We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Lynn Crowhurst and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy Lynn, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
This is such an excellent question! I am inspired first and foremost by the power of motherhood: Without this basic principle, there would be no such thing as life, nonetheless midwifery and doula work. If you were to also ask me what my ultimate dream in life is, it would be motherhood. I am also inspired so very much by my beautiful and loving family, as well as my powerful and almighty God. These above factors absolutely change everything. If it wasn’t for this dream and their endless support, there is no possible way I would have embarked on this journey as such a young woman (in the world’s eyes). The vision of dreams unfolding, lives being changed, mothers being born, and welcoming pure, new life into the world is far beyond myself and just scratches the surface of my inspiration, my reason for this great, holy, and spiritual work! I was made for this.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I will begin the answer to these questions with my business, Glorious Things’ mission statement:

The doula supports the parents and their wishes and desires. She moves with the rhythm of the mother, gently guides and suggests positions and comfort measures, and is a wealth of knowledge and support for the parents to glean from – during pregnancy, labor and birth, and postpartum. The emotional health of the mother is incredibly important and a doula can help maintain that emotional well-being. The mother should feel safe, accepted, and respected. The doula’s support can help create a positive remembrance of empowerment, peace, and confidence when the parents look back upon their baby’s birth. The doula is *not* the medical provider nor the deciding factor; she offers helpful support and suggests comfort measures to the parents, which aids in the mother’s ability to cope with the flows of labor and to make their own informed decisions. A great doula is a source of support and knowledge, knows where her rightful place is found, deeply values the natural ability women have to birth their babies, and has a calm, confident, sensitive, respectful, and professional character.

Oftentimes I like to begin the story of Glorious Things with the meaning behind the name. I strongly believe that the birth of a mother and the beauty of new life are truly “glorious things.” The word glory means so much more than just a simple “cool,” but rather displays the majesty of life, though incredibly hard and humbling at times, and all the magnificent wonders contained in this glorious unfolding of life itself!!!

This journey has not been easy, but it has been glorious in so many ways. I have full confidence in my work and my ability to continue growing in my practice, despite what the world would say as beginning at a rather young age. I am sixteen and a senior in high school – I desire this to be shared with other young men and women to encourage them that you are never too young to chase your dreams or seek after what you were called to do. I am confident and called to this work, someday as a midwife but for now as a doula, for such a time as this. This was a scary leap and risk, but it has made me all the stronger and I am so grateful I said yes to the highs, lows, and glories of it all!

I recently finished my certification as a Certified Birth Support Specialist (CBSS) through Mother’s Blessing Maternal University, based out of the Dulce Birth Center in Austin. I am also certifying through the beautiful organization of StillBirthday, to become a certified birth and bereavement doula. The births I have had the honor to serve at have been absolutely gorgeous, life-changing, and humbling, from precious 5lb babies to almost 11lb babies! They are all so dear to me and have blessed me as much as I have blessed them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have lived all over Fort Worth, so my list may be a bit scattered! Depending on the season, I have always enjoyed the Lavender Ridge Farm where you can pick fresh, beautiful lavender in-season, as well as Circle N Family Dairy Farm where you can visit their farm and purchase delicious, fresh milk, eggs, cream, and ice cream. Both are available minutes a part near Gainesville, TX.

I have only lived in the DFW area for about four years (I was born in Austin, TX), but would start with a hike at my favorite spot, Eagle Mountain Lake near Azle, TX. We would then grab some breakfast at the beautiful Seven Mile Cafe near downtown Keller. I would then drive my friend on over to the Southlake Town Square (it’s most beautiful at Christmas time!) and we would enjoy some quality shopping. I would end our day with a fancy dinner at Gloria’s Fine Mexican Restaurant.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am beyond humbled and encouraged by the support given to me day after day! I will begin with where I am now and slowly work back to the support given to me in the beginning of this journey. My parents, Jeremy and Cindy Crowhurst, as well as my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ have made this wholly possible. I will forever be grateful to them for their endless support, love, and for making this journey of life the beauty it is! Currently, besides my own business I work alongside the beautiful women of Little Love Counseling, located inside the best birth center this side of Texas, Gentle Beginnings Birth and Wellness Center (Check GBBC out and your life will be changed in the best of ways!). Though I have only worked here since July as the administrative assistant for LLC, it has already changed my life for the better and has blessed me beyond measure. If you ever need a referral to loving, professional counseling, check out LittleLoveCounseling.com!

To name a few other lovely life-changers and mentors, soon-to-be midwives Rebekah with North Texas Placenta Encapsulation and Latanya with Honey Just Be, beautiful certified doulas Abbey Barnonskey with Voices of Eve Ministry and Hannah Troyer with Mothering Memories Birth Services… Oh, I could go on and on about these lovely ladies!

This late spring I had the pleasure of serving the motherhood ministry of Above Rubies in Tennessee. This experience of working for Nancy Campbell, founder of AR, was absolutely and so incredibly life changing in every way! I interned at Origins Birth and Wellness Collective last fall and winter, which was my start into the immersion of birth work – I will forever be grateful to these lovely ladies for helping me get rooted in this community! To the Pregnancy Resource Center of Grand Prairie whom I volunteered for last year, thank YOU for equipping me with a stronger love for life and truth. Thank you for fighting, for loving, for serving and giving your all. And most importantly, though I have not enough room to list all, all thanks and praise to my God for fulfilling Your great work in me. I love you all with my whole heart.

Website: https://joyfulbirthwork.wixsite.com/website

Instagram: @gloriousthings.doula

Facebook: @gloriousthings.birthwork

Other: Email: gloriousthings.joycrowhurst@gmail.com DoulaMatch Link: https://doulamatch.net/profile/29748/joy-lynn

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