Day 30: Well, that happened.

First, please enjoy this beautiful picture of our lovely morning walk through the mountains:

It's the last beautiful picture you'll see in this post.

After 21km, a trip to the grocery store, Mass, and cooking dinner, I found myself in the emergency room.  And this time, I wasn't just moral support, I was the patient.

That's right folks, with only 5 days to go, managed to slice open two of my toes.  After making dinner, I opened the door of the fridge to get our Aquarius (European Gatorade more or less--get all the electrolytes!), and a big beer bottle tumbled out, smashing down on the floor.  Before I knew it, there was a mess of foam, broken glass, and a few seconds later, blood all over the kitchen floor.  Brilliant.

The hospitalero and the other pilgrims in the kitchen rushed to help me--it was like pitch-in first aid.  They were all so kind and didn't seem to mind that I'd covered their kitchen in blood and broke someone's beer.  They padded and gauzed and taped me up enough to get me to the emergency room without leaving a trail of blood behind.  The hospitalero called her husband to drive me to the hospital.  He was the kindest man!  He waited there with me the whole time.  Chris and Patrick came along for the excitement as well.  Of course, I asked Chris to take pictures...

I ended up with three stitches on my left big toe, and a taped together second toe.

I was a bit traumatized (needles are not my thing), but it was all ok.  I was well taken care of.  The doctor said I can walk tomorrow if I am able--we'll see how I feel in the morning.  It doesn't hurt so much right now.  

Suffering is part of any pilgrimage.  So is joy.  Both are important, and neither should be wasted.  The only wasted part of a pilgrimage is a part you can't or don't give to Jesus.  When I first got hurt, I freaked out a little because I didn't think I would be allowed to walk tomorrow.  But that's not the point.  When I settled down and stopped the blood flow, the little cuts only became a joy because I could see that I had something new I could offer to Jesus--and, a new way to walk with Him.  I don't know if I'll even be able to walk tomorrow, but I do know that I will be able to grow in holiness either way, with the grace and mercy of God.  Day 31 will only be wasted if I miss out on that opportunity.  I am going to bed now, because I am less likely to waste it if I am well rested.  

I can't believe this happened.  But it is all good :) Praise Jesus!  Pray for me and my pilgrims!  They were sleepy today.

+JMJ+