Mary Letter Day Sixteen

49 Remember your word to your servant, 

 because you have given me hope. 

50 This is my comfort in my trouble,

 that your promise gives me life. 

51 The proud have derided me cruelly,

 but I have not turned from your law. 

52 When I remember your judgments of old, 

O Lord, I take great comfort. 

53 I am filled with a burning rage,

because of the wicked who forsake your law.

54 Your statutes have been like songs to me

wherever I have lived as a stranger. 

55 I remember your Name in the night, O Lord,

and dwell upon your law. 

56 This is how it has been with me,

because I have kept your commandments. 

Psalm 119:49-56

Dear Papa and Mama,

We are making slow progress but getting close to Bethlehem. Traveling at night, the stars and the night sky has been glorious. I guess I have never spent this amount of time outside at night and haven't been this far from home. It has given me a whole new perspective on our land and our world. Joseph has been pointing out the constellations and telling me the stories that go along with them. I was so fearful of this new life, this life of being married and carrying a child. The good news is that, despite this journey and all the challenges, it has been wonderful, really. Joseph is so kind and he is good at making me laugh. 

We stayed a while with your friends Anna and David. They are quite elderly and sometimes have nodded off while we were talking. But they are very sweet and their home is lovely. They made us so comfortable! Anna is a wide woman and so she checked me out to make sure the baby was ok. Her ancient hands were so gentle, and she taught me so much about what to expect and how to breathe through all of the pains that will come. I wish she could travel home with me during the delivery, but she's not traveling anymore.

I can't wait to be home again with you! Joseph promises that we will return in time for the delivery. I get worried when I see so many other folks on the road heading in the same direction. There's nothing to do, except for trust in the Lord.

Love,

Mary