It's My Bethday and I'll Sing if I Want to

Let's start off by saying that this post is technically going to be out of chronological order, but that may only end up mattering to me and my OCD self and no one else.  Yesterday was a book signing at a Lifeway store in Franklin and a Borders in Nashville.  It was by Beth Moore for the release of her new book. For those who may not know, I am more than a little crazy about the Beth.  That should be a post for another time, but suffice it to say, that God has used her in mighty ways over the last 14 years to help me really grow in Him and more in love with Him.  That makes her very important to me.

My friend Donna works at the Lifeway store and had kept me in the loop about the craziness that was expected at their store and, in fact, the workers were not even going to get to meet Beth. That seems so wrong, but don't get me started.  She also told me that Beth was being whisked away right at the end of the signing.  I did some investigating (stalking) and saw on Beth's blog that her entire book tour schedule was posted.  It seemed that our dear Beth had a second signing scheduled for later that day at the Nashville Borders bookstore.  I called said store and was informed that they really had no idea who Beth was (insert shock and outrage here), but that if you get there when they open, they will hand you these lovely little number slips that save you a place in line.  Yes, yes they do.  So, a decision had to be made:  go to Lifeway in the wee hours with blankets and camp chairs for a 20 sec. relationship with Beth or be at Borders at 9 a.m., be assured of a place in line in a less publicized setting and hope for a one minute relationship with Beth.  We chose wisely.

My dear friend, Celeste and I formulated our plan.  Any good plan begins with a Starbucks skinny hot chocolate, no whip.  Everyone knows that.  So, she picked me up, in her convertible, and we were off to Starbucks and Borders.  We got there at 8:30 and decided since it was cold, to wait in the car.  We had a bird's eye view of the door.  We waited and then kept seeing women start to walk by the door.  I was like a dog sniffing a bone every time someone got close.  I finally could stand it no longer and decided that since we were early, we should also be number 1.  I can be a tad overzealous and competitive at times.  So we got out of the car and stood at the door.  As soon as we did, this man walked up and asked if we were there for Beth.  We assured him that we were and he told us that he was as well and had driven 2 and a half hours to be there.  Hi, Andrew.  Now, because he did that, I should have given him my spot in line, right?  No, sorry Andrew, just could not give up the chance to be first.  They opened the door and just like that, we were at the customer service desk receiving our blue tickets and MINE WAS NUMBER 1!!!!  They were blue, but I felt like I was Charlie and just found the last golden ticket.  Delight, picture taking, and texting ensued.

Next on our agenda was a hearty breakfast at Nashville's famous Pancake Pantry.  It is a landmark in the city, known for it's sweet servers with gray hair and names like Mary, fabulous pancakes and country stars like Vince Gill being regulars.  One of my quirks is that when people tell me they have been out to a restaurant, I always want to know what they have eaten.  It stems from my great love of all things food and cooking.  So, Celeste had the Carribean pancakes topped with pecans, bananas and coconut and I had the bacon and cheese omelette which came with buttermilk pancakes.  Delish.  We had a wonderful time sitting and talking and we realized that we had so much time that we decided to go to Lifeway and check out the scene.

When we got to the store, it had a very festive atmosphere, coffee and smoothie samples, smiling workers and lots of women.  The line was very organized but wound all around the store and they told us that it was an hour and a half long at the point we came in.  We talked to Donna and gave her a number for the Borders signing so that when she was done at Lifeway, she could come and join us.  I was determined that she get her moment with Beth.  In many of the years that I have led or participated in Beth's bible studies, Donna has been a vital part of the majority of them.  It was fun to see Celeste enjoying the time, because it was the first time she had ever seen Beth in person.  We lingered there for a little bit, took some pictures and then decided to head back to Nashville so that no accidents or car trouble would keep us from our appointed delight.

Imagine our joy when we got back to Borders and saw that the tickets were only up to number 12!  So far it was looking like a very intimate little gathering.  It was also 90 minutes until the signing was to begin, so we knew that anything could happen.  We ventured upstairs to the signing table and there were about 30 chairs set up.  Andrew was back from his lunch and so we sat and talked and took pictures by the table. We had a good time talking to a worker there named Reagan.  He had the coolest vibe about him and the most incredible dreds I have ever seen.  He let me take his picture! 

As time passed, there were a few ladies who came in and we all became fast friends as we shared our love for the Beth and what God has done through those wonderful studies.We were amazed at how few women were there, but selfishly, we were glad.  One lady who came in, brought with her, Miesta Moose.  If you read Beth's blog, then you know about him.  But for those who do not:  various blog readers started bringing this little stuffed moose with them to different Beth Moore events and posting pictures of him, kind of like a Flat Stanley.  So, of course we posed with the moose.

It must be pointed out that this signing was for a book that Beth has just released about insecurity in women and how to overcome it and they set up the book table right next to the Adult Romance Book Section!!!  You can't make this stuff up, folks.  Seriously.  

By the time 2:30 came, there were only about 30 to 40 of us there and then she arrived.  She is the cutest thing.  What fun we had.  At her other signings throughout the book tour, she was so busy that she could not pose for pictures, personalize more than one book and often could not even take time for hugs.  Sad day.  BUT, because we had such an intimate group, about 60 people over all, but a core of about 25 who stayed, she posed and posed and hugged and hugged and it was such a joy.  She fussed over Andrew, as he was the only man in our group and called him "Teacher's Pet."  It was so sweet and such an encouragement to him.  Donna had made it from Lifeway and got her picture and hug.  Celeste and I just basked in watching how she interacted with everyone there.  Beth even talked to my friend, Nikki, on the phone!  You need to go read Nikki's post about a recent trip we took together.  It seems that I may never get mine written.

When the line was finished, apart from the occasional walk up, she perched herself on the table and had a time of question and answers.  We had two hours, one where she was talking and signing and telling us a story or two about the tour and one where she just focused on the Q & A and chatting.  At the end of her time, she had a prayer with us that was so sweet.  What a Divinely orchestrated day of refreshment and delight, especially for Donna, Celeste and me.  God gives such sweet gifts.