Macfarlane Newsletter 2015

A very Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year to all friends and family.

2015 did not begin great!  Mum was transferred from her independent living apartment to a nursing home here in Kitchener so I could see to her needs on a daily basis.  She was very well looked after there and spent time getting to know some of her neighbours. Sadly though by the time March came around she was no longer able to move around and spent all her days in bed, mostly sleeping due to the medication she was having to relieve her arthritis pain, She passed away on March 26th. Each day she would tell us that she was ready to leave her physical body and join Dad up in Heaven. We are glad that her days were shortened.

I was so glad to be able to be with mum pretty much every day until the day she passed away. My sister Anne came from England a couple of times during this time and was also there the day mum passed away.  I do miss her a lot! It will be hard to not have her around this Christmas.  I am glad that we will have the whole family with us for Christmas this year so seven grandkids will keep me occupied and in good spirits!!!

DAVID & DIANA

David spent 70% of this year travelling across Canada speaking at different events. I think he is finally realizing that he can't keep up this pace and will hopefully slow down some!! Easier said than done!!  He also did a few entertainment gigs which he thoroughly enjoyed (churches, grandkids birthday parties and shopping malls). The highlight for him was his 3 weeks in Florida relaxing on the beaches in Cocoa Beach. He also had the opportunity to teach a University Evangelism course in Texas. This course will be used across many universities in Africa and other parts of the world.

By the end of 2014 I was walking with a cane and starting the slow healing process of my left knee after my surgery in November. Once I knew that Mum was coming to live in Kitchener, I decided to retire from the university and did so by the end of January.  I haven't looked back since!! My role as 'Nana' is the best job ever! I am blessed to have 7 wonderful grandkids!  I spend much of my time, specially when David is away, with Heather and family. I help out in any way I can and enjoy every minute of it.


Other than Florida last summer, we also spent a week in Phoenix, Arizona. The highlight of course was visiting the Grand Canyon!  Amazing and definitely worth the visit. In October I spent two weeks in Lethbridge with Susan and family. Always love going over to be with them.

This December David and I have been married 40 years. We decided to take a Trafalgar bus tour to Spain to celebrate this coming January. We are really looking forward to it. On our way home we will stop in London, England for 5 days to be with my sister Anne.

SUSAN

Abby and Mia are growing up way too fast!! Abby turned 7 and Mia 4. Abby is in Grade 2 of French Immersion. It amazes me how fast kids pick up a second language. When I'm over I try and help with her spelling tests but I don't have a clue what some of her words mean!!! Abby started taking piano lessons and is also into finger and arm knitting. She make an arm knitted scarf for her cousin Ava! Mia attends a preschool three mornings a week. She is always on the go (dancing, playing drums, singing). Never sits still!! They are so much fun to be around!

HEATHER

As you can imagine, Heather has her hands full with four children and working as a nurse in Labor and Delivery. Ava is 6 and attends Grade 1 French Immersion. Nolan, who is 4, is in full-time Junior Kindergarten at the same school (which makes a little easier for Heather as they now are in the same school!). Both are progressing really well.

Emma and Leah are now 2. Their temperaments are so very different! Emma seems to get into everything! You have to be very watchful when she disappears from your sight! Leah is more prone to sit and play on the iPad! I am blessed to be able to be with the twins quite often!

TORY

Easton is now 1 year old and growing into a very handsome, very blond, little boy!  Tory went back to work in August and found a wonderful babysitter who he loves to be with. A definite answer to prayer for her and she was not looking forward to leaving him!

Scott and Tory are in the process of buying a house which they hope to be in by Spring 2016.




My Bible verse for this year is from Psalm 43:5: "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."  It reminds me that in spite of all the changes happening in our world, He never changes!

Love and best wishes,
David and Diana