2025 in Review
So 2025 is almost over. As I look back, I recognize that this has been one of the most life-changing years that I have had. Mostly in a good way.
At the start of the year, my work consisted of pastoring at Brookfield Baptist Church and being a chaplain with 3 Intelligence Company, while helping out with the Nova Scotia Highlanders. Things would change quickly.
In January, I was able to be incremental instructional staff to teach an online course at the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre (CFChSC). At the time, I had no idea how important this would be.
In May, I transferred from 3 Intelligence Company to Nova Scotia Highlander as my home unit, although I continue to help at 3 Int.
In June and July, I once again had the opportunity to teach at the CFChSC, this time in-person and not just online. This was an incredible experience for me as something just clicked. I felt like this was what I meant to do.
This was the longest time away that I have had since being in the information. Unfortunately, this overlapped with Emma’s high school graduation. Fortunately, the school let me go back to Nova Scotia for a few days to attend the graduation. I’m glad that happened as I was so proud of her for accomplishing this.
One of the things that took place during the summer was that a brand new position was opening up a CHChSC, this time not for incremental instructors but for a permanent instructor. I quickly applied.
I need to make it clear that this was not because of any issues with Brookfield Baptist Church, but because this was my dream job. In fact, resigning from the church was a very difficult moment for me as they had treated our family so well.
I did get the position and then it was time to figure out the details. Would I go and the rest of the family live in Nova Scotia? Would we move closer to Logan and Abby? Would we move closer to CFB Borden? Nothing was certain for a long time.
Then it came together. Everybody would move back to Ontario. We found a house in Wasaga Beach, less than half an hour from CFB Borden. Amanda and Faith (and the cats) flew to Ontario and Justus, Emma, and I (and our dog) drove to Ontario.
In the midst of all this, Amanda has done a tremendous amount of work to keep us on track and taking care of the important details. Emma graduated and now will be starting her first full-time job in January. Justus, who had left a job he enjoyed in Nova Scotia, has started a new full-time job that he enjoys even more. Faith is finishing off high school online and will be done in January.
Amanda and I have started attending a church in Wasaga Beach and I am helping out a bit at the protestant chapel at Borden. We are slowly getting to know people.
We have now spent our first Christmas back in Ontario. We are enjoying our new home and getting things set up. There are still many details to work out, but in general things are going well.
I do not want to give off the impression that everything has been easy. We have had our share of disappointments and there were times we felt like there was no way forward.
However, we feel good about the path that life has taken us. While we miss Nova Scotia and the people we met, it feels right to back in Ontario, at least for this season.
I cannot predict what I will say in my “2026 in Review” post but I am hoping for a great year.
