Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Monday afternoon? Mom wanted to write to you now because in a few minutes I will be starting to study & when I am all done with that I know that I will be tired & wanting to shut my computer down for the night. Mom has been up since 7 am & I have done quite a bit already. I was able to feed the pups, get coffee & lunch for Mark so that it was ready for him when he left for the day, I made breakfast for myself, took a shower & got ready, prepped a little bit for dinner already tonight, did laundry & now I am here writing to you. That is a lot for Mom seeings how I have not really done a lot like that in over 2 weeks. I am slowly starting to feel like myself again. It has taken quite a bit to get here but every day is better than the last. I am still not pushing it. When I am tired, I relax & when I am ready for bed... I don't try to stay up. I go & lay down for the night. I am finally listening to my body & I am pretty happy about that. It has been a long time since I have & it is about dang time I start!
 The weather today once again is overcast & cloudy. It is pretty cold out there as well. Today is May 1st & we still have the heat on....ugh! I hope it starts to warm up & soon. I love having the door open to get fresh air. Looks like the next couple weeks are going to be cool in the 60's & raining most of the time. I don't mind the rain but dang for the past 7 weeks we have had so much of it... I am sick of it. I want to see the sun & feel the warm air on my skin. Maybe soon! I know Mom will not get to see a pretty " painting " from you tonight but that is ok. I will whisper to you as I always do so be listening out for my voice. I will smile & hope you will too. 
 Mom spoke to Meme this morning. She called to let me know that Aunt Beck would be home today so hopefully sometime this week we will be able to connect & chat. She also told me that Bob had his doctors appointment. It didn't go as well as they hoped. Guess his PCP is not happy with the doctors at DHMC. They changed a lot of his meds around again so hopefully things will be looking up for him soon. They are testing him because they believe that he may be prediabetic. I sure hope not. Bob has enough to deal with. Please watch over him & all of us as I know you do my sweet precious son. It means the world to Mom. Thank you. Our cousins wife, Heather gave birth to a baby girl today. She was born at 5:14 am & weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. Her name is Piper Shea. She is a beautiful baby. She has the Ruest nose for sure. She looks like our side of the family. I wonder if you met her before she was born? I am so happy for everyone. Mom can't wait to have the chance to meet her soon. I will be doing some shopping for her & sending the goodies directly to them. You know Mom... I love babies! Not much else is new..... Mark has a rough work week ahead of him & Mom will be having her nose in the books again. I need to finish this dang course. I am tired of it! I will keep you updated as I know of things. 
 Here are a couple more daily prayers from the week that I missed & then the one for today. April 20~ They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season & their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. Nourishing Lord, I want to grow in you. Let me drink in your goodness & bear spiritual fruit. This is what I was made for, isn't it? To thrive in an ongoing relationship with you? Speak to me as I come before you each day, not only praying but also listening. Instruct me as I read your Word. Guide me as I live each moment. Use other believers to encourage me & steer me in the right direction. Empower me to touch others with your love. I may be just a sapling now, Lord but I'm growing----with your help. The glory of God is a person fully alive. Amen.
 April 21~ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. As I read these familiar words from David's cherished psalm, Lord Jesus, I reflect on the Last Supper, where you did " prepare a table " before your disciples. I also know that although you were about to meet your enemies, you celebrated this moment with your disciples, sharing your wisdom., your new instructions & yourself with them. The bread & wine took on a whole new meaning, which we still observe today, Lord, thank you for the gift of yourself---shared with your disciples then & always at the table & wherever we now meet to partake of you. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Amen.
 April 22~ Into your hands I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. This was your death-cry from the cross, Lord Jesus. You were suffering for our sins, yet you forgave your tormentors. You felt forsaken by your Father; yet you committed yourself to him in those last moments. This serves as a great example for me, not just as a way to meet death but as a way to greet life. How would my life change if I began each day committing my spirit into the hand of my Creator God? Thank you, Lord, for redeeming me & for showing me how to live. To say we're " in good hands " when we commit ourselves to God is the supreme understatement. He has the whole world in his hands. By committing ourselves, we're simply acknowledging that fact. Amen.
 May 1~ The heavens are telling the glory of God & the firmament proclaims his handiwork. As the changes of spring break out, my Lord ( even the rains from the firmament ) they shout that you exist, that you are the creator & that you are glorious! I revel in this onset of new life & loveliness. May I, too, be a faithful witness of who you are & what you're like. As beautiful & wondrous as nature is, with its towering mountains, gorgeous meadows, lush forests, mighty rivers & magnificent animal life, it is not God. Rather, nature is the work of the Creator & as such, it reveals how truly awesome is our God, who created us as well. Amen.
 Mom is almost caught up with all the missed prayers. Think maybe either tomorrow or Wednesdays letter I will be completely caught up for good! Here is one of the Inner peace cards for today: My mind is at peace. A mind at peace, a mind focused on not harming others, is stronger than any physical force in the universe. 
 Well, Mom needs to get to her studying now unfortunately. I will be back tomorrow with another letter to you though. Hope you have a fun night when Mom is sleeping later. Come be with me or visit me in my dreams if you can. I miss you more than words can say & I love you to the moon & back & all the way around the world. You are my hero & the wing beneath my wings. To infinity & beyond. Good night & sweet dreams to you later tonight, Tyler. Remember you are forever in my heart, mind & soul.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!