For the Beauty of the Earth

My Seth is such a gentle soul. Here he is teaching his friend (who is a girl ;)) how to sword fight.




He wouldn't let Bub have a sword to play with Jenna because he "would be too rough with her".


For the past several weeks, he's been begging me to let him spend his birthday money on trees. He researched for weeks and decided which ones he wanted. I made him wait a while to make sure that's what he wanted to spend his money on, but he just wouldn't give up.

So, today, we planted 8 trees. He was so excited! It was sweet to hear him talking about how he could help his kids climb those trees one day. What a sweetheart!


It was a family effort.


Summer dressed for the occasion.


My KK is getting so tall and handsome!


Here he is with one of the quail he raises.


These 2 Bradford Pear trees were given to Jason 10 years ago on his 30th birthday. Look how they've grown! Having moved several times as a child, it's a blessing to have a piece of land where my children can plant roots and make plans for the future.



Sis has been learning to play "For the Beauty of the Earth," and that song has been on my mind all day. Here are the beautiful lyrics:

1. For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the wonder of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

4. For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on earth and friends above;
For all gentle thoughts and mild;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

5. For Thy Church that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

6. For Thyself, best gift divine,
To our race so freely given,
For that great, great love of Thine,
Peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise. (By Folliot Sandford Pierpoint)

- Posted using my iPhone