She Understood

Actually, I've been trying to get in touch with the Duggars for days: ever since I heard they were coming to Greenville this week.  I know people who know them, but to no avail.  I wanted to invite them over. 

You see, I've always wanted to meet Michelle.  She has been an inspiration and encouragement to me for years and also the only other person I know of that has babies as close together as mine and didn't stop.  Her grace and kindness is a constant reminder to me.  The way she treats other people is amazing.

I really don't look up to many people, it's just not in my nature, but Michelle, well, I suppose she is a hero to me.

So, I loaded everyone up in the car, including Emma's friend Wesleigh and we headed to Chick-Fil-A where they were campaigning for Rick Santorum.  By the time I got, there, it was insanely crowded.  We forced ourselves into the door, no stroller, Wesleigh trying to lug Peanut on her hip, and it was literally wall to wall people. 

There was no way.  So, we went out and got the stroller, and went around the parking lot to the area of the store we knew Michelle to be in.  There were some of the Duggar girls (see top photo) and John David, who fortunately was not very popular (I did have to point that out to him, in the nicest way of course.)

So, JD and I talked for awhile.  He remembered my little brother serving his family at California Dreaming on Saturday in Columbia: "Oh, the funny young guy?" Yes, John David, so hilarious that he didn't even mention me or get your phone number.  I gave him my phone number and address on the back of a Publix receipt, inviting them over, but turns out, Michelle was going to be leaving in the morning.

After about an hour, I realized this was not going to work, standing in the parking lot and Thomas started freaking out.  Meanwhile, Emma and Wesleigh had gotten all the signatures of the girls and JD, so I had to come up with Plan B.  Their bus was parked over on the side street, so I decided, why not go to where they will go?  Enough of this nonsense.

So, we went back to the van, passing JD on the way.  I said, listen JD, I MUST meet your mother.  I cannot stand out here with these babies, so here's the plan:  I am going to go to Dunkin Donuts, get a million munchkins and park my van behind your bus.  Kapeesh?

People usually do what I say, so he was on board to alert the parentals.  My sister thinks I'm bossy.  I'd say wisely mangerial... okay, maybe a little bossy.

So, we camped out with our muchkins for awhile, jamming ot Sweet Dreams are Made of These.  Very out of body experience.  I had borrowed a couple cell phones to give Clay updates (why have a cell when everyone else in the world has one?), so I knew he might come to relieve me.  He finally arrived at about 5:30 and the Duggars (who were supposed to have left by then) were still in there, but it had cleared out a lot.

So, Clay and I traded cars, and Emma, Wesleigh, Lily and I went into a much much emptier Chick-Fil-A to stand behind only five people in the line to talk to Michelle.  Aaaaaah.

When I finally got to her, I didn't realize how much it would mean to me to actually meet her.  I told her I was going to cry.  I told her I was having my eighth baby in nine years and she looked at me with those understanding eyes and said, "I know where you are..." and she did.  We actually got to cover a lot of ground in about four or five minutes and make a connection through someone we mutually know. 

I talked with her about the baby she lost and how I couldn't even listen to her whole message to Jubilee because it made me cry too much.  She said that she shut herself in her closet and recorded that on here phone.  She was stunned that she made it through without crying, by the Lord's strength.

We talked about schedules, and our adoption, and resources and seeing one another again someday.  I don't doubt it, but look forward to it.

Everyone wants to feel like someone understands.  Just for a minute.  It's a lonely world where we are with the choices we've made.  Even people I know that have several children are always not so sure they want more.  I didn't realize what it would feel like to meet somene who really understood.  But she did.  And what an amazing blessing and encouragement.

I loved how, when the girls got in for a pic, Michelle immediately sensed Lily's shyness, and gently pulled her in to the photo.  That was the sweetest thing.

The girls just had to see everyone, but I had friends coming for dinner, so we whisked over to Jim Bob and I talked with him for a few minutes.  He was hilarious.  We talked politics, denominations, birth control, homeschooling...  He pointed me towards a book on his website which I actually know intimately by Randy Alcorn, called Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortion.

I told him I want to give it to people as wedding presents.  He loved that and ran with it.  He was ready to send it to anyone in the newspaper who'd gotten married, but I told him he better send a really good gift with it.  I told him I was sure we'd meet again, and he invited us to the homeschool conference they go to, so maybe someday...

Last stop was Josh and JD, since Lily hadn't gotten their "autographs" yet.  I talked again with JD to make suer he knew I wasn't lurking behind the bus.  He whipped out his snazzy iphone and had to tell me exactly how far it was to the conference they love and that, yes, really, it would be worth driving fourteen hours for.  I don't think he knows how much I hate the car.

Maybe if he sends me round trip airfare for everyone.  Maybe then.

I love this passage I just read this morning.  It expresses my sentiments perfectly:

Psalm 16

A psalm^[a] of David.
¹ Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
² I said to the LORD, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
³ The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
⁴ Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
⁵ LORD, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
⁶ The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
⁷ I will bless the LORD who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
⁹ No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.^[b]
My body rests in safety.
¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul among the dead^[c]
or allow your holy one^[d] to rot in the grave.
¹¹ You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.^[e]