Departure Day

Well today is a day of crazy emotions. I hate leaving my family — they are amazing! Saying goodbye to my wife of 39 years (can’t believe she has put up with me this long) who is so supportive of this Sabbatical (but probably is actually ready for a break from me), to my wonderful grandkids — Jase, Claire, and Abigail — and to my amazing daughters Erica and Becca (who love me despite my weirdness) is hard. As I leave, there are tears on both sides. But if I can get past the tearful goodbyes, I think the excitement will build for this opportunity of walking where one of my spiritual heroes, the Apostle James, walked.

I have cleared security at KCI and will depart at 1:59, fly into Philadelphia, board a Boeing 787, and fly all night to Madrid. From there I take a train to Pamplona where the famous “running of the bulls” takes place. Then I jump on a bus across the Pyrenees mountains into France and go to the beginning of the Camino de Santiago at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. If everything proceeds as planned, I should arrive Wednesday evening, which in Missouri should be around noon. This all is exciting, but scary at the same time.

I’m counting on your prayers for my family, as this adds an extra load for them and for me as I do something way out of my comfort zone. Thanks for being my friends!

Goodbyes have been said. Ready to do this!