That's the Story of Love(:

    To begin this blog entry I would like to start out by saying that this summer has been amazing((: And it's so far from being over! I still have a lot to do((; I'm attending a dance intensive, going to Florida, and going on a retreat with my youth group. Needless to say..this Summer is about to get pretty hectic but, for all the right reasons((:
    So, next subject. This last week I went to Summer camp! Say WOOT! lawls. But, it was for children with disabilities. They just go each year to feel normal and get loved on. Loving them was sooooo easy. I miss them all dearly and, haven't even been away from them for 24 hours. They each touched a different part of my heart. I honestly didn't know what to expect this week. I knew we'd be working a lot but, I didn't expect the amount of work that was given. Which was so worth it anyways((;  I met my campers who had so much enthusiasm just radiating from their heart. It was soo humbling to not have electronics for a week and, just love on others that don't often get love from the world.
       On to what God taught me in this week. God chose to expose Himself to me a different way than He has in the past. Instead of speaking to me directly, He spoke through other people. He pretty much told me not to look to man for what He desires most to give me. Which is attention, approval, and just overall love. It's so nice to know that my best friend and Creator wants to love me. Someone who created the ENTIRE universe wants to know one little person. One little ant on the retrospect of life. It just makes me feel like He picked me out. He saw me. I know the Bible talks about that but, you never really grasp it until he brings you through a hard life lesson to see it. Ok, fellow blog-viewers. I'm about to be really honest with you...I never thought of God as my best friend. In the past that is anyways. I always saw Him as more of a mentor who still loved me, but just like a counselor.Who listened to my problems,loved me, and tried to fix me. I don't really know what happened this week, but it just really clicked with me. He IS my best friend. And will ALWAYS be there for me, and ALWAYS love me. Just take a minute to grasp that.

                                                                                         Didja get it?
                  
    I hope you did, but if you didn't, pray some more((; You'll get it.

Well,I will probably blog again soon,but until then
keep dancing and loving((:
                                                                                                               With all my love,

                                                                                                                                Sydney.D

Hosea 2:8-18

     So, it's been a while sense I've used this blog. But I figure now is as good a time as any. And I know what some of you are thinking. What in the world is this girl doing up at 3:00am?? Well tomorrow I have a track event, and it's out of town and my intent was to pack. But, I guess you could say I'm quite the procrastinator. That's just one of my many flaws((: L awls.
    So, lately i've been really struggling with consistently journaling. And the Enemy often speaks death to me when i've been away from my journal/quiet time. So I've just, recently, been consumed with thoughts of fear and guilt. And lately i've noticed it more. So every time I catch myself in one of those situations I pray right there on the spot. If it's in a gas-station,my house, a park on a Saturday,etc. Just the most random places. And when I pray I can hear God say "This is not of Me." As to say this fear and this guilt are not from me. They do not speak life into your life. And living in this world where the TRUE meaning of life has been forgotten, fear is easily attained if you don't read your Bible. Let me tell you that! L awls. Like with all this talk of the "END OF THE WORLD" junk it can kinda freak a person out. But every time I become afraid I pray. Corney,maybe to some. But, it helps me. Two main things that help me overcome this fear is as follows;
                              1. Blast worship music on my iPod.
                               2. My mom always tells me to think of the Bible verse that says
                                    "No man knows when the end is. Not even the Son knows."
   That makes me think of God's amazing love, for sure. And, to add to the list, another thing that helps me is being around my AMAZING group of Christian friends. Sometimes even when I don't want to do anything or be with anyone, they brighten my day. I can't even describe it. It's like when you eat a orange. It's just so fresh, citrusy, and refreshing.

          The verses that I've been recently become mesmerized by are Hosea 2:8-18. If you haven't read them go read it!(I prefer the NLT translation, but that's just me.) I was brought across these verses a couple of months ago, but the great thing about the Bible is that when you read something then read it again it takes a whole new meaning. These few verses just seem like that fresh orange every time I read them((: I can't even explain how all of the things being said relate to my life. It's like talking about Gods love for unfaithful Israel. Because she has pretty much taken all of the things the Lord has given her and given them to other lovers. But, he takes all of her "lovers" and jewels and things He gave her away. And takes her into the desert and shows her, He gave everything to her. Not others. The most powerful verse to me right now is verse 10.
 "I will strip her naked in public, while all her lovers look on. No one will be able to rescue her from my hands."
   That verse. I feel like God is saying to me,Sydney, "This time may be difficult, but maybe you're handling it the wrong way. I know you don't want to, but let me show you how to do it. Even if you don't want to, I'm going to show you. And you will benefit because this is the marvelous plan I have for you."
  I know,right?! How could one little verse say so much to me? I have no idea. But, I have no doubt what so ever, it was the Lord((: That in in of itself reminds me of His unfailing love. Remarkable beyond all words.

 So on a final note I would like to leave you with a verse.
       Lamentations 3:22-23
             "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness.
                                        His mercies are new every morning."

                                                                                                                  Love,
                                                                                                                        Sydney <3

Unfailing Love For Such A Broken World.

Man, we are such sinners. I am such a sinner. And yet He loves me. Even after everything wrong we have done...He still loves us. I just can't comprehend why He loves us. It's like I can't grasp it.I have a hard time understanding that even though we are so broken,tainted,and evil He still loves us. People say they think it's amazing my solo is all Christian songs. And I just ask why? And they say
"Because most people would be afraid to take such a bold step."

Why would anyone be afraid? He is always with me. Living in fear is not His plan for our lives.We all have such a short time on this planet, and the only reason we are here is to glorify His name.
My friend's mother just reccently found out she had stage four cancer. This is one of my very close friends. I was mortified. But, this can't be the end. There's got to be something we can do for her. I've been praying for her non-stop.I thought about starting a 5k walk. But, maybe I could simply raise money for her.Ask for donations. Or maybe sell clothes.I don't know, but there's got to be something to do to help out there family. If you glance by this blog please send me ideas for fundraising.It would be gratiously appreciated.

I just still comprehend God's love...it takes my breath away everytime I think about it.
His love is unfailing.
That's all I need((:

                                                                          With All the Love A Dancer Can Bestow,                                                                                             Sydney :D

Jeremiah 29:11(:

Sooo...just had my first competition and needless to say I bombed my solo. I got a gold. A nasty gold. Well tomorrow I leave for Adrenaline and I'm hoping my solo will go a lot better. Like God obviously gave me this solo for a reason. A Christian choreographer, a Christian song. Like that NEVER happens when you request an outside choreographer. Like one and a million! Soo thankful. But, I've been practicing day and night for my solo. And praying about it. God says He will bless the work of your hands and feet. So that's encouraging. One quote that has been ringing through my mind is
   "Many of life's failures are people who didn't realize how close to success they were."-Thomas Edison

Really encouraging. I hope Edison knew what he was talking about.(: So I'm having a positive attitude about it. Because this is all such a character building experience. God what are You doing in my life? Something big?
I thought so(:

God has already done so much in me just this year! It's amazing. Like when I look back at myself and how I used to act I was a COMPLETELY different person. Now so many opportunities are opening them up to me. Like I have been offered a job at not one but 3 places! And at such a young age! Plus I might be going to India next summer! Ohh yeaahhh. Just so blessed.

On a final note..
GET OUTTA YO MIND!!!!

                                                                      With all the love a dancer can bestow,
                                                                                         Sydney(:

                                                                                               Peaaacccceeeee