Mary Letter Day Seventeen

Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, 

and whose sin is put away! 

Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, 

and in whose spirit there is no guile! 

While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, 

because of my groaning all day long. 

For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; 

my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer. 

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, 

and did not conceal my guilt. 

I said, "I will confess 

my transgressions to the Lord." 

Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin. 

Therefore all the faithful will make

their prayers to you in time of trouble; 

when the great waters overflow, 

they shall not reach them. 

You are my hiding-place; 

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 

"I will instruct you and teach you 

in the way that you should go; 

I will guide you with my eye. 

Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding;

who must be fitted with bit and bridle, 

or else they will not stay near you." 

Great are the tribulations of the wicked; 

but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord. 

Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; 

shout for joy, all who are true of heart. Psalm 32

Dear Elizabeth,

I cannot write to Mama and Papa until we get to Bethlehem. I cannot frighten her and have her too full of worry. She was so worried when I was at home! I feel horrible for all the pain this has caused. And it's impossible to tell people that this is the Lord's doing. They all take one look at me and laugh. We will be leaving Rachel's house tonight under cover of darkness. We will have our supplies and the donkey to carry our burdens, whether it's provisions or me. I was talking to Rachel this morning while the men were outside packing and she remarked that I seemed pretty fearless. I burst out into tears! I am terrified! I blurted that out along with all of my fears. There are so many, Auntie. What if the baby comes while we are traveling? Joseph could not handle that.

Rachel was so kind and held me until the worst had passed. She then said, she thought Joseph could handle whatever happened. After a time when the men had come back in, she took Joseph aside and taught him what to do if the baby was to be born away from home. He was so red when he came to me after that conversation! I had to laugh. He reassured me that he was able to take care of me whatever happens. Then he laughed and said, "I pray to God I don't have to!" We laughed until we cried. This is so hard, journeying through all the mysteries ahead. I said yes to the Lord, but I didn't ever imagine how hard this would be. Pray I am strong enough to see this through.

love,

Mary