Tag: Family

My Wonderful Wife

I met my future wife during our freshman year at Scottsdale High in 1964. She was elected the freshman class secretary and I was elected freshman class president. We worked on a variety of school projects and attended many school activities with a large group of friends. We didn’t start dating until the end of our senior year and got married after I finished college in 1971. We were twenty years old.
She was a wonderful mother to our four children and a special grandmother to our grandchildren. She loved children and launched preschools at both our church in Arizona and here in Diamond Bar. She also taught children’s classes on Sunday morning and taught Vacation Bible School in the summer.
Our grandchildren loved to come to Grammy’s house. She always had songs to share, new games to play and new activities to enjoy. Their favorite activity was having a Tea Party with Grammy.
Jeanne loved people. She earned her college degree in special education at ASU and her teaching credential at Cal Poly. She also loved God and enjoyed teaching the Bible. She started the Women’s Bible study program at both of our churches. She was actively involved in our missions program and traveled around the world serving people and encouraging missionaries.
She taught in public schools in Dallas, Texas while I was in grad school and she taught sixth grade here in Diamond Bar for fifteen years. Jeanne retired in 2006 after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She continued to undergo treatment for her cancer and launched a cancer support group in our home to encourage other women and men who were dealing with cancer.
I have always said Jeanne was the better half of our ministry. She touched the lives of young children, teens, college students and young adults. She hosted baby showers and wedding showers in our home. She made meals for new mothers and cared for older widows, too. She truly was a remarkable wife, mother and grandmother. She died on April 11, 2022. We will miss her so much.
Let me encourage you to express your love and thanks to your wife and family.  You will be glad you did and they will too.

The Memorial Service for Jeanne will be on Saturday April 23, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Vantage Point Church – 8500 Archibald Avenue in Eastvale, California.

Lonesome Dove

Recently I discovered a dove hiding under some bushes in our front courtyard. He was concealed so well that I didn’t realize he was there. But when I went out to water some of the plants in the courtyard, I was startled when the bird abruptly flew out from under the bush.

Actually he didn’t fly very far. It was evident that he was weak and was only able to fly a few feet above the ground. I backed away to give him some room and not frighten him further.

Over the next few days I continued to see the dove in the courtyard. I wasn’t sure what I should do to help him. I set out a small dish of water on the ground and later bought some bird seed to provide him with some food.

Gradually he began to look stronger. On one occasion he flew up to the top of the wall that enclosed the courtyard. Another time he flew further to the short wall between our house and our neighbor. But he kept coming back to our courtyard. I know a bird is vulnerable on the ground and I hoped a cat or hawk would not find him. So far so good.

I wondered if he had any family or friends in the area. We have seen several bird’s nests in our trees and above our patio. The dove seemed larger than a newborn but it may have still been pretty young and just learning to fly. I have seen other young birds on the ground in our back yard trying to fly. Maybe this guy’s parents were watching from a distance hoping he would get airborne.

Early this morning I took some new seed out for his breakfast but he did not react to my presence. The dove was gone. Maybe he finally got strong enough to join his family and friends in the safety of the trees. I hope he is on his way to a healthy and happy life.

I was surprised at my level of concern for this little bird. I felt a sense of compassion and wanted to help him if I could. There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home” (Proverbs 27:8). I believe that God has given us family and friends to provide support and help in our time of need. Let me encourage you to value your friends and family. Don’t stray away from them. And be willing to help them when they go through difficult times. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more stories and articles by Mark Hopper in his book – Let Me Encourage You. The price of a book is only $20 plus postage ($5). Order a copy for yourself and one for a friend or family member at markh@efreedb.org. Your will be glad you did and they will too!

Reflections of a Father

Reflections of a Father

Trisha, Mark, Jeanne, Tim, Teri, Traci

Recently I was on my early morning walk. It was Father’s Day. As I walked through our neighborhood I reflected on how thankful I am that my wife and I have our four wonderful children. All of them graduated from college and all of them have their Master’s degrees. One has her Doctorate degree. They have accomplished a lot. All of them are married and have a wonderful spouse and family of their own.

As I thought about their lives, families and careers I reflected on the qualities that makes each one unique and special.

Tim is the first born and my favorite son. He is an Assistant Principal at a high school in San Diego. He has always been alert to students who may be sitting alone at lunch or need a place to connect at school. He is a natural leader and loves to encourage students and parents.

Trisha is our oldest daughter. She and her husband serve in a ministry in former communist country in central Europe. She is very clever and always has a new game to play or a new activity to bring people together. She taught school for several years before moving to Europe and has written curriculum for the classroom and various camps. She is great in front of a room full of kids.

Traci was also a school teacher before she and her husband moved to Western Europe to serve with a church planting ministry. All four of their children were born overseas. She bubbles with enthusiasm and it is fun to watch her interact with adults and kids in a foreign language. She has a tender heart and a pioneer spirit when faced with new challenges and circumstances.

Teri and her husband live here in southern California. She is a college professor. She has worked in hospitals and rehab centers helping children and adults with speech and swallowing problems. She is very thoughtful and compassionate as she works with patients and very competent as she trains students and future therapists.

One of the things that encourages me is when our children spend time together. I like knowing they enjoy each other and that they find ways to stay connected.  Our children are not perfect – neither are their parents. I am thankful for their faith in God and their love for each other. I am thankful for they found a spouse who loves and cares for them. Let me encourage you to tell your children often why you are thankful for each of them. They will be glad you did and you will too.

To read more encouraging stories by Mark Hopper contact the author at markh@efreedb.org for your own copy of my book Let Me Encourage You