From Bristol to Boise with Faith

Walking map July 7: Mapped walk Shawn - the winner for the week: "Oh this is a night! It's a beautiful night! And we call it a Bella Note!" Walking map July 8: Mapped Walk Kyle - runner-up for the week: Boot kicking a saxophone Walking Map July 11: Mapped walk Amy - honorable mention: Sam Eagle

  From Tom A handyman asked for a numbered list of things I needed done around the house. He came to me the other day and told me he was done with the list, which is confusing since he’s only finished about half of items on it.  Then I reread his business card and it all made sense. It turns out he only does "odd" jobs. From Andrew

  6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ( Philippians 4:6-7 )

  Consider the Lilies | The Tabernacle Choir

Will my life ever return to what was normal a few months ago? This week I struggled with discouragement.  In addition to cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, I had to cope with a sore knee. 

  The temple workers at the Meridian Temple adapted to my limitations which allowed me to serve and worship in the temple this week.

  When the winds are against us in our lives, are we willing to be cheerful and courageous? How can we remember that the Savior does not forsake us and that He is near us, perhaps in ways we don’t yet recognize? Are we willing to go to Him in faith, especially when the path before us seems impossible? Benjamin M.Z. Tai

  I did not have any medical appointments this week. Our pergola is finished.  Greg Mower found a cover for it that blocks sunlight.    For the first time in the ten years we have lived here, I enjoy sitting on our back patio in July. For vincas.  These flowers bloom even on hot sunny days. I learned about vincas when we lived in Phoenix. I have some planted in a galvanized tub I inherited from my father which sits on our back patio. The pergola blocks much of the sun from coming through the patio glass door into our family room. We attached Lachlan’s swing to the pergola.  His laughter and delight while swinging was contagious. Even though I have to wear a mask around Lachlan, he doesn’t treat me any differently than he always has.   I am grateful for wise counsel from my friend, Rosie, who is also battling cancer.   On Wednesday Paul and I took a break from cancer.  We drove up to Sweet, Idaho via Emmett and back home via Horsehoe Bend. ...

  A text exchange with my friend Rosie triggered some personal reflection.  She is battling breast cancer. She reminded me that we have to fight to get better and that Jesus would fight beside me.   The scriptures counsel me that I need to be willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon me ( Mosiah 3:19 ).   Are submissiveness and fighting to get well opposing actions?  I do not believe they are.  In order to fight to get well, I must accept or submit to the reality that I have cancer.    Submissiveness is more than stating a fact.  It is trusting that my having cancer is part of God’s plan for me.  It is trusting that He will not abandon me on this journey.  It is being willing to admit that I need to learn lessons that only having cancer can teach me. Accepting cancer doesn’t suggest that I simply hope and pray I will be healed, although hoping and praying are critical.   ...

 Cycle 2 (Continued)   Medical treatments require patience. That must be why those who are being treated are called “patients”. Things take time, and with the treatment protocols that have been prescribed for Doris, we are learning patience. After the fast-paced experience of Cycle 1, we are learning that there is a way that we can live our lives, find a balance, and enjoy time together in the process.   Doris continues to feel fatigue and some weakness, whether from the effects of the treatment, or from the disease itself (MCL), or both. That is the ambiguity of treatment from which we are learning patience.    We are still learning to wait on the Lord, for His hand to be manifest in our behalf. The means by which His hand is being manifest seems to include the medical treatments. With only one infusion during Cycle 2 and the continued oral chemo pills, we carry on.    In the meanwhile, we continue our re-assimilation of our stored ite...