Lady of The Day- Anne (Modesty and Music)

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Today’s Lady of The Day feature is my sister Anne. We met a few years ago and she is not only my sister friend, but also a board member of Far More Precious. Anne has a heart for worship music, modesty, fashion, God, French culture and many more. She is like my little sister and continues to inspire me with her passion for living a life that pleases God. Please read her story and check out her blog site ❤ 
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1. Can you share more about your passion for modesty and Garments of Skin?
  My passion for modesty really started at the end of my college career where God really convicted me on how I lived for Him through my dress. God revealed to me that what I chose to wear and who I claimed to follow in my heart didn’t always tell the same story. That’s where my modesty journey began. God worked on my heart, taking me deeper into the ‘wilderness’ to eventually shape the desire that He placed in me. This passion is meant to be shared so that others are encouraged to live their life wearing Christ, whatever that looks like for you. And as much as modesty deals with external wear, it deals with the internal wear much much more. And by internal wear, I mean the dressing of one’s heart – how does one dress the heart: with scripture, worship, relationship with God, character, self worth, discernment, and more. God pointed me to Genesis 3:21 where it says that God gave Adam and his wife garments of skin and clothed them. Out of that scripture came the name of my blog site: Garments of Skin. And that’s what I always want to be wearing, what God has given: garments that are suitable, durable, and pleasing in His sight. 
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2. When did your passion for music started? 
 Since I could sing, my passion for singing was there lol. I remember singing to MaryMary and Kirk Franklin in front of my mirror and wanting to be a singer when I grew up. Being that my family was Haitian Baptist, singing was done so much at the church that all my efforts was pushed to singing. I picked up a few instruments in grade school, but it wasn’t until May of 2012 that I was serious about doing something other than singing. So, I learned the guitar. I do owe it to my sister who pushed me and taught me the basic chords of the guitar. And then a month later I was on a platform at IHOP (Int’l House of Prayer) playing the guitar and singing!! I still do that now every 2nd Saturdays of the month from 8pm-10pm. I’m also apart of the worship team at Christ Church in Montclair, NJ and I sing and play at Resting Place with my sister (Ruth, plays piano).
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3. Have you ever faced any obstacles in life and what helped you to overcome it?
“I’ve faced many obstacles, one of which was trying to get a job after graduation. I was so discouraged when I didn’t hear back from companies, I would lose hope. But then I went to a worship service at Resting Place HOP (House of Prayer), and I received prayer. The woman who had prayed over me said that there is something coming, have faith God is going to give you something better than your current situation. I held on to that word and prayed that God would reveal His plans to me. And He did! Not too long after I got a job! It was faith, which is the key to overcome any obstacle. We have to have faith that God will change our circumstance even though we can’t see it at the moment. Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is being sure of what you hope for, certain of what you do not see.”
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4. What advice can you give to college students that are pursuing their walk with Christ?
For those who are pursuing Christ, continue to find out new things about God. I love that God has so much to reveal to us and that there are mysteries to Him! And reading His word and having a relationship with God allows us to experience the many mysteries of God. I would also say to connect yourself with other young adults who share the same love and passion for Christ. It’s always good to surround yourself with other believers so that you may be strengthened and encouraged in your walk with Christ and do the same for others. And lastly, find a church home. As much as we think we can grow with God alone, there is benefit in going to church to receive the Word God placed in the preacher (or whomever God uses) to reach you. Also it’s a place of fellowship, to come together with other believers to worship, pray, and learn the Scriptures. 
 
 
5. While in college, you studied abroad in France, what are some helpful tips you can give to others interested in studying abroad?
 Yes! Study abroad was the one of the best decisions I made in college! For those who are interested in study abroad, it’s important to choose an area where you know most of the language. You don’t have to be fluent in that particular language, but knowing the basics will help tremendously in communicating with the native people. Also be open, you’re going to another country whose customs are way different than what your used to. It’s important to be accepting of different cultures and really take the time to understand them. Try new food, explore different territory, and take advantage of overseas fashion 🙂 Most importantly meet cool people, people that appreciate your background and who are willing to teach you their language in exchange for you teaching them your language. Take pictures, journal, and experience! And depending where you are, find a church. I did that in Poitiers, France and it was awesome to sing the same songs I sang in English, but in French. Make sure you learn and don’t forget the great memories you’ll make. 
 
6. Random question: If you were stuck on a stranded island, what 5 things would you bring with you?
 If I was stuck on a stranded island, I would bring my 1. Bible – because I will be reading that for encouragement lol 2. Journal & Pen – I love to journal (every night) and I’m sure my time on the island will be worth writing about 3. My guitar – I love to play and I’m sure a couple of songs would be birthed on that stranded island 4. Solar-powered phone with connection to the internet – so that I can listen to music, go online, and take pictures 5. A Filter – so that I don’t have to drink salty ocean water.
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7. What’s your favorite scripture?
My life verse is Galations 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”, but I also love Luke 6:45 “Her mouth speaks of that which fills her heart.”
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All pictures were taken by Amy Renne Photography 
 
Anne can be reached via:
 
Instagram: ahnnee_21
Twitter: anne_joseph21
Facebook: Anney Joe
Listen to her latest interview for Don’t Give Up Blog Talk Radio: Fashion Edition at http://bit.ly/1aD0TjP
Learn more about: IHOP visit www.ihopkc.org/prayerroom *Free App that has 24/7 live stream worship. Download IHOPKC*
Local location: Cranford, NJ – www.ihopeg.org/prayerroom 
Resting Place House of Prayer in Woodland Park, NJ visit www.restingplacehop.com

Hannah: Woman of Prayer Week 2

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Scripture references: I Samuel 1&2, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 1:7 

Hello Ladies!!! This week’s focus is on Hannah and her faith in God. There is so much we can learn from her life like how she never gave up in prayer, how she honored her promise to God, and how she praised God for his grace. So let’s dive right into it! 
 
Background story:
 
In 1 Samuel 1 & 2, you will meet Hannah. Hannah was one of the wives of Elkanah and she had no children. The other wife, Peninnah, had children and would purposely irritate Hannah because her womb was closed. Though Elkanah loved Hannah more than Peninnah, Hannah was sad and continuously cried and would not eat. One day Hannah went to the temple and petitioned to the Lord. She could not bear the pain of her barrenness any longer, so prayed. During that prayer she made a promise to the Lord saying that if God would give her a son, then she will give him to the Lord and no razor would touch his head. After she prayed aloud she continued to pray in her heart, even though her lips were moving. The priest in the temple, Eli, thought she was drunk, but she told him that she was not drunk, instead she was in distress and was praying to God. Eli told her to go in peace and asked the Lord to grant Hannah’s request. After that, Hannah was no longer sad and she began eating again. Some time later, Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a boy, because God had remembered her. She named him Samuel, which means “asked of God.” Hannah kept her promise to God and dedicated Samuel to the Lord and he worshipped the Lord in the temple.She did her happy dance and shout, praising God who made her barrenness cease.
 
Devotional Challenge:
 
Have you ever prayed about something on your heart and did not hear the voice of the Lord for a long period of time? Are you going through that now? What did you do? What are you doing? Did you continue to pray about the matter or did you stop petitioning it to God? Sometimes it is difficult to continue to pray because you do not see what your praying for or people around you are not encouraging you to remain in prayer. Take a look at what Hannah did. 
 
How did she deal with the silence of God on the matter of her request? We learn through Hannah’s actions that she never stopped having faith that God would answer her prayers and give her a son. Yes, Hannah did allow negative comments to cause her distress, but when she was in distress she turned to God in prayer. She was tested to see if her faith was pure (1 Peter 1:7), and she was perseverant in prayer. Faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you don’t see. Hebrews 11:1 Hannah had faith in God and hoped for a son, even though she was not physically pregnant at the time, she had faith that God would give her a son. When you have faith that God will provide exactly what you’re asking for, whatever that may be that is God’s will for you, then you never need to doubt in God’s ability to provide that need. 
 
Questions for week 1 to focus on:
1.What are some things you began to pray for, but gave up because you did not see it come to pass?
2.How do you deal with the silence of God about a request you lift up to Him?
3.Hannah prayed to God in her moments of distress. Who do you turn to when you get hit with discouragement?
4.What are some prayers that God has answered and how persistent were you in prayer?
5.Read Luke 18:1-8 – parable about the persistent widow and correlate that to Hannah’s story. How persistent are you in seeing the things God has for you??
6.How can you strengthen your faith to believe in what you do not see?
 
Memory Verse:
 
Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is being sure of what you hope for, certain of what you do not see.
 
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Written by Far More Precious’ board member Anne Joseph. Please feel free to check out her blog on MODESTY at www.garmentsofskin.com