A Really Sad Story

Okay, first of all let me preface this story with the fact that it is really not that sad in the grande scheme of life, but in the moment it was truly devastating. 

September 14, 2013

It was the day of the A&M v. Bama game. The "biggest game of all of college football this season," according to ESPN. The hype in College Station was absolutely insane. We already have a traffic problem here but this week took it to a whole new level. 

So my roommates and I planned to leave several hours early to give ourselves time to get on campus, walk around to some tailgates, and just soak in the game day atmosphere. We tucked our IDs and tickets into our boots and started the very long trek from our car to campus. As we were coming up to Kyle Field, I looked down to check my boot for my ticket. My heart immediately dropped.. It wasn't there... I was overwhelmed with a sinking feeling of disappointment, anger at myself, self-pity, and the surprising urge to laugh/cry hysterically. Why me, out of all games...

Well really long story short, we did everything we could to find it, and believe me I mean everything. But I guess it just wasn't meant to be. I couldn't go to THE game of the year. I'm not going to lie, it was a very depressing time. 

So anyways I called up one of my friends who was unfortunately, but fortunately for me, unable to go to the game we as well. I asked her to come get me from campus so I could watch the game with her at her house. Once in the car I told her my pathetic story. I have to say I was proud of myself for holding back tears, but once I called my mom, I'll admit, a few did escape. 

But throughout this whole event so many truths were popping into my mind. 

1. God totally could have provided me with another opportunity to get into the game. (He didn't, but He sure could have)

2. Finding joy in all situations-- because our joy comes from The Lord and not from some overrated, over-priced football game. (I realize what I just said was blasphemous by an Aggie in the Deep South, but this is for the purpose of the lesson. Fact is, eternally, football doesn't last.)

3. Be thankful always, for everything. I was so glad that my friend didn't have to spend her Saturday watching the game alone because everyone else had plans to go. I knew in that instance how sad she must have been when she realized she wouldn't be able to attend. But also, selfishly, I was glad that I didn't have to spend my Saturday alone. God totally provided us with each other so we wouldn't be lonely!

The upside was we got a much better view of the game in the A/C. Why he allowed this to happen to me, besides reiterating these truths, I may never know.  I won't dwell on it anymore, but it does make a pretty sad yet comical story now that some time has passed.

And the outcome of the game.. Well, we won't talk about that. 

God's Blessings, 

Karsyn Penelope

Post Summer

Well I'm back in Aggieland! Camp ended and it was pretty sad to leave and the rest of summer was not so eventful except seeing friends and family.  And that ended and I packed up and moved back to College Station. 

At camp they told us that the whole experience would take some time to sink.  And they were definitely right.  It wasn't until I was back at school and talking to someone for the millionth time about my summer at Pine Cove that I realized what I had learned. 
My personality is one where I like to be on the frontlines.  I am not naturally a backstage person.  But this summer being on the program staff at Pine Cove and working a lot in the kitchen, cleaning dishes, cleaning the pool, working the store, I realized that God was teaching me how to work and serve behind the scenes, where you don't get a ton of recognition.  Humility is required for that kind of job and that is exactly why God had placed me there.  I learned how to encourage and serve whole-heartedly, not always being seen.  What a blessing it was to understand what my purpose was this summer.
Now that I am starting back up a routine and school and leading a Freshman Bible study through my church here, this passage has a new meaning.
1 Corinthians2:1-5 When I cam to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
Paul is telling the Corinthians that we don't have to know it all, look fancy, be in the center of the crowd, or talk like a genius to share the Gospel.  It does take humility in who we are and faith in who our God is.

God's Blessings,

      Karsyn Penelope