So thankful for all the memories all the smiles and all the laughter❤️For those that knew Sydney I’m sure they remember her smiling and for those who didn’t..Here’s my smiling Sydney!
I was completely satisfied with just being there..but God had so much more in store for me
When I initially got tickets to Spirit Fest 2015 I was just exited to be able to go and be a part of it..as the months passed and I checked the entertainer lineup it just kept getting better and better..All my favorites..and one that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Anyone who was at Sydney’s service knows that the last song she heard was By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North..I can’t help but think of her and feel her presence anytime I hear the song. It was such a blessing to know they would be a part of spirit fest and I would get to see them perform again..At this point I’m more than satisfied, its more than I would have even asked for..but I had no idea the special moments God would have in store for me that night..I never attend an event without I think you’re beautiful cards, or a couple of books. I’ve usually already thought and planned to who or where I’m going to give share the books, but for some reason I brought them but didn’t really plan on giving them out.. Then I saw on the program they had set up autograph sessions with some of the bands and one was Tenth Avenue North..As I made arrangements to be there for the autograph session I kept thinking I would give them a copy of her book..we decided to see if they would autograph the cover of one of my extra books..I don’t usually get all shaky and nervous, but I guess even though I was filled with joy and happiness at the opportunity God was giving me, my emotions were unavoidable..As I stepped up to Mike (the singer) I was able to take a moment and tell him a little bit of Sydney’s story and told him why I was giving him a copy of her book..I asked if he would take a picture with her book and of course he didn’t hesitate, and then just a few hours later I’m standing right in front of the stage..watching an amazing performance and I get a tweet telling me I’ve won a special prize..I wasn’t able to leave where I was without losing my place so my friend Missy asked them if they would hold it until Tenth Avenue North finished..after the performance my mom and I headed to see what I won..I’m still thinking its a t shirt or a photo or something…so when I walked up to find that I had won an autographed guitar I was more than overwhelmed..I was basically speechless..The guitar was autographed by all the artist who performed at Spirit Fest 2015..that would be Third Day, David Crowder, Matthew West, Matt Maher, Tenth Avenue North, Sidewalk Prophets, Francesca Battistelli, Danny Gokey, Mr Talkbox, Dan Bremnes, Jon Guerra, and I think a few more..What an amazing gift and blessing..God truly had his hands on me and my life..A special thank you Spirit Fest and Mike from Tenth Avenue North for becoming a part of her legacy
A little bit of the story behind the card…I think you’re beautiful <3 Sydney :D
If you’ve received one of Sydney’s cards I hope you feel the love of an angel surrounding you and I hope you know that you are beautiful ❤ Your card is our way of keeping Sydney’s memory and love alive..we hope that you consider sending the card with a pay it forward or sharing it with someone you know who may need to be reminded that no matter how they feel they are beautiful not only to others but to God who has made us in his own image. If you would like to share your story of why you shared your card or how it felt to receive the card feel free to leave a comment for others to read.
On the 2 yr anniversary of Sydney accident I was blessed with an amazing gift. Jill Presnal and I had become friends over the last two years and on many occasions she’d listened to me talk about Sydney and the way she “loved” not just me but everyone around her.
I asked Jill to share the story of why she made the cards:
I always loved seeing Sydney’s sweet notes on your Facebook and twitter feed- a bright spot in my day. The handwritten one on the post it was my favorite and I saved it to my phone. Maybe because I am a boy mom and don’t get little love notes hidden away is why it really touched me. The sweetness and simpleness of a little love note to make someone smile and feel loved. I would come across it when looking for a picture and it would always make me smile. I love the simpleness of it- her own handwriting on a little yellow post it note, tucked away in your bible for you to find. The simpleness of it but with a HUGE impact.
She thought ahead and wanted to make you smile, feel loved, know that you are beautiful. And she did this not just for her mom, but for so many. Bible verses, Instragram posts, kind notes giving others support and love and comfort.
In our world it is rare to come across someone so giving and kind that lifts others up. I thought- wouldn’t it be nice to get a sweet love note like that from someone? A surprise, tucked away in your purse, or book, or even for a stranger- on their windshield. So that is where the idea started- spread Sydney’s love and kindness all around. In a world where there is so much sadness, anger, pain- we all need love and kindness. What a perfect way to brighten someone’s day or surprise a friend or stranger. I have one on my visor by a very special picture and whenever I flip it down and see the photo with Sydney’s sweet words I smile. And I hope that is what everyone does when they get a Sydney love note, smile and feel loved.
The I think you’re beautiful card originated from a post it note Sydney left in my bible. She was always leaving what I would call “love” notes or encouraging notes for people to find. I believe God knew I would need some encouraging words from her so he had her leave it for me to find..after the accident I began using Sydney’s bible when I attended church or bible study because it made me feel close to her. So I didn’t end up finding this extremely cherished “love” note until several months after the accident.
It has been (by far) one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received because she has given me a way to continue “loving” people the way Sydney would have loved them if she were here.
Two more of Sydney’s “love” notes The first one was left for one of her soccer team mates and the last one she wrote on her Daddy’s grocery list. She was at the end of her Sophomore year of high school when she left these so those around her would know how much they meant to her. I challenge you..I challenge you to stop for a minute and let someone know how much you love them or that you think they rock your socks, or that they are beautiful
Spreading Sydney’s love at an Aggie soccer game
Jill Peterek Presnal added 2 new photos — with Sydney Lisa Jeter and 2 others.
October 9 at 10:13pm ·
You never know where a sweet note from Sydney will appear to brighten your day. Spread love and kindness. ❤.
What I used to love I now almost hate
Halloween used to provide so much excitement and happiness for our family. It was one of the holidays we looked forward to..I would have easily said I loved Halloween but now it provides so much pain and emptiness. The last two years we stayed home not really participating in the holiday so when Cameron wanted to join our friends and their family for Halloween I was excited and happy but as the days got closer the emptiness seemed to be continually moving in on me. I will say I fought hard and am very grateful that I got to see my son participate in Halloween for the first time since his sister’s accident. I will never feel the same about Halloween..it takes everything in me not to hate it. It is so hard to continue living for Cameron when I’m dying inside. I couldn’t have made it with out two of my amazing friends who are willing to let us be a part of their families celebration no matter how broken or how bad I’m hurting. Life doesn’t stop and you truly never realize how many holidays there are until they provide pain instead of joy. Thankful God has blessed us with amazing friends who aren’t scared of tears and are willing to love and include us no matter what..
Your greatest contribution to the kingdom may not be something you did but someone you raise
I read something the other day that I wanted to share..It was a statement that said “Your greatest contribution to the kingdom may not be something you do..but someone you raise.” when I read this I immediately thought of Sydney Lisa Jeter Many of you have heard me talk about Sydney’s writings we found after the accident. We made a scrapbook with them and displayed it on the year anniversary of the accident to share with those who came to support and love us. As people read through her writings many asked if there was a way to make a copy of the book to be able to share with others AND….with the help of my amazing sister in law Tanya and three friends Kristi, Cathy, and Marilyn WE DID IT. We made the book as inexpensive as possible, and if you catch the right sale you can get it for about 25 dollars. This book is filled with amazing wisdom and truth that Stacy and I believe will help anyone who choses to read it. She wanted to leave a legacy..In her OWN words she said she wanted to be known for her faith and devotion to God and always trusting him with her life.She wanted to be known as knowledable thoughtful and someone who gives good Godly advice..This is what she wanted her Legacy to be..and what a faithful God to work through her to end up fulfilling her hearts desire. When I think of Sydney’s legacy I will forever be reminded of Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who believed The Lord would fulfill his promises to her.
The Greatest Gifts
As time passes I’ve learned the greatest gifts are when someone is willing to have a conversation with me about Sydney..I still have a daughter I’m still her mom..she did more than teach me in her 16 years 9 months and 24 days..she continues to teach me things each and every day..I appreciate when someone takes the time to share their stories of Sydney..what she taught them..how her love affected them..changed them or inspired them..stories of random acts of kindness done in her memory..how her book touched someone’s life or spoke to them..God continues to bless us and show us that yes some walked away and chose to not live the life she wanted them to live..but she’s also touched ppl’s lives she never knew..For the longest time I fought so hard wanting those closest to her to be the ones to tell her story and share with others what God did in her life..I chased after people which only added to my pain instead of providing me hope and a reason to continue..God continued to stand beside me redirecting me time after time until I finally let go so I could receive the people who did want to be a part of her legacy..I finally learned the lesson he was teaching me..I don’t need to chase people..He will provide the opportunities to share her legacy just like he faithfully provided her legacy..His plan is not my plan, but when his plan gets carried out..it is far greater than my greatest dreams and it continually leaves me in awe of who he is..When I originally made her book I hoped to see pictures and hear stories of the journey her legacy made..I’ve only gotten a few of those stories but the few I have gotten have given me the encouragement to continue sharing her love for Gods truth with the world. It’s been bothering me that if a random person looks her up via the information from a card or her book on the Internet..they don’t find out who she was or the story behind the card or book instead they find out about the accident..I don’t want ppl to focus on the accident or that she’s gone but instead that she LIVED a life full of love and happiness. The kind of love and happiness that last beyond this world..So I’m currently working on a website for her so that when you search her you will find something more than news stories of the accident and it will become easier for me to share your stories..her story..her testimony..my testimony..and the lessons we learn as we walk through the remainder of my life without her..it’s an overwhelming task as I am not a computer person but with the help of my sweet friend I’m muddling through it hoping to have at least a shell up soon. I don’t want to waste a single opportunity to show others God’s love and truth!!
Yes!! Sydney’s site is being developed
This site is being developed so we may share the story behind the I think you’re beautiful card, stories of the happiness it brought people and the journey of Sydney book “A Legacy of a Lifetime”
Thank you for being a part of my sweet daughters memory
Carrying her with me..Taylor Swift Oct. 17 2015
In May of 2013 Taylor Swift came through Texas on tour. Sydney and I had talked and planned on going but I didn’t realize how early we needed to get tickets and by the time I went to get them they were outrageous..I decided to wait until her next tour so tickets would be a little cheaper..Sydney was disappointed but even though she was spoiled she never asked to be..I just spoiled her on my own so she easily accepted my promise and was excited about looking forward to the next tour..so almost 2 1/2 yrs later Taylor Swift is touring through Texas..I promised her we would go so there was no way I was going to miss it..I wrapped myself in the things that reminded me of her..I wore her favorite vest, her boots and was joined with one of her sweetest friend and “we” went to see Taylor Swift last night. I’m not gonna lie I missed her every second..no matter how hard I try I can’t fill the emptiness especially when it comes to something we had planned for so long to do together but at the same time I also felt her with me..She was dancing singing and laughing with Lindsey and I..It is often in my hardest moments that her spirit encourages and fills me the most..I’m positive she was determined to let me know she was with me❤ I wanted to say a special thank you to Lindsey Mitchell for walking beside me carrying my precious babies memory so honorably and living her life for God the way Sydney would want. This was a once in a life time moment and you helped me “live” it for Sydney. I hope you know I Thank God often for putting you in our lives because I know a blessing as special as you only comes from God.
Thoughts about Sydney’s mission statement
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Sydney’s mission statement. I’ve shared it before as it was in the flyer we handed out at her funeral. It is not necessarily the words that have been consuming my thoughts, but rather the actions she took after she wrote the words..You see what prompted her to write a mission statement in the first place is the book she was reading (Your Hearts Desire by Sheri Rose Shepherd) She didn’t just read the book and move on..she stopped prayed and thought deeply about her hearts desires, found a sticky note and put her hearts mission into words. For some reason my mind doesn’t let me stop here..why? I guess because she didn’t stop there..she didn’t write those words for others..she didn’t write it and post it..actually I found no post that she made referencing her mission statement. So then why did she write it? I keep thinking about that and as I’ve thought about it I’ve learned as much from wondering why she wrote it than I have from the words she wrote..I believe that when I typed her mission statement out..I in a way took away from the beauty of it..So I’m attaching a picture of the original post it note and where she placed it (it’s still in the exact same place today) I believe that it answers the question as to why she wrote it..She wrote it for herself, so that as she got up and faced each day she would be reminded of “her mission”. Sydney placed this sticky note on her mirror because she realized that seeing too much of yourself causes you to lose focus on God and the purpose and mission for your life..She wanted to make sure that when she looked in the mirror she didn’t forget what her life was about. What I find most beautiful is that she wasn’t fooled into thinking it would be easy or that she wouldn’t face temptation or distraction and took the steps necessary to help overcome them in the future by placing this in the one place she knew she would look everyday. I continue to learn each day from the things she wrote and the things she did and consider it a blessing to be a part of sharing her faith and legacy with others. Thank you my sweet girl for leaving me so much of your heart.
A Legacy of a Lifetime 