Empty Nest Syndrome.  I'm too young to have that one...but got a taste of it today.  My firstborn got on a plane all by herself and flew clear across the country.  My baby! 

Well, all my fretting and stewing and coaching and warning were pretty much a waste of time and energy.  God is in control and I've got prayer warriors on their knees for her.  (And for me too.)  And she's a highly capable young lady.  Organized.  Practical.  Prepared.  She thinks ahead, and thinks well.  I am so proud of her!

Her little sister snapped this photo of her right after she passed through security.  She has a sewing machine in her carry on luggage.  :)  Her daddy called her and Essie snapped this photo of her.

She was very cool and confidant.  I was feeling a bit nauseaus --however you spell that, and near tears.  She was on her way to take the subway to her gate and we didn't have a gate pass.  Next time I'll not forget to get one of those!  My heartstrings were stretched to the limit right then.  But she did great.  Called us a few minutes later from her gate.  I am SUCH a worry-wort!

I thought I'd post a few pics that she might enjoy, if she happens to pop over to my blog while she's blogging about her trip.  You can read her "trip journal" here.

Here is a view of the airport, after we left.  We weren't able to get a photo of her plane taking off though.  Bummer!

It is much bigger in real life! It is that big funny white bumpy thing in the back there.  I call it the "Gran Tetons."  I have no idea what they were thinking when they built that thing.  Crazy.

Anyway, here is a shot of our lovely "America's Mountain" that we could see most of the way home.  There aren't many of these where she went.  :)

 When we got back to town, we took the kids to a park to get wet in a HUGE fountain that rotates and has a water "veil" that flows down into a reflecting pool.  You can splash around the base of it, but don't get on the second level or the "staff" will get you!

We had a great time getting wet!  The wind would come up and blow the water right off the sculpture, so the kids got pretty drenched, but then they played at the play ground to get dry enough to get in the car.  Note to self:  Keep extra clothes in the car!

So that has been my day.  I thought teaching her to drive was tough.  Watching her walk away from us to go on a cross-continental plane fight....well, 2/3 of the way across anyhow, was very hard!  The only thing that kept me together was the prayers of my friends, and the one who heard those prayers.  He is SO faithful to keep us from ourselves.  :)

God is good!

Hold those kids tightly in your heart, and know that God holds them even tighter in Hands.

Nancy