight is cancelled and the reaction was, well, frankly embarrassing. As though the poor workers personally tried to inconvenience us, I will leave it at that and you can use your imagination. But in Basque country it is different. On the Camino life is changed. The people (the locals) are filled with contentment and cheerfulness - they are filled with joy. From the taxi driver today to our hotel clerk and our “waiter” during our lunch - they were filled with these attributes and those attributes are in direct conflict with the attitudes I experienced during our travels here. It is my prayer that these attributes will find a place in me, and that I will find contentment and joy…such that will become so real that it will likewise be contagious for those around me. Ultreya! My how time flies. It was already 5 years ago that I watched an unknown and unadvertised movie entitled “The Way”. I saw that film and it spoke to me very powerfully. I worked with Aran Walter and Abby Dombeck during that following summer and we made that movie a central part of our Summer Camp for Fond du Lac. I knew that I wanted to walk the Camino from the first time I heard of it, and now I am less than 24 hours away from leaving Chicago for France.
I wont conjecture about what lies before me and what great insights, resolutions, or revelations will take place during our 33 days of walking and 4-5 days of rest. Not real sure that I have remembered to pack everything, not real sure that I have thought of everything, not real sure that I will need everything that I am bringing. But this night my focus moves from planning, preparation, and training to departure. Tonight the excitement builds, the dream becomes a reality, and soon it will be a time of pilgrimage, of journey, of one day and one step at a time. Looking forward to making my next post from Paris (that’s France for my Texas friends)! Happy Trails my friends! Well, well, well...I finally have a blogsite completed and ready for public consumption. Unfortunately, I added the first several posts that I have written in reverse order. So, normally the latest/newest post is the first one you would find. That will be case from this time going forward. However, the previous posts are in reverse order. So please start reading the first 4 posts by going to last post and work your way back to this point.
Thanks everyone! |
AuthorI grew up in Wisconsin and Minnesota. After graduating high school, I spent 8 years in the Air Force where I met and married my wife Sue. It was during those years that I discerned the call to ministry. Following my enlistment, I graduated from Univ of Texas in San Antonio, and then went back to work for the Air Force as a civilian. During those years our daughters, Katie and Rachel, were born. Finally, ten years after discerning, I went to seminary at Nashotah House in southern Wisconsin. After serving my curacy at the cathedral in Fort Worth, I served six years as a chaplain in the Air Force before returning to parish ministry for four years in Bradenton Florida. My family and I came home to St Anne's in De Pere, Wisconsin, in the Summer of 2010. I am blessed to serve as the priest for a wonderful parish in a place where you still greet one another in the evening when seemingly everyone is outside walking themselves or walking their pets. I look forward to ice fishing, and minor league baseball is a blast. For exercise and prayer, I enjoy walking. We have enjoyed our first six years at St Anne's and look forward to our next six. ArchivesCategories |