Monday, February 24, 2014

Why I stay

***update: Giveaway closed, winner Lorna Carnahan*** congratulations!!!! 

I'm so excited to have you here today, because I've had the awesome opportunity to partner with several of my Noonday Collection sisters over the next few weeks to share our hearts behind Noonday Collection, and a bonus-each one of us is giving away something Noonday! So fun, right?!

Ok, so this is my second time on the Noonday blog train.  Last season I shared about my trip to Rwanda, and what an impact that had on my life (if you wanna check it out go here).  That time in Rwanda happened almost a year ago, and it's almost like I'm just now coming out of that time and beginning to process what happened there, and beginning to process what it was like meeting some of the women behind the look book pages.

So Noonday.  I've been asking myself recently, what is my Noonday story, what brought me to Noonday, what keeps me here.

I wish I could show you a picture of our little boy, but we can't just yet! But he's one of the reasons that keeps me here, him and millions other like him.

When I started with Noonday our dossier (ton of adoption paperwork) had just been sent off to Ethiopia.  I desperately wanted to be involved with Noonday but my husband told me we needed to get our adoption paperwork off and so I waited, but you better believe the day it went off, I emailed them.

I had my phone interview with Jessica (Noonday's founder) and just got off the phone so encouraged, talking with someone who actually gets it, get's what I was feeling and my desire to do more.

Little did I know the relationships that would be formed with other women over these two years who felt the exact same thing.

Over this past year and a half, I've realized the need for orphan prevention, and what needs to happen for that to take place, and honestly-it won't be all good until Jesus comes back, but we can make a dent in it, and sustainable income opportunities for the poorest of the poor is a huge start.

That's what keeps me here. I want to stay here for the mom who thinks her only option is to give up her child, for the girls who were just trafficked and exploited, for families who need help fundraising to bring their children home, for justice to be served.

I used to feel embarrassed, thinking that people would get mad at me for asking them over and over to host, over and over to purchase.  But honestly, I don't care anymore because I met some of the faces behind the look book and they're worth it. They're worth fighting for. I will continue to tell their stories, because I honestly know that is what God has called me to do, and that's really something that's taken a long time for me to admit, that it's more than just selling you a paper bead necklace (although they're awesome and you should buy one) it's me connecting you to another person on the other side of the world who you can directly impact and who you can provide hope to.



Photos courtesy of Wurzbach Fisher Photography 

So I'm giving away a Market Tote from Rwanda.  I met the Rwandan artisans last year when some friends and I took a trip over, and recently my heart has ached to go back to the land of a thousand hills. So I thought I'd bring Rwanda to YOU! And give away a market tote! So go ahead and enter! I'll announce the winner on Friday!



And make sure you head over to Paige's blog for yesterday's giveaway and over to Baylors blog tomorrow for a giveaway too!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

38 comments:

ellen said...

I think the Carnival earrings are so fun and funky-- I love their bold statement! Thanks for an awesome post about Rwanda!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I love Noonday- I have a few pieces and I love them!

Unknown said...

What a great story and giveaway! My favorite new piece is the Kismet Day Bag. I love it so much!

Donna said...

Live the bags and Noonday. Thanks for the opportunity.

Unknown said...

Loved this, Stephanie:)

Candace Dawn Evans said...

wonderful!

natalie s. @ little things + big stuff said...

I don't know if they're new or not, but I love the Delta River Bangles!

Jenn said...

I love your heart and your giveaways! ;)

Lindsay said...

I LOVe the Tushabe Necklace - such beautiful colors!!

ilovepablo said...

Love the bags and clutches! :)

Lifesabeech said...

I love the Victoria Falls Necklace as well as the Gossamer Necklace.

Unknown said...

I am so enamored by the carnival earrings! I cannot wait to wear them to my Mexico trip this summer!

Carrie said...

Two faves....the Laguna Cuff and the Galaxy Wrap bracelet!

Kat said...

Love all of the earrings! I def can't pick just one….

Mallory said...

love the bloomed trio bracelet!

Sandy Cook said...

I love the Blossom Earrings!

Lyndie said...

Love the botanical bag!

Unknown said...

Love those market totes! Thanks for sharing your journey and your heart, Stephanie.

Beth said...

Gem trio studs or woven wonders cuff!

MindySue said...

It's hard to pick, but I really like the Filigree Paisley Earrings and the Galaxy Wrap the best!

Shasta Looper said...

I am loving the botanical bag this season. Hard to choose just one.

RaChelle and Paul said...

Love, love the linen and stripes catch all!

Joleen said...

Beautiful, beautiful totes!

Deborah said...

Thank you for sharing your story. The totes are beautiful.

Lorna said...

I discovered Noonday thru my friend Annie Phillips and I am now the proud owner of a few items. I started following the blog train in the hopes of winning an additional fabulous item or two. What I've found instead are stories of amazing women that care so deeply for others. I'm beginning to see that I've already won the prize. Getting to know a little bit about all of you and the incredible changes you make in someone else's life.

Debby said...

Those totes are so beautiful. I love the colors. The new aida earrings are one of my favorite new items.

ellen said...

I just wanted to double-check that the link for the Baylor's blog is correct? I thought she'd be posting on the 25th but can't find her blog post. Thanks!

Terry said...

Noonday does wonderful work! I'd be honored to win one of the totes.

emily said...

My favorite is the discs and pearls necklace.

Unknown said...

I would love a bag, I love all the colors.

Our journey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Our journey said...

Hey Ellen! So sorry about that! Baylor is the 26th, lemme check with her and get back to you :) thanks for letting me know!

Baylor said...

Hey ladies! My post is live. We are in the process of moving and are without internet at the moment. You don't realize how much you need it till you don't have it! I'm so sorry for the delay, but you can head over to heritagefromthelord.blogspot.com to check it out!

Catherine said...

Noonday is such a great organization and has really opened my eyes to purposeful purchasing! These bags are lovely.

Unknown said...

Thank you for all you do to make a difference!!

Danielle M. said...

Love that Botanical Bag!!

The Jones' said...

Just got my gold cubed studs in the mail and am L O V I N G them!!! of course, love and want everything!

Jamie said...

The market tote is beautiful!!