A New Year, A New School, and New Opportunities

The last couple of weeks have been rather interesting at the Cox house. Angie has begun a new career teaching Bible at Life Way Christian School in Centerton, just a few miles away, and Ella started second grade there today. Though Angie will take Ella with her each day, I had the privilege of delivering her to her new classroom today. All I can say is she seems a little bit less like a little girl each time we do this.

For me, I’ve remained a little emotional about it throughout the day. I’m not sad that she’s growing up, though that’s probably Angie’s feeling. Rather, I’m afraid of that day when I won’t be able to protect her. She’s a bit timid and had a difficult time when we got to the classroom. It reminded me of what a comfort zone her parents are to her. At least for now.

Over time, she’ll become a little more independent. Someday she’ll drive herself to school. Someday she’ll move off to college. Someday…

At the end of these thoughts I’m reminded that instead of wishing away the present, or dreading the future, perhaps we should enjoy each and every moment we have with the precious people in our lives. I can’t even begin to express, in this single blog post, just how thankful I am for the gift of Ella Grace, nor can I convey how proud I am of my wife. For both of them, this is a great new adventure with a lot of scariness thrown in for effect. That’s life, isn’t it? It’s how God grows us – by facing down all the scariness with faith, we learn how to run with confidence.

Who knows what else this year may bring?!

An Artist In the Making

Ella has finished the first grade. Hmm… strange since she was just born a few days ago! Or at least it seems that way. The past day or two, perhaps with the commencement of summer, I’ve reflected a lot on the amazing process God is allowing me to behold – the growth and development of my daughter. She’s an artist in the making.

No, I don’t mean she’s going to grow up to paint, draw, sculpt, design, or write. I don’t have any idea what direction God will take her, but I do know she’ll be an artist, nonetheless. This picture was one of her final works before getting out of the first grade. It’s part of a larger body of work attributed to the rising star that is Ella. Wherever she goes, whatever she does in the long run, she’s going to do it all artistically and creatively.

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