Dream Teamer

I think I'll start this out by saying that yesterday someone died on the camino because of the heat. I am not trying to scare anyone but just explain that it has been SO HOT! Waking up early on these really long walk days isn't helping too much. No matter if I leave at 530 or 6, when you walk 30km you're going to be walking in the heat of the day. With that said, WOW! Today was really difficult. I thought I was going to stop after about 20km...I even thought about hitch hiking the final 10k into the city. I actually got into the car and then said "Nah, I got this," and jumped out to continue walking. It is such a mind game, and today I had to continuously convince myself I could do all 30k. Today, a line from one of my student's emails that I received yesterday popped into my head. It was something like- HEY MS. YOHE, IF IT GETS HARD JUST REMEMBER TEBOWS FAVORITE SCRIPTURE "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."Addie you have no idea how awesome it was you emailed me that. Thanks buddy! It really did work because here I am writing this blog in an open plaza on Logronos, Spain- the finish point for today.

I think it's awesome how this specific scripture rings true for me. However, it goes along with something else that I keep close at heart at all times. As much as I love TEBOW, I also loved someone else who taught me that if you believe in something, you can do it. My aunt worked at Seaworld, which was probably the second coolest thing she did to going to Ghana for two years in the Peace Corps. I have looked up to my aunt since I can remember- which means i looked up to her friends as well- one in particular. While she was working at Seaworld she met her best friend, Dawn. Even after my aunt left Seaworld to move to VA, I still kept in contact with her friend Dawn because she was one of those people you couldn't help but love. Her passion for life was unmatched. She was in my cell phone as Dream Teamer and she called me Number One as in her #1 fan. Of course I loved how awesome she was interacting with Shamu, but I really loved how sincere, fun, and incredible she was as a person beyond Shamu Stadium. If you happened to be in my dorm room in college, or my apartment in Richmond, you will see the autographed picture I have of the DREAM TEAMER. When I was in Ghana, I got the news that there was an accident at Seaworld. There was no way in my mind that this could have happened. Still today, I find it hard to believe that she is gone. I do my best to carry on and live out the way Dawn lived her life. If you BELIEVE, you can do anything. Between the Dream Teamer and Addie, I got the message loud and clear today. Christ is the one who gives me my strength... If I BELIEVE in him, I can do all things. And yes it was during those climbs in the heat that the rosary came out... I was trying everything! Best part... It worked.
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