21. Jul 2025

Daukšiagires - Birštonas

Photo 1: It was love at first sight... (Wood carving on the path to Birštonas)

Today 37 years ago, Astrid and I stood before the official at the registry office in Munich and sealed our fate. We said yes and signed the dotted line. The civil ceremony in Germany is what carries the legal seal of marriage. Two days later we we repeated our vows before God and man in a church wedding. This is the third year in a row that I have been on the Snail-Trail on our anniversary. As Paul wrote in 1. Corinthians 13:7, "Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Photo 2: Most of the walk today followed the Nemunas River.

Photo 3: Shortly before I took a lunch break, this family passed me on their bikes. They are doing the Camino Lituano by bicycle, also as a spiritual quest. Before I continued on, I prayed with them for their family, their Camino and journey through life.

Photo 4: It did not rain today. It is not supposed to rain in the night. I dared to put up my tent! Their were two young girls working at the campground reception and restaurant, daughters of the owner. At lunchtime I discovered that I had bought a can of tuna that does not have the pull off top. So I asked them if they might have a can opener. We started talking about my trip and then about God's purposes for our lives. I encouraged them to look to the Good Shepherd to guid their ways, just as he has done for me.

Scan 5: I am now where the blue dot on the map is. You can see how far I have come from Tallinn on the northern tip of Estonia. Today I reached the One-Third-Milestone and have walked 896 kilometers. With God's help I continue on...