This is Cole in his happy place.
If Cole could live life on his bike, he would. He may get off real quick for bathroom and snack breaks, but if we let him, he would ride his bike as FAST as he could for as long as his little legs would carry him.
His new favorite animal is a cheetah.
He knows a cheetah can run up to 70 miles per hour and tells many people he meets.
He was rolling around on the floor yesterday and yelling across the room "Gramma! I'm fast like a cheetah because cheetahs run 70 miles per hour!"
We were going around the table the other night naming an animal we would want to be if we could.
Ryder said a Falcon
Cora said a Lion
and Cole said a Cheetah so he could run fast all the time!
He definitely keeps us ALL on our toes :)
Here he goes down our favorite trail, zooming on ahead...
(And yes...I am practically sprinting with my double stroller and two girls trying to keep up with him!)
It was right after this moment right here, that my phone rang.
Usually, I let it go.
These moments with my kids are too precious (and too "attention consuming") to answer my phone every time it rings. But this time...I glanced down at the number...didn't recognize it and felt the Holy Spirit whisper..."answer it."
So I did.
It was the director of a preschool I had called the day before.
Two days before that, I had told Cole's pre-school teacher that Friday would be his last day with them.
John and I had decided that in this season of our lives (aka: paying back grad school loans) that we needed to consider other options for Cole since the cost of the one he attended was too high.
We knew we were supposed to leave.
We just didn't know what the next step looked like.
We trusted though, that obedience was the gateway to God's blessing.
That day on the trail, I was wondering...praying that God would make His way clear to us in His time, for Cole. The day before, I had left a message for the director at a pre-school in town that fills up fast every year. It's the kind of place that fills up in January for the following September. It's a sweet Baptist preschool with teachers and staff who have been there a long time, because they feel called, even anointed, to teach pre-schoolers about Jesus.
When I answered the phone, it was the director of that school. I was shocked to hear her voice. I figured that on October 4th, a month into their school year, they'd be full...but I just thought I'd try.
I literally felt my jaw drop and heart skip when she told me this...
"We had someone leave this week, so we now have an opening for a 4 year old, 3 days a week."
EXACTLY what we needed.
I quickly accepted, never having ever set foot inside. During our pre-school search this summer, John and I had visited each option and interviewed the teachers...trying to find the best fit for Cole and his "hearing" needs. We looked for good acoustics, and someone who would be wiling to communicate with his therapist about his current goals. I didn't know anything about this place or his teacher before I accepted over the phone..."Crazy," I thought as soon as I hung up..."Did I do the right thing?"
As I was hanging up the phone, after having committed my boy to this opening at a place I'd never seen, to people I'd never met, two friends from church came strolling up the trail. I told them about what had just happened and how excited I was, but a little nervous having never met his teacher.
The one of my friends said, "My daughter is at that pre-school and in that same class!!! it's wonderful and her teacher is fabulous too!" Whoa. Okay God! I trust you!
Later that day, I picked Ryder up from school and told his teacher (who is also our good friend from church) about the phone call. She smiled and said..."I know his teacher! She goes to our church too and is at my table for women's bible study! She was just sharing last week how she feels called by God and anointed to teach pre-school! She loves her job :)"
We've been at this preschool for a month and love every bit of it. Great teachers, great kids, great leadership and less than half the cost of the place we had left in faith, knowing God had a different plan...
If there was ever a doubt in my mind that Cole was cared for by a God who loves Him and wants HIS best for him (His good, pleasing and perfect will)...the years I've spent seeing His hand at work is Cole's life have erased every one.
He is SO good.
And He knows this little
book devouring,
bicycle riding,
brother-wrestling,
sister-loving
bundle of a boy far more intimately than I ever will.
book devouring,
bicycle riding,
brother-wrestling,
sister-loving
bundle of a boy far more intimately than I ever will.
Right now, I just love him more than I can handle...
even his not-so-pretty moments.
even his not-so-pretty moments.
This moment, however, was one of my favorites lately.
I got out of the shower to this the other morning...
He's on a new Berenstain Bears kick.
Read THIS to understand more of why I love to see my little underdog with a book in his hand.
Lastly, I'd LOVE it if you'd pray with us for Cole's therapy situation right now. We found out, days after we had our first session with her, that Cole's new therapist at House Research Institute is no longer available to help us with therapy for him. Back to the drawing board...or in our house...back to prayer :) Prayer is communion with God and where He always wants us. We were made to be drawn near to Him and so when things like this happen, I don't go straight to "worry" anymore. I used to. I like planning and used to find peace in my ability to organize the best route to my desired destination. I don't do that anymore. God has brought my family too far for me to consider taking the reins from Him again. I trust Him. No backseat driving from me.
So when things like this happen, I don't stress, I just wonder...like a kid at Christmas...what does my Daddy have up his sleeve this time? I've known Him a while now, and always love what happens when I wait in joyful anticipation of His provision for us.
It's always more perfect than my mind could dream up.
Until then...our therapy nights look a little like this :)
It's a family affair (and don't worry...I'm a little more involved when I'm out from behind the camera, but I love letting everyone in on the fun, especially when Cole decides to let them ;)
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
What about you? Where do you feel God asking you to let go so He can have HIS way in your life?
Comment if you'd like and we can be on this prayer journey together :)
Danice,
Tonight I finished my class and thought I now have time for other things...like checking in on my friend Danice.... Thanks for sharing your heart in these and revealing who God is in the midst. That Cole of yours is an amazing little kid. LOVE how God provided for him again...and will AGAIN, and AGAIN!