Dealing with Anger

Have you ever been spending time with the Lord, reading your Bible or a devotional book and it is so amazing that what you are reading is exactly what you are struggling with? Well this week we have been working with Griffin on how to properly deal with anger. Lo and behold, that is what his devotions were on this morning. It is even cooler when you see God work in your child's devotional life and in God's perfect timing. I do not know what I am doing as a mom half the time and I was just praising God that He gives us the right resources and the right people around us in the right timing. And He did it again. How absolutely amazing He is. I confess I have no idea how to deal with anger properly other than stuff it-which is not good, so how am I supposed to teach my child? Well he showed me during a playdate with my accountability partner when she had to work with her own child on it. He brought up this devotion today that walked us through it and he gave me my mentor mom, Suzanne Miller that I had to call on Tuesday when I did not know how to properly respond to Griffin's anger and it was making me angry. Praise God for His provision and perfect timing.

Squirrel at the Door

This morning, Griffin and I were eating breakfast and we kept hearing a tap tap tap. We looked out the back door and there was a squirrel tapping on our window trying to get in. It kept on for a minute or two but when I moved to get the camera it ran away. Griffin and I found this picture instead.

Parenting -I am trying to learn.

"We are not raising children. We are raising adults." -Suzanne Miller.

Suzanne is a wonderful mentor mom for our MomCare group that meets on Wednesday nights. She is a great example of a Proverbs 31 woman and the Lord has used her to bless my life. She has taught me many things but one thing that will stick in my mind forever and that I will be forever grateful for the perspective it gives is the quote above. When my child/ren roll their eyes at me, throw fits or do anything else that their sin nature causes I approach it as: is it acceptable for them to do this as adults. When they don't get their way at the office as an adult would it be better for them to talk back disrespectfully as adults or use their minds and words to express themselves for a better outcome. The Bible teaches us to die to ourselves, our fleshly desires and to put on the mind of Christ, to be equipped for battle and to do His will (paraphrasing and putting parts together). What better time to learn now while their minds are able to be molded and before it is too late. They may not understand all of these truths now, but it is better to start explaining it now so it can sink into their hearts before their hearts are too hardened and set in their ways to accept it. It is our job as parents to teach God's ways. Jesus has a plan for us as parents. A lot of our homelife depends on us and has an effect on eternity. Anyone can be a good Christian at church, but do we model being a biblical Christian through our actions at home when little eyes are watching and learning most?

Disney!!!!

We just came back from Disney. This is the first time we have been there as a family. I went as a kid and also when I was a teenager. Ludie went to Epcot for a Horticulture trip in college, and now we are back with kids. I think I was the biggest kid of all. It was wonderful to go to the Peter Pan ride and the Small World ride. It brought back so many memories. I was so excited I think I may have had more fun that Griffin!!!!
Griffin's favorite ride was Space Mountain. He also road Everest at Animal Kingdom. He won't admit he was scared, he just says calmly, "I'll ride that again when I turn 18". I was scarred-I'll be the first to admit it. And I loved it!!!! Ludie liked the safari at Animal Kingdom and the Buzz Lightyear ride at Disney the best. Ruth Anne slept through a lot of the rides. She did GREAT!!!! I was excited to see Sully and Mike Kryzowski and go on the laugh floor.
We all took a test to see which Disney character we were most like. Griffin was Buzz Lightyear. I was Belle and Ludie was Tarzan. OH YEAH baby! :)
We met up with Ludie's sister and family which was wonderful. We did the kid swap on rides so that we could actually ride rides as a couple.

Ruth Anne Dedication

We dedicated Ruth Anne at the beginning of May. It was such a blessing for a moment that we had prayed for the opportunity to have another child for so long. What a blessing it was for big brother to walk across with us to dedicate his little sister. She is such a long awaited blessing as both of our children are. Thank you to those who stood with us and will be a part of her life in teaching her about the love of Jesus and praying for her. For praying that she accept Christ at young age as her Lord and Savior and have a life of unabandoned passion for Jesus. Praise to God alone!

5 Love Languages

It has been a great week but a very busy one. One of the highlights of my week is meeting iwth a couple ladies from my neighborhood. We get together weekly and are going over the book 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman. It is so wonderful to learn from other mothers and is also amazing to get to know the women that live so close. I often take my neighbors for granted because we are always there. Oh, we'll get togehter when .... and when never happens. We'll after living here 6 years we are finally getting together and I am sorry that it has not been sooner. God has given me a gem in the ladies that surround me and I am so blessed. Can't wait to see ya'll this week!
BTW my love language is Quality Time. It was amazing, we took the test this week and I was very surprised to find out that my husband's is Words of Affirmation. I thought it was a different one. Well, shows how observant I am! As our friend Jason Joyce would say...just a little bit sloooowwww. :) Email me if you have taken this test and are familiar with this book and what is your love language

We're Back from the Emerald Isle

We just got back from our trip to Ireland. It was wonderful!!!! It is amazing to see how God is working mightily in Ireland!!!! God has been dealing greatly in our lives regarding Ireland. We stayed at the newly purchased location, Lacken House. Our entire family went this time.

While there, we got to meet other people from all over the world that God is calling to partner in some way with OM (Operation Mobilisation) Ireland. To see the pieces of the puzzle come together is much what I imagine what it will be like in heaven when we get to see the "bigger picture". We would love to talk to you about all this in person as there is not enough time or space to record all that God is doing.

Some highlights of the trip: (Ludie probably has a much different highlight list, as we had a lot of different experiences based on our schedules).My favorite part of the trip was having breakfast with an older gentleman named Bill. He was born and raised in Ireland and I got to just listen to his story everymorning and learn about his Irish heritage and how he came to know the Lord. While there I also met two other homeschool moms that were American and had children around Griffin's age (only God could do that!). We toured a nearby city that is growing tremendously and offers great potential for work and God is really opening doors here. We met with several pastors of different churches that are working together to share the love that comes from Christ alone. Ludie met with political figures that God is working in their lives as an answer to prayers. Having a family day in town together (Ludie did a great job driving on the left side of the road-we make a good team in navigation as there are no road names-at least not posted, and lots of sheep pastures!). Last but not least, taking the kids to a playground and low and behold there is a castle from the 1400's behind it!

God answered our prayers in so many ways and beyond. He has given a vision for involvement in Ireland. If you are interested in more details about our trip we would love to talk to you. Just contact us.

With much love and Praise to our Father God in Heaven,
The Creeches