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Emilie Belle Swan's avatar

I appreciated reading about the moment when you experienced God. The contrast between how that impacted your pilgrimage and the experience your companions had is the perfect illustration of how I experience life when I walk with God versus when I don’t.

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Mara Eller's avatar

What a great point, Emilie! I love that insight -- that *what* we experience might not change as a result of walking with God but *how* we experience it can change dramatically. Thank you for sharing that!

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Merideth Hite Estevez's avatar

Such powerful words. Thanks for sharing them. I want to have my own camino experience now!

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Mara Eller's avatar

You're so welcome! I was wondering if the details about the difficulty I experienced would be off-putting to anyone considering the trek, but it sounds like it still sounds worth it to you at least. Just make sure you invest in some high-quality, lightweight gear -- and maybe don't try to go at quite our pace! ;)

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Alison Gottlieb's avatar

Mara - I loved reading your piece describing your Camino Walk and your powerful experience finding God. I recall hearing about that when you returned from the trip, but not reading your piece. I enjoy your writing! With love, Alison

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Mara Eller's avatar

Thank you! As an avid hiker yourself, think you’ll ever walk part of the Camino?

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Liz's avatar

Such a beautifully written piece, Mara. I loved it! 💗

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Mara Eller's avatar

Thank you!! 🥰

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Lila's avatar

Wow, sounds like an incredible journey!

I didn't know you went to Vassar College. I grew up in that area. I attend a writer's group sometimes that meets in the art gallery.

I like the part about how you felt about the cathedrals, how much wealth and resources it took to build those, and you wonder how this reflects gospel values. But if you look at the purpose that they served for people, it makes sense.

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Mara Eller's avatar

Yes! We’ve both spent some time in the Poughkeepsie area. The question of cathedrals is tricky. I know they’re meant to represent the unimaginable glory of God, but I still struggle not to see them as golden idols. If you want to see the incredible majesty of God, just go look at a mountain or the ocean or a single wildflower! It’s all around us if we don’t mess it up.

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