A Team of World Changing Women

 

I've been travelling around Houston the past few months putting on Noonday Collection Trunk Shows, and can I just say I have been having the experience of my life?

I have never been a salesperson per se, but my Myers Briggs personality type is the "activist", so I guess I shouldn't be surprised how exciting and life-giving this leap of faith has been for me and my family.

First, I couldn't escape Isaiah 58.  Everywhere I turned it was coming up -- on that random sermon I heard, referenced in that book I read, the keynote passage at a women's conference (thanks Jen Hatmaker...my new best friend.  I don't think she knows it, but she is!).  God has definitely been trying to get a message through to me.  Living a life that just seeks to gain more blessing and more holiness for myself, while neglecting (or even actively participating in!) those who are oppressed and impoverished around me is not what He wants.  I have "known" this, but knowing and doing are two different hings!

Now, being a part of Noonday, it is a part of my every day life.  Through the ambassador community I am around a group of women actively thinking of creative ways to link our giftings with others' needs, which has truly been life changing.  I feel alive and as if all those things I have somewhat known can now can be put to use!

A friend just sent out a save the date for a Noonday show coming up and she said it this way:

God has been awesomely at work in many around me including one of my good friends, Whitney Ray. She has become a part of the Noonday team which works to eliminate poverty and encourage adoption through US sales. What began as a way to raise money for a Ugandan adoption in Austin, TX has blossomed under God's guidance.

That's the awesome thing about Noonday Collection.  It is using something as fun and accessible as jewelry and accessories as a platform for great change! 

Also, since the company is so new, I am getting to be a part of shaping the training and get to shape the show to meet my market and personality.  I love that independence and authenticity! 

We just heard about the new plans for the early part of 2012 and I am brimming with excitement.  You know, when you start something new, it is easy to let the fears well up and take over.  But, now that I am a few months in, the fears are fading away and pure excitement is taking its place.  Here's why:

• I get to style women and make them feel beautiful and confident!
• I get to share how their purchases really are changing communities around the world.  For some customers it is the first time they have heard about women being abandoned because of the HIV status, or how children are exploited because their parents lack meaningful work -- it is wonderful to share the problem, but also offer an accessible step towards a solution! 
• I get the chance to share about the "new frontier" of international aid that seeks to help without hurting (Have you read When Helping Hurts?) 
• Noonday Collection has great connections in the international aid department and is teaming up with IJM, Food for the Hungry, and others to effect even greater change
• The founder, Jessica Honegger, passionately loves the Lord and passionately believes in prayer and creative approaches to caring for the least of these. 
• A book club is starting for ambassadors this year where we can all learn and be challenged together.  First book up, When Helping Hurts!
• The initial financial investment is paying off and money is coming into our family!  We have felt led to put this money back into organizations we have wanted to support (Compassion International, Bridges International, and others) and are so thankful we have the funds to do this through Noonday.
• The artisans around the world are on my mind...constantly.  I think about them as I prepare and put on each and every show.  Being committed to Noonday means I am committed to providing a market for the artisans and each show and each contact I make isn't for me, it is for them and their families.

Is all of this making a difference?  Yes...times a million!  This is so real guys, and so truly authentic and transparent, I love it.  I could go on forever, but if you want to know more, just shoot me an email.

Want to see what i mean?  Read this blog post entitled Your Purchases Matter by Krista Box, another Noonday Ambassador.  She visited our artisan group in Uganda this past November and saw first hand the artisans Noonday's sales support.  Be ready to be blown away!

Also, watch this CNN video about a group we represent in Ecuador.  Andean Collection Sows Seeds of Hope.  *We will have exclusive Noonday Collection designs from this group in our Spring/Summer 2012 line!

Ok, I tried to be succinct, but you know me!  We only have Ambassadors in a few cities, so if you are interested, you could be the first one in your area.  Let me know as I can answer lots of questions and point you in the right direction.  ***Disclaimer -- I am not trying to "build a team" as Noonday isn't set up like that, I am just really enjoying this and want to expand the marketplace for the artisans!***

Let me know!