Mary Letter Day Fifteen

1 My heart is stirring with a noble song;

 let me recite what I have fashioned for the king;

 my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer. 

 2 You are the fairest of men;

 grace flows from your lips, 

because God has blessed you for ever. 

3 Strap your sword upon your thigh, 

O mighty warrior, 

in your pride and in your majesty. 

4 Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth

 and for the sake of justice. 

5 Your right hand will show you marvelous things; 

 your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior. 

6 The peoples are falling at your feet, 

and the king's enemies are losing heart. 

7 Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, 

a scepter of righteousness is the scepter

of your kingdom; you love 

righteousness and hate iniquity. 

8 Therefore God, your God, has anointed you 

with the oil of gladness above your fellows.

9 All your garments are fragrant 

with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, 

and the music of strings from ivory palaces

makes you glad. Psalm 45:1-9

Dear Mama and Papa,

Sorry I didn't write immediately but I want to let you know all is well. We had a good initial few miles on the first night but stumbled on the road and both got a few scrapes. Cousin Jacob, Sarah and the girls have been so kind to us. They insisted we stay an extra day since I am with child. Yes, they're being overprotective and yet their company is so lovely. The girls sing all the time and Jacob plays the lyre so well. It is a happy place to be. We will be setting out tonight as the sun sets and have been napping on and off all day. They have kept our bellies full of great food, so we are ready to doze off at any moment.

Mama, I wish we could hurry this trip and get back to you as quickly as possible.  I guess there are delays in every journey. We are moving as fast as possible but I have learned that this body doesn't move very fast. When I tire at all, Joseph insists I ride the donkey which is so kind. Riding a donkey with this large belly is quite a feat of balance! And the ride is much bumpier than I expected. My back side is very sore after riding for a few hours!

Joseph is taking very good care of me. He stops for a rest every little while, insisting I drink water and have a small snack. I wasn't sure how this trip would go, or if we would find reasons to argue and be grumpy. I have been pleasantly surprised. Joseph is kinder and sweeter than I could have ever hoped. He is a bit awkward around any conversation about the pregnancy or the birth, but otherwise, he has been willing and able to help in any way he can.

Pray for us for the nights are dark and the journey is long.

Love,

Mary