1 Here we are again

One month ago today we published our last issue of the Cleverly Newsletter. There should have been one two weeks ago, but Claudia and I were gone a couple of weekends, and life has been busy, and there's only so much I can squeeze into each day. I do value my sleep, after all.

Here is an abbreviated version of the newsletter. We hope you enjoy.

2 Quote of the week

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. 

~Anne Bradstreet

3 This week in our family

Our family's calendar for the next fortnight

Fri, Mar 25: Josh & Sunshyne Kersker married 2000 [Lyle]
Fri, Mar 25: Dylan & Sarah Rager married 2000 [Dale]
Sat, Mar 26: Young Women general meeting satellite broadcast
Sun, Mar 27: Austin's missionary farewell
Sun, Mar 27: Lyle & Lucile married 2001 [Lyle]
Wed, Mar 30: Roxy Michelle's birthday [Gene]

Fri, Apr 1: All Fools Day
Fri, Apr 1: Lynda's birthday [Gail]
Sat, Apr 2: General conference
Sun, Apr 3: General conference
Tues, Apr 5: Eliza Challis's birthday [Dean]
Wed, Apr 6: Jason Tully's birthday [Gene]
Wed, Apr 6: Sunshyne Kersker's birthday [Lyle]
Wed, Apr 6: Brooklynn's birthday [Kay]
Wed, Apr 6: Next issue of newsletter (hopefully)

If we are missing anyone's birthday or anniversary, please let us know

4 Bits and tidbits

Kay's family
Kyle and Melissa's son Austin has been called to serve as a missionary in the Paraguay Asuncion Mission. He speaks in his Layton ward's sacrament meeting this coming Sunday, March 27, at 11:00 a.m. He enters the Provo MTC on Wednesday, April 13. Kay and Karen will be up from southern Utah this weekend.

Dean's family
We spent the weekend of March 12 and 13 visiting Kay and Karen in their home in Hurricane. Kay did our income taxes. And we had a delightful time visiting with them.

The weekend before that we were in Atlanta for the blessing of our youngest grandchild, Claire Ruth Challis, who was blessed in Atlanta by our son-in-law Paul. Both grandfathers stood in the circle for the blessing. Claire is Paul and Eliza's third child and first daughter.

Chris and Camilla Taylor are moving this coming weekend from Washington back to Utah. They had closed their Great Harvest bakery in Everett last fall. Chris will now be the manager of the Great Harvest in Bountiful. Camilla hopes to get a teaching job in the Davis School District.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the March and April 1961 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 moved during this time from the 40-acre farm in the Deer Flat area south of Nampa into town.

Thurs, Mar 16.  Got letter from Kay he's 1000 miles from Lima. Ivard went at 10: to hunt that sheep guy over at Kuna & we were going hunting places this afternoon but he never did show up.

Fri, Mar 17.  We went looking at houses with real estate guy. at 7: Ivard & I went in to church to relief society birthday party & had a real good ham supper & a good programe.

Sun, Mar 19.  Jerry walked over to Stake house to a meeting. At 4: Jerry called, to come & get him and Ivard, Gene & I went & got him & drove around looking at places.

Mon, Mar 20.  Ivard & I went place hunting at 9: & never got home until 4:, we went to Boise & all over.

Tues, Mar 21.  Ray got off bus at Pinsters & took his piano lesson. Gene had their first base ball game today at Payette. Won by 1 point.

Wed, Mar 22.  bought a house in Nampa. We finally found a 2 bedroom house on 1 1/2 acres at 412 Montana for 8000. & only $500. down so we took it. pretty good place.

Thurs, Mar 23.  We took Jerry & Jackie & went in to our new place & Jerry cleaned while Ivard & I went & paid lites, phone & groc. & got a new Sieglar oil heater.  When we got back they were putting it up. Jerry & Jackie were half froze. We made a fire in fire place.

Fri, Mar 24.  Ray stayed home from school and him & Jerry went in to our new house & cleaned all day. got letter from Kay

Sat, Mar 25.  We moved to Nampa.

Tues, Mar 28.  Jerry took Dean & Dale out to Scism for their last day of school. Dean got a Scout knife & Dale a big box of colored penscils for going away present at school.

Wed, Mar 29.  Dean & Dale started school at Roosevelt.

Thurs, Mar 30.  Jerry went looking for a Job. went up to Rodeo Park to double header ball game with Parma, We won both. They had to milk by hand again.

Fri, Mar 31.  Kids didn't have to go to school, easter vacation. They moved more stuff in. Jerry, Gene & I went to Nyssa at 8: & visited Gail & Gene stayed over for week-end.

Sun, Apr 2.  Kids got easter baskets. I dressed Jackie in her easter outfit & took her, Dean & Dale & went to sunday school & fast meeting. got home at 3: & Gail Lynda & Kids were here & brought Gene home. I stuffed eggs & we had a picnic lunch.

Tues, Apr 4.  Jerry got a job at Nampa Paint & Glass, starting in morning.

Wed, Apr 5.  Jerry started work at Nampa Paint & Glass. Jerry liked his job.

6 What in the world

Japan earthquake and tsunami
As of yesterday, the number of deaths from Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami topped 9,000 people. Another 12,000 are still missing. Some 320,000 have been evacuated from their homes. The strongest earthquake ever to hit the island nation, the 9.0 quake was Japan's worst disaster since World War II.

7 A final word

A half century ago this month Kay began serving in the Andes Mission as a full-time missionary. A generation later his sons followed his example by serving in various missions around the world. And now a third generation of missionary service begins as his oldest grandson prepares also to go to South America.

Our present prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, has reminded us of our obligation to serve missions:

"First, to young men of the Aaronic Priesthood and to you young men who are becoming elders: I repeat what prophets have long taught—that every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. . . .

"A word to you young sisters: while you do not have the same priesthood responsibility as do the young men to serve as full-time missionaries, you also make a valuable contribution as missionaries, and we welcome your service.

"And now to you mature brothers and sisters: we need many, many more senior couples. To the faithful couples now serving or who have served in the past, we thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. You serve willingly and well and accomplish great good.

"To those of you who are not yet to the season of life when you might serve a couples mission, I urge you to prepare now for the day when you and your spouse might do so. As your circumstances allow, as you are eligible for retirement, and as your health permits, make yourselves available to leave home and give full-time missionary service. There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master" ("As We Meet Together Again," Ensign, Nov. 2010, 5).