It's great to see you back on the road again, this time with you daughter... You are going to love France. Our favorite town on the Riviera is Antibes. I Followed you on your Camino trip, which has inspired me. I've read many TB blogs from others who walked the Camino and have downloaded a number of books on my Kindle. I probably won't go until September 2016 or 17.
Thank you and Bless You Dear Linda, I just tonight came across your post. It is raining and damp (though not really cold) and there is a fire in the Lareira and 5 pilgrims upstairs snoring (as are the cats!), and you brought the summer back to me! It was a real pleasure to meet and host you and I hope one day you will find your way back here to The Little Fox House. You are an Alumnus now. X Tracy
Christmas Greetings to The Little Fox House and the Lady of the House! Ole Tracy!
And I just read this. I don't go a day without thinking about the Camino and my visit to The Little Fox House. I have no doubt I will return.
Hope you are have a very Merry Christmas!
Grace and Peace,
Linda xoxoxoxo
Congratulations Pilgrim! I often feel like I don't belong after a trip, but your feelings must have been magnified many times over given the time and effort you put into the Way, and the friends whose Paths you may never cross again. And then there is the personal reflections and lessons you learned...now to be applied for the rest of your life. Thanks for sharing and giving me a foreshadowing of the experience should I have the blessing of walking the Camino.
Away and Back Again You also have to remember I arrived in Santiago as a pilgrim ending the journey. Then I walked on. Then 9 days later - and many more experiences - I returned by car. It was a different feeling. I am sure when I do another Camino I will walk into Santiago feeling complete and where I belong - just like I did the first time. But this alternate return was definitely .... hmm bittersweet or unsettling, not sure.
Now wasting 14hours sitting in Orly airport waiting to go home. Time to blog!
Linda
ESL is a good choice if you want to live almost anywhere overseas... The TBer "rrruss" (search under the Bloggers link at the very top of the page) just finished teaching for a year in Pamplona, Spain...but are now traveling around Vietnam. You can take your ESL certification course at many exotic locations...my son took the CELTA course in Bangkok, where he then taught high school for a year and is now teaching at a private school until September when he goes to Bangor University to take law. I have enjoyed reading about your experiences on the Way. You may frown on me, but I will likely take one of the shorter walks...I broke my ankle in February, and although it is pretty much healed by now, I am not sure how much it could take. I guess I will have to try 20 km walks at home to find out!
No Frown Here! Thanks for the tips. I will check that out. Spain may not be the place - but it may be.
As for frowning on you - not a chance. Though that is our natural inclination as humans the Camino does teach patience, exceptance and generousity. You do the Camino you need to and are able to do. Anyone judging that is just short changing themselves. Linda
What a journey Have so loved reading your daily blogs. Your faith has grown so very much and appreciate your sharing this with us. Our hearts and prayers have been with you the whole way, my friend.
May God continue to work in your heart as your Camino journey comes to an end. Rejoice my friend.
Linda:
You are truly an inspiration. I look forward to reading your blog daily, many of which have brought me to tears. Congratulations and many blessings on the rest of your amazing journey.
Faith I have so much enjoyed your blog and the feelings, thoughts, that you are experiencing along the way. What faith you have. I so very impressed that you are doing this. What a long "walk" with God you are doing.
So nice to meet people along the way that I am sure will become life long friends. God puts those people in our lives for a reason. You are also touching their lives.
Be safe my friend and don't doubt what you are doing is awesome!!
Look forward to the next blog entry.
Gods blessings,
Karen, a person whose life you touched in China!
TThank you! Hi Leigh,
Good to hear from you. I appreciate your thoughts. These last few days walking it is hard to do much more than keep putting one foot in front of the other. Any kind of support is appreciate therefore!!
Miss seeing you - hope all is well.
Linda
Thanks, again, for sharing... humans find it hard to accept gifts without feeling the need to reciprocate. So we find it hard to accept Christ's free gift of salvation, and set out to work for it. Our works should be the grateful response, not an act to reciprocate, which is what you discovered on the Way.
Thank you! Just want you to know I appreciate your comments, support and input. Most times the program won't let me respond to comments posted though. Today is an exception, so want to be sure to let you know I am getting them and do read them!
Linda
Sermon Example Linda,
You appeared (not by name) in my sermon on Sunday, as an illustration of the many journeys people are making this time of year, and all the preparation and decisions that go into these journeys. We are remembering you on the road!
Pastor Rebecca
Thank you for sharing the stories... which are the true miracles of the Camino. I would find it hard to separate from friends once I had formed a bond along the way. As for the story about Christ's Crucifixion, He died for both thieves, but only one said that Christ hadn't done anything to deserve this as both of them did. For those simple words, Jesus told the thief that "Today you will be with me in Paradise." All it takes for salvation is very simple faith and acceptance of the gift offered. Some have hard hearts which cause them to reject this gift. So please continue to share your stories of those you meet along the Camino.
I am so impressed Have been reading up on the journey you are on. WOW. Can I ask what prompted you to take this journey? I see that The Camino de Santiago is a pilgrimage to the tomb of St James (Santiago), but don't totally understand why. It is very cool and sounds like you are totally reconnecting with God on this journey. See that it is about 500 miles, wow!! How long will it take you. I am so totally impressed and so very proud of you Linda!!!!
July 1, 2012 - Head on a new adventure with chinaconnect to teach in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. I will be in China until August 5th. Stay tuned and follow my adventures!
From 2008 trip: Hi, this is Linda live from China. I will be here for four weeks teaching with China Service Ventures in Xinyang, China.
2010: Travel to a new city in a new province to serve a new organization.
2013: This year instead of going to China to serve I embark on a pilgrimge to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago. I wish to walk as a pilgrim - dedicating my walk and my life to God. I am eager ... full info
Shirley
non-member comment
You have had the most interesting life. Be safe, keep us posted. God Bless