There is a reason this blog is called “tripping into grace”. I’m clumsy. I have been told that I’m the most graceful clumsy person that people have known. I own this. Today on the West Highland Way I fell. I fell hard. More about that later.

Let’s get the weather report out of the way. I’ve been told that people don’t care about the weather, don’t write about that in your blog. But what I’ve discovered is this: these are people who don’t do long distance walking. Because the weather matters.. You will go anyway (unless it’s dangerous) but the weather conditions matter

Last night there was torrential rain through the night which affected the trails we were walking. When we first started walking the rain held off then it came and went hard throughout the morning. We walked in heavy rain for the last 8 kms. We were drowned rats who were still breathing. Okay enough about the weather.

Noël had Haggis for the first time this morning. He said it was okay. Not sure he will order it again but then who knows? Breakfast was delicious and way too much.

Prepping for the ups and downs: this is always challenging. Depending on where you live you have or don’t have the opportunity. We live in the Netherlands and it’s flat. We have to find whatever opportunity, climbing stairs, going over the dijk, whatever. I remember when I was a little girl I went with my father to visit parishioners who were in the hospital. I got so excited to ride the elevator and my daddy said to me, “ oh no darling we are taking the stairs, this may be the only exercise you get some days!” So take the stairs, park as far away as you can and take that opportunity to get some training in.

I’m a part of an amazing group developed by Carol Alexander-price called Camino Confidence. In this group I have connected with many women wanting to walk the camino with confidence. We share stories, give support and encourage one another. I met Irene because of this group, we live in the same town in the Netherlands and have become fast friends. Today I got to meet face to face another camino confidence friend, Jackie. She and her friend, Krysteena are walking the West Highland Way at the same time we are. In fact today is Krysteena’s birthday. So a big shout out to her.

I am a big believer that’s it’s okay to struggle. It’s even okay to fail. But the key is to keep going and to learn from your mistakes and failures. Today was a struggle. As we were going up Conic Hill with the streams coming down and as we struggled to get down Conic Hill with the streams going down, I thought , I was in pretty good shape. And I was once again humbled and yet I felt God say, “here is your challenge. You’ve got this. And afterwards you will be stronger.” Today was a big challenge. I did it. And I am indeed stronger.

So I shared why my blog is called tripping into grace. I often trip and sometimes fall. But I always see a new perspective afterwards. I learn something. Today I watched Noël slip and he told me so I took a step right of where he was and I went down HARD. Backpacks are a wonderful buffer. But I still hit my right elbow and jammed my pinky finger. I’ve been icing both. But tomorrow will be another challenge with a few more aches and pains. And despite the pain I can still smile and I am still learning and still finding grace.

So whether you are tripping into grace or slipping into grace be sure and recognize the grace. ❤️

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