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Just As Likely

Posted on March 12, 2023March 12, 2023 by Pam

I know that I am not yet writing about the Discipleship Training but I will get to that. I am in the moment and processing. It is Sunday morning – a day of praise. I’m onto my day by noon in a caffe-bar. What I notice is that my compadres are just as likely to order wine or a cocktail as caffe this time of day. Note that I am making these observations after a late breakfast and online worship from my home church. I just like being out and without a plan on a Sunday. So – I put color wash on some art paper and am drawing. I do wish I had more talent but I am in Florence so must try! I am writing this now as I await more inspiration. (I’ve started putting brown sugar (grainier) in a cappuccino. I don’t stir but it is like a sweet surprise at the end.)

I wanted to add one more thing about Italy for today. This week I saw a remarkable statue begun by Michelangelo when he was in ill health. The plan was to put in on his resting place. It has four people. Jesus, of course, because Michelangelo’s faith was strong. Nicodemus who is actually Michelangelo’s likeness, Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother, and an angel? I don’t remember but the incomplete statue has quite a story. At some point Michelangelo changed his mind and in a fit of despair broke part of the statue. The marble, he found, was flawed and needed to be perfect. The left leg was never carved but he broke Jesus left arm. Michelangelo lived for years beyond this project and another artist tried to repair it after Michelangelo passed. I will attach a photo below. Jesus likeness was not up to Michelangelo’s vision. Nicodemus and Mary are still roughed in but not fine-tuned. It is called Michelangelo’s “Bandini Pieta”, and I saw it in it’s restored state at the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo where it was placed in 1981. His desire was to finally make a clear testimony of his faith in Jesus but was disappointed. Although the possibility of Nicodemus being at the cross cannot yet be known, the way Michelangelo has hooded himself, to fade into the background, is interesting to me. He is there but not really. He had worked on this from 1547 to 1555.

I am no genius but I understand wanting to be forever near Jesus and wanting this effort honoring Jesus to be his best. I also know frustration when all is confusing and disturbing. A good plan can go haywire. Something happens that is unexpected like flawed marble. My good intentions are misunderstood. I am excluded. I am unfairly criticized. I don’t know how to fix something. But I just wanted to carve something beautiful…I wanted to make the most of something i could not control. I want to learn my place going forward and don’t want to waste any time nor do I want to miss anything. I will be “carving” out this plan as soon as I am sure and ready as I wait on the Lord.

"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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