Gifts from Caleb

Having an eye single to the glory of God
Caleb has kept us in places where our feet are shod
With a sparkle that shines towards eternity
Caleb shines a light giving us the gift of certainty
With little hands to heal our weak and weary hearts
Caleb has reached out and touched us with Christ’s healing art
A small master painting a portrait oh so brilliantly
Caleb’s presence has greatly strengthened our testimony
Increasing our faith and making us sure
Caleb reminds us of a love that is so pure
Reaching out with arms open to embrace
Caleb with no doubt has Christ’s countenance upon his face.
Oh little Caleb we are so grateful for all that you give
We’re so lucky for each and everyday you are able to live
Now we know of a greater love
With all the gifts you’ve brought from above
The world sees you with little but we see you with so much more
Our understanding is now greater since you’ve opened the door
Oh little Caleb how we love thee so
Your love is helping us to understand a love we all know
Oh little Caleb be it known unto you
How great you are and that people like you are few

Joseph C. Baadsgaard

The Greatest Gift of Charity

Clearer than drops of falling rain,

Tears of joy begin to wash away the pain.

Deep within my heart a light begins to glow.

What was dim is now brighter and starting to show.

A smile radiates beyond the look upon my face.

Within my heart I’m now able to find my place.

Fear becomes a shadow being chased by his light.

Giving me the strength to give my heart, mind, and might.

Understanding deepens seeing him with arms open to embrace.

In trying to be like him, I find his countenance upon my face.

Within burns a desire to share a greater love.

That love which can only come from our home above.

A love greater than all the grains of sand,

A love that could not pierce his mighty hand,

A love which pierces the center of the very soul,

A love which is always there to make me whole,

A love that knows no bound,

A love that can always be found,

A love that surpasses all human knowledge and certainty,

Oh how weak and imperfect I can be.

His love gives the greatest gift of all.

The greatest gift of charity.

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (Charity)

Joseph C. Baadsgaard

The power of his light

The power of his light always helps me to know,

In trying to be like him my heart can always glow.

How stalwart, bright and sure

There’s no light that could be more pure.

Chasing my fears and wiping my tears,

His light has taught me through all of these years

His light opens the door of understanding to my heart,

As his light brightens it commences its healing art.

How peaceful and calm is his light as it enters the soul.

It takes me as one to combine and make me whole.

Oh how weak my understanding can be.

His light encircles and strengthens every part of me.

His light gives me understanding that enlightens my will.

In following his footsteps I realize what I need to fulfill.

His light stands as the strongest witness for my learning and weakened soul.

Remembrance sharpens as I always find my heart left full.

His light has shown me how to live

Reminding the importance to give.

In giving my heart, mind, and might,

I can accomplish that which is right.

His light unlocks the door to the greatest gift of all.

Upon finding this I know I cannot fall.

It gives the purest light and clarity,

Through his light I receive the gift of charity.

Joseph C.Baadsgaard

Remembering our older brother and savior

Remember the beauty painted across the evening skies,

Remind you of the beauty I see in your eyes.

Let the warmth of my light breaking through the trees,

Be a reminder of all I did for you and put your heart at ease.

Remember each time you open your heart,

My hands are able to perform their healing art.

Remember my example and gift of eternity,

Remind you of your potential and that one day you can be like me.

Remember me even in your darkest hour,

Be a reminder of what resides within you is power.

Open up your eyes to see all that you can.

So that you may know I overcame the troubles of man.

Remember every drop of blood and every tear that was spilt,

Remind you of where your foundation must be built.

Remember to take the time to know of my love for you.

Let it always comfort and strengthen you.

Remember through my eyes the way I see you.

Let it be your light to guide and carry you.

Oh remember all my love that is given unto thee.

Accept my gift of forgiveness and come dwell with me in eternity.

Joseph C. Baadsgaard

Perfection

As we look at our lives in waves of reflection
We seek for the meaning of the word perfection
What meaneth the word perfection?
Is it anything beyond human detection?
For what role does perfection play in our life?
As we experience imperfection, struggle and strife
Perfection is like a mountain where we stand on high ground
It is a place where we are above human and worldly sounds
A mountain sets itself apart by how it reaches towards the sky
Perfection set itself apart as it answers our questions of why
For from a mountain top we see many peaks
Helping us to understand to obtain the perfection we seek
In life we come upon many different peaks that we need to climb
As we find each individual experience becoming sublime
So how do we conquer the mountains we face?
In a line upon line precept upon precept pace
As we come to know Christ we learn how to aspire
We climb mountain tops allowing us to reach higher
For Christ has set the path we need to follow
In becoming more like him we are not left feeling hollow
For ought not we to become the like the greatest of all?
In following his foot prints we can rise above all
Although our progression at times may be slow
Christ helps us to take our light and let it grow
For at this point we begining to understand perfection
As we see his face in our own reflection.

Isaiah 2:2
2nd Nephi 12:3
D &C 98:12


Joseph C. Baadsgaard

Calming the Storm

After a raging storm of confusion and fear

Streaks of light chase away the darkness

Tear drops from heaven washed away my pain

As a promise followed in an array of colors arced across the sky

A gentle passing breeze whispered peace into my heart

As I felt comfort in the warmth of the sun

My thoughts ascended towards heaven in a wondering manner asking am I worthy of the peace I have been given?

The sun grew brighter bending shadows at its will

And through the brightness of the sun by blindness fled

For a brief moment I saw Gods love

Through the light of his spirit and son

My heart was overwhelmed in the truth of his light

As I tired to comprehend the immeasurable love of God

Calmness followed as the sun began to set for the night

With arms stretched towards heaven I cried unto God to not be left alone

Another whisper echoed in my ears saying, you are never alone

For even in your darkest hours my light abides with you and until you return to me I will never leave you

With a humble heart I realized that what was said was true

For all my life I’ve been so blind but not I finally know

That in times of struggle and strife are the times we learn the most

Other days have followed and when I see the light

A memory beams bright inside as I remember that night

For all we have been given this is all we need to know

Through Gods love let your light so shine and in darkness let it grow.

Joseph C. Baadsgaard

My Sacred Grove

Oh that I was an angel and had wings to fly
Oh that I was that hero and never be afraid to try
Or maybe be the one who always wins the race
Or maybe just for the least to have that look upon my face
Oh that my troubled heart could hold back its fears
Oh that I may reach out an touch someone with my tears
Or maybe just be the one to help and lend a hand
Or maybe be the reason for someone else to stand
Oh that I could be the one to make my father proud
Oh that I could find myself amongst a smaller crowd
Or maybe be the one who could never be deceived
Or maybe just be the one to give what I’ve received.
Oh that I could show God with all my heart
That with gifts of the spirit I will do my part
Or maybe for the least to thank him humbly on my knees
So that I may dwell with him in heaven oh so high above the trees

Based on Alma Chapter 26 in the Book of Mormon
“Faithful persons are expected to seek the gifts of the spirit with all their heart.” Bruce R McConkie

Joseph C. Baadsgaard

This picture was taken at Amy and Aden's Wedding 2008