Isn't he cute? He lost his first tooth in December (quite by accident while wrestling with his brother...the hole is still there) and was so proud to be just like, Ryder. Can you see the joy in his eyes? It's always there...a passion for people and the world around him. It's no wonder that God's given us a specific call for our boy recently, because it really does fit.
This was our first year homeschooling, and we've all loved it. Not because it's always been easy, but because we've all grown in ways we could've never anticipated and as the year went on, it was clear we were where we were called to be. For this season of life with the family God has given us, it's just worked...very WELL!
I've loved how close my kids have become since they've had time to learn, grow and play together.
I've loved how we've actually been able to say "yes" to more activities for the kids while feeling less pulled in a million different directions because we spend the first part of our day together. We actually look forward to the commitments of AWANA, team sports, dance and gymnastics classes that give each child a place to explore their giftings.
I've loved how intentionally I've been able to parent my children, helping them grow through moments of pride and disobedience rather than having to respond so much later to a note from a teacher.
I've loved being able to walk through the Bible with the boys this year as we've had time after lunch each day to sit and read together. I've made connections in my own understanding of the Word that I've never made before just because we've had time to make it priority.
I've loved being able to work at our own pace through subjects, giving them the time and attention they needed in the areas they struggle and also letting them zoom past parts that they already knew so we could maximize our time in new discoveries and learning.
It really has been a JOY to be home as a family this year, and not a plan John or I intended to change. For those of you who've been asking...the answer is a resounding, YES! We ALL really love homeschooling!
So, you can imagine my surprise when the Lord started nudging my heart in a different way for Cole next year. When school starts next year, Cole will be six years old, and a kindergartener. Up to this point I've been planning on enrolling him in the same independent study, home-based charter school that Ryder is enrolled in this year. Since my boys have summer birthdays, I've always thought it best to wait to start them in Kindergarten until they were six. Ryder waited and so it's now Cole's turn to begin!
It was all arranged. We would enroll Cole in Sky Mountain Charter School and he'd be an official student with Ryder next year at home, monitored by our educational specialist. I had the curriculum picked out, ready to order, and then God began stirring my heart in a different direction for my Cole.
It was as clear to me as the call we heard to homeschool Ryder this year...God was asking us to put Cole in school next year for Kindergarten. You need to understand, that this is not what I wanted. I was excited to continue and build on what we had going with our family this year, not change plans entirely for one of my sweetest students!
But it was clear, and when I responded with confusion and hesitation, God graciously gave me assurance that I had heard right..."I want you to share him."
And through weeks of prayer, John and I felt it confirmed in both our hearts that God was asking us to trust Him with our Cole...again.
Under very different circumstances, we've trusted Him with our boy before.
We've held him in tests while being told...he hears nothing.
We trusted God then.
We've watched him wheeled away into "elective" surgery only to return with a swollen face and wrapped head.
We trusted God then.
At three years old we let him go to school for 6 hours a day to get the therapy he needed to use his new ears.
We trusted God then.
We signed him up for soccer and T-ball teams, letting him navigate the challenge of hearing teammates and coaches on the field and keeping his "ears" on while sweating like a little 5 year old boy should.
We trusted God then.
And now we trust, that when God asks us to send our boy into a classroom full of curious, opinion-forming kids, that God has a PLAN for those Cole will get to know next year.
The past opportunities we've have to trust God with our boy, they've all been for his benefit, and God was so faithful. Now, we feel Him saying...
"I want you to share him. Others need to know that those around them who were created differently, are worth getting to know. I made them in MY image. When you love them, you love me, and loving ME is what changes your life."
We would love for you to pray with us for Cole's next school year. We will start the IEP process soon, and update you when we have that meeting, but until then, we are believing that God has placed an important call on Cole's life, (as He has the rest of His kids!) and we are agents of helping Cole hear and follow the way God has planned for him to go.
We're finishing up a kindergarten curriculum with him this year, so he'll be prepped and ready to take on a new, noisier classroom environment academically but there are also many options for us to weight as we prepare. We covet your prayers through the process.
The bottom line with the schooling thing with us is this...
God made them. He is graciously sharing them with us, giving us all an opportunity to become more dependent upon HIM every moment of the journey.
We. trust. HIM.
We have four kids. All unique and we will pray every year around this time for the Lord to show us what He wants for each of them, each year.
Next year, it seems to be shaping up like this:
Ryder: Homeschool (when given the option he was VERY excited to keep doing what we're doing)
Cole: Neighborhood public school
Cora and Rylee: Monday, Wednesday, Friday half-day preschool
I'm excited. I love following Jesus. He always has the best plan, and I'm honored to be a part of it all...
"Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus..."
How did you get the call about cole?
Hello, Anonymous :) Though I wish you weren't so "anonymous" and we could sit face to face and share a cup of coffee over this question, I'll do the best I can in the box of a blog comment section to share my heart with you since you asked...thank you!
When I say I heard God call Cole to public school next year, that's exactly what I mean. For me, a call from the Lord begins as a nudging...a nagging thought that doesn't go away even after a good meal and a nights rest :) This time we prayed about it for while and asked those closest to us to do the same. We all felt that the Lord confirmed in our hearts this call for Cole. A confirmation from the Lord feels peaceful at the center if it all. No pro/con list...no logical assessments of the options...just a vision from the Lord who knows today just as well as He knows next year and the next 40 years, the way for HIS Cole.
Isaiah 30:21 says, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Jesus also said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." The closer I grow to Jesus, the more I learn to recognize when it is His voice speaking to me. I'm thankful for the community of shepherd-listeners that God has brought to my life that can listen with me. We all heard Him this time, and feel great peace and joy in the next call for Cole. The following year that call may change, but for now, we follow!
Thanks foryour reply! I am religious although i dont go to church or anything! i always have niggling feelings/nagging but never know which is the right direction to take! Hope all goes well with Cole! I am profoundly deaf myself with a cochler implant in one ear and of course i always worry i never hear the Lord but you have just explained it very well and i now know it is him pushing me along a path!
I love that the Lord so clearly led your family in this decision! I count it a sweet blessing to be your friend and watch you faithfully walk through life. You are an encouragement to me!!
Jenny