Focus on the family has touched me deeply when raising my children back in 2001. My young daughter would be the advocate for the many books and videos we implemented in our lives through a very tough season of abuse, divorce and remarriage only to face death of my husband after only 3 short years. My son would take our homemade pulpit and teach and preach to his older and younger sisters. And we learned what it felt to walk a loved one to heaven. We took this opportunity to share our own version of Focus on the Family with our local church in northland NZ. Years later we had to make that walk of forgiveness and journey once again in a very different road leading to release of the children’s father on his deathbed. Many years have passed beyond those events and now the focus is on raising 3 beautiful grandchildren and a blessed and healed daughter who has a loving marriage. A son who lives with me and has love of art and animation in Auckland NZ and a lovely special needs daughter living in Alexandra South Island thriving in a living options complex. The books and now audible links sent regularly in my email from James Dobson still shape my life today as a Glamma.

Posted on August 22, 2025
By admin
In Tributes

Suzi

There are not enough words to express my appreciation for Dr. James Dobson and his ministry. His books, Focus on the Family magazines, and radio messages provided much-needed guidance when I was raising my children. We loved the age-appropriate movies and magazines too. Since the inception of the radio programs and podcasts of Family Talk, I continue to learn and value the information from Dr. Dobson‘s messages and interviews, and those of his associates, even during these grandparenting years. My deepest appreciation, prayers, and condolences to Shirley and family. Dr. Dobson will be sorely missed. May God continue to bless the ministry of Family Talk.

There is so much I could say about James Dobson, and how his broadcast helped me get through life. I feel such a loss at his departure to heaven, yet oh what a celebration there must have been when that precious man was welcomed into the arms of Jesus! After getting married at 24, my husband and I accepted the Lord on the same day. This, of course, was God‘s plan, because a couple months later I found out I was pregnant with our first child. I had a wonderful neighbor down the road who was also a young Christian. She introduced me to Focus on the Family with James Dobson. At 10 o’clock every morning, I sat in front of the radio and listened to Focus as Dr. Dobson helped me learn to be a mom, a wife and, most of all, a Christian. Our new baby was born with a severe birth defect. We spent more days than I can count in the hospital, me taking the day shift, my husband taking the nights. I don’t believe I would’ve made it through those years without the steady voice of Dr. Dobson, every day, reassuring me that, indeed, I would get through this with the help of God! The years to follow were filled with advice passed along to me and my husband through the wise words of James Dobson. I can honestly say he taught us to be more like Christ every day. Dr. Dobson was a blessing to so many people; he will be greatly missed! I’m looking forward to meeting him in heaven one day! Peg

We will miss wonderful conservative points of life lessons!