MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Wow! Each year seems to get shorter and shorter!! I'm sure it was just the other day that I was writing our 2006 year end newsletter!! But then again, so much transpired during 2007 that it's probably why it sped by!! The opportunities and blessings that God has placed in our hands have been many and I continue to give thanks to Him for His faithfulness in seeing us through the good and through the storms that we have experienced. The chorus of a great hymn comes to mind: "Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" These are my final words for 2007.
DAVID
David has had another year full of travelling across Canada, speaking at different churches, conferences, seminars, radio & TV programs and enjoying every minute of it, even though his physical body sometimes complained about jet lag! He also got a chance to travel and speak to EFC in New Zealand and Australia promoting one of the projects he had led for the last 2 years successfully bringing churches and denominations together across Canada.
In April we had a visit from David's brother Peter. It's always fun having him here - never a dull moment!!
In May we went to visit David's Uncle Chris in Michigan (he was staying with David's cousin Cathy and Murray. Uncle Chris is 99 years old!
The highlight for David is always our 3 week holiday in sunny, warm Florida which we took in July. He would love to retire there, where there is no cold weather EVER and it's always sunny!
DIANA
I was blessed with being able to join David on his trip to New Zealand and Australia, thanks to my sister Anne wh
o purchased my flight for me. She is such a blessing to me - more than I can ever have asked for! It had always been a dream of mine to visit these two countries and I was not disappointed. We landed in New Zealand and visited Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Rotorua. I fell in love with NZ and could quite easily retire there, but only if I had my WHOLE family living there also.... which is not possible... so I think I will just visit and keep living in Canada!! Then we flew to Melbourne and Sydney. I can't say that I saw Australia by just travelling to these two cities, but it was such a fun time visiting all the sites! I got to meet with my 3rd cousin Wendy and her husband in Sydney whom I hadn't seen since 1973! On our way home we stopped in Oahu, Hawaii, just to shorten the long flight (of course!!). The last time we'd been there was in 1976 when David worked for Wardair.
In September, between jobs, I took two weeks to visit Susan and Tyler in Lethbridge where I had my first motorcycle ride!!; and also visited with my friend Marg in Chilliwack, BC. Marg and I took two days to hike in beautiful Manning Park. I was blown away by the majesty of the beautiful mountains and realized how much I missed them!! We had such a fun time talking and walking!! Also managed to fit a lunch in with many of my friends in Chilliwack! God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends!
In October my Mum and I visited England, thanks once again to Anne who gave Mum and I our flight to England as our birthday present. Mum turned 87 and wanted to travel to England one more time to visit some of her friends. She managed to visit all but one, who she talked to on the phone. The three of us had lots of fun taking walks, playing games and just hanging out together.
At the end of August I resigned from my job at the University of Waterloo and took on the job as administrator of the new database at our church. It's a huge project and a steep learning curve. This database allows for online registrations of events, online giving, tracking of attendance in Children's Church or any other event, and much more. Now that the first three months are behind me, I feel I am making headway. I have my goals and expectations in line.
VICTORIA
Victoria has changed her course of studies - she is going to pursue Interior Design which she has always had a flair for. She started working with a construction/painting/renovation company and is putting her talents to practice. She starts taking night classes in January 2008. She's also travelled quite a bit, going to New York in May to an outreach in Times Square called "Project Dance", she is loving being able to dance! As well, she went with her work to the Bahamas on the cruise! If only I had a job that would do that! It's always exciting to see your children pursue their dreams! She is also very much into music and dancing! She is the 'artsy' one in the family.. definitely a Macfarlane trait!!
SUSAN AND TYLER
Susan and Tyler are still
very busy managing their different businesses in Lethbridge, Alberta and don't have much time to rest! But they are young and have lots of energy!! They did have time to take a short trip to San Francisco and Phoenix where they golfed lots and sat outside in the hot sun. Susan just finished helping plan the Women's Christmas Event at their church where she did the advertising and promotions. She also has been having fun practicing for the Christmas choir and drama presentation at their church. Tyler and Susan will be here for 5 days over Christmas which I am excited about!
In May we went to visit David's Uncle Chris in Michigan (he was staying with David's cousin Cathy and Murray. Uncle Chris is 99 years old!
The highlight for David is always our 3 week holiday in sunny, warm Florida which we took in July. He would love to retire there, where there is no cold weather EVER and it's always sunny!
DIANA
I was blessed with being able to join David on his trip to New Zealand and Australia, thanks to my sister Anne wh
o purchased my flight for me. She is such a blessing to me - more than I can ever have asked for! It had always been a dream of mine to visit these two countries and I was not disappointed. We landed in New Zealand and visited Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Rotorua. I fell in love with NZ and could quite easily retire there, but only if I had my WHOLE family living there also.... which is not possible... so I think I will just visit and keep living in Canada!! Then we flew to Melbourne and Sydney. I can't say that I saw Australia by just travelling to these two cities, but it was such a fun time visiting all the sites! I got to meet with my 3rd cousin Wendy and her husband in Sydney whom I hadn't seen since 1973! On our way home we stopped in Oahu, Hawaii, just to shorten the long flight (of course!!). The last time we'd been there was in 1976 when David worked for Wardair.In September, between jobs, I took two weeks to visit Susan and Tyler in Lethbridge where I had my first motorcycle ride!!; and also visited with my friend Marg in Chilliwack, BC. Marg and I took two days to hike in beautiful Manning Park. I was blown away by the majesty of the beautiful mountains and realized how much I missed them!! We had such a fun time talking and walking!! Also managed to fit a lunch in with many of my friends in Chilliwack! God has blessed me with so many wonderful friends!
In October my Mum and I visited England, thanks once again to Anne who gave Mum and I our flight to England as our birthday present. Mum turned 87 and wanted to travel to England one more time to visit some of her friends. She managed to visit all but one, who she talked to on the phone. The three of us had lots of fun taking walks, playing games and just hanging out together.
At the end of August I resigned from my job at the University of Waterloo and took on the job as administrator of the new database at our church. It's a huge project and a steep learning curve. This database allows for online registrations of events, online giving, tracking of attendance in Children's Church or any other event, and much more. Now that the first three months are behind me, I feel I am making headway. I have my goals and expectations in line.
VICTORIA
Victoria has changed her course of studies - she is going to pursue Interior Design which she has always had a flair for. She started working with a construction/painting/renovation company and is putting her talents to practice. She starts taking night classes in January 2008. She's also travelled quite a bit, going to New York in May to an outreach in Times Square called "Project Dance", she is loving being able to dance! As well, she went with her work to the Bahamas on the cruise! If only I had a job that would do that! It's always exciting to see your children pursue their dreams! She is also very much into music and dancing! She is the 'artsy' one in the family.. definitely a Macfarlane trait!!
SUSAN AND TYLER
Susan and Tyler are still
very busy managing their different businesses in Lethbridge, Alberta and don't have much time to rest! But they are young and have lots of energy!! They did have time to take a short trip to San Francisco and Phoenix where they golfed lots and sat outside in the hot sun. Susan just finished helping plan the Women's Christmas Event at their church where she did the advertising and promotions. She also has been having fun practicing for the Christmas choir and drama presentation at their church. Tyler and Susan will be here for 5 days over Christmas which I am excited about!HEATHER AND MATTHEW 
It is so good to have Matthew and Heather living just 8 blocks from us. They moved from their rented apartment and bought their first home. Matthew is busy visioning and expanding the family fireplace and barbecue stores. They have two stores right now but are planning on opening a third one in 2008. If he is not working, he likes to play ice hockey. Heather had her graduation ceremony in June and now has a full time job as a registered nurse at our local hospital in the Emergency and Oncology wards. She is loving her job -most of the time anyhow - although sometimes it gets quite hazardous!!
It is so good to have Matthew and Heather living just 8 blocks from us. They moved from their rented apartment and bought their first home. Matthew is busy visioning and expanding the family fireplace and barbecue stores. They have two stores right now but are planning on opening a third one in 2008. If he is not working, he likes to play ice hockey. Heather had her graduation ceremony in June and now has a full time job as a registered nurse at our local hospital in the Emergency and Oncology wards. She is loving her job -most of the time anyhow - although sometimes it gets quite hazardous!!
Now you all are up to date with the Macfarlane news!
May you have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
David & Diana
