I’m used to getting recognized in our small town as the leader of Starlite.  Before you start thinking I walk around with a head the size of Texas wearing sunglasses everywhere I go, you should know that me being recognized doesn’t mean that much.  I mean, there aren’t too many all-girls’ ministries here, after all.  We kind of have the market on that one.

It seems to always happen at the most embarrassing moments possible.  There was the time in Wal-Mart when I had no make-up on and ran into one of our largest financial donors.  Oh, and the time a police officer pulled me over for speeding only to say “hey, my daughter goes to your program!”  And, in perhaps the worst moment, once when I was on a date and a parent approached our table to ask about tips on disciplining her wayward teenage daughter.

Umm, hello?  I can’t even discipline my wayward puppies.  I’m not the person you want to ask about that particular subject.  And, for the love of all things beautiful, I’m on a DATE, ma’am.  This happens once in a lifetime.  Please, please go away.

Yesterday, however, marked a new low in the list of moments-I-wish-the-ground-would-open-up-and-swallow-me.  After a quick exam at the doctor’s office, I was informed that Mr. Flu Bug had come to visit me for a few days.  Even worse, the doctor said I needed to have a shot right then and there.

I decided to pray that I wouldn’t end up whimpering like last time take my shot like a big girl.  The nurse kept looking at my strangely as she prepared the needle.  Then, right before the big stick came, I heard the following:

“Aren’t you that girl who leads the pink ministry?”

And then, bam!  The flu-fighter was entering a particular area of my torso and it was stinging like a hornet.  I was struggling with how to reply and only coming up with “Yes-oh! OH MY GOODNESS yes, I lead that OUCH ministry.”

Except that “ouch” word might have actually been a naughty word.  Maybe.  I can’t confirm or deny that rumor. 

Oh, quit judging me.  You let someone poke you with a very sharp needle that contains what MUST HAVE BEEN STINGING POISON and then you try to talk about your “pink ministry.”

Yes, I repented and promised to be a better Starlite leader, not to mention PR person.  Happy now?

*UPDATE: The inevitable calls that I’ve been fearing started pouring in early this morning. 

“Amy Beth?  It’s Cate.  Just wanted you to know Kaffa has the flu, too.”

“Hey, sorry to bother you while you’re sick but just wanted you to know that Katie D.’s sick too.  Said she feels like she got run over by a truck.”

“Jennifer’s not going to be able to cover for Kaffa tonight because she’s sick too.”

And then, another call from Cate:

“So, how exactly did you feel when you first got sick?  ‘Cause I don’t feel so well…….”

Oh man.  Anyone want to lead a bunch of Starlite programs this week?  It is looking like we might be a few leaders short……….