Summer 2007 Photos

Bill and Mary Ruth,Luke, Sawyer and Brynne,Ashley,Montreat Housing

Summer 2007 Family Update

‘Unusual’ best describes our summer. 

We concluded our 9 month Atlanta volunteer assignment at the Interdenominational Theological Center at the end of May, were ‘at home’ in Stoney Creek about a week before traveling the east coast from NC to CT for nearly a month in order to be in Baltimore for a granddaughter’s surgery, be in Hartford to receive a national volunteer ministry award, be at Mary’s high school class reunion and the church where we were married 41 years ago, and also visit many friends and family members. Then we were ‘at home’ about 10 days and off we went to Texas for a week with grandkids which included surgery for a grandson, followed by a week’s visit from Mary’s brother, Frank, and then we had one week to get ready for our next assignment which started August 17. During our ‘at home’ periods we kept busy connecting with friends and donating some of our organizational skills to our local church, Elon Community UCC, while they reconfigured their physical office space.  Mary helped serve a meal at the emergency night shelter she once directed and, when asked to meet for lunch, shared some work wisdom with Elon’s newest alumni director.  Also we were trying to attend to previously scheduled medical check-ups and follow-ups.  Where did those 2.5 months go??

‘A Retreat Center’ feels like the best place to be right now. 

We have now arrived at our fall volunteer ministry assignment, through the United Church of Christ (UCC) Partners in Service Volunteer Ministries placement service, and are very glad to be at Montreat Conference Center, a mission center of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  You can see more at www.montreat.org.  The center has a long history of volunteers and were well prepared for our arrival. We ‘hit the ground running’ on Monday.   Bill will be the conference center president’s ‘secret shopper’ and Mary will be helping in the development office.   Our 6 room apartment has lots of personality and more than everything we need.  The center’s dining hall is top-notch and a real treat for us.

‘Numerous’ were our family visits this summer. 

In June we visited niece Anne Mabry and family in Altavista VA, met niece Liz Godfrey there, and watched Erika’s all star softball practice.  Then we went on to visit brother, Cal, and Joan at their new home near Winchester, VA, where Mary helped photo wallpaper and then we enjoyed kayaking.  Then we went on to Baltimore to be with David, Christy and Ashley.  Then on to New Jersey (stopped at Bill’s parents’ cemetery) to be with Bill’s sister, Betty, and husband.  In CT we had a breakfast with cousin Jan Chapin Kirby, met Mary’s step-mother, Florence, and her daughter Linda, for lunch in Glastonbury and another day took lunch to cousin Esther in Eastford, (stopped at Mary’s parents’ cemetery).  On the return trip from CT to NC we visited Bill’s cousin, Jean (Ruth) and Elmer, in Bethlehem, PA, and then revisited Cal and Joan and the Mabrys.

‘Catching up’ with friends in CT proves to be a real treat.

We appreciate so much the many overnights of hospitality we received from Sue Kaufman and husband in Farmington and also Jerry and Sara Cross in Lebanon.  Jerry and Kathy Gay met us one day at the Shady Glen and we also enjoyed time spent with Jack and Karen Budd in Marlborough.  One hot evening we went swimming and had dinner with Charlie and Deb Avila in Chaplin. We also visited with cherished family friends, Marge Curtis in Westchester, Evelyn Rowley in Glastonbury and Gloria Bell in Hebron. Mrs. Anita Bailey (former RHAM English teacher of Mary’s) lives in Greensboro NC and flew to CT for the RHAM reunion.  We had great fun chauffeuring her to all reunion events which included an excellent tour of the new RHAM High School by the current principal. 

‘Fixator’ is a new word in our vocabulary. 

In June we were near Sinai Hospital in Baltimore for 11 days to provide help and support for our son, David, and Christy and Ashley who were there for 3 weeks for Ashley’s operation, recovery and therapy from leg lengthening/straightening surgery.  Mary kept extra busy with a portable sewing machine making ‘fixator/robot’ covers for Ashley and other patients.  Messages of love and support on www.thestatus.com (ID=Ruth, Password=Ashley3) have greatly comforted us and Ashley’s parents. What a treat to read good wishes anytime—at the hospital and now at home!   We feel loved and nurtured and blessed.  We help them out in Charlotte occasionally and as called upon. Ashley’s healing process continues; hopefully by Christmas this procedure will be over. This week’s good news is ‘no more turnings’!  The Baltimore doctor is pleased with the progress; her leg is indeed longer and straighter.

‘Interesting’ is this tidbit of information.

While in Baltimore in June, Bill and David visited the Babe Ruth museum which led to contact with the curator.  Although we have always suspected a connection, it’s most probable that our families are related.  Babe Ruth’s grandparents were from Bucks County PA and Bill’s dad’s family came from that general area.  (And Mary thinks our grandson, Luke, looks like Babe Ruth!)

 

‘Sightseeing’ continues to broaden our lives.

 

Our travels around the country are enriched as we take time to absorb local history. This summer we visited Harpers Ferry in WV, the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte and while in PA did some sightseeing at Gettysburg.

 

‘Heart of Mission Award’ honors our volunteering.

 

During the UCC General Synod event in Hartford where Wider Church Ministries recognized us for ‘our commitment to service in diverse settings as Partners in Service volunteers and for fostering connections with local churches’ Bill enjoyed seeing Hartford more ‘alive and spiffed up’ than what he remembers from working there at Travelers Insurance Company from 1971-1990.  With more than 10,000 at the Synod event, it was great fun to ‘run into’ many UCC friends and acquaintances from all over the USA.

‘Playful’ best describes our Texas visit.

In July we were in Texas to be with daughter, Cindi, and family.  Their new house is nearly completed in Grandview TX and it fits right in with their 38 acres and barn with three goats, a John Deere tractor, powerful lawnmowers and several motorcross vehicles. Sawyer, Brynne and Luke each took turns staying with Granma and Granpa at a nearby hotel and we had great fun at the pool and playing lots of games.  Luke had out patient eye surgery while we were there so we took the older ones to see ‘Hairspray’ where Mary saw a yellow dress in the movie exactly like one she wore to a prom in 1961!  Sawyer is soon to be 12 and is playing football for the town team; Brynne is soon to be 8, plays soccer and is active in jump-roping and will compete this year. Luke is soon 6 and warms our hearts as he welcomes and plays with us. Being grandparents 4 times over is just the most fun! The trip to and from Texas was convoluted mostly because we couldn’t make firm plans ahead of time due to the uncertainty of Ashley’s recovery.  We ended up driving to Birmingham AL and flying to Love Field in Dallas and renting a car (a black dodge charger that the grandkids loved!) and then returning to Birmingham via Houston where we were greatly delayed.  We arrived very late at the home of our friends Jerry and Pam Cameron outside of Atlanta for an abbreviated visit and finally got back to Stoney Creek.

‘Blessings’ are being counted every day. 

We give thanks for you being in our lives and are grateful for your love and kindnesses.  Our newest volunteer assignment at Montreat feels just right and we are happy to be here and plan to contribute all we can to this particular ministry. 

 

 

Greetings

Thanks to our niece, Amanda, in Kenya, we are able to experiment with this technical communication vehicle.