Where in the World??

Loved the T.V show “Where in the World is Carmen Dan Diego.”

But some have recently asked….”Where in the World is Matt MacDonald.”

In short…everywhere. Between Home///The Cottage///Relative’s Houses’…we’ve been like a touring circus.

Summer for me is really a time to unplug (not fully…did that for a week and almost died!) but just generally. I will be back to full-time blogging in September…WITH….drum-roll please…A NEW DESIGN.

My good friend Tyler has been working on a new blog lay-out for me over the summer and I am EXCITED to drop it in this space!

It’s Family Time.

This weekend my whole family is getting together in London, Ontario for a family reunion. We don’t do it that often, so when we do, it always is an interesting event.

I’m heading to London tomorrow to hang out with THIS GUY for the day and then will be staying over at THIS GUY’S house on Friday night.

Family is a funny thing. I try to live by the philosophy of “Family First” which is not always easy…but is best.

Me & My Girl

Hailey and I decided before Stella was born not to plaster the Internet with baby pictures (like it seems many are these days). It’s sad to say, but you just don’t know who is looking around, and it would be irresponsible of us to document every waking moment of our daughter’s life for the world to see. That said, we do post pictures now and then so family and friends can get an update on what the little lass looks like. Here are some great shots from when we were up @ our cottage last week…I love her more than I can even explain.

Getting a little Love

In Dad’s Arms

Rock’n the Glasses

Looking @ Something Important

Refusing to Sleep

Technology Fast

Next week I am “out of the office.”  Since I started working, I have never really “turned-off” for any extended period of time.  SO, after a challenge from my wife, my parents and my token-Aussie friend (who doesn’t read my blog anyway) I am committing to fast from cell phone/email/twitter/blogging/etc. for one week.  It does not sound like a lot (and for some people it isn’t, but for me its huge).  I guess its like anything we’re “addicted” too…for me to give up alcohol for a week would not be even the slightest of a challenge…but for an alcholic…it would be a momentous accomlishment.

The Internet, and technology are such a huge part of my life…for business, for social networking, for everything…SO, for this week, it all comes down.  I am handing my  iphone and macbook pro to my wife and will replace the time with family time, reading and prayer…it’s exciting.  THIS GUY did this for a month and seemed to have a breakthrough…here’s hoping I don’t quit my job when I come back like he did :S

See you in a week!

At The Lake

I am here.  My second home.  Muskoka…God’s Country.

I love it up here..it’s a time of relaxation, family and the occasional bit of work (yesterday was “cut the lawn for 2 hours day”).

So far it’s rained non-stop since we got here (except for the 2-hour lawn-cutting window).  BUT, I don’t care…that’s how much I love the cottage.

One other thing that makes it particularly special this time is that it’s Stella’s first time.  I twittered when we got here a picture of my dad and daughter out on the dock…many more visits to come!

Summer is Coming

So it’s pretty much here.

The weather is now consistently nice…

The big-budget blockbusters are flowing like milk&honey in the promise land…

I feel the desire to golf every day of the week…

The cottage is calling my name…

BUT.

Work is CRAZY right now.  It’s mind boggling the number of files that keep piling up and meetings that continue to be scheduled.  Between work and the baby…summer preparation has been on hold.  Sure I’ve mowed the grass a few times, played golf once or twice, but the anticipation of “time off” is killing me and seems like it will never come.  On July first I head north (with “some” work in hand) for a few days.  It will be the first time I have been up there since February and the first time that my daughter can be introduced to God’s Country…Muskoka.

So…summer, thanks for being patient, I will be with you momentarily.

It’s Been Too Long.

It has been a good week or so since last posted, and even longer since I last posted anything of substance.

Stuff has gone from crazy busy (tax season) to really relaxed to crazy busy again.  Here’s a quick rundown on what’s been going on…

Well, first off, tax season is over (praise the Lord).  I really appreciate the prayers and encouragement from many of you to press on!  Once May 1st came, I took a day off, hung out with Hailey, did some yard work, and in general loved coming home @ 6pm rather than 11pm.

This past Thursday we had our final Dr.’s appointment to find out if Hailey needs a C-Section (the baby is full blown frank-breech). So, the C-Section is scheduled for May 21st (roughly 10 days from now)….VERY exciting!

This weekend my whole family and a bunch of friends are coming over for a pre-baby, new-house, my-birthday celebration. It will be good to have everyone together.

Other than that…things are good. The new house is great! Hailey’s “present” for my b-day this year is to set-up a sweet home office. We had a desk and all the essentials, but we went out a bought a cool couch, side table, etc. to make the room a really sweet space.

Well, that is it for this update…more to come soon on many other cool things in the works right now!

Big Weekend

This weekend is a big one. An exciting one. A relaxing one. I will meet some new people, play some songs and praise the Lord.

This Sunday the York Region Elders are being commissioned. I am going back to lead worship as my first time not on staff but as a ‘guest’…that will be interesting.

Hailey and I are going down to Markham tomorrow and staying in a hotel overnight. This will be a great little ‘getaway’ and will also limit the drive in the morning (yahoo!).

All that said. I am looking forward to the weekend, and am expectant for the Lord to do big things!

Weekend Done

This weekend Hailey I and went to London, Ontario for visit family.

We had a great time with her brother and my grandparents. This morning we went to Harvest London. I have some great friends on staff there. I always feel at home when I go there, and often leave feeling like I could easily call it my home church (and would if it wasn’t 2 hours away). After church we hit an all-you-can-eat sushi joint with Hailey’s family and my brother.

This morning Steve Toombs (the worship guy @ Harvest London) did a good job leading and focusing the people on coming before the Lord in a time of song.

Here is how some highlights…

Opening/Call to Worship

Our God Saves
Come Thou Fount (alternate arrangement)
Happy Day
Everthing (Hughes)

Message (Joshua 3)

Everlasting God

It is always great being a part of the congregation. This is something that I’m not overly familiar with (because in past I am usually leading), but definately something that I will get used to as I move away from my role @ Harvest York Region, and back into the congregation @ Harvest Oakville.

This is part of Fred’s thang @ Sunday Set Lists.

The Weekend

There’s nothing better than a fresh Saturday morning and a weekend ahead of you. It WILL be a good day.