Ward Spotlight June 2021 full length

In my current church ward, we do a spotlight on a sister in weekly newsletter as a way to get to know each other. This is my full length version. The printed version can only be one page. The other side is used for announcements. 

The following questions are to help us get to know you better. To participate, please answer the questions you would like us to post. Please feel free to send us digital pictures.

What is your name?  Pamela Ann Rice, prefer Pam

What is your marital status?  Single, never married

If you are, or have been married, is there anything you would like to share about how you met, or anything else about your spouse or relationship?   Never married, so thought I’d share my introduction to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The summer of 1965 we had a long road trip vacation. We were living in Grand Forks ND at the time. We traveled to Seattle Wa, then to Pasadena Ca, then Las Vegas/Grand Canyon, then Salt Lake City, then home. My parents knew of the Church and some of its history. We went to Temple Square. I remember the sea gull monument and the exhibits in the old visitors center – mostly the ancient history ones, that was my interest back then. Time jump to 1974 when I went to the Spokane World Expo and toured the Church’s exhibit. I filled out a little form at end of tour, pretty sure I said I wasn’t interested in more info. A few months later Missionaries knocked on my door. I felt the Spirit when taught about Joseph Smith and First Vision. I was baptized shortly before leaving for an one year remote tour of duty in Turkey.

Current living situation? Kids? Grandkids? Pets? Parents? Roommates? House? Apt? etc. I live alone in a new manufactured home. My parents and brother dead. Nephews and Nieces all live far away.

Where else have you lived?  All over the world. My father was in USAF and I also joined. I was born at Ft Lewis, Wa; Pasadena, Ca; Manila AFB, Philippine Islands; Del Rio, Texas; O’Fallon, Ill for Scott AFB; Denver, Colorado; Orlando, Florida; Wiesbaden, Germany for Hq USAFE; Grand Forks, ND; father retired moved to Orlando and then Cocoa Beach Florida; graduated HS, local community college and then to Boca Raton Florida for Florida Atlantic University; San Francisco Bay Area, where I ended up entering USAF; Lackland AFB for Officer Training School in San Antonio Texas; McGuire AFB, New Jersey, this is where I joined the LDS faith; remote site in Turkey; Vandenberg AFB, Ca; Sunnyvale AFB, Ca; discharged from service; Tucson Arizona for UA Pharmacy School; Sunnyvale, Ca; San Jose, Ca; Sacramento, Ca for 18 month assignment kinda in middle of San Jose time; Sequim Washington.

What brought you to Sequim? And how long have you been here?  Moved here January 2018. Visited area, Forks mostly, for first time in September 2013 for Stephenie Meyer Days and fell in love with area. When I decided to retire and needed to move out of San Jose, I decided to come to this area. Visited Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Forks, Sequim, decided on Sequim.

Tell us about the family you grew up with. Siblings? Parents? How did you work together? Play together? Unique traditions? challenges? triumphs?     Two parents, one older brother, all dead now. I remember family painting outside of house in Orlando Florida. I was young and short and did the lower parts. Remember playing board games. My mother started having serious health problems in Denver and less play, more chores and taking care. She spent time in hospital in Orlando and in Germany. We were in Germany while I was in 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade. I was old enough to know I was having a special opportunity and young enough to ask often “Are we there yet?” on our road trip vacations. We took advantage and traveled in summer throughout Europe.

Recent or current occupation   retired Pharmacist [legalized drug pusher].

Education or past work experience  BS Chemistry 1971 FAU, BS Pharmacy 1984 UA. Worked as a chemist testing for pesticides in vegetables in Bella Glade Florida. Worked in photography studio in Palo Alto Ca. In USAF I was a Space Systems Operations Officer. I watched for Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles from Russian submarines for my first duty assignment out of OTS. Then to Turkey to track satellites. Then to Vandenberg to track satellites to send commands to them. Sunnyvale AFB I worked on just one satellite program. I worked in various community pharmacies for 30+ years.

Indoor hobbies  reading, photography, use to do needlework until arthritis in hands made it too hard. Attending and working at science fiction conventions.

Outdoor hobbies  photography, hiking. Attending and sometimes working at Scottish Highland Games. Attending Renaissance Faires.

What brings you peace?  Completing a project [usually finish reading a book], Classical music, being out in nature.

Do you have a scripture, talk, hymn or any other spiritual insight that has helped you recently?    There are many hymns that touch my spirit. There are two that are especially noteworthy – I Stand All Amazed and I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go. My favorite scripture is Psalm 27: 1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” King James Version. With my depression / anxiety I try to keep this in mind, doesn’t always totally work, but does help.

Is there anything funny or unique about you that most of us don't know?    I have a blog that is not very active with some poems I wrote at awpaw.blogspot.com.  Abby Weyr Poems and Writing. My pen name is Abby Weyr. Public picture albums on my Facebook and at pamrice.smugmug.com.

Pictures included were: at St Helens Swan House with BD 2 blanket that I won in Prop Store auction. My official Captain picture.