My Journey of Redemption and Hope

Let's officially meet! A little about me...

I wanted to start with introducing myself first, and then I am going to lay it all out on the table for you so you know the true heart behind the posts! My name is Rheana Roose. If I had changed my last name when I got married I would be Rheana Alcala, but we won't get into that right now! My husband is Benji and we share 6 kids, 4 of our own and I have 2 older children from a previous relationship. Their names are Naomi (11), Levi (10), Ezra (4), Elijah (3), Solomon (2) and Gideon (1). It has been a long journey to this point in my life and that of my family's. The enemy attacks at our most vulnerable moments. While he isn't all-knowing, he is always watching and waiting. It has been in those moments that we have been met with the grace and mercy of the Savior. He has walked with us through everything and will always be there. I want to share this story because it's raw and it's real.

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How it started

Life has a way of throwing unexpected challenges, and my journey has been no different. I started off as a single mother of two children and I spent several years feeling isolated. To escape my loneliness, I frequently turned to parties and formed relationships that were not healthy. During this period, I lost touch with my true self and the faith that once surrounded my life.

Eventually, the hardships I faced forced me to reassess my life. I started yearning for deeper connections with friendships, my family, and my faith. I wanted to be healthier and happier again. I just didn't know where or how to start. Little did I know, a turning point was just around the corner.

Finding Love and Rediscovering Faith

In 2018, after a particularly challenging year filled with heartache, I met my husband, Benji. Our first time together was unlike any other. There was an instant connection, and for the first time in years, I felt a flicker of hope. Quickly, I realized I wanted to marry him.

As we grew closer, we began attending church together—an activity I had long neglected. Being part of a supportive faith community reignited my relationship with God, making me feel like I was finally on the right path. It was a significant shift; we have found that we were much happier with finding a church that was a perfect fit for us, both theologically speaking and you

A New Chapter

We got engaged in April 2019, and by September, we learned that I was pregnant with our first child, Ezra. While this was joyous, it also presented challenges, especially since it occurred before our marriage. Together, we navigated this unexpected journey, which strengthened our relationship.

Learning that I was bringing a new life into the world was both exhilarating and daunting. We married just a month before Ezra was born, during the challenging COVID period in June 2020. Our wedding wasn't the grand event I had imagined, with just our parents, my oldest two children, my maid of honor and Benji's best man, and our photographer present, but the love surrounding us made it feel perfect.

Building a Family and Times of Change

After Ezra's birth, we found a wonderful church that nurtured our faith and helped us grow closer to God. It became our sanctuary, offering guidance and support in the challenges of parenting.

Life as a family evolved further in October 2021 when we welcomed our second child, Elijah. Shortly after, we made the daunting decision to move to a new town in 2022, nearly an hour away from my family and friends. This transition felt isolating and challenging but also opened the door for new growth. We had so many high hopes for this move, the greatest hope being that we could raise our family in a safe environment while also nurturing our faith in the Lord. Shortly after moving, Ezra was diagnosed with Level 3 Autism, triggering a whole new set of changes, emotions, and adjustments.

Learning to Lean on Each Other

Once we settled into our new community, life threw challenges our way. It often felt like our family was facing one difficulty after another. Hope seemed ever so far away and distant, almost like it was a territory we had never tread before. Looking back, I can see these trials were leading us back to the Savior. Even in the darkest moments, there was still a shed of light.

The birth of our third child, Solomon, in December 2022 brought joy along with challenges. He faced some concerning health issues, but our advocacy and faith helped us navigate this tough time. Even while he continues to battle different things, each experience has taught me resilience and the importance of relying on God and each other.

Growing Through Adversity

In May 2024, we welcomed our fourth child, Gideon. Even amid joy, our challenges were not over. In August 2024, we found out our four-year-old, Ezra, was having seizures, leading to the shattering diagnosis of ganglioglioma, a type of brain tumor. When we met with the neurosurgeon, she immediately recommended surgery to remove it because it was growing.

This news shattered our sense of security, and the thought of my child undergoing surgery was nearly unbearable. At this point in time, my husband and I both felt very disconnected from the Lord and from our faith. We were so bogged down by life that we hadn't been to church in a while. I knew that God had always been there to carry us through very heavy events. One way or another God was going to carry us through this, too. It just took some time for us to get there.

A New Chapter of Faith and Healing

Ezra underwent surgery in March 2025 to remove the tumor. This moment changed our family forever, as he requires yearly MRIs for an extended period. The uncertainty of his health often feels like a heavy burden on our shoulders. This was a mark of a major turning point in our lives.

To focus on my mental health and healing our family, I made the difficult decision to leave my job as a registered behavior technician in May 2025. This choice was crucial as I needed to prioritize my family's well-being amid the emotional upheaval.

Leaning on God

During these tumultuous times, I discovered how essential it was to lean on God. We faced countless struggles, crying together and praying often, confused about the reasons for our trials. Yet, through it all, I found solace in 1 Peter 5:6-11. I stumbled upon this verse a few years ago when we started experiencing trials. I had started the journey of reading the entire Bible, starting with the New Testament. When I found this verse, I clung to it. I wrote it down and memorized it.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

This passage perfectly encapsulates my journey and has reminded me that even in our most challenging moments, we were not alone. God was guiding us and caring for our struggles. It's a reminder that our trials we face on this earth are indeed that, EARTHLY. We will be exalted when we meet the Lord in Heaven.

Cultivating a Resilient Faith

Reflecting on my journey, the lessons I have learned are invaluable. I now understand the importance of forming healthy friendships and surrounding myself with people who uplift me. Most importantly, I see that I am nothing without the Lord. He sustains me, for when I am weak, He is strong.

Faith has become the bedrock of my life, providing a strong foundation for navigating life's storms. My husband and I are committed to nurturing our children with love and faith, fostering an environment where they can thrive and develop their own relationships with God.

Moving Forward with Hope

Every chapter of my life, from being a lonely single mother to embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood and marriage, has contributed to my journey of redemption and hope. I have discovered strength in vulnerability, wisdom in pain, and the beauty of faith amidst adversity.

Life continues to unfold with its unique challenges, but I am thankful for each moment. I constantly remind myself that our story is still being written, and while the road ahead may be uncertain, I have learned that there is purpose in our pain and promise in our trust in God.

By sharing my journey, I hope to provide comfort and inspiration to others, reminding them that they too can lean on God during life’s trials. We are never alone; there is always hope ahead. I look forward to sharing the funny, the sad, the real, and Gospel truth with you!