Mara’s 50th!

My name is Cora McDonald and I live in NW Calgary. I met Mara about 20 years ago through Bible College / church. She had 2 young kids at the time and as a young, single woman I was amazed at the confidence and grace with which she parented them. It was inspiring!

As life went on we drifted apart but over the years I would run into her at various worship events throughout the city. She was always full of encouragement and hope and deposited those things into me, even through short interactions.

Now I am married with 3 young kids of my own and I recently reconnected with Mara and once again I am receiving hope and courage (and wisdom!) from her and marveling at the grace with which she loves her friends, her family and her city.

I can honestly say that throughout the years my life has consistently been made richer through interactions with Mara and for that I am profoundly grateful. 

Mara and I met in the mid to late 90s. We were starting a family and Mara was believing God for her family to come. We met at church and became dear friends...enjoying many evenings of chats and puzzling. Happy Birthday OLD dear friend. Much love xo

I have had the joy and pleasure of having Mara in my life since 2015, and it still amazes me how God sets things up!

Mara and my paths didn’t cross accidentally, because there are no accidents or coincidences where God leads. My husband, Shane, was a member of Southside Victory Church’s youth group some years ago, and Rowan and Mara were his youth pastors.

When we made the conscientious decision to find a new home church where our children could thrive, at that point we had just had our fifth child, God used a friend of my husband’s to let us know that Rowan and Mara had started a church right in our neighborhood!

We have been so blessed by Rowan and Mara’s pastoral care, and even more so by their friendship.

Mara is steadfast, thoughtful, kind, always willing to lend a helping hand, and never afraid to give a gentle word of encouragement or to correct your thinking. 

I don’t remember officially meeting Mara, but we met at Southside Victory Church in 2004. I've always admired her calm personality, and it's always a pleasure to hang out with her. She is a true friend. I sure love her

Mara and I met at GVC in 2013. 

We went to a conference in Lake Louise some time after that and shared a room. We went for a walk around the lake and chatted all the way there and back. Mara was pregnant with Charis at the time but she didn’t complain about being tired she just kept marching on. 

Mara was so interesting to get to know with so many talents. Singing, playing piano, her paintings, teaching everything she knows makes her one of the most interesting people. She keeps surprising me with her knowledge and the many great stories she has told me so far. I can’t wait for more…

Mara's and my life crossed paths in the beginning of the Year 2011. I was looking for a new  church and I was just starting to go to Southside victory. I decided to attend a marriage class R&M were offering and that’s where we met.

It was here Rowan and Mara purposely took the time to get to know me. Soon after, they started Gateway Victory Church and I was invited to start that journey with them. 

At one point we were at a funeral together. I was somewhat emotional, and afterwards, Mara came up to me and gave me a big hug and told me that I was so sensitive but she said it in a loving way. My entire life I have never been told that in a loving way. It was always said to me in a way "why are you like that?" or "What is wrong with you"

This interaction became such profound moment in my life. It became part of my healing process of who I am in Christ.

More recently I've gotten to know Mara better. She is a wonderful woman, a teacher, a wife, a mother, a woman of God. She loves to laugh and to sing. She's always ready to give a hug and to lend a ear to listen. When she does hug, she has a tendency to release the tension in my body and I feel much more relaxed when I'm with her. God's influence in her and surrounding her, it affects everyone around her. I am so glad and blessed that I was introduced to her and the rest of the Fraser family

Ohhhh the times we had! Painting with David kilter, building frames together, having coffee, a trip to Canmore! It was all so much fun.

I treasure the times we had and the conversations. You were such a wonderful support when I was struggling with things and you always beat me playing boggle. Ha ha. You always were the smart one.

It has been a long time since I left Calgary and you were one of the relationships that I knew I would really miss. I’m so happy to see your family grow and love you to bits. I wish I could have come to Calgary to celebrate you. But let’s get together the next time I’m up.

I met Mara MANY moons ago when I was 18 years old.  I had the privilege of working with and being taught by Mara at the church, and then the ultimate opportunity of living with her and Rowan before I was married.  

I really got to know Mara in the season I was in her home, and anyone who has ever really gotten to know Mara knows what a gift that is.  From cooking and homemaking to marriage and parenting, to her walk with God, she has graciously shared her wisdom and life experience with me over the years, and I am absolutely more equipped in my role as a woman, wife, and mother for it.

Mara you have been a beautiful treasure in my world, and you are absolutely worth celebrating.

I first met Mara at Gateway in 2013 when our family started going there.  Soon after, we discovered that we were actually neighbours, living in the same neighbourhood.

I have fond memories of visiting with Mara over the years.  Her calm, caring, and thoughtful personality always made this a pleasure and her heart for the Lord is a blessing!

My prayer for Mara is that turning 50 will be like a yummy treat and she will continue to “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psalm 34:8. 

I met Mara around 13 years ago and have noticed over the years the depths of God she carries within. I’m not able to join in on her celebration but trust the evening will be sweet….just like a yummy treat.

I met Mara 20 years ago when I was helping her and Rowan with bookkeeping for their property management company and she quickly became an older sister to me.

She and the family hosted me for weekly dinners before I got to work trying to make sense of Rowan’s receipts and then we would chit chat till much too late in the night.

My most vivid memory with Mara is sitting at their dining room table and doing a puzzle together, and building a beautiful connection as we shared about life challenges and facing them together.

I remember celebrating Mara’s 40th with her and I’m excited to celebrate 50 now too! Happy Birthday Sister! 

loves God, loves people, very loveable