Mary Letter Day 14

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
          

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’,
   and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
          

Therefore let all who are faithful
   offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
   shall not reach them.
You are a hiding-place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.
          

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   else it will not stay near you.

Many are the torments of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalm 32

Dear Aunt Elizabeth,

It is getting way too real for me. Papa came home in a state yesterday. Joseph is moving in here, he told us, otherwise the elders are still planning punishment. They don't believe we are married! They are so mean and shallow! I wonder if they even know God at all! I was taught all along, growing up, that God honors our offerings, God hears the cries of the people, and God blesses those with a pure and loving heart. But people can be so cruel and so blind!

Papa made a bed for Joseph here in my room. He is very shy and I like that about him, since I am too. We talked in the night, after the lights went out. He knows this is very hard for me, and he knows that going away to the city is very scary. He doesn't much like it, either. But, he will be brave, he said, because he knows that God is with us. We are not alone, he said. I fell asleep with those words echoing in my head.

Today, some wise women are coming to check my "progress" and make sure I am healthy enough for the journey. I am NOT looking forward to it, but Momma has promised to be with me throughout. The men are cleared out already. They want to have no part! Funny how brave they can be one minute and so very squeamish the next. I just pray I don't get too embraced. Well, it's a busy day so I say goodbye for now.

love,

Mary