Mary Letter Day Six

1 Protect me, O God, 

for I take refuge in you; 

I have said to the Lord, 

"You are my Lord, 

my good above all other."

2 All my delight is upon the godly

 that are in the land, 

upon those who are noble 

among the people. 

 3 But those who run after other gods 

 shall have their troubles multiplied. 

 4 Their libations of blood 

I will not offer,

 nor take the names 

of their gods upon my lips. 

 5 O Lord, you are my portion 

and my cup; 

 it is you who uphold my lot. 

 6 My boundaries enclose 

a pleasant land; 

 indeed, I have a goodly heritage. 

 7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; 

 my heart teaches me, night after night. 

 8 I have set the Lord always before me; 

 because he is at my right hand I shall not fall. 

 9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; 

 my body also shall rest in hope. 

10 For you will not abandon me to the grave,

 nor let your holy one see the Pit. 

11 You will show me the path of life; 

 in your presence there is fullness of joy,

 and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16

Dear Auntie,

I am safely home, and it is late at night as I write to you. Joseph was indeed very careful as Papa had instructed, and we were able to talk for the roads were not overly busy. We haven't had much time alone to talk through all that has happened, so it was a good journey in that way. He is very supportive, although I know he's a bit scared and neither of us has all the answers to our own questions. We laughed a good deal about the circumstances we find ourselves in, knowing no one would believe that we are the caretakers of the son of God. It's even scary to say out loud. 

We had a bit of trouble as we approached our village. Rumors have been circulating about why I was away, and the gossips assumed the worst of me. Several young men threw rotten fruit at us as we passed their stand. I covered up with the scarf you gave me, and Joseph tried to cover us both. We were a mess when we arrived home! Mama thought I had been bleeding or something I guess, by the look on her face. It was kind of comical and later, at supper, we laughed about it. But this is no joke, people are ready to condemn me. And Joseph as well as my parents! How cruel people are!

I am tired from my trip but so glad to be at home again. Mama wrapped me in her arms and wouldn't let me go for a long time. I know this is hard on both of them, and they are trying to make the best of it. I can see in their faces the worry they carry. Please pray for us. Serving our Lord is never as easy as people say it is. Our God give us gifts and they can also be great challenges. I have to trust the Lord will see us through.

Much love,

Mary