Rhondelle Moldenhauer said . . .

Dearest Leon and Susan,

I thought it might be good to share with you a time when Stephen ministered me when he was "just" a kid.

I was working at Vacation Bible School (VBS) one summer when Stephen was about 10 years old. I think it was the summer when I was very pregnant and probably very emotionally sensitive (hormones). The kids were divided into teams for some sort of relay and Stephen's team was one person short. I was pressed into service as the final member and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do whatever the task was so as not to slow that team down.

I said something like, "I hope I can do that OK."

Stephen turned around, looked me in the eye and said very deliberately and compassionately, "All you have to do is your best. Don't worry about the rest."

That touched me deeply—that a young man of ten was more concerned for a pregnant lady's feelings than for winning the relay (which most kids his age are more focused on). He showed maturity beyond his years, while still being "all boy". I have carried that with me all these years and the memory still blesses me.

Love and Hugs,

Crazy Picture of Stephen

This picture was taken by Jeff Darragh while he and Stephen sailed across a lake to Geneva, Switzerland. According to Jeff, Stephen dared Jeff to stick his head through the porthole in the boat deck. Jeff declined, but Stephen did it. It makes for a great picture. That is water splashing from the side of the boat.

Stephen and Mrs Mjoen

Stephen loved Mrs Mjoen, who was the academic adviser to the SVHS Academic Decathlon team. He stayed in contact with her even after he went to Wheaton College (as did other team members). Whenever Stephen returned to Simi Valley he would call her and/or visit her. Sometimes the whole team would make a surprise visit to her.

This is a great picture of the two of them together.

Way to go, Mrs Mjoen, on leading the SVHS Academic Decathlon team to be ranked 7th in the nation in 2004.

2004 -June: Aca Deca Team in SVHS Library

The 2004 Academic Decathlon team in the SVHS library celebrates a successful year. What a great team, who worked so hard.

The Highest Point in the Lower 48

In August 2002 Stephen and I hiked across the Sierras to the top of Mt Whitney and back, 130 miles in 10 days. This was his first backpacking trip and my second one (in 35 years).

The hike was a unique time together. The first five days were brutal. We staggered under the heavy backpacks. We endured aches and pain. Stephen tolerated my nearly constant picture-taking.

By the sixth day, however, we were acclimated to the altitude and the rigor. On that day, we left our backpacks behind and made the final ascent. We felt so light and strong we almost flew to the top.

It was a perfect day on top of Mt Whitney, warm, sunny, with a slight breeze. We had a great time together. For one moment, Stephen’s fingertip was the highest point in the lower 48 states. (He had to stand on the highest spot). Aaaaah!

The next day we shouldered our backpacks and retraced our route. This time we did in four days what took us five days before. The last day we hiked in four hours the same distance that took us 10 hours, 9 days earlier. We were strong! Two guys who knew nothing about backpacking did it!

In Stephen’s own words, 'It was incredible!' He became quite the outdoorsman, ultimately leading kids on wilderness trips in Wisconsin (seen in other pictures). I am glad I was able to give him that love-of-the-outdoors.

April (Behr) McGuire said...

Dear Hampton Family,

The memorial today was beautiful. I am sitting here at 12:57 Sunday morning after the memorial and cannot get you all out of my mind which has been the case for the past week. Each time this happens I lift you each up to God and ask for his hand of mercy, grace and comfort to envelop each of you. Stephen was an enormous inspiration for every path he crossed and I will always remember his welcoming hugs and heart to teach the lessons he had learned throughout his life. Sarah and Evan remember him as the puppet guy, I remember vividly the afternoon we spent with you, Leon and Susan and with Stephen and I asked him what he was looking forward to doing after high school. At that time he talked of being a judge, explained how rational and fair one must be and I told him he would be perfect for the job. Please know that my heart grieves and rejoices with yours on Stephens loss and homecoming. It really struck me today how brave you were to do your job as parents and let him go so he could be shared with the world around him. Thank you God for giving us all a taste of who you are through the life of Stephen Paul Hampton.

Greg said . . .

Susan and Leon,

Our prayers are covering you and your family. May the peace of our Lord fill your hearts.

Stephen was truly the light of the world, salt of the earth, born from above, a brand new creation!!! He was living proof that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Our daughter Chelsea was so saddened with the news but it was the memories of Stephen’s life that changed tears to joy in this hard time. Chelsea shared all the memories of their time together in High School when Stephen (President of Christian Club) would call her early every morning to encourage her to meet at the school flagpole to pray. As a father, I am truly blessed that a young man like Stephen reached out to my daughter and so many others, who truly made a positive impact on peoples lives. Chelsea today is blossoming the seeds that Stephen sowed, leading youth groups, starting up collage Christian Clubs and spreading the love of Christ everywhere she goes.

I keep thinking of Eph:1, “God has blessed us with all Spiritual blessings in heavenly places.” I think of Stephen when I ponder that. Stephen was and still is a blessing in all our lives!!!

In all things He says give thanks, so I thank God for Stephen and for Leon and Susan for rising up such a mighty man of God!!!

Blessings,
The "Smith's"
Chelsea, Alex, Colleen and Greg

Parasailing - Europe - Summer 2006

In the summer of 2006 Stephen and his friend, Jeff Darragh, took a trip to Switzerland. Jeff had an extra ticket and asked Stephen if he wanted to come.

"Yeeeeeaaaaaah!", was Stephen's response.

They had a great time. Jeff has posted pictures of the trip in his Facebook, so I may not repeat them here. Some pictures Jeff did not post were of Stephen parasailing. This picture is such classic Stephen; doinging something crazy - having a great time doing it.

HoneyRock Expedition - Summer 2005

In the summer of 2005, Stephen led many groups of high school kids and inner-city kids into the wilderness of Wisconsin. Here is one picture of one group of kids. His co-leader, Katie Evans, is holding the coil of orange rope. She became a friend of Stephen and shared some wonderful memories with Stephen's parents.

There is a funny story how Stephen was paired with this group of kids. Originally, Katie had another co-leader, who injured himself and had to be retrieved by the organization. Stephen was told to find the group and become the substitute co-leader.

With only a canteen cup and a sleeping bag, Stephen set out to find them. He thought he knew where they were, but when he reached the shoreline of Lake Superior they weren't there. Hmmm, left or right, left or right? Stephen turned right.

After walking four miles along the shoreline he realized he made the wrong turn. So he turned around and walked four miles back. The sun had long set. It was dark. He had no flashlight, no food. He told me he remembered thinking, "I have a sleeping bag, I can drink water from the lake, I can survive for several days. I can do this!"

According to Katie, "When [my original co-leader] was taken away, I was left alone with seven 15-16 year old boys, all very fun, but very full of life and of lots of other things, too. I was promised a replacement male leader to get through the trip two days later. We found a spot to camp on Lake Superior that was very easy to find and very accessible for any person that would be the next leader."

"Well, I waited and waited and waited.... and waited for someone to show up. At about midnight on the day that I was supposed to have someone come and "rescue me", the boys and I were on the beach around a campfire. We saw a tall, thin shadow approach waaay down the beach around the peninsula. This figure was waving his arms and calling out "Hello! Who are you people?" and "Does anyone here know Katie Evans?" I just about fell over with laughter realizing that Stephen would be my co-leader and that there must be a story behind the 10 hour tardiness of my co-leader. "

"We had a great trip together. Stephen touched the lives of those kids with his thoughtfulness and care."

Mrs Mjoen's Favorite Picture of Stephen

Mrs Mjoen took this picture in 2002, when Stephen's older brother graduated high school. Perhaps she can tell us something of the circumstances when she took it.

Scott said...

I feel blessed to have known Stephen. He was the most caring and giving person I have ever know. His joy of life was contagious and I can honestly say that he had a great impact on my life. I will never forget you Stephen Hampton.

Sumaiya said...

Stephen was an inspiration to everyone around him whether they were younger than him or older than him... he had a charming personality and hugs that were simply the best! :)

Krysten said...

I wish things were different. I wish the world could have known how special Stephen was. Over the past few years he has remained one of my dearest friends. His phone calls and random visits were a bright spot in my life that will never be forgotten.

The Girls of SVHS Aca Deca - 2004

The girls worked hard, too, and won many awards for the schools team.

The Boys of SVHS Aca Deca - 2004

A great group of guys who fought the good fight for SVHS at the Academic Decathlon competition in February, 2004.

Debbi said...

Debbi said...

Stephen touched more lives in twenty-one years than most do in a lifetime. I am so thankful to have had him in my life for the past six years. I will never, ever forget all the beautiful memories that he gave to me.

Stephen Hampton - Summer 2005

I like this particular picture of Stephen. His relaxed smile, his caring eyes. This is how I will always remember him. The picture was taken by Katie Evans Coons, one of Stephen's co-leaders in the wilds of Wisconsin, back in the summer of 2005.