Monday, April 25, 2016

And So It Begins Again

Quite some time has passed since I last posted from Santiago de Compostela, nearly two years ago.  Without intending to be overly dramatic, much has transpired since the end of July, 2014. 

I've paid off my credit cards.
I've bought and sold six cars, and another has been totaled.
I've refinanced my house.
Dexter, my cat, died.
I've taught five different courses.
I've joined a fraternity (and become VP of the Board of Directors of that fraternity, and faculty advisor)
I've become Treasurer of the BMW Car Club of America.
I've made a lot of new friends.
I've lost a few, too.
I'm two years older.

A lot of things haven't changed.
I'm still an early riser.
I still hate running.
I still work at Pepperdine.
I still hate bad drivers.
I still love bacon.
I still love God, but struggle with the church.
I'm still a sinner, in need of God's grace.

But the biggest news, for this blog at least, is that I'm taking another group in just about 45 days to walk the Camino again. 

It's finals week here, and given that it's just about six weeks until I leave I'm starting to think about all the things that have to happen before I take my leave.  As usual, the list is long and time is short, and as usual I find myself wondering about this adventure.

What will I learn?
What will the students learn?
Will we all make it?
Will we kill each other?
Who will we meet?
What will it all mean?
What will my Camino miracle be this time?
Will I enjoy it just as much?
What will be the same?
What will be different?

It's an interesting thing, doing this again.  I know what to expect on one level, but not at all on another.  This is the mystery, and I think, the joy of pilgrimage.  Even if you know the road, because you've walked it before, the road is different, because you are different than the last time.  And I find this exciting.  Here's hoping you will consent to follow me again on this journey, at least virtually, one more time.  Animo, peregrino!