Walking the Camino de Santiago

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

TONIGHT’S POST PATRON!

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True Men Ministries helps men and their families to fulfill God’s dream for them. To do that, True Men Ministries hosts Advances (because a True Man never “retreats”) and Bible Studies. Founder Ed Blonski also writes a twice-weekly devotion and hosts the True Man Podcast.

Friends! Hello!

I’m coming at’cha from Ohio where I’m on set at a shoot! It’s been a wonderful time at home. I really feel so blessed to be able to stay in touch with my family and be able to work both here and there!

I was thinking about it the other day, and I have been just so blown away by God’s faithfulness and generosity. Truly. I mean, my life has taken a lot of detours in my short time around the sun.

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I was reflecting on the false starts and challenging seasons I’ve seen. I’m no longer angry or bitter about the time I’ve lost, nor do I feel regret or cheated out of life. I’ve finally come to peace with the fact that those seasons have made me who I am.

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But the fact is, I have had incredible obstacles to overcome in my life: starting with the anorexia that nearly took my life back in high school and beginning of college. Followed by the horrible ulcerative colitis that resulted in being on bed rest for 11 months. And then here recently, walking with my mom through her stroke recovery.

The truth is, God has seen me through all of it. He’s walked me through it. Never once abandoning me or leaving me to fend for myself. He has been my strength. And has showered me with grace and healing, even when I may not have been aware of it.

And my mom, too. God has been so good to her and blessed her so abundantly as she’s regained her life after her stroke. She is truly my hero. Learning how to talk again after such an event as that – her recovery is remarkable, and we all have so much to be grateful to God for.

His generosity is truly worthy of our deepest praise.

And so, we’ve decided to express our gratitude in a thanksgiving pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

We’re leaving already next week! I can’t believe it. It really snuck up on us!

We’re not walking the whole thing. We’re doing a partial route. But it still is around 63 miles!

We’re starting out in Lisbon, Portugal at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, and then walking all the way to the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The Camino – which was brought to the attention of popular culture in the movie The Way by Emilio Estevez, starring his dad, Martin Sheen – is a 1,000 year old pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, where it is believed that the remains of St. James the Apostle are enshrined.

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St. James was martyred (by decapitation) for his faith by King Herod in Jerusalem, as written about in Acts 12:2.

Afterwards, his headless body was brought back to Galicia and buried underneath the stars in a field. It is believed that 900 years later, a shepherd found his grave under the stars and thus the Cathedral was built to house the Apostle’s remains. And thus the pilgrimage was born.

This trip is not a hike. It’s not some fabulous eco-tourism fling. It is a pilgrimage. It is more about the journey than the destination. It is about stropping, more than going. It is about letting the period of “pause” and “time out” from your life move you, and deepen your connection with God, and with those on your path.

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My mom and I have always said that our lives have been on parallel paths, with each of us enduring similar things, in different ways, during various seasons of our lives.

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And I am excited to physically walk the same path with her during a time in our lives where God has truly sustained us, mind, body and spirit.

So of course, I will be blogging about my experience so that you can travel the Camino with us.

But what I also want to do, is bring your prayer requests with me.

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This blog has been so instrumental in my recovery and the friendships I’ve found here through the little community have truly enriched my life and been such a source of encouragement and joy. I want to offer my thanksgiving to you as well, along The Way, and prayer is one of the best ways I know how.

SO If you have any prayer requests or intentions, leave me a comment or if it is super personal, you can send me an email at beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com.

But I will print them out and put them in a book that I will leave at the Cathedral if I can. But either way, I will pray for you along The Way, and light a candle at the Cathedral and read through them all.

I truly believe in the power of prayer. God has answered mine over and over and over. I mean, simply the fact that I am living and breathing after two experiences that very well could have taken my life is testimony enough to God’s listening ear.

And I humbly ask that you pray for my mom and I on the trip! I am truly excited to see how God reveals Himself on the pilgrimage.

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See ya tomorrow morning on the Podcast!

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A big thank you to my foundational sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy. I cannot begin to express how beneficial therapy was for my recovery from anorexia.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

183 thoughts on “Walking the Camino de Santiago”

    1. Thanks Camden! Yeah, I’m pretty excited to see too 🙂 I hope you get there soon! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  4. This sounds like it will be an amazing journey. I’m sure that the stops and sharing of life with others on pilgrimage will be very uplifting. You sharing during this trip, this pilgrimage will be rewarding for all of us. I do have a prayer request that I will send on email.

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    1. Thank you Jeff! Yeah, I am really excited about it 🙂 Absolutely! i will add it to the list 🙂 hope you’re having a great week, friend! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Wow, have fun on your trip and many, many blessings!! Your mom is a remarkable woman!! I am equally lucky to have my dad in my life. 🙂 I think you and your mom will have a blessed trip!!

    Yes, please pray for my upcoming travel endeavors in October!! Thank you so much!! It’s divine of you to do this!!

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    1. Thank you Meg! Yes she is! Aww so glad you can relate. Absolutely! I will add that to my list! Hugs and love xox

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  11. Wow! One of my favorite movie stories of all time! I’d love to walk El Camino de Santiago, but highly unlikely at this point. Even so, you and your mother will remain in my prayers on the walk. BTW, if you and your family ever visit AZ, please worship with us at St James Parish in Glendale (near 35th and the 101). (I’m in choir at 4pm Sat Mass, 9am & 11am Sun mass, but say hello after mass!) The Lord will protect and keep you and your mom all the way. I trust you’ll have an amazing time.

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    1. Thanks friend 🙂 I appreciate your prayers. Oh awesome! If we’re ever out that way I will certainly look your parish up! Hugs and love xox

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  12. Sounds like a wonderful experience. I pray God opens your eyes to see everything He wants to show you. And I’ll be praying for you and your Mom as you’re walking as well. Will send the prayer requests via email. Looking forward to lots of wonderful pics! xox

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  13. I hope that you realize the effect you have on others through your positive outlook and excitement generated by your understanding of God’s presence in your life! 🙂 Pray for me, please, that my efforts to de-stress and take better care of myself in all aspects bears fruit. Travel safely, dear– Mike

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    1. oh gosh what a kind thing to say, Mike. Thank you so much. And I will definitely add your prayers to the list!! Hugs and love xox

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  14. God bless you! If you would please pray that I find my way back, for I am somewhat lost atm, and for the gifts of faith and of wisdom. Thank you for so kindly doing this. I will pray for you as well. I am grateful for you and for the opportunity you so kindly provide. Have a blessed and safe trip. Enjoy!!!!

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    1. Thank you so much Carol for your prayers and kind words. And I will definitely add your prayers to the list! Hugs and love xox

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  15. Good luck on your journey. What an amazing adventure. I’ve been researching the Camino and hope to one day walk it as well. One small bit of warning: a friend walked it last year and mentioned that the trail was extremely busy, full of people, and a bit more commercialized than he expected. Despite that, he still recommended the trip, if nothing else because of the history. He still talked about the peace of walking the trail.

    Lovely blog. Enjoy the time with your mother. Have fun and good luck.

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    1. Thank you so much Brian! and thanks for the heads up. I hope you walk it one day too! Hugs and love xox

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  17. Wow, this is too awesome. So very excited for you both- this will be a powerful experience, I’m sure. Will be praying 🙂 I am (was) a neurosurgical nurse (now going back to school), but the fact that your mom recovered to this degree is truly incredible. Brought a tear to my eye. XO

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    1. Thank you so much Mackenzie! yeah i am really looking forward to it 🙂 thanks for your prayers! yes – she’s my hero 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  18. Pastor, envision me praying for you and your Mom with each step you take! This is such wonderful news and will reveal so many blessings! I would love to do part of the walk after seeing the movie ( I didn’t read the book). The scenery alone is so beautiful, each day and night you will be reminded of how awemazing are God’s creations! I already know that along with being a life changing event for you and your Mom, you are building your personal testimony to share when you pastor your own church! Time with your Mom. Time with God and the joyful anticipation of who God’s Holy Spirit guides you to meet. On my blog, I often write about our walk of faith along with Discovering and Sharing Grace. You and your Mom, following God’s guidance and listening to His whisper are going to make a glorious physical walk of faith! I’m so proud of you and your Mom for the number of people you have inspired to who knows the number in the future. Only God knows, but it is a large number. Please pray for my sister in law Marisa who is at end stage cancer. This will be so meaningful for her if you leave her name or light a candle for her peace. She was born in Spain and lived there until she was 18. On her behalf, thank you so much! Love n blessings!

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    1. Oh Rick, thank you so much for your prayers and incredibly kind words! Gosh, I am so touched. I hope to one day be half the woman my mom is – she’s my hero and i look up to her so much! and i will definitely keep your intentions in my heart. I’m so sorry to hear that about your sister in law. I will absolutely light a candle for her. Hugs and love xox

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  21. What a wonderful reverent gesture to offer leave our prayers at such an interesting historical site of pilgrimage- My request is for His aid in relying on Him more

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  22. Oh, I love that you’re doing this! Friends of mine did a couple of years ago and it was one of the best experiences of their lives. Our priest walked the pilgrimage last year. I’m excited to see your posts, as you talk about what you see, do, and feel, along the way. How wonderful and special that you’re experiencing this with your mom (beautiful pics of you and your mom btw!) I’ll be praying for you! xx

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    1. Thank you so much Jenny Marie! Oh awesome! yeah i’m really excited. thank you for your prayers! Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you Declan! yeah it’s going to definitely be a hot one! thanks for the tips! Hugs and love xox

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  25. Hey Caralyn,
    Great article as always. Just trying to get to your level! Thanks for the like on my “Power Quote of the Week”. Have a great rest of the week!

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  28. my boss hiked that route last year with his daughters. thanks for inviting us to join you and your mom on this pilgrimage. her recovery blesses all of us who have prayed.

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  30. Caralyn, I currently find myself on a similar pilgrimage of seeking God and longing to know Him more fully. I’m so excited for both you and your mom to have this time together after all you’ve both been through. Only God could bring both of you to this place. And how appropriate to respond by seeking Him together through a pilgrimage!

    Lord, reveal yourself to your handmaids as they seek you on pilgrimage. You promise if we seek you with our whole hearts we will find you. Reveal yourself to them by your sweet Spirit. Set their hearts ablaze. Protect and keep them. In Jesus’s name, amen.

    Please, pray I too see my Lord more fully in all His love and majesty as I too seek Him in my personal pilgrimage. Love to you and your sweet mamma.

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    1. Thank you so much Robin 🙂 so glad this resonated with you! Amen – God has been so good to us. And wow what a beautiful prayer. Thank you with all my heart. Amen. And i will definitely keep your intentions in my heart and add them to the list!! Big big hugs xox

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  31. I will pray for you both on your trip. May it be a blessed one. My sister walked the exact same path that you’re intending to walk this time last year. It was a pilgrimage and I believe a life changing experience for her as well. Stay well and savour every step. xx 🙏

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  32. Beautiful testimonies of God’s endless grace, love and mercies towards us! I wish you all a beautiful & spirit filled trip in Jesus Name! You are/ will be in my prayers as per ❤

    My request is for salvation for my family members, my 3 sisters and 2 niece's & nephews. Also for a full time occupation. Thank you very much and God bless you! Xxoo

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    1. Thank you Tammy! I will definitely carry your prayer in my heart and add your intentions to my book! Hugs and love xox

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  33. This post is interesting.I am currently passing through some hard times.I have not been well since April 25th.I am feeling much better but I will be grateful if some of you who trust God should pray for me and ask him to give me good health.Its challenging when you fall ill but I have hope that one day I will be very healthy.So please pray for me.Thanks

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    1. Thank you so much Tom! Oh gosh, I’m so sorry that you’re going through a difficult season. I will definitely pray for you! Hugs and love xox

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  34. I love ‘The Way.’ I saw it when it was first released and just fell in love with the story and the journey (fictional though it was) of a father’s love for his son. I can’t imagine what an incredible and fulfilling experience you have ahead of you. Amazing.

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  35. This is beautiful! I had a friend who walked the entire Camino a few years back, and she claimed it was the most spiritually important trip of her life. I wish you the best of luck, safe travels, and I’ll be following your blog for any posts from the trail! 🙂

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  36. May God bless your journey and be with you transforming your life to be more like Him. I pray that you encounter more of Him and continue walking in the path of righteousness.

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  38. Please pray that my wife and I continue to follow God’s path as we transition from parents of teenagers to parents of young adults and our sons would continue to grow into the men created them to be. Please also pray for our sons’ future wives (even though we have no idea who they are!). Thank you and God’s richest blessings on your walk!

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  39. Thank you for the prayer offer. Please pray for The Lake House Cancer Support Center (where I am the director)–for our members who have all been touched by cancer, for our donors and for the wider community that supports us. Thank you

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  40. I would love prayers for my best friends and for myself as I try to prepare for my future (which will hopefully be moving to NYC in 2 years to try and get on Broadway so I can use all the prayers I can get haha) ❤

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  41. I have to say that I love seeing your creative and beautiful pictures you include in your posts. And in this post I am deeply moved by your awe-filled wonder and praise of how Good is our God! I will be praying for you and your beautiful Mom (she looks wonderful in your picture) and your amazing trip! Traveling mercies to you ❤

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  42. Hey, Carolyn. Is be really interested to hear your thoughts about modesty in dress if you did an article on that, but no pressure, though.

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  43. May you be richly blessed and filled with the Spirit of God on your walk. May you find renewal and new life in Christ as you walk.

    “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3

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  46. You and your Mom are in my prayers. A couple of friends of mine recently did the journey. May it be a rich experience as you journey with the Creator. I am sure you will meet some awesome people on the journey. Blessings Roland

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  47. Have a great time. The Way was a great movie. I aspired to make the pilgrimage myself until I was prevented by normal pressure hydrocephalous (fluid on the brain that effects your ability to walk.) Look forward to your reports! God bless.

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    1. Oh my gosh spencer, I am so sorry to hear that! Gosh, i will definitely keep you in my prayers. I hope your condition has gotten better! sending you so much love and hugs.

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  48. I have a brain shunt that has stabilized but not reversed the condition. But still working out regularly and very grateful for our 4 going on 5 grand kids! Great admirer of your blogging quality and quantity.

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  49. Isn’t it amazing what God can do? This post kind of made me think of my latest blog post. You should check it out if you get the chance Caralyn. I think you will enjoy it. Great entry (as always) hugs and love from TX! XOXO

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  50. I love the pictures of you and your Mom, you are both beautiful! Please remember me and my family in your prayers. Have a wonderful trip!

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    1. Thank you Nina 🙂 You’re kind to say that! I definitely will bring you and your family in my prayers! Hugs and love xox

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