Monday, October 19, 2009


                     DESIGNING CIRCLES

“So much of life is spent in the designing of circles.  Many circles carefully keep other people out.  There are private rooms and houses, private clubs and offices, private roads and beaches - all with the same message: Stay Out! Not that circles that keep others out don't have their place. We are all porcupines, and our quills are less troublesome if there is a little space around us.” (Author unknown)

But sometimes that “little space” around us becomes it’s own exclusive circle. Too often they are designed to accommodate those that are too busy, too proud, or too afraid to draw a circle bigger than themselves.  Some circles with the best of intentions still draw lines at the edges of their own race, their own social and economic group, their own type or religion.

So Heavenly Father created the best designed of circles: family circles.  They're characterized by their ability to link one expanding circle to another.  Family circles have amazing powers of expansion.  They are eternal in nature and are particularly designed to cultivate love and service.  They try soooooo much harder than other circles, whose messages do often say "Stay Out".

Heavenly Father knew that in circling each other, some of us would become lost, discouraged, forgotten or overlooked.  So He took the best designed of circles - family circles - and empowered them with prayer.  These, now empowered family circles, have the strength to gather us in, regardless of who we've become or where we are.  They are inclusive and flexible, to allow opportunities for repentance and forgiveness and hope for a better day.  Their eternal nature makes it possible to send the spirit’s invitations to the lost, discouraged, forgotten or overlooked, saying, “come in, come back, you’re always welcome”.  Designing Circles you see, is quite a serious matter for you and me – link in, I’m here for you, are you here for me?   
1st paragraph (Author Unknown) – Remaining thoughts (Cynthia Carlsen)

Monday, October 5, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN THOMAS CARLSEN!


It's hard to determine from looking at the card, but Sean was born at 3:29 in the afternoon.  He was the baby that saved us from paying an anesthesiologist and delivery room charge because he surprised doctors and nurses by arriving in the (labor bed) directly after they said he "wasn't progressing".  For all you modern mothers, that was in the horse and buggy days when they still took the mom off to a delivery room without invitation to family and friends!


Here's Sean with early aspirations of becoming a piano virtuoso.
He was such a nice, nice, happy baby!

SEAN THOMAS CARLSEN 2009


Has he become a piano virtuoso? Well, who knows? God isn't finished with him yet!  Sean on the other hand has definitely become a "virtuoso" in numerous other things beginning with marrying Sadie July 12, 2003.  Following are the births of their sons Syler and Ryder - and a new baby next Spring.  These are the most important things.  There have been many other accomplishments everywhere from home and yard improvements to his current studies at Gonzaga University.  Dave and I are so thankful for Sean and wish him a very happy 29th birthday!  (P.S.  All other children: I'm just catching on to this blogging and in the future I plan on featuring your birthdays too - if I forget you can hold me hostage for a year and make me fold your laundry!)

Condensed Garden
25 quarts of green beans, 12 quarts pickles, 4 quarts corn,
5 quarts salsa, 4 quarts strawberry jam
and lots of fresh eating along the way!

LITTLE GIRLS, LITTLE GIRLS!

But, but, - HEY! We're not proud!
We can get down dirty with the best of 'em!
(notice Amelie is only dabbling in it though . . .)

AND! THE WINNER IS . . .
TAH DAH! Maya Noel Carlsen! Dirty Little Girl of the Day!
Well then Girls, let's just inspect this bench here . . .
. . . hmmm. . . termites maybe?

Amelie's practicing being in charge
- and it looks like Maya thinks she better pay attention to it!

Us girls here, just taking a sec to be beautiful and chill out!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Poem

The Soul of Children

By Cynthia Carlsen

October 3, 2009


Blessedly the sun creeps into our day;

Softened morning rays glow

On the heaven lit soul of children.

Beaming with love and unaltered acceptance,

We bask warmly on their devotion and worship.

Unapologetic of discovery

They are the ultimate

Explorers of joy.

Offering their souls humbly, yet surely

As strongly as our sun’s risings;

Bringing light into day.


Dancing upon life’s rays,

The souls of children play

Onward with disarming freedom,

From which they gather

Fun and conscience.

They are eager and fearful

Often in the same moment;

Exploring and searching for the calmness

Of our loving time.

Spinning about they look to us;

Seeing their dawn toward eternity.


Doors of discovery are set ajar

While our sun barely

Peeks above it’s horizon,

Inspiring the soul of children to

Fill our world with amazement.

Still beginning what they are,

What we once were,

What yet they will be,

The soul of children, unconsciously

Contribute to the expanding plan

Of Father above.


As brightest noonday shines forth

And bursts its rays upon our earth,

The soul of children is roused

To youthful anticipation;

Telescoping on a kaleidoscope

Of dreams . . . good dreams.

Treasuring friendships,

Discovering new hope,

They shower our world

With invigorating energy

And sparkle.


Softening, the sun settles;

The soul of children quiet.

The hush touches so sweetly our world;

Now charity and faith esteemed.

Through them, the circle of their light

Gathers us to them and

Elevates us.

Reaching, reaching, reaching

We, the beneficiaries

Thankfully discover love evermore;

Pulling us back to Father above.