Just when I thought 60 miles was a long way

Everyday I am introduced to people. This week I was introduced to a couple. The person connecting us knew we had something in common. Walking. I was introduced as "my priest just walked 60 miles and that is how he met his wife".  (Yes Episcopal Clergy can be married). The other couple smiled. Turns out they met walking too ... but instead of walking 60 miles they were walking for 6 months (the Appalachian Trail).

They were walking - or - hiking ... following their individual passions. What a joy to meet someone who shares the same passion as you.

At Saint Dunstan's I hope we come together because we are following our passions (ok, maybe passion is to strong of a word) how about journey with God and building community together.  We are all on a journey with our creator ... God ... and for us Christians it is with Jesus Christ.  I give thanks to God that even though I walked the 3-Day in a non-church sponsored setting that I indeed that every step I took brought me closer and deeper in  my relationship with Christ.  God willing every-step I take in the future will do the same.

In deed, the Grace of God truly can surprise me sometimes ... especially when I least expect it too. How has the Grace of God surprised you in your life?

-Mark+

Day 3 - complete

And as quickly as we had begun, the walk came to end. Our camel backs
were laid down and pink roses placed in them to honor what we had
done. When you finish this walk you go pee, change your shoes and then
cheer till the last walker arrives. The cheering lasted 3 hours.

Then we all wore our new shirts ... And begin our final steps together
through The Ronald Reagan courtyard to closing ceremonies at the foot
of the Washington Monument.

We finished what many thought would be impossible for us. We gave
thanks and were then sent forth homeward to fight the fight against
Breast Cancer ... Through hope, raising awareness and changing peoples
lives.

More to come ... After I rest my feet, put the kids to sleep and give
thanks to God for this experience.

With hope strengthend I remain faithfully yours,
Mark+

Day 3 - lunch

We broke bread at 10miles! Kate and kids found us and gave us the
boost energy we need! 10 miles to go!

Day 2 - evening

A tent city.

Not unlike tent cities which pop up after natural disasters and when
floods of refuges flock to safety. This is a small one. Only 1,100
tents. We are lucky. We choose to be here. We have hot meals,
electicity, hot showers (in trucks). We get to return to our homes,
families and communities.

I met a women who at age 60 is walking her 12th and last 3day. And I
met another 10 minutes later who is 60, a 21 year survivor and walking
her second. This first said I will walk until I am 60 and the other
said I will walk every year once I am 60.

Which woman reflects who you are? Will you celebrate every year you
can give to the world or will you defy common logic and begin to
change the world now - understanding everyday as a bonus day?

Tonight I miss one of my mom's best friend - who lost the battle four
years ago. Up to her last breath she gave life to everyone and gave
thanks to God for it. I always thought of her as mom's soul mate -
but she would tell you that her true soul mate was always Jesus
Christ. Same for my mom. What faith.

With a tired body and a ripe heart I write you from my ten city - of
hope and love. Thank you Jesus.

Faithfully yours,
Mark+

Day 2 start

23.4 miles planned for today. We are ready ... We hope. Flags behind
us remind us why we walk.

Day 1 walking complete

I am either getting older or today we had to walk more hills than i
had trained for. Blisters forming - ready to blossom tomorrow and both
hip joints aching. The last mike was long.

When I think about these women walking next to me: the cancer
treatments or challenges to their identity/dignity as women or the
meds with the side affects ... I can tell you I feel great!

Today we walked by countless churches, synagoges and houses of
worship. (see photo of the National Cathedral) How is the church
today feeding community?

Tonight and this weekend I will learn about just that here in our tent
city and walking 40 more miles for a cure.

Prayerfully,
Mark+

Day 1 lunch

10 miles done and 50 miles to go. No blisters yet ... I heard some
amazing stories on the walk this far. 2,000 individual stories.
Everyone here has been brought together by breast cancer and have
choosen HOPE through community building.

Sound familiar? What brings you to church or into community? God
willing we create space to honor the individual and celebrate hope
holding hands together.

I'd love hear for from you.
Faithfully yours,
Mark+

Day 1 - morning

As the sun rises so does a field of walkers! 2,000 strong we are off!

Day Zero

Today my good friend Greg and I are driving to Washington DC. We have
been friends since our colleges days at Wheaton (MA). On the way we
stopped by to see our mutual good friend Michael's dad who is recovery
from two cancer diagnosis. He goes home this weekend after over a
month of hard work. Jerry is a great man. He loves his family and
after giving us hugs and kisses could not stopping talking about how
God has blessed his life with them.

I left him feeling refreshed - funny how I went to cheer him up and I
left renewed and full of joy.

As we drove away we passed the football stadium in Philadelphia and
saw the breast cancer pink ribbon on the draped on the side of the
Eagles Stadium - awareness and hope calling us further.

Cancer is an awful disease AND people like Jerry and his family prove
that love can prevail.

A view from the road ... Training walk

Feast Day of Saint Francis - Walking the Walk

Later this week I will be walking the breast cancer 3Day walk in Washington DC. Keep an eye on my blog and I'll try to send daily thoughts "while I walk the walk".  To be honest I am not much of a blogger or writer. I do look forward to your comments.

I have always understood my faith to be an action verb. When a good friend's mother lost battle and then another friends mother lost the battle in less than six months ... I was consumed with a desire to do more. Since the stories of so many brave women and their families has touched my heart and life.

God slowed me down a bit recently. To be fair, I had something to do with that. For the past three months I have been training for the 3Day walk to fight breast cancer (60 miles over three days). I have many friends
who are survivors and have known too many where the battle was not always won. I am sure you also know someone who has battled breast cancer. In September, my training walks have averaged twelve miles. Twelve miles of walking takes me about three hours. With no music in my ears and no one walking with me, it has given me plenty of time to think.

When I walk it takes me about a mile before my breathing becomes steady and I begin to
relax. This is because I am consumed by the suffering in the world and wishing it would go away. Then I think of the women who fight breast cancer daily, the women who live in fear of the ”test” results. I think of women who fought the battle and lost. I think of all these women and their amazing capacity to share God’s love in the midst of their suffering. And then I think of you. I pray for all of you. I wonder what battles you are fighting. I wonder what battles you have won and lost. I wonder how the Church can be your companion? I wonder how I can best support you. I pray that you will know God’s love today …
and every day.