Thank you so much Victoria for your challenging post. I really like Victoria's challenge because it captures our vision for these 'Daughter of Yah' articles. We are all different and called to different missions. Do you see how all these women are different? And can you also see how they are all the same? When we all follow the same person (Yeshua) we will look somewhat alike but even with these similarities we are all diverse individuals. Kelsey writes and lives at home, McKenzie is pursuing a career in special education, Victoria coordinates a magazine for young ladies called Purely Devoted. Don't copy these ladies as they live their specific calling but follow them as they follow Christ.
Shalom to the readers of “Every Day Set-Apart”! I am so privileged to have this opportunity to share with you all- - thank you, Bethany, for inviting me here! I pray that as you all read on, you would become inspired and encouraged in your own personal walk with YHVH. So, grab your cup of tea (I have mine!) and let’s begin:
A Little About Me: I’m from the beautiful Midwest (love all four seasons!) and I have five siblings, three of which are married. I have eleven nieces and nephews who I love to pieces, and who are always keeping us on our toes! I’m a homeschool graduate, daughter to a preacher, and sister to a cancer patient in remission (Halleluyah!). I’m a guitarist, artist, seamstress, photographer, writer, and creative designer. I love traveling, and was blessed to meet the young ladies behind “Every Day Set-Apart” this spring when my family traveled to Tennessee for “United in Worship 2013.”
Every day is an adventure for me, but this past year the Father has brought my family through many storms. We’ve gone through cancer, chemo, surgeries, and deaths of loved ones, amidst much more. However, it’s in those times that your faith becomes stronger- you learn to rely on God alone for strength and trust that He will get you through. We serve an ever-faithful God! He has taught me so much through this hard season, and I will always be grateful for that. Remember that He does work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). Even though you cannot see the beauty through the pain, He will cause life to spring forth from the ashes (Isaiah 61:3)!
A Little About Our Journey: I grew up in a very loving family with parents who were constantly evaluating their walk with the Lord. They were always learning, always growing, always eager to dive deeper. We were constantly “church hopping” as we discovered different truths and shed man-made doctrines- the joke in our family is that we’ve never stayed anywhere more than four years. By the Father’s grace and my parents’ relentless desire for truth, He led us out of the church system and opened our eyes to the Truths in His word when I was about nine years old. We stepped out in faith by beginning to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day- Saturday. As they say, “The rest is history!” We’ve been keeping YHVH's commandments ever since, following in the steps of Yeshua, and my family now leads our own small congregation. We’re so blessed to fellowship with these families that the Father has placed in our path!
A Little About The Vision: Having your family involved in ministry is a big responsibility. As a daughter of a preacher, people watch me to see if I represent my father’s vision and beliefs. If they come to a negative conclusion about me, they will likewise have a negative view of my father. I must set the bar high for myself and strive for a standard above reproach- to truly be set-apart in all that I say and do. It’s not easy, and yes I slip and fall, but by YHVH’s grace He is leading me along a path of holiness. Notice I did not say a “path of perfection”- I am far from perfect. I’m a broken human with a sinful nature and every day I must wake up choosing to overcome it, and let YHVH have His perfect way in me.
In the same way that I choose to represent my earthly father, we all must choose to represent our Heavenly Father. I encourage you all to examine your own lives and hearts- does what you say, do, think, act, and wear bring glory or shame to YHVH? When people see you, will they form a positive or negative conclusion about the Mighty Elohim who we have the honor of serving? In addition to furthering your Heavenly Father’s vision, are you furthering your earthly father’s? As daughters in our father’s house, we play such a vital role- let us not take it for granted!
A Little About The Mission: As YHVH led my family to start our home group, He also began to open my eyes to see a great need. I began to see young ladies in the community who were unenthusiastic about their faith, immodest in actions and attire, and who only seemed to be following Torah because it was what their parents did. The Father placed a burden on my heart to reach out to these young women, and ever since then, ministering to the young women around me has been (and is!) a huge part of my life. Over the years, it has been in different ways and forms, but it has always been something that I try to make a priority in my life. I published a magazine for about 5 years to encourage these girls in the Messianic/Hebraic community, and I also led a discipleship group from materials I had written. I’ve had young ladies over for craft or baking projects, and as we work together the Father always presents opportunities to talk of Him (a side note: I’ve found that when girls are busy with their hands, they’re more likely to open up and share rather than just sitting down over a cup of coffee). This weekend, I’m hosting a 3-day girls discipleship internship- as well as a modest clothing swap at its conclusion for the rest of the girls in my community (prayer would be very much appreciated- may the Father be glorified!). I’m always asking YHVH for direction and to bring the opportunities- and, as I said before, He is faithful!
A (Not So) Little Challenge: It’s easy to “copy” others and think that in order to be a Godly daughter of Yah, we must be just like “so-and-so”. However, I pray that as you read these “Daughters of Yah” articles, you would be encouraged that we’re all unique. What binds us together is that we are all young women who are earnestly seeking after YHVH with all our hearts, and we’re willing to do whatever He has asked us to. Our hearts are the same, our missions are different. Don’t feel like you have to conform to be like any one of the young ladies here. You are you- beautiful and with a special mission from the Father that only you can accomplish. Ask Him to reveal it to you, to show you where your place is in furthering His Kingdom! I would like to challenge you young ladies to relentlessly pursue YHVH with all that you are, holding nothing back. Pursue Him until He becomes your greatest passion, your deepest love, your most precious treasure. Once you’ve come to this place, you will find that He will open doors and reveal to you great and unsearchable things that you mind has not been able to comprehend before (Jeremiah 33:3). As you remain firmly fixed in the center of His will, He will provide ways to serve and bless those around you if your eyes are focused on Him and willing to do all that He asks.
May the Father bless you as we all journey on this path to become set-apart Daughters of Yah!
Victoria
A Little About Me: I’m from the beautiful Midwest (love all four seasons!) and I have five siblings, three of which are married. I have eleven nieces and nephews who I love to pieces, and who are always keeping us on our toes! I’m a homeschool graduate, daughter to a preacher, and sister to a cancer patient in remission (Halleluyah!). I’m a guitarist, artist, seamstress, photographer, writer, and creative designer. I love traveling, and was blessed to meet the young ladies behind “Every Day Set-Apart” this spring when my family traveled to Tennessee for “United in Worship 2013.”
Every day is an adventure for me, but this past year the Father has brought my family through many storms. We’ve gone through cancer, chemo, surgeries, and deaths of loved ones, amidst much more. However, it’s in those times that your faith becomes stronger- you learn to rely on God alone for strength and trust that He will get you through. We serve an ever-faithful God! He has taught me so much through this hard season, and I will always be grateful for that. Remember that He does work all things together for your good (Romans 8:28). Even though you cannot see the beauty through the pain, He will cause life to spring forth from the ashes (Isaiah 61:3)!
A Little About Our Journey: I grew up in a very loving family with parents who were constantly evaluating their walk with the Lord. They were always learning, always growing, always eager to dive deeper. We were constantly “church hopping” as we discovered different truths and shed man-made doctrines- the joke in our family is that we’ve never stayed anywhere more than four years. By the Father’s grace and my parents’ relentless desire for truth, He led us out of the church system and opened our eyes to the Truths in His word when I was about nine years old. We stepped out in faith by beginning to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day- Saturday. As they say, “The rest is history!” We’ve been keeping YHVH's commandments ever since, following in the steps of Yeshua, and my family now leads our own small congregation. We’re so blessed to fellowship with these families that the Father has placed in our path!
A Little About The Vision: Having your family involved in ministry is a big responsibility. As a daughter of a preacher, people watch me to see if I represent my father’s vision and beliefs. If they come to a negative conclusion about me, they will likewise have a negative view of my father. I must set the bar high for myself and strive for a standard above reproach- to truly be set-apart in all that I say and do. It’s not easy, and yes I slip and fall, but by YHVH’s grace He is leading me along a path of holiness. Notice I did not say a “path of perfection”- I am far from perfect. I’m a broken human with a sinful nature and every day I must wake up choosing to overcome it, and let YHVH have His perfect way in me.
In the same way that I choose to represent my earthly father, we all must choose to represent our Heavenly Father. I encourage you all to examine your own lives and hearts- does what you say, do, think, act, and wear bring glory or shame to YHVH? When people see you, will they form a positive or negative conclusion about the Mighty Elohim who we have the honor of serving? In addition to furthering your Heavenly Father’s vision, are you furthering your earthly father’s? As daughters in our father’s house, we play such a vital role- let us not take it for granted!
A Little About The Mission: As YHVH led my family to start our home group, He also began to open my eyes to see a great need. I began to see young ladies in the community who were unenthusiastic about their faith, immodest in actions and attire, and who only seemed to be following Torah because it was what their parents did. The Father placed a burden on my heart to reach out to these young women, and ever since then, ministering to the young women around me has been (and is!) a huge part of my life. Over the years, it has been in different ways and forms, but it has always been something that I try to make a priority in my life. I published a magazine for about 5 years to encourage these girls in the Messianic/Hebraic community, and I also led a discipleship group from materials I had written. I’ve had young ladies over for craft or baking projects, and as we work together the Father always presents opportunities to talk of Him (a side note: I’ve found that when girls are busy with their hands, they’re more likely to open up and share rather than just sitting down over a cup of coffee). This weekend, I’m hosting a 3-day girls discipleship internship- as well as a modest clothing swap at its conclusion for the rest of the girls in my community (prayer would be very much appreciated- may the Father be glorified!). I’m always asking YHVH for direction and to bring the opportunities- and, as I said before, He is faithful!
A (Not So) Little Challenge: It’s easy to “copy” others and think that in order to be a Godly daughter of Yah, we must be just like “so-and-so”. However, I pray that as you read these “Daughters of Yah” articles, you would be encouraged that we’re all unique. What binds us together is that we are all young women who are earnestly seeking after YHVH with all our hearts, and we’re willing to do whatever He has asked us to. Our hearts are the same, our missions are different. Don’t feel like you have to conform to be like any one of the young ladies here. You are you- beautiful and with a special mission from the Father that only you can accomplish. Ask Him to reveal it to you, to show you where your place is in furthering His Kingdom! I would like to challenge you young ladies to relentlessly pursue YHVH with all that you are, holding nothing back. Pursue Him until He becomes your greatest passion, your deepest love, your most precious treasure. Once you’ve come to this place, you will find that He will open doors and reveal to you great and unsearchable things that you mind has not been able to comprehend before (Jeremiah 33:3). As you remain firmly fixed in the center of His will, He will provide ways to serve and bless those around you if your eyes are focused on Him and willing to do all that He asks.
May the Father bless you as we all journey on this path to become set-apart Daughters of Yah!
Victoria
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