Assembling with believers

We are on our third week of sickness at our house. We have all been ill and most of us at the same time with stomach bugs, croupe, viral infections, coughs etc.............you name it. I have been unable to be at church much for the past few weeks. I realize that it is best for us to stay away but after awhile I start to miss my other brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is a wonderful thing to be in the house of the Lord with like minded believers. I think of chrisitans who don't see the need to be in church. I get discouraged when I am away for to long. I know God is still here in my home, I still can read his word and pray but there is a reason why God tells us not to forsake the assembling together of the body.
For many years, I had a hard time with this verse. I saw many families put church so high on the list that their families needs were last. They were there Sunday morning, night and Wednesday night and Thursday Bible study, Friday church supper, etc.............. No matter what was going on in their family, sickness, exhaustion, family needs. I saw friends grow hard to the things of the Lord. Today, some of my friends who I was the closest to as a child and teenager have completely given up their walk with the Lord and live some of the most ungodly lives. I don't think that being at church causes this but I do think that parents have to be wise in their involvement. It's a wonderful thing to serve the Lord. I often see needs and want to fill them all but at this phase in life, I am a wife and mom first. The service to the Lord that I am fulfilling is my family. At the moment, it is a sick family. I am glad that I am able to minister to them with hugs, stories, chicken soup and just being together.
I miss church. I can't wait to be healthy so that we can be there as a family again. I understand why God tells us to be there. It is encouraging to the soul, edifying to the saints. I am looking forward to going back again AFTER my family is better!