Huge step backward. One week plus of back pain led to no exercise, choice to break fast both days this week, lethargy and skipping several days of daily Spanish lessons app. Threw back out loading salt into water softener. At least that's the only thing I can think of that involved any weight or twisting.

OK so one step back, time for next steps forward. Tomorrow is another day to begin anew. Heard tonight that one of church youth group studying Spanish in school has instructor who has walked El Camino twice! Intend to try to contact instructor next week to see if she'll meet and even be interested in some  Spanish tutoring. The Lord provides!

Vaya Con Dios!

Eureka! I have a new sleep apnea mask and have actually been able to sleep a REM sleep for 2 count'em two straight days. Change in energy levels amazing! Able to engage world and training with renewed vigor and enthusiasm. Don't get me started as to why it took soooo long to get a simple thing like a mask, especially when everyone involved wanted to get it to me, but at least its here now. Now what could be the lessons learned?

Vaya con Dios!

Gifts for the journey:

• Have discovered church members who know Spanish  and youth members taking Spanish now who'd be willing to help me learn language and culture
• Colleague letting me borrow Spanish Bible to help me learn to read Spanish
• Referral to new Indy walking group led by instructor who conditions folks for Indy Mini Marathon; is also proficient in nutrition issues
• Referral to clergy couple who are walking El Camino this May; husband is prof at UI taking a group of students to do the walk next year
• More leads on shoe stores with deals
• Referral to new Indy group who have already walked El Camino and who are planning local walks and fellowship
• Linda wants to go to Barcelona Tapas for her birthday celebration; another exposure to Spanish cuisine
• Have linked with Chicago based group of folks who have walked El Camino for fellowship and advice
• Expanding group of church members offering prayer support and encouragement
• Have scalloped shell to use for back pack; just need leather strap to attach with

Vaya con Dios!

Bad week with sleep apnea and poor to no REM sleep. Irritiability, apathy, lack of energy, impatience and frustration hallmarks of each day. Good news though: weekly weight loss goal met, God moments at church during broken water line mess, colleague is letting me borrow a Spanish laguage Bible to use learning the language, discovered members of youth group taking Spanish who I can practice with and discovered newly forming group of Indy residents who have walked the El Camino or are about to.

Vaya Con Dios!

The Pilgrim Prayer
Guardian of my soul, guide me on my way this day. Keep me safe from harm, Deepen my relationship with you, your Earth, and your family. Strengthen you love within me that I may be a presence of your peace in our world. Amen.
        ------TomPfeffer & Joyce Rupp

Really tough night last night fighting sleep apnea. Breathing mask for machine that keeps air flow going to keep my throat from closing up, leaking and it'll be a week or so before new one arrives. Long story of how that happens. In the meantime, I spend the night yo yoing between states of sleep none of which are REM. That's the stage where you get restful sleep and can wake up refreshed and renewed. In it's absence over time one is left with being in a  fog, not liable to make wise decisions and not motivated or energized to do much of anything. Certainly not train. So I covet your prayers that I can nap during the day and get caught up a bit and that until the new mask arrives I can get to enought REM level sleep that I'm functional.

Vaya con Dios!