For the Beauty of the Earth

Other than my favorite Christmas hymns, "For the Beauty of the Earth," is one of my all time favorites. It was written by Folliot S. Pierpoint in 1864. John Rutter's setting (score reduction for piano and voice - not orchestra and choir!), is the one we used in our wedding ceremony as I walked down the aisle. When I listen to it, I get all happy and feel all the feels. I was listening to it this morning as I was working and I started thinking about our children and how we are raising them in their faith.

The line that says "Lord of all, to Thee we raise. This are joyful hymn of praise!" is repeated several times. It talks about the beauty all around us. In the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacrament and so is baptism. David was baptized shortly after he was born, and on Saturday Abigail will be brought into the church. My preparations for her baptism have been a bit different than they were for David. With David, I knew what would happen, attended the class, knew it was special, but didn't KNOW how special until after. Then I could feel it. This time, with Abby, I already know the joy from David and so already have that feeling. I feel like we really are praising God and raising Abby up to Him with joyful praise. 

Another line says "For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child." I am so excited to explain baptism to David and let him experience it as an observer with his sister. Not only are they human siblings, but they are soon to be brother and sister in Christ. How amazing is that!? Our friends have expressed concern about their kids being noisy in the church during the baptism and I just think it is so special for children to get to witness something so special and amazing, even if they don't yet understand. Sam and I haven't even talked about how to explain it to David, but I am thrilled that we get the opportunity to talk to him about it and let him participate with his sister.

If you get a chance, listen to For the Beauty of the Earth. It is just beautiful and really sums up how I am feeling about Saturday. I hope it warms your heart a little on this cold day and helps you see the beauty all around in everything!

New Year Resolution

On the way home this evening, Sam asked me what my New Year Resolution is for 2018. I really didn't have an answer. I never achieve them so I really hadn't thought about it. We started talking about the house projects and things we want to do with the house over the next year and suddenly it dawned on me: I want...no NEED...to be more organized and declutter at home.

I am great at organization at school. I have paper files and binders and notebooks and digital files. They are color coded and neat. I get complimented on how organized I am and help others do the same. I am efficient and my office space is functional, presentable and welcoming. I have yet to fully accomplish this at the same level in our home. Just ask my mother and she will quickly tell you that I am the queen of leaving "trails." I get home from work and off go my shoes by the door. A couple feet later and there goes my work bag. Then the keys and my purse, followed a few feet later by the mail. I make my way to the kitchen for a drink and the dirty glass goes on the counter. Then to the bedroom where I change clothes and the dirty clothes are by the bed. You get the idea.

It stresses me out and yet I continue to leave "trails." I continue to gather "stuff" that I don't use or use rarely. When people are coming over I want my house spotlessly clean yet warm and welcoming. This has been a point of contention in our marriage as well because I get so uptight and stressed constantly trying to keep things neat and clean. Have I mentioned that we have a 4 year old and a 2 month old?!

With Abby's baptism and consequently lunch celebration following at our house coming up in two weeks...something has got to give! So here it is...my New Year Resolution is to declutter and organize at home to help the entire family (and my sanity!) one step at a time. Just looking at the closet that I worked on the other day eases my anxiety so I am hopeful that as I work on little things here and there, mama will be happy, and then EVERYONE will be happy ;)