Thursday, March 27, 2014

Noonday Blog Train--What God is Doing in My Heart Through the Orphan Crisis

If you are here for the Noonday Collection Blog Train...WELCOME! Make sure you check out Desiree's Blog tomorrow!

In January I had the pleasure of attending the Noonday Collection Ambassador Conference. I was excited to go, and meet new people, see the Spring Line, and learn how to grow my business. I was not prepared for the work God was going to do in my heart.

God reminded me that weekend that He has BIG, BEAUTIFUL plans for my life. God reminded me that He called me Noonday Collection as a way to care for the vulnerable. He reminded me that because He adopted us as sons we are called to adoption. He reminded me that making sure that you use your purchasing power to help others is how we should be using our money. That's the calling he placed on my life.

So, I came home and we applied to adopt from Haiti through AWAA. I started emailing people and asking them to partner with me to change the world. And I prayed that God would help me be BRAVE. That when I'm scared that the money won't come in that He would blow my socks off and remind me that this is Him doing a great and mighty work through me. Through my family.

God has amazed me every step of the way. He has given me wisdom to raise money for our adoption. He has given us a support system that I couldn't have ever imagined I needed, but He did. He has given our girls hearts for their sibling(s) in Haiti. He's blowing my socks off. I doubted. I was hesitant. And God came through.

And the thing I LOVE about Noonday Collection is that God is coming through for our artisans. He is caring for them. He is blessing their businesses through your purchases. He is preventing children from becoming orphans.

Jen Hatmaker said something that whacked me upside the head. She said "I shouldn't be allowed to raise your kids because you can't afford to." It's true. I shouldn't be allowed to adopt your kids simply because you can't afford it. But that is what is happening all over the world, and this is what Noonday Collection is preventing by offering jobs to artisans.

My friend Jalia is living proof of this. Jalia's story rocked my world, but the truth is before Noonday Collection Jalia was in poverty, and because if your purchases Jalia and her husband Daniel have been able to employ 300 people in Uganda so that they don't have to give up their children, and they can house their families and feed them. In Ethiopia, women are able to take their ARV medications, in Haiti one artisan group is having to hire more artisans because their pieces are in demand.

Jalia and Me at Ambassador Conference

 Friends, how you spend your money and where you spend your money is making a difference in the lives of real people. So use your purchasing power to help defend the cause of the orphan instead of just getting cheap stuff.

And now, A GIVEAWAY!!! You can win $50 to spend on your favorite Noonday Collection pieces!!

                                                
                                           $50 Gift Voucher

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