Mary Letter Day 19

The mighty one, God the Lord,
   speaks and summons the earth
   from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
   God shines forth.

Our God comes and does not keep silence,
   before him is a devouring fire,
   and a mighty tempest all around him.
He calls to the heavens above
   and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
‘Gather to me my faithful ones,
   who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’
The heavens declare his righteousness,
   for God himself is judge.
         

‘Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
   O Israel, I will testify against you.
   I am God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
   your burnt-offerings are continually before me.
I will not accept a bull from your house,
   or goats from your folds.
For every wild animal of the forest is mine,
   the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the air,
   and all that moves in the field is mine.

‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
   for the world and all that is in it is mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls,
   or drink the blood of goats?
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
   and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in the day of trouble;
   I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’

But to the wicked God says:
   ‘What right have you to recite my statutes,
   or take my covenant on your lips?
For you hate discipline,
   and you cast my words behind you.
You make friends with a thief when you see one,
   and you keep company with adulterers.

‘You give your mouth free rein for evil,
   and your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your kin;
   you slander your own mother’s child.
These things you have done and I have been silent;
   you thought that I was one just like yourself.
But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.

‘Mark this, then, you who forget God,
   or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver.
Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;
   to those who go the right way
   I will show the salvation of God.’ Psalm 50

Dear Auntie,

We are getting back our way today after staying several days with Joseph's relatives. They have been so kind and wanted us to stay longer after the troubles we had leaving town. Joseph is anxious to continue since there is a deadline for him at the registry. He's also worried about me.

While we have been here his cousin brought in a midwife to check on me and make sure there was no damage since I fell. Everyone was very worried and I must have looked frightful!  My body was so sore the next day and I had several big bruises along with the scratches from the brambles. The midwife seemed to think everything was fine and she said I didn't have long to go! I argued with her and told her that the wise women at home had told me I had weeks, maybe even a month and I could get back home with no problem. She smiled and patted my hand and told me to believe her, it was any time now! 

We are packed for the journey with extra supplied and goodies which the cousins have pressed upon us. I am truly grateful for their care but terrified by the thought that this child could come at any time. She said my body was ready! I'm not ready and am I not my body? Well, I try to keep calm in front of Joseph since he is shouldering so much and worries a great deal. Please pray that I can keep calm. This time of year the dark comes quickly and lasts too long. It makes it even harder for me to not give in to my fears.

love,

Mary