Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Baby World Changers: Noonday Collection << GIVEAWAY >>

<< Welcome to the next stop on the blog train! >>

It's Monday, August 11th, 10:44pm.
I've been a mommy for exactly 12 days and 6 hours.

On Wednesday, July 30, my husband and I joined the ranks as parents as we welcomed Ada May (6 lbs, 14 oz) and Libby Joy (6 lbs) into this world.  Two beautiful baby girls, who, despite keeping me awake for approximately 18-20 hours a day, have breathed new life and energy and purpose into my being.  I am a new woman with a greater capacity to love, to nurture, and to advocate than ever before, even though I'm foggy-brained and exhausted.  I have two little bodies completely dependent on me to provide them with their every need, which God designed for me to do.


Over the course of three years, God prepared us to be parents and, after many late night cry sessions where I reminded God about my desire to be a mother over and over again, He answered our prayers two-fold...TWINS!  Read more about our infertility journey here.  Obviously, a lot has happened (babies) since my last entry and I have some major catching up to do, but maybe my journey will encourage you or someone you know.

So, how does Noonday Collection fit in with this?

Many people have asked if I will continue as a Noonday Ambassador now that I have my hands (and heart) extra full.  The answer is an emphatic YES!  I realize my time will look very different and I'm trying to figure out what that will look like for my family as I pick up trunk shows again and send my youth pastor-husband through Seminary.  It will take sacrifice... of sleep, of evenings, of time with my girls and my husband.  At the same time, I believe that pursuing my passion and fulfilling the mission of Isaiah 61 will make me a better mom and a better wife.  When I am in my element, serving Jesus and doing what he commands, I am full of life.  It's one of those paradigms where pouring out actually fills me up.


I have a globe prominently displayed in the girls' room.  My hope is that they will gain an appreciation and love for the world before I did as a young adult.  From early on, I want my girls to be hungry for world change.  I want them to thirst after righteousness and generosity and mercy.  I want them to crave justice more than they crave the Frozen soundtrack.  

(Speaking of Frozen... my photographer friend Karina set up this shot with my girls.)


It's late, and it's almost time for the babes to eat again. (I'm told this too, shall pass, and I will leave the house again and I will stop walking/sitting around half-naked all day, and I will resume jewelry wearing.  Some day.)

So, I leave you with my prayer for my new chapter of life.  It's actually part of a blog written by my friend Jessica, Noonday's founder, in which she wrote about taking her 6-year old to Africa.  Her words echo my heart, so I leave you with her wish for her daughter and I'm praying it over mine.
When Amelie, my 6 year old, is 22, I want her to tell me that her life isn’t all about her. I want her to risk everything, to lay down her life, in order to co labor with Christ to make His love known among the poor, the oppressed, the disenfranchised. I am taking her with me to Africa so she can SEE the face of poverty; the face of strength and beauty. I want her to see that Africa is not just a land of moms and dads so poor that Americans have to send lots of money to “sponsor” their kids. It is a place where God’s image bearers dwell. Talented people, who with a market place for their goods, can create beautiful things and overcome insurmountable odds. She will meet the ladies behind the accessories that have filled our house and now office for 2 years and know why mommy is working so hard. She will see the 50 crib room that Jack [Jessica's adopted son] called home, and will meet many other kids without moms and dads. I want her heart to be ruined and wrecked for the God who ruined himself for her.
***
GIVEAWAY TIME!
(Did you enter yesterday's giveaway?  My friend McCall is giving away a $50 gift card!  Be sure to click here for another giveaway this afternoon, courtesy of Shannon.)

YOU can be a world-changer, just by wearing a Noonday necklace and telling the Noonday story.  I'm giving away the Helena necklace.


14k gold-plated
made {with love} in India
Read more about Noonday's work in India here.


TO ENTER:

My fellow world-changers aka Noonday lovers, I want to know......

1) Are you a mother?  If so, how are you/will you encourage your child to be world-changers?  (I need some ideas!)  What is your prayer/desire for your children?

-or-

2) Who has inspired YOU to change the world?

*to enter, follow the prompts from Rafflecopter below*

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Like what you see/what you've read?  Want to join forces for greater global impact?
Check out the brand new collection on my website: www.elizabethbricknell.noondaycollection.com
Contact me about being an Ambassador or hosting a trunk show!  bricknell.elizabeth@gmail.com


34 comments:

Karina T said...

So far my kids are still young, but we talk about little things we can do all the time: recycling, donating our old clothes and toys, keeping small snacks in the car to give the homeless on the corners of our streets. I would love to eventually take them on mission trips (even small ones for a day or two when we go visit their daddy in places he works)

Karina T said...

I can't wait to hear what other people come up with!!

Robin said...

My son is young, but we're starting to talk about people who don't have enough money to buy basic things, and he got really upset at the thought that some kids don't have any toys. Hopefully we can pick out a few toys to donate.

Yesterday he helped me buy food at the grocery store to donate to the food bank, and I think I will make that part of our weekly routine. Once a month we can take a big bag of groceries to donate.

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

I am a momma to adopted twin boys living in Africa. I hope to instill in them a sense of pride and interest in their birth culture! I hope they care enough about it that they want to tell their friends about where they were born and spent the first 2.5+ years of their lives.

Meredith said...

The person who has inspired me to change the world is one of my old college friends. She has just always had so much faith no matter what she faced. She prays, believes, and loves with such great faith.

Stephanie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Stephanie said...

While we have not yet started our own family we have been blessed with twin nephews, a niece, and another bundle of joy along the way. It's when I look at them that I am inspired to live the best life we possibly can while providing a good example of how to live in faith, protecting those who need protection, and living life without judgement. One day we hope to have a family of our own, but until then there are other little ones who keep me smiling.

Sharon said...

Empowered women working hard to exit poverty inspire me to change the world!

Lifesabeech said...

I have 4 sons. My advice to them is to surround themselves who are into getting to know Jesus Develop those relationships in the context of Christian community. Seek out ways to express gratitude to those in your life. A thankful heart longs to give. As a new mommy, several moms & I started mommy groups focused on sharing Christ. It was a great foundation for the kids and an invaluable resource of encouragement for me.

Christine McNeal said...

I have a 3 year old and 19 month old. They are still young but I hope to make regular traditions that help us all learn to give as a family. I have always liked the idea of going as a family and serving thanksgiving meals at a shelter or other non profit and then celebrating our thanksgiving on friday. I also do love the tradition of creating shoeboxes at christmas time and love that the community really gets into it too.

Erin said...

one of the things i pray for my boys constantly (and myself, for that matter) is to be kind. kindness can get such a bad rap as a less important spiritual discipline, but it shouldn't. it can be really hard to be kind. just imagine what the world would be like if people were more kind to one another? sounds a lot like Jesus, to me.

thanks for the chance!

CStanberry said...

We are in the process of adopting a girl from Haiti, a sister for our two boys. I want this experience to teach my boys to love unconditionally, to stand up for the underdog, to defend their sister when needed so she can feel safe to thrive here. When the kids are older, we plan to return to Haiti with them so they can see their sister's homeland and to encourage them to do more than love just their sister. To love an entire nation of poverty stricken families, to find ways to empower them to rise up out of their situation so they can help their communities thrive and be changed.

Rachael said...

I don't see myself as a world changer, but I am also a mom of 2 with another on the way. My prayer for all of us is that we will follow Jesus wholeheartedly and faithfully. HE is a world changer and will do things in us that we could never do on our own. I am inspired by people in my life who follow Gods calling for them, whether its giving up a job or waiting patiently in the midst of difficult circumstances. Right now He's teaching me to submit to circumstances I wouldn't necessarily choose, but He's working something in me that needs to grow there.

Mrs. Snow said...

Hi El! Thanks for posting your inspiration. I've been thinking about this question a lot lately--how to inspire my little one to love God and serve him, and have a heart for mercy and justice. A couple ideas--seek solidarity with the poor by spending a week or month eating simple meals that represent a culture (e.g., rice and beans, simple curry and rice). Pray for that culture during those meals and cultivate gratitude at the same time. I'm also a big fan of Voice of the Martyrs and IJM, and I love the options of writing letters for advocacy and/or writing letters to persecuted Christians around the globe. Why not add a child's scribbles or handprint to these letters so that they can be a part of this? You can put a map up in your baby's room and mark where your family has made an impact around the world, big or small. I've also heard good things about this book collection for girls from Lightkeepers: 10 girls who changed the world, 10 girls who didn't give in, 10 girls who made a difference, etc. Check it out on Amazon :) Of course, I believe prayer will make the biggest difference, and your beautiful example to your little ones! <3

Amber said...

My daughter recently had her first birthday. We just completed a move with the Air Force, so we're finding ourselves disconnected once again. But I hope to teach her to be brave in making relationships and sharing herself with others (something this nomadic lifestyle really challenges me to do...and it's hard!).

I'm inspired by the people who give their time, abilities, and money to crisis pregnancy centers. I volunteered at one until my daughter was born and I'd love to show her what it means to be a servant by sacrificing my time and comfort zone the way I saw the women I worked with do.

Valerie said...

I don't have anything deep to say, but my biggest prayer for my kids is that they love God with their whole lives and obey Him in everything. And understand His love and forgiveness when they mess up. If they have that, they'll do just fine. :)

Katy Owens said...

1. i'm not a mother, but I have so many younger siblings sometimes I feel like one! I think quality time with your kids and encouragement are HUGE. Having positivity and patience, but of course also balancing that with discipline and teaching them the Gospel. Not a watered-down kids version that misses the truth of grace, but still teaching them what they're still too young to understand.

2. Honestly, my mother has been a huge inspiration! She is the mother of 6 (5 bio and 1 adopted), homeschooled us all at some point in time, AND started and directs an awesome non-profit, plus being a missionary overseas and now living super missionally through the non-profit and church and life in general. She's LEGIT.

Danielle M. said...

1. I am a mother of 3! We encourage our children to be world changers by first training them up in the word, worship, and prayer! Next we model it, and not just my husband and I, but us as a family, we let people into our home that most people would not, we model family for a lot of kids that don't have a positive model at home, our children don't have to wait to be grown up to do this, they are doing it now! My prayer for them is that the pursuit of their heart would be holiness, to be a reflection of Christ wherever they are, and to be humble, God uses the humble!

Britni said...

Before Shiloh was born, God stirred in our hearts that a passion for the world resides within Shiloh's little body. His spirit was made for the nations! I feel as a momma that God gave us this foreknowledge so I can have a few years to prepare my heart to be able to send him off, whenever and wherever that might be :) We also requested that gift-giving guests at his baby shower's looked for items that were hand-made, gently used, or made by ethically conscious companies in order to begin his life from the beginning in a way that is also life-giving to the children around the world. We continue to pray for the strength to encourage him along the path that God has established for him, and hope to create an environment at home that enhances love and justice for the world.

Lindsay said...

Mother Teresa. The humble, selfless way she served the poor and oppressed is awe-inspiring.

Haley said...

I have been inspired by many to change the world, one of the major contributors being YOU! Listening to to other people's stories about their world travels, as well as my own time in Romania and Moldova, has allowed me to view the world from a different lens. I still ask myself how can I balance the thankfulness that I have for the abundance we have here with the heartache that I feel for those who don't have that? How do I keep that sensitivity, perspective, and passion? These questions influence me daily to make decisions that can help change the world.

Anonymous said...

My mother-in-law has helped inspire me.

Unknown said...

I am a mother. My child is still young but I do encourage him to be a world changer. One person at a time. I make sure that we spend the time talking to those who are nearby and making sure everyone is heard. My prayer is that he would have a love for people, and that my son would see them the way their maker sees them.

Catherine said...

I am inspired by my beautiful daughters who as young adults themselves are already world changers! Chrislyn is taking the Gospel to the nations through the World Race with her husband. And Elizabeth has opened my eyes to the needs of the oppressed through her passion for Noonday. I could not be a prouder mama (or grandma)!

Kiersten said...

I am inspired by my mom. She married a preacher, raised (and homeschooled) 6 kids and saw us as her legacy. Her mission. She instilled in me a love for world missions, a love for serving and a love for families. She inspires me every day. And I love her dearly.

Audra said...

The little girl that we are in the process of adopting has absolutely inspired me to be a world-changer. In the wait, God has shown us what it means to be patient and we have been stretched in ways we would never have if we hadn't embarked on this journey. My eyes have been opened to needs in this world that I may never have seen and I am so grateful for that because it gives such purpose to my life!

Mallory said...

I don't have kids, but I teach dance classes to little girls with special needs, and they inspire me to change the world!

Anonymous said...

i love how you said "pouring out fills you up." i feel very much the same way. idleness is my worst enemy!

MindySue said...

I am a mother of four little girls and I will teach them to be world changers. I will teach them to love. I will teach them to honor God. I will teach them to believe in Christ as their Savior. I will teach them to stand up for themselves and for others. I will teach them to be a voice for those who have none. And I will teach them to LOOOOOVE Noonday :)

MindySue said...

Not sure if my last one went through...so I'll answer the other question. Who has inspired me to change the world. My children.

Mindy said...

I am a mother of 3 (one adopted from ET). We carry gallon ziploc bags in our truck filled with a small new testament Bible, a bottle of water and a few basic needs like granola bars, socks, mittens (in the winter) etc. When we see a homeless person or someone begging on the side of the road, we stop and give them one of these bags. A simple way to show the love of Jesus and brighten that person's day.

Michelle Faile said...

I have a daughter that is 3 years old, I will always teach her about the love Jesus Christ has for us and how we must in turn show others that love.

Unknown said...

I am currently pregnant with my first child, a son, due in early December. My prayer for him is that he realizes he was born to be strong and to make a difference. He CAN change the world. He WILL move mountains.

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