Emily’s 1st birthday with her mom and dad (left), Emily’s last birthday 2023 (right)
Emily has said for the last 18 birthdays of her life that she knew were a gift from God because she wasn’t supposed to live past 23 because of her cystic fibrosis diagnosis. But instead of worrying about what birthday would be her last, she made her circumstance and journey into an inspiring testimony for so many others. She wrote and published books, did speaking engagements, and was ever present and active in her faith and church. She didn’t let her circumstances define her or succumb to fear of when her life in this earth would end - she lived like each day was her last.
In Emily’s book, Living Memento Mori, there is a section she wrote called “Headed to Heaven” (pg. xix-xx) in which she addresses the suffering faced in this life compared to the joys awaiting us.
As you remember Emily on this day, here are 2 verses that give us hope, not only in Emily’s new body and renewed mind, but for all who have repented and believe. The first is assurance of being with God after death and the second guarantees God’s plan and Jesus’s return!
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 5:8
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. - John 14:1-3
Past Birthday Blog Posts
Here are birthday blog posts she wrote over the last few years and all you can do is smile when you feel the joy and thankfulness she had for her life.
2018
2021
2022
2023