.nom de plume.

thoughtsfromathirstyheart asked: I am about to graduate college and decide what direction to head in life...how did you choose what to do at this stage in your life? (I'm 22)

Well, that time period in my life is a bit unique. Jake and I started dating a week before I turned 22. I chose to stop worrying about my career and planning everything out, and instead chose to embrace the present and truly enjoy life. Jake had an insane touring schedule, and I had to make the tough decision to pursue a relationship with him or focus on my prior plans apart from him. So, I tossed my five year plan to the wayside and chose tour, traveling, uncertainty, and most importantly, love. I look back and I’m so glad that I chose what appeared to be the “irresponsible” path at the time.

My only advice for you is to enjoy life right now. You’re 22 years old. You’re in your prime! It’s okay to not have everything figured out, despite what society and our relatives tell us. The worst thing you could do is rush into something and be unhappy. So after you graduate, just relax, enjoy your summer, and really think about what you want to do. Life is short and time is always going to be against us, so just make sure whatever direction you head in is towards a place you want to be. x

whytheemptinessinoursouls asked: I'm not here to ask you anything but to give you an blessing! I want to say that you're so grateful with life that you have so much of hope in yourself. One main advice to keep marriage strong? Also, how did you and Jake meet? I always wanted to know! May God bless you! <3

Aw, thanks babe. Jake and I met through mutual friends. Marital advice could keep me here all night but nearly all of it boils down to this: communication. Despite popular belief, communication is not just this tendency women have, and if it is, it’s because we’re really smart :) But really, it’s the key to any relationship, romantic or platonic. x

Anonymous asked: You're someone I look up to and I just wanted to say thank you for existing and for being such a wonderful lady. :) You and Jake are the absolute cutest and I hope all the love and best for you both. Stay sweet, cuppycake! <3

Cuppycake! Love that! Thank you. I appreciate these sort of messages more than you could imagine. x

Anonymous asked: gay marriage seems to be a huge topic as of late. though I disagree with it, I refuse to make it my idol. I will not support it, but I will not obsess over we. we are supposed to make neighbors and this distraction and disagreement sin has placed in our paths is making enemies for years to come. comments?

I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking. As far as comments, I have none in regards to politics. I make every effort to avoid that mess. I try wholeheartedly to love everyone as Jesus would, and I could care less about our differences. In doing so, I’d like to think I’m exemplifying Christ in his true nature. There will always be laws and politics and opinions, and all of that is subject to change. But for me, Christ’s character and his teachings are perpetual.

Best,
Kris

Anonymous asked: Hello, I've been looking at your site and found Heart Support on here. Did you and Jake create it? I found Jake's testimony one day, then found out about Heart Support. I think it's a truly amazing organization and it makes me really enthusiastic about our Lord and Savior. I stand behind it all the way. Thank you, have a wonderful day!

We didn’t establish this non-profit, but we took over leading it in May 2011 and merged our original organization with Heart Support. So glad to hear you enjoy it! Thank you!

deliv3rer asked: Hey there Kris I don't expect you to reply so I'll make this short. I would just be overjoyed if you knew that I look up to you and Jake as inspiration for me to go out and live each day to the fullest under the word of god. I've been a born again christian for the last 3 years now and the past 6 months have especially been a challenge of my faith. I then stumbled across videos on youtube of Jake and right then and there I had a revelation. God led me right to what I needed to hear. Stay Blessed

Hey!

Thank you! Living life to the fullest is very important. I’m so glad that we could be a positive influence in your life’s ventures. Thank you again for the kind words.

Best,
Kris

Anonymous asked: I just wanted to say congratulations on finding a great guy. It's good to see that two kind-hearted, genuinely great people can still find love and friendship together in this world. I'm a bit of a cynic. I don't really find much hope in a lot of the world. It isn't the best way to be, but it's just the way I am. Anyways, you guys give me hope that I can eventually grow out of my cynicism, see the good that's left in the world and find someone that isn't a terrible person. Thanks for that hope!

Dude, I’m the biggest cynic in the world. It requires a daily effort and a conscious decision to choose to see the good in things. It’s something I’m still working on, and while I do think cynicism can be beneficial and protect you from naivety, too much of it just makes you miserable. Thank you for the kind words! x

Anonymous asked: What do u think of sex before marriage (more like engaged-to-be-married)?

I think sex can really muddle any situation. I’m not in the business of telling anyone how to live their lives, but I definitely think sex is infinitely more complicated than society believes it to be. Whether we acknowledge it or not, sex attaches us to someone and we develop a sort of dependency on that person — emotionally, mentally, spiritually, etc. If you’re having sex with someone that you don’t plan on spending your life with, it’s kind of inevitable that you’ll end up hurting. It hinders our ability to see situations clearly, particularly if it’s a relationship we should no longer be involved in. So I think it’s really important to be certain of the relationship/person that you’re committing to, as well as understanding the consequences of premarital sex in a relationship that could potentially end.

hardcore-historical asked: I think you both are very inspirational and I want to thank you for the support you give so many people, not to mention what the music alone can do!

Thank you very much! We really appreciate that. x

breanna-lynn asked: Tell us about how you got into writing and when you began playing piano? I love both of these, too. :)

Hi! Those are two crafts that I learned at a very young age that just stuck with me. I started playing piano at three years old, took lessons for about ten years, and it’s something I enjoy to this day. As far as writing…that’s a bit different. As soon as I learned to write, I developed a passion for it and I haven’t stopped since. The difference between the two is that writing came effortlessly and is closest to my heart. I see it as a mandatory activity in my daily life, and I’m not sure what my identity would be without it. As much as I enjoy piano, I could live without it. I couldn’t say the same about writing. x