Roper's Round Up

Psalm 86:5 "You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you."

Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

In keeping up with Nate Lawrenson's blog, Confessions of a CF Husband, I have had the privilege of getting a little glimpse into the lives of 3 people I would not have other wise come to cross paths with. And how grateful I am for that. In reading Nate's word's daily I have been touched by his faith, his love for "his girls," and his ability to be so transparent to hundreds, maybe thousands of people, that he owes nothing to. What I'm sure started out as a way to keep family and others dealing with CF updated has now turned into a place where many come for words of encouragement, faith and prayer.

Something got to me today after reading the blog entry, "Are you watching the same story I'm watching?" Something that I have been chewing on, trying to get my mind wrapped around. The thought that a fellow brother/sister in Christ would even suggest that satan had a hand in anyway, shape or form in what is currently going on in the lives of Nate, Tricia, and sweet baby Gwyneth is appalling to me. (I did not read the blog that Nate is speaking about in that entry) That in a time where fellow brothers and sisters, in Christ, are faced with such uphill battles and if your God is the same God that I believe in, a God of LOVE, that is mentioned over and over in scripture, a few I listed above, offering anything but support, prayers, and LOVE is just beyond me.

Why must we make things so much harder then they really need to be. Could it be just that simple to just LOVE the Lawrenson's through this time of uncertainty? To not add in personal feelings, beliefs and negativity. That maybe all those things complicate something that is quite simple.

I just want to encourage anyone readying this blog, believer or not, to show compassion and mercy to this family. Try putting yourself in Nate or Tricia's shoes and realizing that in the time's that they have faced or are going to face they need nothing more then to be LOVED through.

I also just want to say in the case that Nate comes across this blog that our family continues to pray for you all. That we are rejoicing when you rejoice and are hurting when you hurt. It's clear that you don't need anyone "sticking" up for you, for lack of a better word, but I felt convicted reading that entry. Wondering how many things I personally make harder then they need to be. Sometimes we are just called to Love and it can be that simple.

Thank you for being such an encouragement to me and showing such faith, in a time that I can't say I would be so good at doing. Continue to stay strong for your girls and be encouraged with strength and prayers from those that are simply showing their LOVE.

Many blessings,
Sabrena

My little sister, Analyssa, is apart of the FP cheer squad and this past Saturday at a cheer completion, qualified for state! We are so proud of you girls! Keep up the great work! You guys did amazing on Sat, and it was a joy to watch!!

I'm very proud of you Ana. You did amazing and it was exciting to be there to see the routine that got you guys to state! -Sis

Sabrena

We have a few exciting updates that i wanted to share:

Gracie is a Crawler now! On the go. Keeping me on my toes and getting into everything. Also, tonight I found one of the 6 teeth trying to break out, OUT! She has a tooth. I'm sure the other 5 are not far behind. All my kiddies got teeth like that, so I'm not surprised. Lot's of exciting things going on with Gracers and lot's of fun!

Noah is making some GREAT progress. At OT today, she mentioned how well he was doing and how far he has come since November. I don't know how to explain it other then God's intervention, but Noah is saying new words everyday. He is starting to copy us when we tell him to say a word. His fits are less aggressive and I feel like he is enjoying life A LOT more. God is faithful and I am beyond blessed and grateful.

I don't want to leave out my Dawsyn "dippin dot." He is having a good time learning letters. We started learning how to write them. He's doing so well. He also is drawing smiley faces with legs and arms. I LOVE IT! He is so proud of himself.

God is so good to me. I am in awe of the little lives he has entrusted me with. I feel so blessed. Sometimes life gets insane and in the moments of what feels like "chaos" I don't always think that way. I feel overwhelmed and truthfully, have "what were we thinking" moments, but at the end of the night when I lay my head down I think about how amazing of a life I have with 5 of the most AMAZING people in the world. They are why I wake up everyday and why I continue to smile. They are the reason I KNOW there is a God. Without their love and how I love them, I would never believe that God could love us so much more. I am unworthy of his mercy and compassion and I am thankful that he doesn't feel the same way.

I pray God is blessing you.
Sabrena

Undergoing MyBlogLog Verification

Enjoy my Cutie Patooties!
Sabrena

Giving thanks this Thursday for my many blessings.

Here are just a few:

*Following Nate Lawrenson's blog, I read that Tricia is fully awake today.(Praise God for answered prayers) Being a mother, I can't imagine not seeing my sweet children's faces after them coming into the world, I am thankful that Tricia has finally been able to see pictures and video's of her sweet daughter.

*I am thankful for the many people that God has surrounded me with lately to pray for and watch his work be done in their lives. Sometimes I "sweat the small stuff" and these people help put things in a better perspective.

*I am thankful for my husband. He works hard. Makes sacrifices and rarely complains. I am thankful that he makes me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt and I snort. I love our own little "inside" jokes, so to speak, that we have.

*I am thankful for my friendship with Anne. Thankful that she cares so much about my family the way she does and all the things she is willing to do to help, anyway she can. Driving to Seattle, walking several floors.. lost, sitting in a room for an evaluation, trying to keep our "little secret," "clinic...what clinic?" so that she could be comfort and emotional support. I LOVE YOU!

*I am thankful for my kids health. Although, they are fighting colds, I'm grateful it's just colds.

Being Blessed,
Sabrena

This song popped into my head and that image tonight. So, I thought I would share. I am feeling an overflowing sense of God's presences in my life right now. I don't know if it has to do with the many people who's path I have been blessed to cross and pray for right now, but I just have this feeling of running out side and uplifting my arms to the heavens and feel all his love Raining Down on me.

Whether it's strength, hope, healing, or just his presence you need, I pray that God is fulfilling that need and "Raining Down" on you!

Be Blessed,
Sabrena

***UPDATE: Sadly, Baby Rhianna is in Jesus' loving arms. Please, please be praying for comfort and strength for Tim, Shay, they also have 3 older kids, and the rest of the family hurting right now.

Heavenly Father,

I just want to lift up Kim, her family and baby Rhianna to you Lord. We don't know your will father God, or what you have in store for this sweet girl's life, but we do know Lord, you are GOOD, faithful, and loving. We ask that you be with the dr's, nurse's, and specialist working on baby Rhianna. I pray that you bring peace to Tim and Shay. That they feel your presence and comfort. I pray that they know you know their pain and you are there to hold them up when it feels like too much. I thank you Lord, for your promises. I thank you for crossing my path with Kim's so that I may pray for times like these for her and her family. I thank you for answered prayers. Be the comfort they need right now Father God.

In Jesus' name,
Amen


Thank you for all who are praying for these sweet angels God has crossed my path with. I feel honored to be praying for them all.

Noah's Evaluation:

GOD is so faithful and heard everyone's prayers last night. Noah woke up, still with his cold, but in a pretty good mood. And he made it through his evaluation.

Good News first: We felt God's presence all day today. We could go on and on about how he had his hand in today, but I will save that for another time. The good news I guess from today is that we didn't get a diagnosis of Autism.

Bad News: We didn't NOT get a diagnosis of Autism today. The Neurologist wanted Noah evaluated for a full day. Which means within the next couple months(Pray not too far away) we have to go sit for a day of specialist watching and interacting with Noah.

I am thankful for today. I feel like it's progress that we haven't felt since hearing of the possibility of Autism. We are finally on a road, what direction is still unclear, but we are started on the path. It felt good also, to find out that our worries and concerns were warranted. NOT that we want this for Noah, but if it is something he is going to have to deal with we are blessed with getting a head start. AMEN to that! God is Good, God is SO GOOD.

Except God's blessings,
Sabrena

My friend, Kim just let me know that Baby Rhiana was born at 1lb 3oz. 12 inches long. Please pray for her. Pray for mom, Shay and dad, Tim. Pray for guidance for the staff working on her and for strength during this difficult fight she has ahead.

Blessings,
Sabrena

We have finally made it to the night before his long awaited evaluation. Unfortunately, Noah is sick with a bad cold. Please pray hard for him tonight. He looks and feels miserable. He has a bad cough and I'm not sure even if we took him anyways in this condition if they could get a real accurate eval done on him.

I'm going to be heartbroken if we have to cancel this appt. and reschedule. We have been waiting for what feels like EVER for tomorrow. So pray pray pray please.

Sabrena

I have a few request that have been brought to my attention today. Please pray with me for the following:

*Continue to pray for Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth Lawrenson. Read Nate's blog by clicking on my blog entry below. There is even a way to send them an E-card to be given to them. So send them some love and blessings.

*A friend I met on babycenter, Kim requested that we prayed for her brother and sister in law(I will add names when I get them)Her sister in law's water broke this week and she is only 24 weeks along. They don't know how much longer they can keep baby in. Pray for them all. I will keep you updated on this family as well.

***Update: Her brothers name is Tim and her sister in law is Shay. Their baby girl's name is Rhiana Nicole.

*Joe and Kendra. They are a couple that Nate met in the hospital. Kendra was pregnant with triplets and delivered them early. 2 boys and a girl. Sadly, they lost the little girl. Pray for them and for their boys. Pray for comfort from their loss and for strength to keep helping their baby boys fight.


From one sister and brother in Christ to another, we are standing in the gap for you all!! Our love and blessings.
Sabrena

My heart is heavy tonight after I came across Nate Lawrenson's blog, that touched me deeply. The wife, Tricia has CF(Cystic Fibrosis) and the same month, if I read it correctly, as she was due to be put on the transplant list, they found out they were expecting, due in April. Read of how they got to where they are today and stand in the army of God, storming the heaven's with prayers for his wife and daughter, Gwyneth who was born at 24 weeks on January 8th, 2008.

I would just like The Lawrenson Family to know that we are praying for you all.

All our love,
The Roper Family

I got pictures uploaded from my camera FINALLY. I will start with Christmas Eve today, Enjoy!

Christmas Eve:

I came upon this article and wanted to share. Good for this mom! Enjoy!

Mom Sells Rule-Breaking Son's Car

4 hours ago

DES MOINES, Iowa — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."

After finding alcohol in her son's car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's misdeed with everyone ��� by placing an ad in the local newspaper.

The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."

Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.

The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.

"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady.'"

The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.

Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.

The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week ��� just for the feedback.

Since my computer crashed and we still haven't got the pictures off of it I haven't been able to hook up my camera and get the pictures off of it from Christmas, but here's a few I stole from my sister. Enjoy my yummy kiddies!

Blessings,
Sabrena

My WONDERFULLY awesome friend Annie offered to take my kiddos for Chase and My anniversary to give us a weekend to ourselves. I wasn't really ready to be away from them for the weekend, so she took them all day Saturday. It was incredibly nice of her and Shawn to take on the task of my 4 kiddies. Along with babysitting my children she also offers photography, and so here is their fun day:

Happy (late) New Years from the Roper Gang! We are all starting off the New Year on a good note. We had a wonderful Christmas, Anniversary, and New Year. I'm excited for what 2008 has in store for The Roper's.

Some upcoming important dates on our calender:

Thursday the 10th Gracie will 8 months! Time is flying.

Sat. the 12th is Connor's first b-ball game. He's very excited!

Monday the 14th Noah's evaluation at Children's Hospital. Be praying that we might get some answers although we are going into the appt. with NO expectations. Answers would be a answer to prayer for us.

Sat. the 19th is Cousin Spencer's 2nd Birthday!

I hate New Year Resolutions. I hate failing at them, so i don't really make them. I get excited with a New Year and some what of a "new, fresh" start to another year.

So this year I made some goals:

First and Foremost(this one I will work on the hardest) Getting to Church EVERY Sunday, All of us. I'm happy to announce that we were ALL there last Sunday! LOL.

Journal/Bible study regularly.

Get more organized.

Work on our debt.

Chase and I have discussed a couple of those and started to work towards and make plans of actions. I feel good about those goals and am so excited to see what God has in store for our family in 08.

Hope your 08 is starting off great! May God Bless you with good healthy, happiness and miracles the whole year through!

Blessings,
Sabrena