Dear Tyler,

Hi my sweet son! How are you doing on this Monday evening? I say evening but it is really 4:30 pm but close enough. Mom is doing okay but I am sure tired. Last night I didn't sleep all that well and Mark was up early this morning getting ready and making a ton of noise so Mom has been up since 5:30 am and I probably averaged about 4.5 hours of sleep. You know what that means...tonight will be a very early night so that I can get some much needed sleep. Mom was able to relax in bed for about 1.5 hours this morning when Mark left at 6:45 am. I was up, bed made, showered and ready but 9:15 am. I also was able to vacuum the floors and make breakfast for myself before the pups started barking like crazy. We were informed on Friday through email that there were going to be guys coming and painting all of our front doors today. They started at 9 am and got to our door at 11 am. It took a total of 15 minutes to paint it and by the time they were done, Mom had a raging headache. It didn't stop me from studying though and boy did I ever study! I was able to read through 2 lessons in my textbook today and Mom also took the exams that went with them. I got 100% on them both. I was happy! I think I am now done 65% of the complete course. My grade is at a 97 and my GPA is at a 4.0 still! This course is going by very quickly. I have a feeling that I will be done with it within the next couple weeks. That is crazy to think about because I just started it the middle of March. We shall see. 
 The weather today is crappy as usual. The rain should be starting soon and the wind will be picking up. More rain is in store for us through the evening and all day tomorrow. Mom wanted sunshine on Wednesday for her Birthday but that is not going to happen either. It is suppose to be cloudy all day I guess. Maybe it will peek out for Mom to bring a smile to my face. Anyways.....
 Mom has a few updates for you today. I spoke to Meme, Grandpa and Debbie yesterday. They are all excited to be coming down for a few days this weekend. They are really excited to go to Foxwoods to do some shopping, eating and some gambling. I know you will be with us during that time as well. Send some signs for Mom please! Thanks pumpkin. Everyone is doing good. I believe that Aunt Beck is home now from her 5 week vacation. Not sure but I will chat with her this week to catch up on things. Our cousins daughter had round 3 of her chemo treatments today. She will have to have another spinal tap and bone marrow biopsy done tomorrow. The 1st bone marrow biopsy came back with 100% Leukemia cells. That is not a good sign at all. In 1 week, she has had 9 blood transfusions, 3 or 4 platelet transfusions, 3 chemo treatments, 2 spinal taps and 2 bone marrow biopsies. She is 16 years old. Mom thinks of all that you went through in that amount of time. I am praying like crazy for her, her Mom and her 3 brothers as well. I talk to our cousin daily to check in. Mom will keep you posted as well when I know of things. I still have heard nothing from Bean. I basically have given up on that. She has her reasons why she is not responding and I can't change anything so I will not worry about it. Aunt Beck said she was fine so that is a good thing. On a sadder note, Mom received an message this afternoon saying that a girl that I went to high school with, her brother had a massive heart attack on the way to work this morning and he passed away. His name was Shawn. I don't know any other details but it is still very sad as he was very young. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time. May Shawn R.I.P. for eternal life now and fly high and free with you Angels. 
 That is all I have for today. Your candle has been lit all day long today to help get rid of the paint smell. It is already after 5 pm and Mom needs to get going to feed the pups and get dinner for myself. Mark won't be home for a bit so it is dinner for one for the next 3 weeks. It sucks but there is nothing I can do about that as well so no use of getting all wound up about it. Mom will be back tomorrow with another letter to you. Have fun while I sleep tonight. Come visit if you can in my dreams. I will whisper to you later so smile for Mom and I will smile to you. I miss you my sweet precious son and I love you to the moon and back and all the way around the world. You are my hero and the wind beneath my wings. Forever you live inside my heart, mind, body and soul. Until tomorrow comes.... good night and sweet dreams.
 Always, Mommy xoxoxo. Muah!

Here is the prayer for the day:

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV

Lord our God, whose light shines out of the darkness and gleams brightly into our hearts, we thank you for all the goodness you allow us to see. We want to see your goodness clearly and have confidence in it, no matter how much around us is dark and disquieting. We want to remain firm and full of trust, looking to what you have put into our hearts so that we may come to know you. Be with us with your Spirit. Lead us to realize ever more clearly that we are made for your honor. Amen.