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Your girl will be a [[person]] of great [[spiritual]] [[power]]. Her fierce [[qualities]] will serve her well in the [[work]] of [[the kingdom]]. She is as stubborn as you and your [[husband]] together. So far, we are aware of no deficiencies in her [[character]]. The only possible [[dangers]] which we can foresee are dangers of excess, not deficiency. Your older years will be filled with [[pride]], for her accomplishments and qualities.

Your girl will be a [[person]] of great [[spiritual]] [[power]]. Her fierce [[qualities]] will serve her well in the [[work]] of [[the kingdom]]. She is as stubborn as you and your [[husband]] together. So far, we are aware of no deficiencies in her [[character]]. The only possible [[dangers]] which we can foresee are dangers of excess, not deficiency. Your older years will be filled with [[pride]], for her accomplishments and qualities.

She will be one of the first solid links in bringing the [[message]] to the [[Chinese]] people, so we ask that you not neglect her [[training]] in [[language]] and [[culture]]. Even though it sometimes seems silly -- to the point of ridiculous -- to pursue [[Chinese]] [[language]] and [[culture]] [[study]] in your present geographic situation, that is easily overcome by the ease of [[travel]] in your [[society]]. There are [[advantages]] to working in a small [[Chinese]] [[community]] [like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallahassee,_FL Tallahassee]]. The people available are concerned for cultural [[integration]] and less with [[economic]] [[exploitation]] and it is possible to experience a good selection of people, yet still know them on a [[personal]] basis.

She will be one of the first solid links in bringing the [[message]] to the [[Chinese]] people, so we ask that you not neglect her [[training]] in [[language]] and [[culture]]. Even though it sometimes seems silly -- to the point of ridiculous -- to pursue [[Chinese]] [[language]] and [[culture]] [[study]] in your present geographic situation, that is easily overcome by the ease of [[travel]] in your [[society]]. There are [[advantages]] to working in a small [[Chinese]] [[community]] [like [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallahassee,_FL Tallahassee]]. The people available are concerned for cultural [[integration]] and less with [[economic]] [[exploitation]] and it is possible to experience a good selection of people, yet still know them on a [[personal]] basis.

You are [[blessed]] with [[friends]] wherever you go. People like and admire you, [[thinking]] that there is some glamour to your life, not [[understanding]] that what they see is the outworking of simple, [[fundamental]] [[happiness]]. As a girl, you never [[dreamed]] that such [[happiness]] and tranquility were [[attainable]]. It is somewhat unfortunate that your later [[childhood]] was subject to much disharmonious [[effect]], but the good benefit was that you [[learned]] to [[value]] the [[genuine]], the rugged, the [[honest]], and the [[simple]]. Eric too has lived through this [[experience]]. It is not always pleasant, but the result is good.

You are [[blessed]] with [[friends]] wherever you go. People like and admire you, [[thinking]] that there is some glamour to your life, not [[understanding]] that what they see is the outworking of simple, [[fundamental]] [[happiness]]. As a girl, you never [[dreamed]] that such [[happiness]] and tranquility were [[attainable]]. It is somewhat unfortunate that your later [[childhood]] was subject to much disharmonious [[effect]], but the good benefit was that you [[learned]] to [[value]] the [[genuine]], the rugged, the [[honest]], and the [[simple]]. Eric too has lived through this [[experience]]. It is not always pleasant, but the result is good.

Their early [[Sexual Intercourse|matings]] were [[vigorous]], but [[tender]], and though their [[sex]] activity lessened in [[time]], it remained as gratifying throughout. Mary, particularly, yearned for a child from the [[moment]] she left her [[parents]]' [[home]]. Her life had been filled throughout with children, and she truly was unfulfilled without child noises and demands, [[tears]], [[laughter]], and the myriad [[joys]] associated with the [[companionship]] of the small ones. Notwithstanding her [[love]] for Joseph, Mary desperately wanted an infant to hold against her breasts, skin to skin, and to sing and rock to [[sleep]].

Their early [[Sexual Intercourse|matings]] were [[vigorous]], but [[tender]], and though their [[sex]] activity lessened in [[time]], it remained as gratifying throughout. Mary, particularly, yearned for a child from the [[moment]] she left her [[parents]]' [[home]]. Her life had been filled throughout with children, and she truly was unfulfilled without child noises and demands, [[tears]], [[laughter]], and the myriad [[joys]] associated with the [[companionship]] of the small ones. Notwithstanding her [[love]] for Joseph, Mary desperately wanted an infant to hold against her breasts, skin to skin, and to sing and rock to [[sleep]].

===='''''[[Parenting]]''''', '''''[[Jesus]]'''''====

===='''''[[Parenting]]''''', '''''[[Jesus]]'''''====

So when she felt the first [[intuitions]] that the child had been [[conceived]], her [[heart]] leapt with joy. It was not until later that she [[remembered]] the [[122:3|visit of Gabriel]], which she had put out of her [[mind]] for some time. In fact, while [[Jesus|Joshua]] was a babe, she thought little about any role he might play in the [[future]], for although the term "child of [[destiny]]" was meaningful to her, her child was just like any other, only as dear as life itself. Throughout all the [[dramatic]] events of the boy's [[infancy]], Mary spent her free time showering the babe with [[love]], watching him in his [[sleep]], playing with him, [[reading]] and telling [[stories]] from [[memory]]. She used to take him out onto the rooftop of their Egyptian apartment and show him the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_sky night sky] [[stars]] -- offer him to the stars -- and [[describe]] for him the constellations, telling him how they would look in the nighttime sky over their [[Palestine]] [[home]].

So when she felt the first [[intuitions]] that the child had been [[conceived]], her [[heart]] leapt with joy. It was not until later that she [[remembered]] the [[122:3|visit of Gabriel]], which she had put out of her [[mind]] for some time. In fact, while [[Jesus|Joshua]] was a babe, she thought little about any role he might play in the [[future]], for although the term "child of [[destiny]]" was meaningful to her, her child was just like any other, only as dear as life itself. Throughout all the [[dramatic]] events of the boy's [[infancy]], Mary spent her free time showering the babe with [[love]], watching him in his [[sleep]], playing with him, [[reading]] and telling [[stories]] from [[memory]]. She used to take him out onto the rooftop of their Egyptian apartment and show him the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_sky night sky] [[stars]] -- offer him to the stars -- and [[describe]] for him the constellations, telling him how they would look in the nighttime sky over their [[Palestine]] [[home]].

The boy watched, wide-eyed, at the [[wonder]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_sky nighttime sky]. And when Joseph called to them, [[awakening]] to find himself [[alone]], Mary would return with the child and [[describe]] how alert and eager he appeared to be, while all the town was asleep.

The boy watched, wide-eyed, at the [[wonder]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_sky nighttime sky]. And when Joseph called to them, [[awakening]] to find himself [[alone]], Mary would return with the child and [[describe]] how alert and eager he appeared to be, while all the town was asleep.

Mary was a [[dedicated]] [[mother]] and with her first child she was so [[attentive]] as to almost smother him with [[affection]]. Even while he was toddler, she would hold him captive in her lap, [[kissing]] and petting him until he resigned himself to wait for a break in her [[attentions]], whereupon he would squirm free and make his [[escape]]. Yet the boy was equally [[affectionate]] and nearly always preferred to sit close enough to one of his [[parents]] to maintain constant [[physical]] [[contact]].

Mary was a [[dedicated]] [[mother]] and with her first child she was so [[attentive]] as to almost smother him with [[affection]]. Even while he was toddler, she would hold him captive in her lap, [[kissing]] and petting him until he resigned himself to wait for a break in her [[attentions]], whereupon he would squirm free and make his [[escape]]. Yet the boy was equally [[affectionate]] and nearly always preferred to sit close enough to one of his [[parents]] to maintain constant [[physical]] [[contact]].

There was a cat which [[visited]] their apartment during the [[122:10|Egyptian sojourn]]. A street cat, it was looking for an easy meal. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian Egyptians] tolerated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_egyptian_religion#Animal_cults cats] in much the same way that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_in_religion Hindus tolerate their sacred cows], allowing them unrestricted [[access]] to all places. Mary thought this impossibly [[foolish]], for she knew the cats as foragers of the streets and dumps and she worried about [[disease]] and filth. But the boy tamed this street cat with his gentle [[touch]] and Mary often found the cat beside [[Jesus]] and shooed it away and out of the house.

There was a cat which [[visited]] their apartment during the [[122:10|Egyptian sojourn]]. A street cat, it was looking for an easy meal. The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian Egyptians] tolerated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_egyptian_religion#Animal_cults cats] in much the same way that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattle_in_religion Hindus tolerate their sacred cows], allowing them unrestricted [[access]] to all places. Mary thought this impossibly [[foolish]], for she knew the cats as foragers of the streets and dumps and she worried about [[disease]] and filth. But the boy tamed this street cat with his gentle [[touch]] and Mary often found the cat beside [[Jesus]] and shooed it away and out of the house.

Upon the return to [[Palestine]], the house was always full of stragglers, [[human]] and [[animal]] alike. Because the [[Nazareth]] [[home]] was on the far fringe of the village, many travelers stopped to ask directions, or for [[water]]. The boy found many [[opportunities]] to [[visit]] with strangers from faraway places. He frequently had to ask [Joseph] for instruction on the location of placenames he had absorbed. It was this early [[experience]] with travelers that [[inspired]] his travels before he began his [[Paper 141 - Beginning the Public Work|public ministry]].

Upon the return to [[Palestine]], the house was always full of stragglers, [[human]] and [[animal]] alike. Because the [[Nazareth]] [[home]] was on the far fringe of the village, many travelers stopped to ask directions, or for [[water]]. The boy found many [[opportunities]] to [[visit]] with strangers from faraway places. He frequently had to ask [Joseph] for instruction on the location of placenames he had absorbed. It was this early [[experience]] with travelers that [[inspired]] his travels before he began his [[Paper 141 - Beginning the Public Work|public ministry]].

Even after the [[birth]] of other [[children]], Mary often reminisced about the early years in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian Egypt], much as you [[think]] back on the time you spent in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China China], when the world was all fascinating and exotic, and full of [[love]] and time.

Even after the [[birth]] of other [[children]], Mary often reminisced about the early years in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Egyptian Egypt], much as you [[think]] back on the time you spent in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China China], when the world was all fascinating and exotic, and full of [[love]] and time.

I [[hope]] you have enjoyed these [[words]]. They are my [[gift]] to you on the celebration of [[Jesus]]'s [[birth]]. You should know that we look upon you with [[love]] and approval. We have been watching you for years and generally like what we see. There are many [[parallels]] between your [[family]] and the historic [[family]] of [[Jesus]]. I have tried to [[illuminate]] some of them for you, even things not [[discussed]] in [[Urantia Book]]. We are [[gratified]] to see the depth of [[commitment]] which you and Eric openly [[express]] toward each other and we [[expect]] you to provide a loving springboard for your Jade to launch herself onto the world scene, next for her to take up the work which you have so recently and ably begun.

I [[hope]] you have enjoyed these [[words]]. They are my [[gift]] to you on the celebration of [[Jesus]]'s [[birth]]. You should know that we look upon you with [[love]] and approval. We have been watching you for years and generally like what we see. There are many [[parallels]] between your [[family]] and the historic [[family]] of [[Jesus]]. I have tried to [[illuminate]] some of them for you, even things not [[discussed]] in [[Urantia Book]]. We are [[gratified]] to see the depth of [[commitment]] which you and Eric openly [[express]] toward each other and we [[expect]] you to provide a loving springboard for your Jade to launch herself onto the world scene, next for her to take up the work which you have so recently and ably begun.