I found and heard Dr. Dobson’s radio broadcast over Moody Radio in the late 1970s. Through his radio messages and his many books, I learned how to be a godly wife and mother when I was a new believer in the Lord. I still have many CDs that I accumulated during those years of listening to his broadcast. I enjoyed the many stories he shared about his young years growing up in the Dobson home, and I still recall the funny story of how his mom got his attention with her undergarment. :) If it wasn’t for Dr. Dobson, I could not have made it through the many difficult challenges I faced in life. I was a committed Focus on the Family listener. Dr. Dobson was a godly man who fought hard for God’s values to be in the home and in our country. I learned so much from him, and I, like many, many others, will miss this godly man and his ministry. I take comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior now. Thank you, Dr. Dobson, for your faithfulness to serve our Lord and Savior with your heart, soul, and might. I will pray for his dear wife Shirley, his children, and for his ministry to go forward. Sincerely, Camille Arnett

Camille

Dr. James Dobson has been my favorite American since I was a teenager. My mom regularly listened to his broadcasts, so when she picked me up from wherever I was, Dr. Dobson was usually the one speaking to me as we drove home. I pretended not to be listening, but, of course, I was. Thus, he shaped what I believed – my thoughts and the woman I became. I went through major trials early on, losing my brother unexpectedly at the age of 21 when I was a freshman at Wheaton College, the last day of Christmas break, as well as learning I had a brain tumor 5 years after my brother died, which was a month after getting married. All of us are able to think of Dr. Dobson’s many broadcasts which enabled us to endure through our major crises. How thankful I am for having been prepared with so much Christian advice and teachings as a result of being one of Dr. James Dobson’s avid listeners! Amazingly, after being blessed with an amazing surgeon and the Lord enabling me to be completely healed, God went on to bless me with 10 biological children (no twins) after my major health prognosis. Today, my children range from 27 to 7. I have picked up so many incredible ideas on how to parent and deal with specific situations due to Dr. Dobson being a continual part of my life over the past 40 years. Thank you, Dr. Dobson! I have listened to so many of his broadcasts and read the majority of his books. My absolute favorite broadcasts are in a special shoe box, and they are all on tapes! (I have other favorites, too, but now I am able to re-listen to them via the internet on Family Talk.) I have listened and re-listened to these tapes so many times, and, each time I do, I still get a great deal out of them! In June of this year, my two oldest sons had a major gymnastics competition at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. Of course, I was beyond excited to go as a result of the meet being held where Dr. Dobson’s two family ministries are located, and where my favorite American lived. I took my 5 youngest (the two gymnasts had to practice) to Focus on the Family, where I bought something for each of my children, and we thoroughly enjoyed Odyssey (as it has also been a huge part of all of my children’s lives) – their $5 sundae was absolutely amazing, as was every room we entered! Next, we located Dr. Dobson’s Family Talk. To my astonishment, I was invited in, greeted so warmly, and treated kinder than I have ever been by any institution. Two staff members asked me questions about me and my family. It truly was a huge difference from any and all companies I have ever witnessed. Where has anyone treated me like this before? I felt like I was important to them and they cared about me, when they had just met me, a total stranger. I was totally welcomed wholeheartedly by Dr. Dobson’s Family Talk staff, and treated as if I was a significant human being! I cannot tell you enough how their love and kindness imprinted my heart – Dr. Dobson’s Family Talk is completely the real deal, and Jesus is clearly shining in their everyday lives! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the real Jesus for all to see. After this, I attempted to bring Dr. and Mrs. Dobson flowers, an American flag balloon, and cards my children made them in gratitude for what they have done for our lives. While my 7 kids and I were in our 15-passenger van, there was Dr. Dobson’s son outside! We greeted him with a big, “Hello! We’re major fans of your parents!” Of course, he was beyond kind to us as well. His wife and daughter were with him, and they allowed us to take pictures with them! I kept thinking, “I must be dreaming!” To be treated so warmly by Dr. Dobson’s very own son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter! Every part of our experience with everything that dealt with Dr. Dobson was not normal in today’s society! Why am I telling you all of this? Because Dr. Dobson, along with all of his ministries and family, are the real deal! They live what they preach! Thank you, Dr. and Mrs. Dobson! Look at how you display Christ’s love and teaching to the many millions of people who have listened to you and read your books over many, many years. We are so very grateful for all you have done for us, our nation, and our world!

Erin

Thank you for speaking boldly for families and family matters. You have blessed my life by being a godly man in that your dedication, instruction, and faithfulness to God were evident. Praise God for your instruction in righteousness. Your voice conveyed the love of Christ Jesus. I listened to you like my spiritual parent and learned much. I will truly miss you. However, I PRAISE GOD for you being home with our Savior. What great counsel you have given! Thank you, Focus on the Family and, mostly, Shirley and family.

Esperanza

I first read “Dare to Discipline” in 1975 when I was only 17 years old. In my life, I can say that no one, other than my parents, has better shaped my thinking than Dr. Dobson. He certainly respected the advances of research and academic thought, yet I appreciate that Dr. Dobson understood that our finite minds cannot comprehend the ways of our infinite God. What we view as wisdom is foolishness when it conflicts with the wisdom handed to us from our transcendent God. Dr. Dobson understood that God’s truth is ultimate truth. It cares for and nurtures our hearts and minds. We are tempted to foolishly turn to our own feeble ideas built on sand. Dr. Dobson called us to stand for the truth of Jesus Christ and to share that truth in love toward the world. I thank God for His grace in my life which flowed through Dr. James Dobson. I appreciate Dr. Dobson being willing to be the vessel through which God has shown His grace to me.

Charlie

When I first heard the news that Dr. Dobson had gone home to Heaven, my first thought was that it was difficult to imagine a world without him. I have had the privilege of listening to him on our local radio stations for decades. I felt, as so many others have, the loss of a friend and father figure. And yet, to think about the glory of what he is experiencing now with our Lord and Savior and also all the saints and angels there is a wonderful reminder that the best is yet to be for all believers. I am so thankful for his life and ministry, and we all know that it continues even though he has gone on ahead of us. I’m thankful also for Shirley and Danae and Ryan and family and for their ministries also. What a blessing this family has been to so many. I pray that they will sense the Lord’s presence and comfort in a wonderful way in the coming days. Prayers also for everyone at Family Talk during this time.

Kim