Ruth Anne Metcalf
Ruth Anne Metcalf's Christmas 2013 Message
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Ruth Anne Metcalf's Christmas 2013 Message |
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You probably have already
received via e-mail Ruth Anne's great Christmas greeting for 2009
January 1, 2009
Hello Everyone!
Hope you and yours are
enjoying a lovely holiday season! Instead of sending you my usual Christmas
letter, I decided to do something a little different this year. In the interest
of saving time and the environment, I decided to send you this Christmas E card.
Did you know that ....
St. Francis of Assisi was instrumental in making the Christmas celebration one for the people instead of just for the clergy. He created large nativity scenes outside of his church and translated many of the Christmas carols from Latin into languages spoken by the average person and encouraged them to sing these songs to express their joy during the Christmas season. My thoughts: I don't know how many of you enjoy Christmas caroling, but for me this year it was especially poignant. One of our choir members is dealing with illness and the choir went to her home and sang Christmas Carols. It was truly inspirational and we hope, healing to our friend.
Advent Wreaths are formed into circles symbolizing the circle of life, rebirth
with the upcoming New Year, and God's unending
love for his followers. They are made of Evergreen branches (from
Christmas tree firs, with all the symbolism associated with Christmas trees) and
the green color is to remind followers of the renewal that will come with
spring. My
thoughts: In light of all that has happened this past year, this concept offers
a lot of hope. I think about my Mom and Dad's strong faith
that God would lead them to his perfect peace. Surely we can all have hope that
this new year will bring us new insights.
Finally, I should probably
give you a few updates. My family is doing fine. My Brother Dick and his family
just moved back to Seattle. He is still with the army at Ft. Lewis.
My Sister and her husband are also thriving.
Geri works at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and my Brother-in-Law is
studying at Asbury Seminary (long distance).
I am doing fine. Of course, the budget cuts at the State Library make me think more and more about retirement. My kitties Smokey and Princess are as ornery as ever. I went to my fortieth High School reunion this year. Funny how it seems that we always gravitate to the same folks we hung out with in school.
I hope you and yours have
a wonderful holiday season and a very safe and happy
new year!!!
Your Friend,
Ruth Metcalf Cell: 614-203-4720 Email: rmetcalf@columbus.rr.com
December, 2007
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Dear Friends,
This has been a very eventful year. Mother has now gone to her wonderful reward in heaven. She was 93 years young. Geri and I are SO blessed to have had her with us for these last three years. We laughed with her, we cried with her and above all we prayed with her right up to the end. Click here to go to Mother's remembrance page.
Above is a picture of Mom and me in Midland, Michigan last April. It was a beautiful sunny day and Mom and I had a great time looking at the Midland Gardens. We were in Midland for a special celebration of Mom and Dad and their work at the Midland Bethel Church of the Nazarene.
My brother, Dick and his family, are now in Hawaii. He is stationed on Oahu with the army.
I continue to attend the Worthington Christian Church and sing with the choir. I especially enjoy the Sunday School class and the discussions we have on a variety of topics.
Geri and Greg are still living nearby. Geri continues to work at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Greg is now studying theology at Ashland University. He also has a part time job working at the Mount Vernon Nazarene Church.
Hope you and yours have a safe and happy Holiday Season!
Your Friend,
Ruth
Ruth Metcalf
614-203-4720
December, 2006
Dear Friends,
I can hardly believe that another year has come and gone. Time seems to go
faster each year.
Mother and I are doing very well. Mom celebrates her 93rd birthday on
December 14th and I keep telling her that she is going to live to be 100.
My brother, Dick, and his family are doing well. Dick's wife, Kim, has her
hands full. She is taking care of her sister's three children ranging in
age from six years old through age eleven. I admire her ability to take on
such challenges.
Last year I told you that my brother had signed up under contract to the Army.
We were concerned that he would be traveling to Iraq. He did go to Iraq
last spring and we are very pleased that he made it back safe and sound.
He is now stationed near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and he seems to be enjoying
it. Hopefully, he will be here in the states through early 2008.
The highlight of my year was having my brother come to Ohio for his sixtieth
birthday. I managed to surprise him with a visit from his oldest son,
Arthur. Art now lives in Huntsville, Alabama with his wife, and I told him
to come for his dad's birthday, but that it would be a surprise. It worked
out so perfectly! We were just sitting down to dinner the Friday that Dick
arrived and the doorbell rang. It was his son and he was indeed very
surprised to see him! Geri and Greg met us for breakfast the next day and
we shared with Dick a virtual photo album of his life. He joked that he
could use the letters and the photo album for two purposes - birthdays and his
funeral. We all had a great time together!
I continue to attend the Worthington Christian Church and sing with the choir.
I especially enjoy the Sunday School class and the discussions we have on a
variety of topics.
I am still working at the State Library of Ohio as a Library Consultant.
Just a few more years before I retire.
Geri and Greg are still living nearby. Geri continues to work at Mount
Vernon Nazarene University. She also works at another local college in
Circleville a few days a week. Greg is now studying theology at Ashland
University. I have told him that I think he would make a wonderful
professor!
Hope you and yours have a safe and happy Holiday Season!
Your Friend,
Ruth
Ruth Metcalf
614-52309183
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September 25, 2006
Hello Everyone!!
I just wanted to report that all of your remembrances of my Brother were well received. Thanks so much!
Everything went like clockwork too for his special birthday weekend! His son, Arthur, who lives in Alabama, intercepted Paul's email about sending greetings and that included the slide show with pictures. He emailed me afterward to say he wanted to come up.
I said fine, but I wanted to keep it a surprise, which we managed to do.
Dick arrived here last Friday, about 1 p.m. He and I spent the afternoon together doing errands and such. It was difficult for me to keep things under wrap, but I managed.
We had just sat down to dinner that night and about 7 p.m. the doorbell rang. Art came in and my Brother was SO SURPRISED! It was all worth it!
The next morning we went out to brunch with my Sister and her Husband. We shared our Birthday greetings and laughed a lot. We showed him all of your remembrances. Then we traveled to a local library with WIFI and viewed the slide show. He was very pleased and immediately sent it on to his wife and friends and dowloaded it to his USB stick.
Of course to top it all off we had LOTS OF FOOD! He requested scalloped potatoes and ham which I made. For dessert we had a German chocolate cake which he asked for.
It was a wonderful time. Thanks again for your letters. We really appreciate it and it made the weekend special.
Sincerely,
Your Cousin, Niece, Aunt, etc.
Ruth Anne
September 22, 2006
Dick is recently back from Iraq, and his sister, Ruth Anne, is throwing him a surprise birthday party. Stay tuned for details of that event!
In the meantime, stroll down memory lane by clicking on this link that Ruth Anne provided:
http://rmetcalf3.photosite.com/
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December, 2005
Once again another year has come and gone. A lot has happened in our lives as well as across our country.
Mother and I are doing very well. Other than a few small health issues, we are both well. Mom celebrates her 92nd birthday on December 14th and I keep telling her that she is going to live to be 100.
My brother, Dick, and his family, have now settled into life in their new home in Washington. My nephew, Andy, graduated from high school and is now attending junior college studying business.
Last year I told you that my brother had signed up under a contract to the Army. We were concerned that he would be traveling to Iraq. Unfortunately, things have now changed and he will be going to Iraq. He will be on a five month rotation (five months there and four months home). He will be leading a team and living in a secure compound. He assured me that it was secure. He said that the only person who had been a casualty who had served in this capacity had gone to the gym. He said I could rest assured that he wouldn't be going to the gym. Dick will be deployed in early January.
Please pray for my brother's safety and assurance that God is with him during these times. Every night, as I watch this war unfold, I think how tragic it all is. I hope and pray it ends soon and stops this needless tragedy.
I am singing with the Worthington Christian Church Choir. These things fill my spirit with joy, not to mention the wonderful friends I have made!
My latest remodeling binge was to re-do my mother's room last summer. It is much cheerier and she has a nice new closet as well. I also did my other two closets. It seems I get the remodeling "bug" at least once a year.
Greg, my brother-in-law, continues to serve at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene as their Music Minister. He was on sabbatical last summer and Geri and he traveled all over the country. The highlight of their summer was traveling to Alaska. The family gave money toward the purchase of a digital camera. Geri works at Mount Vernon College and applies her able talents to coordinating the chapel ministry there. Of course, now you should call her Dr. Geraldine Rosser, as he finished her Ph.D. last year.
Hope you and yours have a safe and happy Holiday Season!
Ruth Ann Metcalf
614-523-0193
Christmas, 2004
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Dear Family and Friends,
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven ... a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to hear, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh ..." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4
This passage seems fitting this holiday season as life has changed abundantly. My father passed away last December 21ar after over 30 years of service to the church. He had been serving in Midland, Michigan when he died. My ninety-year-old mother now lives with me. She and I have begun to adjust to one another and we have shared tears and laughter in the last few months.
Mother is doing very well and she is happy and healthy. She will be 91 on December 14th and I keep telling her that she is going to live to be 100. If her health is any indication, she may do that. Then (as I tell her) we can trip the light fantastic when I retire! |
My brother, Dick, and his family, have now settled into life in their own home in Washington. My nephew, Andy, will soon graduate from high school. Mom and I just received pictures of him. He is quite the strapping young man.
Last year I told you that my brother had signed up under contract to the army. We were concerned that he would be traveling to Iraq. Fortunately, it all worked out so he wouldn't have to go. He is traveling around the country teaching how to use a special program he developed that caught the Army's eye. We are all very happy that he isn't in Iraq. Every night as I watch this war unfold, I think how tragic it all is. I hope it ends soon, but I don't hold much hope out.
I am singing with the Worthington Christian Church Choir. These things fill my spirit with joy, not to mention the wonderful friends I have made! |
I just finished remodeling my basement and my bedroom and bathroom. I had never taken on quite so much at one time. I am very pleased with the result, but the dust and inconvenience sometimes were taxing. However, I love the results!
Greg, my brother-in-law, continues to serve at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene as their Music Minister. Last summer his church "roasted" him for his twenty years of service there. He took it quite well considering it was a lot of attention. Geri works at Mount Vernon College and applies her able talents to coordinating the chapel ministry there.
Hope you and yours have a safe and happy Holiday Season!
Yours, Ruth Metcalf (614) 523-0193 |
December, 2003
Dear Friends,
Seasons come and seasons go, but now is the time to say hello! Once again the year has flown by and there is much to report to all of you.
My father continues to serve at a church in Midland, Michigan. He seems to be dealing with the challenges of managing the church very well. Another big event this Fall is that my mother will turn 90 on December 14th. Can you believe it? We are having a party for her in Midland on December 17th.
My brother, Dick, and his family, have now settled into life in their own home in Washington. My nephew Andy's big news this year is that he now has his own hotrod ... as long as he keeps his grades up, that is. My brother's big news is that he has signed up under contract to the Army; and sometime late next year he will be traveling to Iraq. He will be doing help desk work for them over there. We are all more than a bit apprehensive about this move, but he and his family are handling it well. Say a prayer that he will be safe as he travels to this troubled area of the world.
As for my job situation, we "dodged the bullet" last year as far as the State Library is concerned. We didn't have to lay off people as we had thought we would. They have done some reorganizing though, and it still continues to be difficult to adjust to these changes. I think the best way of dealing with it is to have outside interests. I am still singing with the Worthington Songsters and with the Worthington Christian Church Choir. These things fill my spirit with joy, not to mention the wonderful friends I have made!
Last summer, my friend Lynn and I traveled to Upper Michigan to enjoy the sights of Mackinac Island. On the way we stopped at my parents' home in Midland. We had a simply wonderful time! We biked around the island and stayed in a nice hotel along the lake. I highly recommend this trip if you haven't taken it!
Greg, my brother-in-law, continues to serve at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene as their Music Minister. My sister, Geri, works at Mount Vernon College and applies her able talents to coordinating the chapel ministry there. The big news is that my sister, Geri, finished her doctorate this summer! We will all converge on Columbus to watch her take her certificate at graduation. We are all very proud of her!
Hope you and yours are safe and happy this Christmas! During these trying times we must remember that Christ is our refuge! I am especially thankful this year for your friendship! Blessings to you and yours!
Your friend,
Ruth Metcalf
Ruth Metcalf
614-523-0193
rannmetcalf@netzero.net
December 2002
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Dear Friends, I can hardly believe it is this time of year again! Seems like the year has flown by for all of us! There is lots of news to report to you. |
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You will recall that my parents moved from Ohio to Michigan. My father was called to serve at a church in Midland, Michigan that he served over 20 years ago. My dad is dealing with fatigue and some issues related to the heart these days, so if you think about it say a prayer for him. |
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My brother, Dick, and his family have now settled into life in their own home in Washington. He and his wife, Kim, and their son Andy, had been renting their home to someone else. My brother just reported today that he is now on a regular schedule with a job he found recently. We are very happy that he has found something steady and reliable in these tough times. |
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The biggest news this year is that the tough times I alluded to have also hit the State Library of Ohio. There are many changes on the horizon, so I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers in the next few months. Things could get tough here too. |
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I also dealt with rotator cuff surgery as well. A long recovery, but thanks to Mom and Dad staying with me, and the help of some dear friends, it was much easier to bear. I couldn't drive for six or seven weeks. I am still on the mend with lots of exercises and therapy work. |
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On a happier note, I did do some major renovation of my condo this year. I put down laminate flooring in my family room. I LOVE IT! I also put in a new closet upstairs. I used California Closets and now it is much easier to find things. |
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| Greg, my brother-in-law, continues to serve at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene as their Music Minister. My sister, Geri, works at Mount Vernon College and applies her able talents to coordinating the chapel ministry there. Geri is on the verge of finishing her Ph.D. in music in between her busy schedule. | |
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Hope you and yours are safe and happy this Christmas! During these trying times, we must remember that Christ is our refuge! I am especially thankful this year for your friendship! Blessings to you and yours! |
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| Your friend, Ruth Metcalf 614-523-0193
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December, 2001 Dear Friends, What a year this has been, not only for my family, but of course, for the whole country! About six months after last year's holiday letter to you, my parents moved from Ohio to Michigan. My father was called to serve at a church in Midland, Michigan that he served over 20 years ago. He and mom are doing great and the folks at Midland Bethel Church of the Nazarene love him and he loves them too! My brother, Dick, lost his job in Troy, Michigan and they decided to move back to the state of Washington. We will miss having him closer to the family. The highlight of my year was traveling to Nova Scotia in July and August for a three week vacation. My friend Carol and I flew into Halifax on August 24th, rented a car and drove around the Bay of Fundy. We also took a tour of the Cabot Trail. Nova Scotia is the most friendly place I have ever been! The unspoiled beauty of this county is not to be missed! I highly recommend it! Greg, my brother-in-law, continues to serve at Shepherd Church of the Nazarene as their Music Minister. Mi sister, Geri, works at Mount Vernon College and applies her able talents to coordinating the chapel ministry there. Geri is now working on getting her Ph.D. in Music. She will be the first one in our family to become a "Doctor." Hope you and yours are safe and happy this Christmas! During these trying times, we must remember that Christ is our refuge! I am especially thankful this year for your friendship! Blessings to you and yours! Ruth Anne Metcalf 614-523-0193 rmetcalf@57004946@aolc.om |
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In the wake of the terrorist bombing of New York's World Trade Center, I think the best course of action the U.S. should take is: |
This is a really tough question. I think we need to take action since, as Bush said, "We are now in a war." However, I think whatever we do as a nation, it should not be done in vengeance and should be done with prayerful consideration of those whose lives will be affected in Afghanistan and beyond. I think if we create a situation where we are killing many innocents in other countries, we are no better than the terrorists.
Of course, these extremists (notice I did not say Islamic), see us as the devil incarnate and they will probably go to any lengths to destroy our life and our liberties.
I think that we are on the verge of some very troubling times, much like what the book of Revelation speaks of. I think we will be asked to take a stand that will be costly both on foreign soil and here at home as well.
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I am coping and dealing with this national tragedy (along with my family and friends) by ... |
Initially, I called my sister, brother, and Mom and Dad to let them know that I love them very much. At times like this we all realize how much we need each other, and how short life really is.
I have to be honest and say that I am still a bit shell-shocked and also somewhat fearful. I travel a lot in my work and it does give one pause about air travel.
I am coping with this tragedy by trying to understand the situation to the best of my limited abilities. I read as much as I can about the Islam culture, watch a variety of news from different perspectives and, above all, pray that the situation will be dealt with in God's time and that whatever happens, as a Christian, I will be ready.
My church had a very special service the week of the event, and we continue to pray for the victims and their families and most of all, for the leaders of our country, that they will know what is the best route to take.
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Here is how I think my life will change going forward from this event: |
I think in the wake of this tragedy, all of us realize that we really need each other. I have noticed that even in mundane things, like going to the grocery store or going through a drive through, people seem more receptive and more friendly. I think this is part of the realization that we really do need each other more than ever now.
I also think that another result is that it puts all of the pettiness of daily life and living into perspective. None of this stuff really matters. What matters is that we are living the life that God expects us to live and that our hearts are truly in tune with His will. If we live this way, we will be able to withstand "the fiery darts," as the book of Ephesians says.
How will my life change? I want to be more truly dedicated to God's will, not my own petty desires. And to not take my family and friends for granted. I think that about sums it up.
I love all of you very much!
Ruth Ann Metcalf
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