Very Merry.

Christmas has come and gone.
so fast.
like it always does. 
it always feels like it is gone as fast as it approaches. 
what a Christmas it was.

Another one away from family.
Away from cold. 
away from hearts that I am apart of. 

This year was one of laughter.
(a break down in the kitchen that followed laughter) 
memories.
and fun. 

Baking with my roommates.
opening presents.
watching movies.
listening to Christmas music. 

This year I got to spend Christmas with my cousin.
my other sister.
she flew in on Christmas day.
Words can't describe how full of joy my heart was.
Showing her my life the past 1 1/2 years.
getting to share with her my passion.
bringing life into this world. 
at 4:14 am.
Kersti saw her first birth. 
a sweet baby girl. 

it was a beautiful birth. 
as to me so many are. 
Something about sharing that moment with her.
that memory is tucked deep in my heart. 
along with so many that we already have together.
I love her. 
I love that she came here to the Philippines.

She refreshed my soul. 
it will not be ending soon.

In a few hours I am flying up to Manila to join her and Wipe Every Tear for a week.
a week of loving. 
a week of seeking.
a week of growing.

we will be going into slums.
into bars in the red light district. 

to seek out those girls who need Gods love.
Who need someone to care for them in a deep, pure, genuine way. 

God has given me a desire to combine midwifery in the future with those who have been or are being sex trafficked.
I have seen numerous documentaries.
I have shed endless tears.

I do not know what I will experience.
All I know is that I am praying.
for an open heart.
a vulnerable mind to the Holy Spirit. 
and to love in every way I can.
put aside me feelings and take on those of the girls we will encounter. 

Please pray for us, for our hearts, for those girls who need Gods love encounter. 
for our leaders, safe travels & protection of Holy Angels to surround us. 

I can't wait to share with you when I get back. 
I can't wait for this change of scenery.
a break from birth. 
a renewal & refreshment of spirit and soul. 



Please keep us in your prayers. 
Pray for divine interventions & conversations.
I am so thankful I get to be experiencing this with Kersti. 
to have this week together. 


I am still in need of funds to cover the cost of this trip. If you feel led to financially support me this next week you can go to the "give" tab or click HERE.

Happy New Years.
I pray that God speaks to your heart in what He is going to prepare for you this 2016. 

In Christ's divine & vulnerable love,
Emily Elizabeth

Anticipation of a babe.

I have had beautiful births.
ones that end with a pink screaming baby.
joyous mama && papa.

I have had ones end with disappointment.
a transport to the government hospital.
a broken heart (mine) 
for the loss of bringing a child into this world.
with peace. 
giving the mom confidence in her body.
intervention-less.

last week I had one of each.

both 20 years old. 
both first time mamas.
both complete opposite births. 


miss. E breathed through each contractions with breeze. 
then things got a little harder.
exhaustion set in after laboring all night. 
with contraction coming one after the other.
every 2 minutes. 
finally the urge to push set in. 
her waters broke. 
and things went downhill. 
IV inserted to replace the energy lost. 
laying on her back, squatting, hip swaying, tug-o-war.
after many different positions. 
speaking words of encouragement.
and a cry of help.... from me. 
to God. 
asking to bring this baby down. 
swelling started to form on baby's head.
60 minutes had passed. 
no progress. 
exhaustion overwhelming. 
We decided there was no way we would be able to get this baby out. 
her pelvic outlet was to small for this little ones head. 
and now my heart breaks even more.
her hand wouldn't let go. 
laying on the bed in a place so stale. 
her words...

please stay here with me. don't leave me. stay here. 

stay here. with me miss Emily. please.

Oh Lord, I know your heart broke. 
just like mine did that very moment. 
Oh Lord, be with your daughters.
around this world.
going through birth. 
the pain. 
the exhaustion.
Oh Lord,
give them strength.
whisper words of love, encouragement, trust, & confidence. 
Oh Lord, 
take them in your arms. 
and cover them in your protection.

Kim Cyril. {12.15.2015} 9:15pm
2800 Grams

miss. J came in smiling, talkative & ready for the task ahead. 
her bana ( boyfriend ) left to go to work. 
her mother in law stayed to be by her side. 
hours went by. 
every 2 minutes. every 2 minutes. every 2 minutes. 
the plea for help. 
the power went out. which made the sweat roll. 
the power went on. 
the sweat kept rolling. 
her arm around my neck. hands intertwined. head heavy on my shoulder.
every 2 minutes. 
my sweat and her sweat combined. 
finally her bana shows up.
I think its true when they say some women hold on until whatever they are waiting for appears
He was a saving grace.
coaching her to breathe. 
inhale. exhale. 
together. they made a wonderful team.
the moment their son was placed on her stomach.
tears of joy & excitement began to flow.
me and my assist were trying to hold back our tears.
they were so attentive to their new babe. 
their love was evident. 
their thankfulness flowed from their lips. 

I have been praying that all my patients babies would be brought into this world.
with joy. love. excitement. 
as a gift. 
not all babies are welcomed with tears of joy.
but this little man was. 
and God had that for my heart.
an answered prayer.
to tuck away. 
and remember. 





There are good days and bad days.
good births and bad births. 
but in it all God brings redemption. 
babies are welcomed into this world. 
they come naturally or through interventions. 

This Christmas, this advent.
The birth of our Savior has a whole new meaning to me.
Being so close to birth. 

3 generations of beautiful women.
This sweet little girl was born on Thanksgiving. 

being the person at the other end.
literally. 
I wonder what it was like for Mary & Joseph.
all alone. on that night. 
Mary, exhausted from the long trip. 
from each contraction. 
then pushing with every muscle in her body.
our Savior. 
wrapped in swaddling.
The heavens above. The Angels. 
roared with a joyous celebration. 
The King of Kings. 
has arrived. 

The whole Old Testament. 
leading up to this moment. 
anticipating the arrival. 
year upon year. 
our hearts anticipate the birth of a babe.
born in a manger.
to the virgin.
welcomed with love. 
from those who traveled afar.
from us. 
who He came into this world for. 

" The authority of God made all of creation. But it was the affection of God that made all His children. The three persons of the Trinity - Father God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit - gathered close together to imagine YOU. And God in three persons, uncontainable affection, knelt down and kissed warm life into you with the breath of His love." Anne Voskamp

God brings His redemption in many ways. 
He loves you. 
He loves His children.
He came into this world the same way we all did. 

I pray that your heart is being prepared for His birth. 
for this little babe to be born. 
for His love. 
& desires for your life. 

Have a Merry Christmas.
Full of joy & laughter. 
with those loved ones who will surround you this season. 
In Christ's Love, 
Emily Elizabeth

You face.

God knows how to place people in my life that strengthen my faith. 
strengthen my trust in Him.
and put me in those "awe" states of His hearts love for me. 

These next words are from a patient of mine.
she said I could share them with you. 
She was my first baby I helped into this world 
when I got back from break in July. 
it was an amazing birth. 
Her and her husband are both Christian.
Both have beautiful hearts. 
the Holy Spirit's presence was felt. 
it was a captivating memory.


this is what she wrote me the other week...

Psalm Athena.
Born 8.3.2015 @ 11:51pm
2750 grams

" You know why my heart is so close of you because before I come to the mercy at that night I have a dream that your face I see in my dream and the holy spirit tell me, that I find that face coz he help you to push the baby.and it well be happened. So bless. in the morning when I come in mercy I try to find your face. I feel worry because I cannot see your face.but in the night I'm so shock when I saw your face.and then the holy spirit tell me that women will help you to to push the baby girl. God is so real. That's why I tell my self that Jesus call you for that mission.that's I love you very well. "

"Yah.and you why God show me cause I don't expect psalm come to me.and every time I go in mercy I feel struggle.and every word of God.I heard in mercy I feel strong.cause I don't expect that my baby psalm come in my life.maybe if I see you there's a lot of story I share with during my pregnancy. You know when my baby is 1month inside I dream that God tell me she is a girl.and after 2month inside of my tommy God tell me that I can go in the mercy. huhuhuhu there a lot of story this baby girl.I excited to see you a lot of story I had."

This made my heart burst. and my faith grow deeper. 
I have never had someone express anything like this to me before.
I know God has placed people in my life when I have needed them.
but I have never experienced being placed in someones life for a special moment when they needed me, especially to help bring new life into this world. 
That God had shown my face to someone I have never met. 

Psalm. 4 months old.

Oh Lord you are greater than I can imagine.
Your love flows deeper then I will ever know.
Your plans never disappoint.
Thank you for always romancing my heart.
Surprising me with special gifts daily. 

You never know when someone will need you. 
or you need them.









Always look for what God has for you in the little tasks. and big tasks. 
especially this Christmas season.
as we eagerly await the birth of His son.
who came as a baby.
precious and perfect. 
for us. 

In Christ's Love
Emily Elizabeth

Love the least.

its the 16 year old who is nervous as she is about to become a first time mom.
its the 18 year old who safely delivered her third child. 
      > her first baby she delivered was stillborn. her second was premature. 
its the 29 year old pregnant with her first child who has to be scheduled for a CS due to placenta previa.
its the 27 year old, pregnant with her 5th child. 
      > her first three babies she lost in a devastating house fire. 
its the refugee that wakes up every morning in fear and questioning if they will see the sun set. 
its the mother who prays relentlessly for her child who is going down a dark road. 
its the father working endless hours just to put food on the table for the ones he loves. 
its the CEO who has everything he wants but is secretly battling depression.
its the single father just trying to make his daughter feel like a princess. 
its the mother who is in her 4th round of chemo, trying to keep a smile on her face for her family. 
its the 10 year old who dreads waking up for school to face those words that weigh heavy on his heart. 
its the student working three jobs just to pay for college & get that paper hoping for a high paying job. 
its the family that just got kicked out of their apartment. 

none of these situations are planned. 
none of these are desired.
most we will never understand why. 

what need do they all have in common?

L. O. V. E. 

{ a radical. exuberant. courting. deep. powerful. inexpressible. unchangeable. true. passionate. love. }

Wether your overseas or stateside. wherever you find yourself. 
there are people around you who need this.
who need love. 
to save them.
to give them life. 

to release pain.
hurt. 
fear. 

and replace it with L. O. V. E.
a love that can only be from God. 
felt in such ways. 
that it can only from our Heavenly Father. 

" Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine."  
Song of Songs 1:2

Lord, I pray that you use me in the lives of those women I so luckily get to love because of You.  Not only to safely bring their children into this world but I pray that you use me to bring light into the dark parts of their hearts and to pierce the places that need healing and resurrection. That I will be able to love them wholeheartedly because of the love that You saturate me with daily. They will feel something different. They will feel Your love. Your Holy Spirit whispering a love song into their ears. Jesus. use me to love your broken children. Fill me with your love so I can better love those around me. 

Father, walk into this world. 
soften the hard hearts. 
awaken your children. 
your church.
bring revival.
through L. O. V. E.

'cause there is RESURRECTION LIFE in all You do. 

take your disciples deeper. 
so they can love those in their community without question. 
those hearts you want to touch. 
change.
save.
bring life to. 

People. come on. look at the opportunity we have to love. 
stop judging. living in fear. staying in your bubble. 

God calls us to break through the chains. Knock down the barriers. 
Jesus gave a home to all the homeless.
THAT IS US. we were all homeless. lost. wandering. 
until He captivated our hearts & called us home. 
WE WERE REFUGEES. 
That is what Jesus' ministry was. 

the prostitute. the tax collector. the fisherman. the queen. the beggar. the blind. the deaf. the lame. 
the CEO. the student. the barista. the stressed mom. the homeless man on the corner. the movie star. the bus driver. 
YOU & ME. 
we were all refugees once. or maybe still are. 
Jesus died for us. 
so that we will have a home. a soft place to lay our heads. a sanctuary of safety to reside in. 

so run to Him. 
receive His love.
so that you can go and share it with those whose place you were once in. 

Love. 
is patient. kind. its not jealous or boastful. proud or rude. it doesn't demand. its not irritable. keeps no record of wrongs. does not rejoice about injustice. BUT rejoices when truth overcomes. never gives up. never loses faith. always hopeful. endures through e v e r y   c i r c u m s t a n c e.  
1 corinthians 13:4-7

If you are not in a place of loving others yet because you haven't received love yet or haven't gotten to a place of knowing your Saviors pure love runs so deep for you. Its okay. call out on His Name. Ask Him to reveal His love to you. To court your heart. To saturate your soul with Himself. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. To speak His words into your life. Ask Him if He loves you & how much. He has such beautiful ways in romancing our hearts and telling His children how much He loves them. 

Support those around you who are already loving God's refugees. Give them words of encouragement to continue doing the beautiful task that we have been given by our Father. 

I will be honest and say somedays I don't feel like loving anyone. always giving and not receiving is tiring. I don't feel like putting myself out there. But God always knows how to redeem that through conversations. moments. and the quiet seconds where He whispers how much He loves me and how proud His heart is of mine. 
We need your encouragement. in whatever form.
 I need your love. support. and words. 

so....
This Christmas season. 
How will you radically love others?

In Christ's Love. that is always permeating hearts. 
Emily Elizabeth 

--- > I am getting excited to fly to Manila the end of December to serve Gods daughters who are those prostitutes wandering through life looking for a place to rest. I am still in need of funds to pay for this trip. If you feel God tugging on your heart to support me, it would be a beautiful way to show love & encouragement to me. You can donate through the "GIVE" tab on this page when submitting information put GOJ2015 in the subject box so I know the funds are going towards my missions trip in Manila. Thank you. thank you. thank you. 

never to early.

Walkin in a winter wonderland...

Baby its cold outside...

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

Last Christmas I gave you my heart...

Happy November 1st. 

Happy Holiday Season. 

I have been hearing these songs since September 1st here. 

And now there is Christmas music, decorations, lights...

everywhere. 

Not sure if I am ready. 

part of me is.

but then I feel that I wont want Christmas music when it is actually Christmas...

what a dilema.

and it will be another holiday season away from my family. 

Remember last year my Christmas fundraiser?

{{  $250 was gifted to women in India to receive micro loans }}

Well this year I am bringing it to the place I live.

                           The Philippines.

{{ Gifts of Joy to our Sisters around the World 2015 }}

This year I am going to be flying to Manila for a week the end of December into January to serve with my cousin. We will be working with Wipe Every Tear. A ministry that saves, serves & loves women who are trapped in the sex trade. 

Check out this video && their webesite of what they do, what we will be apart of 

& where your gifts will be going towards.

>> Wipe Every Tear <<

Not only am I in need of funds to provide for this trip but I want to give money to this ministry for my Christmas fundraiser,  as they are actually doing something you can see, making a difference in the lives of those they help and exuding Gods love into the lives of these women. This is close to my heart as I would love to work with those who are in the sex trade and find themselves pregnant or just need care that I can provide.

I am going to start now raising for December. 

For this trip.

For this ministry

For these beautiful women. 

> It will cost me around $350 for the week which is my lodging/food/transportation

> I would love to gift them atleast $250-350 but of course my heart would love to give them more

In total, my goal is to raise $700 from now until Christmas 

for this trip & Wipe Every Tear. 

If you are looking for a different way to give a gift this year. 

If your heart breaks for those women living in bondage & slavery. 

If you can't physically help from where you are. 

Any little gift will make a big difference in the life of one of these girls who has found freedom.

To never give the option back to her of prostitution to make a living. 

To gift her with an education.

A hope.

To fulfill her dreams. 

And continue to live in the freedom of our Fathers incredible love. 

>> GIFT HERE <<

click on my name && make sure you note GOJ2015 in the 

PROJECT NAME section under billing information

Praying to see God move in big ways. 

Praying for a Holiday season that is full of His presence. 

Praying for your hearts as you enter into this season. 

That you may find Him in the little moments.

That you may feel His Spirit move in new ways.

That you will create precious memories with your loved ones. 

In Christ's Love

Emily Elizabeth

twenty. five.

24th birthday @ Sea Green

20th rock n roll birthday

October 15.
> twenty. five. 
> 9,125 days. 
> 300 months. 

> 219,000 hours.

> one quarter of a century. 
> mid twenties. 
> 5 years till I am 30. 

Thank you mom : ) 

{ being apart of birth I have a deeper gratefulness for everything }

 { you went through to bring me into this world. }

Looking back on the last 25 years of my life all I can say is 

how thankful I am that God never left my side. 

23rd progressive dinner birthday

for the family he added me into at the very last minute. 

the places He has brought me. 
the countries I have explored. 
the beautiful hearts I have got to build relationships with. 
the memories He desired for me to have. 

I am one blessed girl. 
in so many ways. 

21st birthday in New York City

I have grown. healed. learned. laughed. cried. & more this last year. 
through it all. 
He has been faithful. 
opening doors. 
refining my skills.
deepening relationships. 
planting desires.

This next year I have a list of 25 things I want to 
accomplish. do. learn. & challenge myself. 

22nd Birthday @ Chino Latino

lets see how it goes. 
anyone have suggestions? 
a few of them are...
- run a 1/2 marathon
- master 3 herbs & 3 essential oils
- do more crafts
- clean eat for one whole month
- write more letters... snail mail 
- grow a lettuce garden
- drink more tea
- do a 365 day bible study

I have 17. as of today. need to think of 8 more. 

Lots of things will be changing in this next year. 

23rd Birthday in Florida

some things I am scared to face. 
a season that I am nervous to enter. 
but I have faith that I will not be going into it alone. 

>> This Thursday I am spending at the beach celebrating the day with people I love. 

>> Next weekend, Elizabeth and I are flying to Cebu for a weekend away. 

:: Twenty. Five. ::

>> I am ready for you. <<

In Christ's Love
Emily Elizabeth

Taxi.

3:40am
car horn honking. 
bang on the front door. 

yelling. 
baby out in taxi. 

the look on her face. 
complete shock. stun. 
blank. 

breathe. 

A naked baby.
screaming.
between her legs.

breathe. 

The emptiness.
of emotion.
filled the back seat.
The emptiness. 
of understanding.
radiated from their gaze. 

"everything is going to be okay. breathe in. breathe out. we are here to help you. You did an amazing job. do not worry. just breathe.  your baby will be just fine. "

deep breath. 

pitocin injection.
clamp. cut. 
finally free. 
wrap baby. 
hand him off. 

breathe.

wheel chair. 
inside.
on bed.
okay little push. 
all out. < < < life sustainer for the last 10 months. thank you Lord for this amazing organ. 

breathe. 

now.
healing starts. 
bonds grow stronger. 
his little eyes finally meet his mommas. 
words cant describe.

breathe. 

babies make their way into this world on their own time. 
sometimes.
fast.
sometimes.
slow. 

Praise God that a screaming baby met us. 
Praise God that momma had little blood loss. 
Praise God for taxi's. 

first contraction to baby out. 
one hour 30 minutes.
precipitous labor. 

Thank you Lord for your Angels you send on assignments.
to protect and surround us. 

Please pray for this sweet momma. for her son. and her family.
For healing. 
strength.
encouragment.
and that she may know her Fathers love for her. 



In Christ's Love
Emily Elizabeth

2nd years.

These words go out to my 2nd years. 

to the girls who took me under their wings.

taught me the ropes.

of the birth center.

and life here in the Philippines. 

This place will not be the same without your hearts.

without your skills.

without your hands.

and your love for what you do. 

Thank you. 

I can't wait to see where God takes each of you. 

How He will continue to grow your skills.

Those He will place before you.

and the babies that you will help welcome into this world. 

May peace fall on your heart in these next weeks to come. 

rest in His presence and desires for your life. 

remember this season. 

the ups and the downs. 

See His hand in the little & big things. 

Your going to whoop the NARM in the bum. 

Phoebe, Alicia, Tori, Rachel, Hannah, Jenna, Sarah, Danielle. 

Bon Voyage. 

You are strong, smart and beautiful women. 

I am thankful to have been together for this season of our lives. 

" I pray that form His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, all all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." 
Eph 3:16-19