VisionaryDaughters.com

Thanks for Return of the Daughters
Posted November 30, 2007, by Anna Sofia

Here are one couple’s thoughts on our documentary. Camelia, from Romania, has the unique perspective of having been raised in a communist country, and has an interesting insight into how American culture has confused the concepts of liberty and oppression.

We received our copy of “The Return of the Daughters” this week and took the first opportunity to watch the film as a family! How encouraging and provoking! I highly recommend this documentary not just to young ladies who desire to understand what God requires of them, but to families as well, who struggle with developing a Christ centered vision for their daughters presently and in the future. The content is true to the Scripture and demonstrates the blessings that come from a biblical model of womanhood and from fathers who love their daughters too much to allow them to drink the stagnant waters of egalitarianism.

For the first 10 years of my life I was raised in a communist country by parents who had been born and lived all of their lives under communism. “College and career” was one of my first goals in life because I remember thinking about a career from a very early age. I did not grow up thinking I would marry, raise godly children and be a keeper at home. Under communism women were forced into egalitarianism to be instruments of the “Mother State for the common good”. I knew I had two options: study very hard to have a good career or end up working in one of the factories. There was never an alternative presented to me. Socialist governments want women in the work force as much as men and the family is a tool of production. Fathers do not provide vision for their children, but rather leave it up to the State. I am often times shocked to see that what was seen as oppression in the Socialist Republic of Romania is called liberty here in America (even among Christians). What really hit home was a comment made by Voddie Baucham. He said, “I don’t know why we allow ourselves to be poured into the world’s mold that somehow says to go out and pour your life into a stranger in order to build the ministry or the business of a stranger, equals freedom, equals liberty, equals fulfillment; but to do so with the man whom God has entrusted you as your father is a waste.” As stated in the documentary we do live in times of transition and God has been faithful bringing me through that transition. At 19, while in college, God sent a wonderful man to me from the other side of the world. We were married when I was 20. I left college, in pursuit of my husband and have never felt that I somehow missed something or settled for less. Looking back I am thankful that God has given me a purpose so much greater than the vanity of that first pursuit. Now, with three girls and one baby boy in the way I am so thankful that, by God’s grace, our family will be the transition point to many generations to come. -Camelia

“The Return of the Daughters” provides such a timely message to a culture that has made it popular to force our daughters into an ungodly egalitarianism, thereby robbing so many of their God given liberty and purpose in our homes. This film is salt and light to an unlit Christian culture that has lost its savor. The Botkin family has done a wonderful job of bringing families together to provide a rich and powerful testament of Biblical womanhood in the Christian home! May God give an increase beyond measure. It will be a family favorite for generations to come. –Elijah

Our Sisters in India
Posted November 26, 2007, by Elizabeth

Here is a letter we just received from a pastor in India. This hurting nation should be in our prayers, not only because of the oppressive spiritual darkness there, but because it is emerging to possibly become the world’s cultural leader before the end of the century, replacing China as the strongest economy, and influencing all English-speaking nations with a barrage of new media.

Pastor E.S. has asked us to pray for him. In many parts of India Christians are martyred regularly, and women are terribly oppressed. Pastor E.S. has seen more horrific widespread abuse and devaluation of women than most Americans will ever see, either in their own country or through the politically-correct filters of American media.

Pastor E.S. contacted us out of the blue because he sees the importance of teaching fathers to value their daughters and invest highly in their extensive education and training for their important role in society.

Dear Sister Elizabeth and Anna

I am greatly blessed by your encouragement word.

As Servant of God I am very much interested to raise the Indian Women to come forward and serve Him. So many Churches have restricted women in a low estate so therefore they have no freedom of Grace. I have seen in India many pastors do not educate theirs daughters… Many Indian parents when they came know that baby is female they do abortion in City and in rural village they just kill the baby or they throw into the River.

Lord has given me the burden to stand a Candle in the darkness of all evils my primary burden is to save the female babies and women’s from family torture and worse.

Please send your DVD to me I will broadcast it in Television in India.

As women of God see how you can help our Indian women to become the Disciple of Christ.

Thanking you

Your brother in Christ

Pastor ES

Bonus Feature: Encouraging Brothers
Posted November 19, 2007, by Anna Sofia

Our interviewees for “The Return of the Daughters” gave us so much excellent material that, in addition to the 58 minutes of documentary, we ended up creating over 50 minutes of bonus material to be included on the DVD.

One of the three bonus features on the Return of the Daughters DVD is called “Encouraging Brothers: How sisters are helping their brothers become men.”

The way girls treat their brothers can affect how their brothers will perceive masculinity, how they will view their wives, how they will treat their children, and what kind of stand they will take in our culture. In a time when families are fragmented and dysfunctional and pop culture is at war with manliness, there are growing numbers of daughters who are taking a stand to encourage their brothers to become men.

The young women interviewed in “The Return of the Daughters” reveal how they went from merely “tolerating” their brothers to developing dynamic, mutually edifying, best-friend relationships with their brothers. Their brothers give testimony to how their sisters have helped strengthen and inspire them to biblical manhood.

Click HERE to order the film, and be sure to look at the bonus features.

Bonus Feature: Courtship and Marriage
Posted November 17, 2007, by Elizabeth

One of the three bonus features on the Return of the Daughters DVD is called “Courtship and Marriage: Peter and Kelly Bradrick’s extraordinary love story.”

The story of Peter Bradrick’s courtship of Kelly Brown is a story about two young people blazing a trail back to the biblical foundations of marriage. One year later, on the eve of the birth of their firstborn son, they talk about the path they traveled that led them into a strong marriage. Peter speaks out with passion on the womanly qualities that were important to him and his friends, and tells their courtship story. Kelly shares how her parents prepared her for marriage, and what she appreciates about how they handled the courtship process. Scott Brown describes the duties of a father to his daughter concerning marriage. This collection of comments and recollections presents a fresh perspective on courtship and marriage.

Click HERE to order the film, and be sure to look at the bonus features.

Bonus Feature: Biblical Foundations
Posted November 14, 2007, by Anna Sofia

One of the three bonus features on the Return of the Daughters DVD is called “Biblical Foundations: An exegetical introduction to the doctrines of the family,” featuring our father, Geoffrey Botkin, and Doug Phillips.

Click HERE to order the film, and be sure to look at the bonus features.

The preciousness of a brother
Posted November 8, 2007, by Elizabeth

Almost a year ago, Anna Sofia and I posted an article by our dear friend Jamie Billings, about the beautiful testimony of her relationship with her brother. From the beginning, we were inspired by the unusually close relationship she had with her brother, Michael, to cherish and appreciate our own brothers more.

Jamie just lost her only brother in a tragic car accident.

The Lord, according to His sovereign plan, took 19-year-old Michael Billings home November 4, 2007. Michael is in a better place, but the Billings family has just lost their precious only son. Please pray for Jamie and her whole family.

And sisters, please, please heed the words of Jamie Billings, which we are re-posting today. Make the most of your time with the precious brothers the Lord has given you. It could be your last day with them.

Am I My Brother’s Confidant?
By Jamie Billings

Sibling rivalry, according to the Bible, has plagued the family and been a source of tension and conflict from the very beginning. As we look over the pages of Scripture, it is not difficult to see where the root of this ungodliness springs. Most all sibling rivalry seems to have its foundation in jealousy, pride, selfishness, self-seeking ambition, and a lack of love.

One can easily see that Cain was jealous of Abel (Gen. 4: 2-16), and that Joseph’s brothers were unloving, as they were only interested in their own portion in life. Joseph in return was unkind and not understanding of their feelings. Jacob also had a severe selfish, covetous, and unloving spirit in his actions toward Esau (Gen. 25:29-34). Miriam and Aaron’s pride led to contention between themselves and Moses. Numbers 12:2 tells us, “And they said, Hath God indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath he not spoken also by us?” Or in other words, they demand equal rights and status with him. Given its repetitive portrayal in Scripture, the Lord must certainly hold this subject of sibling relationships to be of the utmost importance for our instruction.

Over and over again these Biblical narratives on sibling rivalry are presented, showing us that jealousy, pride, selfishness, self-seeking ambition, ungodly competitiveness and a lack of love lead to anger, resentment, and hatred. We then see that this sin, when not dealt with, will ultimately lead to a life of sorrow, bitterness, and in the end, destruction.

My point is simple: as we read these stories, we must bear in mind that they are important and that they have been divinely placed in Holy Scripture for our instruction (2 Tim. 3:16). By them our Lord teaches us that discord stems from sin in our hearts, and only when we root out that sin, can our relationships begin to heal. We must constantly compare and contrast these great men and women of old with our own relationships, learn from their examples, implement changes as necessary, and above all, learn to love even when it is hard. Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” All of these well known examples can be applied to relationships between either or both genders.

I would particularly like to address the brother-sister relationship, more specifically, one in which the sister is the somewhat older sibling, as in my own case.

It seems that as I reflect upon my own childhood, that I had a double-dose of all the afore-mentioned negative tendencies that lead toward dissension, particularly pride and self-centeredness. I felt that it was my job to protect my younger brother, and he, as the younger sibling, should heed my advice and respect my judgment unquestioningly. After all, I thought I was the smarter and more mature of the two of us. When presented with a task or problem, I would have already logically evaluated a given situation and sensibly come to the only correct solution. So, why would I need his input? I am sure one can see how this could stress any relationship, especially given the fact that my brother and I are only 18 months apart. You see, I now realize that I was unconsciously striving for a position of what one might call dominance within our relationship. I was continually discouraged because my brother, even as a young boy, possessed the inborn desire be a leader, unpolished though it was. I became inwardly angry and resentful, as I was denied that which I thought was owed to me. This led me down the path of bitterness toward my brother and created a heaviness in my soul. I had unintentionally sacrificed our relationship upon the alter of my own selfishness and pride, and consequently devastated our natural camaraderie, affection, and fidelity. It is no wonder that we grew apart, only tolerant of each other’s existence.

As I think back, I wonder if the heaviness I felt during those early years may well have been attributed to the Holy Spirit, not only convicting me of my selfishness and desire to be esteemed by my younger brother, but also, the cultivating of my heart for future lessons. One of the tools our sovereign Lord used to soften my bitter and hardened heart was this seemingly insubstantial excerpt from Noelle Goforth’s book, Daughters of Destiny. It is entitled, “The Brother’s Confidant.”

A good sister’s love always holds a cherished place in the grateful memory of the brother! Many men have found a sister’s love their ready and cheering resource. His confidence is set in her counsel and he is satisfied with the assurance that it will be uprightly and considerately given. How intimate is the friendship of such a sister! What a reliance for warning, excitement, and sympathy has each secured in each! How many are the brothers to whom, when thrown into circumstances of temptation, the thought of a sister’s love has been a constant, and holy presence, rebuking every wayward thought!

The relation of brothers and sisters forms another important element in the happy influences on the home. A boisterous or a selfish boy may try to domineer over the weaker or more dependent girl, but generally the latter exerts a softening, sweetening charm, the brother animates and heartens; the sister mollifies, tames, refines. The vine-tree and its sustaining elm are the emblems of such a relation – and by such agencies our “sons may become like plants grown up in youth, and our daughters like cornerstones polished after similitude of a temple.”

Sisters scarcely know the influence they have over their brothers. A young man once testified that the greatest proof to the truth of Christian religion was his sister’s life.

At first I was cynical. All of that flowery language seemed silly and the ideas they conveyed abstract. Me…my brother’s confidant? The thought, though still abstract, took root in my mind and I longed for that kind of a relationship. Could I really ever have any influence over my brother? I was filled with wonder and a sense of new responsibility as I read, “Sisters scarcely know the influence they have over their brothers.” As I reflected upon what I had read, my thoughts turned inward. Had I been influencing my brother for good? Would he think of me in time to come as a “ready and cheering resource,” or as a “constant, and holy presence?” But most importantly, could my brother see the “truth of Christian religion” in my life? As I pondered these things, I knew that I fell desperately short. I also knew that this was the kind of sister that I desired to be, and I purposed to change. Philippians 2:3 affirms, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in the lowliness of mind let each esteem other better then themselves.” I learned that trying in strife never gets us anywhere in life. I made a conscious effort to put away my self-centeredness and purposed to try to look at things from my brother’s point of view, to ask his opinion, and to try to do some things his way and not just my own. I began encouraging my brother to be the leader and I refocused my efforts into supporting him in that role. I purposed to be open with him, to be there if he needed a friend to talk to, and to serve him by helping him pursue and accomplish his goals. It was really amazing. I felt like the weight had lifted from my shoulders and a fog from my eyes. Of course, our relationship did not change overnight, but I am very happy to say that it did change. Matthew 23:12 tells us, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.”

My brother and I are now the best of friends and each the other’s most trusted confidant. As I have watched my brother grow into such a strong and godly young man, and as God has blessed him with wisdom that surpasses his age, it is hard to even think of him as being younger. He has become to me the best of counselors and truest of friends.

I am so happy that God revealed to me the folly of my willfulness and foolish pride. My hope is that these experiences will equip me to be the virtuous wife scripture has called me to be. Dear ones, we are not always going to agree with our husbands… and they are not always going to have perfect consideration for our feelings, and yet God has called us to reverence and obedience, with “chaste conversation coupled with fear.” It is so important for us to learn now how to humble ourselves, put away our pride, and to learn to defuse a situation before it can escalate. Proverbs 13: 10 teaches us that, “Only by pride cometh contention.” How many marriages would be happier and more God-honoring if we all could simply embrace the above stated Philippians 2:3? Dear ladies, if we do not lay our pride and willfulness at the foot of the cross while we are still young, we may well carry them into our marriages. God has given us our brothers for a reason and yes, they can at times be a difficult trial, but God knows this and it is He who has willed it so. Remember Jeremiah 29:11 which proclaims, “For I know the plans I have for you; declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” May we always be grateful for our brothers and bear in mind that in many ways, these early years are the God ordained and orchestrated training grounds for our future happiness.

But this, ladies, is not the only glorious blessing that is to be gained! We as sisters can return this favor to our brothers by helping to affirm and prepare them for their future roles as leaders, and heads of their own households. When we treat our brothers like men, it can only encourage them to maturity in Christ. And you, my reader, may well be the tool that God has ordained to inspire your brother to become the man that God has created and called him to be. We need to always remember that “all things work together for good, to them who love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Jamie Kathleen Billings is the daughter of Dr. & Mrs. Michael Billings. She has been Home Educated and is currently serving her family while training to be a “keeper at home.”

World Family Premiere of “The Return of the Daughters”
Posted November 3, 2007, by Anna Sofia

One week ago our documentary premiered in the Lila Cockrell Theater
during the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. We were
very grateful to see more than 1200 people come for the showing, and
deeply appreciated the warm reception they gave us.

After the credits rolled, we and our father went on-stage to address
the audience.

We took the opportunity to thank our father, our five brothers, and
each of the families in the film, and to dedicate the film to our
mother, Victoria Botkin.