Yes! my husband calls me Pookie Bear!
They say behind every man of consequence is a good woman. Well, I would like to add to that: Behind every good man of consequence is an excellent woman. I love ya' Pookie
Mark
This is Avraham, serving in Iraq with Mark....Hi everyone! Avraham here. I am doing well, but I had to counsel Abba (dad in hebrew) this week.
You see, Abba is married to a wonderful woman, Pookie Bear. Now she and Abba started this journal so that they could keep a record of what each other is feeling while Abba is away in Iraq. Up til now, Imma (hebrew for mum, this is a couple that needs kids badly) has been keeping her end of the bargain. Abba, on the other hand...
The other day I was sitting on Abba's bookshelf while he was talking to the Imma on the telephone. I couldn't help but overhearing Imma say she was angry with Abba because Abba was not writing in the journal. The whole point was to help each know how the other was doing. Without him writing, she felt separated, distant, and she did not like that.
Afterwards, Abba asked me what he should do. I told him that I remembered Imma speaking of how she wrote an ode to you, Abba. Maybe you could make an Ode to Imma.
Today Shabbat, and if Abba was home right now, he would be helping Imma get ready for Shabbat. He would help her set the table and clean the living room. He would set up the washing basin and help prepare the Challah.
Then Shabbat would begin. This is the best time of the week because Abba studies Torah with me.
At the start of Shabbat Imma would light the candles. This is her special time, connecting with all of the other Jewish women around the world as they, too, light their candles. Usually she says a prayer after lighting the candles, but before she says the blessing. She told me she often prays that other women would see Y-shua in the light of the candles.
After washing hands and saying the Kiddish, Abba and Imma would take turns reading from the Scriptures to each other.
Imma reads Psalms 112
Abba's portion comes from Proverbs 31: you might know this as the "Virtuous Wife" passage. This is Abba's, "Ode to Pookie Bear":
Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trust in her; so he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
She also rises, while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is closed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor our her clothing; she shall rejoice in the time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways for household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call for blest; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many daughters have done well, but you excels them all."
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears Adonai, she should be praised.
Give her the fruits of herhands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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