31

Whit,

I certainly hope your 31^st birthday is a blessing to you.

But I also hope you see what a blessing YOU ARE to so many people.

You are loved and you are appreciated.

You are a treasured friend. You are an encourager. You are a beacon of light and a fountain of love for all of us.

The best part about this for me was seeing how EASY it was to get 31 different people to share their hearts about you. Every single one of them was more than excited and honored to be a part of your special day – and to be a part of YOUR LIFE.

I know you better than anyone, and I can say with 110% confidence that you are one in a billion. You are so unique and I can’t thank God enough for allowing me to share this journey with you.

So let me close this on behalf of all 31 of us and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITNEY – you are a gift to us all – and ESPECIALLY me J

Love,

Derek

30 - Abby Kirkland

Happy Birthday Whitney! In honor of your 31st birthday, here are 31 things I LOVE about YOU!

1. Your laugh is so happy and contagious.
2. Your walk with the Lord is so deep and real. You can tell that you love the Lord. It shows in all you do.
3. You are such an awesome wife. You love Derek like crazy, and it shows. You keep your marriage above everything, second only to your relationship with Christ, which is exactly how it is supposed to be. I love watching y’all together.
4. You are such an awesome mom. You love your kiddos so well and teach them about the Lord. I love watching the way you talk to them and parent them. I have learned a lot from watching you with Ella and Marcus.
5. You are an encourager. You “pour courage” into others all the time (yes I learned that from you :)).
6. Your love for big drinks. I can always picture you with a styrofoam cup in your hand (usually full of Diet Coke except it doesn’t agree with baby #3 ;)).
7. You have the best sense of humor and are able to laugh at yourself and find the funny side of situations.
8. You are so good at celebrating with others (and that is not something that very many people are good at). When there is happy news, you are all about celebrating that with the person. It is so fun telling you things because I know you will be excited with me.
9. On the flip side, you are also good at walking through hard things with people. You have been there for me through so many hard times and walked with me and given me words of wisdom and encouragement.
10. You are a great story teller. You get into it with your hand motions and expressions.
11. You are so fun and easy to talk to. I love when I see your name pop up on caller ID.
12. You are thoughtful. You are always thinking of ways that you can make people feel special.
13. You are a great teacher. I love being apart of your Bible studies and hearing you teach the Word.
14. You are so real. You are open and honest and not afraid to be you.
15. You have such a servant’s heart. You are always the first one to jump up and help when someone needs it. You don’t have to be the center of attention for your service but are happy to humbly serve in the background.
16. You are a prayer warrior. I always know that if you say you are praying for me, you really are. I love hearing how you pray and talk to the Lord.
17. You love grocery shopping, which I don’t understand at all haha, but it’s one of those quirky things that makes you, you. :)
18. You drove all the way to Cincy to see us in the hospital after we had Brooks! I still can’t believe y’all did that. It meant so much to us.
19. You love to play games. I love me a Hopperland game night.
20. You have such compassion for others. The way you love people is precious.
21. You are bold in sharing your faith with others. Jesus shines in everything you do, and people see it.
22. You aren’t afraid to have hard conversations, but you do it in love.
23. You have the craziest adoption story ever, but you handled it with such grace and trust in the Lord. I know it was looong and hard. I know you had days and even weeks at a time that were rough and discouraging, but you always came back to trusting the Lord and knowing His timing for all of it would be perfect.
24. You love all of your extended family, even though some of them are difficult. You pray for them and find ways to love on them.
25. You are such a natural leader. People get on board with you and follow you so quickly. You are an imitator of Christ, so others want to imitate you.
26. You are organized and a go getter. A real-life Leslie Knope. :)
27. You can see the Lord in everything. You are always looking for how a situation or something that happens can point you to Him.
28. You enjoy the simple things in life- big drinks, hanging out, time with your family, going to get ice cream, letters from friends ;), grocery shopping, being with people you love.
29. You strive to be a peacemaker. You work hard for unity- in the church, in community group, in friendships, in family.
30. You are so fun to spend time with. Our time together always goes by way too fast.
31. You are such a good friend! Not just to me but to all of your friends. Everyone who knows you, loves you and is blessed to have you in their lives.

You are such a blessing to me Whitney Hopperton! I am so thankful for your 31 years of life! I am proud to call you one of my best friends! You will never know how precious you are to me, how much you mean to me, or how much I look up to you!  I wish I could be there with you today to celebrate you! You deserve a huge celebration! I hope you know how special and loved you are! Love you lots!!!

-Abby Kirkland

29 - Aunt Lorie

My little Whit is 31 years old?? Wow! 

Seems like yesterday you were running around Aunt Lorie’s, helping me take care of all the little ones I babysat! And helping me chase after little Dustin as he was chasing after my poodle, because my belly was so big and pregnant! Then, when my Kayla was born, you were such a sweet cousin and loved taking care of and holding KK! I was blessed to be able to spend so much time with you two when you were little.

I always knew that you were going to be a great mommy one day! I was half right....you became an awesome mom instead!

I am so proud of the Godly, loving, kind and sweet hearted young woman you are! Seeing you put God first, loving your husband(whom I also adore), being a wonderful mom to Ella and Marcus and soon to be Hopperton baby(boy is my guess) number 3....makes me so happy and proud!

I love you so much Whitney Nashae McClain Hopperton! I hope you have the best birthday ever! I am always here for you and anytime you need to talk, cry, sit in my lap and twist my hair.....Aunt 

Lorie is here!

Happy Birthday Whit!

28 - Ashley Lawrence

W – warm

H – hospitable

I – intelligent

T – thoughtful

N – nice to everyone

E – energetic

Y – young at heart

Happy Birthday, Whitney!  You mean so much to so many!  

I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

Ashley Lawrence

27 - Danny Hopperton

Whitney,

Happy Birthday to my awesome daughter-n-law. I'm so glad you are a part

of our family. You do such a great job with Marcus and Ella. I don't know how you do 

all that you do. Oh, Please keep taking great care of yourself as well as Baby H3!

Lots of Love, Danny Hopperton

26 - Chrissie

Whitney,

Happy 31^st birthday sweet friend!  

You are a blessing to so many, and especially to me.  I am thankful that the Lord chose for our paths to intersect.  From job changes, to moves, to growing families, we have experienced much life together and it has been so much sweeter because you’ve been a part of it all!  

Whether it’s re-living the hip-hop soundtracks of our high school/college years, sipping McAllister’s sweet tea, venting about our day, or encouraging one another with Scripture, you are a friend I can be totally transparent with, and that is a gift.  Even more, your happiness and positivity is contagious.  Reminding everyone that just because it’s DIFFERENT doesn’t mean it’s BAD! 😊 

So may year 31 be filled with joyful community, laughter, blessings, new additions to the family, and sweet memories.  And, in the wisdom of Fat Amy, I’ll leave you with this quote: “Even though some of you are pretty thin, you all have fat hearts, and that’s what matters.”

Love you my friend! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Chrissie

25 - Andrea Wyndham

Whitney,

From one doting mother to the next, for you to literally travel the world to share God’s love with Marcus is truly inspiring. Ella, Marcus, and baby Hopperton #3 are so blessed to call you Mom.  Please remember that while you are always there for others, others are here for you.  

I am so blessed to call you sister in Christ and friend.  Love you, girl!

Andrea Wyndham

24 - Kayla

Whit!

I am so thankful for the blessing you have been in my life! During a time in my life when I could have easily gone off the straight and narrow, you may not have known it then, but it was your presence that helped keep me accountable.  Going to college and living away from mom and dad was huge step of freedom for me and without you there I could not have withstood the temptations that were there right in front of me. 

Thank you for always encouraging me to be in church and to get involved with the college class.  You have set such a beautiful example for me of what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman and to love my husband.  You showed me what it looks like to be submissive and serve my husband with a happy heart.  You are raising your children to love the Lord and I hope when the time comes for me to be a mother I can be the example to my children that you are to yours.  

Those months I spent living with you and Derek really showed me that marriage is a partnership and it can be a beautiful one when you marry your best friend! I encourage you to continue to be a light to others! Stay strong and lean on the Lord and those who love you when times get tough! I love you so much!

-Kayla 

23 - Abbie Roedersheimer

Dear Whitney,

It is such a pleasure to get to call you a friend, but even better a soon to be sister. You are an amazing mother and wife. Derek, Ella, Marcus and baby H3 are so lucky to have you. I can only hope that one day I am half the woman you are. You are selfless, and have such an amazing work ethic. 

Your love for God is inspiring and can be seen in everything you do and through everyone you meet. Thank you for your constant encouragement throughout our friendship. You are truly a blessing in my life and I am so grateful for you. I have a feeling year 31 is going to be the best yet!

Love always,

Abbie Roedersheimer 

21 and 22

Whitney,

We are very proud of you and we love you very much!

Love,

Memaw and Papaw

19 and 20

Dear Whit,

I love you. You are a special person and a great mom! 

I wish you many more special birthdays!

Love you...mom

Whitney, I want to wish you a very happy birthday!  I pray that today and everyday it is filled with joy and happiness! You are so caring, loving , and such a joy to be around - I just love spending time with you and seeing your smile! I love that God had us cross paths in the past and now has us together at Highview – your friendship is such a blessing! I have grown in my walk with God through your example and encouragement and I thank you for that! Happy birthday, sweet friend!

Love, Beth Frame

18 - Tiffany

Whitney,

Happy 31st Birthday! You’re just one year into your 30’s and already so much has happened. Your family is continuing to grow beautifully. I admire the woman that you are and the example you set for others. Your marriage is a shining example of God’s love. You are an incredible mother, leading your children to a relationship with Christ. You work hard in your career and you succeed

in the tasks that God has given you. 

As a friend, I know I can lean on you, learn from you, have FUN with you, shop and drink coffee with you, be myself, laugh and cry with you. You are such a blessing to me! Happy Birthday, dear friend. I love you to the moon and back. 

--Tiffany

16 and 17

Dear Whitney,

It doesn’t seem possible that you are turning 31 years old.  When it only seems yesterday I held you in my arms and thought and said how beautiful you were.  This beauty has only gotten more beautiful and I have seen you grow up and become the wonderful wife and mom you are today.  Proverbs 31:10-31 seems to fit who you really are.  You love your husband, you love and care for your children, and you also care for the poor.  

You seek God’s will in your life and you even reach out overseas to care for one who was in need.  And what a difference you have made in his life.  Even when others didn’t understand why you followed God’s will.  God bless you.  At the end of the day it’s not how you are dressed but it will be your strength and dignity that people see in you.  Because of this and your faith in God you can face the future knowing God is with you and your family.  

I know your husband and children honor you and they are blessed to have you as a wife and mom.  When they get older they will thank you 1000 times for the example you are to them.  Even though you are charming and beautiful the Godly character is the most important.  

May God bless you in your pregnancy and delivery and I hope you have many more happy birthdays.  I am not much on writing I had rather talk in person.  I love you very much and I am so thankful for you.  Hoping to see you before too long.  We are praying for you.

Love you so much!

Grandma Joyce & Grandpa Rex

15 - Cathryn Potter

Whitney!!

Can I just tell you how awesome you are?! That's how I'm starting this note out - because honestly, that statement sums up so many different ways I had to approaching this note. I'm pretty much just going to list out a few ways in which you have made a huge impact in my life!

- You were the first friend I had here in Louisville. I remember meeting you on a Sunday morning at Highview, and honestly, I wasn't sure how I felt! You have such a friendly, outgoing, welcoming personality and that is not my strong suite, that I didn't know if we would get along...I have never been so happy to be so wrong about something! Your love for people and life encouraged/encourages me to be more life you! 

- Your heart for God and leadership in our discipleship group challenged me in a time when I really needed to be challenged. The way that you love God and seek after Him is a beacon - it lights up you and those around you and makes everyone want to draw closer to Him because of it.

- You are so fun! I love spending time with you because of your ability to laugh at yourself and circumstances - I can honestly say even though we have definitely had serious conversations, you provide levity exactly when it is needed! 

- You are a great mom. Honestly, your kids are the sweetest, most obedient, and brightest kids that I know and that is such a testament to you (and Derek!) and what great parents you are. It really encourages and challenges me, in the best way, to be a better mom! 

Honestly Whitney, those are only a few things that I really love and appreciate about you! You are just an amazing person to be around and be friends with! I am so thankful to God for you and your 31st birthday!

Happy Birthday!!!

Cathryn Potter

14 - MawMaw Jane

Happy Birthday Whitney! 

I hope you know how much you are loved. Paw Paw was right saying that you were a”keeper” after the first time we met you. You have been a great addition to our family. I admire your energy and passion for God. It is evident in all you do. 

I praise your hard work and dedication as a wife and mother. Enjoy and cherish the time with your family and friends, because this is the best time of your life.

Love,

Maw Maw Jane 

12 and 13

Dear Whitney

Hi! Happy birthday I hope your day has been absolutely wonderful.

I’m so proud of the wonderful Christian lady, wife, and mother you have become. Your life has been such an inspiration to so many including me. I know it’s not easy working, taking care of Derek, and being a mother of 2 with 1 on the way but you’ve done an awesome job.

Remember to always depend on God to get you through all things, even when it seems impossible, and all things will work out.

I love you and am always here for you no matter what. Hope to see y’all soon.

Love Uncle Steve!

Whitney thanks for showing Kayla how to be a sports loving supportive wife!  We are thankful to have you a Derek in our lives and we look up to you guys a lot.  Hope you have a great birthday and many more to come!

-Jordan Barton

11 - Tyler

Whitney,

Happy Birthday!! You’ve had an exciting past year filled with lots of life changing moments and you’ve handled them with tremendous stride and grace!

This year is also going to be an exciting year for you and the family and I’m glad my brother has a woman like you to go through life with!

Love you!

Your favorite brother-in-law, Tyler. 

10 - Lori Fryling

Whitney,

When I think of you I think of JOY. You are such a perfect example of someone who cares for Jesus and Others before Yourself.

It is so obvious to anyone who meets you of your love for Jesus first but you are also very good at making the rest of us feel like we matter to you as well.

I’m blessed to have you as a friend and coworker in my life!

Happy 31^st Birthday!!!

Lori Fryling

9 - Alice Hopperton

Dear Whitney,

I will never forget the first day I met you. It was after a UK game at DeShays, the first thing I noticed was how pretty you were and how genuine you were. And that is what I still admire today. What you see is what you get and that is a quality that is hard to come by. The other thing I admire is your faith and relationship you have with God. Your trust in him is pure. Your unselfish love of Marcus displays your love for God. I prayed for you from day one since Derek was born. Not only that you would love the Lord, and Derek but that you would Also would love and accept me for who I am. The daughter I never had, I know I have not always made it easy but thank you for loving me anyways. You have such a forgiving loving heart. I always thank God for you in my prayers.

You are such a great Godly mom. Such a blessing to know my grandkids are growing up in a God loving home. You always put the kids needs before yourself. You are the daughter I never had! I am so thankful for you! Thank you for being you! Thank you for loving Derek! Thank you for giving me 3 precious grandkids. Thank you for loving and forgiving me. Happy 31st birthday! May God bless you with many more!

Love you!

Alice Hopperton

7 and 8

Happy Birthday Whit!!

I am so thankful for the way that God united our path with the Hopperteam! God has used you and Derek to strengthen our marriage and encourage us in ministry. You are a great friend to us! Thank you for the way you serve when nobody else is watching. Thanks for being a friend in all-staff meetings when we felt like they should’ve just been an email. Thanks for teaching the Kirkland’s what it means to lose like a bengal (you’re welcome Derek!). We love Ella and Marcus and often wish Cincinnati and Louisville were a lot closer. We praise God for your life and celebrate with a ton of other people that we get to be your friend! Have a big drink! You earned it!

Terry-Lee Kirkland

Dear Whitney,

Happy 31^st Birthday! I sure hope your family is spoiling you today- you deserve it!

I am so thankful for your friendship and I know that I can ALWAYS count on you for encouragement and to be my prayer warrior. I hope you realize that your joyful heart is obvious and your smile lights up a room!  I have loved watching your sweet family grow over the past few years and am SO excited to watch as you become a Party of 5! I just know that 31 is going to be an incredible adventure for you, and I hope you know that I am here for you always!

Love ya,

Whitney Fowler

6 - Stephanie Kiser

Happy Birthday Friend!!!  

There are so many things I absolutely love and adore about you.  Here are just a few (in no particular order)!  You ALWAYS greet me (and others) with the biggest smile and the sweetest, most genuine hug.  Your love for God is so big and so bold.  It is evident in the things you say and do and your love for God shines through to how well you love on others.  The way you trust God is a testimony to your faith.  Your love for people in general is contagious and you can make anyone feel like a friend.  You are understanding and your ability to listen without judgment does not go unnoticed. You are such a great mama to three beautiful babies!!  Your laugh alone can make anyone smile!  

I hope today is everything you need and want it to be.  I want you to know you are celebrated and loved for the person you are. Your friendship is valued and I appreciate you more than you'll know.   I am so proud to call you one of my friends.  Happy Birthday Whitney!!

Love you!!!

Stephanie Kiser

5 - Taylor Huss

Happy Birthday, Whitney!

I am continually floored by God’s goodness and his grace in having you as a friend. It has been a true blessing to have a friend pop in to check on me and see how I am doing. Whether it be via text or coming to my classroom, just having a true friend that cares and prays for me has meant so much to me. Seriously, I am so grateful for your beautiful soul! Hope you know how much you are treasured! Happy birthday sweet friend! May you live this coming year with the same intentional spirit, and grow to love our Savior and others even more.

Love you Whitney!

Taylor Huss

4 - ABCD

Happy birthday to an incredible sister, sister-in-law, and aunt from Allie, Brex, Conlee & Dustin (ABCD)! 

We are so thankful for you and everything you mean to us! We can’t wait to see the Hopperton Party of 5! Thankful for the woman of God that you are and hope you have a GREAT birthday and many many more! We love you so much!!!!

3 - Dad

Dear Whitney,

It is hard to put into words what you mean to me as a daughter. You are one of a kind-- caring, loving, encouraging, positive, and the list goes on.  I could not be more proud of who you are and what you stand for and believe in.  I have told so many people, I could have never had better children.

You are dedicated and devoted and that is so special.  I love you with all my heart and always want you to know that I am here for you anytime 24-7-365 and more. 

For 31 years, you have been a true blessing to me in my life. I cannot fathom life any other way.

I love you so much. I wish the best for you always.

I pray for you daily and know God is using you to make a difference in this world.

Love always,
Dad 

2 - Elizabeth Thompson

Whitney,

I am so thankful that God has allowed our paths to cross again and at this time in our lives. Thank you for always being so encouraging and pointing me back to what God’s word says.  I am very thankful for the example you have been in my life, especially this past year. I am looking forward to the years ahead as our families continue to worship together and do life together. I hope you have a 

Very Happy Birthday!

-Elizabeth Thompson 

1 - Lindsay Whitfill

Whit,

Happy birthday!!!  Today we celebrate YOU!  You are so many things to so many people, and the world just wouldn't be the same without you!  You have such a huge heart that truly cares for people. You have ears to listen when people need it, but also wise words to speak when people need to hear the truth.  You are a godly woman who I have learned so much from over the years!  Thank you for pouring into me with your love, wisdom, and encouragement. Thank you for being YOU...a friend that is there for the good, bad, and ugly, and loves me just the same!  I love you dearly and hope this is your best birthday yet!

Love,

Lindsay Whitfill

THIRTY ONE

Boy oh boy, shouldn't this be fun
Our lovely Whitney's thirty one!

This year for your birthday, instead of me doing all the writing, I decided to let some friends and family get in on the birthday blog festivities.

How many friends and family wanted to help out?

thirty one. :)

a new post will be made every few minutes throughout the day.

Enjoy!

-D