Support a friend AND a church!

Sooo... just before we left Scotland I had the pleasure (and honor) to be involved in the production of a FANTASTIC EP by Andy Ashworth. I would consider it a personal favor if any of you who read this BLOG would click HERE and purchase a copy (or 2) of his EP. Andy is the worship pastor at RE:hope AND a great friend. By buying these great tunes you will not only support him and his music BUT you will also support RE:hope and it's work that it is doing in the West End of Glasgow... not a bad deal!

BTW - I am the hi pitched fella you hear singing in the background...

Goodbye our friends...

How do you say goodbye to 5 years of ministry, friendship, love and life?

Words fail me.

As we pulled away from the curb of our house at 70 Lauderdale Gardens in Glasgow for the last time AND said goodbye to some of our closest friends and family the lump in my throat and stomach felt like led weights. I found myself thinking... maybe it isn't too late... maybe this is all wrong... maybe we can undo everything... but then a still (but firm) small (but large) voice in my heart and mind said, "no... follow Me." What else can we do. As God leads SO we follow.

If a picture is worth a thousand words maybe these pictures (all taken within a couple weeks of our move) will say it better than I can write...




































We love you all and will miss you... a part of our heart is now with you.

Grace and peace our Scottish friends.

Lead on Lord.

big move a big deal...

Here is our most recent email to our prayer team... BTW, we shipped everything out yesterday... whew!

Dear prayer team,

We need your prayers now more than ever as we shut down life here at home. I took a few minutes to stop from packing our things to bring back to America (which leaves in the morning) and I was flooded with so many different emotions. For those of you who have been praying... thank you so much. Our family is truly doing amazing, I know this is only through the prayers of His people!

We could sure use some prayers in these areas:

1. For our shipping day tomorrow - that it would go as planned and that the cost would not go up from what we were quoted. We truly don't have much but what we are bring back is our most treasured possessions. It does feel weird to put all you have on a boat and hope to see it on the other side!

2. For the kids (especially Duncan) as they say good bye in their own ways to the only home they have known in their little life. This might be the hardest part, watching them wade through the emotions of how to understand the why.

3. For our furlough - in the midst of leaving Scotland we are trying to do a proper furlough. With so many details on our minds and on paper it has been all to much on our brains. Pray that GOD would help us focus as we fund raise, meet with people, host Open Houses, BBQ's and chatting with people about the direction of the McDonald Clan.

The emotions are running high in our house today and I'm sure tomorrow, so thank you for all your prayers they are felt!!!

Much love, McDonald clan

simpler

Mark 10:21

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

It is AMAZING how much stuff we have.

I mean, I consider us a pretty simple family (especially in light of having 4 kids) AND STILL we have given away, thrown away and donated trucks full of stuff. It is remarkable. We moved to Scotland with very little and have bought almost nothing since we have lived here these past 5 years BUT we have accumulated so much stuff... and not all of it is junk! We have given away some really great things that have served us very well for these past 1847 days. And we have recycled and donated loads of toys, dishes, toys, electronics, toys, linens, toys, decorations, toys, clothes and, oh yeah, toys! Till... all we are left with is a single mound (which is currently sitting in our kids room). It's the most precious stuff. Britany's tea set. A couple antique dressers. My bike (which I will definitely start riding when I get to San Diego). Our emac. Pictures, papers, cards and cloth. And, of course, some toys. All of which fits into a 11x5x7 space... still feels like a lot though. And, depending on which of my friends is reading this right now (those in India or those in North America) it may seem like a lot or a little. BUT, one thing I WILL say is that it feels freeing.

I love giving stuff away.

Every time a little more space is created in our household I feel a little more space in our life. Everything just seems simpler. I wonder how often we read verses like the one above and ask oursleves why it is that Jesus puts so many limitations on following Him. I mean, come on... sell everything?!? Surely He is exagerating for effect. Surely He must know how much I need this stuff... Or maybe He knows how much we don't... hmm... makes you wonder.