Day 27 – Rest Days Are Heaven!

Breakfast!

The LDS Branch in Leon.

That good-looking guy up 

there must be the Bishop.

And these are the darling sister missionaries.

Here is the missionary pool, from left to right:

Elder Kiser from St. George, Elder Smith from

Bountiful, Sister Kroeber from Highland, 

Sister Robinson from St. George, all in Utah.

A visiting General Authority? No doubt! 

 The chapel. At sacrament meeting, every

chair was filled, 50 or so people in all. Nice 

testimonies and a new member confirmation.

Off to the Catedral de Leon!
(Also known as The Church of Light.)

Church bells, ringing in the square!

A glorious sound.

Inside was spectacular! 

Amazing stained-glass windows. 

Just remarkable, really.

Care for a closer view?

Such vivid colors, such intricate patterns!

(One stained glass picture too many.) 

We admit it.

Look at the depth. Incredible!

Another view of this Gothic, 13th Century church.
Begun in 856, it's built above the old Roman baths!

Mike, listening to a recording about this
magnificent cathedral and its history.

A Jeremiah carving for Dave's grandson of the

same name. (Our Jeremiah has long hair, too.)

A Hercules carving, hiding in the choir seats.

Grandson (Alcide's) name means Hercules.

One last, lovely church: Basilica de San Isidoro.

Three hard-working pilgrims grace

the plaza in front of our hotel.

Lone, bronze pilgrim, lost without our company.

A great layover in Leon yields to
tomorrow's 13-mile walk to Mazarife.

A story from Dave:

Today is Sunday. We were able to attend church, a small Mormon branch in Leon, and it was wonderful to be there. Mike and I have been away exactly one month. During that time, we have seen many large and small churches along the way, some beautifully adorned and some modest as can be. A few are known around the world; most are known only to local residents. This morning, I caught a glimpse of my favorite. This was neither a large building, nor one that looked like a church. Rather, it was an ordinary, commercial-type building. It had no stained glass windows, but the light did come shining in. There, in that space, was a familiar feeling...that feeling of peace and comfort and of being among friends, even if I couldn't speak their language. The Spirit found me today and so, for a short time, I was home.

Two stories from Mike:

Regarding the missionaries: They baptized nearly an entire family a few weeks ago. The dad was just baptized Saturday, so the kids and their mom are really happy. He was confirmed a member of the Church during our meeting today; later, he stood to bear his testimony. He was excited, and while I understood not a word of his Spanish, I heard the joy. It felt good to me.

We have become friends with Jane and her daughter, Sarah, of whom we spoke earlier. I got to thinking about Sarah, who has walked the Camino before. In fact, several years ago, this is where she met her boyfriend. She has a tattoo on her arm, one which she spotted on the Camino and decided to adopt for herself. This tattoo reads, "To the truth...To the end." 

This Sabbath day, it occurs to me that the most reliable method of walking "to the truth" is through Jesus Christ (The Way). In studying the things He has said and done, we learn to live well; we stand in His light. What greater truth could there be? In considering the phrase,"to the end," I am reminded that no end exists. Because of Jesus Christ and His gift of everlasting life, the grave will be denied its victory. By Him and through Him, we can overcome our earthly challenges: physical, mental, and spiritual. What a wonderful blessing that is. . .on this Sunday in Leon and always.

 Click below to support suicide prevention

and mental health, the causes Mike and Dave 

are championing with their walk.