Late tonight, Bailey and I will board a plane headed to Dallas, Texas. Tomorrow will bring joy, laughter, and a multitude of pictures as we celebtate the launch of our friend Anna’s first book.
This is remarkable for a number of reasons. First, two years ago, I had only just begun to get to know these people over, of all things, Facebook. Even now the telling of it sounds entirely crazy. But, God.
This group of women have changed me. We have changed each other. We have loved, encouraged, supported, cried, pushed each other, challenged each other, and none of us are the same. None of us want to be, because we have been changed for the better.
Second, while many of us will be gathered together, many of those that we love will not be there. Except that they will, in heart, in spirit, in prayer. Which is one of the things I can’t quite even explain. How a group of friends could care so much for each other that even when we are not together, we feel their presence. Members of this same group gathered in North Carolina for a retreat last year. Unable to go, I checked my phone approximately every 30 seconds for new pictures. I rejoiced everytime two people finally got to meet each other. I laughed over text messages and worshipped over facetime. And tomorrow, we will think of our sisters constantly and they will rejoice with us. It is truly remarkable.
Third, Anna wrote and published a book!!!! As I type this, I am screaming with joy!!! This book has been in process for as long as I have known her, and tomorrow, she will sign a full fleged published book!!! I had no idea how hard it was to get a book published – but for all the pieces to come into places, find an agent, find a publisher, and then eloquently put your very heart and soul into words is an incredible feat. Anna has not only done all of those things, she has done them exceedingly well. Her retelling of her escape from a polygamist cult and the subsequent events is compelling, breath taking, and somehow leaves the reader with hope.
Finally, gathered around her will be members of this same family who have endured, fought, and overcome. I am left basically speechless by the amount of resolve and courage that each of them has shown. I am exceedingly grateful they have let us into their pain and their joy.
Driving from Ruidoso to Albuquerque requires mastering an insanely curvy road. As Rich drives and I reflect on all that is occuring, I can so plainly see that getting to this point has been a series of crazy turns that have led us to this place. Without a doubt, there are many more curves to master and as my friend Xamayta says, they are all part of the adventure. I am a fan of both curves and adventure and I am certain that many of them will be hard, but they will all be for our good and God’s glory. That’s just how He rolls.
Leave a Reply