MADE IT. profusely sweating again. my body had too long of a break from intense heat. darn you air conditioner. went to the mall today to get some items. they scan, write, check, stamp, neatly arrange in bag, seal the bag, staple receipt. thats just the check out process. oh and they don't check your purses at the airport but they check them when you go into the mall. there are many sounds, smells and sights that are very familiar. ( makes me feel like I am at home in Haiti - makes me yearn for that island) ^but couldn't be more excited to be here. sleeping with a fan again. taking two showers just to rinse the sweat off. danced in the rain last night. already have the clinic schedule for september. I am going to be working. day shifts. night shifts. >> coffee shifts. finally. my heart is pretty excited right now. my craving for adventure is bubbling over. catching babies is right around the corner. In Christ's Love, Emily Elizabeth
Tomorrow I leave for and island where I will live, learn & love for the next 2 1/2 years.
This last week in California has been memorable.
Catching up with family.
talks & walks along the beach.
delicious food.
beach days.
{{ Thank you to those who have supported me in obtaining }}
my missionary visa for the Philippines.
{{ I am so blessed && beyond thankful for your gifts. }}
Prayer Requests for the next 48 hours. - Safe travels for all of us girls who are moving our lives - That all of our bags will make it, we will quickly get through customs, & we will all be let in the country : ) - Smooth transition into the Filipino culture & new schedules with school - The relationships with my housemates/peers, midwives & those we are serving will be open & develop with a healthy foundation.
- My relationship with God will grow deeper, develop an unwavering trust & to have an open heart to what God shows me and teaches me.
Next time I write I will be on an island. across the world. beginning on this long road to becoming a CPM. In Christ's Love, Emily Elizabeth
Well 2 weeks from yesterday, I leave for the Philippines.
I - AM - PUMPED.
to put it nonchalantly : )
some random things popped into my mind.
as I have been going over everything i need to get done before I actually leave.
go figure. my mind not thinking like crazy? mmmmm so here are my conjumbled thoughts.
How to follow me and receive my updates....
1. your reading this blog so this is a perfect way as I am going to strive to update once a week. Time difference is a lot more then being in Haiti, 13 hours ahead to be exact. So if you already find the links on my FB perfect. ** if not you can always SUBSCRIBE to get emails when I post. <<< you can do that on my main page, top right. just add your email in and click submit. 2. Sign up for my Mailchimp emails. I am going to plan on doing these 1-2 times a month and will be more in-depth on adventures, stories & more personal things. ** Which I just accidentally deleted. so when I figure whats going on with that UGH I will let you know how to receive those updates! 3. SNAIL MAIL. I will have an address and would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have some pen pals. So when I get my address I will post it : ) ** who doesn't love anticipating a letter in the mail. and sometimes I think its good to go without technology right?! 4. INSTAGRAM. emschoneman is my name and posting beautiful pictures is what I am gunna do. Whether they are of beautiful babies & mommas, the tropical beauty of the island & ocean, or crazy fun times, its an easy way of seeing just what I am doing!!
>> So there are just a few ways to join me on this adventure. <<
+ The other day I went and visited my sweet sweet friends who I met in Haiti. Erin and I stayed with them in Las Cayes for a week - when we went jumping off that beautiful teal blue waterfall : ) yeah that family!
They have a huge beautiful place south of Dallas. I got to hold baby fawns. Shoot guns. ( which I hit every single target the first time! Didn't miss a shot until I tried skeet ) Drive 4wheelers. and have wonderful fellowship with them and their kiddos. I am thankful for the Easleys support and friendship and hope to visit them again whether in Texas or Haiti. Please pray for them as they are seeking clarity in when to return back to Haiti.
Had a delicious meal the other night at my parents neighbors house. IT WAS DIVINE. I am pretty sure I have made them with my sister too. It is a recipe from The Fresh20. If you don't like to cook but want to eat healthy you seriously need to sign up for this. Every week you get meals monday-friday. with your grocery list already, nutrition facts & meal prep. EVERYTHING is clean eating. So all natural, full of goodness & amazing for your mind and body.
anyways we had Watermelon Gazpacho ( it was delicious) and Chinese Chicken Lettuce Cups.
INGREDIENTS
For Chinese chicken lettuce cups
8 butter lettuce leaves (cups)
3 cups shredded chicken 1 medium carrot, shredded or thinly
cut into matchsticks
1 red bell pepper, cut into
matchsticks
1 green Italian zucchini, shredded or
cut into thin matchsticks
Rinse butter lettuce leaves, dry, and set aside.
In a large bowl, toss chicken with carrot, red pepper, and
zucchini.
Add in 1⁄4 cup of ginger soy dressing (see recipe below) and toss
to coat.
Serve chicken and vegetables inside lettuce leaves with any extra dressing on the side.
For ginger soy dressing
2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1⁄4 cup white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper 1⁄3 cup grapeseed oil 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red
pepper flakes (optional)
INGREDIENTS
For watermelon gazpacho
4 cups roughly chopped seedless
watermelon plus 6 cups diced
watermelon
2 cups diced tomato (2 large)
2 cups peeled, seeded and diced
cucumber (2 large)
1⁄2 cup diced red bell pepper
2 Tablespoons diced red onion, plus
more to taste
3 Tablespoons finely chopped basil
3 Tablespoons chopped mint
3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime
Juice (2 limes)
1 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1⁄2 teaspoon minced green serrano
chile, plus more to taste (optional)
1⁄2 Tablespoon salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Put 4 cups of chopped watermelon into your blender and
puree on high for 30-60 seconds until liquefied. Pour into a
large serving bowl.
Add the 6 cups of diced watermelon and all the remaining
ingredients. Stir to combine well. Tweak flavors to taste (you
many want additional onion, lime juice, chile or salt).
Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least three hours, but
preferably 12-24 hours to allow the flavors to fuse and the
vibrant red color to develop. Before serving, tweak flavors
again (if it’s too spicy, add some lime juice). Pass additional
lime juice and salt at the table.
The best thing about making a delicious, tummy happy meal is sharing it with others. So get together family, friends, neighbors, ANYONE and enjoy the conversation that coming to the table brings, and of course you will have made the most amazing meal too. Have an amazing week. Enjoy the little moments. Say yes to experiencing those things that are special to others. Laugh until your stomach hurts. Cry if those tears can't stay in any longer. Share memories with those around you. And LOVE every second you get.
In Christ's Love.
Emily Elizabeth
** Prayer requests
- That funds will be raised to apply for my Missionary Visa when I get to the Philippines. I am in need of $800 and that is an amount that ONLY God can raise through peoples hearts, not me alone.
- Travels these next two weeks
- My future roomies, as we all spend these last moments with our friends and families, that God will give them peace and comfort as we prepare for the Philippines. And also strengthening our desires for what He has called us to do as midwives.
These words were sung together at one of my best friends wedding a few weeks ago. All together. In worship. A beautiful communion. A special moment. A complete surrender.
Let us become more aware
of Your presence
Let us experience the glory
of Your goodness
These last two months have FLOWN by. As I didn't want to admit they would when flying stateside in June.
I have been beyond blessed this summer. Sharing memories with those who I hold close to my heart. Laughing uncontrollably with my niece, nephews and girls in MN. Conversations that made me dig deep in my heart. Adventures full of beauty and amazing awe in how the Lord blesses us with nature. Comfort of growing with a great community. Prayers from dear friends that resulted in streams of tears.
ALL OF THIS IS COMING WITH ME TO THE PHILIPPINES.
for those times of weakness. When I want to pack up, come home and snuggle up in my moms arms.
In the stressful moments where I don't think I will ever make it to the next day.
The several tears I know that I will shed, whether tears of joy, sadness or just because God is stirring something up in my heart.
Right now I just want to shout praises to God of how much
I LOVE MY LIFE.
I love how far I have come. How much I have learned. Changed. Explored. Blossomed. Refined. Let go. Explored. Lived.
All because I have been redeemed.
Thinking about a "normal life" I chuckled cause mine is everything BUT normal.
I am all over the place. and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Yes I dream of meeting a man who not only loves me but is so in love with Jesus. Having babies of my own that I don't have to give back. Having a home to clean up just to become messy again 5 minutes later. Cooking up endless meals of yumminess & always having my community of family walking in my doors to share them with.
I pray that will come. those are tenacious desires of my heart. But right now settling down seems.... scary and stagnant & not right for my life at this moment.
THIS HEART YEARNS FOR SO MUCH MORE ADVENTURE.
to seek out cultures and learn. the beauty that each country has to offer. relationships. wrapping myself up in the everyday life of how people live in hidden villages. going to every edge of fear.
and discovering God in every person.
As I prepare for another move. overseas. My heart anticipates what I will see. What I will learn & what I will experience.
I am ready. SO ready to be out of limbo. To be moving forward towards the calling God has put on my life. Actively pursuing knowledge. Striving to be a midwife of trust, comfort & infinite support.
I am eager to begin living in a community that God has so perfectly pieced together. living life with future midwives and the people of the Philippines. Going through the up's and down's together. Discovering this new country side by side. Lifting one up in God's infinite love when it feels absent. Seeking out new desires together . Growing together in Gods promises.
two and a half years is a long time.
but so perfect when thinking about pursuing deep relationships that will last a lifetime.
August 17th I will leave LAX en route to Davao City, Philippines.
Can I ask for prayers of comfort, safety, & peace.
Saying goodbye to my sister yesterday was a whole new kind of hard. A hurting in my heart in realization that I have NO CLUE the next time I will see her in person. As hard as its going to be I feel as if its a confirmation that what I am doing is right and it is exactly what God wants for me.
No goodbyes have ever been this hard. Not saying everything I have done was wrong but just knowing that THIS. Me going back to school in another country to be equipped to be a midwife is exactly what God has planned for me and I have finally found what it means to let go and let God. To follow Him with my whole heart.
" In ALL your ways acknowledge HIM, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:6
I love this life that God leads me in. I love the people He has put in my life now and am excited for those I will cross paths with in the future. I love all my memories. experiences that I can pinpoint growth in my life. I love living for God. For striving to seek Him out in the small things. Giving Him thanks in every situation & for every beautiful thing He produces in my life. Knowing that when I mess up that He is right there to wipe it clean and shower me with His loving comfort.
I love my life.
I love living this life for my Savior.
God let Your fire
Burn in my soul
Come and take over
All my control
Burn in my spirit
Burn in my soul, Oh God
Burn in me
Let your spirit
Come and fill me
Let my heart come fully alive
Let your presence overwhelm me
Let your glory come alive
Let it come
Let it come
Father, give me a boldness that is so apparent to those around me.
Prayer Requests:
- Safe travels for these next few weeks before I land in Davao City
- Sweet moments with my family & friends while I am in Dallas and San Diego
- Peace & comfort in the Goodbyes that I am dreading
- Eager mind for learning & soaking up every bit of knowledge I learn
- Community & bond with the other girls I will be living life with & the Filipino women we will be ministering to.
Needs:
- $800 for my Missionary Visa fees when I get to the Philippines
- Individuals or Families to partner monthly in support of my life not only as a student in Davao but as a missionary midwife
(In need of $200-300 monthly in addition with my current supporters)
- iPhone 4s or newer. Needs to have a SIM card slot & unlocked would be nice! - Prayers, prayers & more prayers
** If you would like to donate a one time gift or join in supporting me monthly for my time in the Philippines you can give by clicking THIS button and follow the steps.
I am still under " Schoneman, Emily HAITI"
- If you would like to specifically give to my Missionary Visa fund
Please let me know by emailing me at schoneman.eemily@gmail.com
I will have an address where I am living too so anyone who wants to be old fashioned and do snail mail I WOULD LOVE IT : ) nothing like opening up a hand written letter!
Thank you for everything. For all of you who keep up with my blogs, life, adventures & prayers. I pray that God will move in you & bring you countless blessings. I wouldn't be where I am today without your love & support. I love knowing I have so many people to share my life with.
there are many sounds, smells and sights that are very familiar.
