(Inspired by Pastor Daniel Kim, December 24, 2006)
Steve, Veva, Peter and Ruth
2006 Chapter: Celebrations with Changes
| 2006 Celebrations for Peter On January 2, 2006, Peter turned nineteen. (Yes, since this letter is late Peter now is 20) Peter continued his education at Southwestern College studying Bio-Chemistry. He lived in the dorms this spring semester and moved home for the summer. During the summer he worked part time for Humphrey Communication, slept in late, surfed the internet, and goofed off. In the fall, he moved back to the SC campus and is now living in Reid Hall in a suite with 3 other young men. He continues working for the computer department but transfer from working under Steve to working in the laptop center. He also helps with the worship computer presentation for chapel, playing computer and video games and working with the Cubbies in Awana. |
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2006 Celebrations for Ruth. On Ruth's birthday, April 3, she turned the big eighteen. On May 21, she celebrated her graduation from Winfield High School. As a family, we celebrated the day with a picnic in our backyard for those who had travel in. After graduation we had a formal reception with four other graduates at our church for family and friends. Ruth set up a table with things that represented her past years. She had fun greeting family and friends as they congratulated her for completing high school. After graduation, Ruth changed her looks when she donated 12 inches of her hair to Locks-of-Love. She has continued to keep it short through out the rest of the year. In August, Ruth headed off to Manhattan to attend Kansas State University. She completed her first semester this fall. She is studying Spanish and Business and lives in West Hall on the third floor. She is involved in Navigators, Youth for Christ, the E-Free church College Group. She also works as a security/ticket taker at the football and basketball games. |
| 2006 Celebrations for Steve and Veva. Steve and Veva celebrations have brought about changes in their lives. In May, Steve and Veva stepped down from being the commander of Awana. After seven years of serving in this role it was time to pass the job to someone else. We continue to be involved but are just leaders. Our second celebration was to sending off both children to college in August. It has produced an empty nest which is weird and good all at the same time. |
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These celebrations have brought happiness and sadness. In November, Veva's family, the Adams, got together and celebrated Mom and Dad's 60th Anniversary. We began the celebration with a card shower. Thanks to all of you who helped us celebrate by sending a card to them. As a family, we gathered together over the Thanksgiving holiday. We were all together Friday evening and Saturday morning. There were twenty adults, two toddlers and two newborn babies. We had an ice cream cake and we played Adams' Trivia. Veva asked questions from the memory book that she, her sister and brothers compiled full of memories from our childhood along with facts about mom and dad's life. We had lots of fun.
Our last celebrations brought sadness and changes to our extended family. 2006 didn't end the way we wanted it to but we are thankful for the out pouring of love from our family and friends. We ended 2006 celebrating the lives of Steve's Uncle Maurice and Veva's brother, Carl. On December 11, Steve's uncle, James Maurice Ruggles, age 74, passed away (Steve's dad, Melvin's only brother). He had been struggling with his health for the past 8 years because of the stoke he had in 1999. On December 22, Veva's brother, Carl Eugene Adams, age 53, passed away from a massive heart attack. Our family was shocked and still is in the stage of thinking "I can't believe it's really happened". It was a hard Christmas but my Mom and Dad's pastor reminded us that we still can have JOY in the mist of sadness.
While we were packing and sorting through Carl's stuff, we experienced the second major snow storms in Western Kansas. On Friday, December 29, Colby received over 15 inches of snow with drifts up to 2 to 3 feet deep. We were snowed in at Gloria's house on Saturday and Sunday. The City of Colby put a warning on TV saying if we were out in the town without four-wheel drive or chains on our tires we would be fined and might even receive 30 days in jail. We had a lot of brother and sisters time and we even brought in the New Year together. On New Year Day, we were able to get out and head back home after a hard week. The roads were snow packed and the traffic was unreal for Western Kansas and it took us an extra hour to get home.
As we look back on 2006, it has brought into out lives celebrations with changes. Most have been happy ones but some have been sad. But we can find JOY in this world because of what Christ has done. We pray that each one of you will find the true JOY.
The Ruggles Family is all traveling out of the United States in 2007. Steve and Veva will be returning to Jamaica on a Work Mission Trip to build a cement game square for a church in March. Ruth is traveling to the Dominican Republic to work at a Christian School for two weeks in May. Also in May, Peter will be traveling with the SC Discipleship Team to minister in Honduras.
We are looking to build our support team now. We need those who will pray for us as we each prepare to go and serve. We plan to do an e-mail prayer letter. We are also looking for those who would like to support us financially so we can make each trip possible. Please fill out the enclosed slip of paper and mail it back to us to let us know of your support.
May you have a Merry Christmas celebrating with the One who loves you most, God!
1403 E. 12th Ave, Winfield. KS 67156; 620-221-6962
steve.ruggles@gmail.com veva.ruggle@gmail.com
Check out our webpage address: www.rugglesrelatives.com/steveruggles/