Noonday Blog Train..a giveaway! Update: Giveaway Closed...

Giveaway now closed..congratulations to Jennifer Humiston on winning the Mary Sunshine Apron! You'll be receiving an email for shipping information :) Thank you ALL who entered and shared this post, by sharing the post you're sharing about Mary Sunshine and all those who work alongside her. :) 

Hey there! Today is an exciting day! If you're visiting here for the Noonday Collection blog train, welcome! Before I start sharing a little bit of my story make sure you check out Krista and Alicia's blogs, they have some awesome Noonday goodie giveaways going on right now too.

I wanna tell you about Mary Sunshine.  Mary Sunshine is exactly what her name is, full of sunshine. I have never in my life met someone with so much joy. Pure joy.

The day I went to meet the Rwandan artisans was such a special day. I was so excited. I had been sharing about these women and their stories for almost a year at that time, and I was going to meet them..in real life. Like, I was going to hug them and meet some of their children, and see where they work, it felt surreal. I remember driving in that little euro van...looking for the gates I was told would mark where the shop was.  I saw them, Mary Sunshine standing outside the gates, ready to greet us, with a huge smile.

Mary's hugs were some of the more genuine hugs I've ever felt. She and the women welcomed us into their shop as if it was their home. They took so much pride in the work they created, the work they created for people like you, who shop our line :)

They even got all gussied up for our meeting! 

(which made me feel better because of course I worried about what I was going to wear to meet them too! Women are women know matter where they're from ;) ) 

They worked on sewing machines powered by foot..like the ones we use here in the US for decoration in our homes (yeah..reality check..humbleness check)

It was absolutely amazing to see things in progress, things like the Charlotte Bag, named after this beauty.

I remember feeling so inadequate as I stood there and they thanked me because of your purchases.  They were so thankful for work, work that literally is the difference between life and death for some.  The difference between keeping their children and being forced to give them up.  Some of the artisans walk for miles to get to the co-op y'all..miles..they walk miles for you.  Miles to create beautiful pieces. Pieces that hold a story.

Writing this brings tears to my eyes. My eyes burn missing that time I had with them.  Community, community with sisters across the globe, sisters I'd never met until that day.

They are why I sell Noonday.  They are why I hound some of you about hosting shows.

They are real.  Their stories are real.  Some of them have been through more than we ever will in our lifetime. 

History of genocide, war, rape, abuse.

They're real.

This sweet thang? Because of your purchases she's in preschool while her mama works! She's also looking quite studious if I do say so myself. 

They're beautiful daughters of the King.

They are Noonday Collection.

In honor of our Rwandan Artisans, I  am giving away our brand new Mary Sunshine Apron.

It is bright, bold and beautiful! Just like Mary Sunshine. 

I would love for one of you to win this, and wear it proudly as you think of Mary Sunshine.  As you bake cookies for your family, or prepare a holiday dinner, think of Mary and her JOY for life.  

Choose JOY my friends, just like Mary Sunshine.

Comment below for your chance to win! Winner will be announced Friday September 6th and make sure you tell me your favorite new fall item! (if you can choose just one!)

And tomorrow make sure you check out Natalie's blog for another giveaway! 

- all these beautiful pictures were taken by my great friends Rachel and Becky of WurzbachFisherPhotography, they're Noonday lovers and wrote a blog about our Rwandan trip too! Make sure you check it out here! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Noonday Fall Launch!

It's no secret that Noonday Collection is playing a huge part in our adoption. 

And today the fall line officially launches! These are just a few of my faves for this season! 

Here's the thing, I can shout from the rooftops how your purchases matter.

I can tell you over and over again that you can make a difference. 

Well let me just tell you, to these people you ARE. You guys, these peoples dreams are being fulfilled because of purchases with Noonday Collection. I have met some of them. I heard them say how much your purchases mean. 

photo cred goes to my girl Wynne

These are our Ugandan artisans, they want to say thank you.


So go check out my Noonday site! Tell me what some of your new favorites are! And if you're local (local-ish, I'll travel) talk to me about hosting a show, you won't regret it!


PS: I'm jumping on the Noonday blog train with some of my sister ambassadors. For the next month everyday, an ambassador will be sharing her heart and a little about her own journey.  On our day we'll also be giving away a fun Noonday goodie! So make sure you're following here so that you can get daily updates on what you could win! (to subscribe just enter your email in the "follow our story" box at the top)

Today by sweet friend Krista will be kicking off the blog train, so head on over to her blog and see what she has to share!


"When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the noon day" Isaiah 58:10

Our Circle, one month in

Take a step of faith when God gives you a vision because you trust that the One who gave you the vision is going to make provision. And for the record, if the vision is from God, it will most definitely be beyond your means. 

-Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker

Last month I talked to you about our 24/7 prayer. The call we felt to pray every hour until our son is home.

It's been a month.

And you guys, its been unreal.

We set our phones to have alarms each hour...and yes, even through the night.

We've prayed like we've never prayed before.

Some crazy stuff has happened, some things I'm just not sure I wanna share yet because you might think I'm crazy (if you don't already..)

I used to think we prayed the average amount..is there really an average amount? But anyways, the book I wrote about when we shared out 24/7 prayer really has changed the way that we pray. It's hard to describe, so you should just go get the book and read it yourself.

I'd be lying if I said this last month was easy...it is HARD with an alarm going off every hour, but the  result of these prayers are most definitely worth it.  In the beginning I remember feeling exhausted...but a good exhaustion.

We are praying with confidence a very bold prayer for our boy and his adoption.

Literally the week we started some insane things happened with out agency, but it all worked out for the better, but I don't think it was coincidence when everything happened.

I know our prayers are being heard because they are being answered.

Until next time, guys.

Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle.” 

-Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker

This is What a World Changer Looks Like...

A little over a year ago I was fortunate to join a team of women, women who work with a company called Noonday Collection.  You've heard me talk about Noonday before, you know my passion for it. Noonday's story rings with what my passions are. Noonday's heartbeat...

"At Noonday Collection, we believe every child belongs in a family .We advocate for the orphan by:

• Providing jobs that create a pathway out of poverty for families. A stable income means a family is less likely to abandon their child.
• Help families raise money for their own adoptions. We give 10% of trunk show sales directly to the adoptive family when they host a trunk show.
• Aside from donating 10% towards qualified adoptive families, Noonday Collection also gives towards orphan care and prevention. 
• The dream: Take YOU on a trip to visit artisans and visit orphans in their distress." -(taken from the Noonday website)

When you shop with Noonday, you are being a part of the solution, keeping children off the streets, literally providing families with jobs to keep them out of poverty, helping to end the cycle of oppression. Sending girls to college, keeping families together...keeping families together..stopping the orphan cycle..

I don't do anything when it comes to Noonday, I deliver the stories and YOU change the world by purchasing the pieces that go with the stories..

I want to show you what a world changer looks like..because I bet they look a lot like you! 

Here's Rachel, and her sister Becky, a sisterhood photography team, Rachel's (left) wearing the Angular earrings, supporting our Ugandan artisans. Becky (right) is wearing the Minted Necklace, and also the yellow beaded statement bracelet, both pieces spread the Uganda story 

Janice (left) and her daughter Ari are wearing two Noonday countries! The funky paper bead necklace and the minted necklace, both made in Uganda. Ari's also wearing the D'Orsay Bangle which supports artisans in India. 

Jennifer is wearing the Stamped Circle Bracelet in silver, made in India where slavery and oppression was once the only option for our artisans. 

Veronica is modeling the Beaded Statement Bracelet in blue made in Uganda, where the artisan team is growing because of these purchases! 

Elizabeth is wearing the Festival Necklace, made in Uganda by the group Noonday helped launch

Angie decked herself out in Noonday for the 4th of July, layering her Funky Paper Bead necklace and adding the bracelet too. While she celebrated her freedom she also knows that her purchases helped others keep theirs. 

Val is wearing the beaded statement in peach, a favorite by many. Each bead is rolled one by one by hand. Val is wearing their story. 

Lauren doubled up her Minted Necklace, made in Uganda.  Every time Lauren puts on her necklace she can know that she helping in keeping a families together and keeping children off the streets 

Aleah layered up in Noonday for a wedding, she's modeling the Kampala with Love necklace and the Zoe, both made in Uganda and both providing incomes for families without the opportunity before Noonday. 

Megan with her cute baby belly is modeling the Stamped Circle earrings handmade by  our artisan groups in India that help low-income artisans move towards economic self-sufficiency.

So next time you think you can't do anything...remember you can! 

(ps there are SO many more women who's pictures should be up here, but it was hard to stalk facebook and instagram ;) Don't worry, there will be more world changers 

"When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will shine like the noonday" Is. 58:10

Keep changing the world y'all!