Bloom Where You Are Planted

PSA: This post is lengthy...but which of my blog posts aren't!? AM I RIGHT!? 

One of my all-time favorite quotes encourages us to "bloom where [we] are planted." In fact, I love it so much, I had it framed when I went off to college and it's been sitting on my dresser ever since. This quote has reminded me every single day that we're called to "do what [we] can, with what [we] have, where [we] are" and I can confidently say I did what I could, with what I had, where I was while at Texas A&M University! I wanted to be spiritually ready to fulfill God's purpose for my life when He called my name and told me to "Go!" so I maintained my desire to grow. I "bloomed where [I] was planted" and recognized that God, the Gardener, had purposely planted me in College Station, TX, just as He purposely placed me in White Oak, TX growing up...and if I wanted to flourish, it was my responsibility to yield to His cultivation. In doing so, God taught me a LOT about who I was and who He wanted me to be in Christ. When the time came, I would be ready to be uprooted. As quoted in The Circle Maker, "God's primary concern is who we're becoming in the process. We talk about 'doing' the will of God, but the will of God has much more to do with 'being' than 'doing.' It's not about being in the right place at the right time; it's about being the right person, even if you find yourself in the wrong circumstances. Success has nothing to do with how gifted or how resourced you are; it has everything to do with glorifying God in any and every situation by making the most of it." 

The Oak Inside the Acorn
Let's flash forward to Max Lucado's children's book, The Oak Inside the Acorn, which encourages us to "bloom where we are planted" as we seek to fulfill God's purpose for our lives. In The Oak Inside the Acorn, Mother Oak reminds Little Acorn at the beginning of the story, “When your time comes to go into the world, you’ll be fine.” He knew the time was coming for him to leave, but the thought of "leaving the safety of his mother's branches was scary to Little Acorn." It was then that Mother Oak told him, "Within you is a great oak. Just be the tree God made you to be." 

The day finally came for Little Acorn to leave Mother Oak. He fell from her branches into the bed of a pickup truck. He was accidentally swept into a field of orange trees where he remained for a few months - long enough for Little Acorn to become Little Oak. Soon the orange trees began bearing fruit. When the orange trees told Little Oak he would never bear oranges, he felt out of place. He didn't belong there.

When the farmer returned to gather the fruit, he noticed Little Oak was out of place so he uprooted him and planted Little Oak in his front yard. Even then, however, Little Oak felt like he didn't belong. He was surrounded by daisies, petunias, and roses. "Every day, he tried to grow colorful flowers. But he never could." He couldn't grow oranges. He couldn't grow flowers. Little Oak still could not figure out what he was made to do. Throughout the years, Little Oak continued to grow while the words his mother told him remained in the back of his mind: "Within you is a great oak. Just be the tree God made you to be." 

Eventually, Little Oak became Big Oak. He was the tallest and widest of all his friends. However, he still could not figure out what he was made to do. 

One day, "a young farmer brought two ropes and tied them to one of his strong branches" as a little girl watched nearby. When he finished, she asked, "Can I do it, Daddy? Can I swing?" The man began pushing Little Girl on the swing, and "with her daddy's help, she swung forward. Not too far. But farther the next day and farther the next." 

Big Oak loved Little Girl. As he grew, so did she, "Each year both taller. Each year both stronger." Little Girl spent hours climbing his branches and resting in his shade, and finally, "Big Oak knew he had become the tree God made him to be." 

The years flew by and "Little Girl didn't swing so much...Little Girl was becoming Big Girl." Big Oak understood that she was growing up and that it would soon be time for Big Girl to go into the world. As she sat beneath his branches, Big Oak heard Big Girl say, "I don't know what I'm supposed to be...it's hard to let go...how can I know who I am?" Big Oak wanted to tell her, "Within you is a great girl. Just be the person God made you to be." Unfortunately, he could not. "'Orange trees grow oranges,' he would say. 'Flower plants grow flowers. And oaks? Oaks grow tall enough for swings and strong enough for swinging and big enough to hold little girls until they become big girls.'" 

One day, Big Girl sat beneath Big Oak and cried. Big Oak knew just what to do. When the wind blew, "Big Oak let [one] branch shake more than the others" and "[a] little acorn popped loose and landed in Big Girl's lap." She wondered if Big Oak had ever been that small. Then she said, "Of course you were. You grew into a great oak from a little acorn. All you did was become what God made you to be." 

She stared at the acorn in her hands, then at Big Oak, and asked, "Do you suppose that's what God wants me to do?" After a few moments, she boldly proclaimed, "Of course He does. Now it's time for me to let go and become the person God made me to be." 

Just as Little Oak fell from his mother's branches, was uprooted from the orange tree farm and re-planted in the farmer's front yard, I have been uprooted from Texas A&M University; my time has come to go into the world. Just as Little Oak continue to "bloom [wherever he] was planted" until He discovered God's purpose for his life, I will continue to "bloom [wherever I] am planted" until I discover God's purpose for my life. I grew in White Oak, TX for 18yrs, I grew at Kilgore for a year, and then Texas A&M University for 3yrs. Now it is time for me to grow elsewhere! With my Father's help, I will "swing a little farther" each day. Although it will be scary, nerve-racking, and exciting all at the same time, I do not have to worry because "Within [me] is a great girl." Like Little Oak, I will be fine. All I have to do is "let go and become the person God made me to be."

"You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world." At Ring Dance, seniors turn their Aggie Ring around to be readable by others. Their class year no longer faces them; it faces the world, and after walking across the stage this past weekend and becoming a Former Student of Texas A&M University, I, too, face the world!

Not everyone gets the opportunity to graduate COLLEGE with one of their closest high school friends...and on top of that, out of the HUNDREDS of Communication students, he was seated RIGHT BEHIND ME during graduation! I'm so blessed to have gone to school with Jake for 17yrs, and I'm so blessed to have walked across the stage with him one last time!

My family means EVERYTHING to me! They have loved me and supported me every single step of the way. They are my biggest blessing in life and I don't know what I would do without them. I love them so much!

These two have given me the world. I would not be where I am today without them. I will forever be grateful for the sacrifices they've made in order to allow me to achieve a higher education at the university of my dreams!

These are my brothers, my best friends, and my heroes. They're handsome, funny (except for when they offer me a tootsie roll when I'm talking too much or send videos hushing me with their hands because they can feel me getting fired up through text), and an absolute joy to be around. I love them and look up to them more than they will ever know! Thank you for being the best big brothers a girl could ever ask for! 
Maybe I'll be able to beat you at a game of 21 now that I'm a college graduate, but I doubt it! 

These two have always, ALWAYS cheered me on, whether I was marching in the band or playing basketball. I'm so very blessed to have them in my life! I love you! 

These are some of my very best friends! I may have met them in different places at different times, but they all take up room in the same place - my HEART! Thank you for taking the time out of your day to watch me graduate. It means more to me than you will ever know. You have blessed me tremendously and I love you all so, so very much!


I've had several people ask why I chose to put Isaiah 6:8 on my graduation cap. 
Ever since I was a little girl, Here I Am, Lord has been my all-time favorite hymn and it's based off of Isaiah 6:8! I fight back tears every time I sing it, and I don't always win the battle. In this chapter, the Lord is looking for a messenger to send into the world, someone who voluntarily 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!" In Isaiah 6:8, the Lord asks, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" It is then that Isaiah confidently replies, "Here I am! Send me!" as he patiently waited to be sent. It is my prayer that I be ready to go when called! So, just as my graduation cap reads, with passionate faith and my arms stretched wide, I joyfully and confidently proclaim, “Here I am, Lord! Send me!” as I patiently wait to be sent when God tells me to, "Go!" 

Although I will miss Texas A&M (the people, the community, etc.), I know it doesn't end here! The best is yet to come! My journey has only just begun! I AM SO EXCITED! I finally get to chase after the dreams that have kept me awake at night since I was a sophomore in high school. I finally get to discover why God made me, Kristin Koonce. It's time for me to be uprooted. It's time for me to grow elsewhere.

Conclusion

Sometimes you have to go places you’ve never been in order to achieve things that have never been done. Take God’s hand and follow wherever He leads. You may walk blindly for a while, but in the end you will come out seeing. Know that God created you with a purpose in mind. He has plans for you that outweigh anything you’ve ever dreamed of, plans that will require obedience and faith in His timing and direction. Trust in Him always. Be willing to let go of what’s comfortable for what’s uncomfortable. Be confident in the direction your life is going, but always be grateful for the paths that have led you to where you are today. BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED! Go out into the world and make a difference for His Kingdom, and always, always know that “Within you is a great guy/girl. Just be the person God made you to be!”

Phi Lamb and "Phriends"

I was extremely blessed to grow up in White Oak with a solid group of Christian friends. However, I never really understood the significance of surrounding myself with a community of believers until I transferred to Texas A&M and was given two choices: I could make my relationship with the Lord my first priority and actively pursue Him or I could put my faith on the back burner until I graduated college. 

When I got accepted to Texas A&M University, there was a lot of talk about a Christian sorority called Sigma Phi Lambda, or Phi Lamb for short. Specifically, I remember Mrs. Craig, my mom's friend whose family went to church with us, telling us how much Lacey, her daughter, loved Phi Lamb! After talking to Lacey about it, I was convinced I needed to give it a whirl. After all, in the words of Coldplay, "If you never try, you'll never know!" 

Before I knew it, I was a week into my first semester at Texas A&M and Rush week had arrived. I gathered the times for Phi Lamb's Informationals and marked them on my calendar. I wasn't able to make the earlier meetings but there was one on Wednesday at 7:00PM and I was determined to attend! 

After days of anticipation, Wednesday finally rolled around but, to my dismay, our Geology lab ran late which meant I would be pushing it if I wanted to make it to the Informational in time. My roommate, Aivan, offered to drop me off in hopes of saving time because it was already 7:00PM and we knew we would, inevitably, be hitting traffic on the way there. I distinctly remember being at the intersection of Joe Routt and Wellborn staring at the clock, which now read 7:15PM, and suggesting we just turn around and go back to the apartment. Aivan, however, encouraged me, "It's better to be late than never, right?" I nodded in agreement and embraced the fact that I would be arriving a good 25min late to the Informational. Not a day goes by when I don't thank God for the divine moment that was seized while stopped at the red light that Wednesday evening.

I quietly slipped in the back door and had made it just in time to hear two girls, Amanda and Abbey, enthusiastically declare, "We're cousins! And best friends! And roommates!" Then, while hugging each other tightly, they explained that they were the Songfest Committee Heads. I smiled as they danced off to the side so the officers could wrap up the Informational. Nikki hip-hopped her way to the microphone and prayed us out. My face beamed with joy as the Lord soothed my anxious heart and I thought to myself, "This is it. This is where I belong." I knew Phi Lamb was where I was meant to be! I may have been 25min late to the Informational, but God was right on time. 

In the paragraphs that follow, I will do my best to touch on the ways in which God has used Sigma Phi Lambda and the friendships I've made to draw me closer to Him. Throughout the past three years, I have served as a Small Group Leader, Prayer Committee Head, and President. In doing so, I found my church home of 3yrs, met my best friends and learned the significance of relying on the Lord wholeheartedly in any and all situations. God revealed Himself to me in ways I could have never imagined. He has shown me the importance of surrounding myself with a community of believers who spur each other on towards love, hold me accountable for my words and actions, speak truth into me, and ultimately encourage me to glorify Him and make His name great! I firmly believe people come into our lives for a reason. I believe God divinely places people along our path whether it be for a "reason, season, or lifetime" and that He uses others to reveal His best for us as we seek to follow Him. Perhaps this quote says it best: "Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or help you figure out who you are and/or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be, but when you lock eyes with them, you know at the very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way."

Sophomore Year:

I pledged Sigma Phi Lambda as a sophomore! I attended weekly Pledge Meetings led by two girls, Alex and Tori, who were as goofy as could be! The joy they had for the Lord was contagious and it was a blessing simply watching them work together! As the weeks went by, I felt a tug in my heart urging me to be Alex's friend...so at Pledge Retreat I swallowed my pride, walked up to her and before I even had time to think, the words, "CAN WE PLEASE BE FRIENDS?" came tumbling out of my mouth. Thankfully, she felt the same way...or at least she did a really good job pretending! HA! Little did I know just how much her friendship would impact my life and how meeting her was a divine appointment scheduled by God! I am so, so very thankful God placed her in my life because it was through Alex I found the church I would attend for the next three years, met my college minister, Mrs. Becky, who has heavily influenced my life, and found myself encouraged to swim upstream with my sisters and further develop my walk with the Lord in college. 

Initiation 2012


Songfest 2012




Songfest 2013 
She sat on me...but what else is new?

Alex made me laugh more times than I can remember and as you can see, the number of serious photos we took together can be counted on one hand...and that's not even HALF of them! She introduced me to drinking coffee through a straw so I'd only stain the back of my teeth instead of the front. Most importantly, however, she taught me so much about who I am in Christ while encouraging me to get to know Him and His character on a deeper level. She challenged my beliefs and put my faith to the test. We attended church together every Sunday, weekly Bible studies every Tuesday at the Wilkinson's for two years, and every Wednesday at the Stone's my sophomore year. I don't know where I would be had God not brought her into my life!

Junior Year:
I remember meeting Madi and Rylea at Songfest practice like it was yesterday. It was the first practice of the year and just a few weeks before Big/Little Reveal. Once again, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart; I felt drawn to them. I began praying through the process and handed it to God. During the next few weeks, He made it very clear to me that these girls were meant to be in my life. When it came time to pref our potential Littles, they were the only two names I wrote down. We may not have known what was in store for us, but it came as no surprise to God when our relationship with each other quickly went from Big/Little to BEST FRIENDS! 

This was at Big/Little Reveal, the beginning of a lifelong friendship!

This picture was taken on our trip to Los Angeles over Christmas break! When the original plans for the trip fell through, these two stepped up and said, "We're taking you to LA." Seeing that Los Angeles is where I plan on moving, they knew how much that trip meant to me, as well as my dreams, and they were going to do whatever it took to get me there! These two have done nothing but encourage me in my dreams. They have believed in me and they have been my motivation when I found it hard to motivate myself. They were the answers to my prayers and I thank God every single day for bringing them into my life.

SoROARity Birthday Party

Miles for Milson 5K

Although they are younger than me, these girls are wise beyond their years and they have taught me a LOT about God, His love, His purpose for our lives, and His goodness! They remind me every day to conduct myself in a way that is worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27) as they push me towards His heart. They have made me a better person and I know they will only continue to do so! They accidentally switch up their words and say things like, "My weakles are ank!" They willingly buy frozen squid and eel from the Asian Market so we can prank our friends. They clean my dishes for me and dust the living room when I have to run a quick errand so I can come home to a clean apartment. They're my best friends and I know, without a doubt, the friendship we have can withstand anything because it is a friendship from the Lord! 

Senior Year:

As some of you may know, I could have graduated last December. However, when I was nominated for President in the spring of my junior year, the Lord made it clear that I was meant to go through the three-week process of elections, regardless of the outcome. I had no idea what God had in store for me, but I wanted to make myself available to Him. I wanted to give Him room to work. After three of the LONGEST weeks of my life, I was elected as President of Sigma Phi Lambda. This was solely an illustration of God's grace and was nothing I deserved! It was evident God wanted me at Texas A&M the entire year, so I split up my hours, grabbed hold of His hand tightly and began yet another journey that would change my life forever. 

I had no idea just how much being an officer would challenge me. I also had no idea how much it would change me. The five of us hardly knew each other. In fact, the most I knew about each of them was that Jess had commercial/model hands, Shiloe wasn’t afraid of grabbing the first cookie at Prayer Group, we used Julianne’s truck for music at Songfest practice, and I really wanted to hang out with Carly McDougal. The only common interest we had, and the only one we needed, was Jesus. However, our family was not complete just yet. The Lord had a different plan in mind, a plan that was far more than anything we could have asked for or imagined. He brought us Casey, the sixth and final member of our family and team, and the only thing I could recall about Casey was that she once posed in a photo with me at a Christmas party while dressed as one of the Three Wise Men. We may not have known we'd one day play a significant role in each other's lives, but God knew! I said “hello” to strangers last year/semester and am now, by the grace of God, saying “goodbye” (but actually "see ya later") to my best friends.

We surprised Casey at meeting and had matching shirts made with her face on it for her birthday.

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

This is our family portrait, minus Jess! Carly was the baby, Julianne was the mom (June Cleaver), Shiloe was the angsty teen, Jessica was the grandma, I was the crazy aunt, and Casey was the hip great aunt.

These five girls taught me the importance of circling everything in prayer, whether it was Chapter Meetings, Officer Meetings, date parties, or Songfest practice. They encouraged me to pray boldly and confidently about my biggest dreams, and they encouraged me to seek the Lord first in everything. They spoke truth into me. They showed me what it looks like to walk with beautiful feet no matter where we go. They reminded me that God is faithful and that He is sovereign and we are called to joyfully submit to His will. They quote Heavyweights regularly and the first song that came to mind when we needed to kill time was I've Been Workin' on the Railroad, so nearly 200ppl began singing it in unison while we waited for the technical difficulty to be resolved. We laughed together, we cried together, we got off track at officer meetings every single week, but most importantly, we grew together in Christ's love! 

This blog post doesn't even put a dent on the lessons the Lord has taught me through Phi Lamb and the friendships I've made! However, it is my prayer that this blog post encourages you to find community right where you are if you haven't done so already because I promise, it will change your life. I know, without a doubt, my life would be completely different had I not taken that right turn down Joe Routt 3yrs ago, but I did, and I thank God every day because of it. Although I am unable to share with you every single friendship I made and lessons I learned, I pray this tiny glimpse reassures you that the Lord divinely places people in our lives for a reason. We meet people through His design! 

I will forever cherish my time in Sigma Phi Lambda! Both the memories I've made and the lessons I've learned along the way will be engraved on my heart forever, for it is because of my "Sisters for the Lord" I have found myself encouraged and challenged to be a virtuous woman of God! It's not every day you have the opportunity to chase after the Lord with 400 girls; it's the chance of a lifetime. I'm going to miss hugging them every single Monday evening, secretly sticking name tags on the back of each other's shirts until there's 50 of them, holding hands with them as we quote our sorority's verse together, and jumping up and down with them in boisterous laughter as we clap, dance and sing our sorority's song. We have walked through the storms of life together. We have prayed for each other during the good times and the bad. We have spent hours on end at Prayer Group each week, sharing testimonies and getting to know the hearts of our sisters. We have molded each other. We have challenged each other. Most importantly, we have encouraged one another to become more like Christ by challenging each other to walk with beautiful feet, ensuring there is significance behind every step as we seek to further God's Kingdom. It was through this sorority I was reminded that we, as Christians, are called to be a light in the darkness and to let the light of Christ shine through our words, thoughts, and actions. Sigma Phi Lambda has been, by far, my biggest blessing while at Texas A&M! I don't know who or where I would be had I not been encouraged to join. I vividly remember where I stood when the Lord made it clear that this would be where I devoted my heart because you never forget the moments that change your life forever. 

To my sisters, thank you. I love you all. 

Nikki and Melissa, the VP and President my sophomore year!

My sweet friend, Nicole

These girls have inspired me more than they will ever know. My only regret is that we didn't meet sooner, for I wish I had more time with them! However, I am extremely grateful for the time I did have with them. Although we stole their silverware for three weeks, tied an eel on their doorknob and placed baby squids on their back porch, they always had a happy attitude. I'll definitely miss pranking each other back-and-forth, but I'll miss their friendship more.

This was at Nationals! We tried remaking the cover of Bridesmaids.


I walked to class with these girls for the last time today! We've walked to class together and waited on each other afterwards every Tuesday/Thursday. It's these moments I'm going to miss the most! 

We took a road trip to Magnolia. It was here that #OMK was invented, interpretive dancing became a nightly ritual, and they learned who Simon Birch was.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

Challenge: Don't abandon your faith. Get involved immediately, don't put it off! No matter where you go, whether it be College Station, TX or Los Angeles, CA, seek community and surround yourself with believers. Remember who you are in Christ. Strive to know Him more each day. Seek Him first and foremost above all things. Trust that His plan is far better than your own and follow wherever He leads you. Be a light in the darkness. Read His word daily. Challenge yourself and others. Most importantly, love like Jesus and abide in Him. Your love for one another will show who you belong to!

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and one mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" Romans 15:5-6

The Last One: Part 2

As mentioned in 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 have officially participated in "the last one" of every Aggie (and Phi Lamb) tradition I know and love! I have tied up loose ends at Texas A&M University with "no ragrets" and have completed my bucket list! This post represents the "season finale" of my college career. Because it is impossible for me to wrap-up everything I want to say in one last blog post, there will, of course, be more to come.

Intramural Basketball:

Since I recently wrote an entire blog dedicated to Phi Lamb's intramural basketball team ("12th Lamb" Baaaasketball), I won't be as detailed in this paragraph as the others. As you know, I love basketball. For the past three years, I have played on as many basketball teams as possible each spring, one co-ed team and one all-girls team! Honestly, if I could have played on a third (or fourth) team, I would have. Throughout the past three years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to play with a few of my best friends, as well as a handful of other awesome individuals who love the game as much as I do! Sadly, we didn't think about taking pictures until this year so I don't have any from the previous years! Regardless, not much has changed since high school, as I continued to long for basketball season to begin and hated to see it end. I will miss playing with these guys and girls but I'm looking forward to joining a REC team in Los Angeles! 

The Mighty Dunks

This was our "12th Lamb" Baaaasketball team. Again, if you'd like to read about how these girls impacted my life this season, you can do so in my previous blog post!

These photos were taken by one of my best friend's mom! White Oak's tennis team made it to Regionals which just so happened to be in College Station! I cannot even begin to explain the excitement I felt when I saw her standing on the sidelines as I ran back down the court. I hugged her neck after the game and immediately began crying. It's not every day your best friend's mom comes to watch you play in the intramural championship basketball game! IT WAS THE BEST SURPRISE! I am so blessed!

This might be the highest I've ever jumped...hahahaha! 

D2: The Mighty Dunks

Zac, Braden, Jake, Kristen, Ashton, me, Audrey, Jackie, and (not pictured) Liam

We had the best support system this season, as our "Team Moms" attended every single basketball game, led us in stretches before and provided snacks for us afterwards! They brought so much joy and laughter to our games!

Date Party/Formal:

I attended my last Phi Lamb Date Party/Formal last weekend! As you can see from the pictures I've posted below, I have always gone above and beyond when asking my dates simply because I LOVE making the most of every opportunity! I never want to look back with regret, wishing I had done more. God has truly blessed me with a handful of great, godly guys who never seemed to be embarrassed by me and my odd requests, graciously put up with my terrible two-stepping, and patiently spent an entire weekend without complaining a single time even though he was the only boy surrounded by nine (9) girls. 

As you can see from the title of this blog, I am OBSESSED with Friends (and my best friend, David, of course) and we decided to go as the cast of Friends to our "Bring Your BOO" Halloween Date Party! I went as Phoebe Buffay, so in order to officially ask my date and fulfill my role, I wrote a remix to the infamous "Smelly Cat" song that Phoebe is known and loved for! I then set up camp in the middle of Rev's Cafe in the MSC and serenaded him while wearing a cat sweater! You can try watching the video here!

 "I'll be there for you, when the rain starts to pour! I'll be there for you, like I've been there before. I'll be there for you, 'cause you're there for me, too!"

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

We were supposed to be "jumping for joy" in this picture but James didn't quite get the memo and "hopped in horror" instead.

The officers went to "Secondhand Sadies" together and this is how I asked them! It's not every day you get to walk across campus dressed as a fairy godmother.

You guys could've just told me you didn't want my face in the picture...

Formal 2013

Well WADDLE ya know! I was "HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY" to go with Tom-Tom to Phi Lamb's Duck Dynasty-themed Formal! 

Formal 2014

Formal was in Austin this year, so this was how I asked my friend, Braden!

I think it's safe to say we did, in fact, keep Austin weird!

Sigma Phi Lambda Officers 2014-2015

Parent's Weekend:

Parent's Weekend is my favorite part of the spring semester simply because I get to share what I love most with who I love most! Nothing excites me more than getting to show my friends and family what Aggieland is all about! These two have been my pillars of support through everything and it is because of their sacrifices (and God's grace, of course) that I had the opportunity to attend this university. Whether it was cheering for the White Oak Ladynecks or the Fightin' Texas Aggies, they have always been my number one fans and rooted for the team/school I love! God has truly blessed me, for these two have given me the world and I'm so, so very grateful for all they have done in my life! I would not be where I am without them. 

This was at Parents Weekend 2013, just before the Maroon/White game!

I got my Fightin' Texas Aggie Ring at Parents Weekend 2014!

I asked my oldest brother, Clayton ('09), to present my Aggie Ring because he was my inspiration behind attending Texas A&M University! I went to a football game with him in the 8th grade and immediately knew I wanted to be an Aggie, I was meant to be an Aggie! It is an honor following in his footsteps, and it is such a blessing sharing the same passion with him!

Parents Weekend 2015 was such a precious time and a memory I will cherish forever because we honored our parents at our Parent's Weekend Brunch! In doing so, I had the opportunity to show Ma & Pa what I've been up to all year while serving as President of Sigma Phi Lambda and they got to see what these "Sisters for the Lord" are all about! I can't think of a better way to spend my last Parent's Weekend than thanking them for all they've done to support me, love me, and shape me into the person I am today! 

Ring Dunk:

In the late 70's, an Aggie headed to the Dixie Chicken to celebrate receiving his Fightin' Texas Aggie Ring! While there, he accidentally dropped his ring in a full pitcher of beer and, naturally, the only way to get it out was to drink the entire pitcher. This sparked the unofficial tradition known as "Ring Dunk" that Aggies continue to participate in today. Students come together and brainstorm theme ideas which range anywhere from Dunk'n Donuts to "How you dunkin'?" which was inspired by Joey Tribbiani's catchphrase on Friends. They then make Facebook pages and invite everyone they know! In addition to the unique themes, some students get creative with their dunks and choose to put their rings at the bottom of chocolate cake or Kool-Aid instead of alcohol. 

I love Chick-fil-A milkshakes and I love my Aggie Ring, but I realize I like them separately, not together! Regardless, "Once Upon A Dunk" was a success and I can finally check "Ring Dunk" off my Texas A&M Bucket List! 

Reveille:

Reveille is Texas A&M's mascot, the First Lady of Aggieland and the highest ranking member of the Corps of Cadets. She's royalty! In fact, when the SMU wide receiver came stumbling uncontrollably towards the beloved mascot, Reveille's handler put his body between the two and blocked the defender to ensure Reveille's safety! Tears fill my eyes as she leads the football team onto the field every Saturday. When a former Reveille passes away, they bury her at the "North End of Kyle Field" so she can join the others and see the scoreboard and watch the Aggies outscore their opponents. Reveille attends classes with her handler and if she barks during class, the class is immediately dismissed because "if a professor can't hold the attention of a dog, there's no way they can hold the attention of their students!" Spotting Reveille on campus is a HUGE deal and getting to take a picture with the First Lady of Aggieland is every Aggie's dream! 

This photo was taken in the fall of my sophomore year! It doesn't get much better than trudging into your 8:00AM only to discover Reveille is visiting the classroom next door to you for the day! Suddenly waking up before the rooster crows didn't seem so bad. I also had the honor of being in math class with Reveille the following semester!

This photo was taken my junior year. Rylea and I were making our usual stroll towards the MSC when we spotted Reveille by Rudder Fountain!

"She's beauty and she's grace, she's Reveille the 8th!" This photo was taken before our last Phi Lamb meeting my senior year just a few weeks ago! This was my last picture with Reveille VIII, for she retired last week.

Yell Leaders: 

At Texas A&M, we don't have cheerleaders. We have Yell Leaders! Yell Leaders are the "Keepers of the Spirit" and they consist of five students who are elected by the student body each year. They lead fans in yells before, during, and after athletic/school events. They don't do cartwheels or front flips. Instead, they use "pass backs" to lead yells. Each yell (Farmers Fight, Aggies, Gig 'Em, Old Army, BTHO, etc.) has a specific hand signal that is used to inform the crowd which yell will be performed next. 

HUBBA, HUBBA! I checked off another Texas A&M "must-do" at a men's basketball game and snapped a picture with my two favorite Yell Leaders, Shaq (left) and Patrick (right)! It's been such a joy watching these guys lead our student body with character and integrity. What a blessing they are!

Banquet:

I suppose "banquet" is pretty self-explanatory! We recognize the new committee head members, the new officers, and the graduating seniors while reflecting on all that the Lord has done since the previous banquet. Three years ago, I quietly sat and listened to the seniors share their "pearls of wisdom" at banquet. Last week, I was one of those seniors sharing advice with my sisters. Where has the time gone? 

Banquet 2013

I was so blessed to have this sweet, precious girl as President my first year in Phi Lamb! When I was going through the process of elections last year, Melissa talked through the position with me and prayed for me every step of the way, and she continued to do so throughout the year. I could not have done this without her guidance!

Prayer Group

Banquet 2014

These were the old (2013-2014) and new (2014-2015) officers! I cannot believe this was taken a year ago! I'll talk more about Sigma Phi Lambda in my next blog post!

Seniors 2015

Being "stuck in the middle with you [two]" is my favorite place to be.

Sigma Phi Lambda Officers 2014-2015

Congratulations to the new 2015-2016 Officers of Sigma Phi Lambda! The Lord divinely placed each of these girls in their roles and I am so excited to see how the Lord will use them next year. I'm so blessed to have gotten to know each of these girls so well the last year or two. The joy they have for the Lord is contagious and I know they will do a tremendous job leading our Chapter!

I have taken my personalized yellow peephole frame off the door and removed my "Central Perk" sign from the refrigerator. In less than a week, I will be leaving my keys on the kitchen counter. This may be known as the "saddest moment in television" but it will not be known as the saddest moment of my life, for the best is yet to come! 

The last line of the final scene is said by Chandler who sarcastically replies, "Sure...where?" when Rachel asks if they should go get some coffee. The answer was obvious - Central Perk. I find myself asking the same question as I step into the unknown: "Where do I want to go?" The answer to Rachel's question was evident and I know the answer to my question is just as clear. I can go anywhere I want. I can be anything I want. The world is full of endless possibilities, and I can "Go confidently in the direction of [my] dreams [and] live the life [I've] imagined." So if you're wondering, that's where I'll be going. I'll be chasing after the dreams that have kept me awake at night for so many years. I'll be seeking God's purpose for my life and discovering why He made me, Kristin Koonce. I'll be looking for ways to be a witness wherever He places me, and I will be striving to glorify Him every step of the way. 

You may recognize the sign! I made it two years ago when I asked David to our Halloween Date Party. I repainted it to look like the original sign so I could hang it on our refrigerator!

"The saddest moment on television."

Just as the Friends grabbed hands and took one last bow in The Last One: Part 2, I will be taking my final bow and waving goodbye to Texas A&M on Saturday!