Visions of Virtue is back at Yale!!!

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Visions of Virtue is an opportunity for Christian women at Yale to nurture, support and encourage teenage ladies in New Haven and neighboring communities. Visions pairs young women (13-16) with Yale mentors for a 12-week mentorship. Each week, this Christian sisterhood meets for sessions on different topics such as sex, nutrition, education, and relationships. However, unlike existing Yale programs, Visions addresses these issues in a biblical context. Visions of Virtue is an opportunity to share a vision with little sisters in Christ, create lasting bonds with fellow Yalies and enhance personal growth.

Visions of Virtue remains close to the hearts of Yale students and continues to have lasting effects long after Yalies graduates.  A Yale graduate Lindsey Greene-Upshaw (2004) brought Visions of Virtue to Rising Star Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas. You can find some pictures from the Texas branch’s events, but the content on the blog from now on will be dedicated to Visions of Virtue in New Haven. 

Here is a picture of our Jessica signing her Virtue Vow. The vow was a pledge to strive to be a proverbs 31 woman.

To the upper left, Sister Upshaw pins Pastor Upshaw who gave the charge to the parents. He encouraged them to cherish their daughters, support their commitments, and for parents to lavish the children with their time more than material possessions.

 To the right, Sister Upshaw welcomes one of the girl's supporters. We were blessed to have so many people supporting the virtues, not only that night, but throughout their lives. The mentors and visionaries were able to water a seed that all these family members and loved ones have planted, and will continue to care for when we can not be around.

The pictures from the Ceremony (5.4.08) have finally arrived! To the left are pictures of the welcome table. In the bowl to the right of the table were purple ribbons that were given to family and friends that attended the ceremony. The colors of the day were white, black and purple. White for the purity the girls were pledging to strive for, black for their heritage (Mexican, Native American, African American or any combination thereof!), purple for the royal priesthood they have entered into (1 Peter 2:9). This day was the culmination of our 12 weeks of discussion, field trips and fellowship!

Onslaught

What girls struggle with

Seeing myself through God's Eyes

The ladies of VoV were at Borders in Market Street on Saturday night, talking about what we saw in the mirror. We looked at different examples of confidence and healthy self-esteem in magazines on the shelves, and then looked at the same publications for pictures of low self-esteem. Then, we looked in the mirror! I think we can all say it was easier to talk about the self-esteem of others than what we saw in our reflection.

Throughout our discussion, we reminded ourselves that we are made in the image of God, and He doesn't make mistakes. In fact, He knew what we would be like and look like, before we were born. On top of that, the Scripture says I am wonderful. It says it well in Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

~Virtues who weren't able to join us, Home Work is the next 5 devotionals
we are meeting next week at 7pm at RSBC