The Crucible…and Some Big News!

WHOOP! HERE IT IS

I’ve been procrastinating for the past few weeks about writing this blog. At first, it was because I was afraid it would be too emotionally driven and cloud over the lessons I received from it. Then, it was because I didn’t want to tell you that I struggled with the Camino because that makes me look weak. But my nickname is Heidi Almighty for a reason and I am a storyteller that leads by example. Here goes nothing!

When I saw that we would be walking the Camino this year, I was indifferent. Some have dreamed of doing the Camino since they were little and others (like me) were like “why?”

Our leaders shared that the value of doing the Camino in that it offers individuals time to focus and reflect on the growth from this past year. We’ve had a lot of adventures this past year and there hasn’t always been alone time to think about how we are changing before needing to hop on a train to our next destination. I definitely see the blessing in that and getting to walk by myself seemed like a treat. 

CONCERNS

My biggest concerns were two things: budget and injuries. Alumni Racers warned us beforehand that we would without a doubt have to use personal money to do the Camino. Fourteen euros/day for food, lodging, and transportation can only take you so far and many of us ended up shipping our bags ahead; which is extra, but necessary. Also, many racers on previous squads have sustained injuries beyond blisters while doing the trail. If it’s one thing I like to avoid, it’s a broken leg.

At first I took notes while walking the Camino, but over time I found my notes to be depressing so I stopped entirely. I’ll share the ones I have and I hope that my painful recollections can provide you with some insight and humor.

NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY

Day 1

Weather: It hailed for a few seconds, vicious wind and rain, then of course the sun came out.

Thoughts: They say this is the hardest day of the Camino. It’s all mostly uphill. I think it’s trying to prepare me for Michigan weather. It’s hard, but I’m keeping a solid pace.

 

Day 2

Weather: The weather is beautiful today, but there is way too much downhill today.

Thoughts: My knees are killing me, but I’m keeping a solid pace.

 

Day 3

Weather: The weather is even nicer than the day before. Quite idyllic.

Thoughts: GET ME A TAXI! I’M DYING BECAUSE MY KNEES ARE IN PAIN NO MATTER WHAT THE INCLINE. WILL PEOPLE PICK ME UP IF I STICK OUT A THUMB OR IS THAT A CULTURAL FAUX PAS?? I may never hike again after this.

 

Day 4

Took a bus. Praise Him.

 

Days 5-8

Buses are a blessing.

 

Day 9

Dang it. We’re walking again.

 

Day 10

I don’t want to be alive. #Jonah

 

THE CAMINO

I didn’t talk to many people, but I sure was talking to God… I was so focused on taking one step after the other and making it to the next destination.

Sometimes I was subjected to my team mate Ashley’s company in which she would force me to listen to all the worst Taylor Swift songs on her iPod nano, but I persevered like it talks about in Romans 5:3-5.

Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods yet? x50

NO, TAYLOR! WE’RE NOT! WE’RE STILL WALKING IN THE WOODS IN SPAIN AND MY KNEES HURT! OKAY!?

As promised, the time alone gave me space to think and reflect.

I thought about the question everyone has on their mind, “What’s next after the Race?”

I thought about my knees that throbbed with every step.

I thought about the person I am and who I want to be.

I thought about my knees and if I could return them and get a new pair under warranty.

I thought about Chick-fil-a.

 

THINGS LEARNED 

Suffering is inevitable. 

I remember a pastor preaching one time about choosing our pain. No matter what in life we are going to experience pain. Do we want to experience the pain of doing right or wrong? We get to chose our pain. Yay?

Because if we sin, we face the consequences, but if we instead chose to do the right thing even if it’s not the popular choice, then we face that head on as well.

Romans 8:17 NIV

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

Sometimes when I go through hard and painful things like walking almost two hundred miles through the French and Spanish countryside, I begin to doubt God’s love for me or when I see the turmoil and chaos that is happening in the world, I wonder where He is? But as soon as I read this scripture, I felt peace:

Romans 8:35-37 NLT

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.”

CLOSING THOUGHTS

God is good. I walked one hundred and seventy miles of the Camino and have a piece of paper to prove it. It was easily the most difficult thing I’ve done physically all year. I still have room to grow. Peanut M&Ms are the best trail snack. I will go hiking again. I’m stronger now.

 

BIG NEWS

All that walking made me decide that I’m going back out!

However, I’m not returning to the field with Adventures in Missions.

I have applied to go to North Africa for six weeks as a MAPS volunteer to see if God would have me there long term.

When I have more information to share I will, but for now if you can be praying for me.

• Morocco: love, peace, and growth for the believers here
• Application process
• Transitioning back to the USA
• Wisdom, guidance, and more of the Spirit!

 

Thank you to everyone who has donated to my journey this year and have prayed for me. It makes all the difference and it means so much. God is doing big things in my heart and people around me and it’s been awesome to witness. Stay tuned for updates on Morocco!