New Door.

life is full of seasons.
chapters. 
experiences.
memories.
the good days.
the bad days.
and those in between days.








I have had all of that here in Davao. 
life in this city has been a roller coaster. 



tears of joy. sadness. anger. hopelessness. frustration. thankfulness.
and just because sometimes it feels good to cry. 
to let it all out.
everything your heart is feeling.
all that is weighing it down.
even sometimes you have no reason. 
but to just let the tears fall. 

I never would imagine my life at where it is now.
living in the Philippines.
volunteering in a birthing center.
becoming a midwife. 

I never thought I would be apart of the medical field. 
I pass out from needles....
Yet that one day in Haiti. 
That sweet little boy I got to name Isaiah. 
and his beautiful mama.
God used them to put me on the path that I am on. 

I have seen. learned. experienced. 
SO MUCH. 
this last year and a half. 







Our requirements have changed from when we first started.
we now need atleast 10 of our 25 births as a primary midwife to be in the United States.

God has opened a door for me. 
to do this. 
in Texas. 
at a birth center 1.5 hours from my parents. 
to learn home birth. 
finish my assignments.
and complete my requirements.
to finish with my original ending of Spring 2017.

I will be working with some amazing midwives.
one who was in my exact shoes here in the Philippines a few years ago.
another who interned here. 
along with others who share my same passion. 
for empowering mothers.
treating birth as a natural experience. 
and loving families as they grow. 

My heart is full of emotions.
but I am not sure what or how to feel them yet.
I am excited to be back stateside.
but nervous to learn life again there. 
this is all I have known for the last 3 years. 

Life in Haiti.
Life in the Philippines. 

now onto life in Texas. 
never thought I would end up there. 
but I am excited to see what God has planned for me. 







financially I am trusting in Him.
I will be going off of full support.
and I will not have a consistent income due to my apprenticeship.
and being on call 24/7. 
I know He has gotten me this far and He will continue to provide.
can I ask for prayers for the right jobs to open up with flexibility. 

4 shifts left.
2 weeks from today I leave this country. 
February 4th I will be flying to Minnesota for a week to spend with Elizabeth. 
catching up with dear friends.
enjoying the cold winter for the first time in about 3 years. 
Then to Kansas to surprise my niece and nephews at the airport.
who don't know when I am coming back. 
to finally have sister time that my heart so desperately needs. 
and catch up with a community who loves me so well.

I will finally make it to Texas the end of February. 

and start this new season in this chapter. 



Thank you for all who have supported my life overseas.
who have prayed for me.
loved me. 
and encouraged me. 







I only wish you could have experienced all that I have. 
Hope that my words you have read painted somewhat of a picture.
of these last few years that I have lived. 
This world is beautiful.
and I can't wait to explore more of it. 

Would love for prayers these last few weeks. 
for memories to be made to tuck away in my heart.
for laughter. 
safe travels. 
& those moments when I break down.
cause I know it will happen more than one time. 

Oh Lord, I don't know what this next season will be filled of. 

but I trust You.

You have never led me astray. 

and you won't start now. 

my life is Yours.

ever since that night under the stars standing on the rooftop in Haiti. 

Your my guide. 

You have laid out this journey.

just for me. 

And I wouldn't want it any other way. 

thank you for all these experiences you desired for my heart.

for letting me love your sons and daughters.

and giving me a heart for justice. 

this is just the beginning.

and I can't wait to see what You have planned for me.

for these skills.

&& those for my heart to love. 

In Christ's abundant love.
Emily Elizabeth