Carlson Update

The Carlsons have been very busy, but the prediction is that it's about to get better! Of course, better is relative. This coming couple of weeks will include the end of co-op push, and then we'll have Julie's graduation as the next hurdle. But right now, we're feeling like we've biked to the top of the hill and just have to bike down the other side.

What have the past weeks held? Daddy has been busy with his various responsibilities as a pastor as well as juggling family activities. Last Sunday, he preached two excellent sermons. The first was on the verse "Jesus Wept" and the second on Psalm 134 about enjoying the worship of God.

Co-op responsibilities for Mommy have been lots of work, since she and the other ladies on leadership had prospective new members to interview and evaluate. On top of that, her A&P Biology class at co-op yesterday just performed the pinnacle experiment of dissecting a fetal pig. Many hours of preparation on their diligent teacher's part preceded this fun class. (Of course, it was fun until two of the boys started gouging out the eyes. Then it turned rather interesting!) In addition, Mommy has started her first First Aid Merit Badge classes for Boy Scout Troop 777. She has six boys, who prefer talking over treating a wound, so I suggest never getting hurt around them.

School has occupied much of the kids time, although they did enjoy spring break last week. Julie is ramping up for a ten page paper on whether the United States should be in the United Nations, Sheryl's trying to keep on top of a hefty biology load, and Andrew is hoping to finish history before August! Besides school, Julie works an afternoon a week, has two piano students, and is loving her last year of choir. She plans to attend Seton Hall University in the fall. Sheryl is also in choir, and has two violin students. Violin occupies much of her time, because she's also been part of an amazing North Jersey Youth Orchestra this school year. Andrew spends his spare time on boy scouts, and just won the patrol election to become Patrol Leader (every troop is divided into several patrols). Last Saturday, he worked at a boy scout camp with others from his patrol, building a path as well as cleaning up garbage.

This coming weekend, our church is having their annual ladies' retreat, and for the first time all three Carlson ladies will be attending! Pastor Daddy gets a break from preaching this Sunday since Pastor Lush will be ministering the Word in conjunction with the ladies' retreat.

That's all to chronicle for now. Goodbye.

Thoughts from Narnia

Recently, we, Carlsons, visited the Franklin Institute to see the Narnia exhibit that was shown there. It was a really enjoyable family day, and the exhibit was great. I was struck by the amount of detail put into the props for the Narnia movies - particularly Prince Caspian. Lord Glozzelle's chair from the throne room was carved front and back; Miraz's shield had the entire story of Old Narnia etched into the rim; Pruniprismia's dress had lovely lace and embroidery. Further, specifics from the books had been preserved to the minute detail. We were able to see the book "Is Man a Myth?" from Tumnus' living room; Mrs. Beaver really did have sewing machine on set; Edmund's flashlight and Peter's pocketknife were all there just as the book had described. This was exactly what the movies are - Precision without accuracy. Lucy eats an apple in the ruins of Cair Parvel, and Tarvar and Alambial salute in high heaven, coming so close that it looks like they're about to collide. Even the Bulgy bear sucks his paw during the dual. But something was missing. Where was Aslan?

I don't mean to unduly pick on the Narnia movies, because they are very enjoyable. However, they made me think, and I realized that it isn't just in the Narnia movies that this happens. Our lives can sometimes be just that - precise but not accurate. We keep all of God's commands. We spend time reading our bible and praying. Every church activity is faithfully attended. But something is missing. Where is love for Jesus? Why are we keeping all His commands? Is is just because we would feel empty otherwise? I certainly was convicted in my own heart that I often keep all the rules with no desire to glorify God. I do my school and chores without any thought of the Savior who commands us to glorify Him in everything. Indeed, we must not remember the details while loosing the big picture. Oh, we must keep His commandments, but for the right reasons. "The greatest commandment is this that you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." and "whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Let each of us be Christians characterized by having the heart of the matter in us, and then, including all the details.