Surely this would be an unusual blog…its not really about accounting, business, or even taxes, although we like to blog about those things…it is about our life, and hopefully, by transparency and through humility, we can demonstrate with humour, insight and some wisdom on occasion, that God has entrusted to us an extraordinary life.
In that light, I want to share this picture of my family and our closest friends and all the children and grandchildren…The McNay Street Baptists….15 years out. This group now, 10 years later has three married grandsons and a few grandchildren. What will it look like in 10 more years? Life walks on…but today, we mourn! My mom, the lady in the picture with the red hair who is straightening out some misbehaving, has gone to be with her LORD! Her difficult journey with ALS over, we celebrate her exceptional life.
Thanks to all who have cared for me as I cared for mom and dad this last 18 months!
j
MACDONALD, Lorna – ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man, The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 1 Corinthians 2:9 Lorna May MacDonald (nee Sherwood) born January 31st, 1938, went to be with her LORD AND SAVIOUR, July 11th 2010. Dear wife for 53 years of Verne, loving and patient mother to John (Susan) of Oakville, James (Kathy) of Chicago, Todd (Audrey) of Dorchester and David (Ronda) of Barrie. Influential Nana to 14 grandchildren and Grand Nan to 2. Sister of Carl (Cathy) Sherwood and George and Jean Sherwood all of Comox BC. Predeceased by one brother Edward. Friends may call at Stoney Creek Baptist Church 2225 Highbury Street North, London, On. N5X-4A4 on Tuesday July 13, 2010 for Visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 PM and on Wednesday for a Memorial Service at 2pm. We rejoice in the Lord’s faithfulness to our family, as Lorna endured the trial of ALS for the Glory of God. Special thanks to ‘We Care Home Care’ and all who cared for Lorna and prayed for her and the family. In lieu of Flowers and as an expression of love and care the family would appreciate any donation in memory of Lorna be directed to the Harvest Bible Chapel London Building Fund, 345 Pond Mills Road. London, On. N5X-3X7. Condolences and Remembrances may be directed to lornaverne@sympatico.ca
There are many ways to describe me….but snappy dresser does not leap to mind. If you met either my father or my father-in-law, you would not think that they gave my children much genetic material with regards to fashion….but the evidence is clear, Matt has a tie drawer and dared to produce a picture, he proudly sent one during the third period of the hockey game (Hawks win….Leafs MUST be next!!). But, Matt has the genetic material of Gail Reeves, his nana and to there we must turn, she was a women of great style and to she we owe the debt of a drawer for ties???!!! too funny
Not exactly words you hear a father say on a regular basis….but sometime you just need to dig deep and admit your mistakes. Today at 12:45, I admitted to Matt MacDonald that he was right about my 2006 Lexus and lending/selling it on the basis the buyer would not smoke in the car or mistreat the car and that he would pay me for the car. Five months later, the car with a smashed front bumper, scraped back bumper and the smell of smoke sold at auction (Thanks Randy…905-601-7543 best car guy on the planet!!!) for $7,500 less than it would have produced had I followed Matt’s advice. Since it is coming out of Matt’s inheritance, he is pretty bummed out, all I lost was the place of respect I once held….hey, tommorrow is another day!
February 1980 I drove my own Mercury Monarch down a snow covered road thinking I was approaching the bridge over the Thames River. On my way home from a night class in Business Law, I missed the “dead end” sign and when I crested the hill in a snow squall, my lights landed on the fence that contained the embankment to the River….what to do? To the best of recollection, I steered at the iron gate posts and hit them hard, but they slowed me down enough to only travel 40-50 feet down the hill, no ice water, my car, totalled, our lives saved!
I loved that car! 1975, leather, power windows and AIR CONDITIONING and fully financed, without collision?
So how did I dig out of that hole, I needed a car, I was dividing my time between WLU in Waterloo and UWO in London and working 20 hours a week at Canada Trust? I borrowed from our honeymoon fund (just 3 months away) and bought a beater of a Buick, finished the year, got married, started to work and 30 years later….same wonderful wife and in 8 days we celebrate 30 years of blessings which only come from putting God first in your marriage!
j
ps…thanks to my friend Craig who stopped me from ripping the “Darwin fish” off the back of this car today! My brother reminded me this week of James 1:20. At the very least it would appear that ideology chosen by this car owner has not brought him material weath!
Tax Season Cometh….Tax Season Goeth??? Well, just 10 more months till we do it again. So what to do we do until then……
A couple of things….went to London with my daughter Emma to visit my mom who is enduring well ALS. Not much fun being an example to all, but persevering! My dad….well I couldnt help myself here….he is really carrying alot for my mom and I tricked him into just a moment of peace and then caught him in full Apple Pie (ala) Mode….I hope this he can forgive this???? Then what a wonderful spot this morning at Erchless Park in Oakville to study and reflect upon all the goodness we possess in our faith in Christ and inspite of great burdens….feeling very blessed today! and then out for lunch to my new fav spot…..Wholefoods Salad Bar and they have VEGAN PULLED CHICKEN…..all can say is….yum yum ….no, I didnt try it! Rich people are funny….rich vegans, a real riot. if this offended you… not sorry!
If you ever wonder how we make it through tax season…. well, there is alot of prayer, occasionally Divine intervention, often raised voices, sometimes even lowered expectations! But you should never forget Monty Python via Youtube. I hope you enjoy this, its one of the best and contrary to rumours otherwise…. I do not own a Lion Tamer Hat (anymore)
May 26th 2009 our lives changed FOREVER with the birth of Stella May MacDonald. She has delivered fully on the expectations (which were not small) Proverbs 17:6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
Genesis 48:11 Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.”
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.
I have a few…but a simple one is…own no backhouse! May sound silly and if you really needed one, the fact that I burned this one to the ground would be a problem, but since the cottage has an indoor facility, lets just say…it was redundant. Truth is, I have issues! When I was just 7, wearing my toronto maple leafs pj’s I stumbled on the steps, carrying a pot to this burning structure….. I went down, the pot went up, the contents came down and the LEAFS havent won a cup in 43 years…. and therein lies all the motivation to work hard, earn enough money to buy the family cottage and then burn the backhouse to the ground! There….I feel much better.
I love my dad…here is a very cool pic of him in 1967 trying out for the Centenial Year Teacher’s beard growing contest….memories like this have got to be made!!!
