The Roper Review of the Year

Well, it is that time of year again. Once again, we are saving paper and posting an update online and wishing you a very merry Christmas at the same time. So, for those that are interested, here are some of the highlights of our year and I will try not to make it one of those smug 'my family are perfect and I am writing this to make you feel like the parents from Outnumbered' ones...

A big hello to Sophia Amy

The most exciting part of our year was definitely meeting our lovely daughter Sophia. She made us wait, though, as she was 8 days overdue. And I tested out the theory of relativity, as I swear they were the longest 8 days of my life! She was well worth the wait though, as she is an absolute delight. Sophia has a lively and determined nature. She is crawling and very keen to walk, launching herelf off furniture and people whenever she has the opportunity. Sophia and Amy mean wisdom and beloved, so we are praying that she will grow to be a much loved and wise woman. We trust that she will know the love and wisdom of God: 'Don't be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It wil be health to your flesh and strength to your bones.' Proverbs 3:7,8

Here is an early picture of brother and sister sharing a tender moment, and below is a photo from a couple of months back. Okay, I said I wouldn't boast, but she is very cute...


Our Drummer Daniel

Daniel has had quite a year. He is 3, going on 13, what with his love of drums and loud music - I didn't think we would be having the music volume argument for a few years yet. He started play group and swimming lessons in September, as well as being a page boy for his Auntie and Uncle's wedding. Although he remains laid back and chilled, he also has a determined streak and knows his own mind. I love our games of make believe and pretend, and am looking forward to Christmas as he is so excited! Here he is in the nativity at play group.



Me and Neil

Aside from having children, Neil found the time to finish a Degree in Children's and Youth Ministry and come top of the class. Alright, that is out and out boasting,but I am his wife and entitled to, right? Seriously, I am very proud of him. Somewhat ironically, just as he found out he had passed the degree, he also found out that Enfield Baptist Church were not extending his contract as Children and Families Worker. In God's perfect timing, Neil was offered work for a few hours a week looking after a little boy, which works really well around my job. It means that I can continue to work part-time at Enfield Baptist as Youth Worker, which I love. I came back to work after 7 months maternity leave, and still see it as a privilege to work alongside young people. Although Daniel thinks my work consists of eating biscuits and drinking coffee. As if. I also turned 30 this year and had a great time at my party.

There have also been lovely holidays, weddings and celebrations, which have been great. However, there are lots of normal, 'average' days, and these are often just as special with 2 young children that are changing all of the time. In all of it, as a family we try to walk humbly, act justly and love mercy, knowing that God loves us! Hope that all wasn't too smug.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year xx

Waiting

I am only just reading Complex Christ by Kester Brewin and love it so far. In the opening chapter, it talks about the importance of waiting and how it may be frustrating, but that is how God works. He says it much more petically than this, but in this time of advent, it is a timely reminder that to wait is not a waste of time and it is often a time of learning.

Thoroughly modern mothers

Some thoughtful and thought provoking takes on the nativity scene here

Pink Stinks

In honour of this wonderful website, the pink has gone from my blog template. Eugh.

The future beckons

I have been taking some sixth form lessons in a local school recently and it has been one of those times when I feel that I have learnt more than they did! It was a new lesson looking at how to live the whole of life well for ourselves and others... quite an undertaking in an hour. We have been talking about what people want to do in life and how they want to be remembered. It has been largely positive, although slightly depressing when one group could think of very little that they felt passionate about, but couldn't stop taling about X factor. Delving deeper, I discovered people with a love of politics, a fair few wanting to be teachers, lawyers, doctors, journalists and people wanting to fight climate change. Lots of people wanted to travel but very few were planning on taking a gap year before uni. It was also great to hear that a number wanted to raise a family, and saw it as very important that their children were raised in a secure environment. As I told them in hopefully a not too cheesy way, I get so excited in youth work about the potential in every young person and I encouraged them to follow their dreams. It was a genuine privilege to hear them talking about their hopes and I pray that they are fulfilled.

De-sensitised?

This is a conversation that I recently had with a young person. He was talking about the console game Call of Duty.

Me: What certificate is that?

YP: A 15

Me: Is it violent?

YP: No not really

Me: What happens in it? ISn't it about war?

YP: Yeah, but it isn't violent.

Me: What happens then?

YP: You shoot people, but you don't see much. There's no guts splurging out or anything.

Me; But they die?

YP: Yeah

New Beginnings

Well, it has been a while since I posted here - longer than I thought, actually. My return to work is imminent- Monday!- and Daniel starts playgroup on the same day. It feels like another milestone in his life and a step towards his independence, which is wonderful, but tinged with a tiny drop of sadness. Sophia is 6 months old on Monday as well, and is embracing the world of solid food with great vigour. Neil's post as part-time children's worker came to an end on 31 August. I was looking back at our review of the year and I had written about this, and said that we weren't worried about it as we knew God had everything in hand. My mind has been whirring during the maternity leave, and I have been thinking about many, many things, and I have been wondering about the future. I haven't been worried at all, but just pondering I suppose. Anyway, it has been wonderful to see that God's hand is very much on our family, as I said at the start of the year. Although I work part-time, I work strange, youth worker type hours and it would be very hard for Neil to find a job that fits around my work, as well as fitting in with the care of our lovely children. But it has all worked out perfectly as a wonderful arrangement has fallen into his lap, where he works for a few hours a week looking after a little boy. The whole thing fits perfectly with our situation at the moment and Neil's gift of working with children. It is a timely reminder that God hems us in behind and before, and in gentle ways is guiding us a family. I will carry this with me as I return to work and as a family we face a number of new beginnigs.

Praying to baby Jesus

Neil led a youth group session the other day on Jesus' childgood, and as a response asked the young people to write a prayer to the 12 year old Jesus. IO thought this was fantastic.

We want to be together

I saw an advert for some Christian tshirts the other day and one of the slogans related to only needing God. This perspective is something that I grew up with - don't worry about what your mates say about being a Christian - God is your strength and refuge and he is all you need. I have been thinking about where this thinking comes from, and wondering whether it is a bit of cop out. Is this focus more to do with the individualistic nature of our society than what God intends for us. I increasingly think that it is harder and more authentic to not just 'rely on God' but also accept that the Christian life requires us to rely and trust each other as well. Just a thought - I may add to this later...