We Are Not Alone- Welcome to 2014

We Are Not Alone by Susan Schutz 

We need to feel more to understand others

We need to love more to be loved back

We need to cry more to cleanse ourselves

We need to laugh more to enjoy ourselves

We need to see more other than our own little fantasies

We need to hear more and listen to the needs of others

We need to give more and take less

We need to share more and own less

We need to look more and realize that we are not so different from one another

We need to create a world where all can peacefully live the life they choose

I read this poem in a devotional book I am currently working on and fell in love with it. What a great way to start 2014 by reading something so powerful as to make you aware of the effect that every emotion we encounter in our lives can have on another’s life. Using our experiences to help others. Allowing our tears (though painful and uncomfortable at times) to help cleanse our souls. Laughing as much as we breathe in order to keep our hearts young and full of natural joy. Challenging ourselves to look around and realize that the world goes on whether we are hurting or not and moving on is an expected and forced component of life. Listening rather than just speaking…. That right there is a humble and chivalrous concept in itself that will bless the multitude you try it toward. Giving all that you can, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well. Giving is quite often a challenge to a great deal of people, I would even say it is comparable to that of the issue of sharing (siblings can relate I am sure). The blessings that pour down once we allow ourselves to give up is insurmountable and beyond one to be put into words. God sanctifies those who give, share, and bless without grumbling or complaining. It is so hard at times, but so worth it! You reap what you sow, and if you are sowing a harvest of blessing to everyone you come across, imagine what God will bestow upon you throughout this next year. 

I would love to challenge anyone that is up to it to simply take this next year to be more aware of life. Be aware of who you come in contact with and even be aware of who you don’t. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by so doing some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” What a neat thought… by showing sincere kindness and joy to someone you don’t even know, you could be personally affecting the kingdom of God and those who have taken up residency with Christ. These above thoughts alone are so exciting and even more so exciting when you realize that God has equipped you with every ounce of strength, wisdom, and patience to get out there and make a difference within your homes, schools, place of business, and society. 

Each and every action you choose has a ripple effect as that of tossing a pebble into a still pond. Will the ripple effect you cause be one to change the world for its betterment? Or will it diminished the efforts of your personal ministry? It may sound harsh… but every word and action you choose has the potential to build up or tear down someone/something… Let’s dare one another to build up, take challenges, show hospitality, give, share, cry, laugh, love, learn, and look at life as the beautiful but short gift it truly is. This life is nothing more than a temporary home where we are blessed daily with the task of bringing others to the love, mercy, and joy of Christ so that one day we can reach our permanent address of Heaven, and be surrounded by all the lives we touched. 

Get out there and make 2014 one that won’t have you wishing in 2015 that you would have done more. Set your priorities, stick to them, and be a blessing. Start by smiling more often :)

God bless your 2014 & may God be the driving force behind your every motive.

With love, 

Kristin McKenzie 

(This Blog dedicated to my amazing mother who laughs and loves more than anyone I know) 

Busy Fall 2013 Updates

Helloooooo Blog Folks! 

Well, it has been awhile since my last Blog and update! Now that the year has officially begun (according to semesters that is), I would love to share with you guys what all I am up to! 

I am still traveling with the Katy Visual and Performing Art Company’s “Books Alive!” show which this semester is entitled Bawk and Roll, a book by Tammi Sauer and directed by Kristin Miller. In this production I play the host, a yoga instructor, an Indian doctor, and a German psychiatrist! We will have afternoon shows at our Katy location as well as a few weekend shows that are open to the public (check to website or my page for constant updates and reminders). We primarily perform at elementary schools, hospitals, day cares, ect. throughout the Houston/ Katy area, so if you work somewhere and want a children’s comedy show to come through, let me know! 

I am also performing with the KVPAC Encore troupe for this next month’s show, Sleepy Hollow, directed by Gregory Magyar. I play Katrina, the blooming 18 year old spoiled girl in town who enjoys teasing the boys around. Performances run the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October. Purchase tickets ahead of time online at the KVPAC.org website! You won’t want to miss kicking off the Fall season with such a seasonal piece as this. 

Another play I will be working with at KVPAC is called, Zombie Prom, directed by Mark Redd. This 1950’s iconic play will be a blast to work on as the choreographer and the kids are already an incredibly talented bunch! They meet once a week for rehearsal and will perform come mid December. They will also be performing a few songs at the Scarecrow Festival in Katy on October 19^th and would love to have some support and love (plus the event itself is pretty fun/ cool so check it out regardless). 

The last of my endeavors at KVPAC includes a Mommy & Me class (for 18 months to 4 years old) on Thursdays from 9-10 AM this whole semester at the Katy location and will focus on moms and their children doing interactive crafts, arts, theatrical pieces, and fun stuff of the sort. Also for the youngins, there is a show I will be assisting with directing, Penguins Christmas, on Tuesday’s after school with a performance in December to conclude the class with and help bring in the Christmas holiday! Both of these can be signed up for through the KVPAC website, calling the main number, as well as offered at the Katy or (new) West Oaks location! 

On a separate note from the theatre company I work with, I also am helping with children’s ministry at The Waters Church on Mason Rd where I assist in theatrical productions, child care, video announcements, commercials/ voice over work. We also started a young adult Bible study on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 at our pastor’s house near by the church (child care provided there as well) and intend on making it a very interactive, social, and at times sporty get together. Message me if you want details on any of the above information or are interested in finding a church, Bible study, or just a social group to hang out with every now and then.

The last group I volunteer with is something called Young Life. This is a group of Katy High school students (home school & private school welcome as well) that meets Monday evenings at Midway BBQ to have some crazy fun with fellow students from the area, as well as a core group of leaders that meet on Wednesday evenings at local houses. 

The rest of my time is filled with visiting my amazing family out in Tomball or College Station, driving my carless mother to school in the mornings, attending sporting events for my little sister and father, independently getting contracted out for work on short films/ independent films/ faith based projects/ spokes model work/ event hosting/ book editing/ commercial shoots/ modeling, and of course the occasional babysitting or tutoring! 

Needless to say, my life stays busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Unfortunately, the minor set-back to all this is the lack of a working car (and AC) that I am currently experiencing, but I am on a hunt and will hopefully have something by the end of the month (prayers please) so that I can continue my auditioning and traveling endeavors. 

Thank you all for the continued love and support, I greatly appreciate my friends and family as well as those directors, photographers, and pastors that continue to use my services and allow me to chase after this crazy dream I’d like to one day call a (full time) career! 

God bless and stay vibrant my loves.

Yours truly, 

Kristin McKenzie

Kristin’s Instructions for Life

This is a document I posted on the internet back in 2007; thought I would share it on my Blog!
 

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R's:
Respect for self
Respect for others and
Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Be a light unto the world.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Laugh. A lot.
7. Open your eyes and let God be in control.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
15. Take care of the earth. It is one of God’s gifts to us.
16. Have a favorite word. 

16.5. Photo bomb every chance you get. It's a way to become part of a stranger's life forever.
17. Make a new friend on a daily basis.
18. Be random.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

20. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
21. Memorize your favorite poem.
22. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
23. When you say, "I love you," mean it.
24. When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.
25. Believe in love at first sight.
26. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have
dreams don't have much.
27. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

28. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling. Or pointing the finger.
29. Don't judge people by their relatives, friends, or past.
30. “Well behaved women rarely make history.” -Junk Gypsy quote
31. Say "God bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.
32. Volunteer.

33. Read more books and watch less TV.
34. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship or friendship.
35. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
36. Smile when picking up the telephone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
37. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
38. Trust in God but lock your car.
39. True friends are family God wanted you to go on an adventure for.
40. Read between the lines.
41. Never assume without knowing the full truth.
42. Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.
43. Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

44. Don’t play games with the human heart. You can never see how much damage can potentially be done.
44.5. Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.
45. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
46. If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.
47. Remember some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.
48. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
49. Remember that your character is your destiny.
50. Most importantly- Keep God center in your world. All else falls after. 

Hope you enjoyed! 

Over and out.

K-

The New Abnormal

A writing I want to share that I eventually would love to turn into a video Blog. I have quite a few writings I hope to one day use for video style Blogs! 

"People try so hard to be "comfortable." But why? We live in a world where “the new normal” makes us as Christians something “abnormal”. If this is so, then being a Christian is now weird and unique right? Seems like everyone is always trying to go for the opposite of what they feel is a trend. Everyone wants to be different. Being different is what’s new, normal, and comfortable. But if comfort is normal, we have just witnessed a huge heart break for a lot of people. So what does this mean for the word comfortable? It means that in discomfort brings abnormality, and in that discomfort is where we find growth, strength, and character. We as Christians are called to be “uncomfortable”. We as Christians (according to Matthew 5:14) are called to be lights, set up on a hill so that all can see the “different” form of life we follow and live by. Sounds like the true unique way of living life is doing it against the odds. Living against what others would typically do. Living in a way that you, are what stands out. Living so that no matter what you do, someone can tell, you are different. So I ask you then, are you comfortable with the way you are living your life? If so, I challenge you. Find a way to be uncomfortable. Find a way to be so disoriented and thrown off that Christ is the only rock you have, the only air you breath, and the only food your soul can grasp. Get out on that hill, turn on your light, and be uncomfortable."

UPDATE:

Just to update my friends and family, I want you to know that I am doing well and staying very busy! I wrapped on an Academy Sports and Outdoors commercial as well as an Axe Body Spray internet commercial that will hopefully win rights for a television release. I am still working with the traveling theatre company at Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center called "Books Alive!" Recently I had the pleasure to once again also work on a comedy web mini-series called "Fore!" that is starring Tom Byrum who is a former PGA Tour winner in golf and is directed by Scott Pitney with Watchfore, LLC. I am about to sign with a new Texas based talent agency and am still getting work through my Louisiana agency as well. I leave in a week for California for a few film festivals and will be visiting a few friends and networking in the film industry. One of the short films I was recently a lead role in won a "Best Film" award in a local festival and will be going on to other festivals shortly. The film was entitled Indecision and was written by Trey Dixon of Houston Community College's film department. I have a few projects coming up that I am excited about and when more details come in I will continue to post details on my Facebook page www.facebook.com/actresskristinmckenzie so be sure to click "like" and follow me there! God has definitely blessed me with some pretty amazing people in my life and I am eager to see what happens next! Thank you for the continued support and prayer through it all. Keep the prayers coming, love you all! Peace.

New Year... New Blog.

Hola friends and family,

Just checking in and giving a recent update on projects and life. Since my last Blog I have finished the Share Your True Story project (premiering this semester), started The Love Saga: Romeo project (also premiering this semester), in the process of signing onto a horror film to be shot in Austin, Texas during the month of May (in which I play a victim that fights back against a brutal beating), and have begun subbing at local Katy schools during my occasional free time! During the end of January and most of February I will be traveling all over parts of Texas acting with Soren Bennick Productions performing at elementary schools for an anti- bullying campaign to teach kids how to act and respond to the potential bullying that inevitably takes place in today’s society. I am super excited to join the two man cast and start the traveling process! An update with the KVPAC troupe, our adult three woman show of Approaching Lavender has advanced to State level (first round of competition in Beaumont, Texas) and will perform mid-March in Ft. Worth, Texas representing the first KVPAC adult competition team. I am working with some amazing and talented actresses and am eager to see what happens next! Once I get a break from the current projects, I will be traveling to Louisiana for auditions through my agency as well as a possible April trip to California. God has blessed me with fun opportunities to learn, grow, experiment, and move towards my dream of creating a thriving and successful career in the entertainment industry. Keep me in your prayers and continue to follow my Blog for updates. You can also follow me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/actresskristinmckenzie if you want to see current photos, posters, and stats or you can “like” my IMDB page and check there for SAG credits and festival shorts I have been in. Fingers crossed and prayers up- 2013 is the year!

God bless and get rest,
Kristin

My Dear Aunt Debbie

Well friends and family, here is another blog for ya! My Aunt recently asked what I have been up to and said she is so confused with everything I am constantly working on. I figured I would take a minute in this blog to explain a few things I currently have in the works. 

For those who missed my projects that took place this summer, I worked on films such as Cops & Robber, Promise, and Consciousness. This summer I also worked at summer camps, began book editing, participated in a few photo shoots, and hit auditioning hard around the Houston area. I had the privilege of meeting and working with Hobie Thompson through Lone Star Digital Media, a company based out of the Dallas area, doing online advertisements and videos; he is also the master mind behind putting together my website. 

During the month of September, I started working with a local Katy Theatre Troupe called Books Alive which is currently traveling and performing a children’s theatre show called Me First! and is based off a book by Helen Lester. This show will be performed through November and takes on venues such as elementary schools, children’s hospitals, and of course at our home base of the Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center near Grace Methodist on Mason road. I am also currently working for a company called Laser Shot that is based out of Sugarland in which we film industrial and scenario training videos for classes in Concealed Hand Gun licensing and Police Academies. I would definitely say the child humor of working with KVPAC and the bloody yet realistic portrayals shot with the training videos continue to keep me well rounded. Also for the month of September, my first edited book, Live For Today was released for internet sales. 

For the month of October, on top of the above mentioned, I am working on editing another book, Moon Shadow’s Revenge, for the local author Joe Barfield. This book, as well as the last one I edited, can be found under my biography page by clicking on the book editing link. This month I have also filmed for a feature film entitled The Protectors which is produced by Shepp Productions in association with Dream Out Loud Studios and is conducting primary shooting in the Clear Lake area. I also just wrapped with a romantic comedy short film entitled Dr. Troolav which was written and directed by Stephen Aganan with Infinite Works Productions and in association with the film department of the Art Institute of Houston. Another recent wrap was a student short film, Indecision, with the Houston Cy-Fair College school system which has an intense story line of death, revenge, and contradicting moral behaviors. Through the University of Houston, I just finished a music video project entitled Not Another Music Video in which a love song encompasses the story of young love going through the stages of first excitement to ending resentment.

Here at the end of October I begin working on a true story documentary through Share Your True Story based off the book From Misery to Ministry which was written by Brian and Leah Foutz and is based on the story of their daughter Victoria. I will be portraying Victoria through the final stages of her life and am beyond touched to have been chosen as a cast member of this project. Blonde hair and brown eyes are two of the physical traits I will be undergoing to contribute to the authenticity of my character and I firmly believe in the faith based message that under goes this story of loss, love, and renewed devotion. 

For the month of November, while continuing work on the other projects, I will begin filming for a series, The Love Saga: Romeo, which will consist of three films completed over the 2012-2013 year. I will be playing the part of Juliet and am incredibly excited for the chance to be part of a modern day adaptation to William Shakespeare’s classic love story. This film will be produced by Lenaeni Films and directed by Fred Emmerson. The second film will be Juliet and the third film is still in the writing stage. The cast and crew for these projects are phenomenal and the production as a whole has many credited actors working aboard. 

I also have a few auditions still coming up, a meeting with a Louisiana talent agent, a 48 hour music video contest, a flash mob, the purchasing of my CHL official membership card, as well as traveling opportunities around Texas for future filming endeavors. I continually pray that God maintains and allows opportunities my way! 

Regardless of how busy my schedule may be, I make sure my family stays first and foremost in all decisions I make. I continue to thank them for their love and support. 

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to list them below. If for some reason you run into a posting error, make sure you do not have any pop up blockers stopping you from doing so. You can also click the contact tab to the left of this page and shoot me an email. I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog and hope you will come back to visit my page in the future! 

God bless and stay hydrated.