Last week and this week (in continuing celebration of February as Scouting month) we are listing some of the major milestones in Scouting's 100-year history.
1965: The BSA reached two major milestones: the 40 millionth Scout was registered and the 500,000th Eagle Scout badge was presented
1966: Scouting hit the big screen with Walt Disney's movie, Follow Me, Boys!
1969: Eagle Scout Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon
1972: To be more culturally relevant, the BSA deemphasized outdoor skills (that effort was abandoned six years later)
1973: For the first and only time, the BSA held the National Scout Jamboree at two sites: Farragut State Park in Idaho and Moraine State Park in Pennsylvania
1979: The BSA's national office moved to Irving, Texas, after 25 years in New Jersey
1980: Cub Scouting celebrated its 50th anniversary
1984: The BSA inaugurated Varsity Scouting (the idea dated back to the mid-1970s when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began searching for ways to retain older Boy Scouts)
1990: The 10th edition of the Boy Scout Handbook published (total circulation of the handbook since 1910 reached 33,860,000)
1998: Scouting adopted Leave No Trace as its guideline for protecting the environment while conducting outdoor activities
2000: The BSA's 100 millionth youth member was registered
2004: The BSA launched Good Turn for America, a national initiative with the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity to address the problems of hunger, homelessness, inadequate housing, and poor health
Monday, February 22, 2010
2 Quote of the week
I believe and accept the comforting statement of Elder Orson F. Whitney:
"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God" (Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).
A principle in this statement that is often overlooked is that they must fully repent and "suffer for their sins" and "pay their debt to justice." I recognize that now is the time "to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32). If the repentance of the wayward children does not happen in this life, is it still possible for the cords of the sealing to be strong enough for them yet to work out their repentance? In the Doctrine and Covenants we are told, "The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,
"And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation" (D&C 138:58-59).
"The Prophet Joseph Smith declared—and he never taught more comforting doctrine—that the eternal sealings of faithful parents and the divine promises made to them for valiant service in the Cause of Truth, would save not only themselves, but likewise their posterity. Though some of the sheep may wander, the eye of the Shepherd is upon them, and sooner or later they will feel the tentacles of Divine Providence reaching out after them and drawing them back to the fold. Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for your careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with your faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God" (Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).
A principle in this statement that is often overlooked is that they must fully repent and "suffer for their sins" and "pay their debt to justice." I recognize that now is the time "to prepare to meet God" (Alma 34:32). If the repentance of the wayward children does not happen in this life, is it still possible for the cords of the sealing to be strong enough for them yet to work out their repentance? In the Doctrine and Covenants we are told, "The dead who repent will be redeemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God,
"And after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation" (D&C 138:58-59).
— James E. Faust, "Dear Are the Sheep That Have Wandered," in Ensign, May 2003, 61
3 This week in our family
Tues, Feb 23: Lyle & Barbara married in 1954 [Lyle]
Wed, Feb 24: Jeff & Liz married in 1990 [Gail]
Sun, Feb 28: Shawn Tully's birthday [Gene]
Sun, Feb 28: Blake DeMartini celebrates birthday (born on Feb 29) [Ray]
Mon, Mar 1: Next issue of newsletter
Wed, Feb 24: Jeff & Liz married in 1990 [Gail]
Sun, Feb 28: Shawn Tully's birthday [Gene]
Sun, Feb 28: Blake DeMartini celebrates birthday (born on Feb 29) [Ray]
Mon, Mar 1: Next issue of newsletter
4 Bits and tidbits
Dale's family
Under the heading "Coincidence . . . I think not," Sarah posted the following announcement last Wednesday, February 17:
"Would you believe that exactly 9 months ago, Dylan was told to lock up the store, and our journey of unemployment would begin? What a very long and difficult journey it has been. In fact it was just yesterday, I was crying on the phone to Janie—I just can't handle anymore.
"I am happy to report that our journey through the dregs of unemployment has officially reached its end. I still am struggling to process it. It seems so unreal. But real it is. Dylan received an offer today. A job that suits him almost perfectly. Something that was placed in our path.
"Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been such a strength and support during this time."
Beware
Claudia's dad sent out the following e-mail after a scary experience he had on Friday, February 19:
"This morning when I answered the phone, my grandson, supposedly, was calling me from Toronto, Canada. He had been arrested and was in jail. He asked for my help to get him out, but not to tell his folks. He handed the phone to a supposed police officer, who told me how to send the $2,138 fine via Western Union to Stuart in Canada. Then I was to call a number and report the receipt number for my transaction.
"What saved me was the thought that we had no international phone service. I stopped at Claudia's to see if she did. She recognized it as a scam, which it was. By returning to the Western Union office, I was able to get a full refund since I had not yet given the receipt number to the scammers. When I got home I learned that the scammers had called repeatedly for the info they needed to get the money from Western Union."
Under the heading "Coincidence . . . I think not," Sarah posted the following announcement last Wednesday, February 17:
"Would you believe that exactly 9 months ago, Dylan was told to lock up the store, and our journey of unemployment would begin? What a very long and difficult journey it has been. In fact it was just yesterday, I was crying on the phone to Janie—I just can't handle anymore.
"I am happy to report that our journey through the dregs of unemployment has officially reached its end. I still am struggling to process it. It seems so unreal. But real it is. Dylan received an offer today. A job that suits him almost perfectly. Something that was placed in our path.
"Thank you to all of our friends and family who have been such a strength and support during this time."
Beware
Claudia's dad sent out the following e-mail after a scary experience he had on Friday, February 19:
"This morning when I answered the phone, my grandson, supposedly, was calling me from Toronto, Canada. He had been arrested and was in jail. He asked for my help to get him out, but not to tell his folks. He handed the phone to a supposed police officer, who told me how to send the $2,138 fine via Western Union to Stuart in Canada. Then I was to call a number and report the receipt number for my transaction.
"What saved me was the thought that we had no international phone service. I stopped at Claudia's to see if she did. She recognized it as a scam, which it was. By returning to the Western Union office, I was able to get a full refund since I had not yet given the receipt number to the scammers. When I got home I learned that the scammers had called repeatedly for the info they needed to get the money from Western Union."
5 Our family 50 years ago
Excerpts from the February 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.
Mon, Feb 22. I came home from work & took Kids to school. I made tea & read paper & sorted cloths & washed 3 batches & read 2nd Nephi. Jackie & I went to bed at 12:30.
Tues, Feb 23. I read Books of Jacob - Enos - Jarom - Omni & The Words of Mormon.
Wed, Feb 24. Came home & Ivard was to work again. I took little Kids to school & made me some tea & read the Book of Mosiah then Jackie & I went to bed at 12:45. Ivard got called out at midnite again, time & one half.
Thurs, Feb 25. Dad was home in bed when I got home so I took Kids to school. I got up at 3: & we went to town & got groc. it was my pay day. We were out of everything. We went to Hales & bought a new R.C.A. T.V. & traded our other in on it. so now we havn't a record player. We got Jackie a trike too.
Fri, Feb 26. had a blizzard last nite & during nite. Roads were slippery out this side of Nampa & from Caldwell to Nampa. I just got to sleep when some on Knocked & woke me up. Ivard & Jackie were in tub so I got up & let the guys in with T.V. then I set & watched it. It wiggled around & Ivard turned it up & one caster was in short & the leg was split so I called Hales & they said they'd get us another. at 1: Ivard took Jackie & I in to Stake House to relief society leadership meeting. I was called on twice to read parts of lesson & to close with prayer.
Sat, Feb 27. at 2:30 we got ready & all went over to Gails until 6: then They went with us over to Owyhee Ward to their reunion. Had a real nice roast beef supper.
Sun, Feb 28. Gene & Ray went to Priesthood with Max & little Kids woke us up at 11:15 & Ivard & I got ready & we all went to sunday school. got signed up for Genealogy Work shop to run 12 weeks. We came home & I fried me & Ivard halibut. Ray fixed them barbacue. Ray went to church early with Pendletons to quire practice. He gave a 20 min talk.
Mon, Feb 22. I came home from work & took Kids to school. I made tea & read paper & sorted cloths & washed 3 batches & read 2nd Nephi. Jackie & I went to bed at 12:30.
Tues, Feb 23. I read Books of Jacob - Enos - Jarom - Omni & The Words of Mormon.
Wed, Feb 24. Came home & Ivard was to work again. I took little Kids to school & made me some tea & read the Book of Mosiah then Jackie & I went to bed at 12:45. Ivard got called out at midnite again, time & one half.
Thurs, Feb 25. Dad was home in bed when I got home so I took Kids to school. I got up at 3: & we went to town & got groc. it was my pay day. We were out of everything. We went to Hales & bought a new R.C.A. T.V. & traded our other in on it. so now we havn't a record player. We got Jackie a trike too.
Fri, Feb 26. had a blizzard last nite & during nite. Roads were slippery out this side of Nampa & from Caldwell to Nampa. I just got to sleep when some on Knocked & woke me up. Ivard & Jackie were in tub so I got up & let the guys in with T.V. then I set & watched it. It wiggled around & Ivard turned it up & one caster was in short & the leg was split so I called Hales & they said they'd get us another. at 1: Ivard took Jackie & I in to Stake House to relief society leadership meeting. I was called on twice to read parts of lesson & to close with prayer.
Sat, Feb 27. at 2:30 we got ready & all went over to Gails until 6: then They went with us over to Owyhee Ward to their reunion. Had a real nice roast beef supper.
Sun, Feb 28. Gene & Ray went to Priesthood with Max & little Kids woke us up at 11:15 & Ivard & I got ready & we all went to sunday school. got signed up for Genealogy Work shop to run 12 weeks. We came home & I fried me & Ivard halibut. Ray fixed them barbacue. Ray went to church early with Pendletons to quire practice. He gave a 20 min talk.
6 What in the world
Olympics
The winter Olympic games continue in Vancouver. As of yesterday, the United States led the medals count with 24 medals (7 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze). Germany had 16 total medals, Norway 12, and Korea 9. Tied for fifth place were host-country Canada, Austria, and France, each with 8 medals.
New look for the Ogden Temple
The First Presidency have announced a major renovation that will completely update the outside look of the Ogden Temple and the rest of the block that the temple and nearby tabernacle occupy in downtown Ogden. The above-ground parking structure will be removed and parking placed underground. The temple's inner structure will remain largely the same. However, the temple's entrance will be moved from the west side to the east side. And the whole block will be beautified.
The winter Olympic games continue in Vancouver. As of yesterday, the United States led the medals count with 24 medals (7 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze). Germany had 16 total medals, Norway 12, and Korea 9. Tied for fifth place were host-country Canada, Austria, and France, each with 8 medals.
New look for the Ogden Temple
The First Presidency have announced a major renovation that will completely update the outside look of the Ogden Temple and the rest of the block that the temple and nearby tabernacle occupy in downtown Ogden. The above-ground parking structure will be removed and parking placed underground. The temple's inner structure will remain largely the same. However, the temple's entrance will be moved from the west side to the east side. And the whole block will be beautified.
7 A final word
This week's final word is from our daughter Eliza, who lives in Atlanta. She posted this testimony on Thursday, February 18.
I am not an eloquent speaker nor am I quick on my feet to say things the way I would if I had a bit of time to gather my thoughts into something more cohesive. Rarely, for example, do I offer comments in church when questions are posed for this very reason. This evening I was asked to give a personal experience on how I know that the Savior loves me, and in my fumbling way to respond quickly the message did not convey very clearly or how I had intended it to. I have felt frustrated and sad ever since.
I suppose I felt like this person wanted some grand experience and personal story as evidence or proof. But the more I have thought about it tonight, the more I realize it isn't in the big and glorious ways that I have come to learn of my Savior's personal love for me. It's in the every day ordinary miracles where I have seen His hand in my life. Truly simple things that if I were not careful it would be easy to dismiss for something else or to not even recognize at all.
Jesus Christ's love is constant. He has always been there for me: in the darkest, loneliest, and most painful moments of my life but also in the sweetest, happiest, and most joyous moments as well. And while Christ's atonement was for all mankind, it was also for me individually . . . as it was for you too. Christ died and atoned for the sins of the world but specifically for all my abundant shortcomings, sins, and mistakes. And I have a feeling, even if I had been the only one He still would have done it. That is love. That is His love for me. And for you. As it says in John 15:3, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
If this person had a sneak peek into my life, especially during the boys' bedtime, he would hear my testimony of the Savior and His love in the form of sweet lullabies and songs. One of Peter's favorites (that he requests we sing throughout the whole day long) is "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and it's words particularly speak sweetly to my heart tonight:
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me!
I am not an eloquent speaker nor am I quick on my feet to say things the way I would if I had a bit of time to gather my thoughts into something more cohesive. Rarely, for example, do I offer comments in church when questions are posed for this very reason. This evening I was asked to give a personal experience on how I know that the Savior loves me, and in my fumbling way to respond quickly the message did not convey very clearly or how I had intended it to. I have felt frustrated and sad ever since.
I suppose I felt like this person wanted some grand experience and personal story as evidence or proof. But the more I have thought about it tonight, the more I realize it isn't in the big and glorious ways that I have come to learn of my Savior's personal love for me. It's in the every day ordinary miracles where I have seen His hand in my life. Truly simple things that if I were not careful it would be easy to dismiss for something else or to not even recognize at all.
Jesus Christ's love is constant. He has always been there for me: in the darkest, loneliest, and most painful moments of my life but also in the sweetest, happiest, and most joyous moments as well. And while Christ's atonement was for all mankind, it was also for me individually . . . as it was for you too. Christ died and atoned for the sins of the world but specifically for all my abundant shortcomings, sins, and mistakes. And I have a feeling, even if I had been the only one He still would have done it. That is love. That is His love for me. And for you. As it says in John 15:3, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
If this person had a sneak peek into my life, especially during the boys' bedtime, he would hear my testimony of the Savior and His love in the form of sweet lullabies and songs. One of Peter's favorites (that he requests we sing throughout the whole day long) is "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and it's words particularly speak sweetly to my heart tonight:
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yet, Jesus is real to me.
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me!
Monday, February 15, 2010
1 Scouting's 100-year history
Last week we briefly chronicled the founding of the Boy Scouts of America on February 8, 1910. This week (and next week in continuing celebration of February as Scouting month) we are listing some of the major milestones in Scouting's 100-year history.
1910: Scouting incorporated on February 8
1911: First edition of Handbook for Boys published
1912: The BSA purchased Boys' Life magazine and made it its own monthly publication
1913: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the first religious body to adopt Scouting
1916: The U.S. Congress voted unanimously to give the BSA a federal charter
1918: Rotary International became the first service club to sponsor Boy Scout troops
1919: President Woodrow Wilson established National Boy Scout Week
1924: Norman Rockwell painted the first of his Boy Scout calendars
1925: Membership in the Boy Scouts of America topped 1 million
1926: The first Silver Buffalo awards were presented for distinguished service to youth
1930: Cub Scouting began as the BSA's program for younger boys
1934: The Order of the Arrow became an official program of the BSA
1935: The 5 millionth copy of the Handbook for Boys was printed
1937: The first National Scout Jamboree was held in the shadow of the Washington Monument
1941: The Webelos rank was created for older Cub Scouts
1948: The first Wood Badge course conducted
1950: Membership ages were lowered to 8 for Cub Scouts, 11 for Boy Scouts, and 14 for Explorers
1953: The first Pinewood Derby was held in California
1959: Exploring was established as a distinct program from Boy Scouting
1960: On Scouting's 50th birthday the U.S. Post Office issued a 4-cent commemorative stamp
1910: Scouting incorporated on February 8
1911: First edition of Handbook for Boys published
1912: The BSA purchased Boys' Life magazine and made it its own monthly publication
1913: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the first religious body to adopt Scouting
1916: The U.S. Congress voted unanimously to give the BSA a federal charter
1918: Rotary International became the first service club to sponsor Boy Scout troops
1919: President Woodrow Wilson established National Boy Scout Week
1924: Norman Rockwell painted the first of his Boy Scout calendars
1925: Membership in the Boy Scouts of America topped 1 million
1926: The first Silver Buffalo awards were presented for distinguished service to youth
1930: Cub Scouting began as the BSA's program for younger boys
1934: The Order of the Arrow became an official program of the BSA
1935: The 5 millionth copy of the Handbook for Boys was printed
1937: The first National Scout Jamboree was held in the shadow of the Washington Monument
1941: The Webelos rank was created for older Cub Scouts
1948: The first Wood Badge course conducted
1950: Membership ages were lowered to 8 for Cub Scouts, 11 for Boy Scouts, and 14 for Explorers
1953: The first Pinewood Derby was held in California
1959: Exploring was established as a distinct program from Boy Scouting
1960: On Scouting's 50th birthday the U.S. Post Office issued a 4-cent commemorative stamp
2 Quote of the week
"There are people across the world and about us—our neighbors, our friends, some in our own families—who, spiritually speaking, are undernourished. Some of them are starving to death! If we keep all this to ourselves, it is not unlike feasting before those who are hungry" (Boyd K. Packer, in Ensign, May 1984, 41–42).
3 This week in our family
Mon, Feb 15: Faustino Dela Cruz's birthday [Gail]
Tues, Feb 16: Cassidy's birthday [Kay]
Wed, Feb 17: Emily Real's birthday [Gene]
Thurs, Feb 18: Dale & LeAnn married 1984 [Dale]
Sat, 20: Louis Real's birthday [Gene]
Mon, Feb 22: Next issue of newsletter
Tues, Feb 16: Cassidy's birthday [Kay]
Wed, Feb 17: Emily Real's birthday [Gene]
Thurs, Feb 18: Dale & LeAnn married 1984 [Dale]
Sat, 20: Louis Real's birthday [Gene]
Mon, Feb 22: Next issue of newsletter
4 Bits and tidbits
Kay and Karen
"God's tender mercies are evident in our mission," Karen wrote in her last e-mail. And then she gave a couple of examples:
"The end of January has really kept us on our knees. A blessing of intervention was here. Sister Tyler [the mission president's wife] and I had headed out the door to go shopping for the missionaries when Sister Chero came. She does a lot of sewing for us in the form of making pillows, mattress covers, backpacks, and scripture covers. We came back into the office to talk with her and when we finished she had agreed to purchase all of the items we were going to go shopping for. I checked on Kay afterward and his leg was worse.
"The infection that hit Kay and sent him to the ER manifested itself in the form of cellulitis in his lower right leg, although we did not know what it was at the time. It was getting really bad so after I looked at it I wanted him to go back to the doctor, but being of the stubborn male species he declined. I spoke with our area doctor and he said take him to the doctor. Sister Tyler was still in the office so I spoke to her and she very politely, but very firmly told him he was going and she accompanied us. Had we gone out shopping it would have been too late to go to the clinic. The doctor immediately said he wanted to put him in the hospital on a strong IV antibiotic for 3 days. He also ordered an echo cardiogram to see how deep the infection had gone and whether or not there was thrombosis. The test showed the infection had not gone deep. President and Elder Hales and Elder Hatton went up that night and administered to him.
"Now for the good part. After two days the doctor was surprised and very pleased with Kay's improvement and said he could go home. We returned to the doctor for a check-up the following Monday. The doctor was very surprised when he saw Kay's leg and thought that it was the wrong leg that he showed him. We both smiled knowing that the quick healing was the result of the priesthood blessing Kay had received. . . .
"Thank you all so very much for the prayers, especially in Kay's behalf. His quick healing was truly remarkable and the doctor is still amazed. I just love it when doctors experience that and do not quite understand the miracle they have just witnessed."
"God's tender mercies are evident in our mission," Karen wrote in her last e-mail. And then she gave a couple of examples:
"The end of January has really kept us on our knees. A blessing of intervention was here. Sister Tyler [the mission president's wife] and I had headed out the door to go shopping for the missionaries when Sister Chero came. She does a lot of sewing for us in the form of making pillows, mattress covers, backpacks, and scripture covers. We came back into the office to talk with her and when we finished she had agreed to purchase all of the items we were going to go shopping for. I checked on Kay afterward and his leg was worse.
"The infection that hit Kay and sent him to the ER manifested itself in the form of cellulitis in his lower right leg, although we did not know what it was at the time. It was getting really bad so after I looked at it I wanted him to go back to the doctor, but being of the stubborn male species he declined. I spoke with our area doctor and he said take him to the doctor. Sister Tyler was still in the office so I spoke to her and she very politely, but very firmly told him he was going and she accompanied us. Had we gone out shopping it would have been too late to go to the clinic. The doctor immediately said he wanted to put him in the hospital on a strong IV antibiotic for 3 days. He also ordered an echo cardiogram to see how deep the infection had gone and whether or not there was thrombosis. The test showed the infection had not gone deep. President and Elder Hales and Elder Hatton went up that night and administered to him.
"Now for the good part. After two days the doctor was surprised and very pleased with Kay's improvement and said he could go home. We returned to the doctor for a check-up the following Monday. The doctor was very surprised when he saw Kay's leg and thought that it was the wrong leg that he showed him. We both smiled knowing that the quick healing was the result of the priesthood blessing Kay had received. . . .
"Thank you all so very much for the prayers, especially in Kay's behalf. His quick healing was truly remarkable and the doctor is still amazed. I just love it when doctors experience that and do not quite understand the miracle they have just witnessed."
5 Our family 50 years ago
Excerpts from the February 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.
Mon, Feb 15. Gene didn't feel good so he stayed home & he tended Jackie.
Tues, Feb 16. Worked on my relief society lesson until noon then Ivard got up & I gave it to him, took an hr. It was on Wm. Byrd & Michel Guillaume Jean de Crevecour, I really liked him On "Whats an American." Ivard took Jackie & I to relief society & I gave my lesson.
Wed, Feb 17. Dale had gone on bike to school so I kept Dean home to tend Jackie. I went to Kotters & rode to Boise to Dr. with her. I only lost 3 lbs but it made 11 for month. He said I was doing good.
Thurs, Feb 18. Got letter from Mother & Jerry. at 1: I got up & we went to Nampa & paid our payment on place $1000. + 6% Int. $900. Ivard went & got Gene at 6: They brought our fresh meat home for freezer. Pig we had killed.
Fri, Feb 19. I came home & took Dean to school. Dale went on bike. Ivard has flue, had a shot. wrote Kay & Lyle each 9 page letter.
Sat, Feb 20. My nite off. Gene did chores & made hot cakes for breakfast. Kays room mate had called from Boise & wanted us to bring Kays base ball shoes & mit over so Ivard went to Boise & watched Dee wrestle & gave him Kays stuff. Gene took pick-up & went in to school to go to Boise & play ball, got beat. last game of season.
Sun, Feb 21. Ivard ordained Gene a Priest & Gene adminestered sacrament in J. sunday school. I started to read Book of Mormon & read 1st Nephi.
Mon, Feb 15. Gene didn't feel good so he stayed home & he tended Jackie.
Tues, Feb 16. Worked on my relief society lesson until noon then Ivard got up & I gave it to him, took an hr. It was on Wm. Byrd & Michel Guillaume Jean de Crevecour, I really liked him On "Whats an American." Ivard took Jackie & I to relief society & I gave my lesson.
Wed, Feb 17. Dale had gone on bike to school so I kept Dean home to tend Jackie. I went to Kotters & rode to Boise to Dr. with her. I only lost 3 lbs but it made 11 for month. He said I was doing good.
Thurs, Feb 18. Got letter from Mother & Jerry. at 1: I got up & we went to Nampa & paid our payment on place $1000. + 6% Int. $900. Ivard went & got Gene at 6: They brought our fresh meat home for freezer. Pig we had killed.
Fri, Feb 19. I came home & took Dean to school. Dale went on bike. Ivard has flue, had a shot. wrote Kay & Lyle each 9 page letter.
Sat, Feb 20. My nite off. Gene did chores & made hot cakes for breakfast. Kays room mate had called from Boise & wanted us to bring Kays base ball shoes & mit over so Ivard went to Boise & watched Dee wrestle & gave him Kays stuff. Gene took pick-up & went in to school to go to Boise & play ball, got beat. last game of season.
Sun, Feb 21. Ivard ordained Gene a Priest & Gene adminestered sacrament in J. sunday school. I started to read Book of Mormon & read 1st Nephi.
6 What in the world
Winter Olympics
The 2010 winter games officially began with impressive opening ceremonies in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday evening, February 12. Unfortunately, the opening was saddened by the accidental death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who was killed during his practice run earlier in the day. The Olympic games continue for another two weeks.
The 2010 winter games officially began with impressive opening ceremonies in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday evening, February 12. Unfortunately, the opening was saddened by the accidental death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who was killed during his practice run earlier in the day. The Olympic games continue for another two weeks.
7 A final word
Is anyone out there? Two weeks ago, following a brief interruption when our Internet service was down, I published the following as the final word:
The little hiatus caused me to reflect on ways we might improve this newsletter that I have been cranking out for the past thirty-six and a half years. I wondered if publishing on a different day of the week than Monday would be better. I wondered if there should be different items than the ones we regularly feature.Interestingly, I did not receive a single comment. Perhaps no one ever reads this anyway. Or you are all perfectly satisfied. Or . . .
You are the readers. Let me know what you think. What you do like. What you don't. What you think would make this ongoing history of our family even better. Feel free to post comments or send me a letter or call me on the phone (no anonymous bricks through the window please), and we'll see what we can do.
Monday, February 8, 2010
1 Boy Scouts of America celebrates 100 years!
In 1908 Robert Baden-Powell, a former British general in the Boer War in South Africa, published Scouting for Boys and formally launched the Boy Scout movement. Baden-Powell had returned from South Africa to England in 1903 and was astonished to find British boys using an army manual he'd written as a guide to outdoor fun. For the next few years, he studied boys' programs and decided to start his own.
In 1906 he drafted a paper called "Boy Scouts—A Suggestion," proposing a way to "help in making the rising generation, of whatever class or creed, into good citizens at home or for the colonies." A year later, he organized a camp to test his ideas. The camp involved 12 upper-class boys and nine working-class boys. It was a rousing success and lead to the founding of Scouting the following year in 1908. Over the next few years, he watched Scouting spread throughout the British colonies and beyond.
One hundred years ago today, on February 8, 1910, William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. Boyce was a wealthy Chicago newspaper publisher. In August 1909, he was in London, preparing for an African safari, when he got lost in a pea-soup fog. In his words, "a little lad of 12" appeared and guided him safely across the street. When Boyce offered a tip, the boy declined, explaining that he was just doing his Good Turn as a Boy Scout.
Boyce was impressed and investigated further. He picked up a trunk full of publications at Scout headquarters and studied them during his safari. Six months later, in February 2010, he incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. Despite his interest in youth and in Scouting, he had neither the time nor inclination to run the BSA. He turned its leadership over to Edgar M. Robinson , the senior boys' work secretary of the YMCA's international committee in New York. Boyce did agree to give the BSA $1,000 per month for operating expenses—provided that boys of all races and creeds be included—but that was the extent of his involvement.
Robinson, however, turned down the invitation to serve as the BSA's first chief Scout executive. His first love was still the YMCA. Instead, he recruited James Edward West , who on January 2, 1911, became the first chief Scout executive. He agreed to take the job for up to six months and stayed on for 32 years.
By 1913 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the first religious body to adopt Scouting as a part of its ministry.
In 1906 he drafted a paper called "Boy Scouts—A Suggestion," proposing a way to "help in making the rising generation, of whatever class or creed, into good citizens at home or for the colonies." A year later, he organized a camp to test his ideas. The camp involved 12 upper-class boys and nine working-class boys. It was a rousing success and lead to the founding of Scouting the following year in 1908. Over the next few years, he watched Scouting spread throughout the British colonies and beyond.
One hundred years ago today, on February 8, 1910, William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. Boyce was a wealthy Chicago newspaper publisher. In August 1909, he was in London, preparing for an African safari, when he got lost in a pea-soup fog. In his words, "a little lad of 12" appeared and guided him safely across the street. When Boyce offered a tip, the boy declined, explaining that he was just doing his Good Turn as a Boy Scout.
Boyce was impressed and investigated further. He picked up a trunk full of publications at Scout headquarters and studied them during his safari. Six months later, in February 2010, he incorporated the Boy Scouts of America. Despite his interest in youth and in Scouting, he had neither the time nor inclination to run the BSA. He turned its leadership over to Edgar M. Robinson , the senior boys' work secretary of the YMCA's international committee in New York. Boyce did agree to give the BSA $1,000 per month for operating expenses—provided that boys of all races and creeds be included—but that was the extent of his involvement.
Robinson, however, turned down the invitation to serve as the BSA's first chief Scout executive. His first love was still the YMCA. Instead, he recruited James Edward West , who on January 2, 1911, became the first chief Scout executive. He agreed to take the job for up to six months and stayed on for 32 years.
By 1913 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the first religious body to adopt Scouting as a part of its ministry.
2 Quote of the week
Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others. There is no surprise in that, since the Lord proclaimed those as the first and great commandments. It is love of God that will lead us to keep His commandments. And love of others is at the heart of our capacity to obey Him. . . .
He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.
That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love.
He has offered us the family as an example of an ideal setting in which we can learn how to love as He loves.
That is because the greatest joys and the greatest sorrows are in family relationships. The joys come from putting the welfare of others above our own. That is what love is. And the sorrow comes primarily from selfishness, which is the absence of love.
— Henry B. Eyring (in "Our Perfect Example," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 70–71)
3 This week in our family
Mon, Feb 8: Scouting's 100th birthday
Tues, Feb 9: Anna Halverson's birthday [Dean]
Tues, Feb 9: John's birthday [Gail]
Wed, Feb 10: Benjamin's birthday [Dean]
Thurs, Feb 11: Samantha Packwood's birthday [Gene]
Fri, Feb 12: Abraham Lincoln's birthday
Fri, Feb 12: Opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
Sat, Feb 13: Scott's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, Feb 14: Valentine's Day
Mon, Feb 15: Faustino Dela Cruz's birthday [Gail]
Mon, Feb 15: Next issue of newsletter
Tues, Feb 9: Anna Halverson's birthday [Dean]
Tues, Feb 9: John's birthday [Gail]
Wed, Feb 10: Benjamin's birthday [Dean]
Thurs, Feb 11: Samantha Packwood's birthday [Gene]
Fri, Feb 12: Abraham Lincoln's birthday
Fri, Feb 12: Opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver
Sat, Feb 13: Scott's birthday [Lyle]
Sun, Feb 14: Valentine's Day
Mon, Feb 15: Faustino Dela Cruz's birthday [Gail]
Mon, Feb 15: Next issue of newsletter
4 Bits and tidbits
Dean's family
Pete and Anna Halverson and their infant son Miles are in Hawaii this week enjoying the sunny beaches of Maui. When Anna called her mother to wish her a happy birthday Saturday evening, she said she may not want to come back to February in Utah.
We learned this past week that Talmage and Louise, who have been unable to have any children in the three-plus years they have been married and who are in process of trying to adopt a foster child, are expecting a baby this coming September. Congratulations!
Pete and Anna Halverson and their infant son Miles are in Hawaii this week enjoying the sunny beaches of Maui. When Anna called her mother to wish her a happy birthday Saturday evening, she said she may not want to come back to February in Utah.
We learned this past week that Talmage and Louise, who have been unable to have any children in the three-plus years they have been married and who are in process of trying to adopt a foster child, are expecting a baby this coming September. Congratulations!
5 Our family 50 years ago
Excerpts from the February 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.
Mon, Feb 8. Got letter from Jerry & Kay. It rained all nite & this morning & rained hard from 3:30 on tonite.
Tues, Feb 9. I came home from work & went to bed at 10: I got up at 11:15 & went to relief society work day. We had a real good dinner. I painted me an orchid on a hankey, we learned textile paints today. I gave a short review of lesson for next week inviteing women to relief societ. I gave closeing prayer.
Wed, Feb 10. Kay called & wanted us to call Bishop to write letter to his Bishop so he could go to Temple to be baptized for dead. Dale, Jackie & I went in to school & picked Ray up & we went & bought him a scout suit, Dale some pajamas, me a perse. sent Kay a valentine & $5. Came home & fixed rest of Valentines & Ivard mailed them when he went to work. Sent Mother & Jerry $5. in there valentine.
Thurs, Feb 11. Ray came home on bus & made potatoe soup for Kids. I got up at 3: I sewed stuff on scout suit. Ivard & I & Ray went in to church to Scout banquet & court of honor. Ray became a Star Scout & pined a pine on me.
Fri, Feb 12. got Valentine from Kay. Ivard tended Jackie & washed some cloths. We ate at 5:30 & Gene did chores & Ivard & Dean took him to ball games. got beat
Sat, Feb 13. Gene & Ivard made 3 trips to Caldwelll sale & took 3 cows & Gene's weiner pigs. Ray made stew & we ate at 2:00 & Gene took Dean in to church to Dance practice & at 3: Gene left for Twin Falls to play ball, got beat. I didn't sleep much, Kids Kept wakeing me up. Gail, Lynda & Kids came about 4: & we left Kids with Ray & went after Dean at Stake House then Ivard took me to florist shop & bought me a big green & white plant with big leaves for Valentine $6. came home & ate & did chores, only have 3 cows left.
Sun, Feb 14. Gene & Ray went to Priesthood in Pick-up. We got up at 11:30 & all went to sunday school. I got a cake & icecream.
Mon, Feb 8. Got letter from Jerry & Kay. It rained all nite & this morning & rained hard from 3:30 on tonite.
Tues, Feb 9. I came home from work & went to bed at 10: I got up at 11:15 & went to relief society work day. We had a real good dinner. I painted me an orchid on a hankey, we learned textile paints today. I gave a short review of lesson for next week inviteing women to relief societ. I gave closeing prayer.
Wed, Feb 10. Kay called & wanted us to call Bishop to write letter to his Bishop so he could go to Temple to be baptized for dead. Dale, Jackie & I went in to school & picked Ray up & we went & bought him a scout suit, Dale some pajamas, me a perse. sent Kay a valentine & $5. Came home & fixed rest of Valentines & Ivard mailed them when he went to work. Sent Mother & Jerry $5. in there valentine.
Thurs, Feb 11. Ray came home on bus & made potatoe soup for Kids. I got up at 3: I sewed stuff on scout suit. Ivard & I & Ray went in to church to Scout banquet & court of honor. Ray became a Star Scout & pined a pine on me.
Fri, Feb 12. got Valentine from Kay. Ivard tended Jackie & washed some cloths. We ate at 5:30 & Gene did chores & Ivard & Dean took him to ball games. got beat
Sat, Feb 13. Gene & Ivard made 3 trips to Caldwelll sale & took 3 cows & Gene's weiner pigs. Ray made stew & we ate at 2:00 & Gene took Dean in to church to Dance practice & at 3: Gene left for Twin Falls to play ball, got beat. I didn't sleep much, Kids Kept wakeing me up. Gail, Lynda & Kids came about 4: & we left Kids with Ray & went after Dean at Stake House then Ivard took me to florist shop & bought me a big green & white plant with big leaves for Valentine $6. came home & ate & did chores, only have 3 cows left.
Sun, Feb 14. Gene & Ray went to Priesthood in Pick-up. We got up at 11:30 & all went to sunday school. I got a cake & icecream.
6 What in the world
Super Bowl
The New Orleans Saints won their first ever Super Bowl last night, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in the 44th Super Bowl.
Winter Olympics
The opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be this coming Friday, February 12, and will be widely broadcast throughout much of the world (check your local listings for times). The Olympics run through February 28.
The New Orleans Saints won their first ever Super Bowl last night, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in the 44th Super Bowl.
Winter Olympics
The opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be this coming Friday, February 12, and will be widely broadcast throughout much of the world (check your local listings for times). The Olympics run through February 28.
7 A final word
Personal and family records are so very important. The philosopher George Santayana (1863–1952) wrote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (Life of Reason, Or The Phases of Human Progress: Introduction and Reason in Common Sense [1905], 1:284).
The Book of Mormon gives other reasons for the importance of keeping sacred personal and family records: "And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls" (Alma 37:8).
That's what this newsletter has been about, imperfectly at best, for these past thirty-six and a half years. That's what nearly half a century of Dorothy's diaries were about. That's what the family histories we reproduce from time to time are about. Trying to teach us the lessons learned by those who went before us. Trying to enlarge our memories. Trying to remind us of God's gentle goodness in our lives. Trying to remind us of tender mercies and miracles that come to us. Trying to help us keep the Lord in remembrance.
President Henry B. Eyring taught, "When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. . . .
"I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: 'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.' . . .
"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him"(Henry B. Eyring, in Ensign, Nov. 2007, 66, 69).
Elder Richard G. Scott added, "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light" (Richard G. Scott, in Ensign, Nov. 1993, 88).
The Book of Mormon gives other reasons for the importance of keeping sacred personal and family records: "And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls" (Alma 37:8).
That's what this newsletter has been about, imperfectly at best, for these past thirty-six and a half years. That's what nearly half a century of Dorothy's diaries were about. That's what the family histories we reproduce from time to time are about. Trying to teach us the lessons learned by those who went before us. Trying to enlarge our memories. Trying to remind us of God's gentle goodness in our lives. Trying to remind us of tender mercies and miracles that come to us. Trying to help us keep the Lord in remembrance.
President Henry B. Eyring taught, "When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day. . . .
"I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: 'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.' . . .
"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him"(Henry B. Eyring, in Ensign, Nov. 2007, 66, 69).
Elder Richard G. Scott added, "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need. Spiritually sensitive information should be kept in a sacred place that communicates to the Lord how you treasure it. That practice enhances the likelihood of your receiving further light" (Richard G. Scott, in Ensign, Nov. 1993, 88).
Monday, February 1, 2010
1 Nelson Holder Ritchie [4]
The last of a four-part history of Nelson Holder Ritchie (1840–1913), written in 1975 by a daughter, Grace Ritchie Ashton. Nelson married as his second wife Annie Cowan Russell (1857–1950), and they were the parents of Olive Ellen Ritchie Cleverly (1881–1945), who was the mother of Ivard R Cleverly (1915–1988).
Just another little sweet thing Aldus, Blanch's young son, said when Father died he was about three years old. His father and mother lived with us at the time. He happened to get in the room where Father was layed out, and we did not know it. He came out with such big eyes and said, "Papa’s feet cold!" He loved his Papa so very much, as Father used to care for him and sing to him when he was baby-sitting.
We went up the canyon in Parleys, and the road was not very wide. We came to a very narrow place in the road, where we met another man on a load of logs. We tried to give him all the room we could so we would not go down in the ditch, but this load of logs tipped over, and the man, a Mr. Bullock, got his leg broken. Father did all he could to help him. I believe he even took him down to his home in Sugar House and helped him.
I remember when we had such a lot of pigs, and the meanest one got out of the pen. Before Father could get his pitchfork, the pig took after him. He turned to run and caught his foot in a wire and fell flat. Then Father called a dog we had by the name of Rover, and that is all that saved Father's life. It was not long after that he killed the pig, and we had a lot of good meat from him.
When the creek got high water, Father used to watch it, as the train to Park City crossed it. He stopped the train lots of times for them to see if it was safe to go over. He was always thinking of someone else.
When Father lived in Kansas he belonged to the Masons. I have an apron Father had, and it has the all-seeing eye and horn of plenty and birds and other things on a white hide of some kind with blue all around it, with an envelope piece across it, with a sash. Our father, as I was told, was a very high Mason in the order. Father told me when he first came to Utah and lived in Salt Lake City, he used to have his Mason pin on, and he got so many high signs of distress that he could not take care of them all, so he threw his pin away. I am sorry, I wish I had it with my apron.
This order came down from the time of Solomon's temple, and each man is to help his brother. That is why the Prophet Joseph Smith joined the Masons. Did they help him? No, they killed him and never lived up to their own teachings.
I have a picture, which was sent to me from our cousin, Earl Lynch. It is of our father's big barn in Great Bend, Kansas. It has "N. H. Ritchie" across the front, with horses and buggies and some men who worked for Father, and Father standing near a beautiful horse. I was very happy to get this picture. I am sorry it was late coming to me, as I did want Bessie to see it. But she was not able to.
We lived in Sugar House for a while because we lived so far away from the street car. May worked in the telephone company nights, so Father moved us down there so she would be close to the street car, and most of the time Father was up at the old place alone taking care of his chickens and pigs. May had an operation, and I remember Ivard, the man she later married, used to come and see her. That is the house we lived in when Alvie came home from the Navy and where he would not see Father. Well, he lived to regret it. No boy could have had a better father than we had. When he married his wife, Alvie's wife said that Alvie was like a baby name, and she called him Jim, as his name was James Alvie.
While we were in Sugar House, I wanted to go up to the old place and asked if I could take the horse and buggy and was told no. Well, I made up my mind I would go anyway, so out I went and got ready and started out the back way and only went about 200 feet when the horse fell down and broke the buggy, and I had to go back and ask Father to help. Well, he was not hard on me. He only said, "If you had listened, this would not have happened." I often think how kind and good Father was to us all.
He used to do express work. He always was on West Temple and Second South, and he picked up quite a bit of work that way. Someone asked him to bring something up on First Avenue, and I remember it was cold and ice on the streets. Old Prince could not go up that hill, so Father got out and placed sacks so the horse could walk up that hill. And that horse did just that, stepped on those sacks. Father was very good to everything he had on the place.
I can't remember Father ever being sick. I know when I was sick how good he and Mother were to me when I was about seven or eight years old.
Another thing I remember, the girls used to go to the Hadley place, not far away, to play cards with their children. That family were not the kind of people Father wanted his girls to be friends with, so one time Father came over to where they were playing cards and said for them to come home, and on the way home he said, "If you want to play cards, do it in our home." I don't remember their going there anymore.
Bessie was soon married, and May was going to school. Blanch was not a well girl but would never say anything and do the work. I just do remember this, but Father would help his children with the work because Mother was working also, and Father helped in the house so Mother could rest when she came home. Father felt bad because Mother had to work away from home to help the family, but Mother was always willing to do her part. But they both had a hard life after they came to Utah to make a living, as work was hard to get.
I thank God that they joined the Church and came to Utah.
When Father died, we had him home all the time. It was on January 28, 1913, very cold and icy, and we could hardly get up the grade, as we lived in a low place and had a small hill to climb, and the horses could hardly get up there. We went to Parleys Ward about a mile or so away, and that little church was so full no more could get in it. Sister Cook sang "Oh, My Father" and "Somewhere," and Uncle William C. Mann spoke, also Bishop Whitaker. I don’t remember who prayed. Then we took Father to Bountiful to his resting place, a place he bought in 1896 to lay away another little son. The lot was large enough for eight people, and right as you go in the graveyard, Nelson Holder, Mother, James Alvie, Esther, and my daughter Ruth, who got burned, and Father. He was always looking ahead to help others. Elsie gave us a little tree, and we planted it there, and now it is a beautiful, big tree. Mother also put a headstone. There is still room for two more, so I hope to be laid away there.
I had a dream a few years ago. I dreamed I was in a big room, and there were many children laughing and playing. As I stood looking around, I saw a door ahead of me, and a man came in with his hand over most of his face. And the thought went through my mind, "Is that my father?" Then he took his hand away, and it was Nelson Holder Ritchie, my father, in a beautiful white robe.
I ran over to him and put my arms around him and could feel his body and laughed and said how glad I was to see him. He smiled and said, "Come, meet my wife." As we walked the children were still having a wonderful time and were so happy. We came to where a lady sat, and she looked a lot like my sister Elsie, and Father said, "I want you to meet my daughter, Grace Ritchie."
She looked up at me and never said anything. We walked away and came to a table where Father was doing something there, and I said, "Father, let me do that."
He said, "Oh, I can do it," but I insisted, and he said, "Oh, I believe I will" and walked away. Then I awoke, and I did not remember what it was I was going to do for him. It has made me wonder, so I may have to humble myself and ask my Father in Heaven what it was I told him I would do.
I have often wondered if my father was already resurrected, as I felt his body so vividly.
When we lived near Beck's Hot Springs (that is where Russell was born and where Olive was married), one night a man came to the door and asked for something to eat, and Mother and Father had him come in and set him up to the table. He thanked them for the food and left. After Mother had a feeling he was different. It was a beautiful clear moonlit night, and she asked Alvie to go out and see where that man went to. He did and walked all around and could not find him and came in and said he was nowhere to be seen. Then they felt they had a wonderful visitor at their home. He could have been one of the Three Nephites who was given the right to live till the Savior should come again on the earth.
Father always said it is better to help and feed all men than to turn one away, for we never know who we may have visit us. Angels unaware.
Just another little sweet thing Aldus, Blanch's young son, said when Father died he was about three years old. His father and mother lived with us at the time. He happened to get in the room where Father was layed out, and we did not know it. He came out with such big eyes and said, "Papa’s feet cold!" He loved his Papa so very much, as Father used to care for him and sing to him when he was baby-sitting.
We went up the canyon in Parleys, and the road was not very wide. We came to a very narrow place in the road, where we met another man on a load of logs. We tried to give him all the room we could so we would not go down in the ditch, but this load of logs tipped over, and the man, a Mr. Bullock, got his leg broken. Father did all he could to help him. I believe he even took him down to his home in Sugar House and helped him.
I remember when we had such a lot of pigs, and the meanest one got out of the pen. Before Father could get his pitchfork, the pig took after him. He turned to run and caught his foot in a wire and fell flat. Then Father called a dog we had by the name of Rover, and that is all that saved Father's life. It was not long after that he killed the pig, and we had a lot of good meat from him.
When the creek got high water, Father used to watch it, as the train to Park City crossed it. He stopped the train lots of times for them to see if it was safe to go over. He was always thinking of someone else.
When Father lived in Kansas he belonged to the Masons. I have an apron Father had, and it has the all-seeing eye and horn of plenty and birds and other things on a white hide of some kind with blue all around it, with an envelope piece across it, with a sash. Our father, as I was told, was a very high Mason in the order. Father told me when he first came to Utah and lived in Salt Lake City, he used to have his Mason pin on, and he got so many high signs of distress that he could not take care of them all, so he threw his pin away. I am sorry, I wish I had it with my apron.
This order came down from the time of Solomon's temple, and each man is to help his brother. That is why the Prophet Joseph Smith joined the Masons. Did they help him? No, they killed him and never lived up to their own teachings.
I have a picture, which was sent to me from our cousin, Earl Lynch. It is of our father's big barn in Great Bend, Kansas. It has "N. H. Ritchie" across the front, with horses and buggies and some men who worked for Father, and Father standing near a beautiful horse. I was very happy to get this picture. I am sorry it was late coming to me, as I did want Bessie to see it. But she was not able to.
We lived in Sugar House for a while because we lived so far away from the street car. May worked in the telephone company nights, so Father moved us down there so she would be close to the street car, and most of the time Father was up at the old place alone taking care of his chickens and pigs. May had an operation, and I remember Ivard, the man she later married, used to come and see her. That is the house we lived in when Alvie came home from the Navy and where he would not see Father. Well, he lived to regret it. No boy could have had a better father than we had. When he married his wife, Alvie's wife said that Alvie was like a baby name, and she called him Jim, as his name was James Alvie.
While we were in Sugar House, I wanted to go up to the old place and asked if I could take the horse and buggy and was told no. Well, I made up my mind I would go anyway, so out I went and got ready and started out the back way and only went about 200 feet when the horse fell down and broke the buggy, and I had to go back and ask Father to help. Well, he was not hard on me. He only said, "If you had listened, this would not have happened." I often think how kind and good Father was to us all.
He used to do express work. He always was on West Temple and Second South, and he picked up quite a bit of work that way. Someone asked him to bring something up on First Avenue, and I remember it was cold and ice on the streets. Old Prince could not go up that hill, so Father got out and placed sacks so the horse could walk up that hill. And that horse did just that, stepped on those sacks. Father was very good to everything he had on the place.
I can't remember Father ever being sick. I know when I was sick how good he and Mother were to me when I was about seven or eight years old.
Another thing I remember, the girls used to go to the Hadley place, not far away, to play cards with their children. That family were not the kind of people Father wanted his girls to be friends with, so one time Father came over to where they were playing cards and said for them to come home, and on the way home he said, "If you want to play cards, do it in our home." I don't remember their going there anymore.
Bessie was soon married, and May was going to school. Blanch was not a well girl but would never say anything and do the work. I just do remember this, but Father would help his children with the work because Mother was working also, and Father helped in the house so Mother could rest when she came home. Father felt bad because Mother had to work away from home to help the family, but Mother was always willing to do her part. But they both had a hard life after they came to Utah to make a living, as work was hard to get.
I thank God that they joined the Church and came to Utah.
When Father died, we had him home all the time. It was on January 28, 1913, very cold and icy, and we could hardly get up the grade, as we lived in a low place and had a small hill to climb, and the horses could hardly get up there. We went to Parleys Ward about a mile or so away, and that little church was so full no more could get in it. Sister Cook sang "Oh, My Father" and "Somewhere," and Uncle William C. Mann spoke, also Bishop Whitaker. I don’t remember who prayed. Then we took Father to Bountiful to his resting place, a place he bought in 1896 to lay away another little son. The lot was large enough for eight people, and right as you go in the graveyard, Nelson Holder, Mother, James Alvie, Esther, and my daughter Ruth, who got burned, and Father. He was always looking ahead to help others. Elsie gave us a little tree, and we planted it there, and now it is a beautiful, big tree. Mother also put a headstone. There is still room for two more, so I hope to be laid away there.
I had a dream a few years ago. I dreamed I was in a big room, and there were many children laughing and playing. As I stood looking around, I saw a door ahead of me, and a man came in with his hand over most of his face. And the thought went through my mind, "Is that my father?" Then he took his hand away, and it was Nelson Holder Ritchie, my father, in a beautiful white robe.
I ran over to him and put my arms around him and could feel his body and laughed and said how glad I was to see him. He smiled and said, "Come, meet my wife." As we walked the children were still having a wonderful time and were so happy. We came to where a lady sat, and she looked a lot like my sister Elsie, and Father said, "I want you to meet my daughter, Grace Ritchie."
She looked up at me and never said anything. We walked away and came to a table where Father was doing something there, and I said, "Father, let me do that."
He said, "Oh, I can do it," but I insisted, and he said, "Oh, I believe I will" and walked away. Then I awoke, and I did not remember what it was I was going to do for him. It has made me wonder, so I may have to humble myself and ask my Father in Heaven what it was I told him I would do.
I have often wondered if my father was already resurrected, as I felt his body so vividly.
When we lived near Beck's Hot Springs (that is where Russell was born and where Olive was married), one night a man came to the door and asked for something to eat, and Mother and Father had him come in and set him up to the table. He thanked them for the food and left. After Mother had a feeling he was different. It was a beautiful clear moonlit night, and she asked Alvie to go out and see where that man went to. He did and walked all around and could not find him and came in and said he was nowhere to be seen. Then they felt they had a wonderful visitor at their home. He could have been one of the Three Nephites who was given the right to live till the Savior should come again on the earth.
Father always said it is better to help and feed all men than to turn one away, for we never know who we may have visit us. Angels unaware.
2 Quote of the week
The Savior's coming will be both glorious and terrible, depending on the spiritual condition of those who remain.
— Ezra Taft Benson (in "Prepare Yourself for the Great Day of the Lord," New Era, May 1982, 49)
3 This week in our family
Tues, Feb 2: Groundhog Day
Tues, Feb 2: Charly McAllister's birthday [Kay]
Wed, Feb 3: Bob and Kimberley Ellis married 1989 [Gene]
Thurs, Feb 4: Caitlin Foley's birthday [Gail]
Sat, Feb 6: Claudia's birthday [Dean]
Sat, Feb 6: Kate's birthday [Gail]
Sun, Feb 7: Nicolle Higley's birthday [Kay]
Mon, Feb 8: Boy Scouts of America founded 100 years ago!
Mon, Feb 8: Next issue of newsletter
Tues, Feb 2: Charly McAllister's birthday [Kay]
Wed, Feb 3: Bob and Kimberley Ellis married 1989 [Gene]
Thurs, Feb 4: Caitlin Foley's birthday [Gail]
Sat, Feb 6: Claudia's birthday [Dean]
Sat, Feb 6: Kate's birthday [Gail]
Sun, Feb 7: Nicolle Higley's birthday [Kay]
Mon, Feb 8: Boy Scouts of America founded 100 years ago!
Mon, Feb 8: Next issue of newsletter
4 Bits and tidbits
An early memory
Kay posted the following comment after reading the third installment of the history on Nelson Holder Ritchie, which concludes in today's issue. It represents one of his earliest memories if not the very earliest memory in his young life:
"A comment about Olive Ellen Ritchie. She was my grandmother, and as far as I know the earliest thing that I can remember in my life. I distinctly remember the day that she died. She had had a heart attaack or problems with her heart while attending a basketball game that my dad and uncles were playing. They brought her home and the condition worsened. They called an ambulance and while waiting for the ambulance she sat on a 55 gallon oil drum in the driveway of my dad's old homestead on highway 89 in North Salt Lake. I remember someone picking me up and she gave me a big hug and kiss. I remember crying and saying grandma don't die. I was only 3 years and 4 months old at that time."
Lyle's family
Sometime last week, or possibly the week before, I talked on the phone with Lyle. He has now returned from his visit to Washington, where he visited various of his kids and grandkids. His return trip was uneventful.
Crystal Price reported that her boys have been studying the American Revolution this year and picked up a really great book at the library [The American Revolution for Kids]. On her blog, The Prices, she details how they made some homemade root beer, just like Samuel Adams's father did during colonial times.
Gail's family
We excerpt from a report Kate posted on her family's blog, Cleverly Invested, on January 17: "It's become a tradition each year to go to the Black Island Farms here in Syracuse. . . . There are animals to see, slides to go down, hot cocoa and doughnuts to snack on, a corn box, and much more. This year the highlight was the corn mazes covering 24 acres of ground. One side was cut into the shape of Edward's face, the other side was Jacob's. Who do you think we explored? You guessed it, TEAM JACOB all the way. Brian took the boys and I took the girls and we separated about half way through. We had the map, which unfortunately for the girls is not an advantage when I'm leading the way! The boys came back from the exit looking for us once they finished the maze since they knew we might be lost forever. After the maze we went into the GYNORMOUS pumpkin patches (which you have to ride on a tractor to get to) and we each got to take home a pumpkin. We were cold and tired, but it was another great year at the Black Island Farms." Numerous pictures are posted on the blog.
Kay's family
Kay spent some time in the hospital in Lima but is now out and apparently doing well. "I went to the hospital before work, during lunch and after work yesterday, "Karen wrote on January 28. "Kay is in good spirits, but is anxious to get out of the hospital. They are continuing to give him the IV antibiotic about every 4 hours. They also are giving him something for his stomach and an anti-coagalent shot in the stomach. His leg is still elevated all of the time. He said it is not much fun for sleeping. There is a chance he might get to come home today. Thanks to your prayers, he has responded to treatment and he did not develop thrombosis.
"Our foot doctor that we use in the mission, and who has been treating Kay's feet without charge, went to see him yesterday. She came in the office, and I told her his one foot had pain when he would walk on it. I thought he might have a wart. Anyway, while she was there she asked Kay if he was walking a lot and he replied that he was. He has been on the treadmill for an hour at a time. She asked what he was wearing for exercise clothing. I had bought him some loose bike pants made to be worn in the winter while biking. It is summer in Peru. Anyway, she told him that cellulitis can form because of lack of ventilation while exercising. If so, this is the probable cause of his cellulitis. But, whatever the cause, we will take precautions against it's reoccurrence."
Dean's family
Since the first of the year I've had a cold that just doesn't want to go away. Last week it morphed into a sinus infection, and I had a terrible few days before the antibiotic kicked in. When I told my doctor it was only the second time in my life I had ever had a sinus infection, he told me I was really fortunate because some people have that many every year.
On January 21 Michael received his treatment of radioactive iodine to kill his thyroid. That made him radioactive, and he had to remain in complete isolation from midday Thursday until noon the following Tuesday. He was sequestered away in his bedroom, and none of the children could see him during those five days. Shauna was able to take food and drink into him. He is now back among the land of the living.
Kay posted the following comment after reading the third installment of the history on Nelson Holder Ritchie, which concludes in today's issue. It represents one of his earliest memories if not the very earliest memory in his young life:
"A comment about Olive Ellen Ritchie. She was my grandmother, and as far as I know the earliest thing that I can remember in my life. I distinctly remember the day that she died. She had had a heart attaack or problems with her heart while attending a basketball game that my dad and uncles were playing. They brought her home and the condition worsened. They called an ambulance and while waiting for the ambulance she sat on a 55 gallon oil drum in the driveway of my dad's old homestead on highway 89 in North Salt Lake. I remember someone picking me up and she gave me a big hug and kiss. I remember crying and saying grandma don't die. I was only 3 years and 4 months old at that time."
Lyle's family
Sometime last week, or possibly the week before, I talked on the phone with Lyle. He has now returned from his visit to Washington, where he visited various of his kids and grandkids. His return trip was uneventful.
Crystal Price reported that her boys have been studying the American Revolution this year and picked up a really great book at the library [The American Revolution for Kids]. On her blog, The Prices, she details how they made some homemade root beer, just like Samuel Adams's father did during colonial times.
Gail's family
We excerpt from a report Kate posted on her family's blog, Cleverly Invested, on January 17: "It's become a tradition each year to go to the Black Island Farms here in Syracuse. . . . There are animals to see, slides to go down, hot cocoa and doughnuts to snack on, a corn box, and much more. This year the highlight was the corn mazes covering 24 acres of ground. One side was cut into the shape of Edward's face, the other side was Jacob's. Who do you think we explored? You guessed it, TEAM JACOB all the way. Brian took the boys and I took the girls and we separated about half way through. We had the map, which unfortunately for the girls is not an advantage when I'm leading the way! The boys came back from the exit looking for us once they finished the maze since they knew we might be lost forever. After the maze we went into the GYNORMOUS pumpkin patches (which you have to ride on a tractor to get to) and we each got to take home a pumpkin. We were cold and tired, but it was another great year at the Black Island Farms." Numerous pictures are posted on the blog.
Kay's family
Kay spent some time in the hospital in Lima but is now out and apparently doing well. "I went to the hospital before work, during lunch and after work yesterday, "Karen wrote on January 28. "Kay is in good spirits, but is anxious to get out of the hospital. They are continuing to give him the IV antibiotic about every 4 hours. They also are giving him something for his stomach and an anti-coagalent shot in the stomach. His leg is still elevated all of the time. He said it is not much fun for sleeping. There is a chance he might get to come home today. Thanks to your prayers, he has responded to treatment and he did not develop thrombosis.
"Our foot doctor that we use in the mission, and who has been treating Kay's feet without charge, went to see him yesterday. She came in the office, and I told her his one foot had pain when he would walk on it. I thought he might have a wart. Anyway, while she was there she asked Kay if he was walking a lot and he replied that he was. He has been on the treadmill for an hour at a time. She asked what he was wearing for exercise clothing. I had bought him some loose bike pants made to be worn in the winter while biking. It is summer in Peru. Anyway, she told him that cellulitis can form because of lack of ventilation while exercising. If so, this is the probable cause of his cellulitis. But, whatever the cause, we will take precautions against it's reoccurrence."
Dean's family
Since the first of the year I've had a cold that just doesn't want to go away. Last week it morphed into a sinus infection, and I had a terrible few days before the antibiotic kicked in. When I told my doctor it was only the second time in my life I had ever had a sinus infection, he told me I was really fortunate because some people have that many every year.
On January 21 Michael received his treatment of radioactive iodine to kill his thyroid. That made him radioactive, and he had to remain in complete isolation from midday Thursday until noon the following Tuesday. He was sequestered away in his bedroom, and none of the children could see him during those five days. Shauna was able to take food and drink into him. He is now back among the land of the living.
5 Our family 50 years ago
Excerpts from the February 1960 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on a 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa, Idaho.
Mon, Feb 1. Sent Jerry 2 letters, forgot his check. sent Kays Income tax. I hit an ice spot (black) passing a car comeing out of Caldwell & went all over road. lucky no car was comeing. sure scared me.
Tues, Feb 2. sent Kay letter & $25. Ray stayed home & tended Jackie & cleaned house & washed did my bed while I was gone to relief society. I bore my Testimony.
Wed, Feb 3. I came home from work & got Ivard up & he took Kids to school & I hurried & got ready & went to Boise to Dr. I lost 8 lbs. Jerry called about his money. sounded so good.
Thurs, Feb 4. Roads were slick comeing home. I slept all day & got up about 5:30 when Gail, Lynda & Kids came. I made a big Kettle of oyster soup & we ate when Kids came from Primary.
Fri, Feb 5. Ivard took little boys to school. I have next 2 nites off. I got up at noon & had a bath & went to church to stork shower. Had a good chicken salad & punch. played games. came home & Ivard had chores done & went to Givins swimming.
Sat, Feb 6. Ivard & Gene went in to high school to play ball at 5:30. Dale & I went at 7: & got Ivard & we went to Stake House & Ivard baptized Dale. We got Ivard & Dale a banna split & I had lemonade.
Sun, Feb 7. Ivard confirmed Dale a member of church. Dean & I bore our testimony. Gene & Ray stayed to Fireside.
Mon, Feb 1. Sent Jerry 2 letters, forgot his check. sent Kays Income tax. I hit an ice spot (black) passing a car comeing out of Caldwell & went all over road. lucky no car was comeing. sure scared me.
Tues, Feb 2. sent Kay letter & $25. Ray stayed home & tended Jackie & cleaned house & washed did my bed while I was gone to relief society. I bore my Testimony.
Wed, Feb 3. I came home from work & got Ivard up & he took Kids to school & I hurried & got ready & went to Boise to Dr. I lost 8 lbs. Jerry called about his money. sounded so good.
Thurs, Feb 4. Roads were slick comeing home. I slept all day & got up about 5:30 when Gail, Lynda & Kids came. I made a big Kettle of oyster soup & we ate when Kids came from Primary.
Fri, Feb 5. Ivard took little boys to school. I have next 2 nites off. I got up at noon & had a bath & went to church to stork shower. Had a good chicken salad & punch. played games. came home & Ivard had chores done & went to Givins swimming.
Sat, Feb 6. Ivard & Gene went in to high school to play ball at 5:30. Dale & I went at 7: & got Ivard & we went to Stake House & Ivard baptized Dale. We got Ivard & Dale a banna split & I had lemonade.
Sun, Feb 7. Ivard confirmed Dale a member of church. Dean & I bore our testimony. Gene & Ray stayed to Fireside.
6 What in the world
Help for Haiti
The First Presidency on January 22 issued the following appeal: "Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to 'lift up the hands which hang down' and 'strengthen the feeble knees.' We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.
"Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water, and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue."
New temple in Payson
The First Presidency on January 25 announced a new temple will be built in Payson, Utah, in the southern end of Utah County. It will be the 15th temple in Utah. Easing pressure on the busy Provo Utah Temple, the new temple will serve 22 stakes from Spanish Fork to Nephi.
New temple in Payson
The First Presidency on January 25 announced a new temple will be built in Payson, Utah, in the southern end of Utah County. It will be the 15th temple in Utah. Easing pressure on the busy Provo Utah Temple, the new temple will serve 22 stakes from Spanish Fork to Nephi.
7 A final word
Alert readers may have noticed there was no newsletter posted last week. For those of you who read the full text of Dorothy's dairies each day at http://dorothy-idaho.blogspot.com/, they were also not posted for a week. Our Internet connection at home was down for just over a week (I pay for my Internet service by the year and forgot that it came due again the first week of January, so the company turned it off after a grace period of a couple extra weeks), and work has been sufficiently busy that I had no opportunity to do anything from my computer there. But now we are back in business.
The little hiatus caused me to reflect on ways we might improve this newsletter that I have been cranking out for the past thirty-six and a half years. I wondered if publishing on a different day of the week than Monday would be better. I wondered if there should be different items than the ones we regularly feature.
You are the readers. Let me know what you think. What you do like. What you don't. What you think would make this ongoing history of our family even better. Feel free to post comments or send me a letter or call me on the phone (no anonymous bricks through the window please), and we'll see what we can do.
The little hiatus caused me to reflect on ways we might improve this newsletter that I have been cranking out for the past thirty-six and a half years. I wondered if publishing on a different day of the week than Monday would be better. I wondered if there should be different items than the ones we regularly feature.
You are the readers. Let me know what you think. What you do like. What you don't. What you think would make this ongoing history of our family even better. Feel free to post comments or send me a letter or call me on the phone (no anonymous bricks through the window please), and we'll see what we can do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
