Earth Day

Today is Earth Day. I really never pay much attention to it. But I've been thinking about it yesterday and this morning because all of my rose bushes are beginning to burst with color and I'm really enjoying them.

I've been feeling grateful for our beautiful earth--in all it's areas. High desert, low desert, mountains, ocean, valleys, plains, plateaus, colors, and concrete. Yes, even 'concrete'. I've been feeling reverent about the fact that God knew all His children were different and rejoiced in those differences by providing such a diverse planet. We truly are blessed. There is something for each of us.

I know some people who could never live in wide open spaces. I know some people who could not live in a big city. How wise He is!

We are getting ready to plant our vegetable garden. It is just a small plot, but we love it none the less. I think I'm going to try my hand at composting. I've always wanted to but lately I cringe every time I throw that good stuff in the trash or down the disposal. Any pointers?

Here are a few facts I've learned about Earth Day:

• Each year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 by more than 500 million people in 175 countries. But where did the idea come from?


• It is believed that Senator Gaylord Nelson, a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, had the idea for Earth Day after visiting Santa Barbara, California, to view the aftermath of a terrible oil spill in 1969. He was devastated by what he saw and quickly passed a bill designating April 22 as a national day to honor the earth and push for environmental reform.


• The first Earth Day observance took place in the U.S. in 1970 with 20 million people participating. Today, it is the largest secular holiday in the world.

"I have looked at majestic mountains rising high against the blue sky and thought of Jesus, the Creator of heaven and earth. I have stood on the sand of an island in the Pacific and watched the dawn rise like thunder-a ball of gold surrounded by clouds of pink and white and purple-and thought of Jesus, the Word by whom all things were made and without whom was not anything made that was made. I have seen a beautiful child-bright-eyed, innocent, loving and trusting-and marveled at the maje sty and miracle of creation. . . . This earth is His creation. When we make it ugly, we offend Him" (Gordon B. Hinckley. Ensign, December 1983, p. 4).

l love this! I've always been a recycler and love working in my yard, but I think I'm going to try a little harder to make my alloted corner of the earth a little better!