Kristin - Honestly, it's really hard for me to even grasp that sense of popularity. The only times that you ever really sense that people know who we are is when we've gone into a town and we're at the venue or the arena where we're going to be. So really, at home, nobody ever knows who I am when I go to the grocery store. That's one thing that helps and it's a great thing. I mean, it is difficult when people are screaming because that's something that never quite sits well with me. I know that ultimately God is the only one who really needs that praise or adoration. So when we go in to do a signing or something and people are screaming, I don't want that for myself and I know that God doesn't want that either. So I think knowing that God has a purpose for this and the only reason that I'm a part of it is because He has a plan for it keeps me humbled and in perspective. It's not about me, it's about God being able to use us as a group, as ZOEgirl and the potential for Him. We always try to have that attitude. It's in His hands and it's because of Him. So that paired with knowing that a lot of people still don't know who we are helps the balance.
Guide - I imagine it really is a blessing being able to be home and just be you. I can't even imagine a life being "on" 24/7.
Kristin - I can't either. Another thing, especially with all of the young girls, we just try to show them how normal we are. You don't have to scream for us. We try to show them that there is no need to elevate us at all. We do things like mission trips. We just got back from one about a month ago where we took about 60 people. It's really neat. When you first go on the trip, you can sense that people know that ZOEgirl is there and they're a little giggly and shy and things like that on the very first day. But then they realize that these girls are just like me. They even say, "You know, I don't even think of you as ZOEgirl anymore". It's neat to show them that we're not anything more than you.
Guide - Being on stage, with that rush of adrenaline that comes from when God really shows up, can make the wind-down time kind of difficult. How do you unwind after a show to get back to normal?
Kristin - It's true. There is a wind-down time, especially if there has been an opportunity to give an invitation and altar call and people responded because you're just so excited. It's a great feeling. Usually we'll do a meet and greet to get to meet people. And that is what usually starts to bring me back into reality. We present ourselves just as we are. Then after that I'll usually go back to the bus and put my pajamas on, wash my face and really thank God for all that He's done and the concert. Then I call my husband, and usually snack and those little normal things bring you all the way back.
Guide - When you're on the road does your husband ever get to come with you or does he have to stay home and work?
Kristin - (laughs) He has a normal job. But he comes out whenever he can. Usually on weekends he'll try to come out with us. The last tour we did he was able to come out twice for about three days and that was awesome. That's the most time he's been able to come out and spend with me. But he's always ready to go home. He's like "man, I don't know how you do this". Now for Chrissy, her husband is James Katina, and he's in the band The Katinas. So he's on his own schedule as well. It seems like we're always passing them. It seems like we're always getting into a city that they just left. The other day we were literally in the same airport and they had just flown out. It was crazy. It's hard for her because they're newlyweds. But the other thing is too, because he doesn't have a normal 9 to 5 schedule, when there is the time, he can pick up for a week and go with us, if they don't have shows. Right now she's in London with them. They find ways to make it work. Alisa is married as well and all three of us have really supportive of us. Alisa's husband is our drummer so they're together all of the time.
Guide - Now how does that work, with them being married and working together?
Kristin - It works great for them. I've seen it. They've been married for about a year now and she just loves it. I think he does too. They have a very professional relationship as far as him being our drummer. It's nice to see that.
