Elishaba Doerksen is the oldest of fifteen children born to ex-hippies Robert and Kurina Hale, otherwise known as Papa Pilgrim and Country Rose. She grew up in a dilapidated 341-square-foot log cabin in the mountains of New Mexico, isolated from civilization by a fundamentalist father intent on keeping his large family isolated from a godless world. When she was nineteen, her father began molesting her in unimaginable ways as well as hitting, beating, and whipping her--and her siblings--when they were judged by him to be "rebellious." The horrific sexual and physical abuse continued after the family moved to an isolated valley in the Alaska wilderness. Ever the dutiful daughter, but confused between what she read in the Bible and the reality of her abusive relationship with her father, it wasn't until Elishaba attempted a daring escape on a snowmobile that she was able to free herself from her ruthless and controlling father. Today, her faith in God and love for Jesus sustains her. She has been married to Matt Doerksen for nearly fifteen years, and together they are raising two children, Esther and Michael. The Doerksens make their home outside of Palmer, Alaska. Her website is elishaba.com.