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The Tree Outside My Window

Posted on October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 by Pam

Well, it will be my window for two more sleeps as I prep to return to the Crossroads Library in Prague for 33 more sleeps, then back to US. The tree stands out (or more accurately – up) in the urban landscape of Berlin (to the right of window frame).

Here’s how it looked the day I arrived. I could tell the time each morning, based on this tree and the angle of light, that is, until the time-change last weekend which is one week ahead of US clocks. If I woke up in the night, stirred by a need to rise or stirred by worry, it has been my companion. I have two, about 14-feet, Japanese maples at my home and have missed the leaves changing but those are small losses compared to having an opportunity to spend retirement with a purpose. The song I woke up to this morning has these lines, “Take my life, and let it be Consecrated Lord, to Thee; Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise, Let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands, and let them move, At the impulse of Thy love; Take my feet and let them be Swift and beautiful for Thee, Swift and beautiful for Thee. Take my voice, and let me sing, Always, only, for my King; Take my lips, and let them be Filled with messages from Thee, Filled with messages from Thee”. There are many more beautiful verses I had not recalled (until I looked it up) on giving my silver and gold, my will, and my love. This giving your life to God is not a part-time gig. It is not like the circus rolling into town for a Sunday show then the tents and all else fall on a Monday morning. Let’s not be those guys. And don’t think going on a mission’s trip is all that either. It’s full of adventure, challenge, and sometimes selfish ambition that people will think you are ‘advanced’ in your faith – hogwash. We are all just asking God to make us less like the world and more like Him, wherever we spend the day. He has promised that ‘they’ (the world) will know Him by our love. I love this tree and the people under its shade, and the lessons learned. (Song title, Take my life, and let it be, by Paul Baloche and lyrics by Frances R. Havergal, written 1874 on the topic of consecration and submission).

"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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