FREEEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!

I think that is what our kids are yelling lately, at least to themselves.   But for me it's more like SAAAAAAAADNEEEEEEESS!  Letting go of your kids is one of those thistles in life that ya gotta do but gosh it is painful, mixed in with exciting, and a roller coaster of emotions for this momma.

Last week Leanne passed her driver's test. 
Here she is-- one happy girl! one nervous momma.

Right after she passed her test we went to the airport to say goodbye to Landon who flew to Florida. without his momma. to visit his new girlfriend. !?



And then I drove Landon's car and followed Leanne in the van as she took her first solo drive. by herself. without her momma.  About half way home I burst into tears and bawled.  It hit me hard~ my kids don't need me anymore : '(  Sob, sob.  I pulled myself together before we got home.

Then today we helped Brian move into the West Hall at Oak Hills Christian College.  It was just 29 years ago that I moved into the East Hall there and 26 years ago that Bill moved into West Hall.  It still looks the same!

I made sure he had a photo of us so he doesn't forget his family :).

Here he is with his new roommate- himself.  For now he has his own room.  Good thing because with his keyboard, guitar, banjo, accordian and organ there won't be room for anyone else.

I didn't even blubber or sniffle or cry when we said goodbye, I was so proud of myself.!  Nevermind that he's only about eight miles away from home.  I miss him already.  Sob, sob.  Next week we bring Landon to college in Michigan, oof dah, how much can one momma take?  I won't think about that. yet.

Little Church on the Prairie

Because I was alone and could stop whenever and wherever I wanted on my trip through North Dakota, I turned down a few country roads to look at the old country churches which I LOVE.  They are such a rich part of our heritage and sadly they are disappearing along with the old barns.



As I stopped at each one, I couldn't help but notice the lawns were all mowed and I also couldn't help but think of all the history and memories in each church, all of life's major events~ baptisms, Sunday School lessons, confirmation, weddings, anniversaries, festivals, and funerals, etc. that have taken place there.  The millions of prayers and songs of worship lifted up within those walls.  The faith and hope of many strengthened and renewed each Sunday.

The doors that welcome.

The bell that calls to worship.

My favorite part of the old country church is the steeple and the bell. The steeples drew me across the prairie as they did our pioneer ancestors. They didn't have GPS or google, they just scanned the horizon for the steeple.

Of course, the church that holds the fondest memories and sentiment for me is the one below that I grew up attending~ Zion Lutheran Church, built in 1915 by my Grandfather, Einar Roness, and my Great Grandfather, Michael Glasoe, and others.

To my delight the door was unlocked so I was able to go inside.  They still have services here occasionally.  I was paid $10 a Sunday to play piano when I was in high school and thought that was pretty sweet.  Our family sat about four rows up from the back on the left side.  We took up a whole pew and more sometimes.

 The beautiful stained glass window in the front of the church of Jesus praying in the garden.

I took some time to visit my Mom's grave.

 Thanks for visiting these old churches with me~ maybe next time you are on a road trip you will notice a steeple here or there and will feel it drawing you as well.  Perhaps?