I knew what my answer was back in March when I first heard that I was invited on the first ever Noonday Collection Ambassador artisan trip -- heck yes! I don't care the cost or the date, I will be there! I booked a flight the day the dates were finalized and started mentally packing my bags.
Then. Big news. I'm pregnant...surprise! I was excited that there was going to be a new little one running around the house, but to be honest, in the back of my mind I kept thinking, "will I be able to go to Guatemala with Noonday?" When I finally saw my midwives at 8 weeks and got the green light, no reservations, I was in. All in 100%. I didn't even realize what I was in for. It was going to be life changing.
Going with Noonday to Guatemala has been a life-changing and business-changing event for me. Meeting the artisans, seeing first-hand the challenges they are working to overcome, and the absolute b
eauty and talent they pour into their craft, has inspired me to more fully embrace the absolute honor it is to serve as their Ambassador. I walked away from the trip convinced I am called to my role of ambassador, and impressed with the knowledge that these artisans are as much my sisters and brothers as my family and community in Houston! Noonday is the real deal, effecting real change, and I am so excited to use all that I am to be a part of the amazing things happening around the world through fashion, people, and Noonday!
But here, let me share a few highlights (and more than a few pictures!):
I and 7 other ambassadors travelled along with Jessica (founder of Noonday) and Renee (home office staff and model) to Guatemala and talked our way through 6 days of pure life-giving experiences. We were there to meet with two artisan groups as well as brainstorm how we can grow the Ambassador experience.
Our first full day we were supposed to be on a 3 hour trip to the lake region to visit our first artisan group. However, turns out it was the Day of the Indigenous and the roads were blocked for over 5 hours. Yes. Five hours. Nature called more than once but it was amazing to see 10 "fancy" girls head off into corn fields in platforms and dresses like it wasn't anything. I love how everyone just relaxed, talked, and made the best of a crazy situation.
Some of our best conversations happened in our mini-bus (which happened to have the best driver ever, who also just so happened to look just like a Guatemalan Tom Selleck).
Looking back I realize now how much God protected us the whole trip, but especially while we were stopped for 5 hours. At one point I said while looking at the truck behind us, "Oh look, I thought that guy had a wine bottle, but that's a shotgun." Yea.
After the long drive we thought we would be too late to meet the beaders, but we made it just in time! It was beautiful. Inspiring. Eye opening.
Holly modeling the two bracelets made by this group
The whole way these bracelets are made involves a process invented by this group. They knew cuffs were popular but couldn't figure out how to make them with the supplies they had available. The final design was successful and they were so very, very proud to share how they are made. It is truly a creative use of materials...and can I just say the new cuff coming out in the fall line is to die for? These are totally my colors.
These are just a few of the beaders. There are many more who work at home as they can while they care for their families.
This is a picture drawn by on of their kids tacked to the workroom wall. I love that no matter what the county or culture, we all share the same love for our children! Beautiful!
It was supposed to rain the entire trip, but the day we met with the weavers was sunny, warm, and absolutely beautiful. To be honest, I didn't know how beautiful Guatemala was going to be. It was breathtaking. Here we are about to take an hour boat ride over to the small Myan village where our weavers are located.
Ana is the leader of the weaving group. She is 25. 25! Earning an MBA and is a true light and force to be reckoned with. She absolutely loves her village and has a vision to empower the women she works with to create hope in their communities.
One of the many weavers, Florianna, a young mom and a gifted weaver.
Florianna started learning at age 10 from her mom. Here is another peek at one of the scarves in the Fall/Winter Noonday line. It is truly a labor of love to make each and every scarf.
One of the artisan's sons holding on to a page of the lookbook that shows their work. He kept looking at it with such pride.
We learned the whole process, from cutting up small pieces of wood that produce the blue color (all dyed with natural, plant based dyes!), to the complicated weaving process. Ana has pioneered a method that codifies what was a very inexact science all so she can produce 500+ scarves in the same color, all while using the same techniques passed down through the generations in her community. It was inspiring!
(Our group, minus Jessica)
Just walking through the village with the weavers was inspiring.
They invited us to their home, served us a meal, and gave us a chance to meet their families. I made quick friends with this sweet 8 year old girl. She wanted to see pictures of my sons and husband, and even though I spoke very little Spanish, we still managed to talk all lunch. At the end she asked me to play catch with her and her brother, so I knew we were friends!
As we left the village after a whole day with the weavers, that's when I knew it would never be the same for me again. Brandi, one of the amazing ambassadors on the trip happened to be walking next to me, and we had a life-changing talk.
We went there and talked about what could be controversial...We discussed what is means to always fall back on the "caring for our families first and then fitting in what we can afterwards" line we say to ourselves. But what does caring for our families really mean? I left that village realizing my guilt over not having a Pinterest perfect nursery (or insert any other guilt you/I have for not doing Paleo/homemade baby food/homeschool/etc.) for a baby doesn't mean I have failed in "caring for my family". In fact, perhaps it is the very best thing I can do for my husband and children. And, learning that Ana AND the leaders of the beading group, are my brothers and sisters, both in hope for this world but also the next....that has changed me.
I am to care for my family here, yes. But I am also to care for my family in Guatemala. My family in Uganda. My family around the world that God has united me with, heart and soul. For me, I know without a doubt that I have a true call to do this through Noonday. He is at work in ways I couldn't have asked or imagined and I got to catch a glimpse last week of what He is up to. It is awe inspiring. I am changed!
And just so you don't think it was all blockades and deep thoughts, we also had lots of girly fun!
You can't get all these Noonday ambassadors together without some shopping happening. You may spy a few early Christmas gifts on my arm. I fell in LOVE with these bags made from up-cycled huiples (the hand woven shirts worn by almost all Guatemalan women).
We also got to help collaborate on a Spring/Summer 2014 line of beaded bracelets. You will just die when you see them. They are gorgeous!
Me and fellow Houston Ambassador, Courtney, our last day in Antigua.
It was so very special forming deep, true, lasting friendships with women who share the same heart and passion. 10 women spent 6 days together in trying circumstances and constant contact (we had to share beds guys!) and yet we had zero drama and were in tears at the airport having to say goodbye. This is special.
Thank goodness we can group text. :)
