This was the view from my coffee pot yesterday morning. I had grabbed my camera because as I poured the water into the carafe, the photo below was the view from the window over the sink –

And the Autumn Joy Sedum ablaze in red with the morning sun peeking over the rooftop – brought Joy to my heart. Glad just a bit for Daylight Savings Time – since I am more of a morning person – I’d rather have that slice of sunshine pie in the morning with my coffee, than after dinner, when I’m full.

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I was going to post the rest of this entry in my Pebblekeeper’s Ponderings this morning -  but Since today is Tuesday – and I may have quite a few visitors from the Hip Homeschool Hop – and from the Homeschool Blog Awards – I felt the pull to share it with the masses – Even with Online Groups – Awards- and Online fun – the Real World still exists in our homes – the Real that doesn’t get posted often. As you read through so many blogs this week – and everyone shares their most amazing crafty triumph of the week – and their tip for menu planning – and their joy in math – remember that they are just like you – maybe a single income family – with kids that are growing and learning – with challenges in the community – and a heart that just gets tired – Here’s my Insider’s view of my day yesterday.

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Our little family has felt like it got run through the ringer financially this week – and for the past couple of months. We’ve also been to the ER more times than I’m starting to want to count. I’m not sure if it is the sign of the times or our ages, but we have more family friends going through divorce this year than I’ve ever encountered. Their sorrow weighs heavy on our hearts.  The boys ask such deep pondering questions through all of it. This was the week that I cried out to the Lord – Enough! I’ve Officially Crossed Over the Line to More than I can Handle, and Your Yoke is starting to feel not so light!

At that exact moment, my dear friend from Texas called. – What’s wrong she asks? – Flat Tire – My reply. NO. Firmly. What. Is. Wrong. She urges. In the knowing, God made me call voice. And in a moment while the boys were getting Subway while waiting for the tire – alone in the car – I broke. Poured Out. Ceased to Contain.

The tire is fixed, the battery is fixed – and even my dear sweet clumsy husband’s stitches came out yesterday revealing a skilled doctor and an amazing Healing Lord.

Yesterday – Just after we sat for Math and English and Writing and Spelling and Nature – the mail man came. Bringing two letters from my sweet Texas Friend. One for me. One for my Hubby. In the exact amount that we needed. And it was no small gift.

Nathan was on his last pair of Levi’s torn, tattered, stained. We loaded up the car and headed to the outlet mall. The Lord paved the way ahead of us – each boy got exactly what they needed – and in styles that they wanted – Jeans, TShirts, Shoes – for a mere $65.00 total. Seriously. Two Pair Of Shoes. Listening to their joy – of purchases – both filled my heart with joy – and saddened it knowing the year without had created this joy. Then Glad for them knowing – the year without – then sad. What a mess am I?

By the time I poured my cup yesterday the sun had broke through the clouds. Adjusted the coloring of the lake. Fresh and new from the night’s rains.

¹⁹ Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood (bitterness) and the gall!
²⁰My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
²¹But this I call to mind,
   and therefore I have hope:

²² The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;^[b]
   his mercies never come to an end;
²³they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
”therefore I will hope in him."

²⁵The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
   to the soul who seeks him.
²⁶ It is good that one should wait quietly
   for the salvation of the LORD.
²⁷ It is good for a man that he bear
   the yoke in his youth.
Lamentations 3