Being a keeper at home - away from home

It's strange to be so far away from home on vacation. The kids and I are visiting my parents who live in Honolulu. What I have found is that I need to be just as focused on keeping my temporary "home" as I am focused on keeping my "home" home. The kids still need down time, I need to have home-cooked meals, I need to make sure the kids don't watch too much television, and I need to remind the boys to treat each other respectfully with no insulting talk.

Also, My husband needs me when I'm away. We have been separated for almost 2 weeks now, and I won't see him until next Tuesday. Boy, do I miss him! The old saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" is really true. I keep checking in with him. I call to ask if there is anything I can do to help him while I am here. I send him encouraging emails. I keep up to date on the finances. I'm still a keeper of my home and a help mate to my husband, even though I'm away from home.

I find this task in my life to be very rewarding - exhausting, yes - but worth every second spent serving my family.

God has rewarded me with plenty of time to spend in His Word during this trip. I'm enjoying reading through my Bible and writing in my journal.

Another thing is that I'm getting to work on being a honorable daughter. Sometimes this is not easy, and my critical spirit rises up in my heart. I was not raised by perfect people. I know this, but sometimes I have a high expectation of my parents to be something they can't be. They are wonderful parents who didn't teach me everything I know, but who poured God's love into me every day of my life. I'm finding ways to honor them in my words and actions while I'm visiting in their home.

We're having a good time here. The beaches are awesome!!