Confessions of an LDS Convert: Planet Earth

Earth, as in the grass and trees, mountains and beaches are one of my favorite things! I am not even exaggerating. That is one reason why I absolutely love Utah, the outdoors. We are surrounded by beautiful mountains and my short drive to work is nothing like my short drive to work back at home. I am grateful for this place we live that Heavenly Father has created for us.

I was really reminded of this the other day when I listened to a talk from the newest Ensign. It got me thinking about how much joy just sitting in nature brings me. When I was younger my grandparents would take me and my little sister camping all the time, up and down the California coast. I think thats where my love for nature started. It really has led me to habits today. I would choose to sit outside on my stoop and read a good book, rather than my couch any day. Sometimes I find myself in situations where I really want to think, and I will go drive myself to the top of a hill and just park and look out at the city.

In the talk Earth: A Gift from God, it references D&C 59:18-19 which states, "Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart; Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and enliven the soul."I love that it uses the word enliven, because that is exactly how I feel.

It also states that in nature we can see the handiwork of the perfect artist. I truly believe that he created this world for so many uses, not just to provide us with food. I was just talking to Becky about this and she made a new years resolution to love winter haha and I love that. Sometimes we take for granted the smallest most simple things.

My favorite earth pictures captured via Iphone.