Hello friends. I am writing this on a computer with a French keyboard. This means that all the letters on the keyboard are in different places!!
I arrived in Paris yesterday. This morning, I was out by 4:30am to head to the airport. I flew to Biarritz, took a bus ride to Bayonne, and then took a train to St. Jean Pied de Port. St. Jean is the official beginning of the Way! I got my pilgrim passport stamped at the tourist office; strolled around the town, which is a lovely quaint villa nestled in the rolling hills of the Pyrenees. After grabbing a bite to eat, i started the trek to St. Michel, where I am staying for the night.
I presently have two challenges. First, I am afraid I have phlebitis in my right forearm. Just before I departed to come, I had an MRI. The results were fine. However, they had to insert dye through an IV to perform the test. I now have a very sore forearm, with swelling and redness. The swelling seems to be floating down my arm along my artery. Would you please pray that the dye residue begins to be absorbed and that the pain, redness and swelling go away? Thank you.
Secondly, I have a problem with my backpack. It weighs too much! I hear some of you laughing. Now, I take full responsibility...the things in my pack didnt just jump in there on their own volition! I have never been a light packer. My motto has always been, "If it fits, take it...if it doesnt fit, get another bag!" (smile!) Well, that philosophy doesnt work here!
Today, I spent hours combing through every thing in my pack, trying to figure out what to get rid of. You wouldnt believe all that I have relinquished, given away, thrown away or just left in places where someone might find and rejoice in his/her good fortune!
I could make a wonderful analogy just now about getting rid of the baggage in our lives...but I am going to refrain from doing that. I simply need your prayers and Gods wisdom. The path that starts tomorrow is almost straight up...for miles. This is one of the hardest legs of the journey, yet it is at the very beginning. Please pray for me, for stamina (today it got very hot!), perseverance, fortitude and the ability to make this climb. I am admittedly scared, but trying to TRUST in Gods provision and help. I have decided that I will take two days to do this sixteen mile leg of the journey. So, please keep your prayers coming. Remember the story of the paralytic I mentioned in my previous post? I need you, my dear friends, walking with me. I will let you know how it goes. Tomorrow, I truly take up my mat and START WALKING!
I arrived in Paris yesterday. This morning, I was out by 4:30am to head to the airport. I flew to Biarritz, took a bus ride to Bayonne, and then took a train to St. Jean Pied de Port. St. Jean is the official beginning of the Way! I got my pilgrim passport stamped at the tourist office; strolled around the town, which is a lovely quaint villa nestled in the rolling hills of the Pyrenees. After grabbing a bite to eat, i started the trek to St. Michel, where I am staying for the night.
I presently have two challenges. First, I am afraid I have phlebitis in my right forearm. Just before I departed to come, I had an MRI. The results were fine. However, they had to insert dye through an IV to perform the test. I now have a very sore forearm, with swelling and redness. The swelling seems to be floating down my arm along my artery. Would you please pray that the dye residue begins to be absorbed and that the pain, redness and swelling go away? Thank you.
Secondly, I have a problem with my backpack. It weighs too much! I hear some of you laughing. Now, I take full responsibility...the things in my pack didnt just jump in there on their own volition! I have never been a light packer. My motto has always been, "If it fits, take it...if it doesnt fit, get another bag!" (smile!) Well, that philosophy doesnt work here!
Today, I spent hours combing through every thing in my pack, trying to figure out what to get rid of. You wouldnt believe all that I have relinquished, given away, thrown away or just left in places where someone might find and rejoice in his/her good fortune!
I could make a wonderful analogy just now about getting rid of the baggage in our lives...but I am going to refrain from doing that. I simply need your prayers and Gods wisdom. The path that starts tomorrow is almost straight up...for miles. This is one of the hardest legs of the journey, yet it is at the very beginning. Please pray for me, for stamina (today it got very hot!), perseverance, fortitude and the ability to make this climb. I am admittedly scared, but trying to TRUST in Gods provision and help. I have decided that I will take two days to do this sixteen mile leg of the journey. So, please keep your prayers coming. Remember the story of the paralytic I mentioned in my previous post? I need you, my dear friends, walking with me. I will let you know how it goes. Tomorrow, I truly take up my mat and START WALKING!
Dear Martha, I am so happy to see your blog tonight! So glad you made the trip to Paris safely and on to St. Jean Pied de Port and are beginning your walk. I hope your arm is better and that you have not gotten rid of something that you will need later. How is your weather there? I will try to follow the weather you are experiencing via Google. Is a hostel available every night? Do you see many people as you are walking? How about your camera? Is it working? I will let you know how the Redskins did after the game tomorrow. Love from your friend in Arlington….bj
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for you mom:)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the post. I will keep praying for you. Love, Susan
ReplyDeleteWill be praying, Martha, for your arm, your legs, your feet, your back! Mercy!! Yes, Lord have mercy - traveling mercies, walking mercies, etc. What an adventure you're beginning!
ReplyDeleteBengals defeated the Redskins 38-31. It was a disappointing afternoon at FedEx Field. Giants beat the Panthers 36 - 7; another football disappointment today. ~ bj in Arlington
ReplyDelete