After spending a couple of days in Omaha with friends, I headed out for my next stop.  At this time, I have travelled close to 4000 miles from AZ to CA to OR to WA to ID to MT to SD to NE and now to KS.  No big deal but what is shocking is the first moisture I encountered was in Concordia, KS.  Anyone who has ever been in the NW in May will be as shocked as I encountered no rain or snow over that distance.  Now on the other hand, when you get to the Midwest, the bugs on the windshield replace any moisture and requires periodic stops to simply be able to see out!

In South NE, I saw the little white church that had been restored and was taken back to earlier years when many of the churches in this part of the country were similar.  In those days most of the residents of our communities attended one of the churches and families were all involved.  Over time that trend has been reduced and now the worshipping centers have taken on a totally different look.  The bottom picture is from a new church campus in Russell, KS.  If you aren't familiar with Russell, it is a small and shrinking town of less than 5000 people in the town.  I also noted in one small community in KS three different Lutheran Churches in a 3 mile stretch (3 flavors of vanilla ice cream).  Sad the  church facilities have grown while families attending have shrunk.

I wonder how we would all be judged in these churches if we were analyzed for the amount we spend on our own satisfaction vs. our outreach!  Might not come out as well as even some of the poorest administered non profits!

Too much reflection time on my hands as I drive along the journey.