From Bristol to Boise with Faith

  From Doris: Our family has walked 1543.91miles to Bristol. Paul and I walked four times this week. On two of those days we walked a mile. Our basement painting is finished for now. There are still some doors to paint as well as the bathroom and bedrooms, but the main room is now functional. Our grandson, Grayson, lost his first tooth. My father-in-law was born 100 years ago this week. He was only 72 when he died. Our extended Blackham family members have done things to celebrate his life this week. I finished a wool door hanger for February. The geese have flocked to Lexington Hills in droves. The paths are covered with goose droppings. Yuck! The wigeons seem to have left.

  Original Map From Grayson: A bunch of grapes  Original Map From Tom: A broken guitar

  From Amy What’s a penguin’s favorite relative? Aunt Arctica From Tom Why are pillow manufacturers so depressed? Because their suppliers are always bringing them down.

  From Doris: Brother James’ Air The Lord's my Shepherd, I'll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. He leadeth me, He leadeth me, the quiet waters by. My soul He doth restore again; And me to walk doth make Within the paths of righteousness, Ee'n for His own Name's sake. Within the paths of righteousness, Ee'n for His own Name's sake. Yea, though I pass through shadows death, Yet will I fear no ill; For Thou art with me; and Thy rod And staff me comfort still. Thy rod and staff they comfort still They comfort still. My table Thou hast furnishd In presence of my foes; My head with oil thou dost anoint, And my cup overflows. My head thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy all my days Will surely follow me; And in my father's heart alway My dwelling place shall be. Music by James L, Macbeth Bain (1890) Lyrics by King David (1000 B.C.)

  From Doris: Technology allows us to see our children who live far away. We were able to have video chats with our children who live in Iowa, Texas, Washington and Utah.  We have family in the Boise area who come and visit us. We finally got a break from the inversion. It is wonderful to see and enjoy sunshine again. Sunshine lifts my spirits. I think it may be a result of growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, the Valley of the Sun. My sister is coming from Arizona to visit us later this week. A friend dropped off some flowers on my doorstep today. Her thoughtfulness is the best part of the gift. The scratch I got in my left eye has healed. I don’t have to worry that Heavenly Father gets impatient with me. 

From Doris: I did not have an infusion this week. I had a blood draw but did not have to meet with my oncologist. My blood work continues to be in normal ranges!

  From Doris: Doctrine and Covenants 50:29 And if ye are purified and cleansed from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and it shall be done.

  From Doris: Inspirational Quote Bible Dictionary: Prayer We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ—when His words abide in us. We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart. In regards to prayer, Elder Bednar, Ensign College 2023: Most of your answers won’t be what you want or when you want. People pray and it’s like they’re shopping at a store. “Heavenly Father, I need this and this and this and this and delivered by this time.” And if you don’t get this and this and this and this by that time, well God wasn’t listening to my prayers. Yes he was. You’re not listening to the answers. So don’t expect him just to provide a delivery service. You don’t pray to tell God what you want or what you need, you pray to find out what God wants for you. Big diff...

  From Paul: 20260201 Cycle 9 Week 1 This week begins Cycle 9, which was the first cycle not to include an infusion. Doris mentioned yesterday that she is feeling slightly less pain in her shoulders. That is a good sign. Today I am thinking of my heritage and legacy of my forbears. Yesterday was the 100th anniversary of my father’s birth in Moroni, Utah. He was a “home delivery” because where his family was living there were no hospitals.  My father was the son of a finish carpenter who also worked at the school next door as a custodian. My father often shared the occasion of his father’s teaching him about wood working. When Dad was tasked with sanding some of the drawers of the cabinets my grandfather had crafted, his father pointed out that he had not completed a full job of sanding because he had not sanded the bottom of the drawers. To my father’s response that “nobody would know”, my grandfather told him “I know”. From that lesson passed on through generations I l...