Dad-Pap

Wayne Franklin McLaughlin

August 11, 1927 – August 20, 2021

Wayne McLaughlin

LOVING LIFE

Just like Snow White, he was deceived into accepting a rotten apple even though others could see suspicion of it coming. This was no fault of his own unless trusting people is a fault. As unfortunate as this was, it was a blessing for both of us for such a time as this. He was able to get away from the evil and it gave me the privilege of spending 9 months with my dad to be able to hear stories that I never had the privilege of hearing. It was a blessing to me even though I would have never wished for him to be in the position he was in due to the behavior of those that he not only trusted but also did a lot for.  I believe he trusted them because he would have never done such a thing to others so he trusted others to behave appropriately also.

I am happy to say, his life overall was satisfying and he made the most of it. He had wonderful family members and friends that he loved being around and sharing whatever he had which made wonderful memories for us. He shared his time and his talents to give people moments to cherish.


I hope to continue to share some of his stories here as I have time and as those stories come to mind. Stop back for updates.


For now, I can say that he was a hard worker and committed to following through on his promises. My parents divorced when I was three with my mom moving 1.5 hours away and I remember him faithfully every other weekend driving to pick me up for visits and dropping me off after visits. I am grateful for the time I spent with him during those years in the truck with him hauling oil or coal, riding my pony (that would throw me off and run to the barn and dad would send me to get him), planting and harvesting (I especially remember potatoes). Later in life I was able to ride horses and he would saddle up horses for my children and hitch up a buggy or cart to give everyone a ride. I believe it was my 5th birthday that we had a big party with family and friends and a hay ride. Many happy memories. My wedding had a special touch of him making the drive bringing the horse and buggy to take us from the church to the park. I appreciate that effort and those that helped in that endeavor. 

I am going to skip over to the few weeks prior to his passing. He had been doing great until about 2 months before he passed. Those two months point back to a specific event and were straight downhill. During those two months even with his increasing difficulties, he was able to make a 2.5-hour drive to spend 10 days with his brother, Norman, which I am so grateful to Susan for making that possible. He made the drive back home in time to spend two days at the fair in his belt trailer and going around to see the animals, especially enjoying the horses and purchasing a Trump hat.

Wayne McLaughlin
LOVING THE FAIR

His passing seemed to be quicker than I expected, With the weakness increasing, I still felt there would be a time of disability but nope, he did not allow that. When the weakness became too much, he was not interested. The day before he passed, he called me in to his room and asked for a pill. I said, “I don’t have a pill.” He asked again and I asked, “Are you talking about dying?” He said, “Yes, I can’t take this anymore.” I said, “Dad, I don’t have a pill for that. Jesus is in control of that. You need to talk to Him.” He turned away from me and said, “Jesus, I can’t take this anymore.” He then turned back to me and said, “Now give me a pill.” I chuckled but had to tell him once again that, “I don’t have a pill.” His request was answered by Jesus the following afternoon, with him being called into eternity. He was in the process for the last 4 months preparing to set up to continue with his leather work. That may have been cut short but it is my prayer that his grandchildren will continue his legacy here on Earth and he has a shop and horses on the other side, more than he could have imagined and beyond his wildest dream. May our blessings live on in our memories until we gather together again. It is because of Jesus that we have this hope.

God Can Get You Through “It”

I went to a Gordon Mote concert. As Gordon took us through a series of songs, it occurred to me how God had a plan in my life that I could have never understood as I began to walk with God. In my late teens, maybe early 20’s, our pianist at our church chose a song for me to sing. It was Through It All. That song resonated with me because it is not easy to be a teen or a young person and not have some struggles. I was thankful at that time for the struggles that God brought me through for I knew I would not be the person I was becoming without the struggles that God allowed.  I believe those struggles may be greater today for teens, but I don’t know some say it is the same but it probably depends on our perspective and our experience. That is a long time back to remember but I believe I knew then that no matter what I would face, God would be there to get me through it.

Through It All

As Gordon Mote finished that song, he said he didn’t know what the “it” was in everyone’s life but we all have an “it” that God can bring us through. Some of you know what my “it” is during this season of my life and I would have never expected to be where I am today. Gordon went on later to sing Something Beautiful. We had just sang that song in church the Sunday before and I was thinking how it says that God brings beauty when we bring him our confusion, our brokenness and strife. I think of the confusion we bring to Him when we come to Him for salvation. In the midst of my current confusion, I believe that God can bring beauty from any confusion that we go through while we walk with Him. When I mention confusion, I don’t mean the kind satan throws at us but the confusion of now knowing God’s plan in the situation and what outcome He is striving for or how long it is going to take.

Something Beautiful

 I am not sorry for my struggles that God is allowing because I know that I am stronger because of them. One thing I believe I am doing is making Satan sorry for even trying to mess with me and someone that I love. I don’t plan on stopping that mission. I am waiting for the beauty that will come from the confusion that I am currently going through with my “it”. God is good in the midst of  anything that comes our way that we may be confused about. We don’t always know what God is doing but we can know that it will be right because God is always right.

Something Good Is About To Happen

Humble yourselves and pray looking to heaven expecting Him to work in your situation.

Praise Him in all things no matter what your current situation. He will get you through it.

I believe the longer and the closer you walk with Christ, the more you will see the fingerprints He has made in your life before you even realized how much He was there with you, even before you were walking with Him. Once you begin walking with Him, you will realize He was there all the time. You will begin to see those fingerprints that you didn’t notice at the time and they will mean more to you than they would have then.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Love from Jesus

This Christian Valentine message
sends you love I got from Jesus,
love I learned from the gospels,
found in His words,
His actions, His example.
This Christian Valentine saying
conveys love I didn’t have
before I was saved,
couldn’t relate to or understand
before I gave my life to the Lord.
On Valentine’s Day,
know that I love you and want to
lift you up, encourage you and serve you.
Happy Valentine’s Day!

By Joanna Fuchs