Los Angeles, CA

I'm going to try my best to fill you in on our trip to Los Angeles, CA! I originally intended on going this past summer but, as always, God had other plans. As some of you know, I've dreamed of going to LA for several years to see The Ellen DeGeneres Show so for several months Madi, Rylea and I checked for tickets every single day, waiting for tickets to become available for a date over Christmas break! We submitted our names and waited two weeks for a phone call informing us we had secured tickets to The Ellen DeGeneres Show! Unfortunately, the phone never rang. No tickets for us! However, we decided to plan a trip to Los Angeles anyway with the intention of calling/waiting in line for "Day Of" Tickets every day of the trip...so we booked a flight + hotel to Los Angeles, CA and said "Hello, Hollywood!"

Plan A: We were going to try and get "Day Of" tickets to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Plan B: Even if we didn't get tickets, we were still going to make the most of our time in California!

 

Day One: Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus
As soon as we got to the hotel, I called the number for Starline Tours that was printed in our brochure to ask about getting tickets for the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus! It was then that the man at the other end of the line broke the news and informed us that those specific tours only run in the summertime. Curious as to whether we had simply overlooked this important detail, we searched both the brochure and the website but this information was nowhere to be found! Although the first two days of our trip revolved around the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus, we refused to let that ruin our day! Instead, we decided to walk a few blocks to Hollywood where the Walk of Fame, Chinese Theatre, Dolby Theatre, etc. are located and grab us a bite to eat while we figured out Plan B! Seeing that we had been awake since 2:00AM CA time and it was now 10:00AM CA time, or 12:00PM TX time, we were STARVING! While eating at Johnny Rockets, we decided to take a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard to weigh our options and see what we could do on our first day in Los Angeles, CA since we were unable to take the tour bus! As we were walking down Hollywood Boulevard, we noticed a Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus parked by the curb and a woman working the kiosk nearby. We approached her and began explaining what the man on the phone had told us and asked, despite what the man said, if they were running. With the biggest smile on her face, she told us that they WERE running and we were more than welcome to ride! Overjoyed, we thanked the woman a hundred times and took turns hugging her. We spoke with her for a few minutes while making our payments to find that she had been working at that very kiosk for 14yrs! The amount of kindness this woman showed us in the little time we spoke with her was unreal and it was evident why she had been selected as Starline's "Employer of the Year" several times! After thanking her a few more times and leaning in for one last hug, we began walking towards the bus only for her to stop us and wave us back to the kiosk while she unlocked a cabinet. To our surprise, she pulled out three Starline Tours hats for us to keep and wear as souvenirs! WE WERE BLOWN AWAY BY HER KINDNESS! We immediately rushed up to the top deck, put our "posh" (LA term we learned) hats on and braced ourselves for the ride of a lifetime!

We walked for miles and miles in search of Ellen's star on the Walk of Fame! I can't think of a better cause to get a crick in your neck due to looking down for so long than a search for Ellen's star!

This is the "Urban Light" sculpture that can be seen in the movie No Strings Attached with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman.

I now understand the "Beverly Hills" song by Weezer and why Beverly Hills is where he wanted to be. It was absolutely beautiful!

Day Two: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
We woke up at 4:00AM so we could get to Warner Brothers Studio by 5:30AM. When we arrived at the parking garage, I approached the security guard to ask if she knew how "Day Of" tickets worked. She told me that hundreds of individuals stand in line every single morning and out of those hundreds, MAYBE 10ppl get in...but wait, it gets worse! We learned that in order to be eligible for "Day Of" tickets you had to have received a letter in the mail saying you had received Standby tickets which are first-come, first-served! Our chances went from being slim-to-none to NONEXISTENT! However, we decided to continue waiting in line (we didn't fly 4hrs to LA to leave without trying) until 9:00AM so we could ask a worker what we could do! To kill time we played cards, tweeted at Ellen, and drank coffee we got from this really neat coffee machine they had! As it got closer to 9:00AM, Ellen employees began walking by us on their way to work. I saw Andy (the guy who runs everything out to Ellen and wears the tuxedo suit with dress-shorts at different events) and also one of the Productions Assistant (I think her name was Tracy) who was there when I drove to Denton (see blog post: Divine Moments). ANYWAY, 9:00AM finally rolls around and we see a girl drive up on a golf cart! She walks over to the line (by now there's about 30ppl) and instructs everyone to have both their Standby paper and ID ready...one of which we had and one of which we definitely did NOT have! When the worker (we'll call her...Martha) approached us, we immediately began explaining our situation to her. We told her we flew in from Houston, TX and didn't know we were supposed to receive Standby tickets in the mail if we wished to try and get "Day Of" tickets. Realizing we didn't meet the requirements, she told us she hated to be the heartbreaker and kindly let us know we would be unable to get in because they were completely booked! We thanked her for listening and before she walked away, I asked if there was anyway we'd be able to at least get into the Riff Raff Room. Again, she was so kind and compassionate towards us, but we received the same answer. She said she didn't want to get our hopes up because there was very, very little chance (.005%) of us getting in. Before continuing down the line, however, she said, "Let me get your name and number just in case anything opens up! But again, please, please don't get your hopes up because, with it being the new year, we're overbooked!" She wrote down my name and number, we thanked her for listening to us, and then headed back to the hotel to prepare for Plan B, Santa Monica Pier! We changed clothes, walked the three blocks to the tour bus, and climbed up to our seats again! We were only on the bus for a few minutes when I heard the Friends theme song going off in my right pocket. I frantically pulled my phone out of my shorts pocket and read "Northern Los Angeles" just before it disappeared and my phone stopped ringing. Before I had time to be upset with myself, "Voicemail" flashed onto my phone. I held it up to my ear and repeated to Madi and Rylea everything that was said...and before I was finished listening to the voicemail, the three of us were making our way down the steps to get off at the next stop! It was Martha! THEY HAD ROOM IN THE RIFF RAFF ROOM FOR US! The bus stopped and I pressed "Call Back" as we began running 3mi back to the hotel. Martha said she had Riff Raff Room tickets for us! After I hung up with her, I called my mom (still running, might I add) and began bawling hysterically while I told her everything that had just happened. IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE! Martha said we had to check in by 1:30PM but let's face it, it was 10:30AM and we didn't want to take any chances! We showered at the hotel, made sure we looked "dope" (another LA term we learned) for Ellen, and headed back to Burbank! We picked up our Riff Raff Room ONLY tickets! We got to sing, dance, and "have a little fun (today)" at The Ellen DeGeneres Show! In case you're confused about what the RRR is...we're basically separated by a wall! You're in this room that has TV's everywhere and there are stairs that lead up into the audience! I bawled...multiple times! IT WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE AND JUST AS GOOD AS BEING IN THE AUDIENCE IF YOU ASK ME! WE HAD THE TIME OF OUR LIVES!

This is us in the cab on the way to The Ellen DeGeneres Show!

WE GOT INTO ELLEN'S RIFF RAFF ROOM! We got to watch the show live from a separate room and got to dance as Ellen danced! This was a miracle that ONLY God could have made possible because we had NO chance at ALL! It was too good to be true! We're so thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity!

This video was posted on YouTube! You can see us dancing in the Riff Raff Room! Bahaha! We had the pleasure of meeting this bundle of fun (I believe her name was Shanell) and she was SUCH a joy to be around! Rylea is in dark brown, Madi is wearing a red flannel, and I have on a black/white flannel with a white vest!

Day Three: Warner Brothers Studio

We also had the opportunity to tour the Warner Brothers Studio! Everybody who knows me knows the three things I love most are Ellen, Friends, and Gilmore Girls...and guess what!? ALL THREE OF THOSE THINGS WERE AT WARNER BROTHERS STUDIO! WE GOT TO SEE EVERYTHING! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

  

This was inside the Geller's (Ross and Monica's parents) house on Friends! This is the same staircase Ross sat on in "The One With The Prom Video" episode when Rachel's date didn't show up so Ross' parents encouraged him to step up and be her date! As you know, this episode was the first time Ross and Rachel got together! 

We got to see Stars Hollow! This is in front of Miss Patty's Dance Studio where they held town meetings! We also saw Luke's Diner, Mrs. Kim's house, AND the Gilmore's house! THIS HAS BEEN THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME!

"That's not running! LET'S GOOOOOO!" We got to recreate "The One Where Phoebe Runs" episode from F•R•I•E•N•D•S!

"I'll be there for you when the rain starts to pour! I'll be there for you like I've been there before! I'll be there for you 'cause you're there for me, too!" We got to sit on *THE* F•R•I•E•N•D•S couch at *THE* Central Perk at *THE* Warner Brothers Studio! WE ARE SO BLESSED AND THANKFUL FOR THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY! God is so good!

As if sitting on the couch wasn't enough, we got to recreate this famous picture of the six F•R•I•E•N•D•S walking down the street with their arms linked and smiles on their faces! THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST TRIP EVER! I'm so thankful for the memories we've made and the opportunities we received while in Los Angeles!

Friends ran for 10 seasons, 236 episodes!

Day Four: Hollywood Sign

We hiked up to the Hollywood Sign Friday morning before we headed back to Texas! IT WAS BREATHTAKING! I thoroughly enjoyed climbing up mountains "to look through God's window" but I don't plan on taking up hiking anytime soon! HAHAHA!

H O L L Y W O O D

"Climb every mountain, ford every stream! Follow every rainbow 'til you find your dream!"

California Crosses: 

I wanted to conclude this blog post by pointing it in the right direction, and that's towards God! He had His hand in EVERY detail of this trip and it is my prayer that all glory goes to Him! We went to Los Angeles with the assumption that we'd be experiencing a culture shock but instead, we received the total opposite! EVERYONE WAS SO KIND TO US AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GO BACK! From being told the Hop-Off, Hop-On tours only run in the summer to being told there was a .005% chance of us getting into the Riff Raff Room, the tables were not turned by human hand. God personally guided every situation! No matter what comes from this specific adventure, I know I am more than ready for the adventure God, the ultimate Tour Guide, has mapped out for my life!

This is the view from the entrance to our hotel and was, by far, my favorite view! Though the culture in Los Angeles was a TAD different than White Oak/College Station, TX (wink, wink), God used this cross to remind us of His presence which was made known the entire trip. I was blown away by it's beauty! You can witness God's presence ANYWHERE when you take the time to look!

I took this picture because, if you'll notice, there is a giant silver cross on the right side of that building shown in the middle. As I mentioned before, God was/is present in Los Angeles, CA! Both this cross and the one in the mountains were reminders that we're not in this alone, for God is always, ALWAYS right by our side!

That's me crying while talking to a guy who works for Ellen! We flew 4hrs to simply TRY and get "Day Of" tickets to Ellen! Long story short, we make plans but God rearranges our schedule to match HIS agenda which is ALWAYS bigger and better than our own! Words cannot express how grateful I am for the kindness we received from EVERY worker at The Ellen DeGeneres Show! It means the WORLD to us! We went from having nothing to having, what seemed like, everything! Many tears of joy and gratefulness were shed the past few days and I know they will shed in the days to come! Dancing in Ellen's Riff Raff Room is a moment I'll NEVER forget! I AM SO THANKFUL AND STILL IN AWE, and I know without a doubt that the Lord was the one who divinely planned this trip well in advance! It may have been a surprise to us, but it was no surprise to God! He has done nothing but encourage me and reassure my hopes and dreams! I left Los Angeles with a "peaceful, easy feeling" and am even more excited about moving out there after I graduate!

GOD IS GOOD! 

 "Many are the plans in a man's heart but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails!"

Proverbs 19:21

Toodaloo 2014

For the past three years I've been introducing myself by saying: "HOWDY! My name is Kristin Koonce and I'm a (insert class year) Communication major from White Oak, TX! But more importantly, I am the LOUDEST and PROUDEST member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 2015!" Why am I telling you this, you ask? Well, as you can see by my Howdy Intro, 2015 is a special year because it's the year I GRADUATE from Texas A&M University! WHOOP! This will be a year of firsts as I finish up my college career and "go confidently in the direction of [my] dreams!" God has blessed me beyond measure and to say I'm thrilled/excited/happy/pumped to see what He has in store for my life this new year would be an understatement!

While the rest of the world scurried up and down the isles of their nearest grocery store gathering last minute items needed to kick off their New Year's Eve, I thought I'd kick back, relax and reflect on the lessons I learned this past year.

1. We're called to be a light in the darkness...not just when it's hard but ESPECIALLY when it's hard.

People constantly watch your reactions to circumstances. They pay attention to how you treat others when things aren't going your way and take note of the way you act when you think nobody's looking. It is in those times of darkness you must let your light shine the most! The harder it is to be a light, the more you will stick out to others because they will begin to notice that there is something different about you. They may not be able to put their finger on it, but they'll notice. Let your light shine at ALL times...ESPECIALLY when it's hard!

2. Practice makes permanent.

I learned that becoming like Christ is a lifelong process. How can we become more like Him if we don't practice developing Christlike attributes? If we're impatient, we need to practice patience. If we're ungrateful, we need to practice thanking God for things throughout our day. If we have the tendency to be unkind, we need to practice showing kindness. If we find others hard to love, we need to practice loving others. Again, it's a process! There's a difference between knowing what to do and doing it! We've already been taught how to respond to situations, treat those around us, etc., but unless we apply it to our lives, we'll never change for the better.

3. Don't rush things. Trust God's timing.

I was ahead of schedule (in my eyes) by the end of my junior year and could graduate a semester early if I decided to. However, God will rearrange our plans so they match HIS schedule rather than our own! Because I didn't rush graduating, God was able to work in and through my life in ways I never could have imagined! In other words, God's clock is never a "few minutes fast" or a "few minutes behind" but is, instead,  always right on time! He knows what is best for our lives long before we do and it's important to trust his timing!

4. God is love.

As Christians, the most important lesson we could ever learn is what it means to love. We can go our entire lives claiming to be disciples of Jesus Christ but if we don't show the love that Christ showed us to EVERYONE we meet, we can't truly know God because God IS love. It is hatred that pulls others away from Christ; it is LOVE that draws them near. As Christians, we need to love, love, LOVE!

5. There's no sense in being jealous of anyone.

God has given each of us a variety of spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities! When you are jealous of another's characteristics, you miss out on your own unique characteristics! You were uniquely made. There is no other person in this world like you. Learn to love yourself because you, (insert name here), have so much to offer the world! Stop worrying about not having this skill or that spiritual gift, be grateful for what you DO have! Don't take your talent for granted! Accept the person God made you to be so you can become all He intends you to be! Be inspired by those around you, not intimidated!

6. There is no comfortable way to tan your underarms.

I think the above statement speaks for itself.

7. Actions really do speak louder than words.

You don't have to talk about God 24/7 for others to know you're a Christian. People will be able to tell who it is you live for by your actions and the life you live. The world has plenty of people that SAY they love Christ. The world needs more people to SHOW they love Christ. We're called to "Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words."

8. God needs Christians everywhere.

You have the potential to make a difference right where you are. Yes, you read that correctly! Whether you're scrubbing tables, bagging groceries, taking blood, or selling perfume, you're in position to change a life. Someone who has never witnessed the love of Christ may walk through the doors today and experience Him for the first time through an interaction with you! You never know what one simple smile, conversation, or kind gesture can do to a person's life! Trust that God has you exactly where he wants you and know that it's your responsibility to make the most of the opportunities he has given you! Shine your light "every day, every day" in any and every way possible!

9. Happiness is a choice.

You choose every day whether you will walk through life with a chip on your shoulder or a smile on your face. Joy is not circumstantial. It's experienced as a result of looking at situations from God's perspective and trusting His bigger picture. Wake up every morning and make the decision to be happy and live a joy-filled life!

10. Don't wait for the new year to make a change.

Every day is a new day. You don't have to wait for a new year to do better, to be better! Today can be special...just say the word! Life is too short to put something off for tomorrow if you can get it done today!

In closing...
Here is my favorite quote from the movie New Years Eve in regards to last night and the new year ahead of us: "And as you all can see, the ball has stopped half way to its perch. It's suspended there to remind us, before we pop the [Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice] and celebrate the new year, to stop and reflect on the year that has gone by, to remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken, the times we opened ourselves up to great adventures...or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Because that's what New Year's is all about...getting another chance...a chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more, and to stop worrying about what if and start embracing what will be. So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other, and not just tonight but all year long."

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR! As always, God Bless and Gig 'Em!

It's a Mentality

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Last One: Part 1

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Songfest:

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



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

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

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

Birthday Party:

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

Barn Dance:

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

 

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

Barn Dance 2013

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

Phi Lamb's Christmas Party:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Divine Moments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Letters from Christ

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

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

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

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

I'm an empty page

I'm an open book

Write Your story on my heart

Come on and make Your mark

Author of my hope

Maker of the stars

Let me be Your work of art

Won't You write Your story on my heart

I want my history

To be Your legacy

Go ahead and show this world

What You've done in me

And when the music fades

I want my life to say

I let You write Your story

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

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

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

A Tie-Dyed Thanksgiving

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

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

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

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

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



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

Thoughts and Theories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COMPASS by Lady Antebellum

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

So let your heart, sweetheart, 

Be your compass when you're lost 

And you should follow it wherever it may go

When it's all said and done 

You can walk instead of run

'Cause no matter what you'll never be alone

You'll never be alone

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

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

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

"Hoppy" Halloween

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

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

 

Sigma Phi Lambda Recruitment 2014: 

 

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

 

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

Aggie Football:

 

 

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

Piggyback picture with my biggest brother, Clayton!

 

Big/Little Reveal:

 

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

Hump Day:

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

 

Block Party:

 

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

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

 

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

 

This picture describes our personalities perfectly!

White Oak, TX:

 

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

 

Party on the Ark:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Next stop: November

Give The World A Smile

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

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

Are you giving to the world a smile?

Helping lessen someone's dreary mile?

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

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

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

Help to cheer the lone and sad!

Help to make some pilgrim glad!

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



 

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