David Mac Donald

I wish I had known about Dave Mac Donald and Ringfinders (2017)

I wish I had known about Dave Mac Donald and Ringfinders months ago. My engagement/wedding rings were lost on the beach just before Thanksgiving. Less than a week later sand was shifted by bulldozers and pipes were laid to begin dredging the harbor. We also have had the worst rain to hit the area in a decade. I tried several times on my own with a friend to go over the area with a metal detector, to no avail. I was feeling really disappointed and crushed that this cherished symbol of love and marriage that I intended to pass down to my granddaughter was lost forever. But I was having a hard time accepting the reality of that fact.

More than six months later I thought I would make one more desperate attempt and posted an ad. While I was nervous about what kind of person might respond, I was blessed that Dave found my ad and offered to help. I am a firm believer that "God does not close a door without opening a window"'. Dave and his helper came down to the beach, made a huge grid of the area and set off to work. I was uplifted and hopeful that they were also Christians and we prayed for God's help. After they conducted a methodic and thorough search for hours, it was determined that maybe the ring was too deep in the sand and might require more sensitive equipment. Dave acquired the equipment and searched again. He put tremendous effort into finding my ring, but unfortunately, it has not been recovered. Yet. There is a possibility that the ring settled a few feet below where it was lost (which I understand is common), but due to the build up of several feet of sand during this time of year, it may still be hidden there. Dave has assured me that he will keep on the quest as conditions change. I hope it may yet be found. It may be a few months or a year, or maybe never. But I feel as though every effort was made, and will be made, on my behalf. It has lightened the load on my heart a little.

There are other things in life and family that mean more. I am grateful that God brought Dave to me. He has been a blessing. I hope to hear from him again someday with the news that he has found my ring. But even if that never happens, at least I know we did all that we could. And I have a good man praying for my family and I.

Thank you,

Cathie Schmalholz