This week we honoured and said goodbye to the beautiful Mrs Pepper. There are many in our community, including staff and students at PCS, who are this week feeling a profound sense of loss, not only because Mrs Pepper left us far too young, but because the positive impact she had cannot be replaced. It’s sometimes hard to know what to say in situations like these, whilst I understand that any words of mine will not do justice to Mrs Pepper’s full contribution to PCS and beyond, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on what made her so special.
For the past 12 years Mrs Pepper has been part of PCS, teaching across our Primary and High School, however being a great teacher is only part of what made Mrs Pepper fantastic. For 12 years, Mrs Pepper has been encouraging, praying and inspiring her students, colleagues and families through her infectious joy and unwavering love of God. There isn’t a student taught by Mrs Pepper who hasn’t heard her quote one of her many favourite Bible verses or phrases to start a lesson or a new day. Verses like ‘This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24), Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body (Proverbs 16:19), ‘Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory!’ and my favourite – I declare, God is in a Good mood!
With the gift of encouragement, Mrs Pepper started enduring traditions at PCS, including Lunchtime Bible Study and the staff writing encouraging letters to our Year 11 and 12 students each year. Her job was teaching, but her mission was to see young people know just how unique, valuable and loved they really are.
On Wednesday PCS all wore bright clothes, ate tacos and honoured Mrs Pepper by discussing her favourite topic, Jesus. How surreal it was to share our favourite stories of Jesus knowing that Mrs Pepper is now with Him.
Mrs Pepper’s journey was not an easy one. However, the love she had for her God was unwavering. Rather than asking impossible questions to God like why this happened, I take the approach of asking who God is in this situation. Just as God was with Mrs Pepper to the very end here on earth, He is also with us, offering peace, comfort and an invitation to get closer to Him. It is that invitation that will be Mrs Pepper’s enduring legacy. Jesus is real, and He invites all of us into a relationship with Him.
As all of us take time to remember Donna and say goodbye, I would encourage each of us to not just remember the happy, bubbly, creative, passionate and joy filled Mrs Pepper, but also her God who was her enduring strength and constant source of joy. Just as He is God to Donna, may He be the same God to you.
May God bless Glenn, Libby, Llewellyn and the Pepper family. We thank God for Donna and her precious life that she lived so well.
Go and be a blessing to someone this week PCS.
Glen
