The
Virtuous Daughter Magazine Fall2015
Photography by Katrina Swartzentruber
I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers ~Anne of Green Gables
Contents page
Best Friends {Not Enemies} Creating Strong Relationships with your siblings
12
Quotes about siblings
Page 22
Getting along with siblings
Page 24
Amelia Emily Jones Page 32
NEW! In every issue!
Other Articles in this issue: Beautifully made….. 28 Spending time with your bff….41 Quote corner…..2 Connect with us….6 Meet the staff ….8
Your amazing life story.. .42
In Every Issue: Dine…….36 Reading List…..30 Amelia Emily Jones….32
Bulletin Board….40 A note from the editors…..44
G Connect with us
Find us on the web or on social media sites!
Website: Thevirtuousdaughte.wix.com/thevirtuousdaughter
Blog: Thevirtuousdaughtermagazine.wordpress.com
Instagram: @thevirtuousdaughter Google Plus : +thevirtuousdaughter Pinterest: Virtuous Daughter Magazine
Thevirtuousdaughter@gmail.com
F Meet the Staff
Several Mennonite girls striving to be like Jesus Christ, and sharing his love to other girls!! Through this magazine we hope to connect with other girls, with a similar goal, and encourage one another in our walk with God.
Katrina Swartzentruber– Editor, Creative Director
Hey everyone! I am so excited to finally be able to share this magazine with you! My name is Katrina (Trina) and I am 14 years old! I live in the hilly country of NE Missouri with my 3 sisters (two of which are now married) and 1 brother. I enjoy photography/design and making music! Most of my days consist of helping Mom around the house, playing piano, and reading. I really hope you enjoy our magazine! Trinagrace.wordpress.com
Cecilia Brown– Editor, Creative assistant Hey there! I'm so excited to be working on this magazine with the other lovely girls on staff! I am 16, and I have 2 older brothers, which are both married, and one younger brother (he's my sidekick). I love hanging out with friends, playing volleyball, hunting, and big cups of chai. I enjoy photography, especially newborn and still life. Check out my blog @ www.ohcecilia99.wordpress.com
Juliana Ebersole– Editor, Public Relations Hey there! Thanks for taking the time to ready this and may God bless you every time you do. My name is Juliana Ebersole. I'm 14 years old, and believe it or not 10 of those years have been spent in the beautiful country of Mongolia (that's in Asia. Right in between Russia and China). My family moved to Mongolia in 2006. We've been doing several projects there over the years, and it's been a wonderful life! The Lord has done some amazing things throughout all my years and I hope and pray He does some pretty awesome stuff in yours as well.. God bless!
Meet everyone who helped out with this issue
Kimberly Amstutz– Staff Writer My name is Kimberly Amstutz. I am 15 yrs. old. I live in Jonesville, Michigan. A friend of mine asked me to be a staff writer for The Virtuous Daughter Magazine. I felt like this was something God wanted me to do, and I have enjoyed writing the articles SO MUCH! As far as hobbies go, I enjoy writing, reading, (mysteries, mostly) and baking. My favorite is probably riding my horse! Cats also hold a special place in my heart!
Andrea Powell– Staff Writer My name is Andrea Powell and I am from Lake Butler , Florida. I am 14 and I have enjoyed writing ever since like third grade. I enjoy other things too, like swimming, riding horses, babysitting little kids, playing volleyball and also I love to sing (just ask my family). Overall though, I am just a normal girl, trying (like the rest of you) to be like Jesus and to reach out to others. I hope to encourage and inspire you to love Jesus with all your heart and to give your life to Him if you haven’t yet.
Alaina Burwell– guest writer My name is Alaina Mae Burwell and I am 13. My mom and dad and my four younger siblings moved to Mongolia when I was nine and we are missionaries to the herdsman here. :) I really enjoy arts and crafts and writing!
Tashia Lehigh– Guest Photographer Hey there, friend! My name is Tashia (pronounced: Tosha) and I am 17 years old. I have loved photography for as long as I can remember! I love taking pictures of pretty much everything--from portraits to nature. Some of my favorites are: photography, coffee, panda bears, the color aqua blue, succulent plants, button downs, and being with friends and family. I run a blog {joyfullyliving4jesus.blogspot.com} to encourage young ladies in their walk with the Lord. I try to post something once a week, though sometimes that doesn't happen. ;) I challenge YOU to choose JOY, each and every day. Keep smiling for Jesus!
Rachel Horst– Guest Photographer I live with my family in the beautiful mountains of Pennsylvania and I work as a secretary for international radio ministry, Heralds of Hope. I'm involved in children's ministry and I enjoy reading and singing among other things.
Caleb Brown– Guest Photographer Caleb Spends his days playing games, reading and taking pictures of his sister
Staff Photographers Katrina Swartzentruber Cecilia Brown
Photography by Katrina Swartzentruber Featured: Cecilia and Caleb Brown
a Best Friends
{Not enemies}
Creating Strong Relationships with Your Siblings By Andrea Powell look at like throwing your hands in Relationships with your siblings the air and pulling your hair out are some of the most important re- (well at least that’s what I usually
lationships you will create. Partly feel like doing). Well, I thought up a because you are going to be around few tips to help you when you feel them most of your life and partly because they are God’s gift to you. Before I get into this though, I want to assure you that I do not have this all figured out. (although
like you’re on your last nerve:
♥ PRAY daily about your relationships and your attitude. God can help you reply sweetly when you feel like yelling. ♥ TAKE A DEEP BREATH before answering with
I wish I did). Honestly, I feel very
an upset tone. Like Ma told Laura Ingalls “count to
unqualified to write on this. But I
ten before you speak”.
will try my best to give you some tips and help you out in your relationship-building with your siblings.
♥ ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OFTEN. Don’t be ashamed to apologize and ask for your sibling’s forgiveness daily. Humility will go a long way in relationships.
First though, I want to stress some- ♥ PUT REMINDERS AROUND THE HOUSE. I have found thing that I found so helpful to me. this very encouraging! Whether it’s a Instead of looking at your siblings
motivating quote you found online or a Bible
like just the people you live with
verse or just simply a “remember to be kind”.
every day and half to put up with,
. colorful markers and cool fonts and tape them
annoyed or disgusted or angry. But I
to your mirror or on your headboard, or stick
want to share with those of you
one in your Bible where you will see it every
struggling out there, some simple tips
morning when you have your devotions. Or what- to help you win! ever places you think will work for you and where you will see it daily. It helps!
Just remember, your siblings are human and they will act up and annoy
♥ MAKE A PROGRESS CHART for yourself. I know this you, but being humble and accepting might sound kind of silly or childish but seriously, their correction or suggestions and when you know that there is something you are
doing your best to honor their wishes
going to have to check off or color in (or whatev- will make you feel good, make your siblings love you a lot more, and most er) at the end of the day, it just helps for some reason. Then when you look at your progress over important of all it will please God. the week or month it inspires you to keep on! ♥ PICK A CHARACTER QUALITY YOU STRUGGLE IN when it comes to relationships with your siblings and make a specific effort to work on that for a week (or a month or whatever your choice). Whether its anger or disrespect or picking arguments or criticizing or whatever it may be. (I struggle with those) Mark off each day you succeed and pray about it daily.
I hope I could be of some help. Don’t feel like the struggle is all yours! I struggle with this daily and I’m sure there are a lot of other girls out there that do too. Be comforted that God will always forgive and give you a second chance to please Him! God’s blessings as you strive to build Godhonoring relationships with your
Well, these are just some things I have siblings!! tried and found helpful. I don’t by any means have victory every time I am
~Andrea Powell
TIPS
“What strange creatures
brothers are!� - Jane Austen
Quotes About siblings
Photography by Rachel horst
Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring, quite often the hard way. - Pamela Dugdale
"To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time." - Clara Ortega
"How do people make it through life without a sister?" - Sara Corpening
Bucket
Fall list
Drink a Pumpkin spice Latte
Find your way through a corn maze
Go to a football game Make a fire and roast marshmallows
Go hunting Go on a hay ride Go out for coffee with some friends Go on a nature hike
From our readers !” m r a f e s r o h a n o r “Voluntee
“Go shopping with my Best Friend!”
“shoot a big buck!”
The Winter Challenge: What do you wish you could wear every single time you go somewhere? What is your favorite go-to outfit? What do you often find yourself clad in? Next issue we want you to send
us pictures of your FAVORITE outfit (with YOU wearing it!) please send pictures with a description of your outfit to: thevirtuousdaughter@gmail.com
Getting Along With siblings By Kimberley Amstutz
d
Something you will commonly hear from teenage girls is: “My younger siblings are so annoying” or you might hear, “I wish I was an only child”. Now wait a second. Really?!?! An only child?!?! C’mon! Even if you have 7 “annoying” siblings, does it really have to come to that?
her playhouse. I enjoy decorating, and Kari is always the first one to offer to help me. We have a lot of fun together!
My youngest sibling Kenton, is five. He can be very noisy sometimes. He enjoys noisy toys. He loves to run around being loud. Most girls, including me, call it “Annoying” But, I’ll admit. I would dearly miss his cute little grin and mischievous eyes if I didn’t have him. He loves to ride horse with me, and I call him my “little cowboy”. He enjoys helping me make cookies, pie, or whatever I might be doing. He’s my little shadow, and my life would be very boring and dull without him.
gant. My older Brother, Kyle, does not fit that description at all. We get along very well and have a lot of fun
.
Kelsey, who is 14, is my closest friend next to Jesus. We do everything together and go everywhere together. We think and feel a lot of the same things. I am very blessed to have a I have four siblings. Three of sister so close to my age! She also enwhich are younger than me. Yes, they joys photography and playing piano. can get on my nerves sometimes. At We love to go horseback riding togethtimes, I feel like they are plainly er with our two horses, Lady Alexan“annoying”. But then I make myself dra and Cierra Lynn. stop and think about my life without Many girls think their older my siblings. siblings are bossy and possibly arro-
I also have a sister who is 10 years old. Kari, who mostly entertains Kenton, also has many attributes. She enjoys playing dress-up and playing in
together. Maybe my life seems all happy and perfect to you. But I have to admit, just like every family we have our fights and quarrels, but the main key to having a good relationship with your siblings is forgiveness. Forgiveness is not only saying, “I forgive you”. Forgiveness is also showing it. Forgiveness is forgetting about how they have wronged you and moving on. It also means not digging it up later on. How often do you hear, “Remember last week when you did THIS to ME?”
Nope, sorry, that isn’t going to work. Forgiveness means forgiving for good.
If you ask my siblings, they would probably tell you I’m not the model sibling that I should be, and I think that is something every girl Do you ever feel like saying, “Well, I’ll forgive as soon as they apolo- could work on. As you go through gize and not before!” Well, I hate to tell your day doing what you usually do, you, but quite often forgiveness has find small ways to show kindness to your siblings! to come first. “Making up” isn’t a one way thing. It has to go both ways. If you wait around for the other guy to go first, it’ll never get done. If you make the first move, you’ll be glad you did!
Photography by Tashia Lehigh Featuring: Heather, Marcy and Jessica Lehigh
Beautifully Made Written By Alaina Burwell
Beauty is something most good…” girls struggle with. As girls we God himself looked at EVERYlove to talk about hair or THING He had made and said it clothes. We are constantly plan- was not only “good” but “very ning our outfits for certain good”! events. We find it fun and exiting! In Genesis 1:26 it says “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind But we girls also struggle with in our image, in our likeness…’” the same questions. Am I pretty Isn't God perfect? Isn't God enough? Do I look ok? These flawless? Don't you think its an questions are always on the honor to be made in his image?! front of our minds and it is easy to become very self conscious. And in Psalm 108:13-14 It says, “For you created my imIn the Bible it says in Gene- post being; you knit me together sis 1:31, “God saw all that he in my mothers womb. I praise had made, and it was very you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well.” Just think about that for a minute. I’m a knitter myself, and I know that every stitch has to be done perfectly. Knitting takes
A
takes a lot of patience and con- So, if I were you I would write down centration. Now think of all the those verses on a piece of paper and people in the whole entire world. post it somewhere (I stuck mine on THATS A LOT OF PEOPLE! And just think, God knitted each and my mirror!) where you are constantly looking at it and being reminded that every one of us just the way he you are BEAUTIFUL and you were wanted us in his perfect image. That’s pretty amazing! made in God’s perfect image.
“For you created my impost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know full well.”
Book Recommendations
The Power of a Praying teen
Mara, Daughter Of the Nile
Before You meet Prince Charming
Written and Illustrated by Kimberly Amstutz
“15 not Jon aro wa her Am sca som bus And you mo cen yel She hea “ac wa ed sm and fro law Am
Amelia Emily JonesChapter 1 Sisterly Love {Or Lack Of It}
5, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20!!!!!!!! Ready or t, here I come!” 15 yr old Amelia nes tore off the blindfold, and raced ound the corner of the house. She as playing “Hide and Go Seek” with r brother, Andy and sister, Alice. melia stopped for a second and anned the front yard. Yep, there was mething, or someone, in the lilac sh. Amelia smiled to herself. “That dy, still doesn’t understand. When u play ‘Hide and Go Seek’, you can’t ove around.” Putting on the innont act, she ambled across the lawn lling, “I wonder where they went!” e sauntered past the lilac bush and ard a faint snicker. Amelia ccidently” tripped and fell backards into the lilac bush. Andy eruptin screams and giggles! Amelia miled and said “Found you, Andy!” d started tickling him. Andy jumped om the bush and took off across the wn yelling and hollering excitedly! melia took off after him yelling
threats that when she caught him, she would tickle him! Suddenly, Alice jumped out from behind the walnut tree and started chasing Amelia. Soon Amelia caught up to Andy, and Alice caught up to both of them. Andy and Alice joined forces and tackled Amelia to the ground. They tousled around for a while until mom called them all into the house for supper. After supper was over, and the dishes were cleared and washed, Amelia got out her school books and homework, and sat down to do some studying in her room. The room was actually in joint-ownership with 9 yr old Alice. Amelia shut the door and tried to concentrate on the difficult Algebra problem before her. Soon after, the bedroom door swung open and Alice walked in, carrying her dress-up box and shoes. She began putting on hats and matching shoes. Then she started humming the tune of “Let it Go” and pretending she was Elsa.
Amelia took a deep breath and tried to concentrate, in spite of all the noise Alice was making. “Urgh” She thought “how am I supposed the find the ‘x’ of a number when Queen Elsa is in the room? Whoever came up with Algebra anyway? We know one thing, it wasn’t Princess Anna. Wonder why?”
terically.
Amelia clenched her teeth and squinted her eyes at Alice. “Well, if you can be mean about it, SO CAN I!” Amelia yelled. “You better get your stuff out of this room before I count to 10, or I’m gonna throw it and YOU out the window!” A horrified look came across Alice’s face and her eyes filled with tears. She threw her hat on the floor and rushed out of the room, crying hys-
Amelia’s heart lurched. “You never should have yelled at Alice.” Amelia’s conscience pricked her. “You should go apologize to Alice.” Amelia squirmed. She knew she should go, but she was oh, so angry at Alice. Alice should have been more considerate. “But Amelia, this is Alice’s room too, and she is only 9. Let her play with her toys. Go apologize.”
Amelia slammed the door shut behind her and sat down to study. But try as she might, the concentration just wouldn’t come to her. She closed her Algebra book and turned to her Science book. Still, she couldn’t seem to concentrate on the layers of a leaf. Exasperated, she stood Amelia turned to Alice and nicely up from her desk, and sat on her asked if she could please take her bed. She fingered the white lace dress-up stuff downstairs! Alice flowers on the bedspread. It looked at her with a disgusted look matched the bedspread across the on her face. “Amelia, now I have to room. Alice’s bedspread. start the song all over again. And Amelia’s gaze fell to the pile of NO, I won’t take my stuff downstairs. dress-up dresses on the floor, and There isn’t a full-length mirror down- the hat that had been discarded in a stairs, plus this IS my room too, ya’ hurry. She glanced up at the framed know.” Alice jutted her chin out at picture of herself and Alice on Alice’s Amelia. last birthday. They looked so happy.
Finally Amelia stood and went
to find Alice. After quite a search, Amelia found Alice hiding in the laundry basket in the mud room closet. Her red, tear-stained face looked up at Amelia with terror. Amelia knelt down next to the basket . “Alice, I’m so sorry for yelling at you. You can come play in our room. Better yet, why don’t I play with you?”
all night. They even talked little Andy into playing the part of Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. They had a great time, and Amelia still had time to do that Algebra before bed with no concentration problems.
Before Amelia slipped into bed, Alice gave her a great big hug and whispered, “You’re the best sister in the whole world, Amelia!” Amelia Alice’s face lit up! “Do you mean smiled at her and replied, “Goodnight, Alice. You’re my favorite it Amelia?” Alice asked excitedly. Amelia smiled. “Of course I do!” sister too! I love you!” Amelia and Alice played dress-up
DINE
Pumpkin Spice Latte
We all know about those cold What You Need winter days (some more than Ingredients 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin others) As you watch the snow 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more to garnish drift down outside and all you 2 tablespoons sugar want to do is crawl back into your 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract 2 cups whole milk warm, cozy bed instead of facing 1 to 2 shots espresso, about 1/4 cup 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until firm peaks form the day. I often find myself in (for topping) this scenario. The best thing that Equipment gets me going is a good cup of hot Mixer, whisk, or hand blender, to whip cream Saucepan Wooden spoon coffee. I personally love the Whisk whole art side of coffee (an esBlender presso machine is a must for me:) Espresso maker or coffee maker Even for people who think its silly Instructions 1. Heat the pumpkin and spices: In a small sauceto go to all that work to make pan over medium heat, cook the pumpkin with Coffee (!!!!) , This recipe is a little the pumpkin pie spice for 2 minutes or until it's hot and smells cooked. Stir constantly. detailed, but overall easy and en2. Stir in the sugar: Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly thick syrup. joyable. Also, if you don’t like cof3. Warm the milk: Whisk in the milk and vanilla exfee at all, you can make the milk/ tract. Warm gently over medium heat, watching carefully to make sure it doesn't boil over. pumpkin part and not add the cof4. Froth the milk: Carefully process the milk mixture fee-this is really good too! with a hand blender or frother or espresso ENJOY!! Katrina Swartzentruber
machine. 5. Mix the drinks: Make the espresso or coffee and
divide between two mugs and add the frothed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg!
Chocolate pumpkin trifle DIRECTIONS: brownies:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking
For pumpkin swirl filling:
spray. In a medium bowl, beat all filling ingredients with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.
3 oz. cream cheese, softened In a large bowl, mix brownie batter, oil, water and eggs as called for on box. Pour 3/4 of the batter into pre1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 large egg
pared pan. Pour pumpkin swirl filling evenly over batter. Pour remaining brownie batter evenly over filling. Swirl through batter several times with a knife for a
3 tablespoons sugar
marbled effect.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pudding:
For brownies: 1 (18 oz.) box brownie mix Oil, water and eggs as called for on box
1 package (3 ounces) cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1-2/3 cups canned pumpkin pie mix 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Directions Prepare and bake brownies. Cool completely on a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare pudding mix according to package directions; stir in brown sugar and pie mix. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate, covered, 30 minutes. Cut or break brownies into bite-size pieces. In ten 12-oz. glasses or a 3-qt. trifle bowl, layer half of each of the following: brownies, pumpkin mixture and whipped topping. Repeat layers. Top as de-
This recipe was a first time one for me and I thought it turned out delicious! It is a very tasty fall dessert. I made mine in one person portions. You could make all of them in individual glasses or you can make it in a trifle bowl. I think it would be lots of fun to make the individual ones for a dessert to share with your siblings!
Comments Questions and
Encouragement
from readers
Have a question or comment about a particular article? Or do you have a “ad� you would like to share with other girls? This is where it could go!! Send everything to thevirtuousdaughter@gmail.com
F Spending Time With Your BF
By Kimberly Amstutz
Your amazing life story
Juliana Ebersole Please stop for a second. Think. What is your life story about? What is the first explanatory word that you can think of that explains your life? Okay, remember that word.
Nobodies life story is lame!
I was talking to someone a couple of weeks ago, and they said “My life story is lame. Nothing special about it.” My reply was: “Please, do not say that.” And by all means! I meant it. Every word of it. Nobodies life story is lame. Never has and never will. God has made each one of us for a purpose. You may not know what that purpose is quite yet, but your time will come. Jeremiah 29:11 says
“For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” Those are some pretty awesome words! God has your future all planned out. If He planned it, your life story is amazing! As some of you know I live in Mongolia. I moved here with my family almost 10 years ago when I was 4 years old. I don’t remember the moving part, but I remember a lot of my childhood years here. My life has been an adventure. So has yours. Probably in different ways than me, but an adventure of sure! Now, do you still remember what that word was that explains your life story? Do you still think it fits? I’m just going to say this for you: “My life story is unique. It’s unlike any other! It’s special!” God bless you as you live your life. Live it to the fullest. Yolo. (You Only Live Once)
For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” “
Photography by Caleb Brown
A note from the editors
A note from the editor
find myself doing that a lot. you so much for But by the Grace of God, He stopping to take the time to can help us through those read our magazine. We appretough times. ciate everyone who put their time and effort into this. We As I said a little bit ago. . could have not done it without .Please be encouraged by our you! magazine. We are just a I hope everything you will bunch of young women living read or have read is encour- it for Him! He’s so awesome aging and that you will be and does some pretty amazing able to apply it to your own things! life. Recently that has been my prayer. Every time before Please keep us in your prayers I open my Bible to study if you don't mind. This doesn't God’s awesome Promises He all happen on its own. :) has given to us, I pray that Lord be with you in all ways! everything I read and find, I God bless! would be able to apply it my own life. A lot of the time we Juliana Ebersole just see. Not do. Or least i
Thank
We Would like to thank everyone who put time and effort into this issue of our magazine! A Special thanks to Kimberly Amstutz and Andrea Powell who continue to write for us. You gals are awesome! Also thanks to the guest writer of this issue, Alaina Burwell And last, but not least, Thanks to our guest photographers Tashia Lehigh and Rachel Horst! None of this could be possible without y’alls help. And without the encouragement and support from our readers. Thank you for Reading ~The Virtuous Daughter Editing Team
Next Issue‌ Modest Femininity