The beginning of this story takes us back to November 2012. I went to Dallas to the Right Now conference with a few friends. While God used literally EVERY session to speak exactly what I needed to hear, one session in particular stood out. Some chick with whom I was totally unfamiliar was the speaker - Jen Hatmaker. (Little did I know I would become VERY FAMILIAR with her or that God was going to use her and her story to make a rather large impact on my life - and on my family.) I don't even remember the title of the breakout session she led. I just remember the content: she felt like she spent her time serving saved people and blessing blessed people. And I sat there nodding my head and thinking, "Me, too..."
Here's the deal: I wasn't doing anything wrong. The problem was this - by the end of the day/week/month, I had NOTHING left to give ANYONE. At the time of the conference, I was holding down my regular part time job and an interim full time job, and was just beginning to get my feet wet as the head of a seasonal ministry at our church. The nature of my job had me busy most of the week and every weekend. My husband teaches school. (And if you really think that means he only works until 3 in the afternoon Monday-Friday 9 months out of the year, I triple dog dare you to say that to a teacher or a teacher's spouse. For real.) On top of the regular teacher stuff, his school had just switched to block scheduling, so EVERYONE was in upheaval. Also, our daughter had just begun kindergarten - her first time to be anywhere five days a week. We had absolutely no margin as far as time or energy went.
In her session, Jen talked about how her family had begun to push back on some of the things that demanded and took her family's attention/time/resources/etc. Thus began her 7 experiment - a deliberate cutting back of excess in 7 areas. I bought her book, 7, and devoured it. In January 2013, Andy and I began our own 7 experiment. It sounds all cool and spiritual, but let me tell you - it was HARD. Very hard. And very worth it. What we discovered over the next several months of our 7 experiment is that when you create margin in your life - in any area - all the sudden you can hear and see the things God is trying to reveal to you. Jen Hatmaker isn't a magician and 7 isn't a magic spell. But when you create space and are able to REALLY hear God, your life will change.
By March, my heart was restless. I knew I wanted to be doing something different, reaching out to a group that didn't look/live like me. I also knew I couldn't add anything else to my schedule and still maintain a healthy family life. Andy and I attended a Lifeway Festival of Marriage and I met a Noonday Collection ambassador - Cara Coleman. I had never heard of Noonday, but as I learned about this company that creates dignified employment opportunities for artisans all over the world, I fell in love. I asked Cara to come do a trunk show at my house and by the time we had it, I was ready to sign up to be an ambassador.
I resigned from my job at the beginning of May. (Mind you, I didn't resign to BE an ambassador; I resigned to be able to spend more time taking care of the home front and to be ready when DHS calls and says they have a child for our family to adopt. We're still waiting on that to happen, but we're as ready as we can be when it does!) As I resigned and finished out my job, I jumped on the Noonday Collection wagon. I view Noonday as not only a job, but a ministry. Through Noonday, I am able to:
*educate myself and those around me about the possibilities of fair trade and the realities modern day slavery.
*partner with hostesses and ambassadors I wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet and work with otherwise.
*help families raise money for their adoptions.
*help create a marketplace for handmade items that gives people around the world a job that enables them to care for their families and keep them intact.
I believe God introduced me to Noonday Collection as a way to be the hands and feet of Christ - to the people right here around me as well as to those spread out all over the world. I love sharing about the mission and work of Noonday with others. I love telling them that, really, one purchase does matter. I love getting to share that one of the artisan groups we work with has Bible study every morning and people are not only earning an income but are hearing the Gospel!
So - when you see me at church, school, Target, wherever - I might tell you all about my beloved Kismet bag from India or my Orange Blossom bracelet (affectionately referred to by me as my Bob Newhart bracelet). I might invite you to a trunk show or even ask you to host one. I might tell you I have some fabulous ideas for Mother's Day for your mom/wife/grandmother. Why? Because this work is important. Because there are real faces of real people whose lives have literally been changed because of your purchases. Because one choice really CAN make a difference.
My 7 year old daughter absolutely loves Noonday Collection - and not just because of the fun jewelry she always begs to wear! She gets it. How do I know? This is how I know:
(It says "Noonday is a blessing from God. You are serving God with Noonday!" She wrote that all on her own and brought it to me. I just love that kid.)
My friend and fellow ambassador, Ariel Allen, and I are on a mission to make Noonday a household name in Northeast Arkansas. You can learn a little about us on our websites (www.jenniferhostetler.noondaycollection.com and www.arielallen.noondaycollection.com). We would love to partner with you and hang out with your friends at a trunk show! While you are checking your calendar and making a list of all your friends and neighbors, make sure you enter my give-away! I will be giving a gorgeous Marina clutch - made {with love} by a group of artisans in India with upcycled VHS tapes - to one lucky reader! To enter, simply leave a comment under this post OR on my Facebook post where I have shared it. Bonus: for an extra entry in the drawing, share it to YOUR Facebook page! My beautiful 7 year old Noonday Elf will draw the winner's name next Thursday, March 27th.
Make sure you go read Emily's post from yesterday and Katie's post tomorrow!
Thanks for dropping by and I hope to meet you here again soon!
