From Bristol to Boise with Faith

  From Doris: Heavenly Father helps me find joy in ordinary days.

  From Doris: I am beginning cycle 12 of 24 of my cancer treatments. I have finished half (65) of my English paper pieced flowers. I made a quilt top for Jonathan and Britta’s baby girl who is due in August. I started working on an autumn themed quilt top. We have phlox blooming in our front yard. Snapdragons we planted at least three years ago keep coming back. They were not supposed to be perennials. Our bleeding heart bush is in full bloom. Our bonsai plant continues to thrive. Our family has walked 2653 miles of the 4830.1 miles to Bristol.

  Original Map From Amy: Larry the Cucumber Original Map From Kyle: A friendly spinosaurus

  From Steve From Tom

  From Doris: Alma 5:33   Behold he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

  From Doris I Hear Him (Lyrics by Wendy Randell, Music by Ryan Murphy)   Inside my heart a longing Is longing to be heard And longing more To hear the Lord And understand His word.   I ponder how I love Him And how He loves me more. Then suddenly, He’s here with me And opens heaven’s door.   Chorus: Like a fire that burns inside me, I hear Him. Like a choir that blends in harmony, His Spirit stirs my soul. Like a Shepherd, He is beckoning. I recognize His call, Though still and small. I hear Him.   I’m learning to be quiet. I’m learning to be still— To give a place, An open space The Savior’s light can fill.   When worries and confusion Weigh heavy on my mind, When thoughts distract, I guide them back And wait for His reply.   [Repeat Chorus]   When by life’s uncertainty and fear I’m overcome, My Father knows what helps me most is listening to His Son:   A w...

  From Doris: I am getting stronger. I am blessed to have a cancer treatment that is working. For the first time since my treatments began, I have been able to attend sacrament meetings without having to leave early. We go on walks four days a week. We walk for at least a mile most of those days. Paul and I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary this week. We were able to serve as proxy for two couple sealings in the Meridian Temple last week. We always try to do a sealing session around our wedding anniversary. The temple workers accommodated my physical limitations. I have the energy to sew again. It is springtime. This is a very happy time of year for me.

  From Doris: Music and the spoken word from April 12 th By Derrick Porter   Remembering: An antidote   "Murmuring  is a word we’re all familiar with. It’s easy to murmur when inconvenience, disruption, or difficulty present themselves. The scriptures tell of individuals and multitudes who—at least temporarily, in moments of murmuring—forgot their connection to God and His power to deliver them."... "Choosing to remember God mutes our murmuring. Focusing on Him and acting on His promises points us forward. And so, in those moments that are hard, when the days feel long, or when hope seems distant, let us remember that the same God who delivered Israel still delivers His children today."

  From Doris: This update is a day later than usual because I did not have my oncology appointment until this morning. Usually, I would have met with my doctor at the end of last week.  The cancer is being controlled. My white blood cell count today was 7.68. Normal WBC counts are between 3.8 and 11.  This week my oncologist said, “You are already in remission. We just don ’ t know how deep it is.” I will continue to take chemo therapy drugs for another year. As I approach the end of my treatment, I will have a test for Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) to determine the level of remission. We asked the oncologist about traveling. He said we can travel as long as we are not gone for more than 3 weeks and 6 days, so I am back in time for my monthly blood draw. I don’t have the stamina to travel yet, but it was good to get the doctor’s approval. From Paul: I am greatly pleased to note that I have perceived progress in Doris’ treatment and improved stamina. In our ...