Wednesday, March 28, 2007

My Story

A lot of excitement has been going on this week on campus, as you can read about on Josh's blog. I was hoping out of the mix I would be able to have a fun story to tell.

Working where I do, I tend to see all the campus visitors, so it was exciting when Mark Dever and Thabiti Anyabwile were shopping in the store when I came back from lunch. After we rang them up, I thought it wise to grab my camera out of my purse in the back in case a photo-op should occur. Just a few moments later, C.J. Mahaney came in (rather, came bursting in -- he does all things with quite a lot of energy). I summoned up my courage, and humbly asked if I could get my picture taken with him. Of course he jovially granted me permission, and my co-worker snapped this picture here. I then told him that I was a fan of his wife, and I read Girl Talk Blog. He then whipped out his razor-sharp cell-phone and said "In fact, if Carolyn is home, I'll have you just encourage her here."

So he stepped out of the store trying to get his phone to work, and sure enough, she was home, so he handed the phone over to me and went back in to shop some more, while I talked to Carolyn Mahaney on C.J. Mahaney's cell phone! HA HA HA!

She was so gracious, of course and told me "I'm sorry he made you do that," to which I replied "I'm not sorry at all!" I thanked her for being an example of a Biblical woman to the young women who read her stuff. I pretty much was just so shocked about everything happening that I couldn't really think of anything to say!

Anyway, there is my excitement for today! Right after he left, I got a phone call from a less-than-helpful help desk person who spoke rather harshly (most likely, it was unknowingly). Anyway, it sort of punched me in the stomach, making me realize my need for humility. I'll post further thoughts on what the Lord is teaching me spiritually in the days to come.

16 comments:

Name: Karen said...

Oh...you lucky, lucky girl! As if working in a bookstore wasn't good enough...:) Hugs!

Donette said...

Wow. That makes my days at home seem really boring. I am so jealous! I seriously don't think I have met anyone even remotely famous. (at least outside of the fundamental Baptist world)

Isn't it funny how you feel like you know these people when you read their books - and I can only imagine that I would be equally tongue-tied if I had a chance to meet them face-to-face.
I am really hoping that I get to come to the conference in May. I have been so blessed by Sovereign Grace Ministries that I really want to hear Mahaney and Josh Harris!

Anonymous said...

Hey!! Thanks for your comments on my blog . . . my readship is rapidly expanding;) So cool about the photo with C.J. (not to mention the phone call with his wife!). I read her blog too, and I think it's great! Hey, does that mean you're famous now? I mean, you have a photo with C.J. Mahaney, after all.

Tony Kummer said...

Great story - he actually made you use his cell phone. Its no wonder CJ has so many friends.

James and Christen said...

God is so good to give us those special blessing that we don't expect. I think it is awesome that He would encourage you in such a unique way!

Sorry I missed your call. I was at ladies retreat. Can't wait to see you in April!

Christen

MadMup said...

I don't know any of the names you mentioned, but it's still really neat that you had these opportunities!

Anonymous said...

haha that was awesome...it's funny that you were humbled right after that considering CJ's book is called HUMILITY! ha
I told you he was awesome and easy-going!

periwinkita said...

Haha. That's so funny Gret! How cool though. You'll probably get to meet tons of cool authors while you're working there.
I'm with Donette...my life suddenly seems boring now.

Gretchen said...

Karen -- I KNOW I am lucky! It was a good day to be working in a bookstore!

Donette -- I was thinking of you the whole time, because you had just read Humility, True Greatness. I did e-mail Carolyn Mahaney at Girl Talk, and say a bit more. I felt so stupid afterward, because I didn't know what to say! It was sort of enough just to be able to talk to them!

Jenn -- Um, no, pretty sure I'm NOT famous! I think pretty much everybody reads Girl Talk -- well, girls, I mean.

Tony -- nice to meet you! Thanks, I think it is a pretty great story, too!

Christen -- I know, what a HUGE blessing! No problem about the phone call, I'm just glad you had a good time at the retreat!

Mup -- *sigh* . . . it might be time to pick up a book. . . :) Just teasing, thanks!

Heather -- I wish I would have had you take my picture while I was talking on the phone! Have you read Humility? It is on my list!

Johannie -- I'm so glad to hear from you! I know you read Girl Talk, so I was hoping I'd get a comment out of you with my story!

Anonymous said...

OH MAN!!!!~ YEP I'm envious. That is sooooooooooooooo cool. BUT....I don't have to worry...someday you'll be THE Mrs. "Big Name" and everyone will be dying to talk to you....and I already have! :)

Sorry, I haven't been blogging or keeping up much...Passion Play, etc...has just really been keeping me CRAZY!

M. Kate said...

That is about cooler than cool!

GloryandGrace said...

Someone needs to post
Someone needs to post
Someone needs to post
hey - hey - hey - hey


:)

FellowElder said...

My dear Gretchen,
I feel robbed!

A) I don't even have a picture with C.J.!

And B) while I'm no C.J. (the brother is definitely the most generous man I know; a class by himself), I don't have a picture with Gretchen either!

And by the way, I'm often tongue-tied around C.J. It's a common occurence ;-)

FellowElder said...

Gretchen,
I did know Ken! He's a great brother. We met regularly for lunch. Whenever I'm in town, I'm looking for Ken to have a bite of Chinese.

And I'm glad someone has been working to reform him :-)

Kelley said...

Hey, that's neat! I'll have to check out Carolyn Mahaney's blog when I have the chance.

cranny + b said...

oh wow! What a neat, neat, neat opportunity! I love hearing stories like that!