A couple of weeks ago I was invited to an online Trunk Show. I really didn't know what it was all about, except that they had some beautiful jewelry! As I saw the posts show up in my newsfeed I quickly realized that there was way more to this than just jewelry. In fact, it was jewelry with a mission behind it!
So, here's a little bit about this amazing company:
Noonday is a fair trade fashion brand, creating jobs for people around the globe. Just this past season you could find Noonday pieces featured in InStyle, WhoWhatWear, Oprah’s favorite things and more! Along with having a beautiful collection, we believe in the power and dignity of creating job opportunities for people in vulnerable places. Our pieces are all fair trade and crafted by hand from Artisans from around the world! Each piece is unique and has a beautiful story behind it.
I quickly decided that this was a mission I can fully support. Instead of simply making a purchase (one of the ways to help make an impact) I chose to become an ambassador so that I can help spread the word and make an even bigger impact. If you would like more information, please visit this site.
As I briefly mentioned above, there are a few ways you can help in this mission.
Shopping our collection is a great way to help support not only the artisans who make it, but their families too!
By hosting a trunk show you can earn rewards and help create a growing market place for the artisans to sell their pieces.
Or join as an ambassador and make an even bigger impact! Did you know that, on average, one noonday ambassador helps support three artisans?? That's a pretty big impact!
By supporting this mission, you aren't only impacting the lives of so many around the world, you are also helping to support my family as we strive to help others in need and share this mission with others.
If you would like more information, please join my VIP group where I will share new products, education, and more!
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One thing I love about Lavender & Coffee is that we are able to create things for our valued customers by giving them a product that tells a story.
The story behind our Galatians 2:20 mug has such a powerful meaning.
From our customer:
This cup is a memory and a testimony for the generations to which it will witness to God's steadfast love, redemptive power, grace and mercy! It's also an open door to conversation when someone comes to my house and I let them drink from that cup...it becomes a door to share the Gospel that saved my soul! It's also a reminder to me when I drink from it of God's grace and love to know and how I have been crucified with Christ (which on those extra hard mom days when I'm spent, I learn to say no to myself, die to myself, and say yes to the Lord and love not from myself but from His Power in me.) It's a sweet reminder that I do not live for me, but for Him and by Him.
She went through a time in her life when she was searching for the truth. She began to ask herself "why Christ? Why Christianity?" She then began to ask“why are there so many churches?” She started seeking Truth based on the Bible alone, bouncing in and out of congregations looking for people who were practicing what she read in the Bible (looking firstly at whether they added anything as their authority like certain man made creeds and such or if they only lived by God’s Word. Then looked next to be sure the doctrine of salvation was biblical—because if this foundation is not there, nothing else will matter).
Her eyes were opened and she made her way to the watery grave, raised in the newness of Christ!
Wow! What a powerful testimony! We were so happy to help her vision for this verse become a reality on the mug that was designed with this story in mind. Now, every time this mug is used, the wonderful news of redemption is shared!
If you would like to study more about what it means to enter the watery grave, how to make your election sure and what it truly means to give your life over to Christ, please feel free to contact us!
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
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Wow, last year was a doozy, to say the least! Most of us were anxiously awaiting the new year. We went through the turmoil of sickness, electing (or trying to) a president, loss of jobs and loved ones...the list goes on.
As I'm writing this post, we are still very much so in a state of turmoil. I'm not up for debates on who is right or who is wrong. In the end, God is in control and He will see us through.
So, for those of you who need a little peace I thought I'd share a few scriptures to meditate on during these trying times.
2 Chronicles 20:15
And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat:
Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde,
for the battle is not yours but God's.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Isaiah 61:3
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
Isaiah 41:10
fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
John 16:22
So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Do you have a favorite scripture that you find peace in? Please share it with me! I know there are several more out there. This is just a quick compilation of ones that I have recently come across.
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As a mom I often find myself with way too much on my plate. There's always something else to get done, somewhere else to go. I'd love to tell you that I have it all figured out. That I know exactly how to fit it all in and feel accomplished at the end of the day. But the truth is, I don't have it all together. There are days I struggle to fit it all in. Sadly, one thing I tend to let slide is my personal time with God. Time spent alone reading the Bible, praying and meditating on what it says and what it means to me.
One solution I have found is to join a group of like-minded ladies who go through a study together. I participate in one that posts a study for the week on Mondays, a reflection of the passage on Wednesdays, and application questions on Fridays. This not only gives me a focus, but also helps keep me accountable so that I keep up with the study better than I would if I were to attempt it on my own.
I also like to take notes and use a color code in my Bible. I found a great journaling edition that has wide margins on the side where you can take notes or even add a drawing that relates to the passage. I have found that this helps me have a better understanding of what I'm reading and also allows me to see at a glance what a particular passage is about.
The fact is, my days and weeks go so much smoother when I remember to schedule in my personal time with God. Times when I feel things just aren't "going my way" I often stop and realize that I haven't put in the time I needed to. My priorities are all out of whack and I have to realign them. I usually start with being more intentional about my time with God first, then all of the other areas seem to fall into place as they should.
Knowing this, why do I so often let it go? Satan wants us to feel as if we just don't have time for it. The reality is, we don't have time NOT to do it. It always amazes me how much more time I find in my schedule once I get my priorities straight and make time for the things that are important to me first.
I'd love to hear how you find time for God in your daily schedules. Do you have a favorite study?
If you would like to be with a group of moms who support each other are finding balance in their lives, join my facebook group.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
What Do You Do To Relax During Trying Times?There are several ways to relax and unwind. The key is finding the ways that work best for you and then DOING them. This is especially needed now when a lot of us are being forced to stay home. As a homeschool family, this isn't very new to us. Different, yes, because some of our extra activities have been cancelled as well. However, we have to find ways to keep the peace around the home on a daily basis.
Here are some things I have found to help:
1. Spend time alone with God. This could be any time frame, even just 15-20 min. You might be surprised the difference this can make. Pray, read your Bible, meditate on what it says.
1. Spend time alone with God. This could be any time frame, even just 15-20 min. You might be surprised the difference this can make. Pray, read your Bible, meditate on what it says.
2. Have quiet time each day, for everyone. Every day after lunch we have quiet time. It doesn't matter that my kids are between the ages of 12-17...we still have quiet time. This is a time where we each go to our own areas. Since not everyone has their own bedroom, we split it where 1 person is in the bedroom and the other is in the living room. No matter how it's done, having individual space for a time is very helpful! What do we do during this time? For the kids this is time to read (usually doing school work), craft (something quietly in their area), and play (gotta keep creative juices flowing!). For me it's when I get my work done or do little things around the house that I need quiet for.
3. Spend at least 20 min reading something you enjoy.
4. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea. There's nothing I love more than to sit and enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the morning (or afternoon!) and a hot cup of tea in the evening to help me unwind for the night.
5. Journal 15 min a day. Write down your thoughts and feelings, goals, events of the day, anything on your mind. This helps get your thoughts out, no right or wrong, so that you can declutter your mind.
6. Get the sleep you need...not too much, not too little. Every one is different. I could simply say "sleep 8 hour a night", however, there are some who do even better with just 6 hours, others need 9. Know your body. Pay attention to what works for you. Going to bed and getting up at the same time every day also helps.7. Keep things clean and organized. I don't know about you, but I function much better if things are clean and where they belong. My guys will claim it doesn't matter, but even they show a change in attitude when things are nice and tidy. This could be something as simple as taking 15 min a day for every one to do a quick clean up.
8. Keep a diffuser going. There are so many soothing scents. Play around with some of your favorites and get that diffuser going!
9. Listen to calming music. Use Pandora or any app you can create a playlist on. Just turn it on and take time to chill.
10. Unplug. Yep, it's always a good idea to unplug at least an hour before going to bed at night. I'll admit that I have a hard time doing that. However, if an hour is too difficult to do, then shoot for 30 min. You may find that giving your mind time to relax from all of the "action" helps you rest better at night. It's also a good idea to limit your use throughout the day.
11.Take a soothing bath. I love to add lavender to epsom salts and enjoy a quite bath at the end of the day. If taking a bath isn't an option, opt for a foot bath!
11.Take a soothing bath. I love to add lavender to epsom salts and enjoy a quite bath at the end of the day. If taking a bath isn't an option, opt for a foot bath!
12. Spend some time outdoors. Get some Vitamin D, the natural way! That's easier said than done with all the rain we've been having. However, it can still do wonders for you to just step outside and enjoy some fresh air for just a few minutes every day. Take time to enjoy all that God has created in nature.
Join our HomeGrown Homestead community—a place where we learn, grow, and share our homesteading journey together, fostering a bond of shared wisdom and experience. (everyone is welcome!)
Step into Lavender & Coffee: A Sip of Serenity, a haven for moms seeking support and community on their journey to fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers with grace and purpose.(for moms only)
