We will be celebrating Jesus as Pam's kinsman redeemer here:
10am October 15, 2022
Beaverton Christian Church
13600 SW ALLEN BLVD
BEAVERTON, OR 97005
It will be time of joyous celebration and praise.
We hope you can come. And please invite anyone you know who might not see this, but knew Pam.
Sunday, September 18, 2022
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Photo Request
I will post this more than once, but to get things rolling I'll start today.
One of the ideas that Pam has always expressed is that she did not want her memorial to be about her, but to be about Jesus. To honor that, and to also share memories, we want to put together some pictures to show at the memorial, but not during the service, and not just about Pam. The thought is that being a Christian, and serving Jesus includes the relationships we establish in loving others.
So ... we are asking those of you who wish to, to provide a photo or two that has you in a picture with Pam. You. You are important. Your relationship was important. Jesus is reflected in that relationship.
I have created an email address especially for these photos:
jimvanhookphotos@gmail.com.
So, if you have a picture you would like to share, send it to that email address. We'd love to see them.
One of the ideas that Pam has always expressed is that she did not want her memorial to be about her, but to be about Jesus. To honor that, and to also share memories, we want to put together some pictures to show at the memorial, but not during the service, and not just about Pam. The thought is that being a Christian, and serving Jesus includes the relationships we establish in loving others.
So ... we are asking those of you who wish to, to provide a photo or two that has you in a picture with Pam. You. You are important. Your relationship was important. Jesus is reflected in that relationship.
I have created an email address especially for these photos:
jimvanhookphotos@gmail.com.
So, if you have a picture you would like to share, send it to that email address. We'd love to see them.
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Open House - September 10th
All friends are invited to our house today, Saturday, September 10th, from 10am on to spend some time remembering Pam, enjoying some food and drink, and I hope some good time sharing memories, and to laugh and cry together.
If you need directions, either text me or email me at my outlook.com address.
We will have other opportunities to get together, but it seemed appropriate to do this now.
If you need directions, either text me or email me at my outlook.com address.
We will have other opportunities to get together, but it seemed appropriate to do this now.
Pam -- early morning, September 10th
The race has been run.
Pam died in her sleep this morning at about 1:10am. She is finally at peace. The last few hours of Pam's life were very hard. Pain pushed through all her medications and she labored in pain and difficulty breathing. Our middle daughter Jessamyn was there with me, as was our nephew Matthew. Jessamyn took special care of her mom, using a suction sponge to keep Pam's mouth somewhat lubricated.
We are so grateful that she is now with her Creator, Lord, Savior, and Sustainer, in glory, and with so many who have gone before her. To know that she has a new body and has been freed from all the shortcomings of her earthly body is a great comfort. We rejoice in her new status -- called home.
In your moments of grief for Pam I hope you too can share in the joy of heaven with us.
I will add a special announcement post after this one, but I am inviting anyone who would like to stop by our house today from 10am on, please consider yourself invited. There will be drinks and food, and I hope some good time to share memories, or to just laugh and cry together.
Pam died in her sleep this morning at about 1:10am. She is finally at peace. The last few hours of Pam's life were very hard. Pain pushed through all her medications and she labored in pain and difficulty breathing. Our middle daughter Jessamyn was there with me, as was our nephew Matthew. Jessamyn took special care of her mom, using a suction sponge to keep Pam's mouth somewhat lubricated.
We are so grateful that she is now with her Creator, Lord, Savior, and Sustainer, in glory, and with so many who have gone before her. To know that she has a new body and has been freed from all the shortcomings of her earthly body is a great comfort. We rejoice in her new status -- called home.
In your moments of grief for Pam I hope you too can share in the joy of heaven with us.
I will add a special announcement post after this one, but I am inviting anyone who would like to stop by our house today from 10am on, please consider yourself invited. There will be drinks and food, and I hope some good time to share memories, or to just laugh and cry together.
Friday, September 9, 2022
Pam -- mid morning September 9, 2022
This is a hard post to write, but not the hardest to come.
Pam has entered the final stages of her life. That's the fact. At this stage, "conversation" is now limited mostly to facial gestures and smiles. She is still dealing with pain that overcomes medication from time to time, and the gradual shutting down of her bodily functioning.
But she is resilient and it's hard to gauge how much longer we will have her with us. We all know (especially Pam) that when she goes it will be to a glorious, new, and pain free realm, where she will be together with God -- father, son, and spirit. But her body is not quite ready to quit.
I want you to know that even with the limited communication we now have that Pam continues to pray for you. We hear it in the single words she will repeat from time to time. Our family prays for you, our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, in thanksgiving for your prayer support and the love you have for Pam, and for encouragement in your daily walk whatever it might be.
So I send this post with this blessing:
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Pam has entered the final stages of her life. That's the fact. At this stage, "conversation" is now limited mostly to facial gestures and smiles. She is still dealing with pain that overcomes medication from time to time, and the gradual shutting down of her bodily functioning.
But she is resilient and it's hard to gauge how much longer we will have her with us. We all know (especially Pam) that when she goes it will be to a glorious, new, and pain free realm, where she will be together with God -- father, son, and spirit. But her body is not quite ready to quit.
I want you to know that even with the limited communication we now have that Pam continues to pray for you. We hear it in the single words she will repeat from time to time. Our family prays for you, our friends and brothers and sisters in Christ, in thanksgiving for your prayer support and the love you have for Pam, and for encouragement in your daily walk whatever it might be.
So I send this post with this blessing:
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
Saturday, August 27, 2022
Pam -- midday 8/27/2022
As I sit here writing this, the sky out of Pam's windows is a grey and somewhat cloudy view, with patches of sunshine peeking in from time to time.
Pam has been in the hospital for about 10 days now. There have been a bunch of highs and lows for her pain level, but staff has seemed to reach a steady state for the most part, ranging from about 4 to 7 on the pain scale. That is, except when something has to be done, like shifting her around, using a bedpan, and now trying to keep her from developing any bed sores. The trauma then rises pretty quickly and pretty dramatically.
The level of medication needed to control the pain is high, and so that means that Pam moves in and out of sleep, awareness, and a pretty loopy state. We're enjoying trying to figure out what she's telling us at some points in the day.
The church brought by a big basket of snacks which we will slowly appreciate, and we've been sharing your cards with Pam when she is able to receive them. Thanks for those. Thanks also for your care and concern, and your continued prayer support. I also appreciate all your offers to help including providing meals, but so far, the dog and I, with the help of our daughters, are doing fine.
We're not sure what will happen next. We're considering exiting Pam to a facility like Maryville. The extent of care she needs is really high, and home is probably not the place for that to happen. It's unfortunate, but that's how it will have to be.
Throughout our marriage, Pam and I have always contested over who the star of the family is. What I have been reminded of over the last few days, is how many people Pam has influenced, helped, shepherded, shared her faith and the gospel with, and been a bright light to. I want you to know that even now, Pam is thinking about you and remembering many of your shared experiences. And I'll add that she continues to honor God and share His love in her interactions with the staff here.
This is rough, but God is good.
Pam has been in the hospital for about 10 days now. There have been a bunch of highs and lows for her pain level, but staff has seemed to reach a steady state for the most part, ranging from about 4 to 7 on the pain scale. That is, except when something has to be done, like shifting her around, using a bedpan, and now trying to keep her from developing any bed sores. The trauma then rises pretty quickly and pretty dramatically.
The level of medication needed to control the pain is high, and so that means that Pam moves in and out of sleep, awareness, and a pretty loopy state. We're enjoying trying to figure out what she's telling us at some points in the day.
The church brought by a big basket of snacks which we will slowly appreciate, and we've been sharing your cards with Pam when she is able to receive them. Thanks for those. Thanks also for your care and concern, and your continued prayer support. I also appreciate all your offers to help including providing meals, but so far, the dog and I, with the help of our daughters, are doing fine.
We're not sure what will happen next. We're considering exiting Pam to a facility like Maryville. The extent of care she needs is really high, and home is probably not the place for that to happen. It's unfortunate, but that's how it will have to be.
Throughout our marriage, Pam and I have always contested over who the star of the family is. What I have been reminded of over the last few days, is how many people Pam has influenced, helped, shepherded, shared her faith and the gospel with, and been a bright light to. I want you to know that even now, Pam is thinking about you and remembering many of your shared experiences. And I'll add that she continues to honor God and share His love in her interactions with the staff here.
This is rough, but God is good.
Sunday, August 21, 2022
Pam -- evening of 8/21
Here's the latest update on Pam.
She spent the weekend at St Vincent's with the primary goal of getting her pain under control. That was hit and miss through the weekend, with a really smooth Friday night but other times of 10+ pain during the day. Today, the regime was to NOT use any IV dosing for the pain medication. Somewhat successful but still up and down. The expectation is that the pain will be better under control over the next day or two.
Meanwhile, a few relatives have visited, the family has been taking care of routine stuff (Cosmo and I have both gotten food), and we're beginning to think about next steps. It's daunting.
Pam is very aware of your covering her in prayer, and is most grateful.
We send our blessings and remember that God is glorious.
She spent the weekend at St Vincent's with the primary goal of getting her pain under control. That was hit and miss through the weekend, with a really smooth Friday night but other times of 10+ pain during the day. Today, the regime was to NOT use any IV dosing for the pain medication. Somewhat successful but still up and down. The expectation is that the pain will be better under control over the next day or two.
Meanwhile, a few relatives have visited, the family has been taking care of routine stuff (Cosmo and I have both gotten food), and we're beginning to think about next steps. It's daunting.
Pam is very aware of your covering her in prayer, and is most grateful.
We send our blessings and remember that God is glorious.
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