Isaiah 58:10

I always like to look back and see all of the connecting dots and what leads me to various places. There are so many small incidents that seem insignificant in life, and then when you go back and replay it you can see how it all worked together to get you where you are.

When I was in Africa in January my roommate, Kristen, and I spent a lot of time sitting in our room just talking because we weren't allowed to leave. Of course we were disappointed in the change in schedule, confused and concerned with the recent events, but we were good friends before she moved to Maryland and it was really fun to spend time just catching up and talking about life. One of the things we talked about was the book Hope Rising, which we were all to read before our trip. The book discusses how we, as consumers, have the power to end poverty through conscious Purchases through fair trade avenues. I asked Kristen if she had ever heard of Noonday, which she hadn't. I didn't know much about the company, I just knew I had heard of noonday a few years back and I browsed the website occasionally but hadn't ever made a purchase. I explained that the company buys handmade accessories from artisans in third world countries and pays them a fair wage in order to empower them to grow their communities. I explained that it is a direct sales business, relying on ambassadors to promote sales. Kristen was immediately intrigued and said she'd pray about it when she got home.

A few days later I was looking through some notebooks of mine and realized that the notebook I had given to Kristen for our trip actually benefitted noonday. I have a slight obsession with maybooks (www.maydesigns.com - check it out - swoon) and anytime I can catch a sale I think about who may need a new book. I ordered 2 notebooks with 'Burkina Faso 2016' on the covers and I let Kristen pick which she liked. What I hadn't really noticed at the time was that one of the notebooks was a design which partnered with noonday and a portion of the proceeds went to noonday. Kristen just so happened to pick that one. When I texted her to tell her, she told me she had turned the notebook over and noticed the logo on the back for the first time.

Later that week I was reading in my Bible and came across Isaiah 58:10, which I didn't know is the inspiration and vision for noonday.  And, when I shared this scripture with Kristen, she told me she had come across a scripture in Psalms that very morning which used the word noonday. She also told me she had decided to become an ambassador. I was so excited! I was hoping that was where this was all leading.

However, what I didn't expect was that it would soon lead to me signing up as well. I'll be the first to admit I'm a sucker for direct sales parties. I love going, I love playing games to win tickets to try and win a door prize, I always want to spend my $60 (or whatever the limit is) to get a free/discounted product, and I rarely decline an invite. But. I hate the push of direct sales. I hate being asked repeatedly if I want to host parties or become a consultant - it's just not my gig. However, this one is just different for me. I believe in the mission so much and I am so excited to spread the word about fair trade and empowering people globally. Amazing how a different perspective changes your view on something, like direct sales. I am just excited to share this amazing company and these beautiful and unique products.

I don't plan to push this like a true sales person would, but I do hope to make an impact and succeed with it. If you would like more information about hosting a trunk show, ordering products, or partnering with Noonday please let me know! When I do host parties I may post links in case people want to attend but can't, and I'm sure I'll write about the journey as it is definitely not in my wheel house. I'm excited for the growth! as always, I am so thankful to have people on this journey with me and helping me grow along the way. I will obviously never understand the evil in this world, and I'll never know what caused the terrorists to attack Burkina Faso when they did. I also will never know, at least in this life, the full picture of God's plan in having us there that day. I do know, though, that Kristen and I would likely have never had that conversation if our trip had gone as planned. And while the trip wasn't what we wanted, I know that there were so many things God intended to do through it all and despite it all. 

If you're interested, check out 

Www.noondaycollection.com/AmandaWallis 

This month is the end of season sale so a lot of items are discounted. And if you see me in pictures or in person with cute and unique jewelry, chances are its Noonday! Ask me :)

What. A. Dog.

My Sweet Layla Girl,

Everyone knows dogs can't live forever. But, somehow, I was just kind of hoping you would.

I often think of you as the start of a love story, you know. In 2003 you were living with Cici (you remember; the one who spoiled you like none other) because Dada was living in the barracks. She went on a vacation and needed a dog sitter, so I spent a week taking care of you. That was the spark that reignited an interest in me for Dada, and the rest is history. Maybe you sparked my interest in him, or maybe I actually just used him to get to you. We'll never really know, will we?

You've been with us since the beginning. You've been with us every step of the way. You were the mediator between 2 cats who were learning to live together when we bought our first home. You were gentle and loving when we brought out first baby home, and despite the tail-jerks and face-slaps you never got tired or annoyed by our growing family. You comforted me and protected me when Dada was in Afghanistan; you even woke me up to let me know there were some hooligans at the corner of our backyard at 3am. You crammed your big ol' body in the back of our cars for all of our road trips, and you were the sweetest dog to Mimi when we stopped at her house along the way. I don't even know if Mimi liked dogs, but she loved you, "Leasle".

You made the trek from Texas to Colorado more than your fair share of times, and then made the long haul to the west coast. You watched William grow, and loved every stage of his development (probably the stage immediately following tail-pulling the most). Then you welcomed another Wallis baby with an open heart...and...whoops, one more. Your patience never wore thin and you have loved those kids more than I knew a dog could.

I wish I could say, with honesty, that there's nothing in the world you loved more than a Wallis baby - but too many know that to not be true. Let's get real. You loved yourself some bread. Hot dog buns anyone? You loved yourself some accidentally-left-out snacks(pizza, Corinne?) You could throw back a 10lb brisket and chocolate chip cookie brownies better than I've ever seen. You had a stomach of steel - truthfully, our pride almost outweighed our annoyance. We almost thought you had met your match and we'd lose you to a whole, cooked rotisserie chicken (bones and all!) You even shocked us by surviving that one, though! In fact, over the last 5 years people were very weary of dog sitting for fear you may die on their watch. 

But no, not you, Layla. You stuck it out. Then, when you heard you could make your way back to Killeen you stuck it out even stronger. "One final victory lap before I go," you thought. This is where your journey started, and you were pretty hell-bent that this was where it was going to end. You made it, Layla. You made it home.

My heart is going to break a little bit every time I open that door and don't see your face there to greet us. A piece of me will cry when I put the kids to bed and don't see you standing guard outside their doors. I'll even hurt the first time I realize I don't have to hide my fresh baked goods in the microwave to protect them from you. You have been with us every step of the way, and I can't imagine you not being here as we continue to make this place home. And now you are finally pain free.

You may have been Austin's dog, but you were very much my companion and I hope you know my heart hurts for you. We gave you some extra treats, a little party, and lots of extra love today. We painted your paw prints so we will always have you in our home. And, I hope you know, we sobbed as we let you go. Even though we've gotten busier and you've gotten slower, nothing has changed the fact that we love you more than words can even say. You are a part of this family. Everyone says this, but I know it's true when it's about you: you're one for the record books. You're the best of the best. They say all dogs go to Heaven, Layla, but I don't know for sure if that's true. One thing I do know, though, is they've got a spot up there for you.

Now go run through those pearly gates. Run like your hips don't hurt. Run like you don't have a tumor. And go enjoy a feast of chicken, brisket, and hamburger buns then indulge in some brownies for dessert. Thanks for taking such good care of us, and thanks for being so hard to let go.

You have my heart,

Mommy