My Biography - wedding

Well on May 2nd 1998 I finally got married to a wonderful lady named Beverley Louise Chapman. We actually met online believe it or not, at a Christian Singles Web Site.

Leading up to the wedding, God was with us in the selling of our condo's and buying a house. We'd put her condo up for sale on a Saturday, it would sell on Monday. The next Saturday we'd look for a house, and after about 8 houses we picked the one we're presently in. The Saturday after that I'd put mine up for sale and have it sold the next week. It was almost like clock work. The real estate agent kept saying we must be living right because things are working out for us so well.

The new Mr. & Mrs. McLaughlin

In September '98, I was laid off from Schlumberger due to low oil prices and so on. With that, I had to look fast for either another job, or take advantage of the situation and increase my skills.

I choose the latter, to increase my skills and knowledge. I enrolled in a small business course through Employment Insurance and learned how to conduct my own business. During the evening, I'd take Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer courses. This all at the same time. I was literally sick to my stomach sometimes from all the information coming at me.

But God looks after me. We can pay our bills and mortgages from the severance pay I received from Schlumberger, and from the contract work I get doing my small business.

I'm teaching all over Alberta now, doing well, recovered from a huge financial ($11,000) and emotional loss (trust) from working at ATTA (Advanced Training and Technical Academy) where the very people I trusted like my own kin turned on me an many other students. I haven't heard their side yet, but I do have a soft spot in my heart for them, Gord and Lynda Wilson, I hope things work out and they repent and not live under condemnation from the damage they have done to many lives.

My wife has a great testimony on her deliverance from depression - click here to hear it!

I still pray for my past relationships and the kids, I hope they do forgive me for not being there, but I needed to get my head on straight, I was an emotional shipwreck back in 95'. Like Rayna, Doug, Jonathan, then Stacey and Teena. I still think of them and pray for them often same with Lynn and Carolyn that God's grace and His love would be abundant in their lives.

Life moves on, Rayna has beautiful daughter I believe, and Doug has two great kids. Stacey and Teena are in their teens and I wish them all the best.

But as one of my pastors once told me "keep on keeping on". So remember to smile, because Jesus loves you.

cheers
tom.