Well, this one is going to be tough for me today.  We have been battling nonstop with rebelliousness, disobedience and other issues this entire week.  I believe Monica was right when she mentioned that the evil one certainly does not want us to have an easy time of blessing our families and honoring the Lord in our homes!  He has put up a fight in this home, for sure.  I have really been struggling with anger as I deal with these constant problems lately.  That said, it seems like today may have more consequences and we may not have fun all day.  I know, it might sound like an excuse.  However...with my husband gone, it's even more crucial that I work hard to be consistent and not let things slide, or they quickly get out of control.

Today we prayed together for God's grace, we talked about our gratitude and need for God's mercies being new every morning!  We asked for forgiveness for things left unresolved last night, and we have moved on.  And, already, a tough morning so far.  Lord, we need Your help!!!  He spoke to my heart today on the fruit of the Spirit from Gal. 5:22-23, "...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."  Those things have not been my nature at all lately, sad to say.  Father, would You please work in us today to have this fruit be evident in the way we treat each other?  That our home and our lives would be characterized by these things?  We long to build each other up and bring glory to You each and every day!!!  For our good and Your glory, Lord, I pray in Christ's name, Amen.

So...the plan for today includes:

1.  Keep making progress on tidy and clean.

2.  Let music flow through the house and keep us cheerful and focused!

3.  Let the kids watch a movie at some point, they've been asking to do that for a few days now.

4.  Have some friends over to play.

5.  Go to the back yard and do some sketches of the mushrooms growing in the corner.

As for dinner?  I have no idea....  My all-day sickness seems to be back with a vengeance today.  So, it might just be frozen pizza or peanut butter and jelly.  Sometimes, it's all I can do.  Actually, maybe in honor of the fun focus, I'll have them choose and make what they want...we'll have to consider that option.  Lord, thank You for another day, for the sunshine, and for the lessons we're learning through our struggles!  To You be all the glory!