Thursday, January 26, 2012

Noonday collection ambassador!!

 {jessica, the founder of noonday & her little fella Jack
recently brought into their family this fall}


i'm beside myself excited to share with you what i believe is not only an honor
but truly a gift to me from the lord.
.
when i was in my 20's the lord gave me a desire to work as a nurse
& primarily care for children with cancer.
i went to school with that purpose in mind, my eyes were fixed on that goal.
i loved my job. loved that job.

i loved working with families and getting to know them as they would
frequently return to the hospital for their childs chemo and treatment.
while that was truly a heart wrenching job
and i saw many sweet children pass on
i knew i was exactly where He wanted me to be.

after gregg passed away and i had several little ones of my own
i found that working in that particular job , in a high acuity situation
was too hard for just a single mom who could only work one day a week.
plus those children need the continuity of full or part time nurses.

i sadly left that field & began what would become a ten year job in telephone triage.
while that was a good paycheck & i was technically still in nursing
i truly missed the connection and contact in oncology.

several months ago the scheduling matrix began to change at the hospital
and i was beginning to get requests to photograph many friends.
i didn't want to leave the security of a regular paycheck
but knew it was time to move on.

i started my photography business last fall & am thrilled to be doing what i love
& what i'm passionate about!
i decided that a portion of each session
would be given back either in donation or purchasing a product from a couple companies
that i had chosen.
one of the companies i wanted to invest in was

& began to wear them to photo shoots.
i loved it when someone would comment on the jewelry i was wearing.
this gave me a great oppportunity to share ...
each piece purchased through noonday provides a pathway out of poverty for the artisan.
handmade, fair trade beautiful pieces.

i loved telling my client that a portion of their fees that they had paid me
were actually supporting a widow or an HIV infected beautiful person
often times in countries i couldn't even locate on a map....
but i'm working on it!!

while my photography business is a wonderful creative outlet for me
& i will most definitely continue that, 
i knew i'd need to persue another way to supplement our income
over the holiday i began to read & pray about starting my own
business with noonday.

i had my phone interview with the founder, Jessica
(pictured above) and was immediately smitten with her.
her enthusiasm and passion was contagious.
her story can be found here.
i called dan immediately & knew in my heart this was absolutely what i wanted to do. 

dan & i prayed about making the financial investment
& all the other thoughts and concerns that come with starting not one
but now two businesses for me in less than 4 months.

i have wanted to do something intentional,
something purposeful.
i've wanted to find a way to somehow touch another person
like i was able to do when working in oncology.
while i may never meet these women
(although i'm praying for the opportunity this fall!!)
the position of being an ambassador,
someone who represents another,
for them & their craft is a huge honor and privilege.
supplementing our income is icing on the cake!


i could talk about noonday
jessica
the artisans
their stories
the stories of adoptions
the cool ways this fell into place
all.day.long.
in an effort to keep this from an epic post
i'll wrap it up here.
(for today anyway.wink)

for those that have asked,
you may most certainly order from my website.
for my local friends,
i will schedule my launch party in the next few days!
for those that prayed for me while i interviewed
& made this leap, thank you thank you!

pinch me!!

 
(at the bottom of my home page is my noonday button,
feel free to use if you so desire. i would be so honored!)



Photobucket


~~~~
"no other name
is mighty to save...
jesus.
i will carry your name
jesus, your name....
forever"
chirsty nockels

29 comments:

Kerri said...

You inspire me so much Paige, you will never know! I am going to read about Noonday when I am done teaching today! I was a Mary Kay consultant before marrying and having my girls. I loved that the company's motto was GOD first, family second and job third. The company's values were so important to me. And I have always been a school teacher, but now I am in a Christian school which is where I began my career 15 years ago. I will be 40 this year and I have been praying to HIM that I may what I am supposed to be doing.
When I figure out how to "grab the button" for my blog I will do so!
And I am sooo sad I can't go to the Pearl Event. I have been praying over this too, trying to find a way. Perhaps there will be one in the northeast and you will agree to do it with Sibi?

XOXO

Renee said...

This is so cool! You are such an inspiration to me. You make me want to be better. Thank you. xoxo

Anonymous said...

You truly are an inspiration to me and from reading your comments many of your readers..Prayers are always answered..Praying for you to excell in all you do with your new venture..
God Bless..

Bethanie said...

How exciting and inspiring Paige. You always make me think a little deeper. It's not just about me.... I cannot wait to hear more about Noonday and would love to come to a launch party. Im semi-local!! Thank you again for getting my day off on the right start. Thank you also for your work with children with cancer...I have a now 15 year old cousin who was diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 8, and my precious 23 year old niece was diagnosed at 18 with stage 3B Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. (She is in remission and has since had the most precious little boy in the world. Who says He's still not in the miracle business!!) My family has a special love and appreciation for all oncology healthcare workers. xoxoxo

Deborah said...

Hi Paige,
So excited about your new business venture in addition to your photography. I have a question. Are you selling your floral prints through noonday? There is one in particular I'm dying to have. I'll grab your nooday button and add to my blog. Wishing you the best and hoping to meet you at the Pearl Event.

smk said...

SO excited for you mom. you really are too cool!

D'Nese Dillon said...

That is truly awesome, Paige. What a beautiful post. You're truly an inspiration to myself and many others. God Bless you and your new adventures. I can't wait for your launch party.

Debby said...

I remember how you captured my heart when I first read your blog. I couldn't believe you lost your first husband when you were so young and had three little girls. Your story of marrying your husband's best friend was so similar to my cousins' story. You can just feel the love that your family has for each other.
I think you are a gift to all of us. I am so hapy that you have chosen these two career paths. You are perfect for both. To have a job that you love and that you feel you are doing something to help others is always amazing. Good luck......Love the Nooday products.

christina said...

what a beautiful project. i wish you love and grace in every step you take with this. ... and i had a bit of fun shopping too. ; ) can wait to get my goodie. i will wear it with pride, my friend.
xoxo

Alecia said...

I'm so excited for you...I LOVE IT!!! What a way to make a difference around the world and for the Kingdom. Please tell me how I can use your button...I haven't quite figured that out and the help on Google blogger didn't work for me. I already have a couple of pieces that I'm pretty crazy about...you'll be seeing orders from me in the very near future!

Anonymous said...

So happy to have you on the team! What a treasure you are. I can't wait for you to travel a little outside the south to meet those whose lives you will impact:)

katie purcell said...

YOU ARE SO THE BOMB!!!
INTENTIONAL AND WONDERFUL.
INVITE ME TO A PARTY AND I WILL DRIVE UP.
YOU ARE INCREDIBLE....ISN'T GETTING OLDER WONDERFUL...FREEING AS YOU REALIZE YOU WANT EVERY SECOND OF YOUR LIFE TO BE LIVED FOR HIS GLORY.
XXOO

Shannon said...

This is so great Paige! I am so happy and excited for you. Your life is such an inspiration, your girls and Dan must be so proud of you. Noonday has so many amazing products and knowing whatever I buy is helping someone else makes it that much better. I'm off to make my first purchase :)

Kelli said...

I just love your heart for God and how you're putting it into action. So many people are going to be able to experience the love of Christ through this. Wonderful :)

Ruth said...

I just checked out your noonday website. I love all their earrings and the navy clutch, so cute! What an exciting adventure God has you on. And what a blessing to work for such an incredible company. Yeah God!

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

SO, SO awesome! I have a Noonday friend here in Houston and love everything I know about it. I watched Jessica's adoption video through a mutual friend and cried tears of joy. What a heart for God. I love meeting people who's hearts are burdened for the things that matter to God's heart. You are one of those people!

love and big hugs,
Linsey

Jeannine said...

♥ this, Paige. Blessings on your new venture...

Kate said...

Congratulations! Best of luck in your new venture...sounds like it is a perfect fit!!

Wendy said...

Congratulations on this big decision Paige! I am proud of you for all you have been doing this past year! Your bravery and willingness to follow the will of the Lord is inspiring! Good luck with your new endeavor, my friend!
xoxo
Wendy

christan perona said...

Awesome. I'm just speechless.

Between You and Me said...

I'm so proud of you and what God is doing in your heart!!! He has given you the desires of your heart, and you are glowing, even through the computer. :)

I know that God will bless your efforts and in return bless so many lives forever.

thrilled for you, friend.

Anonymous said...

do you realize that when you cick on the link there is a HUGE "head to the ski lodge in style" ad/poster?
so buy some handmade items to help the less fortunate then go skiing?
this just seems like the wrong message to send and to be affiliated with the company.

paige said...

to the above anonymous, of course, commenter...
the "HUGE" noonday ad was created by noonday themselves, not me.
i don't even know how to ski.

secondly, it sounds as if your point is that a person should not ski ( or whatever the arbitrary luxury is) & simultaneously help the less fortunate. seriously? are you kidding me?

what amount of sacrifice is justifiable or necessary when also providing sustainable income to the "less fortunate" in your eyes?

i sure don't want to be ugly or get in a heated debate, but that comment sure sounded judgmental. i am proud and honored to be affiliated with this company hence my response....

Janet said...

Inspirational is the word that comes to mind, but there must be some better word!

Anonymous said...

I adore you Paige!! Absolutely adore you. And am so excited for this new path you're taking, and where you feel the Lord is leading you. But....although I do not like the way "Anonymous" posted above, and what was being insinuated...it is, unfortunately a bit of a dichotomy. "Head to the ski lodge in style"???? I don't know, it just doesn't go with what is being promoted. Sorry! Just keepin it real y'all. Love you Paige! Kate

Kerri said...

Dear Anonymous,
Perhaps you have missed the meaning behind noonday. As an American, we have the right to buy from any retailer we want(within our financial means). We can choose to shop at antrho or Banana Republic or Walmart (all corporate America) if we choose to.
Noonday is offering another option. You can shop with them and a portion of what you pay will go to help others less fortunate.
Therefore, "head to the ski lodge in style" is a message intended for those who have discretionary income to spend to help others!

Anonymous said...

Um ok??? It still seems a bit disingenuous. I just think that the above commenter means that the headline is incongruous. That's all. No need for people to get angry and defensive. Noonday is a beautiful and wonderful cause, as is Paige a truly beautiful and wonderful person. The issue here is NOT how people choose to spend their discretionary income. Just talking about the headline (and what kind of message is being sent), that is all.

3 Peanuts said...

So many good things are happening for you, Paige. I am just thrilled for you. It is fabulous to be honoring God in your daily life and giving back to those who need it so desperately. I know how hard it is to wait patiently for God to guide you in His plan. I am doing ti myself. So happy for you that you are finding your path.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I'm way behind on your blog and hit an aching road block in my life today when it unexpectedly turned way upside down. I just needed a little love and encouragament and for some reason I came to you. I read all your posts that I've missed and I'm just so overwhelmed at the purpose in your sweet heart. I'm at the same (or similar) place in my world.. so wanting to make a difference. I just posted on the chocolate slave trade yesterday and have been feeling the pull more and more of wanting to get involved and help these women and children that are exploited for various things all over the world. Just breaks my heart. Anyway, I felt pretty beat up when I came here but I'm leaving with good reminders in my heart. Not here for ME... here for Him. Love you sweet Paige and wish you all the BEST in this new adventure.