From Bristol to Boise with Faith

From Paul: Provisional Cycle 4 This week we took some time away from home to accomplish two things: 1)       To get a break from our routine and enjoy some different scenery. 2)       To allow painters to paint the vaulted ceiling rooms in our home. This was a pleasant time, as Doris was still on the 200 mg per day dose of Chemo Pill #2. The cabin in which we stayed did not have internet access – no WiFi – thus we relied only only our phones for data. This reduced our interactions with our family to only phone calls, as the data pipeline was insufficient for any video calls. We enjoyed quietude, beautiful surroundings with some fall color starting to show, and spotted some wildlife. Upon our return from our trip, Doris contacted St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. She was directed to increase her dose of Chemo Pill #2 to 400 mg beginning on Saturday. Today is the second day, and we are working to adapt to the effects of this new dosag...

From Doris: 3 Nephi 11:29-30   29  For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 30  Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away.

From Doris: Hymn lyrics by President Russell M. Nelson, Arrangement by Mack Wilberg Our Prayer to Thee, President Russell M. Nelson 1. We pray to Thee, our Heav’nly Father, With grateful hearts and deep devotion. We thank Thee for our great Exemplar— Thy beloved and atoning Son— Who gave Himself as sacred ransom, That we may live again with Thee! Our joy is full, our song so gladsome; Renew our faith and hope in Thee. 2. We pray to Thee, our Heav’nly Father, With humble hearts and adoration. We thank Thee for our loving Savior, Who came to save from death and sin. He gave to us Thy truth to brighten Our path, to help us walk His way— To love and serve, to lift and lighten The lives of others day by day. 3. We pray to Thee, our Heav’nly Father, With grateful hearts and deep devotion, In promised joy and endless splendor— May we be bound to Thee as one! We seek Thy mercy and forgiveness And pray to know Thy holy will. We yearn for Thee;...

  Original Map From Kyle: Looked like a dog to me! Original image From Amy: Profile sketch of mom as a little girl. The sketch mentioned above

 From Jonathan: From our friend LaVarna:

From Doris: I was able to rest from the burden of cancer this week. I had no medical appointments. We spent a few days in Garden Valley.

From Doris: So many lives have been lost in the last few weeks from violence in public places. My gastrointestinal side effects have intensified significantly with the 400 mg dose.

From Doris: The interior of the upper level of our house was professionally painted this week.   The painters began on Monday morning and finished Thursday afternoon. My friend Candace let the painters in each morning and secured the house after they left each day. Her service allowed us to not have to stay in our house while it was being painted. We spent the painting days at an Airbnb in Garden Valley. I love the new paint color.  Christy and Greer helped me choose the color. Greer is helping us redecorate our house. My chemo pill #2 was raised to its final level yesterday.  I am now taking 400 mg daily. I do not have any additional changes to my medication scheduled! My life was blessed by the counsel and teachings of President Nelson. I will miss him. Our church is led by Jesus Christ under the direction of living prophets and apostles.

  From Doris: I am now taking 8 chemotherapy pills a day, two with breakfast, four with lunch and two with dinner. We have walked 283.18 miles to Bristol as a family. Lachlan has definite opinions.  Today he would only let Grandpa read him the ghost book and I was the only one allowed to read him the snowman book. Garden Valley, Idaho has a quilt store.

  From Doris: Sherami L. Jara “We often hear stories of great people who overcame fear and acted with belief and faith while they were also experiencing great loss and grief. So often the stories are told as if to be faithful, overcome fear, and act, we must simultaneously bury, deny, or ignore the pain, sorrow, grief, or loss we feel. Faith is not the absence of sorrow, sadness, struggle, or pain. These feelings often coexist with faith. Jairus felt the pain of his daughter’s death, but he still chose to hear the Savior’s call to believe and took Christ to his house. We may fear, mourn, or feel anxious that something in our future could lead to pain and suffering. Not all those experiences are ones we can avoid. In those painful moments, we can still choose to link arms with the Savior and seek His help.” Sherami L. Jara, assistant dean in the BYU College of Humanities and director of the Liberal Arts Advisement and Careers Center, delivered this devotional address on July...

  From Paul: Provisional Cycle 4 This week we took some time away from home to accomplish two things: 1)       To get a break from our routine and enjoy some different scenery. 2)       To allow painters to paint the vaulted ceiling rooms in our home. This was a pleasant time, as Doris was still on the 200 mg per day dose of Chemo Pill #2. The cabin in which we stayed did not have internet access – no WiFi – thus we relied only only our phones for data. This reduced our interactions with our family to only phone calls, as the data pipeline was insufficient for any video calls. We enjoyed quietude, beautiful surroundings with some fall color starting to show, and spotted some wildlife. Upon our return from our trip, Doris contacted St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. She was directed to increase her dose of Chemo Pill #2 to 400 mg beginning on Saturday. Today is the second day, and we are working to adapt to the effects of this ne...