Playlist: Follow Your Dreams

Music has been my #1 fan for as long as I can remember. It encourages me to "do what it takes until I touch the sky" and "make a wish, take a chance, make a change!" Not once has music told me I couldn't do this or I couldn't do that. Instead, music has been inspiring me to "reach up for the stars" ever since I was little! 

I have a playlist on iTunes called "Follow Your Dreams" that I listen to regularly. The list consists of songs that have encouraged me to believe in myself, have faith, and chase after my dreams! I thought I'd share those songs with you in case you're ever in need of some inspiration. The song "Bring It All Back" by S Club 7 is in bold because it was the first song to ever stir something inside me (in the FIRST GRADE) and it continues to encourage me to this day! You can find the music video at the end. 

A Day in the Sun by Anneliese Van der Pol 

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes via Disney Channel Stars

Allstar by Smash Mouth

Anyway by Martina McBride 

Baby Girl by Sugarland 

Be Okay by Oh Honey 
Born to Rise by Redlight King

Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson

Breaking Free via High School Musical

Bring It All Back by S Club 7

Burn by Jo Dee Messina
Bye, Bye by Jo De Messina
Called Me Higher by All Sons and Daughters

Catch My Breath by Kelly Clarkson 

Chances by Five for Fighting 

Chasin' that Neon Rainbow by Alan Jackson

The Climb by Miley Cyrus

Climb Every Mountain via The Sound of Music 

Compass by Lady Antebellum

Defying Gravity via Wicked

Do Something by Matthew West

Don't Rain on my Parade via Glee Cast

Don't Stop Believin' via Glee Cast

Empire State of Mind via Glee Cast

Even if it Breaks Your Heart by Eli Young Band

Firework by Katy Perry
Flower, Flower by The Vespers
Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves
Free Ride by Edgar Winter Group

Get On Your Feet by Gloria Estefan 

Give the World a Smile by The Cathedrals 

Good Morning Baltimore via Hairspray 

Hall of Fame by The Script
Heads Carolina, Tails California by Jo Dee Messina 

Heal the World by Michael Jackson
Here I Am, Lord via Hymns

Hold On by Wilson Phillips 

The House that Built Me by Miranda Lambert 

How Do You Like Me Now by Toby Keith

I Believe I Can Fly via Glee Cast

I Can Go The Distance via Hercules

I Can't Wait by Hilary Duff
I Didn't Get Here Alone by Kenny Chesney 

I Dreamed A Dream via Glee Cast

I Have Confidence via The Sound of Music

I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack

I Just Can't Wait To Be King via The Lion King

I'm Alright by Jo Dee Messina

I'm Gonna Be Somebody by Travis Tritt

I'm On My Way by The Proclaimers
Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry

Listen To Your Heart by D.H.T. 

Loser Like Me via Glee Cast

Make It Big by The Beach Boys

Mean by Taylor Swift

Miracles Happen by Myra

Mississippi Girl by Faith Hill

My Wish by Rascal Flatts
New Soul by Yael Naim

New York, New York by Frank Sinatra 
Oceans by Hillsong

One Way Ticket by LeAnn Rimes

Party in the U.S.A. by Miley Cyrus 

Perfect Day by Hoku
Que Sera Sera by Doris Day

Reach by S Club 7

Roar by Katy Perry 

Set the World on Fire by Britt Nicole

Settlin' by Sugarland
Sh Boom by the Chords
Shake It Off by Taylor Swift

She's Not Just A Pretty Face by Shania Twain

Sing via Glee Cast

Smile by Vitamin C

Something More by Sugarland

Story of Your Life by Five for Fighting

Stronger by Kelly Clarkson 

Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall 

Suds in the Bucket by Sara Evans

Super Girl by Krystal 
Survivor by Destiny's Child

Taking Chances via Glee Cast
That's the Way by Jo Dee Messina

This One's for the Girls by Martina McBride

Time of Our Lives by Miley Cyrus

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield 

Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer
We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sisters 

What Dreams Are Made Of by Hilary Duff

When You Wish Upon A Star via Pinocchio 

Who I Am by Jessica Andrews

Why Not by Hilary Duff

Wide Open Spaces by Dixie Chicks

Wild One by Faith Hill

Question: What songs inspire you?

Releasing the Reins

I realize it's been a while since I've updated you on what's happening in my life. To be honest, I didn't think I had anything to update you on...but I feel like I do now! 

When I made the decision to move home for a while (thanks again, Ma and Pa) and find a job in the area, I was looking at radio/news stations. Oprah's career began at a radio station so I thought I needed to, too! Ellen was a stand-up comedian. I thought about being a stand-up comedian...but that lasted about 3sec when I realized my legs would get tired and I'd want to sit down. Also, my jokes are about as corny as the one-liners on Laffy Taffy wrappers...or should I say LAUGHY Taffy? *wink, wink* See what I mean? Corny.

The best decision I've ever made was when I placed my plans at His feet and said, "Not my will, but Yours, be done." 

If you read Desert Development, you know my plans have changed quite a bit since I graduated. Why? Because I realize they were my plans, not His and the only plans that matter are His, not mine! Do I know what His plans are? No, not exactly...but He placed two speaking opportunities into my lap (and potentially a third) so I'm beginning to wonder if I'll get my "start" through public speaking! I don't know if that's what I'll do, but it's definitely an option so I've been praying for discernment! We'll just have to wait and see, though, won't we?

Philippians 4:6-7 has been my verse this summer: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

At the beginning of the summer, I was anxious. I wanted to move to Los Angeles. I didn't want to live in White Oak. I wanted to jump into the real world head first. I didn't want to be stuck in the "desert" for who knows how long. I had all these plans but none of them seemed to work out. I was frustrated. I HATED not knowing!

By the end of the summer, I found myself experiencing a peace that transcends all understanding. It's hard to find the words to explain what He has done in my heart the past few months, but I am content with where He has me, no matter how long He has me here. I am content with following Him anywhere. Now, I LOVE not knowing! It keeps me on my toes!

These past few months have been different and like nothing I've ever experienced. Between job-hunting and preparing for my two speeches, I've had a LOT of time to invest in myself and my relationship with the Lord. I've read more books about Him/His plans/His purposes in these few months than I've read in a few years. I've been alone a lot, but never felt lonely. I've rested more than I ever have before, but never got tired of doing so. Ultimately, I've been reminded time and again that it's not about me and He doesn't need me to make things happen. I know He has placed these desires on my heart for a reason and He's going to get me where I'm going. I simply have to be moving and trusting Him every step of the way!

So, that's where I'm at right now in case you were wondering! I have no idea what's next and am basically playing life by ear. I don't have a job but I'm finding simple ways to make and save money. I'm not sure which path to take, but I'm taking steps forward and that's the best direction to go. I don't know where God is leading me, but I'm following...and it's good! It's all good. God always takes care of His kids, and I know He will take care of me.

QUESTION: Do you need to let go of the reins and let God take it from here? 

Why I Deleted My Instagram App

SPOILER ALERT! 

We live in a world that revolves around posting minute-by-minute tweets, hourly Facebook statuses, and daily Instagram photos. 

Now, before I continue, I don't think using these websites is a bad thing. I have all three! I also don't think posting said updates is a bad thing! *insert sigh of relief here* I do, however, think we need to constantly check our motives behind the use of our social media accounts to ensure we are using and updating them for the right reasons.

I enjoy social media for many reasons. 

I love Instagram because people use pictures to tell a story, their story. You receive a tiny glimpse into their lives through these creative photos, and oftentimes a glimpse into their hearts. You visually see the people and places that bring them the utmost joy.
I love Facebook because it's a great way to keep in touch with the people you don't necessarily get to see or talk to often but still care about. 
I love Twitter because it is a simple way to connect with those around you. Most Twitter users have a theme, a specific purpose behind their account, and their tweets (give or take a few tweets, of course) reflect that purpose. 

These are three great ways to communicate with those around us and I love communicating.

However, a few weeks ago, I decided it was best that I delete my Instagram app for a while. I felt convicted because I realized I was no longer using it for the reasons mentioned above and I never want that to be the case. I had begun feeling overwhelmed simply because I wasn't sticking to the status quo. I hadn't posted a #tbt or #TransformationTuesday picture in WEEKS. In fact, several days had gone by since I had posted at all. I would beat myself up (yes, you read that correctly and yes, I'm embarrassed to admit that) for not having a daily photo to post when everybody else seemed to be on top of their Instagram game. I could not stop comparing myself to my fellow Instagram users. I only wanted to post a photo to ensure I was "keeping up" with other people rather than for the purpose behind my account - to bring joy to viewers. 

So, I decided to delete the app for a while. 

I truly believe social media is a blessing. However, when we begin comparing ourselves to others and posting solely to keep up with the status quo (especially when it comes to Instagram), I think it's important that we take a step back and redirect our focus to the reason behind our account. "Am I posting this because it's Thursday and I feel obligated, or am I posting this in hopes of making just one person's day shine a little brighter?" 

I plan on downloading the Instagram app again, but not until I am 100% sure I can use it without comparing myself to others. 

Backing in at Bealls

As I was backing into a parking spot at Bealls today, a man who was walking to his vehicle noticed I was struggling to get my car just right without hitting the cars around me. Smiling, he held up his pointer finger and told me to wait just a second as he walked to the back of my car. Don't worry, Mom, my doors were locked! *wink, wink* He then began waving me back to ensure I got my car all the way into the space without hitting anyone. After I rolled my window down and thanked him, I noticed it was his car that was parked behind me.

I don't know about y'all, but I usually roll my eyes when a car pulls into the spot in front of me because I had every intention of pulling forward through the spot to leave so I didn't have to back out. Not this man, though. He didn't mind me occupying the spot in front of him. In fact, instead of getting in his car and driving off like your average person would do, he stayed out in this 100°F TEXAS HEAT a little while longer just to make sure a stranger didn't hit the cars around her.

I'm thankful for this man's unselfish heart in what I would have made a selfish situation had it been the other way around. 

God used those few minutes to remind me that it really is the little things in life that make a big difference. I was truly blessed!

Kindness matters, y'all. 

"Random Run-ins"

One of my favorite things about life is running into people who have influenced my life in one way or another unexpectedly. You know the "random run-ins" I'm talking about. The ones that actually aren't random at all. We may not have expected to bump into them, but God knew the "collision" would be taking place and He smiled just as much as we did, if not more, when it finally happened. 

I believe God ordains "random run-ins" to remind us who we are, where we come from, and who He purposely placed in our life to help us along the way. Without these individuals, we would not be who or where we are today. We may not get to see these individuals very often. In fact, we may go YEARS without seeing them, but they're always with us because their influence never stops. Maybe they taught you 8th grade English, maybe they let you join their Sunday School class when you were the only college student, or maybe they babysat you when you were little. Again, you know who I'm talking about. I'm sure a few people are coming to mind as you read this. These individuals fill your heart with so much joy and gladness when you see them, you can't help but praise God for the role they played in your life all those years ago. These are the run-ins we remember and cherish days, months, and years later. 

I remember seeing Mrs. Becky at Ellis Pottery, Mrs. Coones at McAlister's, and the Scoggin family at El Sombrero (that one actually just happened last night and was the inspiration behind this post, but you catch my drift) because I remember how happy I was to unexpectedly see a few of the individuals who helped change my world. 

God knows WHO we need in our life and WHEN we need them! They may not be physically in our lives, but they remain in our hearts forever. We take a piece of them with us everywhere we go until we meet again some day. I am so thankful for "random run-ins" that aren't so random after all but are, instead, divinely planned by our gracious Father to remind us that we didn't get here alone...and what a beautiful reminder this is! We are blessed! God is so good and His grace is never-ending!

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

Do Something by Matthew West

As I was reading and laying out by the pool the other day, Do Something by Matthew West began playing on the radio. There's just something about this song that stops me in my tracks as the words begin rushing through me. I put my book down and let the sun beat against my face. My heart began racing. I smiled. 

This song makes me feel alive. It makes me think about life and, ironically, it's simplicity. 

Yes, I want to change the world, but I don't necessarily want to be famous. I just want to make Him famous.

We have all been given the same assignments, both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Because we are uniquely made and because God created each of us with a specific purpose in mind, the ways in which we complete these assignments will be unique to our purpose. In other words, we all receive the same assignment (love God, love others, glorify God and make disciples of Jesus Christ) but not the same instructions (teach children, find a cure for cancer, build schools in Africa, etc.). IT TAKES ALL OF US!

One of my all-time favorite quotes encourages us to "Live in such a say that those who don't know God but know you, may come to know God because they knew you." It's about living a life that points to Jesus as we serve those around us. It's about making His name known. It's about loving God and loving His people. It's about using the things we're most passionate about to glorify God and to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

It's about doing SOMETHING instead of NOTHING!

Every single one of us is called to do that. Every single one of us has been assigned the Great Commission. Don't wait for somebody else to do what you yourself have been called to do. Remember, we are the body of Christ. We are His hands and feet. If we don't do it, it may never get done.

Teach. 
Serve. 
Help. 
Comfort. 
Heal. 
Encourage.
Laugh.
Welcome.
Support.
Engage.
Love.

What are we waiting for?

LET'S DO SOMETHING!

Desert Development

As promised, this is a continuation of my previous post, Trusting the Tracks. Because my blog is called Seeking the Sunshine, I believe it to be of utmost importance that I share with you the reason behind my contentment. I want His name to be glorified through every step of this journey! In doing so, I understand that I must be vulnerable with each of you, so I will be completely honest about how I felt throughout this process. God is good about helping me see and understand the light, and I pray you find yourself encouraged by this blog post. After all, this is why I write! 

Believe it or not, I was horrified by the idea of living at home for who knows how long to save up money and gain experience instead of moving to Los Angeles. Here's why:

1) I felt like I was putting my dreams on hold. I had been waiting (and longing) to follow my dreams since I was a junior in high school and now that I had graduated college, I was supposed to wait even longer to "take [the] risk, take [the] chance, make [the] change" I'd been dreaming about for so many years? Um, check please!

2) I was terrified of getting "stuck" somewhere I feel I don't belong. Please, please do not get me wrong. I love White Oak! I was so blessed to grow up in this small, East Texas town. I know for a FACT I would not be the person I am today had I not grown up here. It will ALWAYS be my home, but I've known for a long time that this isn't where I'm meant to stay. I was scared of becoming complacent.

3) I also felt that I was letting you, my supporters, down. I thought you would be disappointed in me for not sticking to the original plan or think I had wimped out and chosen not to follow my dreams and discover God's purpose for my life. So, I put off posting this even though I knew it needed to be posted. Ironically, once I finally posted it, I received nothing but positive, encouraging feedback from each of you. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for that. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your constant love and support during both the difficult and easy decisions I've made! 

When I am facing a major life decision and am in need of wise, godly counsel, I turn to my mentors and prayer warriors. These ladies don't tell me what I want to hear, but what I need to hear. I have given them permission to speak into my life because I know they will tell me the truth, and it won't be sugar-coated. God speaks through them to me. Therefore, it was no coincidence that God used both Mrs. Becky and Casey to remind me of Moses' journey to the Promise Land! I listened to Ben Stuart's podcast "Heading South to Go North" and began both studying and praying through Exodus 2, Acts 7, and Hebrews 11. 

Destination: Desert #1 

As you may know, Moses knew he was to be a great-deliverer and tried to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he wound up in the desert for 40yrs. Because Moses could not see the big picture, it only made sense to feel as if he were wasting his life in the desert. God, however, was extremely busy preparing him both physically and spiritually for what lay ahead. Physically, he learned about life in the desert. He learned about the wildlife, how to find water, etc. Spiritually, Moses learned what it meant to walk deeply with God and depend on Him in all circumstances. It was in the desert he was becoming the type of man who would later be bold enough to demand, "Let my people go!" As Ben notes in his podcast, "It's in the heat of the desert God produces character." God wanted Moses to excel at leading sheep through the desert because he would later be called to lead PEOPLE through the desert! God was preparing Moses for life in the desert where he'd be for the NEXT 40yrs!

Destination: Desert #2

When Moses was leading the Israelites through the desert to the Promise Land, God sent them in the opposite direction (south) instead of fast-tracking them (north). God knew if they had gone through the Philistine country, they would face war and be tempted to turn around and go back to Egypt because they had no training, no coaching. He knew they weren't ready for battle. In other words, the shortest route had challenges they weren't prepared for, so God in his MERCY took them south! Further along their journey, God tells them to turn back so that Pharoah will think the Israelites are lost and pursue them. In doing so, the Israelites appeared to be in a place of hopelessness, trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. It was then that God told Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the Red Sea. The sea parted, the Israelites walked across it on dry ground with walls of water to their left and right, and the Egyptian army was washed onto shore. God did this to display His glory! The greater the challenge, the greater the glory. 

Conclusion: After studying and praying through these scriptures, I understand that I'm not spiritually or financially prepared for what lies ahead. I must first set aside time to go through the "desert" so that God can develop my character and equip me for the upcoming battle. Because of that simple truth, I am content. God directs our lives in ways that will give Him maximum glory, and if me staying in White Oak for a little while to gain experience, save up money, and prepare myself spiritually will give Him more glory in the long run, then that's what I want to do! I realize now that I'm not putting my dreams on hold! I'm taking it one step at a time as I walk hand-in-hand with my Savior. I know I'll get there when I'm meant to get there...in God's timing, not my own! My joy comes from the Lord, not my circumstances.

I don't know what you're struggling with right now, but I want to leave you with these three things:

1) If you don't have a mentor or individuals to pray both with and for you on this journey, I urge you to find a spiritual support group as soon as possible. Seek spiritual maturity and pray that God will bring individuals into your life who will not hesitate to give you tough advice! My mentors and prayer pals are one of my most treasured gifts and I would not be where I am today without them. 

2) Trust God's timing. If he has you in the "desert" right now, be willing to let him mold your character so that you can be prepared for what he has in store for you! You will get there when you're meant to get there, wherever it is that you're going. You'll know when it's time to go! Moses made a mess of things when he tried to take matters into his own hands. Whatever you're facing, put it in God's hands. After all, that is the safest place for your problems to be! 

3) Most importantly, never forget that life is about the journey, not the destination. Don't let Satan cause you to think otherwise! "It's not what you do. It's what you do along the way." This life is all about Him. Let God organize your life in the way He sees best fit so that He will receive maximum glory! 

Trusting the Tracks

Now that I've graduated, a lot of you have been asking me about my future plans and, more specifically, when I plan on moving to Los Angeles. Therefore, I thought it was time I updated my readers on everything that's been going on in my life and the decisions that have been made throughout the last several months. I'm working on making my blogs shorter, so I'll be writing two separate posts about this subject. In this specific post, I will touch on the plans I made that God rearranged! In the second post, I will discuss Moses' journey to the Promise Land and how I am able to be content with where God has me right now. 

As some of you know, I had originally planned on moving to Los Angeles after I graduated. I'm ambitious, a go-getter. There's a quote that reads, "If you never go after what you want, you'll never have it." So that's what I do, I go after what I want. I always have and I always will. When Madi, Rylea and I visited Los Angeles over Christmas break, God used that trip to reassure me of my hopes and dreams and I left feeling like I was on top of the world! I wanted to move to Los Angeles STAT and had every intention to move as soon as I graduated. However, after a few months of job-hunting and praying for direction, I felt the Lord tugging at my heart to wait a little while before moving to LA. Seeing that my niece was due in June and this would be my last guaranteed summer at home, I was content with this decision. I would wait until the fall.

Well, the months flew by and before I knew it, I had graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in English! WHOOP! I moved out of my apartment and moved back home to White Oak, TX. As I mentioned earlier, I was going to live at home for the summer and then head to LA in the fall. However, after praying a lot about it and after seeking advice from my family, closet friends and mentors, I made the decision to stay in White Oak for a while and look for jobs in the area. I would wait to move to LA when I had saved up money and gained experience. As they say on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, "Is that your final answer?" 

FINAL ANSWER. 

As you can see, my plans have changed a LOT! I went from moving to LA as soon as I graduated, to moving to LA in the fall, to having NO IDEA when I'll be moving to LA. It has been one heck of a roller coaster ride...but because I know the Designer, I can trust the tracks!

Stay tuned for a follow-up post that will go into further detail as to how this final decision was made and how I'm able to be at peace with everything! I'm going to be extremely honest with you guys about how the changes affected me (because it definitely wasn't an easy decision) and how God has used this situation to draw me closer to Him! 

My Dream Journal

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one." 
John Lennon

I'm a dreamer. I dream about living in a big city, being a talk show host, and changing the world. However, it wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that I spoke those dreams out loud because I was scared - scared of what people might think/say of me, scared of never achieving them, scared of being vulnerable - and it wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to put it on paper. 

I have yet to regret it.

I just recently finished reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, a book about "praying circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears." I've always heard that a person is more likely to reach a goal if they write it down and according to Batterson, "You'll never achieve the goals you don't set...setting a goal creates structural tension in your brain, which will seek to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, who you are and who you want to become." He goes on to say, "The more you pray, the more God-sized goals you'll be inspired to go after. But prayer doesn't just inspire godly goals, it also ensures that you keep praying hard because it is the only way you'll accomplish a God-sized goal. Simply put, prayers naturally turn into goals, and goals naturally turn into prayers. Goals give you a prayer target." 

As much as I would like to touch on every single point Batterson makes about goal-setting, it is much too difficult. However, the quotes in this chapter are too good not to mention, so below is a list of the quotes that caught my eye:

"And that's why the are life goals. They might take a lifetime to achieve, but they are worth waiting for and working for." 

"Goals are dreams with deadlines."

"If you don't give your dream a deadline, it will be dead before you know it. Deadlines keep dreams alive. Deadlines bring dreams back to life." 

"With a vision, people prosper." 

"If dreams are the destination, goals are the GPS that gets you there." 

"Goals are as unique as we are. They should reflect our unique personality and passions."

"It's okay to make revisions to our visions." 

"Journaling is the difference between learning and remembering. It's also the difference between forgetting and fulfilling our goals."

Batterson then provides ten steps to goal-setting:

1) Start with Prayer
2) Check Your Motives
3) Think in Categories
4) Be Specific
5) Write It Down
6) Include Others
7) Celebrate along the Way
8) Dream Big
9) Think Long
10) Pray Hard

As I mentioned earlier, it wasn't until a few years ago that I made the decision to put my dreams and goals on paper. I went to Target, found a journal with an inspirational quote sketched across the front cover and went to work. I turned to the first page and blatantly began stating my biggest dreams and goals because, as Rick Warren says in Purpose Driven Life, "[We] were made for a mission...God wants to say something to the world through [us]." I firmly believe God will use the things I'm most passionate about (encouraging others, being happy, people, being a positive influence, reaching out, looking on the bright side of every situation, seeking God's will for my life, etc.) to say something to the world through me. Guess what!?!? He'll do it for you, too! 

This journal has become my way of praying circles around my biggest dreams because it is through these pages I am able to see God's hand at work in my life - right here, right now. I'm sure you're wondering, "But Kristin...did you really need to buy an entire journal to do that? Couldn't you have just used a sticky note or the back of a bookmark to write down your dreams?" Well, you see, Curious Cathy, my dreams and goals are not the only thing I've written inside my journal. This journal is where I record my journey. I write down experiences I've had (with The Ellen DeGeneres Show, per se...see Giving God the Glory for what Really Happened at The Ellen DeGeneres Show) and the conversations I've had (with strangers, my college minister, my friends, my Phi Lamb sisters, etc.) so that I can look back and see when/how God used people/circumstances to prepare me for my purpose and reaffirm the direction my life is going! I also write down Bible verses and quotes that inspire me, and I tape notes/letters I've received from my closest friends and family randomly throughout the pages that encourage me to follow my dreams and remind me that, no matter what, there are people who love me and believe in me. 

I don't know where you're at in life, but I know you have dreams, too. I know there are certain things in life you are passionate about that set your soul on fire, things that you go to sleep thinking about and hoping for every single night. You are passionate about certain things for a reason! I pray you find the courage to speak those dreams out loud, whatever they may be. I pray you not worry about what people might say or think about you but instead seek approval from the Lord, the only One whose opinion matters. I pray you take the time to write down your biggest dreams and goals and you know that "bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers." Ultimately, I pray you never forget that "getting what you want isn't the goal; the goal is glorifying God by drawing circles around the promises, miracles, and dreams He wants for you." Let God answer your prayers in His time, His way! Be patient - "He will answer them somewhere, sometime, somehow." 

Remember, "God isn't offended by big dreams; He's offended by anything less. Your dreams may start out small, and God will honor those humble dreams, but as your faith grows so do your dreams until you dare to dream thirty-, sixty-, hundredfold dreams. And when you draw those God-sized circles, it gives the Omnipresent One room to work...if you have the courage to circle the dream in prayer, you can't never always sometimes tell...take a step of faith when God gives you a vision because you trust that the One who gave you the vision is going to make provision. And for the record, if the vision is from God, it will most definitely be beyond your means. Having vision beyond your resources is synonymous with dreaming big. And it may feel like you're setting yourself up for failure, but you're actually setting God up for a miracle. How God performs the miracle is His job. Your job is drawing a circle around the God-given dream...it's not our man-made plans that move the Almighty; the Almighty is moved by big dreams and bold prayers." 

CHALLENGE: Buy a journal and begin this journey with the Lord. Discover what you're most passionate about and if you can't figure it out, ask God to show them to you. Write down your biggest goals and dreams, no matter how big or unattainable they may seem to you. Share your heart with those closest to you - I promise their encouragement and support will make all the difference down the road. Pray hard and pray boldly. Circle everything in prayer. Have faith. Believe in yourself. Trust God and let Him work! 

Cutting the Complaining

I love setting goals for myself whether they are career goals, relationship goals, short-term goals or long-term goals. As the school year came to an end, my friends and I began discussing the goals we wanted to set for ourselves this summer: read x amount of books, work out every day, be in God's word first thing every morning, spend more time with loved ones, etc. 

I was trying to think of another goal to set for myself that would really challenge me spiritually. It was then God placed Philippians 2:14-15 on my heart which reads: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." 

I NEED TO STOP COMPLAINING! 

Have you ever taken a step back to analyze just how much you complain throughout the day? I did last week and let me tell you, it was NOT pretty. I had NO IDEA just how much I "grumble" throughout my day-to-day schedule! I complain before/during/after my run (I really don't like running), I complain about the heat, people who don't use their blinkers when driving, being sore, being sleepy. The list goes on. I complain about the littlest things and it never occurred to me that my grumbling was not bringing glory to God...until now! 

In his book, It's Not About Me, Max Lucado states, "We are His mirrors, you know. Tools of heaven's heliography. Reduce the human job description down to one phrase, and this is it: Reflect God's glory." In other words, we should "behold God so intently that we can't help but reflect him." 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, "Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." It doesn't tell us to pick and choose what we do for the glory of God. It tells us that we should be seeking to glorify God in whatever we do. 

As Christians, there are several ways in which we can stand out from the world and, believe it or not, by not grumbling or complaining about our circumstances (whatever they may be) we can be a witness for Christ in a lost world. My friend introduced me to a Pinterest quote that says, "Your life as a Christian should make nonbelievers question their disbelief in God." WOW - WHAT A BOLD STATEMENT! We should be living in such a way that when others look at us, curiosity strikes. Heads turn. Nonbelievers should find themselves questioning, "What do they have that I don't have?" 

Lucado goes on to talk about his dad who was confined to a hospital bed, dying from ALS. "He lost his voice and his muscles, but he never lost his faith. Visitors noticed. Not so much in what he said but more in what he didn't say. Never outwardly angry or bitter. Jack Lucado suffered stately." Instead of complaining about his circumstances, Lucado's dad understood that "he was sick for the sake of God." He understood that "a season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward" and he used "[his] hospital room as a showcase for [his] Maker." What if we did the same thing on a smaller level in hopes of making a big difference for God's Kingdom so that when others see us, they see Him. What if, instead of grumbling about that driver we almost hit because they didn't use their blinker, we thanked God for their life? What if, instead of complaining about running in the heat, we found ourselves thanking God for blessing us with the ability to run. Imagine the impact we could make if we praised God and glorified Him at ALL times, no matter what it is we're doing!

A few weeks ago during the record-breaking East Texas rainfall, I was riding in the car with my mom. Naturally, I began complaining about all the rain we were getting! It was in that moment, my precious mama cheerfully said, "but the rain will bring pretty flowers and green, green grass!" I smiled and stared out the window. My mom had never looked so beautiful. 

Lucado's dad influenced the lives of those around him because of the things he didn't say. In the same way, we can influence those around us by "never [being] outwardly angry or bitter." We should focus on Christ, not our circumstances, and strive to reflect His glory at all times...even when it's raining. Even when we're sore. Even when we're irritated. 

Remember, "[we] may be the only Bible some people will ever read" and, as children of God, it's our responsibility to ensure we are reflecting His glory at all times. In other words, "because we are children, we bear the Father's name, and we need to be sure that we are consistent in living a life that will speak well of the name we bear." Let's challenge ourselves to cut the complaining and start loving (yes, even that person who cut you off in traffic this morning and made you miss the green light). It won't be easy. In fact, it may be one of the hardest things we'll ever do, but if one person's life is changed because we chose to not grumble about our situation, it will all be worth it. 

In closing, I'd like to leave you with one of my favorite songs - Live Like That by Sidewalk Prophets. Listen to the words. Let them sink in. Ask yourselves, "When they see me do they see You?"

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!”