20th Chisleu
December 16th
20th Chisleu
December 16th
Traveling has not been
so bad after all. I didn’t realize how beautiful much
of this country is. The olive gardens
and fields are such a bright green
at this time of year. I can always
anticipate a splendid view over the
next hill, which makes all the climbing
worth it. We have traveled one
day’s journey, we stopped a little while
ago. I think the monotonous
plodding of the donkey relaxes me. I
suppose if I was not used to riding
donkey, I would
be more stiff and sore, but that
is our main means of travel..
All around us little campfires are
brightening up the evening scene.
Yosef also has a cheery fire going. He is so caring. He will hardly let me
do anything, which is why I am writing
in my journal while he bustles
around, much to the hilarity of fellow
travelers. He seems to think he needs to protect me as though I am a delicate flower.
He has the wonderful pottage, that Imma
sent along, simmering
over the fire, and soon I will be munching on some of her good homemade bread. For special times, she
makes it the way that Ezekiel recommended, and I
love it so much. It has millet and lentils and spelt in it, besides
barley and wheat. It makes me homesick for her, and our
memories of forming loaves together.
Abba was
sadly unapproachable, he turned
stiffly away when I wanted
to give him a goodbye hug. Oh,
if only he would believe that something
so pure and holy has actually happened
to his little tinoki.The angels
visit so long ago was wonderful. I wish
I could renew that feeling of
blessedness more often. It would give me
more courage.
P.S. The potage was warm and nourishing;
it will be our last hot meal on
this trip. From now on,
we will be dipping into our leather bags of cheese
curds, dehydrated fruits, and so on. Our goat
skin water will have to be sipped
sparingly because of the route we are travelling.
I am exhausted so must quit. I feel like I could
sleep well anywhere
tonight, even on a folded blanket under
the stars.
21st Chisleu
Abigail edged over to me this evening while her husband was
involved in a heated discussion about
politics with some of the other
men. She clasped my hand, and
confided that she was certain I was
carrying the Christ Child had been
afraid to tell me earlier. I was
consoled, but I still had
to fight the temptation not to be hurt since she
had not stood by me earlier, if she
truly believed. I hope she will be my dear friend once again when we return to
Nazareth.
As she turned to walk away,
I saw her thickly fringed
eyes were sad in her small, pale, face, and I
couldn’t hold it against her for shunning me. Would I have done
any better if rumors had spread about her while she was
betrothed?
Yosef
is heading my way now. I am sure my peace-loving
husband
wearies of all the angry critics of the
Romans. While the sun was setting, Yosef
and I had an inspiring conversation about the coming of the Mashiach,
and our great El’ Shaddai, hallowed be His Name.
Yosef is such a deep thinker, and he studies the Torah, (law of God,) and the prophets so diligently. I am able to ask him many questions. His answers are
so beneficial to me.
After a while, we started singing a Psalm. It starts like
this:
Oh
El’ Elohim how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who has set
your glory above the heavens? A little
later it mentions considering the
heavens, the work of His fingers, and
the moon, and the stars which
He has made. Yosef told me that the stars are foretelling the Christ
Child’s birth, but that is too much for
me to comprehend!.
It is a beautiful starry night, and our
hearts are lifted up in praise to
the great El’ Shaddai, hallowed be His Name! Some of the other pilgrims
joined us in singing. It was Banoah,( blessed) indeed.
People are friendlier now that we are on
the road. Alleluia
El
ohim Yisrael!
I had better roll up my little scroll,
and carefully tuck it back into
its leather case for it is time to
sleep.
Good night,
my dear readers, as if there would ever be any!
