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In a Straight Line

Posted on December 10, 2022December 10, 2022 by Pam

I had forgotten how children decorate Christmas trees. At the center in Biel, I handed ornaments that had been without hangers (now with strings attached – my important contribution) to a pony-tailed 7 year-old girl. She was the size of a 7 year-old and lined up all of the bulbs at her level straight on the front of the tree. That is the part of the tree that she could see and reach. She did not noticed the part of the tree that faced the window to the street nor the top of the tree that was beyond her reach nor the sides. I hope that I never redistributed tree decorations after my little-ones had gone to bed. I probably did but not today. The first thing I noticed on the tree is that someone before us had placed some beaded/homemade decorations that were also in a straight line a little lower than the darling girl had placed red and gold small bulbs. They really stood out in size and remain in place. I don’t know how many of these children celebrate Christmas or have decorated a tree before. What I did that afternoon is hand an ornament to any child within reach and asked them to place it on the tree. Even the older boys complied. Not one rolled their eyes – a Christmas miracle. We completed our service at the center yesterday. Lot’s of memories were made as our group of 50+ spent a couple weeks in various kid activities. Some immigrant families might be newer to Biel and the grandparents are still in their homeland. We connected as best we could but for me the language is a challenge but children understand a smile and any encouraging words. I so miss my five grandchildren at this joyous time of year but I hope the grandma in me shined on anyone in need for this outreach.

We have classes again next week then off to another country for six more weeks of serving after Christmas and New Years. There are no “strings attached”, as with the Christmas ornaments, with giving time to others hoping to demonstrate that Jesus, this dear child in a manger, was a servant king. He served for three years then returned to His origin but in a changed form. Does one of the Triune God now have a body? Gen. 1:26, “Let us make man in Our image…”. No matter – we will know someday. Also, we live with what we can see. We may not see the top of the tree but God sees us. We may forget the window facing the street but God sees us. I remember how much time my children spent under the Christmas tree. They would rearrange wrapped gifts and build a fort. They would just lie down on their little backs and gaze up. Twinkling lights are magical but they are really there to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the world. We may not look up from under the tree but God sees us. I am not attaching photos of the center or the children because Switzerland, as does the USA, has privacy laws. Believe me – it was magical.

"Thoughts from a genuinely evaluative mind."

Pam writes so that must make her a writer. Recently retired, she can now fill days with family, friends, missions, writing, creating, and showing up for whomever needs her. Pam loves the Lord and people. The Bible is God’s love letter to us (and who does not need more love) so she studies and writes some more.

Pam lives in the Pacific Northwest but was home-grown in Southern California. She attended San Jose Bible College and finished a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at UCLA. She became a teacher, then a Research and Development Chemist, then she built two successful real estate businesses in two states. Pam also pursued study at Fuller Theological Seminary and just completed six months serving in missions abroad.

Pam has two amazing children, married to two precious in-laws, and five sweet grandchildren. Pam is a gifted connector and communicator and the Northwest has the perfect climate for staying inside and writing – or baking! She has been writing since a wee one and is currently converting many years of blogging, by topic, into ten books. The first is a collection from 2011 titled, Beautiful Enough. The second is a yearly day-timer titled, Weekly Planner - Lessons in Life, Glory, and Grace. Number three is in progress with the working title, Christmas Today.

Ten facts about Pam in no particular order:

  1. On the team that developed an insulation for the Alaskan oil pipeline.
  2. Loves looking at homes, decorating, and has flipped five homes.
  3. Likes being tall.
  4. Films have helped define her vocabulary.
  5. Comes from Colorado tenement farmers with history traced to Wales.
  6. Was lost but now is found.
  7. Baking makes her happy – as does eating sweets with coffee, of course.
  8. She thinks mission work is the most important work in the world.
  9. The church started in Rome so she is learning Italian.
  10. Pam is a work in progress!

“I will be your God throughout your lifetime - until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isaiah 46:4

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