I’ve got to admit it. I am struggling. In 7 days of Hiking, I’ve only met my original goal twice and on my longest hike I injured my ankle. The title of today’s post most expresses what I want to do, but as I write this my soul is neither calm nor quiet, though I am trying. I knew this pilgrimage would be difficult. I’ve read that anyone who undertakes this journey would want to call it quits a hundred times. The questions: Am I doing this for pride of myself? Am I selfishly putting an undue burden on Juliette by being away so long? Am I really gaining what I was hoping?- insight to my next career- becoming closer to God-sharing the gospel.—- Can I really take another day of not understanding or being understood less 10 percent of the time?

And yet, when I least expect it, there is a person I touch or who touches me in a way that lifts my spirit. There is the unexpected sight that takes my breath away. There is the way that the rain fell today and seemed as if it would never stop, but when I prayed it stopped and the sun came out. There is the silence in the small chapels where I stop and pray. And of course, I feel the constant presence of God with me at every step. I do feel him; but, the human in me takes me to my physical concerns. So, I am patient. I know there will be many times that the human in me feels this way. I will want to quit. I will become disenchanted with the whole journey….But, then, there are so many reminders that Christians through the centuries have taken this route and have found solace in Christ and his lifting of our troubles by his intimate sacrifice for each and everyone of us.

Some reminders of the purpose of this journey that are found all along the way:

Some photos, more or less in order, of the journey Les Estretes to Espalion (hiking days 4 through 7; Saturday was my day off):

Finally, my ankle is nearly 100%. Thank you all for your support and comments. It fill my heart with joy to know you are sharing this journey.

About 93 miles completed. About 870 left to go.

Memorizing Romans 8: 1 -8.

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother ; my soul is like the weaned child that is with me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time on and forevermore.” Psalm 131: 1-3.