Dinging Deb

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Location: North Dakota, United States

I'm a middle age retired woman who likes a bit adventure.

Monday, August 05, 2013

I have a new treasure

I was at South Pleasant Lutheran Church on August 4th for a closing service at this Church.
The Church was establish in 1890 1 1/2 miles west of Chistine ND. My maternal grandfather was the 1st baby baptized in this Church, and as a note my cousin Larry Johnson's son was the last baby to be Baptised here.
I wonder the struggles my great-grandmother Lena (Oslie) Johnson had prior to her baby's baptism. This Church located off the Wild Rice River in rich Red River Valley area. Lena and her husband John O Johnson had the homestead place across the Wild Rice River with a wooden bridge.
While visiting this Church I met up with my now favorite cousin Larry. He told me a story of the old days when they had English services all but 1Sunday a month. He Zipped off to recover an old English Bible, it was about 5X7 inches. As he continued, he stated they had 1 Norwegian service each month. Interesting I thought to myself. I  hovered over the wonderful Bible. I spoke up....(being they are closing the Church), do you suppose I could have one of these Bibles? He replied, sure...what one would you like....English or Norwegian? Of course I said Norwegian.
Larry than hustled down the steep pale green cement steps, and returned with a pale black leather Norwegian Bible. It was wonderful! The thought of me holding a Bible that very well was held by 4 generations of my family. The 1st being John O and Lena Johnson, 2nd was Art and Viola Johnson, 3rd being Ardel and Paul Ingwalson, and the 4th being....Me! What a treasure I have, and maybe pass onto the 5th along with a story of course.