Tuesday, December 8, 2015

leaps and bounds


(this post was written in separate sections at different points of different days, at times when I felt overwhelmed by the works of Christ)

before leaving for school this fall, it was made apparent to me that finding a community in which I could freely worship and commune with other believers was important. it hasn't been until recently that I've realized how truly important that is.

attending biweekly bible study has been one of the greatest blessings for me this year. listening to senior's testimonies, they all said the same thing - that our faith will grow leaps and bounds by being at a place where Christians are the minority. after just 3 months, I can validate that that statement is completely true. it's a really encouraging environment where we're all in the same boat - we've chosen to give up our quiet hour to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord and we look forward to the truths his word offers.

I've found myself more excited to read the word of God, but also more encouraged. I'm delving into books of the Bible that I've never thought of studying (Job, 1 Corinthians), and also rereading my favorites (Ephesians!). I want to be so rooted in Christ that I can answer people's questions with scripture at my side. I'm excited to talk about my faith with others, whether that's sisters in Christ on campus with me, friends back home, or simply fellow students of mine while we're sitting in class.

I've reached a point in my faith where I'm not tired after reading a chapter of scripture, but rather I'm feeling invigorated. I would love to stay up until the wee hours of the morning, see what what God has to say, but have to remind myself that that isn't always possible, being a junior in high school. I'm excited and can't explain how wonderful this chapter of my life is.

I cannot wait to share with you some of the jaw-dropping things I've learned, and my most recent reads - and I'd love to chat with you about influential books you've read/been reading!

in Christ,  

Monday, November 30, 2015

#FallSyllabus // Warby Parker



Fall is probably my favorite time of the year, especially now that I live somewhere where the leaves change colors and the weather is cool enough to where I can actually wear riding boots and leggings and not feel completely wrong! I’ve loved getting to explore  new places, which gives me an excuse to leave my dorm room and get dressed up - but also explore new styles! Seeing Warby Parker’s collection of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses makes me wish that I needed glasses myself, especially with the recent addition of some new collections that scream fall. They have done such a great job this season curating a unique collection of eyewear that captures autumnal colors and an intriguing classy look. 
Even though temperatures are already showing signs of winter, these fun "bucket list" items can carry you through any cold month!
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Chamberlain in Whiskey Tortoise // Find in Violet Magnolia // Batten in Polished Gold (similar) 
Thanks to Warby Parker for giving me the opportunity to collaborate with them on this post!

in Christ,

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

currently in november

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reading … “The Walled City” by Charleston author and SOA alumna Ryan Graudin. it’s a much easier read compared to the few books I’ve picked up this year in hopes of getting a headstart on that AP Literature reading list.
watching … lots of YouTube to procrastinate doing homework during the week! but on the weekends, I love to catch up on season 5 of downton abbey (season 6 is coming out in less than 2 months!) or watching the blacklist.  
trying … to survive until thanksgiving break and not collapse under stress
cooking … leftovers because the cafeteria food here is getting worse and worse
eating … leftovers :)  
drinking … peppermint mocha from starbucks, please! if I don’t have time to get off campus, I love brewing a cup of the tazo classic chai tea.
calling … home. I haven’t been home since mid-october and I can’t wait to be back for thanksgiving.
texting … friends from home and congratulating them on their acceptance into all-state chorus! can’t forget that I’ve been texting mom and dad a lot, too!
pinning … all things christmas. I finally had time to get back onto pinterest this weekend and I loved scrolling back through and seeing the fun fall/winter things my favorite bloggers have been pinning
tweeting … about this fun giveaway I’m hosting until sunday! also about how much i miss home and great verses I’ve been reading from Job
going … downtown whenever possible. things get pretty crazy here during the week, and I definitely am one to get stir crazy, so whenever I get the chance and find someone who is willing to go and grab a cup of coffee with me downtown, I don’t say no.
loving … my bible study gals - so thankful for everything they’ve taught me!
hating … being homesick on and off during the week. definitely ruins my positivity some days!
discovering … how important it is to spend time in God’s word, and how it impacts my day in an uplifting way!
thinking … about home. (definitely a common theme in this post!)
feeling … empowered because I’ve been finding more time to delve into the Bible. currently reading Job!
hoping (for) … safety in Paris.
listening (to) … my “musical levite” playlist and I’m starting to throw some christmas music in there too!
celebrating … thanksgiving, which means I go home in less than a week!
smelling … fresh fall air. I’ve loved having my window open these past few weeks!
ordering … a few new pieces from Gap and Old Navy that weren’t navy!
thanking God … for placing me in a place where my faith has been able to grow leaps and bounds, and for allowing me to find a community where I’m happy and feel comforted.  
considering … the future. seeing all my senior friends get into college makes me excited for them, but I keep reminding myself that that will be me next year! ah!
starting … the book of Job and 1 Corinthians
finishing … a blog post with Warby Parker! can’t wait for you all to see it - stay tuned!

in Christ,
blog post idea ℅ Brave Love Blog

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

may books + giveaway!

I’m such a nerd when it comes to picking out agendas for the school year. I can’t imagine going through my day without having an agenda in my bag, so making sure that I find the perfect agenda that fits all my needs is essential. in the past, I’ve always had large agendas because I worry that I’ll run out of space in a day; however, I found out this past year that sometimes smaller is better!


may books offers hundreds of options that allows you to create the perfect notebook for your every need. every detail of the notebook you choose can be completely customized, which means that you won’t be dismayed when you receive it in the mail. the website is also super easy to navigate, which makes designing the perfect book super easy.
my agenda is definitely filled by the end of the week, but I love being able to add in to-do lists for each week that gives me a little more space to write things out.

and now I want to offer YOU the chance of receiving your own! just follow these rules :

follow @/sydhuss on Instagram
follow Sydney Huss on Bloglovin’
tweet about the giveaway and make sure to tag me! (@/sydhuss)
comment when you've entered and tell me what your favorite agenda is!


the giveaway will end in 10 days! good luck!!

in Christ,

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

the things they carried

in my AP English Language class, we read Tim O’Brien’s short story, “The Things They Carried” and were given the creative assignment to write a letter talking of something we carry. and here’s what came of it.



I carry faith, Christianity. I could have chosen not to carry this my entire life, even though it was something that has been in my life since the beginning. You and Dad taught me and Nick from a very young age that God loves us and that Jesus died on the cross to pay for the price of our sins. But as a young teen and now young adult, it’s become more of my decision to continue carrying Christianity, especially since I’m not under your roof and following the daily instructions you give me. It’s now my choice to attend bible study and church on the weekly, and I have to discipline myself to spend time with my heavenly father in the midst of all the stress and chaos. With all this being said, it’s something I would never want to put down. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t have a strong faith in Christ. You and Dad set such a good example for me, as well as the adults you chose to be a part of my life. I want to be a strong Christian like you for the rest of my days. And going to a school where Christians are seen more of a minority than they are a majority, like I like to think we were back home, I am more frequently tested in my beliefs by my peers. I have the power of Christ in my heart and I want to tell others about that, rather than sacrificing that relationship because of the situation I’m in. Christianity carries a heavy weight because of the price Jesus paid for our sins. It isn’t something to be taken lightly, as the price of my sins was a heavy price to pay. The heavy weight doesn’t discourage me from Christianity because it was that price on the cross and my acceptance of Jesus as my Lord that will allow me to spend eternity in heaven without any pain or sin. And because of that, my faith is something that demands a lot of me. I have to be willing to put in the time to continue fostering a relationship with God and I have to make time to worship in some community of believers, whether that’s on or off campus. I need to stay focused and energized when I’m reading the word, and be willing to stand up for what I believe in in any circumstance. That’s what I find most demanding as a believer. Having to find that courage is really difficult for me. And even though there’s all these ups and downs, it’s something I can’t see my life without. I wouldn’t be who I am. I wouldn’t feel relief and weighed down because of my sins, because I know that Christ came and died for me and rose again on the third day to forgive all my sins. I get to spend eternity in heaven with my Lord and Savior and that means so much to me.

in Christ,
Sydney



Thursday, October 8, 2015

madeline and company

after starting my junior year of high school, I was in desperate need of a new backpack. i’ve been using my north face backpack for 3 years now and it got to the point where it couldn’t hold everything I needed for the entire school day.
after first finding out about Madeline and Company backpacks on instagram and then finding out more about Madeline and how exactly her backpacks were unique compared to the others on the market, I knew I needed to look into them. quite a few of my blogger friends had purchased their own and loved being able to use a cute and functional backpack, so I knew my opinion wouldn’t differ!

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the best part about this backpack has to be the amount of space. on a daily basis, I am able to put 2 3-subject notebooks, 1 5-subject notebooks, 3-4 folders, 1 1-inch binder, my Maybooks agenda, 2 novels, my waterbottle, calculator, iPad, and on some days even a textbook. the laptop sleeve is perfect for slipping whatever large tech device you may be carrying on a daily basis, or just to put another notebook or textbook.
as versatile as it is, the backpack is also super cute with its solid color + gold and fun colored stripe. and I can’t forget to mention the inspirational phrases that are stitched into every backpack - they add a cute personal touch to each order! it also stands up all on its own, so you don’t have to worry about leaning your backpack against something so that all of its contents don’t fall across the classroom fall.

it was so much fun to work with Madeline and I am so glad I made the investment into one of her backpacks. I can’t wait to keep up with her company and see what the future holds!

in Christ,

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

encouragements

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because of where we’re at in time, we can find inspiration and encouragement wherever we look. our pinterest and instagram can be filled with uplifting quotes and scriptures to brighten our day; but, there are lots of times where I realize I’d love to hear the encouragement in my ear, from a close friend or just an acquaintance.
inspired by a previous instagram post from whitney english, I’ve compiled a list of short sentences that I love hearing, and therefore I’d love to pass along to someone else.

things I love hearing, therefore things I want to say …

i love you.
God is with you.
you make me laugh.
i’m praying for you.
you’re in my thoughts.
you’re doing great.
i miss you.
i’m lucky to know you.
you make me happy.
i can understand.
your personality lights up a room.
you're a strong leader.
you set a good example for others.
i can confide in you.
you’re a blessing.
you make me smile.
you fill my life with joy.
you’re talented.
great job!
you’re special to me.
stay strong.
you’re glowing.
you have a beautiful heart.
you’re an inspiration to me.
God shines through you.

in Christ,


Thursday, October 1, 2015

move in day

written on august 14, 9:30pm

in 24 hours, I won’t be getting ready for bed, in my own room, with my pajamas nicely folded in my drawers or my outfit hanging in my closet for the next day.
tomorrow, I will be sleeping in my new “home”, at the Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities, three and a half hours from home.
so much is changing.

I’m leaving all that I know, the people I’m most comfortable with, my family who I know loves me to an incomprehensible extent - and while I know that home will always be a safe place to land, it isn’t as easy to just jump into bed after a hard day and have my mom come and comfort me with her hands, rubbing through my hair, offering her words of comfort. I have been blessed with a handful of friends that fully support me - who wish me the absolute best as I take on this next chapter of my life.

it’s a huge - I’m leaving my house 2 years before my parents were ever expecting, pursuing singing, something I love, while taking the opportunity of a lifetime to study my academics at a school that is just as advanced in the arts. I am living out God’s plan for my life, and by doing so I’m taking a major step.

I’m so excited. while this weekend will be bittersweet while also exhilarating, I’m encouraged by the plan that I know God has for me. and I pray that you’ll find that road as well.




Tuesday, September 29, 2015

be the best version of you

Anna asked me to be a contributor for her sister's inspiring blog, A Real Girl, and I couldn't pass up the offer! make sure to go and show the post some love, and don't forget to bookmark the blog!

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hello sweet, intelligent, brave girls!

my name is Sydney and I am the blogger behind Sydney Huss. my blog has a focus on inspiration, lifestyle, faith, and also just a place for myself to release stress and just write. as for myself, I’m a rising high school junior with a passion for singing, reading, and just being with my close friends and family. this fall I am starting my first year at a residential high school about three hours away from my beautiful home in Charleston, SC. I am thoroughly looking forward to this opportunity, and hope you’ll follow me on this journey through my blog!


growing up as girls in the 21st century, we are constantly and primarily pressured by media sources and other girls to become a better version of ourselves; whether that is by wearing more makeup, buying shorter and more provocative clothing to become “more appealing” to boys, or just by lowering our personal standards for ourselves. we are pressured to be a certain size and a certain weight while also keeping our lives together and our grades perfect and have our future entirely planned out … when in reality, can any of us really do that? do we have that power?in no way are we able to do that.

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can you realistically imagine life without peer-pressure and without media sources telling you how to shape your life? in this day in age, the majority of us find ourselves on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Facebook quite frequently. how many times have you scrolled through whichever feed and wished that your hair looked like that girls, or you wished you had that girls grades, or that girls body, or her height, or have the ability to go on the amazing European vacation she just went on with her family? (those envious wishes are endless!) I know I’ve been there. I can hardly go a day without feeling jealous or having the #FOMO (fear of missing out).
this past spring, I decided to give up all forms of social media for Lent. (Lent is a season in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter, in which you give up something, or take something on, in hopes of drawing nearer to Christ and strengthening that relationship.) I deleted all those platforms that I would frequently click into when I didn’t want to do homework, when I was bored, right before bed (or right when I woke up!) and decided to put my energy and time into something more meaningful. for me, it was focusing on a bible study with my best friend, Claire, and also putting more energy into my schoolwork and grades as Lenten Season happened to fall at a very busy and stressful time school wise. and after those 40 days, as much as I missed being able to scroll through Instagram, I didn’t miss the pressure I felt from my time spent there.

I encourage you to spend 24 hours, a weekend, a week, whatever period of time you feel comfortable with, away from social media. get outdoors, put your energy into what you love. I can almost promise you that you’ll feel more motivated to be a true representation of yourself and who your creator intended for you to be.

be the best version of yourself.

in Christ,

Sydney

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

jump around // university of wisconsin madison

check out this article (among many other great ones) on Undeniable Report! If you're a blogger looking for an uplifting and inspirational community, definitely look into becoming a part of the amazing group.

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Summer is all about college visits for any student in high school, whether you’re a freshman trying to get a head start or a senior wrapping the last few things up!
While in Wisconsin, I had the pleasure of visiting my dad’s alma mater, UW Madison (go badgers!) and I really enjoyed experiencing my first college tour. My mom set up two tours for my brother and I (keep reading!) and even though there weren’t as many students on the campus, I definitely still got that college feel.

what : University of Wisconsin - Madison
four year, large, public, state university
where : Madison, Wisconsin
urban
cost : $25,000 in state // $45,000 out of state
size : 6,000 per class, 29,000 undergraduate students

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When touring colleges, if you get the opportunity to go on both a campus and dorm/residential life tour, definitely take both. By doing that, you’ll get a lot more information about the dorms themselves and what kind of amenities the college offers on a more extensive level.
UW Madison offers two options when it comes to dorm living - you can choose from Lakeshore, a very suburban feel with lots of greenery and lake views, or Southeast, which is for those students looking for a very urban feel right in the heart of Madison. Whichever you choose, you’re equidistant from the center of campus, so you don’t have to sacrifice the lake views you may desire for a quicker walk to class! Both Lakeshore and Southside dorms offer the same basic necessities when it comes to each room - loftable beds, dresser, desk and chair, bedside table, bookcase/hutch, and even a refrigerator. The residence halls are always getting maintenance done as needed, and so you don’t have to worry about getting the “nicest” residence hall!
One of my favorite things that UW Madison offers is something called “learning communities”. Specific residence halls offer unique seminars and classes to students interested in similar subjects or majors. I was really interested in the “Women in Science and Engineering”, since I’m looking at studying nursing!

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As far as the actual university goes, there are 21 different schools/colleges to choose from within the university itself - you’re bound to find the perfect major that suits you. One of the most comforting things I learned during the tour is that whatever combination of major(s)/certificates (equivalent to a minor) you desire, the staff there will work hard to make that dream of yours work out so that you will have the most rewarding experience possible.
If you’re looking for that college football experience, UW Madison is a Big10 school with a generous handful of athletic events you can choose to attend. From experience, Badger Athletics are a blast, (jump around!) and you’ll always find students cheering on their peers.
If you’re concerned about getting work done amidst this amazing campus, don’t worry. There are over 30 libraries to choose from - you’ll definitely find a quiet place to study with whatever book you might need. Learning communities (mentioned above) can definitely be helpful when it comes to studying as well, and professor's open office hours are always beneficial.

what colleges have you toured so far? what has been your favorite?
in Christ, 

Thursday, September 3, 2015

these are a few of my favorite things

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I love making lists - I almost always staple a list to my agenda each week so that I always have one with me to mark things off that I can’t forget, I love making packing lists and lists of things to ask people … the options are endless. for the next few posts, I’ve done a lot of list making, which is right up my alley so I’ve loved writing these.
inspired by one of my favorite youtubers, katy bellotte, these are ...

10 things that make me happy :

Jesus // when I get to sit down and just be with God in my quiet space, I am so filled with joy that I just want to dance around sometimes! what about eternal and everlasting love isn’t to love?
new books // when I get to open a new book and I’m the first one to “break” the spine, realizing that I’m the first one to read that copy of the book, it makes me that much more excited to dive into the story.
singing // I love singing in a group of dedicated singers, as well as just by myself. getting lost in the performance and at the end, hearing the applause (or if I’m in a lesson, some kind of constructive criticism) fills me with contentment and the want to continue improving and working.
clean sheets + made beds // I don’t make my bed as often as I should, but when it’s been a long day at school and I’ve finally finished my homework, being able to turn down the sheets before crawling in make me that much more excited to get to sleep and start the new day.
coffee // I’m a caffeine addict - I don’t like starting my day without a cup of coffee in my hand. while getting coffee at a fancy shop downtown is even better than a cup from a keurig, starting my day off with a burst of energy helps me believe that nothing can stand in my way.
the smell after a thunderstorm // walking outside after a summer storm and smelling that fresh and clean scent is something I wish I could bottle up and have as a fragrance on my bedside table.
kissing // when you get to share an intimate moment with someone you love and it’s filled with so much love, it’s a really special moment. and getting to experience that with someone you are really in love with makes the experience that much more special.
looking at old photographs // when I flip through old photographs, or change out the pictures in my frames, I am always filled with the memories that that photo contains and I love being able to reminisce about that time, even if it’s just for a few seconds. whether it’s remembering that great experience with someone, or just the friendship I share with them, it’s bound to put a smile on my face.
snail mail + writing // with being away at school, I’ve really enjoyed being able to sit down and write letters to friends and family at home, just for a change from texting and calling. I still get excited when I hear there’s mail for me - it’s like a mini present!
intellectual + insightful discussions // Adam (s/o to you! miss you tons!) has really taught me a lot when it comes to deep conversations, but the feeling of contentment I’m often filled with after one of those talks is really rewarding and I love knowing that I’ve learned something. it doesn’t matter if it’s over the phone, in person (my favorite), or through texting, I love getting lost in talks with great people that have something to teach me.

in Christ,

Thursday, August 27, 2015

summer link loving

can you believe that August is almost over?! this year has flown by - which is to be expected, as this year has been amazing and definitely one for the books.
throughout the summer, I spent a lot of my lazy mornings (or those mornings when I knew I needed to get out of bed for work but I didn’t want to start my day yet!) scrolling through blogs, twitter, and instagram, and I ended up finding some great articles and blog posts that I knew I needed to save! and so, instead of doing weekly link roundups like I know so many bloggers do, I’ve compiled all of my favorites from the summer into this one post! enjoy!

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blogs
so proud of my good friend’s little sister, who started her own blog this summer revolving around empowerment for girls! so glad I had the opportunity to be featured this month as well.

I’ve followed Brighton for a long time on Instagram and Bloglovin’, but I have fallen in love with the #beSTILLbeBRIGHT series she’s started. she’s candidly sharing her faith and it’s so inspiring.

mary peyton brown is killing it with her blog centered around her senior thesis. (read about what that entitles for her here). although I’m not a vegan, I love seeing her style and just her personality shine through! can’t wait to see what this next year brings for her blog.

articles
25 women give their best advice … who doesn’t want to hear what Mindy Kaling or Veronica Roth have to say about life?

this summer, I’ve made sure that I always have a book on hand to pick up when I’m in need of some time away from the many screens we often fill our days with … or if I’m just craving a book to get lost in. this blog post helped me to find some great books to add to my “to read” list and I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve been able to pick up! (especially The Art of Fielding!)

john green is always killing it, and this article is no exception. I found it interesting to hear about what it’s really like behind all of those TV interviews, and how Cara Delevingne likes to be different in her answers.

what a typical article that my dad sent me (he’s a home loan officer) … why a teenage bank teller has the best summer job.

etc.
I cannot wait for Kelsey and Kyle Kupecky to release their book this September (only days away!!). I love Karen Kingsbury’s books (Kelsey’s mom), so I know that this book will be no exception!!

speaking of reading … I was very intrigued to learn about how reading can change your health. I’m always in need of a valid excuse to pick up another book.

15 beautiful words that can’t be translated into the english language.

if I have any extra time in the near future, I'll definitely be making this DIY. (Dorothy has been KILLING it with her blog posts recently!!)

what links have you been loving lately?

in Christ,

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