It's a Mentality

As I get closer to graduating college, God has slowly begun unveiling all the ways in which He has already prepared me for the real world thus far. I've always been aware of the heavy influence basketball has had on my life, for much of who I am today I owe to my coach and the Ladyneck Basketball program. However, it wasn't until this year that I began to recognize just how much God used basketball to prepare me for this next chapter of my life! 

I remember cringing as "GET YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR KNEES" echoed throughout E.B. Carrington Gymnasium my freshman year of basketball and Coach began listing what would be expected of us if we desired to play White Oak Ladyneck Basketball. As my teammates and I stood with our hands placed atop heads, ensuring we kept them as far away from our knees as possible, we soon discovered the reasoning behind this high demand...a demand that I realize now, 8yrs later, positively impacted the way I would live my life and one I will forever be grateful for! It went something like this, give or take a few words, of course: "Never put your hands on your knees because putting your hands on your knees is a sign of weakness. If you do it in practice, you'll do it in a game. I don't care if you're about to run out of energy, don't let your opponent know you're tired because they'll see that and take advantage of it. It's a mentality! Basketball is a mentality. Your physical game is limited by the thoughts inside your head. Don't sell yourself short. If you believe you can do something, you're right. You can do it. However, it works both ways. If you think you can't do something, you won't be able to do it. You've lost the game before the clock even started. When you feel yourself getting tired, dig in. Play harder. Fight. Keep your hands off your knees. Don't give up. "

Like I said, God has been revealing a lot to me lately as I've prepared myself for the new adventure that awaits me. For example, I now understand the importance of keeping my hands off my knees. I realize now that this didn't simply apply to running up and down a basketball court eight years ago, but instead applies to me now as I'll soon be running through life. As you know, life is full of challenges. We finally make it up one mountain only to look across and find that a second mountain awaits us. However, like basketball, we need to dig in, play harder, fight, and keep our hands off our knees when the going gets tough. If we don't, our opponents (co-workers, giants, etc.) will see it as a weakness and take advantage of our state of mind. They'll sneak in, "steal the ball" from us and take the winning shot without a moment's hesitation which is why it's so important we "get our head in the game" and believe from the get-go that we're capable of doing and being anything we desire, whatever that may be. 

I dream of being a talk show host and changing the world! I hope to encourage those around me to "seek the sunshine" during even the darkest hours and find joy in every situation they face, trusting that God is working for the good, that good being becoming like Christ! I believe happiness is a choice and life is all about how you perceive circumstances, and I hope to encourage others to look on the bright side of every situation because I truly believe there is always a bright side, even it's simply thanking God for putting breath in our lungs once more! How does one become a talk show host, though? Your guess is as good as mine! I honestly have no idea but I'm willing to find out because I believe we can achieve anything and everything we set our minds to! However, it's not going to easy. It's going to be really, really hard. I may foul out (fail) or be outnumbered (3-0n-1) but I refuse to give up! Just as Coach told us to keep our hands off our knees when playing basketball games, I intend on keeping my hands off my knees as I play the game of life, and I hope you will do the same! After all, it's a mentality! Fight until it becomes reality!

I would like to encourage you to get your hands off your knees and fight! It doesn't matter what the situation is, it only matters how you perceive the situation because, like basketball, life is a mentality. If you view goals as unattainable, you'll never reach them. You will have lost the game before ever stepping onto the court. However, if you believe you have the potential to achieve anything you set your mind to, you can, but only if you're willing to put in the effort!

When you feel yourself getting tired, dig in.
When you're facing an opponent (co-worker) who is more talented (qualified) than you, play harder.
When you want something, fight for it.
When you think it's hopeless, stay positive, believe in yourself, and keep your hands off your knees.

"You're only as strong as your next move." What will your next move be? Will you get tougher when the going gets tough, or will you put your hands on your knees and call it quits? Will you fight for the things you really want in life, or will you give up the moment it gets hard? Remember, like basketball, life is a mentality. Don't accept defeat. 

The Last One: Part 1

The title of this blog was named after the series finale of Friends because, just as the six friends shared heartbreaking goodbyes and had one last cup of coffee at Central Perk before heading in different directions, I will inevitably be attending "the last one" of every Aggie (and Phi Lamb) tradition I know and love, and tying up loose ends at Texas A&M University. In other words, this post represents the first of two parts (fall/spring semester) as I embrace the "season finale" of my college career.  

Fightin' Texas Aggie Football:
I attended my last Fightin' Texas Aggie football game as a student this semester. Nearly 40,000 students stand as proud members of the 12th Man every home game making us the largest college football student section in the NATION! I wish I could put into words the transformation that takes place inside after one attend's their first Aggie football game but even if I were to elaborate excessively, I would not be able to do it justice. It's something you have to experience for yourself because there truly is "a spirit [that] can ne'er be told...it's the spirit of Aggieland!" However, I will say this: When we sing The Aggie War Hymn, tears flood my eyes as, what seems to be, an electric current shoots up and down my spine and goosebumps appear all over my body. For the past three years I have gazed intently as thousands (soon to be 106,000) of Aggies "throw their arms 'round each other and sing Hullabaloo!" It's a memory engraved in the back of my mind and on my heart forever, a memory I will take with me wherever I go. The passion I have for serving Texas A&M University has led to a lifestyle that allows me to represent the 12^th Man in all I say and do. Aside from my heart for school spirit, I have a thirst for discovering not what the world has to offer me, but what I have to offer the world! E. King Gill “stood by in case his team needed him." In the same way, I will stand by, eagerly ready to serve whoever is in need, Aggie or not, with an enthusiastic smile and helping hand. Representing the 12^th Man is an honor and I will continue to devote my life to reaching out and serving others until I take my last breath. I am a Fightin’ Texas Aggie and that is no accident! I know God placed me at Texas A&M University for a reason and, as a result, I aim to reach above and beyond what is expected of me by doing all that I can, and more, to represent the 12^th Man with pride! 

 

This picture was taken when Ratchel (Ratchet Rachel), me, Dr. P and Harmonica were FIRST ROW, second deck! This NEVER happens and is a HUGE deal because the student section seats are randomized! 

This picture was taken three years ago at my very first Midnight Yell, formally known as First Yell.

We couldn't feel our fingers and our clothes were soaking wet, but we whooped and hollered our hearts out one last time together! I wouldn't have wanted to spend my last game (as a student) with anybody else!

I think I've already posted a picture of my overalls before but if not, I made these for my senior year! I'm making memories the only way I know how - wearing goofy outfits, a side-ponytail, and a big grin on my chin!

Songfest:

Three years ago, I made the decision to participate in Chi-O's Songfest and it is, by far, one of the best decisions I've made at Texas A&M! Blessings have overflowed from it! Not only was I blessed with the opportunity to meet and get to know a LOT of girls in Sigma Phi Lambda (whom I may have never even MET otherwise), but I also met two of my best friends as we "boogie-woogied" on the back row together. From Dottie Hunt Studio to Texas A&M's Songfest, God has revealed through dancing what it means to smile despite my missed counts/wrong dance moves (or failures) and continue tapping to the rhythm (of life), even if I'm off-beat! I'm so thankful that my parents put me through dance growing up, for I wouldn't be who I am today without it and I wouldn't have participated in Songfest!



This was the year we (Sigma Phi Lambda/Ol' Ags) won! "Bed Rockin' Out" was the theme and, as you can see, the girls/guys were dressed as Fred and Wilma Flintstone!

For Songfest 2013, the theme was "Let's Get Gatsby" so all the girls dressed as flappers and the guys dressed in suits and ties!

This is a picture of Jess and I at Songfest 2014! This year's theme was Transformers. The red flannels represented cars and halfway through we took them off as we "transformed" into robots! 

Birthday Party:

Okay, so MAYBE this isn't an Aggie/Phi Lamb tradition...but, seeing that it was my last birthday in college, I thought the post was necessary regardless! If you know me at all, you know I'm not one to follow the crowd. For my 22nd birthday, I wanted to avoid singing the typical "Feelin' 22" song by Taylor Swift and had a "TwoTwo and Tennis Shoes" party for my 22nd birthday at Chuck E. Cheese instead! Everyone wore tutus and I dressed like this random toddler I found on Pinterest! It was a night to remember...mostly because I'm actually horrified of Chuck E. Cheese and almost cried when he began approaching me without warning! Aside from "the incident" God has blessed me with yet another year filled with love, laughter, and silly outfits! 

Barn Dance:

Barn Dance is Sigma Phi Lambda's fall semester Date Party! Although I don't like organized dancing (i.e. two-stepping), I've always, ALWAYS enjoyed myself at Barn Dance! I must say, however, my all-time favorite part about any dance we have at Texas A&M is ending it with The Aggie War Hymn! It brings tears to my eyes every single time and will be one of the things I miss most about this place! 

 

  Sigma Phi Lambda's "Yellow Rose Barn Dance" 2012

Barn Dance 2013

Sigma Phi Lambda officers at "Flowers n' Flannels" (Barn Dance 2014)

Phi Lamb's Christmas Party:

Nothing makes you giggle more than walking into a room filled with nearly 400 silly girls dressed in ugly Christmas sweaters, reindeer antlers, and swaddling clothes! The costume contest is a nail-biter to say the least. 

I was a Christmas tree my first year! Santa's eight reindeer, a snowflake, and the three wise men also made an appearance that night. 

Kooky Kristin wanted to be a snowman the second time around! I refused to be a "regular" snowman, of course, so we stuffed ourselves with plastic sacks to make ourselves look 3-D!

Christmas Party 2014 - "Fleece" Navidad (Get it? Phi LAMB? HAHAHA!)

I can't believe how fast the semester flew by! It seems like just yesterday I was fetching water in the kitchen after riding my bike when a letter addressed to me from Texas A&M University caught my eye on the counter! This has been the best semester by FAR and I know it will only continue to get better as the memories continue piling up! I'm so thankful for each and every opportunity that has been placed along my path! It has been tough at times, but I'll never back down from a challenge! God has revealed Himself to me in ways I could have never imagined. He taught me the importance of relying on Him wholeheartedly in any and all situations as I witnessed His handiwork in even the tiniest details! I made a lot of mistakes and had to learn lessons the hard way but it was in those moments I experienced the grace of God on a whole new level. As always, He is good and I owe everything to Him!

Because Central Perk played a significant role throughout Friends, returning to it one last time during the series finale only made sense...so the six friends laid their keys to the apartment on the kitchen counter and made their way out the door for one last cup of coffee. Although I am already halfway done with my "cup of coffee" here at Texas A&M, I am enjoying it one "sip" at a time! I can't wait to see what God has in store next semester! 

Divine Moments

As I've mentioned before, I'm reading a book called Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. The entire book stresses the importance of recognizing and grasping the divine moments God places right in front of our eyes on a regular basis. These moments can be as simple as sharing a kind word with a stranger on the bus or as difficult as leaving your comfort zone to follow your dreams. When you choose to seize a moment, it could make no difference at all or it could make all the difference in the world. Just as happiness is a choice, we decide whether or not we will embrace the divine moments God places along our path. We can choose to seize those moments or we can turn our backs to them and walk away, never knowing what could have been, always asking ourselves, "What if?"

I faced a divine moment last Tuesday:
In case you're just now joining us, I dream of being a talk show host. I've wanted to do that since my junior year of high school. It's been six years and God has yet to direct me otherwise, so that's the direction I'm headed in for now! With that being said, I love The Ellen DeGeneres Show. She encourages millions of people across the world to "be kind to one another." In the same way, I hope to encourage the world to "Give a stranger a smile. It may be the only sunshine he sees all day!" After all, you never know what one simple smile can do to a person's life!

I had just gotten home from class last Tuesday when suddenly I received a notification informing me that a friend had mentioned me in a tweet. I noticed the tweet included both mine and Ellen's Twitter names so out of curiosity, I opened my Twitter app. The tweet read, "@TheEllenShow @kristin_koonce how fast can you get to Denton?" Puzzled, I made my way to Ellen's Twitter page to see what my friend was referring to. Tears flooded my eyes as I read Ellen's tweet: "Hey University of North Texas - my show's coming to Denton tomorrow. That’s right. Denton. You don’t want to miss this." My heart began beating rapidly inside my chest and before making any further decisions, I pinched my arm to ensure I was conscious. As soon as I came to the realization that this wasn't a dream, I began packing. I had originally planned on going home the following day, but when I found out The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be screening a segment at UNT, I decided to drive 4.5hrs to Denton, make a "WE LOVE ELLEN" sign, and scream at the top of my lungs for the beloved talk show host instead. I didn't know what God had in store, but I knew I was going to find out! After all, it's not every day your favorite talk show host, and the person who inspires you daily to continue pressing on towards the career you aspire to have one day, films a segment of her show just a few hours away from you. On top of that, it was finals week at Texas A&M but the only thing I had to worry about was submitting one last research paper on Friday! On more than one occasion, God revealed to me how blessed I was to have only been taking 6hrs this last semester and this was another one of those moments! However, although I'm not one to skip class, I probably would have made an exception just this once! HA!

Well...what happened?
I didn't meet Ellen and I didn't get to be on her show, but that is not the point of this blog post. The point is, I saw a divine moment and I seized it. I didn't know what was in store. All I knew was Ellen DeGeneres would be screening part of her show a few hours away from me and I could either overlook this rare opportunity or I could clasp it with both hands and run full speed ahead. I chose the latter. I didn't drive 4.5hrs to Denton, TX expecting to land an internship for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. I simply saw this opportunity as God's way of testing my faith and trust in Him, preparing me for future situations where I will have to drop everything and be willing to go wherever He calls me if I'm even the least bit serious about following my dreams. Had I not gone, I would have always been asking myself, "What if?" I would have lived a life of regret, always wondering what could have been. Nora Roberts quoted, "If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place." It didn't matter to me whether I got to meet Ellen or be on her show (although that would've been another dream come true). It mattered that I went. I took a leap of faith. I didn't know what God had in store, but I was willing to find out! I wasn't afraid to lose. I stepped off the sideline and stepped into the game with confidence. That in itself is a victory.

I would like to encourage you to do the same and take advantage of the divine moments you face in this life! Don't allow fear to overcome you. Believe that God can do anything because miracles happen every day! Live your life with tenacity and be willing to go wherever He calls you. Don't sit back and watch life happen. Refuse to stay where you are. Strike out swinging. Take initiative. Listen to God's voice and journey with Him! Chase daylight. 

I would like to close with this excerpt from Chasing Daylight: 
"There are few things more powerful than a life lived with passionate clarity. Every moment is waiting to be seized by those who are chasing daylight. We all have dreams, hopes, and aspirations. Why, then, do some of us realize our dreams and advance forward while others watch timidly from a distance and hope for a break? Chasing Daylight is a call to live a life of blazing urgency. We have but one life. We are given one opportunity to pursue our dreams and fulfill our divine purpose. Every moment counts, and we must engage them with fierceness and zeal. Put an end to passive observation, paralyzed by the need for perfect opportunity, and start seizing the raw, untapped potential of your life with God. Are you willing to risk failure? Are you ready to get in the game? You may stumble, but you will find yourself falling foward, propelled toward the God-inspired adventure He intends you to live."

Letters from Christ

I once heard a sermon that was titled "You Are a Letter from Christ" and one of the bullet points read: "If you are a follower of Jesus, then you are His letter to everyone around you." In other words, we are communicating a message at all times throughout our daily lives whether we intend to or not because "the message [we] convey with [our] life is absolutely unavoidable." As the sermon continued, I was reminded of a mirror that hung in the youth hallway at my home church, First United Methodist, many years ago: 

You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.

It hung directly cross from the stairwell so that as soon as you opened the door, your image reflected in the mirror. It was a weekly encouragement to strive for a life that reflected God's heart rather than our own, and even now, 8yrs later, it has made me consciously aware of how others may be interpreting the life of Kristin Koonce. It is the most challenging, yet most rewarding task here on earth as it motivates us to:
1) "Live in such a way that those who don't know God but know you, may come to know God because they know you." 
2) "Live in such a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it."

As I write this, I am reminded of Francesca Battistelli's song, Write Your Story. The lyrics are as follows:

I'm an empty page

I'm an open book

Write Your story on my heart

Come on and make Your mark

Author of my hope

Maker of the stars

Let me be Your work of art

Won't You write Your story on my heart

I want my history

To be Your legacy

Go ahead and show this world

What You've done in me

And when the music fades

I want my life to say

I let You write Your story

What do our letters, our lives, say about us? What message do our lives send? Can others "read" our actions and know immediately who it is we live for? Does Christ's light shine through us so brightly, others can see the message of the Gospel being reflected at all times? God needs us to share His story to the world! 

Let Him write His story on your heart so that when sent, your "letter" to the world has Christ's name written all over it!

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Philippians 1:27-28

A Tie-Dyed Thanksgiving

Can you recall the exact moment(s) you learned a lesson that changed the way you viewed/lived the rest of your life? This was one of those moments for me:

As I was cleaning the kitchen windows yesterday morning, I noticed a familiar stain on the windowsill from several years ago...TIE-DYE! The memory is as clear as daylight! I distinctly remember Colby and I drenching our t-shirts in hopes of perfecting the final outcome. Unfortunately, we failed to think everything through. When it was time to remove the plastic wrap, we quickly realized we should've wrapped the shirts more in order to trap the excess liquid. There, on the wooden windowsill, was a blue and black waffle-sized stain. However, that wasn't the worst part. We feared having to break the bad news to my mom...I mean, who wouldn't? Thankfully, we had worked up the courage to do so by the time Mom got home from work. We blurted out everything and then held our breath as we waited for her reply. To my surprise, my mom laughed and said a sentence that changed my life forever: "Kristin, honeybun! There are WAY worse things in life than a tie-dye stain on my kitchen windowsill!" It was in that moment I realized that there truly are worse things in life! Here's what I'm getting at:

No matter what the situation - whether you lost your job, a loved one, are struggling financially, etc. - there is always, ALWAYS something to be grateful for! Maybe you're struggling to make ends meet, but you've got a roof over your head. Maybe you lost your job, but you had a teacher who taught you how to persevere, despite the difficulties, until you get back on your feet again. Maybe you don't understand God's plan for your life, but you know Jesus as your Savior and because of that, you're able to trust the Lord and His plan, even if you can't see what He's doing right now. 

No matter how you're spending this Thanksgiving day, I pray that you write down everything you have to be thankful for. If you can't think of anything, I have one for you: "I woke up this morning and have breath in my lungs." May you know that, like the stained windowsill in the Koonce kitchen, there are worse things in life. May you "seek the sunshine" and find joy in the midst of your suffering. May you be grateful for the trials and tribulations you are facing, because it is through the darkest times God is shaping us to become more like CHRIST! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! God bless you all.

I thought I'd share my Transformation Tuesday picture with you. As you can see, I've always taken my "Pilgrim Pride" seriously! Once a pilgrim, always a pilgrim! 



This is a repost from last Thanksgiving so you'll know why I was dressed as a pilgrim in the above photo! I just hopped off the Mayflower and wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from those of us at Plymouth Rock! I pray for safe travels and full bellies, and that we're reminded how truly blessed we are to simply be ALIVE! As you count your blessings, remember that despite the upsets, God remains faithful and He is good to us! "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day!" As you count your blessings, know that if you're reading this, I will be including each of you when I count mine! God Bless, y'all! "Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 106:1

Thoughts and Theories

This post doesn't have a point...or does it? I'm not sure, but something I AM sure of is that my mind has been all over the place lately! I can't stop thinking about life, both now and after graduation. This post is long and unorganized, but I needed to write. I needed to think. I needed to share my thoughts and theories on what's been going on inside my head!

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked, "You're a senior in college! Are you sad?" Without a moment's hesitation, I blurted out, "NO! I'm not sad at all!" Ever since that moment, I've been thinking about my dreams and how excited I am to enter the next chapter of my life! I'm not sad about graduating. I'll miss this place, these people, my family and friends...but I feel high as a kite when I think about running (figuratively speaking, of course) full force towards my dreams! I GET FIRED UP! Why? Here's my theory:

1) With hard work, dedication, and passion, I believe anything is possible! We are fully capable of achieving even the BIGGEST of dreams, if we are willing to go wherever the Lord leads us! My favorite hymn is Here I Am, Lord and its chorus says, "Here I am, Lord! Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night! I will go, Lord, if you lead me! I will hold your people in my heart!" Every time I hear that song, my eyes flood with tears! I'm ready and willing to see what's out there and discover not only what the world has to offer me, but what I have to offer the world! Are you?

2) I went to Scripture Haven yesterday! It's a store in the mall, like Mardel or Lifeway for those of you back home, and try as I might, I was unable to walk away empty-handed. I came out with a daily inspirational calendar called You're Made for a God-Sized Dream and a book (from the clearance section, of course) called Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus! YAHOO! For those of you that know me, you know a) how much I loathe shopping and b) how stingy I am when it comes to spending money! In other words, this "Goodwill Gal" hasn't been this happy about a purchase in quite some time! I'm only a few pages in, but here are a few inspiring quotes to spark your interest:

"Somehow we all know that to play it safe is to lose the game."
"Yes, you can choose to play it safe, you can choose to settle for less, but never forget this: You were born to live a great adventure; You were created with a divine destiny; You are called to fulfill a great mission. You were designed for a unique purpose. Now you are called to live it out."
"When you seize divine moments, you investigate an atomic reaction. You become a human catalyst creating a divine impact. The result can even be earthshaking."
"God calls us to give our lives for something greater than ourselves. The path is thick with mystery, danger, and the unknown. The quest is to live the life God created you to experience. The journey begins right now-in this moment. And whatever you do, don't underestimate what you may find."

I don't want to lose the game. I don't want to play it safe. I don't want to settle or put God in a box. If I go down, I'm going down swinging!

3) I believe happiness is a choice and we decide every day whether we will walk with a chip on our shoulder or a smile on our face. Our present circumstances do not define our happiness! WE do! Our circumstances will change, but Christ never will! As Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." This point doesn't necessarily relate to the two above, but it's been on my heart lately so I thought I'd share it, too!

Conclusion: I have no idea what God has in store for my life but what I do know is that the desires of my heart and the things I'm passionate about will one day play into the big scheme of things! The more I read His word and the books/quotes he's placed in my path, the more excited I am for what is to come! However, I will continue staying focused on what is. When the time comes, I'll get on my feet and go! Until then, I'll do my best to "seize the power of every moment" here at Texas A&M. I know God has me exactly where he wants me and I will continue giving it all I've got! I don't want to miss a single thing!

COMPASS by Lady Antebellum

I've recently become obsessed with the song Compass by Lady Antebellum. The song has been out for quite some time now but I seem to always be behind on what's "hot" and what's not. If you haven't heard this song, I encourage you to stop what you're doing and listen to it because the lyrics speak volumes:

So let your heart, sweetheart, 

Be your compass when you're lost 

And you should follow it wherever it may go

When it's all said and done 

You can walk instead of run

'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

You'll never be alone

This song makes me think about the future and how foreign post-grad life is to me. It will be unfamiliar, outside of my comfort zone, and ultimately terrifying. It will be challenging, a testament of my faith, and humbling. However, as I hum the chorus aloud to myself, the fear slowly begins to fade away and I find myself even more determined to follow my dreams and the desires of my heart because, just as a compass always points north, I believe your heart will always lead you in the right direction and get you to wherever it is you're going.

This song also makes me think about my hometown and everyone who has played a role in shaping me into the person I am today, individuals who have encouraged me to "DREAM BIG" and "TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM" as I discover God's purpose for my life. I know that no matter where this life takes me, even if I'm miles from home, I'll never be alone. There will always be people who love me, believe in me, and want what's best for me. I think it's important to know where we're headed, but I also think it's important to remember where we come from and the people who helped us along the way, the people who will be there to remind us who we are if ever we forget.

COMPASS CONCLUSION: Follow your heart wherever it leads you because it somehow already knows the way! Figure out what you want in life and do whatever it takes to get there, but always remember the people who helped get you to where you are as you make your way to where you want to be! Above all else, know that there are people who love you and believe in you!

"Hoppy" Halloween

With it being my senior year of college, I thought I'd post monthly updates so you can see what's been happening in the life of Kristin Koonce! It may seem as if I have already failed at the task but, in my defense, I just thought of the idea this month! This post will focus primarily on the month of October, but I'll catch you up on a few happenings from the month of September as well!

Well, I've got two months under my belt and time seems to be flying faster than ever. I am ABSOLUTELY loving it, though, and I am savoring every moment! October (and September) consisted of Fightin' Texas Aggie football, Recruitment, Hump Day, Big/Little Reveal, Block Party, a trip home, Party on the Ark, a little bit of studying (I threw that one in for the parents) and a whole lot of F-U-N! Don't worry, I have pictures for proof:

 

Sigma Phi Lambda Recruitment 2014: 

 

Seeing that the week's theme was 90's, it only made sense to have "Sister, Sister Bonding" at Grand Station for Thursday night's event!

 

"When it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year...I'LL BE THERE FOR YOU!" For Friday night's event, we told everyone to "PIVOT" and stop by our Central Perk-themed coffee night to meet new Phriends! In the words of Chandler Bing, Recruitment 2014 was "perfection!"

Aggie Football:

 

 

"Throw your arms 'round each other and sing Hullabaloo, 'cause that's what we do, we bleed maroon!" - We Bleed Maroon by Granger Smith

Piggyback picture with my biggest brother, Clayton!

 

Big/Little Reveal:

 

We did our best to "shepherd" the LITTLE lost lambs to their BIGS for Big/Little Reveal! Where there's a wool, there's a way!

Hump Day:

*whispering into my ear* Camel: "Guess what day it is!? Guess what day it is!? HUMP DAAAYYYYYYY!"

 

Block Party:

 

Block Party consisted of couches, Jimmy Needham, a little bit of coffee and a WHOLE lot of Jesus! I am grateful for God's faithfulness and His unfailing love! #CoffeeAndCouches

I sure do LOVE living life with these two! What a blessing they are!

 

If you're not acting silly and making funny faces, are you REALLY in a photo booth?

 

This picture describes our personalities perfectly!

White Oak, TX:

 

"It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it." Family, after all, is EVERYTHING! This is a picture of my nephew, Tyson!

 

Party on the Ark:

 

This was how I asked my date to Party on the Ark!

 

It was a 'TOADAL" success and I was "hoppy" to march two-by-two with this guy by my side!

 

The officer body consisted of a bat, frog, Kung Fu Panda, bunny, and jellyfish!

 

My date and I were "leaping for joy" as we boarded Noah's Ark!

 

As you can probably tell, I'm having the time of my life! My senior year is everything and more than I could have ever dreamed of...and yes, I go to class! Hahaha! I don't necessarily pay attention in class, but we'll just keep that between the two of us! *knucks* I love Texas A&M, my family, my friends, my sorority, and most importantly my God! Everything I have is solely an illustration of His grace and is nothing I deserve, and it is my prayer that through everything, the glory goes to Him and Him alone! I'm grateful for the breath in my lungs and the opportunity to go out and "do what [I] can, with what [I] have, where [I am]." The Lord has truly blessed me!

 

Next stop: November

Give The World A Smile

A few years ago I learned that my DeDe's favorite song was Give The World A Smile. My MeMe began laughing as she shared how he would make the baseball team sing it on the bus after every single game, win or lose. The story inspired me! I rushed home and immediately downloaded the song. Tears filled my eyes as the words began to sink in and I was reminded of the impact a joy-filled smile can have on a person's life. If you've visited my blog before, you know one of my all-time favorite quotes says, "Give a stranger a smile. It may be the only sunshine he sees all day!" We are called to be a light in the darkness and oftentimes the joy we have in Jesus Christ can be shared with a troubled soul through an enthusiastic smile! As you've heard me say time and time again, you never know what one simple smile can do to a person's life and this song is a great reminder of that!

I have attached the YouTube video below and the lyrics are as follows:

Are you giving to the world a smile?

Helping lessen someone's dreary mile?

Do you greet the world with song as through life you pass along, cheering those you may meet along life's way?

Give the world a smile each day, helping someone on life's way!

From the paths of sin oh bring the wonderer's in to the master's fold to stay.

Help to cheer the lone and sad!

Help to make some pilgrim glad!

Let your life so be that all the world might see the joy of serving Jesus with a smile!
 



 

There are many possible outcomes in the game of life. We can win, lose, forfeit, and even tie! But when our joy is found in Jesus, we are able to "give the world a smile" no matter what the outcome! I think of my DeDe every time I hear this song and I thank God for the example he set for his kids and grandkids. Although I was young when he passed away, I am excited for the day we are reunited and can sing this song together! I encourage you to "give a stranger a smile" and let the love of Christ shine through you at all times and just as the song says, "let your life so be that all the world may see the joy of serving Jesus with a smile!"

Ask and Believe

IT'S STORY TIME, Y'ALL!

The bookstore has been backed up BIG time! I ordered my books THREE Tuesdays ago and only 3/8 of them came in this past Friday. Unfortunately, the book I needed most hasn't arrived yet! The problem? I have a paper due next Tuesday over this book and I'm leaving to go home TOMORROW! YIKES! As I was getting ready for the day this morning, I took the time to ask God if he could get my books here before I leave tomorrow. I just received an email informing me that my books were ready to pick up, so I immediately opened the email and saw that only ONE of my books was ready to pick up. Can you guess which book it was? THE BOOK I NEED TO WRITE MY PAPER THAT'S DUE ON TUESDAY! Coincidence? NOPE! This is a perfect example of Matthew 21:22 which encourages us to take the time to ASK God for something and BELIEVE he will do it! He's God - he can do ANYTHING! All we have to do is ask! GOD IS GOOD, Y'ALL! Happy Wednesday! HUMP DAAAAYYYYYY!

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22

Performing for an Audience of ONE

At my apartment complex, there's a shuttle bus that picks us up and drops us off at the bus stop. Living in the furthest building away from the bus stop, I have always been grateful for this unique system. However, some days I am even more grateful than others...like today:

Sweat was already forming on my forehead as I waited patiently for the shuttle bus to arrive. When I noticed it rounding the corner, I shot up and began strolling towards it, planning to meet it in the middle as I do every day. However, today was different. As I was approaching the bus doors, inches away from stepping on, Mr. Charlie suddenly yells "PSYCH" at the top of his lungs! He immediately closes the door, laughs his head off, opens it and then, still laughing, lowers his head and says, "I should be ashamed." IT MADE MY DAY!

As we made our way to the bus stop, I couldn't help but think about all the ways Mr. Charlie shines the light of Christ on that shuttle bus. I thought about how there is always Christian music playing on the radio, how he has no problem bringing God and his goodness into the conversation, and how he never fails to encourage us to have a "blessed day" when we get off the shuttle. The love he has for his job is the best representation of Colossians 3:23 which says, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for man." It is evident who Mr. Charlie is working for, and it's NOT Campus Village! He is living, working and performing for an audience of ONE!

As Christians, the only praise and applause we should seek is that of God alone! It doesn't matter if you are a teacher, bus driver, talk show host, pediatrician, or zookeeper! God needs Christians everywhere, and we are called to "do what [we] can, with what [we] have, where [we] are!" That is exactly what Mr. Charlie does! He is an inspiration, and I am so grateful God allowed our paths to cross.

I encourage you to take Jon Gordan's advice (the author of The Energy Bus - I've written about it before in my post "Rejoicing on the Ride") and "drive with purpose!" Trust that God has you exactly where he wants you, and know that it's your responsibility to make the most of the opportunities he has given you! Shine your light "every day, every day" in any and every way possible!

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of

God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still

trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

Galatians 1:10

Mud Stains

As we were cleaning the cabins at our Phi Lamb retreat one weekend, our crew came across a mud stain splattered on the wall. At first there were two stain-removers, but as time went on and as the stain became more difficult to remove, we were having to send in people left and right to continue the strenuous job. As we scrubbed, wiped, washed, and scratched, doing all that we could, and more, to ensure this stain was clean and looking good as new, I couldn't help but think about OUR "mud" stains. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, HE WORKS OVERTIME UNTIL WE ARE MADE NEW. He even sends people in and out of our lives (like those switching out, taking turns cleaning the mud stain) to aid us on our spiritual walks - to encourage us, to teach us valuable lessons, etc. - so that we may continue growing in His likeness. Just as we continued working on the mud stain until we reached the desired cleanliness, Christ will continue working on OUR "mud" stains until He can see His image in us, the desired "cleanliness." 

 "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." Isaiah 64:8

"First day of school! First day of school!"

It seems like just yesterday I was taking a giant leap onto the filthy steps of White Oak Primary's "Donald Duck" school bus to head to my first day of kindergarten. Since that day, school has been my passion. I believe this results in part from my eagerness to learn, but also from my enthusiasm for life and my thirst for discovering not only what the world has to offer me, but what I have to offer the world. The enthusiasm I have for education has continued to thrive throughout the past 16yrs, and as hard as it is to believe, I began my LAST year of schooling yesterday! I AM A SENIOR IN COLLEGE, Y'ALL!

Three things came to mind as I rode the bus back to my apartment:
1) I am BLESSED! Everything I have is solely an illustration of God's grace and is NOTHING I deserve! I constantly find myself down on my knees, wiping tears from my eyes, thanking him for the individuals, opportunities, and obstacles he has purposely placed in my life! I am confident in the direction my life is going, and I am grateful for the paths that have led me to where I am today. I know God is writing His story on my heart and I'm just here to turn the pages when He, the Author, tells me to!

2) I am PUMPED! After 4yrs of summer classes and 15hr semesters, I'm ahead of schedule and will be taking 6hrs in the fall. My senior year will (hopefully) be a hop, skip, and a jump! Though I'm only taking two classes, my present circumstances are evidence that God wanted me to wait and graduate in May! Besides, I've got my whole life to work! Yes, it's a delight (I repeat: a DELIGHT) not having classes on MWF! However, I am most excited about discovering God's plan behind all of this and seeing how He'll use my "free" time to make a difference for His Kingdom. Don't worry, I have set aside PLENTY of time to study and write papers!

3) I am ANXIOUS! The closer I get to graduating, the closer I get to the real world. I'll soon be making decisions that will test my faith, challenge my courage, and ultimately change my life! It's scary, nerve-racking, and exciting all at the same time! However, if there's anything I've learned in college, it's that I am called to focus solely on the tasks God has assigned me right now - passing my classes, leading my sisters in Phi Lamb, and reaching out to those placed along my path here at Texas A&M. We aren't guaranteed the future. The only time we're guaranteed is the time we have right now at this very moment! I am reminded of Luke 16:10 that reads, "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much." If we desire for God to use us in big ways, we must prove we are responsible with the tasks he has assigned us right now! With that being said, I'm letting go of the reins and will simply be enjoying the ride! I'll worry about being a grownup when the time comes!

Seeing that my first day of school was technically on a Tuesday, it only made sense to post a Transformation Tuesday picture!  In honor of my LAST first day of school EVER, I decided to recreate my FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN picture! Time flies when you're wearing giant bows and posing awkwardly for pictures! I am so grateful for these 16yrs of education, and I can't WAIT to see what God has in store for me this last year!

Negative Nancys

Moms have the best advice, don't they? Here's a little advice my mom shared with me a while back to help me deal with negative people:

When dealing with negative people, imagine a bull being in a china cabinet. Scary, isn't it? The negative person is the angry bull and you are a piece of china sitting daintily on the shelf. When released from the gate, that bull is going to do whatever it takes in hopes of bucking you off and breaking you. NEVER LET THEM BREAK YOU!

Here's the deal:

In Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren refers to these individuals as "EGR" people - "Extra Grace Required." Sound familiar? It should, because "EGR" people are EVERYWHERE! You will encounter them at every school, in every workplace, in every family, and in every church! "EGR" people are those individuals who drain your bucket, start drama, add fuel to the fire and ultimately bring out the worst in you. Simply put, they are bulls in a china cabinet and no matter where you go, there will ALWAYS be bulls! It may be IMPOSSIBLE to get away from them, but it's POSSIBLE to manage them...if we do so with grace! When dealing with these individuals, Warren reminds us: "God put these people in our midst for both their benefit and ours. They are an opportunity for growth and a test of fellowship: Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them with dignity?" Will we "kill them with kindness" and allow Christ's light to shine through us, or will we allow our anger to get the best of us? Just as happiness is a choice, we get to choose how we respond to situations! We choose every single day (or at least five days a week...depending on how often we see them) how we will respond to the negative, "Extra Grace Required" people! We should do our best to view the situation as an opportunity to better ourselves and become more like Christ, as mentioned by Viktor Frankl in his quote, “When we can no longer change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Instead of allowing our sinful nature to win, ask yourself, "What Would Jesus Do?"

Before you respond, be quick to recognize their intentions! Know that you are dealing with an "EGR" person who is trying to knock you off your shelf. There's nothing they would love more than to see you hurt because that's what bulls do - they charge. Pray about the situation, specifically for that person, and then ask God for the right words to say to ensure you respond out of love rather than anger or self-defense! If that doesn't work, remember Thumper on Bambi who wisely noted, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" *begins tapping foot on ground*

 

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45