“My dear friends, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always, give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord (and the CHP) because you know that your labour in the Lord (and for the CHP) is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58 revised).

Just when it appeared that life couldn’t get much better and busier - guess what? June showed up on the calendar and brought with it great blessings, huge opportunities and a lot of work. Thank God for His grace that is sufficient and for the joy of the Lord that is our strength.

In the early morning hours of June 1st, we received a phone call from our eldest son that he and his wife had been summoned to the hospital to be present while the birth mother delivered the miracle gift, a new born baby girl that would be lovingly placed into their waiting arms. Truly the “Adoption Option” is a win/win situation with one party relieved and the adoptive couple overjoyed.

On June 3rd, I flew to Calgary to register as a candidate with the returning officer for the Macleod Electoral District and then hold an organizational meeting with my campaign team in Lethbridge.

The next day, I flew to Toronto to help get Linda Gibbons registered in Trinity-Spadina. June the 5th was a much-awaited scheduled meeting with the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario presided over by Cardinal Thomas Collins. We introduced ourselves, and the CHP, to them and received a very warm reception. We were given the opportunity to present our platform and answer their questions. What an opportunity and a privilege!

That evening, I attended a BBQ in Niagara area at which several area EDAs were represented.

Saturday, June 6th was the official launch of Linda (Gibbons) Groce’s campaign with an organizational breakfast meeting followed by the distribution of 1,000 brochures door to door.

I said, “Farewell to Toronto” and flew to Manitoba to worship with my family, pack my bags, pick up my deckled VW Beetle and head back to Alberta.

On my way to Ft. Macleod, I stopped in for a visit and spent the night with (former CHP president) Larry Spencer and his wife, Sue. God willing, we will start rebuilding in Saskatchewan in the near future.

When I arrived in the Macleod area, I hit the ground running and, for the next three weeks, we worked tirelessly from morning to night every day except Sundays. Three All Candidate Forums were held. You can view some of my responses to questions asked at the Claresholm forum here.

We canvassed thousands of homes and businesses throughout the riding with generally good responses. Connections were made with two Hutterite colonies and two First Nations reserves and several seniors’ homes.

Our campaign team did an excellent job in fundraising over $30,000, which enabled us to accomplish what we had hoped.

In the end, the Conservative juggernaut was just too strong and, despite the poor turnout at the polls, their candidate was elected with a strong majority and their campaign team deserves our congratulations. Although we had hoped for a stronger result at the polls, we are now firmly on the political map of Macleod. Approximately 90% of the residents had never even heard of us prior to June and now at least 75% of them know who we are. The CHP is no longer in the basement; we are now established through an effective and highly visible campaign. Several new members have been recruited and a solid core of support has been identified to form an EDA in the near future. There is a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm moving forward towards the 2015 Federal Election.

I would personally like to thank all of you who have contributed in one way or another to the Trinity-Spadina and/or Macleod campaigns, whether through your prayers, your volunteer efforts and/or your donations. I know that I gave it my best shot and I have no regrets. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have kept the faith. Now, there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord... will award to me and not only to me but also to all who long for His appearing.” (There is a reward to all who participate by faith in these campaigns, whatever your role may be).

Again, I personally say, “Thank-you and God bless you; and may God bless Canada!”

Comment on this Communiqué