"12th Lamb" Baaaaasketball

For those of you who know me, you know I rarely cry.

Okay, you caught me, Elle Woods. I actually cry all the time. In fact, I'm crying tears of joy right now! That's what I do, though. I cry tears of joy. It's as if my heart can't contain the sheer joy that wells up inside me so it expresses itself through streams of tears...and by streams I mean people have mistaken my face for Niagara Falls and offered me a wad of cash for an up-close, personal view of Canada's most famous natural attraction.

With that being said, I played in my last "12th Lamb" Intramural Baaaaasketball game last week. We lost 41-48 in the championship game, and I cried...tears of JOY! For those of you who know me, you know how much I love basketball. I live it. I breathe it. I could play every single day and not get tired of it. I love everything about it - the sound the net makes when you swish that 15-footer, the sound of basketball shoes squeaking on the gym floor, the sense of satisfaction you feel when you block somebody out, crash the boards, and come down with that defensive-rebound. 

When I was just a little girl, I knew there was a reason God made me passionate about basketball. As I matured in my faith and began learning the importance of walking (or running) with beautiful feet, whether I was wearing basketball shoes or bright-colored Keds, it became my constant prayer and my heart's deepest desire to glorify God through the game I love. There are two things I dream of doing when I grow up - becoming a talk show host and running a summer basketball camp! Believe it or not, this is the first time I've told anyone about that second dream! I've always kept it to myself...which I find funny because it doesn't sound near as "crazy" (I use that term lightly because I don't think it's a crazy dream at all) as wanting to be a talk show host! Hahaha! Anyway, I am constantly relating life to basketball (that's just how my brain works) and I would absolutely LOVE to use those metaphors to simply teach kids about life through the game of basketball and how we can glorify God while running up and down a basketball court!

There's a famous quote that encourages us, "Play for the name on the front of the jersey, not the back." Don't get me wrong, I believe it's vital we be the best representation of whatever team it is we're playing for - whether it be the White Oak Ladynecks, Sigma Phi Lambda, or Texas A&M University. However, one thing I've come to realize is that the names on the front of our jerseys are constantly changing, but there is One whose name remains constant and is never changing. God is the One whose name we should be striving to represent at all times, both on and off the court.  

I cannot begin to express how much "The 12th Lamb" baaaaaaasketball team has blessed me this season. As I pulled the team aside after our "loss" tonight, I immediately began sobbing. I could not have asked for a better group of girls to play my last intramural basketball season with. I don't care what the score said, I feel like a winner, because playing with girls who love the Lord and seek to glorify Him through each pass and layup is priceless and a memory that will be engraved in my heart forever. A memory that, to me, is worth much more than an intramural championship. We didn't just play together, we prayed together. These girls understood that the real victory didn't take place on a basketball court. It took place 2,000yrs ago when Jesus Christ gave His life for ransom and died on the cross for our sins so that we may not perish but have eternal life! 

It's one thing to play on a team filled with girls who are as passionate about basketball as you are. However, nothing beats playing on a team with girls who are passionate about the LORD and want to glorify HIM while running (okay...maybe it was a slow jog at times) up and down a basketball court. 

Did we fail at times? You bet we did! However, I've come to learn that if just one person saw Jesus through an opponent's actions on the basketball court, that is all that matters. 

To my team - thank you. Thank you for making me laugh in the middle of the game even though I was already having a hard enough time breathing on my own without the extra wheezing. Thank you for showing up early and staying late. Thank you for giving every ounce of yourself on the court. Thank you for sharing your love of basketball with me. Thank you for walking with beautiful feet, both on and off the court. Thank you for encouraging your teammates at all times, whether we were up by 3pts or down by 37pts. Thank you for playing with me, but most importantly, thank you for PRAYING with me. Thank you for making my last year on "The 12th Lamb" Intramural Baaaaasketball team one I will remember for the rest of my life. I am so proud to call you my teammates, but most importantly, I am proud to call you my sisters in Christ.

We were undefeated after our first game! The other team may or may not have forfeited...but we'll just keep that between us!

Semi-Finals: I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to our "Team Moms" for showing up early and staying late, leading our stretches, helping us warm up and get our heads in the game, creating sideline cheers, and providing post-game snacks! We could not have survived this season without them!

We were blessed with the opportunity to represent Texas A&M in the Lonestar Intramural Showdown at UT! We walked into the gym expecting it to be REC courts. Instead, we found ourselves in their volleyball gym with cameras and broadcasters everywhere. They aired our game on the Longhorn Network...and we got KILLED! Hahahaha!

I got to represent #23 on the court one last time!

You can't visit Austin without taking a picture in front of the "I love you so much" wall! The 12th Lamb loves [basketball] so much! We had these t-shirts made for Austin. If you can't tell, it's a picture of a lamb holding a basketball and it says "The 12th Lamb" at the top with a galaxy background because Hailee is obsessed with outer space.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

I looked over mid-game to discover our Team Moms and the officers leading our crowd in cheers. There's never a dull moment when they're around, and we could not have done it without them!

Sigma Phi Lambda 2014-2015 Officers: Whether we are sitting on my living room floor or "dogpiling" in the middle of the basketball court, I have always felt loved and supported by these girls, my best friends. I can't imagine life without them.

I'm going to miss these girls more than you know. They haven't just been my teammates the past 3mo...they've been my teammates for the past 3yrs and I can't thank God enough for them! HE HAS TRULY BLESSED ME BEYOND MEASURE! In the words of Mr. Feeny, "I love you all. [Practice] dismissed."

Life After College: Using Our Time and Talents Well

Today marks exactly one month until I graduate from Texas A&M University (May 16th, 2015 at 2:00PM in case I haven't mentioned it enough already or in case you forgot). Would you like to guess what our final lesson in our "Life After College" Bible study was about? 

USING [OUR] TIME AND TALENTS WELL

As noted in the study, "Our lives are made of time, so the way we spend our time matters immensely. To waste our time and our abilities is a tragedy, one that has consequences for now and for eternity." Although the study is focused on encouraging us soon-to-be graduates to use our time and abilities wisely as we enter into the real world, today's post will touch on the importance of both having used my time well the past 3yrs at Texas A&M, as well as using my time wisely these last 30 days! 

While writing this post, I decided to Google the significance of the number 30! Would you like to know what I discovered? In one particular article, I found that "the number 30 can symbolize dedication to a particular task or calling." After reading and re-reading this statement, I began brainstorming the tasks the Lord has entrusted me while at Texas A&M while looking to tie in tonight's lesson as I strive to finish the semester strong. Below are a few discussion questions we covered. I'm going to note both how I've used my time/talents the past 3yrs and how I can use my time/talents differently the next 30 days:

1)  If you had to give yourself a grade for how well you use your time, what grade would you give yourself? Why?

PART 1: I would give myself a 'B' because, although I feel as if I've made good use of my time the past 3yrs, I know I could (and should) have spent more time with the Lord! After all, you can never spend TOO much time with God! For example, I should have spent time with Him first thing EVERY morning rather than waiting until the afternoon or evening simply because I was too stubborn to wake up an hour earlier. 

PART 2: For the next 30 days, I'm going to try my absolute best to wake up early EVERY SINGLE DAY (whether I feel like it or not) so I can start my day off right! 

2) What talents and abilities do you have that you can use for God's purpose?

PART 1: It is safe to say God has blessed me with a spirit of encouragement! However, it wasn't until I met Mrs. Becky, my college minister, that I realized encouragement is at the core of who I am. I come alive when I'm urging those around me to "seek the sunshine" and look at their circumstances from a positive perspective! My soul bursts with joy and gladness when I'm motivating others to persevere through life's ups and downs, discover their purpose in life, follow their dreams, look on the bright side of every situation, find joy despite their circumstances, etc. 

PART 2: For the next 30 days, I will aim to take advantage of every opportunity to use the abilities God has blessed me with to encourage and motivate those around me. I hope to be a light in the darkness and make a difference at Texas A&M while I still have the chance.

As my college career nears an end, I can't help but reflect on my time at Texas A&M! I can't help but think about the opportunities the Lord has blessed me with (T-Camp Counselor, Howdy Camp Counselor, Small Group Leader, Prayer Committee Head, President, etc.), the friendships I've made and maintained (you know who you are), the lessons I've learned, the memories I've made. By the grace of God, I am able to look back with confidence, contentment, and comfort. 

When I realized it was April 16th, I counted how many days were left until graduation for the first time all year. However, as soon as I finished counting, I felt convicted as I was reminded of the quote, "Don't count the days, make the days count." As you can see, an entire blog post later, it's a little late to not count down the days until I graduate from Texas A&M University. However, it's not too late to ensure I make these last 30 days count! 

I want to read my Bible first thing in the morning.

I want to wake up early and stay up late. 

I want to encourage those around me.

I want to pray circles around my biggest dreams.

I want to make the most of every opportunity.

I want to spend as much time with my best friends as possible.

I want to leave a legacy. 

I want to serve. 

I want to finish the semester strong.

I want to make a difference.

Ultimately, I want to use the time I have left at Texas A&M to glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ!

CHALLENGE: I don't know where you are in life right now. I don't know if you're graduating college in a month or if you've been in the real world for 23yrs. Regardless, I would like to challenge you (myself included) to begin using your time wisely if you aren't doing so already. I encourage you to make the most of the opportunities the Lord has given you! Reach out to those around you. Wake up early and read God's word! Pray continuously. Spend time with your loved ones. Serve. Most importantly, recognize that time is the most precious gift we can give and we only have a limited amount of it. Like our talents, time is God's gift to us, and what we do with our time is our gift back to God! What needs to change? 

Giving God the Glory for What REALLY Happened at The Ellen DeGeneres Show

A few months ago, Pastor Jerry shared with us a sermon entitled When the Gospel Speaks. After singing Standing on the Promises, one of my favorite hymns, he reminded the congregation, "It's better to be standing on the promises than sitting on the premises." Regardless of how much or how little we know, each of us has the responsibility as followers of Christ to share the Gospel. The culture we live in today lives for the present "likes" and praise which occur as a result of telling people what they want to hear. God doesn't want us to stick to the status quo! He wants us to shake the dust off and remember that, at the end of the day, knowing God and being a witness to those around us is all that matters. We need to stop living for the present affirmations and remind ourselves that we are striving for the affirmation in Heaven, the "Well done, My good and faithful servant" we as Christians hope to hear when God calls us home. Pastor Jerry concluded his sermon with, "If God gives us something to say, then for God's sake, say it!"

Very few people are aware of the story I'm about to share with you. Aside from my closest friends and family, I had no intention of sharing what REALLY happened in Los Angeles, CA over Christmas break and the events that occurred afterwards. I saw it as MY story and my story ONLY! I thought the more people who knew, the less special it would seem...the less special it would feel. I wanted to wait until my story had a "happy ending" before sharing it with the world (and by "world" I mean the handful of people who actually read my blog posts) but I came to the realization a few months ago, with tears in my eyes and conviction in my heart, I was being selfish. I wasn't giving God the glory He deserves. This is HIS story, NOT mine, and by choosing to not share this story, I was choosing to sit on the premises rather than stand on the promises. 

SIDE NOTE: Notice I said I came to the realization a few months ago...I've known for a few months that this blog post needed to be written but to be honest, I didn't want to write it. I was sitting at Chick-fil-A when I first felt convicted to share this story, so I began writing and the words immediately poured out of me. In just 30min I had most of the story written...but somewhere between starting and finishing the blog post, my pride got in the way and I refused to continue writing it. However, after a LOT of prayer and after reading Praying God's Will for Your Life, one thing became clear: I should be boasting in the Lord and what He has done! That's it. That's all there is to it. This life is solely a test for the next and I should be studying the material God has given me (rather than using Spark Notes or cheat sheets) to ensure I pass it with flying colors. I must warn you, this is a lengthy blog post, but I promise it will be worth it in the end! 

As you know, we were not supposed to be in The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Riff Raff Room. If you're just now joining us, you can visit Los Angeles, CA for more details! We misunderstood how "Day Of" tickets worked and failed to meet the requirements. However, despite our predicament, an Ellen employee showed us both kindness and compassion and, as a result, we were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in the Riff Raff Room! The Ellen DeGeneres Show employee didn't have to ask for my name and number, but she did. She didn't have to call us and give us tickets for the Riff Raff Room, but she did. If you watch the show, you know Ellen ends every episode, "Be kind to one another. Bye, bye!" We witnessed firsthand that kindness Ellen speaks of every single day. We were blown away by the love we received and, if it's even possible, we left that day loving Ellen even more than before. We were given the opportunity to be in the Riff Raff Room (against all odds) and it was, hands down, the best day of our lives! To this day I wonder why God let everything happen the way it did. Again, as you read along, may you know this story is NOT about me. It's about God. It's about His faithfulness, His timing, trusting Him with EVERY detail of our lives, and how, when God is in charge, anything is possible. I pray you find yourselves encouraged by this story! 

SIDE NOTE: Out of respect for The Ellen DeGeneres Show and because I don't want to spoil anything, I won't be sharing EVERY detail of the story!

What I didn't tell you is that while waiting to go inside, we were approached by a guy who works for The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He asked us to meet him outside where 30ppl were gathered. He then split the group in half, sending half back to their seats and the other half to a Bungalow tree...and we were sent to the tree! There were nearly 400ppl at The Ellen DeGeneres Show and we were pulled aside with a group of 30ppl, and then narrowed down to an even smaller group of 15ppl. Well, after the show ended, the three of us were pulled aside from the same guy! He said he had a few more questions for us. We answered as best we could! Again, let me remind you, the ratio went from nearly 400ppl, to 30ppl, to 15ppl, to 3ppl. To say we had no idea what was going on is an understatement! We were clueless, speechless! We went from NOT BEING ELIGIBLE to see the show, to getting pulled aside and asked multiple questions by someone who works for the show who was genuinely interested in us! He ended the conversation by asking if he could give us a call to follow up with a few more questions so naturally we squealed, "YES!!!!!!!!!" We didn't know when he would call, or if he'd even call for that matter, but we left with grateful hearts. We couldn't wrap our minds around that day's occurrences! 

What was God doing!?
Why did we get pulled aside and not anybody else!? 
Is this really happening!?
Check my pulse! Am I breathing!? 

Well, as you know, we found ourselves at Warner Brothers Studio the next day! We didn't know when he'd call (again, or IF he'd even call...not because we thought he was lying but because realistically, this kind of stuff doesn't just happen so we weren't expecting anything) but Madison encouraged us to keep our phones on loud just in case...so we did! Well, to once again prove God's timing is perfect, we were at Warner Brothers Studio from 9:00AM-4:30PM and didn't receive a call! When we finished at WBS, we walked across the street to the souvenir shop to buy our Friends apparel. We were only in the store for a few minutes when my phone started ringing. IT WAS HIM! He asked if it was an okay time for me to talk so naturally I responded, "OF COURSE! I have all the time in the world to talk to you!" I spoke with him for about 30min or so. He asked me a lot of questions, and during the conversation, I had the opportunity to tell him why/how Ellen DeGeneres inspires me. In doing so, I was able to share my dreams and ambitions with him! If you don't already know, I dream of being a talk show host. I want to change the world. I want to inspire those around me to "seek the sunshine" and find joy despite their circumstances, and I hope to encourage everyone to, "Give a stranger a smile [because] it may be the only sunshine he sees all day!" After I shared my heart with him, he said he had one more question for me. He asked, "What would you do if there was a one-in-a-billion chance Ellen DeGeneres called you on the phone?" I IMMEDIATELY STARTED BAWLING AT JUST THE THOUGHT OF ANSWERING A PHONE CALL WHERE ELLEN DEGENERES WAS ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE! Sobbing, I told him I would cry my eyes out...which I *think* (wink, wink) he found believable. Before hanging up, he informed me that another employee may call to ask further questions. I thanked him once more and we hung up! After sharing what happened with Rylea and Madi (who were taking pictures of me sobbing the entire time), I realized how at peace I was about the situation. I was excited, but calm. I had no idea what was going on, but that was okay. I was content and grateful for all that had happened thus far, as God had already done more than anything I could have asked for or dreamed of. The Ellen employee was as nice on the phone as he was in person and it was a blessing simply talking with him! I WAS/AM SO GRATEFUL!

By the time I finished updating Madi and Rylea on our conversation, it was nearly 5:30PM! We didn't know whether we should leave WBS and head back to the hotel or if we should stay in the area...just in case! After contemplating what would be best, we decided we would stay near WBS, find a place to charge our phones, and simply reflect on everything God had done that day. We walked a few blocks to a coffee shop and started calling our moms while we sat by an outlet and charged our phones. We hadn't been in there but a little while when my phone started ringing again. IT WAS HIM! He asked if he could talk to Madi and Rylea, so they took turns talking to him on the phone as he asked them questions! We were, once again, left speechless. There were no words. The only words we could get out were, "God is so good. Wow. Just...wow. Oh my. Wow...what? What on earth? Wow. What is happening?"

A few weeks went by. Christmas break ended, school began. I had just gotten home from working out (new year, new me) and was in the middle of washing my hands when my phone started ringing and The Ellen DeGeneres Show appeared on the screen. WHAT!?!? I immediately dried my hands and shakily picked up the phone! It was another employee who said she had a few more questions for me! I answered her questions to the best of my ability and we talked on the phone for about 30min! It was as if I were talking to a friend! She was so friendly, encouraging, and helpful. I was able to share my dreams with her, just as I had done before, while explaining to her why Ellen inspires me! Not once did she laugh or scoff at my dreams. In fact, she did the total opposite! SHE GAVE ME ADVICE! SHE ENCOURAGED ME! She said, "I believe you should ABSOLUTELY follow your dreams! Do whatever it takes until they come true. No matter what anybody else tells you, if you believe in yourself, you can make anything happen." I hung up and cried...go figure! I was blown away by the conversation. I felt like I had just finished talking to an old friend! I laid on my bed and cried out of gratefulness. I had now shared my dreams with someone who worked for The Ellen DeGeneres Show twice (technically 3X because I wrote it down on the survey they gave us before the show started) and, on top of that, received advice as I pursue my dreams and prepare for the next chapter of my life! I was blessed with yet another encouraging conversation with someone who works for The Ellen DeGeneres Show!

...and that's it! That's where it ends!

The Point:
I was acting selfishly when I chose to keep this story between myself and a handful of other individuals! THIS IS NOT MY STORY! I did NOTHING to deserve this, and I do NOT deserve this! Every single event that has taken place was orchestrated by God, as there is no earthly way possible for the ratio to go from nearly 400ppl (out of the millions who apply for tickets), to 30ppl, to 15ppl, to 3ppl, to 1 individual...and on top of that, I know it's not every day you have the opportunity to share your heart's deepest desires with someone who works for the woman (THE Ellen DeGeneres) whose job you dream of having one day! ONLY GOD COULD HAVE ARRANGED THIS! This experience is solely an illustration of God's grace, and this story is too good not to share! God gave me something to say, and for His sake, I needed to share it to ensure He was most glorified. He didn't have to let me experience this, but He did...and because He did, I witnessed His faithfulness on a whole new level. I've always been able to see His hand at work, but I have never experienced it to this extent. For the first time in my life, I was left speechless (for those of you who know me, you know how big of a deal this is). I couldn't talk. I could hardly catch my breath. I couldn't believe what God had arranged, and I still can't believe it! We went from not meeting the "Day Of" ticket requirements, to getting into the Riff Raff Room, to getting pulled aside, to talking on the phone with an Ellen Show employee TWICE, to sharing my dreams of being a talk show host with Ellen Show employees 3X, to being asked, "What would you do if there was a one-in-a-billion chance Ellen DeGeneres called you on the phone?" This experience has done nothing but reassure me of my hopes and "God-sized" dreams, as it has reminded me that NOTHING is impossible with God! 

I PRAY THIS STORY ENCOURAGES YOU AS MUCH AS IT HAS ENCOURAGED ME! I pray you know and understand God's faithfulness to His children! I pray you know He has no limitations. WE SERVE A GOD WHO KNOWS NO LIMITS! If you take anything away from this story, may you know God's power is at work in your life and that God doesn't need us to make things happen. As Ephesians 3:20 says, God can do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." 

The Lesson:
I am going to be completely honest with you. Although I was/am grateful for everything that happened with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I found myself frustrated with God. I didn't/don't (and probably won't) understand why God allowed those events to unfold. Wasn't I trusting Him? Wasn't I trusting His will for my life? Hadn't I placed my dreams into His hands? Why did He allow this to happen if nothing was going to come of it? What's the point?

As I mentioned earlier, God used Praying God's Will for Your Life to remind me of something I had forgotten: "Often the desires of your heart are the desires of His heart, but they still must be achieved His way, not yours, and you must know that it is He who is accomplishing them in you, not you achieving them yourself."

I love the song Oceans by Hillsong United. In it, one of the lines reads, "Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me." While listening to this song the other day, suddenly it hit me like a ton of bricks. Here I am asking God to "lead me where my trust is without borders" all the while ignoring the opportunity He has presented me! I've been saying, "I'm putting my dreams in Your hands, God, but I want it to work out like this, not that. Okay?" Just as Stormie Omartian mentions in Praying God's Will for Your Life, "[I] have to trust that God has [my] best interests in mind and be willing to do what He asks of [me], even if [I] don't understand why at the time." As much as I'd like to say I've heard back from The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I haven't and I most likely will not...but that's A-OK because this experience, through much frustration and confusion, deepened my relationship with God as I experienced His faithfulness on a whole new level. There are 1,000+ ways for Him to get me to my purpose, whatever it may be, and I am called to trust him 100% with even my biggest dreams! This situation has opened my eyes to a whole knew meaning of trust and what it means to trust God with EVERYTHING, EVEN WHEN I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT! Although it took me a few months, I finally realized that if the only reason God allowed this to happen was to ensure I mean what I say when I sing, "Spirit lead me where my trust is WITHOUT borders" then that is all that matters because "God's ultimate goal for [our] life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants [us] to grow spiritually and become like Christ." 

We're called to become better, not bitter! God knows what is best for you and for me. As Rick Warren mentions in Purpose Driven Life, we're called to "give thanks 'in all circumstances' not 'for all circumstances'" because "no matter what's happening, [we] can rejoice in God's love, care, wisdom, power, and faithfulness." 

CHALLENGE: If you're facing a situation that has brought you much confusion or frustration, don't do what I did at first. Don't allow yourself to get mad at God. Instead, ask Him what He's trying to teach you. Find the lesson. Trust God. 

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Survivor by Destiny's Child

Every college student I know is burnt out from school, including myself. Graduation is just around the corner and it seems like time is dragging on! We're struggling. We've lost all motivation.

I wanted to make this silly music video to encourage my classmates/friends to finish the semester strong! In a not-so-serious way, we're preparing ourselves both physically and mentally for the days ahead in hopes of taking advantage of the limited time we have in college! 

I'm so thankful for friends who willingly walk around campus dressed for battle with happy hearts and joyful attitudes! 

As hard as it is, WE WILL SURVIVE!

         

Seeking God Wholeheartedly

I'm extremely picky when it comes to pens. In fact, I'm so particular with the pens I write with, the only type of pen I write in my journal with is the PILOT G-2 07 gel pen.

With that being said, I'm obsessed with bright colors (which I'm sure you already knew, as it doesn't take long to figure out) so when I write in my journal, I use a different colored pen every entry: blue, green, orange, purple, pink. I never write with the same color two entries in a row, and I would never purposely break the pattern and write with blue when I was supposed to write with purple. However, I'm not perfect and accidents do happen, so the pattern has been broken a time or two. As I've grown older, I've learned that there are worse things in life than breaking the pattern of colors in my journal...I could lose a pen or someone could borrow a pen without giving it back (also known as STEALING) which may be one of my biggest fears in life...but I suppose that's another story. 

Anyway...to make a long story not so short, we had our Phi Lamb retreat this weekend. We met until late Friday evening, departed for the night, and then met again Saturday morning. I placed my 5 pens and 5 highlighters into the front zipper of my Bible case and headed home Friday evening...or so I thought! When I returned to retreat Saturday morning, I pulled out my highlighters and pens to line up next to each other, just as I always do, only to discover my blue pen was missing. I immediately began to panic, as I'm not one to just misplace a pen. I grabbed Casey's arm and let out a heartbroken sigh as I informed her of the awful news. I checked and rechecked my Spongebob "JUST ADD BUBBLES" backpack as Casey checked under the buffet table. My blue PILOT G-2 07 gel pen was nowhere to be found. We searched for several minutes but had no luck. Just as I took a deep breath and began to prepare myself for the possibility of having to buy a pack of five pens for a single color (yes, I have a problem), Casey spotted my pen on a table nearby! I immediately embraced my friend with both arms as I waved my pen in the air declaring victory. No words can fully describe the joy that bubbled up inside me. 

After sitting down with an overwhelming sense of satisfaction knowing my pen had been returned safe and sound to it's rightful owner (yours truly), I suddenly found myself convicted as the verse Jeremiah 29:13 came to mind: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." As I stared at my pens lined up side-by-side in a nice, orderly fashion, I found myself wondering, "Do I seek God the way I sought-after my blue PILOT G-2 07 gel pen?" 

No.

I have been guilty of reading my Bible solely for the information rather than the transformation. I have failed to acknowledge God's sovereignty over my life on a day-to-day basis. I have focused on my own desires instead of His plan for my life. I do not always put God first above all else. 

Seeking God wholeheartedly requires a conscious effort to empty ourselves daily so He can sit as King on the throne of our hearts. We must rid ourselves of anything and everything keeping us from knowing Him more. We need to meditate on God's word every time we open our Bibles and ensure we pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give us insight. Like my mom once said, "If we read the Bible but don't bother meditating on it, we might as well be reading the sports section!" We need to remind ourselves that God has ultimate control. We need to put aside our plans and desires and focus solely on His will for our lives. We need to put God first and foremost every minute of every day! 

We need to continuously seek God through the obstacles (selfishness, pride, doubt, etc.), just as I sought-after my pen...we need to lift up tablecloths in search for Him, dump out our belongings in search for Him (figuratively speaking, of course)...not because God is lost but because without Him, we are lost! 

Finishing the Race

I graduate May 16th, 2015!

Reality has set in. I knew it would, and I wanted to be ready when it did. When my friend approached me at meeting Monday night to see if I'd checked the graduation schedule that had been posted on Howdy, it hit me: this is real. This is actually happening. I graduate from Texas A&M University on May 16th, 2015 at 2:00PM. Do you want to know what's even crazier? I didn't cry. I wasn't sad. In fact, I felt the complete opposite! I was overcome with joy and gladness! 

I love college. I love Sigma Phi Lambda. I love the friendships I have made in Aggieland. They were right...you may not meet your husband in college, but you'll meet the rest of your bridesmaids! I love hearing my fellow Aggies exchange a "Howdy" as they walk across campus - whether they're saying it to students, campus visitors, or the Student Body President. I love grabbing my friends and yanking them backwards (and the occasional form tackle, of course...desperate times call for desperate measures) when somebody isn't paying attention and is INCHES away from stepping on the Texas A&M seal in Koldus, for as the story goes, if you walk on the seal, you don't graduate. Friends don't let friends step on the Texas A&M seal. I love the atmosphere - the joy, the happiness, the friendliness *flips hair as a reminder we're the happiest and friendliest campus in the nation* - but most importantly, I love the community. I love the traditions. I love the core values: excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect, and selfless service (I'll be blogging about those later). I love the "spirit that can ne'er be told" because "from the outside looking in you can't understand it, and from the inside looking out you can't explain it." I love the Aggie Family. I love everything about this place and as you've heard me say time and time again, there's absolutely NOTHING like bein' an Aggie!

I know Texas A&M does not reflect the real world (spoiler alert), but attending this university has prepared me for "life after college" more than I could have ever imagined...but I'll talk about that later on in the semester! The bottom line is, I have enjoyed every single minute of my time at Texas A&M - EVERY SINGLE MINUTE! It's been three years and I still wake up every day, grateful to be an Aggie. However, I know it doesn't end here! The best is yet to come!

Words cannot express how excited I am to discover God's purpose for my life and why he created me, Kristin Lee Koonce! I will soon be chasing after the dreams that have kept me awake at night since I was a junior in high school, and that fires me up! HOWEVER, God calls us to finish the race we started. Therefore, I will continue making the most of every minute I have left in Aggieland. I will give 110% of myself to this town, this community, and these friendships. I refuse to look back and regret not doing this, or not attending that, because, although I can't wait to put my last penny on Sully and "turn my tassel" as I dub myself a Former Student of Texas A&M University, this is where God has me right now and I am called to finish the race. I'm exactly where He wants me to be right now! I will have to remind myself daily that there is still work for me to do at Texas A&M these last few months. I'm not finished. My time isn't up just yet. So, with my traditional side-ponytail in tact and a smile on my face, I'm going to finish this race, and finish well! 

Why I Put Down My Phone

I've been trying to think of ways I can be more present these last few months at Texas A&M but if we're being honest (and I feel like we have an honest relationship), I already knew. 

I need to put down my phone.

Whether I'm walking to class, riding the bus to/from campus, or waiting to checkout at the 1/30 checkouts that's actually open in Walmart, the easy thing to do in this technological world is pull out my phone to occupy my time. "What's wrong with that? There's nothing else to do while I'm waiting! If you're not on your phone, you're just going to be sitting/standing there awkwardly in silence because everybody else around you will be on theirs." That may be true, but is it right for me to think like that? Is it right for me to believe my Facebook news feed or Pinterest page are more important than what's happening right here, right now, as I get from place to place? Common sense tells us to keep off our phones when we're spending time with others...but I've recently realized (AKA: been convicted of the fact) it's just as important to refrain from my phone as I make my way from Point A to Point B as it is to keep off of it when I arrive at my destination, whether that be the bus stop, the checkout counter, or the MSC (Memorial Student Center)! 

I need to put down my phone. 

With that being said, for the past week or so I've been trying to get into the habit of walking with my phone in my backpack instead of my hand/pocket so I'm not tempted to pull it out because I am guilty of getting on my phone to occupy my time as I wait! I'll be honest...it was difficult at first because I would often revert to my phone without even realizing it! However, the more intentional I am, the easier it gets! I now notice the group of squirrels gathering acorns in Academic Plaza and the smiling baby bouncing joyfully in the buggy behind me in line at Walmart hoping I'll look at her so she can show me what she recently learned - the floppy wave. That may be a little dramatic because I'm not on my phone that much, but you catch my drift...it's still too much! TOO MUCH, I SAY! I don't want to look back on my time at Texas A&M and find myself wishing I had used it differently. I don't want to miss an opportunity to smile at someone who is feeling hopeless, hug a classmate I haven't seen since sophomore year, strike up a conversation with God (because we can NEVER talk to Him too much), or pray for passersby. It has been a blessing putting down my phone as I walk/wait, as God has reminded me how precious our time is and why/how I should use it more wisely. 

In Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren quotes: “Time is your most precious gift because you only have a set amount of it. You can make more money, but you can't make more time. When you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you'll never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time. It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. 'My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.' Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is 'T-I-M-E.'" 

As Rick Warren mentions above, we only have a set amount of time. We can't create more time, and we can't get it back. I chose to use this quote because it really captures the essence of time and how important it is for us to take advantage of it. When we're on our phones, we're not taking advantage of our time. We're misusing it. Your Instagram post can wait. Your Facebook news feed will still be there when you get off the bus. That quote on Pinterest (and boy do I love quotes) can be pinned later. The people around you, however, can't wait. They won't be there when you leave campus, walk out of Walmart, or step off the bus. Don't worry, I'm not saying you have to strike up a conversation with them. I'm simply encouraging you to notice them. Talk to God as you walk across campus. Pray for the person sitting across from you on the bus who keeps yawning from lack of sleep or appears to be stressed about the study material they're tightly gripping in their hands. Smile at the women checking out in front of you who looks as if she's shopping for the cast of Annie. Be intentional. Post that Instagram picture when you get home. Pin that DIY project when you get bored in class. Oops, did I say that out loud? Also, I know we're talking about staying off our phones, but it wouldn't be bad to call up a friend you haven't spoken to in a while and let them know you love them and are thinking about them! Basically, I'm encouraging everybody (myself included) to invest in the things that matter; we need to love others by giving them our time! 

So, I put down my phone. 

Faith, Fundamentals, and Free-Throws

As I mentioned in my last post, we discussed the importance of keeping first things first in our Life After College Bible study the other night! In other words, it's crucial we keep the fundamentals of the Christian faith if we wish to remain spiritually stable as we transition through the not-so-stable stages of life. Do the little things, because they end up being the big things! They add up; they get BIGGER! 

As always, my mind naturally began comparing this to basketball. Specifically, shooting a free-throw. If you're unfamiliar with what fundamentals are, they are "central or primary rules or principles on which something is based." In other words, fundamentals are fundamental. They are "of central importance" and necessary to master if you wish to be the best you can be. How does this relate to shooting a free-throw, you ask?

You see, free-throws play a significant role in basketball games, especially close games. Many games are lost at the line because a player failed to make their free-throws after getting fouled just seconds before the clock ran out of time. Free-throws can often be the difference between wearing a jersey for the last time and moving on to the next round of playoffs or better yet, the state championship. I cannot stress the importance of free-throws enough! In order to be a successful free-throw shooter, however, you must do the little things and stick to the fundamentals. Assuming you already know how to shoot, free-throws require focus, practice, and routine. 

1) Free-throws require FOCUS because you want a player who is mentally tough and able to block out anything that may be distracting while they're at the line (those loud-mouthed mothers on the other team, for example) as they focus solely on putting the ball in the net. 

2) You must practice, practice, PRACTICE! You're not going to become a successful free-throw shooter overnight. It takes time. You have to put in the effort because if you don't practice, you don't get better...and the more you practice, the better you become!

3) It's vital you develop a routine. It's all about consistency! Be consistent. You must repeat the same process every time you step up to the free-throw line. 

Just as it's important to remember the fundamentals of shooting free-throws, we must also remember to keep the fundamentals of the Christian faith and do the little things, for it's the little things that have the potential to make a big difference in our day. This, too, requires focus, practice, and routine!

1) As Christians, we need to remain focused on Christ and seek to block out distractions that may keep us from knowing Him more, whether that be getting out of a relationship that doesn't honor the Lord or memorizing Bible verses to say to ourselves when our thoughts aren't God-honoring. He should be our main focus in everything we do!
2) In order to further develop our relationship with Christ, we must be practicing Christlike characteristics! I touched on this more in my post Practice Makes Permanent if you'd like to check it out! Keeping the fundamentals of the Christian faith takes effort. Be willing to do the work! 

3) Just as shooting a free-throw requires routine, so does being a Christian. In my three years at Texas A&M, I have witnessed firsthand the difference being in God's word every single day can make. Reading the Gospel and seeking to know Him on a deeper level should be a routine and something we do religiously. It's a daily devotion that includes getting to know Him more, obeying Him, abiding in Him, etc. This requires consistency! The more consistent you are, the more confident you can be! 

When you stick to the fundamentals of shooting free-throws, you don't falter. You rarely miss. When you do miss, you're able to quickly correct yourself (use yours legs, follow through, etc.) because you're so familiar with your shot. In the same way, when you stick to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, you don't falter. You can stand firm when trouble comes your way. Because you're spiritually stable, you can be confident in yourself during times of transition (graduating college, per se) and can adjust yourself accordingly. As I mentioned earlier, the little things turn out to be the big things that make all the difference! Remember, fundamentals are fundamental. Keep first things first!

Life After College: Plotting Your Course

Guess what, GUESS WHAT! I joined a Bible study called Life After College that my sweet Phi Lamb sister, Amanda, told me about a few weeks ago! As she was listing the topics that would be covered in the study, I knew immediately I wanted to become a member! I LOVE IT ALREADY! I'm so thankful for God's precious timing, as well as friends who aren't obligated to share opportunities with me but choose to do so anyway!

Blessings, blessings, blessings!

The study focuses on teaching us soon-to-be graduates how to continue "walking with God after graduation day" as we head off in different directions to begin "rebuilding" our lives in an unfamiliar location!

The Road Ahead: The study begins by comparing our current predicament to the predicament Chuck Noland is forced to accept if he wishes to survive in the movie Castaway. To make a long story short, Chuck finds himself stranded on an island after his plane crashed and is forced to make a living in order to stay alive, as he is "separated from everything and everybody familiar to him." Although he builds a life on the island, "he still longs to return to civilization and to the life he once knew." When he returns, he finds himself having to rebuild his life all over again, as he quickly discovered "the world [had] moved on without him." At one point in the movie, he finds himself standing at a fork in the road, unsure of which path he should take. In the same way, we've already had to rebuild our lives when we went off to college. We've "created a life for [ourselves]" in Aggieland as we've discovered who we are and who we want to become. With graduation only a few months away, we find ourselves standing at a fork in the road. The options are endless! Which path will we take?

Although there is a lot we don't know, there is a lot we do know because it's stated in Scripture:
1) God wants us to know Jesus.
"Is your relationship with Christ the center of your life? Does it inform all of your decisions and actions?" God calls us to follow Christ, and anything we were once worried about or consumed with in the past is garbage, for there is surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Philippians 3:7-11).
2) God wants us to fulfill the Great Commission.
We're called to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the Good News with those we meet! This doesn't mean we have to verbally tell every person we see about Jesus. We're called to "Preach the Gospel at all times...if necessary, use words." Being a Christian means living a life of ACTION! The way you live shows who you live for. Our leaders encouraged us to be an effective witness and look for teachable moments.
3) God wants us to participate in a Christian community.
Our leaders reminded us of C.S. Lewis' quote, "You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first." Putting first things first means keeping Christ at the center of our lives as we invest in the lives of those around us.

"If you pursue God's priorities, and avoid distractions, you can have a life of lasting value. At the end of your life you will be able to look back and know that you have lived well. And you will be able to look forward and anticipate hearing those wonderful words from Jesus: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.'"

That's the gist of tonight's lesson. Be an effective witness. Live a life of ACTION. Stay involved. Remember, God needs Christians everywhere. Be willing to glorify Him right where He has you, whether you're cleaning dishes or sweeping floors, for "the most important job for a Christian carpenter is to make good furniture. Do your job well." No matter where you are or where you're going, do your job well. Be excellent. Be patient. Trust that God has a plan for your life!

I AM SO EXCITED TO DISCOVER GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE!

Don't get me wrong, I'm still terrified, but there's a reason God created me and I'm eager to find out what that reason is! God created you with a purpose in mind, too, and I pray you're on the path to discovering it if you haven't already!

Hooked on Highlighting

For those of you who know me, you know I'm a little OCD about certain things...and by a "little" I mean a lot and by "certain things" I mean just about everything. This has to be here and that has to be there. When I get in my best friend's car, I immediately start picking up the trash in my area and put it in whatever sack I'm guaranteed to find in there. When I'm texting hurriedly and make a spelling/grammar error, I delete the text from my phone so I don't have to see it...and usually send the exact same text with the corrected spelling/grammar in place. Everything has to be lined up correctly, whether that be the "just for looks" towels on the rack in the bathroom (that people aren't supposed to touch but they do...they always do) or the unused pillows I place on the chair in the exact same way every night: the two square throw pillows go first with their lines running horizontally, and the first pillow (with the pillowcase that matches the comforter) lies long ways while the second lies up/down to ensure the pillows remain perfectly balanced on the chair throughout the night.  

As Jacques the Shrimp says on Finding Nemo, "I am ashamed." But not really because that's what makes me, ME! Am I right!? 

With that being said, I'm also OCD about highlighting...and let me tell you, I LOVE highlighting! I highlight in every book I read - textbooks, chapter books, etc. In my Bible, I use a yellow Bible highlighter (one of the best creations known to man) partly because it's my favorite color (yes, highlighter yellow is my favorite color) but mostly because I'm OCD and the thought of adding another color made me wince and grit my teeth like one would upon hearing fingernails scratching a chalkboard.

I'm here to tell you that I, Kristin Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo Koonce, Princess of Genovia (I'm kidding...that's Mia's full name on Princess Diaries, not mine), stepped out of my OCD comfort zone and bought colored Bible highlighters on Tuesday, February 10th, 2015 around 6:54PM at Lifeway...and better yet...are you sitting down? I'VE USED THEM! I'M A CHANGED WOMAN! I was on Pinterest the other night (surprise, surprise) when I decided to search for Bible study suggestions and came across one that caught my eye! It's every highlighter-obsessed person's dream and it can be yours today for $1.99/highlighter! As you can tell, I am too excited not to share my recent discovery of studying scripture by color-coding it! 

SIDE NOTE: I love bright colors. I'm not kidding. They genuinely make me happy. I'm just as surprised as you are that it took me this long to branch out and bring extra color into my quiet time...but better late than never, right!? *crowd echoes* "RIGHT!" 

Here's the colors you'll need: 
Yellow
Green 
Blue
Pink 
Purple 

Here's how to color-code scripture:
Yellow: Because Christ is the LIGHT of the world, you highlight His teachings in yellow! He is our SONshine! 
Pink: They haven't created a red Bible highlighter yet, so we're going to use pink in its place by highlighting the things God does NOT want us to do! When you see the color pink, you need to STOP! Quit it!  
Green: Green represents the things we're called to GO do! "GO and make disciples of all nations!" "GO tell it on the mountain!" "Love the Lord your God!"
Blue: We use blue to highlight the BLESSINGS (BL-UE, BL-ESSINGS...see what they did there?) God promises us when we walk with Him and obey Him! 
Purple: They used purple to highlight things to work on, but I am using it to highlight the attributes of God because let's face it...I need to work on EVERYTHING!  

I AM TICKLED PINK (AND YELLOW/BLUE/GREEN/PURPLE...HAHAHAHA)

The bad news is, I've already highlighted over 50% of the Bible in just yellow, as I'm currently striving to read it all the way through...and there will be NO overlapping colors whatsoever. Oh, the agony! It (not-so-secretly) drives me crazy knowing the entire New Testament has been highlighted in yellow. The good news is, I will highlight something new every time I re-read chapters (because God is always teaching me new lessons), so there's a good chance it will one day even out! 

THIS IS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE!  

I know, I know...this wasn't my typical blog post! Let's face it, though, with only 4hrs left to take, I have a LOT of free time on my hands! Why not blog about my new profound love and use of ALL Bible highlighter colors? Don't worry, I'm still Kristin. I still don't want you to touch my decorative towels or put your bare feet on my bedspread. Sick. I'm making slow, subtle changes...nothing too drastic! As Bon Qui Qui says in her King Burger YouTube video, "Welcome to King Burger where we can do it your way...but don't get crazy!" I don't plan on getting crazy. 

Never underestimate the impossible.

I am an overcomer. 

You can be, too. 

Surface-Level Loving

The following topic has been on my heart a lot lately. It is my prayer that as I write this post and as you read it, we both find ourselves challenged to do better, to be better, and that we find ourselves encouraged to reach above and beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others. 

Aside from Valentine's Day, why is February considered the month of love? Why can't EVERY month be the month of love? In fact, what is stopping us from making EVERY DAY the day to love more, to love deeper?

What exactly does it mean to love deeper? Well, the adjective deep means "very intense or extreme" - and intense means "of extreme force, degree, strength" - and extreme means "reaching a high or the highest degree; very great." Therefore, from my understanding, to love deeper means to love someone to the highest degree, the greatest amount. 

Now let's look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 which reads, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

The first half is self-explanatory. All signs may point to a Christian lifestyle (giving to the poor, feeding the hungry, attending church, etc.), but if we do not love, we've missed the point, as the two greatest commandments are "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).'" 

The second half is a little trickier because it challenges us to take a look at ourselves and how we treat others. It challenges us to peel back the layers and believe me, it won't be pretty. When studying 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 a year or two ago in Bible study, my friend encouraged us to replace the words love and it with our first name. Yikes! For example:

Kristin is patient. 

Kristin does not envy.

Kristin is not easily angered.

Kristin keeps no records of wrongs. 

Is that convicting or what!? I do NOT fit those descriptions on a daily basis. I can be impatient. I've been envious of others more times than I can count. I've been easily angered, especially after losing to my brothers in basketball for the umpteenth time, and I have, without a doubt, kept records of the wrongs done to me (ladies, this is also known as holding a grudge). We are a work in progress and, as you can see, there is ALWAYS room for improvement! 

Let's go above and beyond surface-level loving. Let's dive in and make a splash so big, those around us can't help but be affected by the ripples. I encourage you to replace the words love and it with your name so that, together, we can strive to love deeper in every aspect of our lives...whether that be showing kindness to the AT&T worker who is trying to help us set up our voicemail password, not slamming the basketball down after losing a game of 21, forgiving those who have done us wrong, etc. Peel back the layers. There's a reason love is included in the two greatest commandments.

I would like to encourage everyone (myself included) to find ways to love deeper, for if we do not love, we are only clanging symbols, resounding gongs. Don't wait for Valentine's Day to love those around you. Do it now, right where you are. Do it today, tomorrow, and every day after that. Go above and beyond! Remember, "ordinary can become EXTRAordinary with just a little EXTRA!" Challenge yourself to make a difference in the lives of those around you by loving them to the highest degree, expecting nothing in return. Whatever you do, don't miss the point: love God and love others. 

The Sound of Music

I love The Sound of Music for a variety of reasons. There are a few reasons in particular, however, that this 1965 film musical captured my heart long ago and has remained my favorite musical/movie unto this day. 

The movie centers around Maria von Trapp who desires "to find out what is the will of God and do it wholeheartedly." Like all major life changes, Maria has a hard time accepting God's will at first and, when talking to Revered Mother about the Abbey, she proclaims the Abbey "is where [she] belongs. It's [her] home, [her] family. It's [her] life." It is then that Reverend Mother reminds her, "If you go out into the world for a time, knowing what we expect of you...you will find out if you can expect it for yourself." Maria finds encouragement in this and responds, "I know what you expect, Mother, and I can do it! I promise I can!" 

I believe God created each of us with a specific purpose in mind and, like Maria, my heart's deepest desire is to discover God's will for my life. As my "About Me" reads, my aim is to take the desires that overflow from the depths of my heart (encouraging others, being a positive influence, reaching out, looking on the bright side of every situation, etc.) and put them to work so that I may "glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ" as I progress through life's ups and downs and follow my dreams! Just as Maria had to leave the Abbey in order to discover what God had in store for her life, I know I'll have to leave the comfort of my home if I'm serious about chasing my dreams...and I've never been more serious about something in my life! Maria knows what her loved ones expect of her and she believes she can do it! I do, too!

In her song I Have Confidence, Maria finds herself scared even though she's "always longed for adventure, to do the things [she's] never dared." Instead of dwelling on her doubts and worries, she decides to "show them [she's] worthy and while [she shows] them, [she'll] show [herself]." In the same way, I long for adventure. I long to change the world. I long to take chances, to take a leap of faith, to fly (figuratively speaking, of course...let's be honest, I can't even roller skate). Although I long to leave what's comfortable for what's uncomfortable, I'm scared. I'm scared of leaving a small town where I know everybody and moving to a major city where I know nobody. But just as Maria has confidence in herself, I am confident in both myself and God's faithfulness. Nothing is impossible with God. 

Reverend Mother sings Climb Every Mountain when Maria runs away to the Abbey. She wants Maria to "search high and low" until she finds what it is that makes her come alive! The lyrics are as follows:

Climb every mountain,

Search high and low,

Follow every byway,

Every path you know.

Climb every mountain,

Ford every stream,

Follow every rainbow,

'Till you find your dream.

A dream that will need

All the love you can give,

Every day of your life

For as long as you live.

This is, by far, my favorite song in The Sound of Music. I am willing to do whatever it takes to find my dream, and when I find it, I'm not letting it go. 

Conclusion: 
After watching the musical two nights in a row last week, I thought it necessary to share my love of The Sound of Music. Mind you, this movie is so long it requires an "Intermission" halfway through and I watched it...twice! Graduating in May, Maria's journey has become much more real to me. This movie can change your life if you let it, as it encourages (us) viewers to seek God's will for our lives, sing, have confidence in ourselves, trust God, have faith, and follow every rainbow until we find our dream! It has inspired me for as long as I can remember and I pray it inspires you, too! May you know that God created you with a purpose in mind, He has a plan for your life! May your heart be blessed with the sound of music! May you be confident in yourself! May you have faith and trust that with God, all things are possible, and may you follow your dreams and discover God's will for your life!

 

"Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live."