Tender Mercies
From Doris: Heavenly Father helps me find joy in ordinary days.
Posts
Did you know?
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.
Map Interpretations
Original Map From Amy: Larry the Cucumber Original Map From Kyle: A friendly spinosaurus
Scripture
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.
Music
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...
Counting Blessings
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.
Inspirational Quote
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."
General Update
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 ...
Map Interpretations
Original Map From Kyle: An elephant and a giraffe holding onto an umbrella on a windy day. Original image From Amy: A Brontosaurus
Tender Mercy
From Doris: Since my last infusion on January 2nd, I have been blessed with a significant decrease in pain and increase in stamina.
Did you know?
From Doris: Today is Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday 2025, we spoke in church. It was our mission farewell. The next morning, I received test results that indicated I had a form of cancer. We have a momma duck nesting in our back yard. She has eight eggs in her nest. She has been there for two weeks. We estimate her ducklings will hatch in a couple of weeks. The word cleave has two opposite meanings (cut apart, cling closely) making it a contronym. I have made 61 English paper pieced flowers. I need 130 to make my quilt. It will take years for me to complete this quilt, but it will exemplify the truth that by small and simple steps great things come to pass. I found out that Blackham, England, is only five miles away from Hartfield, England, where author A.A. Milne lived. The Pooh sticks bridge and 100-acre woods are near Hartfield. My father was taught how to prune trees by his father-in-law. Paul was also taught how to prune t...
Counting Blessings
From Doris: As I approach the one-year mark of my cancer diagnosis, these are measurable improvements in my health: I have more strength in my body. I have more stamina. I have less pain. I have less brain fog. I can more easily focus on what I can do instead of what I can ’ t. Paul and I go on walks. When I need to rest, we stop and sit on a bench and just soak up the beauty of another spring morning. Those rest stops allow me to feel the majesty of God ’ s creations. We walk four days a week. On average we walk a mile each day. For the first time in over a year, I was able to find ancestors who need temple ordinances and reserve their work. It is wonderful to have the chemo brain fog lifted enough to be able to do research again. My white blood cell count remains in normal ran...
Quotes
From Doris: Elder Patrick Kearon October 2025 General Conference Our Saviour uttered one final understatement, without which there would be no cause for hope or rejoicing this day. After the agonies of Gethsemane and at the conclusion of the torturous cross, He simply said, “ It is finished.” Messianic prophecy had been fulfilled, and the full payment of the debt for humanity ’ s sins and suffering had been paid. He declared “ finished” His infinite and eternal sacrifice. Yet His Atonement would not be complete until He Himself experienced new life on the third day, the new beginning, as a glorified, resurrected being through the power of the Father.
Scripture
From Doris: John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends .
General Update
From Doris: A Time of Renewal I have always loved Spring, except for the years in which I lived in the metropolitan Phoenix area. In Phoenix, Spring was the beginning of hot weather. Here in Eagle, it is a time to be celebrated. Spring is the season of birth. Certainly, the mother duck nesting in our backyard is proof of that. Spring is also a season of renewal. The trees that have been in a dormant state for months are now filled with blossoms. Daffodil bulbs that have been hidden underground are now showing their glorious flowers. Grass that was brown and looked dead is now green. Trees, bulbs and grass have not been dead for months but were awaiting Spring. I have not been dead these last few months but have been awaiting a renewal of my health. That renewal has begun, but I do not know when it will be complete. Will my body ever return to its former capacity? It may not, but I believe the spiritual lessons I am being taught a...
Map Interpretations
Original map From Amy: A picasso style side view of a face Original Map From Andrew: It looks like France
