Advent 2016 Mary Letter Day 20

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'”
John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our ancestor’; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:1-9

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

We are still at Naomi's home but will be on the move in by or before tomorrow. It seems that there is worry that the baby will come before we can get back home unless we get into Bethlehem as soon as we can. The wise woman that examined me yesterday said the baby mike come as soon as a week and I want to Mama to be with me when the baby comes! Maybe it is impossible but I am hanging on to this hope. Joseph has been so amazing.  After Martha, the wise woman, had finished her exam, I was terribly upset about this trip and being so far from home. I ran outside and collapsed against a tree to cry. He came and held me until I was calmer and then was so comforting. He said we would do our best to get me home and told me how beautiful I am. I know I look huge and feel so ugly right now but he really lifted my spirits. He has spent the rest of the day planning our trip and the shortest and most efficient road to travel. He is trying so hard to make this complicated travel smooth and to avoid the rough roads.

We will sleep here tonight and then get moving during the day tomorrow. We will be moving through cliffs and will be well hidden from the main roads. We don't make great time since I walk slow and get tired so easily. Joseph said that the donkeys can carry me as much as I need, but I do not want to be a real burden. He has become so strong and kind and I feel like I can lean on him for everything .His strength was hidden when my parents were around but now, I am so grateful for my husband! How could I ever doubted? Life is so full of surprises and we can never guess who will rise to the occasion. I guess some times I too am surprising - one minute I say yes to God and the next I break down in tears! This road of faith is never smooth and God chooses the weak as well as the strong.

God bless you and your family!

love,


Mary