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.
I love JT. duh and these words finally fit to my life.
* just a heads up this might be a long post : )
I asked God to come into my life when I was around 8 years old. With a child like faith I never really understood what it meant to truly have Christ lead my life. To die to self. To put on His full armor. High school was my "road" that I was traveling on for way way too long. It kept going, or more like I kept choosing to walk on it. My choices, my bad choices that kept chiseling away at my heart, my confidence & my relationship with God stayed right there on my chain that was dragging my feet down to being completely free, completely healed.
I keep asking myself why is it so hard for me to shed the identity that used to be me. The identity I still think I needed from who I was, before I completely gave my life up to follow Christ. Its a comfort I think us human beings desire as when we go through seasons in our life, especially ones where we are making choices that leave us empty, that we get stuck with the thinking that that identity is the only one and we will never change. Those people we associated ourselves with, we think are the only ones who will accept us. We are just so used to those choices & lifestyle that anything out of that habitual ordinary is completely different and feels foreign to us.
yet Jesus freely gives us His grace, mercy, reconciliation,
a chance at a new life in Him.
We take that plunge, say good bye to our old ways and start fresh. Yet I found old habits and memories peek back through the new layer of life that I had. My life with Jesus 100% surrendered is beautiful. don't get me wrong. I am thankful that He never gave up on me and kept reaching for my hand during those lost & lonely years. But this last year has been hard. Hard reaching back and pulling out the books of my past that I wanted to keep tucked away and buried. To never remember. Leave behind with the girl that I used to be. It was in those moments that I found a healing beyond words. A valley finally being filled with refreshing serenity between who I was and who God desired and honestly I desired to be. Those surreal moments of realization that my identity is not that girl who tried to fit in, do what everyone else was doing & make irrational decisions that were detrimental to my life. That my identity, now is in Him who gave me this second chance. A chance to push the redo button. Not just to redo everything from my past but to learn and grow from those years of wandering and find an everlasting peace. It has taken me to get where I am by allowing God to break me down, break the barriers & the thought of who I should be. To slowly shut out what social media screams at us girls & women to be. That we will only be noticed if we show more and more skin. If we take that extra drink just to put us over the edge of being vulnerable. The size of our clothes determine our beauty. >> Yes, I have struggled a lot with my body. And I am still getting to that point of complete confidence. I will NEVER be a size 2 ( my sister got that body) I am my dads build. No hips, bubble butt and broad shoulders. Some days I would admit that I had a slight eating disorder in certain ways yet nothing to EVER put me over the edge because I LOVE FOOD && cooking it. I don't want to blame media but I used to love my body when I spent hours in the pool. I was strong & healthy and felt amazing when I was swimmer, but pictures have gotten into that part of my mind that keep reeling me back to what a 23 year old girl who is successful "should" look like. Who am I kidding. I am successful in ways that had nothing to do with my body. I am finally not trying to be like everyone else because honestly, sticking out is better then blending in. So with that my body is a temple that I need to take care of, given to me by my Heavenly Father. I will continue to nourish it & keep it healthy because we were told to take care of our one and only earthly body. And this girl wants to live long so I can hold my grand babies, travel the world & love as many people as possible. --> Here <-- is a wonderful read about body image & social media that Ann Vosckamp wrote to all women. This has been a HUGE hurdle for me to overcome. I know that true confidence and beauty come from inside, from my heart that is continually changing and growing into a heart that will just want to love in complete confidence . So there is a part of my heart that is receiving healing as we speak ( I did body pump yesterday with my sister and I can barely walk today but it feels so good to get back to the gym and finally have my outlet back to relieve stress & sweat. oh wait I already do sweat all the time. psych ) >> While I was in Haiti, I hopped back on the saddle and went on a few dates with someone who has a beautiful heart for his country esp the children which is why I was so attracted to him. Through the few months of spending time with him, laughing & getting to see Haiti in a different way, God used him to heal me from a past relationship that left me so broken. I kept finding myself reverting back to past habits that left me feeling not myself and not glorifying God in this relationship the way I desired to. I gave myself a slap in the face and reminded myself that I am worthy of love from a man for who God has created me to be. That I don't need to change who I am or try to be someone else for a mans affections & attention. (ps I am going to the Philippines as a single girl, long distance does not sound fun and I realized that cross cultural relationships might not be for me ) I have grown, moved on & forgiven myself for what God has already forgiven me for. I have to always keep reminding myself that once I ask for forgiveness that God doesnt dwell on it or think about it so why should I? " I-yes, I alone- will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again." Isaiah 43:25 I am thankful for the relationships I have had in my life as they have given me a connection between girls who have found or find themselves in the same unhealthy relationship that I had. To be able to see where we let our guard down, given over control to the wrong person & damaging habits. I desire to come along side these girls and show them what true love is, a love that doesn't hurt, doesn't break & doesn't control negatively. One day. I pray one day I can be a mentor in this way. I will say it has been incredibly hard seeing so many people get engaged and married. Starting families & this next chapter that I do desire. I will be gone for a few years and who knows what God has planned for me in that department but am becoming satisfied with falling in love with Jesus more and understanding fully how much He loves me before I can truly love one of His sons that He has for me. I want my Savior to trust me with His son, that I can love him and cherish him in every way possible. I don't want to let Him down as I want to know that everyday with my husband is a gift from our Lord. {{ A dear friend told me one day while soaking up the sun at the most beautiful beach I have been to in Haiti, : ) Fall in love with Jesus first, truly seek what it means to love Him and receive His love completely. Then you will be able to love your future husband in the way we were created to love & be loved. }}
I am holding these words close to my heart. Searching for God in more ways ever imagined. Letting Him be the love of my life as we go on this incredible journey together that He has picked for my life. I want to be a mom more then anything. This won't be happening for a while but He has already gifted me with SO many beautiful children that fill my heart with joy. My girls that I nannied who I call my own, the children in Haiti that I miss so dearly & now the children that I will be help delivering and bringing into this world. Beyond blessed. I hope I will be a mom one day, and all these kids will have helped shape me into being the best mother that I can be. To love so purely & cherish every moment with my future children. I am thankful for all the diapers I have changed, the millions of spills I have cleaned up, dancing as no one was watching, tears that have been shed on my shoulders, the memories and the most beautiful smiles that fill my mind daily. I am growing up. Moving on. and living this life that God has designed for me. I still have lots of growing, healing and digging to do. But now I want to do it with God. I want His help. I want to learn to love my heart, soul & body the right way. Some days it pains me to know that my sweet girls & nieces are growing up in this world. My heart breaks for what their fragile minds will be flooded with by the celebrities & culture. I hope one day they will read this and know that these words from my heart were meant for their ears.
To Morgan, Alexandra, Alicia, Annabel, Anna, Lauren, My girls in Haiti, My future daughters, My future girls in this world, I want YOU, my sweet girl to know that God loves YOU for exactly who YOU are, whether you are bruised, broken and hurt. You ARE beautiful. You ARE cherished by many. You ARE smart & capable of anything you put your mind to. You have amazing support and you will ALWAYS have me to come to in times when you have no where to turn. My arms will ALWAYS be open and my shoulder will ALWAYS be the perfect tissue for your tears to land on. I am BEYOND grateful to have your sweet smile in my life and I want you to know that I treasure our memories we have together and I treasure you as my girl who I hold close to my heart. I am SO proud of the woman you are becoming and can't wait to see that beautiful heart of yours burst with those around you & see how you conquer this world. I pray that you will seek out a relationship with God and He will be the love of your life, guiding you on your very own adventure. I pray that He will use you in ways never imagined and with that you will find value and beauty and complete satisfaction in Him and Him only. You make me smile. You make me cry tears of utter joy. You make me the most grateful woman in the world to be apart of your life. I love you. I will ALWAYS love you. In Christ's steadfast love, Emmy, Mommy, Auntie Life is a journey. I like to say life is an adventure. I have gone from one place to another. Each and every time, growing and being molded into a woman who loves to love. Why settle down when you can discover the millions of beautiful creations that God created just for us to seek out. To come closer to Him in those moments we stumble into complete awe of learning one more thing about how much He really does love us. >> I am thankful for the people who have helped me get to where I am. Lifting me up in prayer, filling my life with encouragement & putting color into each new chapter of my adventures. << I love you. I cherish you. I pray that I can love you deeper, encourage you in times of doubt, & be that friend who you think of to call who lives across the world. To everyone who reads this. Open your hearts to Christ. To His desire for your life's book. Let Him in and change you, grow you & heal you. Whether you have an intimate relationship with Him or not, know that He is One who will NEVER stop loving you, NEVER give up on you & NEVER leave you to journey through this life alone. I pray that you will come to find this peace & healing one day, and will be able to say confidently with joy and praise that you have been saved by the One who created you. That you are in love and loved by the Prince of Peace, King of Kings, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. the Savior of this World. [[ I FINALLY am closing the long chapter of my life before Christ completely entered my life last February. I may still have a child like faith but now a faith that defines who I am and what I do. The old me is dead, gone and NOT coming back. It will continually be a struggle but with God right next to me & a prayer away I know that I am SO SO ready to move on. To be molded into the woman He has created me to become. Thank goodness He put a little crazy into the mix. These words written here, from my heart, have brought a closure that was LONG overdue. Finally facing the truth that was so apparent in my life that I needed to give up holding on to someone who I hardly know anymore to allow me to welcome with gratefulness , Emily Elizabeth Schoneman --> daughter of The Most High. Servant to His orphans and widows. Lover of loving others : ) Healed & SO eager for a new adventure that is right around the corner. ]] The Philippines. I am ready to see what God has planned for my life, my next chapter & what growth (that I now welcome openly) He is planning for me. I CANT WAIT to bring His children into this world, to pray over them and tell them how much they are loved.
" But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the world assigned me by the Lord Jesus- the world of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." Acts 20:24
In Christ's Love
Emily Elizabeth
PS. observed my first birth. it was BEAUTIFUL and incredible how, POP there is another human being in the room. I had to hold back my tears. was reaffirmed that this is exactly what God wants me to do because I didn't faint or get queazy. It was amazing && I can't wait to get to school and catch some babies myself!
- Safe travels for all of us girls who are moving our lives
