A word from Jake: God is. -- Thank you for being a part of our lives -- A word from Sydney: One thing I have learned in all my grace-filled 25 years of life is that God's plan will always prevail. Meeting Jake, and now becoming his wife, is a turn of events I never would have imagined, but isn't that so God? He truly does exceedingly above all you could ask, think, or imagine. I pray that my life is living proof of that. I know that you may be wanting to hear the full scoop on how we met and how our love story came to be, but the truth is, it was God alone. This was all His doing. Neither of us can take credit for it, but I'm just thankful we both obeyed the leading of His Spirit. One day we may share our full testimony in video format, because it is much too long to write here, so instead I want to encourage those of you who are waiting on your person. #1: You can't give or receive true love outside of Christ. God is love. If you have not accepted His love or live your life from the abundance of His love, how can you truly love someone else? And how can they love you right if the same goes for them? You may find happiness, comfort, and someone to experience life with, but all of those things are temporary. Love is not a feeling, it is a choice; and loving an imperfect person, as an imperfect person, is very humbling. Learn to love God's way and be loved by Him before you try loving someone else. If you don't have a standard of love, you will accept anything. Your person should remind you of how God loves you: unconditionally, fervently, passionately, honestly, without grudge, with patience and endurance, with their whole being. #2: Let go of your idols. Many people make up in their head the person they want, what they MUST look like, the car they'll drive, the income they'll have, but don't consider what really matters: their heart & God's will. God is a GOOD God and He wants the best for you! Unfortunately though sometimes we get in the way of Him bringing the best for us because we want to hang on to what is comfortable and what we are used to. People often settle rather than wait on God because they think their time will never come. I encourage you to wait and trust God. If you are afraid of letting go of relationships, mindsets, lifestyle choices, or your "perfect plan" understand that your fear is hindering you from greater things. God would never tell you to let go of something if He didn't have better plans for you. You can trust Him. Don't idolize marriage, a man, or a woman. Seek Him first and His righteousness and ALL things will be added unto you. I wasn't seeking marriage, let alone a new relationship, yet God blessed me with a love I never knew could exist as one of the many rewards and blessings of seeking and abiding in Him. #3 Your marriage is an assignment and a covenant before God. Marriage is not just for fun or to have someone to keep you warm at night and smell your stinky breath in the morning. God puts two people together for a Kingdom assignment on earth. Your person is your destiny helper. Don't come into a relationship or marriage with no vision. You don't need to have a 10-year plan or have a rigid outline of your relationship, all you need is to make Christ your foundation and you both will build on that together by following His word and His Spirit. Leave room for God to be God, and let Him give you vision. I pray that by God's grace He will bring you your spouse and that our love demonstrates God's divinity and goodness, but above all things, I pray that you find true Love: Jesus Christ. Amen.