UNEXPECTED LESSON ONE from The Camino:

              By Robin Hurst, Author, Founder, Your Path Matters and All In Retreats

When I anticipated our eight days of trekking on the Camino de Santiago to the tomb of Saint James, disciple of Jesus, I was sure that it would be one of the most incredible spiritual journeys of my life.

The visions in my head and heart were romantic. The dream of taking this trip with my husband, Ken, had been stirring in me for years. When we finally scheduled our adventure for September, Ken and I knew there would be a possibility of rain, so we planned accordingly by packing the appropriate gear if needed.

Unfortunately, our rookie planning was no match for the thunder, lightning, torrential rain and hail that met us our first day on the trail. There was no quick exit off the course to catch an Uber and it was unwise to escape into the immense evergreen forest canopy because the tall timbers were basically natural lightning rods.

The first half of our day was filled with warm sunshine and a joyful journey. It was a delight to meet up with others in our group for lunch. We lingered. We laughed. We enjoyed a bountiful feast. And yes, after much deliberation, I decided to shed my raincoat and extra shirt layer since the morning hike was so lovely. The additional gear seemed like unnecessary weight.

Those burdensome layers were left on the bus that we would not see again until the end of the day. After the first mile or two into our afternoon trek, the winds picked up, the temperatures suddenly dropped more than twenty degrees and torrential rain followed swiftly creating unavoidable ankle-deep water on narrow and uneven parts of the trail. The rain was announced by dark purplish-blue skies along with the symphony of rumbling thunder and flashes of lightning. The circumstances were surreal, but unfortunately undeniable.

As we grappled to mentally adjust to our circumstances, the situation was exacerbated by half-inch balls of hail that began to pelt our bodies relentlessly. Whimpering sounds came from my being as the reality of physical shivering escalated my discomfort while my fear of the true danger of a lightning strike intensified. Somehow, I had the presence of mind to lecture myself to stop the whimpering and to just pick up the pace to the finish line. Whining was not going to get me there sooner or dryer.

I then noticed that my husband pulled a peach umbrella out of his backpack and held it over me. He literally covered me. He held me close to him while holding the small umbrella over my head protecting me from the hail while sacrificing his own cover. Both of us tried not to think about the lightning magnet it was.

We hiked several more miles in the torrential rain to our destination of the iconic Iron Cross. I had looked forward to dwelling at the cross, saying a prayer and leaving a stone as a symbol of leaving something from within me behind while looking ahead in hope as is Camino pilgrim tradition. Dwelling at the cross was not appealing to me in the freezing cold, blowing wind, torrential rain and wicked hail. Not an inch of my clothing or body could get any more soaked than it already was, but lingering in the wide open at the foot of this metal cross in the elements was not part of my fairy tale dream of our precious spiritual adventure.

Until then, it had not occurred to me that the 100 miles we had ahead of us could be in the pouring rain – every day! This pilgrim would not have signed up for that kind of experience and labeled it a vacation. I prefer a more comfy kind of spiritual journey. These thoughts that were stewing in my mind were interrupted by the arrival of our bus. Bus transportation never looked so glorious to me.

Even though our first day was far from what I had envisioned, I made it through. My husband protected me from the hail and God protected us from the lightning. It was good to see the balance of our hiking group, who would soon become our dear friends, arrive and share their stories. They all laughed at Ken’s feminine colored peach umbrella – the only umbrella detected on the trail. Even though the laughter was welcome and warranted, I was grateful that particular umbrella was in my husband’s backpack and that he used it to protect me beyond his own comfort even if the rest of the group called him “Kenny Poppins” for the remainder of our adventure.

The lessons were many that day. However, not only did I not appreciate them at the time, I simply did not see them at all. I was wet, freezing and concerned for the days ahead. I was disappointed that I did not get to dwell at the foot of the iconic Iron Cross. I barely offered a feeble prayer there. That perspective prevented my dwelling with God to thank him for Ken, a peach umbrella, a group of new friends, and the fact that the Iron Cross was a reminder that He sent His one and only son to die for me so that I, in every kind of weather, get to experience His grace and the greatest love the world has ever known.

LESSON ONE – DAY ONE:

My circumstances and emotions can get in the way of my gratitude, my faith and my dwelling at the foot of the cross. Thankfully, God is patient and faithful. He will wait for me to find my way.

©2020 Robin Hurst, All In Retreats, LLC

My precious Dad moved on to heaven a week and a half ago. I miss him deeply. I know we all have special loves in our lives. My father was and always will be one of those for me. It is from experience I give YOU these words of encouragement. If there are words unspoken you wish you could speak to those still in your life whom you love in a special way – speak them. If there are loved ones who are no longer here on this earth yet you have words still to say – say them. God is an awesome messenger.

Just 3 weeks ago we were gathered for Dad’s 87th birthday. I wrote something special to read to him at his party. I am grateful these words were shared at a time I could feel his hand squeezing mine and could see the loving expression in his eyes.

LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY DAD

By Your Devoted Daughter, Robin

copyright©Robin W Hurst 2014

I’ve learned to love with a generous heart instead of judge with a limited perspective.

I’ve learned to be kind because the world needs more kindness.

I’ve learned to ask questions about God as a way to grow my faith.

I’ve learned to be patient rather than quick to respond without thoughtfulness.

I’ve learned caring for others matters.

I’ve learned to celebrate birthdays with joy instead of just tracking the years.

I’ve learned I can be strong yet posses a gentle spirit.

I’ve learned that laughter and love always trump worry.

I’ve learned to do the right thing just because it’s the right thing.

I’ve learned that humility has a soft voice and a strong presence.

AND also

that handsome and humility can exist in the same package.

I’ve learned to understand and receive our Great God, Father in heaven because I have been given such an amazing father here on earth.

I love you Dad. Thank you for teaching me all of these lessons through the way you live your life.

All my life, my father modeled the Fruit of the Spirit which is a gift from God as in Galations 5:22-23… But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Even though my Dad lost his legs about three years ago, he stood taller than ever. While he became more physically challenged, he received care graciously just the way he had provided it for so many. (My Dad was an exceptional physician.) He remained engaged in life fully and his character remained unshakable.

As it says in 2 Corinthians 7 and Philippians 1:7 from God’s word…

“You greatly encouraged me” and “You have a special place in my heart.” God made my Dad this way to encourage and to love in such a way he made a special impression on your heart. He did this every day of his life. He will inspire me for all the rest of the days of my own life. I pray that I will pour into others what my Father (earthly Father and Father in heaven) has poured into me.

My husband, Ken, and I travel every year back to the Vista Farmer’s Market (VFM) in California. (see other blogs: Back and Forth to Vista) This year was not exception. So, we arrive at the VFM and per our usual Em-O, Ken bee lines to the breakfast tamale booth as I continue to seek Joy – that would be my dear friend Joy Blessman and her booth filled with INTENTIONS. For the past 7 years I have returned to Vista to discover my guiding word for the year. I find the word or more like it the word finds me.Then I choose to live in it, by it and sometimes through it for the entire year. The word serves as an area of growth in my life and my faith.

This year, unlike past years, I arrived with a preconceived notion of what my next word of focus would be. I was sort of getting fired up about what I was sure would be my new word. Although, since it is important to me to surrender to what God’s plan might be for me, I said a prayer before we headed to the market. My prayer went like this, “God, please just make it clear what my word should be. Otherwise, I’VE got a plan. You know me, God, the sign has to be clear so I can be sure.”

So, when I arrived at Joy’s booth and laid eyes on my friend she greeted me with her smiling eyes and a new curvy, smaller frame. She shared her story about her new nutrition cleansing plan that clearly worked. Her size, her shining spirit, her glowing skin all revealed a cleansed new starting point. Somehow, Vista represents this for me each year. I yearn for this trip and these moments with JOY.

As our interlude continued to unfold my eyes began to search her booth for her famous INTENTIONS soaps and for my new word to treasure for the next 365 days. Concern entered my spirit. I did not see the soaps, only four INTENTIONS candles one of which was my anticipated word. Ok. Now all I need is the soap and I’m good. When I asked Joy about the soaps she said that a women earlier in the day had purchased almost all of her INTENTIONS SOAPS but she had this little row of them left. No matter really. I only needed one of them… right?

So, I begin to review the row of soaps, one soap hiding the next one. I looked at the first soap, it said “patience.” Well, no this is not it. The next one, “patience.” No way. The third one, yup, “patience.” The fourth, “triumphant” which was my word two years ago. The sixth and seventh soaps, “patience!” There were two more soaps, both said “joy.” As you can imagine, my heart was pounding. Not one WISDOM in the bunch! Maybe I’m supposed to switch to a candle this year. Who says the word has to be on a bar of soap?

Really, God? Patience? Ok, you may be asking me, why not joy? Great question! I thought that myself. Get this.

As I stewed in silent denial about the word that appeared 5 times out of 8 possibilities because someone else had bought all the others after asking God to make it really clear, I waited for the answer to change. I moved back toward the four candles. Remember, one of them had “MY” word – WISDOM – on it. I reached for wisdom. Meanwhile, my friend Joy had no idea what was going on inside of me as other customers were coming and going in her booth. Finally, as I reached for the wisdom candle I hooked the ribbon on the candle next to it. That candle fell into my hands. Joy quickly said, whatever that candle is that fell must be your word, Robin. It nearly jumped off the shelf at you. You are not going to believe this… YES! Dog gone it! It was the PATIENCE candle.

A brief moment after that happened, I remained in turmoil as more customers came and went. I picked up the “joy” soap telling myself that I could live with joy for the year. That would be just fine. It wasn’t wisdom but it trumped patience. Then a noticed a customer reaching toward the candles, as she was reaching her finger hooked a ribbon of one of the candles and it fell toward her. I repeated Joy’s advice – “that must be the one you are supposed to buy. It came right to you.” She looked at me, kept browsing and finally purchased the one that fell toward her. She said as she paid joy for her COURAGE candle, I do believe this was the one meant for me. REALLY. (Why couldn’t it have been the patience candle? She was ACTUALLY reaching for patience!) There was a complete stranger, hooking a candle just like I did. She accepted the message and moved on.

Joy looked at me. Robin, I can feel your angst from here. Why are you fighting patience so much? Girl, don’t you know the only way to it is through it? You may have all the wisdom you need for now to take the next steps in your dreams and God’s plan. Trust that. You just may need more patience to understand it all. She wrapped up that patience soap. We embraced. I left ready to tell my husband the unbelievable story.

He asked, “so what’s your new word of the year, Rob?” I said, “are you ready to hear this story?” His response, “it’s a whole story. Maybe later.” WOW. Already, I’m being tested in patience. No problem. I can wait.

While I thought I had grown so much in patience I guess there is more to learn. I’ve grown more patient with others, with the pace of the world, even more patient with myself, but I’m not so sure I’ve been patient in understanding how and when my dreams may be realized. People say that God’s timeline is different than ours. That’s a tough one. That means I’m not always the driver. I’m learning that I’ve got to depend on others and God to help me in this “dream plan.” That’s not easy for me. How about you?

Do you fight or embrace patience? Do you have a story of patience you can share in the comments? I’d LOVE to hear it! I’ve got all year…

Words are never sufficient when we lose those we love. My heart goes out to all of you who understand this. A year ago, we lost my beautiful and courageous niece, Samantha, my sister’s daughter. Sam was 23 years and 5 days old. She stepped out in risk… a lot. Sam loved mischief. She loved adventure. She loved deeply, especially little children. She risked using her voice for others and for advancing a worthy cause or project. I learned so much from this young, yet very wise soul. I understand that losing those we love is part of life, but it is difficult to accept. It is painful. Grief from our loss lingers within us. I am also learning that grief is part of healing.

It is becoming clear that I must risk to really live which in turn honors what Samantha taught me about living. I am learning to risk through stepping out in adventure. I am: risking to stand up for what I believe… risking to support others…. risking to share my faith… risking to speak words of love over judgment, perfection or self-doubt… risking to take on physical challenges when my mind or fear would prefer to stop me.

My sister, Gail, (Sam’s mom) decided that every year on the anniversary of losing her daughter she would express her love and honor for Samantha by engaging in an adventure on that day. She extended this invitation to all of us on our family vacation. We (Gail, Sam’s sister, Sarah, my Mom- witnessing and capturing on digital from the shoreline, and me) started this tradition last week. My sister said that she did not want “the day” (or life forward) to forever be filled with only sadness. She desires life to be filled also with the joyful reminder of how Samantha lived. She believes with all her heart that this is what Samantha would prefer for each of us. I know she is right.

How could I say no? Gail chose for us to begin this new tradition with a para-sail excursion over the Atlantic Ocean. Our adventure began with travel out to the para-sailing boat by way of a Banana Boat ride through the crashing surf far off the coast line. It was good that I did not know in advance how thrilling this was actually going to be. As we paused briefly in the ocean near our destination after lots of screams of delight and terror along the way our smug, brawny Banana Boat Captain (pulling us from a Jet Ski) mentioned that on hot days the sharks like to find shade under the Banana boats. This was not funny. There was still time for mishap before boarding our para-sailing boat landing. And of course – there was the anticipated return trip by Banana Boat back to shore. Our Captain seemed to find great amusement in vamping up the peril for us. He knew that during our para-sail ride we would be dipped into the ocean from the air. His strategy certainly added to the excitement as we were flying high above the ocean and watched the ocean move rapidly closer just before we collided into the waves (where the sharks live) and then lifted again into the sky before landing back safely on the boat. A thrill for sure – every step of the way.

Sarah is very afraid of heights. I am only just learning to overcome that fear… as you know…. (http://yourpathmatters.com/un-zip-your-courage/). Sarah was not fired up about her Mom’s choice of adventure but never once wavered in accepting the risk. The professional photographer aboard was amused by what he captured on film which revealed our emotions of glee, laughter, fear, love and courage in his series of shots. He had no idea all that he really captured in a few rapid clicks.

We risked everything that day. We risked letting go of some of the deep sadness in our hearts in exchange for joy. We risked releasing some of our grief to really live in the ways we are meant to experience life. We risked letting go of fear of the unknown for a new adventure that will never be forgotten. Just as those we love and lose… they will never be forgotten. They will always live in our heart and soul. I am grateful for the opportunity to live in a way that honors Samantha in joy, courage, growing wisdom, faith and love… as I make choices to risk.

What choices have you made to risk so that you really live life? What choices do you plan to make to risk forward?

I’d love to hear about it to cheer you on!

Please comment here or go to my Blog at www.YourPathMatters.com and subscribe. Thank you for reading “Risking to Really Live!”

The staff who was there to support our (myself and 14 other brave women) adventure kept reminding us… “this is Challenge by Choice, so if you do not want to jump or walk the High Adventure challenges you do not have to do so.” Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) I have adventure role models in my family. This made it nearly impossible for me to say no to the challenge. I would have to answer to family upon my return home. When I sat on the platform of the ZIP LINE looking down at what now appeared to be very small people below I thought to myself, “Why am I considering jumping off this perfectly sound platform? I don’t think that I can do this.” Then, I heard my niece, Samantha’s, voice in my head. Her voice said so clearly, “All you need is courage, Aunt Robin. You can do this.” Then all of a sudden I heard voices from the people who looked so small below yelling to me, “you can do it! You got this!” Next thing you know, I’m sailing through the air screaming the entire way. My screams started out as FEAR but the scream somewhere along the way turned into CELEBRATION! Celebration that I had broken through my comfort zone and entered a new level of courage.

After I landed on both feet on solid ground, it was my turn to shout out words of encouragement to my friends who also were stepping out to BE BRAVE and jumping from trepidation into victory. We were all beaming and grateful for the opportunity to expand our courage, our confidence and our friendship.

Prior to heading to this Nebraska adventure and conference about “Pursuing Your God-Sized Dreams,” I felt a little stuck. Have you ever felt stuck? Stuck for me is when comfortable begins to feel uncomfortable yet I don’t know how to change that. Before Nebraska I was making progress on some of my dreams but my steps were careful. You might even say I questioned a lot of my steps. Even though the dreams in my heart stirred within me every day, I doubted their importance and wondered if they really mattered to anyone other than me – and my encouraging husband. In Nebraska as I jumped from scary heights, I experienced breakthrough in a physical way, a mental way and yes, a spiritual way.

I learned that by starting with one small step leaps can be accomplished. I learned that we can be more brave in community than we tend to be on our own. I learned that as I cheered others, I too was filled with encouragement.

It was a glorious day of breaking through fear to enter into heightened levels of confidence and greater belief of what is possible. We shouted out for one another as we initiated one step at a time to face our fear. We were filled with reassurance that not only could we breakthrough the challenges that face us in life but we could also CHOOSE to elevate the challenges. We triumphed that day in Nebraska. We left there knowing that in the days ahead triumph was waiting for us there as well.

When I returned home, my heart was filled with more focus to pursue my God-sized dreams. My balcony is now filled with a few more friends who are there cheering me on and it is my privilege to do the same for them. My new comfort zone includes greater courage to step out more quickly, more confidently and more faithfully.

My COURAGE ZONE is expanding. My comfort zone is no longer acceptable. I know that God has a plan for me AND I know that he has a plan for you.

YOUR Courage will inspire others! Trust and take intentional steps along your path to being all that you are meant to be! Be Bold and know that God is with you because YOUR PATH MATTERS!

Phil. 4:13 (NIV) I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

Do you desire to Up-Zip your courage to pursue what matters most to you? What can you do TODAY to step out and grow YOUR Courage Zone?

Tell me about that or a time that you have done so in the past. I am here to cheer you on!

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Thank you for reading “Un-Zip Your Courage!” Please consider leaving a comment.

Be on the lookout… Your Path Matters Message Jewelry Store opening soon! Be sure to come back to check out the site or facebook for the store opening!

A Skywriter, a Billboard, a Bumper Sticker and a phone call…

Just ask… Really?

I am learning how amazing and powerful prayer just is. There have been times when I have so badly desired God’s guidance. Do you ever feel like that? While, for me, His answers are not always clear sometimes the answers show up in such a big way there is no mistaking they are a response to my “ask.”

The very first time I remember intentionally asking for a sign, I was sort of new at this believing thing. I was not really sure that God could love me so much that he would provide personal answers to prayer requests. I thought that I would give it a try even though the magnitude of this love was hard to grasp.

Shortly after I had made a commitment to try on this God life, I was invited to go on a girls golf trip. I had reservations about this trip as the others in the party walked on the wild side and I was pretty sure they might not “know Jesus.” Silly, really. I know that. I wanted to share what I was learning but was afraid I might be rejected by them. So, I decided to ask God, “please send me a sign in a way that makes it possible for me to share my new found faith.” I wondered if and how God might show up on this trip to answer me. After all, I was new at this prayer thing. I didn’t have any idea if God even answered such prayers when there are so many greater needs in the world.

We arrived at our sunny Florida destination, checked into our resort accommodations, enjoyed a delicious dinner and free flowing wine together, played games and prepared for our first day of golf to follow. So far, conversations had been far from faith and God. I was just waiting for that sign.

The next day, as we made our way around the course my foursome was approaching the 11^th hole. One of the girls in my group shouted out, “Hey look up! Can you believe that?” I looked up. There it was clear as day in a cloudless brilliant blue sky – a skywriter poetically scribing his message in perfect small plane script “Jesus loves you!” I kid you not. BAM! As you can imagine, this stirred some fired up conversation that was not even initiated by me. The conversation began with “what a waste of money and time.” My response to this invitation was, “Can you imagine how much the pilot must love Jesus to share his time and money to send us this message?”

The other foursome shouted from the elevated green behind us. “Hey, do you guys see that?” The answer shouted back by my cart partner, “Yea, we see it. Robin loves it!” End of conversation. Mission accomplished. All I had to do was ask and look up.

I believe that God sends us signs big and small every day. Have you ever asked for a sign? Tell us about it – make a comment.

Thank you www.ghulmil.com for the beautiful skywriter picture!

Be on the lookout for part II of “A Skywriter, A Billboard, A bumper Sticker and a Phone Call…”

This November day I was feeling stuck, in between where I’ve already been and where I am headed. It felt as though I was not making progress forward on my path toward my purpose and toward what God has in store for me.

The words to this poem were just rushing in. It was clear that I was supposed to receive this message “of in between” that I now share with you.

The MORNING FOG – “The In Between”

The fogginess of morning

Blocks the river from my view

I know for sure it flows there

Just as God’s promises do

My walk moves on in silence

Reflecting on the unseen

Making deliberate choices

On the road of in between

These choices—each one matters

Some big, some small each day

Together they make footprints

Of my life along the way

May my heart…

Always see the blessings

And not the morning fog

My spirit remain lifted

As God reveals His call.

These thoughts and words give me comfort. They remind me to be present each day. They remind me that it is not necessary or important for me to plan out every detail of this day or of my life. Living faithfully in the moment can bring peace. For this I am grateful this day.

By Robin Hurst

©2011,Robin Hurst, All In Retreats, LLC

Does your mind sometimes run ahead? As you intentionally take a moment to appreciate and embrace THIS moment what thoughts of gratitude fill your heart?

The last Friday consists of meeting 5 special friends around a table at a local grill.  We travel in from all areas of town to meet.  Our table destination serves as the hub of our wheel – each dear friend having traveled their “spoke” to arrive at our corner booth which is tucked in a quiet space that seems to await our regular yet far from routine appearance.

As each of us enters the grill one by one we greet one another as if it’s the first gathering in a very long time.  We admire one another’s attire and accoutrements – each girlfriend showing up as creatively clad as each mind is wired.

You see, this well anticipated “girl time” provides for us not just friendship, not just the breakfast special and not just a break from the everyday but an opportunity to share our creative gifts.  We never really know what to expect from our gathering.  We just show up trusting that it will be rewarding, inspiring and most definitely laughter filled.

It all began years ago when we discovered that all of us were yearning for a creative outlet in our life.  We each possess different types of creativity.  We had no idea how to start our creative meetings except to identify a time and a place.  Since then we’ve been ordering the breakfast special, slowly sipping on our tea or coffee, building a relationship with our young, brilliantly tattooed waitress who has the patience of job and a distant curiosity.  She silently observes this treasured experience reveal itself each month in her section.  She witnesses laughter, tears, hugs, and various props such as glass stones, decoupage pictures or vintage hats that are used as inspiration and often gifted to one another as lingering reminders of the creativity that lives in our hearts and souls beyond one Friday a month.

As our monthly impromptu topic is introduced, we first discuss it, listening intently to each others’ insight and then we take time to write about this presented topic.  Our final minutes involve the sharing of our writing.  We never know what to expect from one another but know each perspective will enlighten.

Our check arrives to pay our tab.  It’s time to move on toward the next 29 days or so.  We leave feeling fulfilled, grateful for these moments together, and anticipating the next last Friday.

You see, our “last Fridays” are about taking a moment to pause.  Taking a moment to experience and believe in not only ourselves but in friends who inspire, support and encourage.  It’s a time of chemistry that was not formulated or contrived it simply just exists.  There is no need within any of us to take control or place boundaries or limits regarding what must be accomplished.  We simply anticipate the adventure of the moment and the creative challenge of the day.  We treasure the opportunity to express our heart with complete transparency knowing that our vulnerability will not be met with anything other than love and appreciation.  This is the breakfast special that we know will always be on the menu as long as we continue to gather around our table together.

The price of 2 eggs (any way you like them), toast, grits and bacon, $3.99.  The value, priceless.

by Robin Hurst, Copyrighted 2012