When will my name be in the middle?

While I haven't blogged in some time, while reading Kelly's Korner message today to check out Amy's post ...that good ole' blogging feeling came back to me. (Sigh. Sorry, peeps it's been gone for a long time.) Amy's post shares her "Wow, God I get it" moment and encourages others to post theirs. At 34 years, 1 month, and 6 days...I've been blessed with more than one of these "hit me in the middle of the eyes; am I dreaming; God, why are you screaming at me" moments.

Anyone who knows me - knows I believe God whispers, speaks and screams at you with His word (aka: "to get it"). The choice lies within us to either listen at the beginning or when it becomes so painful He is all we have for refuge. Truly. And, then we hear Him so clearly it's almost as if He took out a billboard on the interstate. I'm trying to limit billboard moments from God to a minimum in my 30s. Sigh.

Example 1: After serving as a bridesmaid for the EIGHTH time (not kidding), I asked Mother, "when will my name be in the middle of an invitation?" You see along with serving as a bridesmaid for eight times you also host 29 showers (not kidding), you must attend more events than your fridge can hold invites for, and must make your family believe you really have to leave the family reunion for this upcoming around the clock shower. If that wasn't enough, your name has been located at the bottom of so many invites as the hostess with the mostess you really start to believe it will never, ever rise to the honored spot of the middle of the paper. Sigh.

Mother said, "I can't promise you'll marry, but I can promise your name will be in the middle of the paper someday." And, as only Mothers can be (especially mine) she was right. Since that conversation, my family of friends hosted a fabulous 30th surprise party for me with invites that included my beloved name in the middle of the paper (whisper). A year later I put my name in the middle of the paper as we celebrated my Masters graduation with invites and a big diploma (speaks). This past summer, 30 college students wore shirts with my name, and another 170 chanted my name as part of OU's orientation programming (screams). Although my name might (swallow hard) never be in the middle of a wedding invitation - I am loved and my name is honorable. I get it.

That story was the cake part, this is the icing: My sister and brother-in-law longed 4+ years to adopt their daughter. Holiday after holiday we waited for that baby. I told my sister so many times "He has the perfect baby for you" that I would simply start to say the line before my sister could cry, share, or type her sorrow to me.

A glorious year has passed since I held my niece, V, for the very first time on September 20th, 2009...but not a second passes that I don't think, look, or kiss that picture perfect face that reminds me "He can do immeasurably more than we can imagine." V is immeasurably more than I could have ever imagined.

And, yes V's name has already been listed, enlarged and printed in cursive in the middle of a party invitation. I made sure of that early on. And, my name on that same invite....printed at the bottom ...exactly where the hostess with the mostess, who loves to celebrate, especially her "God, I get it" niece belongs.