Noonday Sample Sale - Shop with a Purpose

Welcome to my first Noonday Collection Sample Sale!

I have several samples that are now SOLD OUT on the Website or are in the process of being retired from the Collection.  I am making these specials available to you at a discount which allows me to replenish my samples with NEW items that will be available in the Spring/Summer Collection.

Check out the pictures below and leave a comment.  Make sure to include your email and which item you want, then I will email you to secure payment and shipping information.

There are NO TAX or SHIPPING charges (unless I have to ship it to you!).  I can take Cash or Check.

Enjoy Shopping!
Audra


Variated Diamonds Belt

Original Price: $72  Sale Price: $50

Hand woven embroidered belts cinch with neutral palette in modern angular designs.

Each belt is embroidered using ancient, heirloom quality techniques. The artisans are women in poverty stricken rural areas with very few employment opportunities. They usually work at home with their children playing nearby.

Composed of hand embroidered wool with a metal buckle. These belts use a variety of handmade embroidery and should be handled with care to prevent fraying. Please put them through belt loops gently to prolong use.

1.75" wide; Small 36.5"; Medium 40"; Large 44"

Banded Triangular Belt (Medium)

Original Price: $72  Sale Price: $50

Hand woven embroidered belts cinch in a snap of color with a modern angular design.

Each belt is embroidered using ancient, heirloom quality techniques. The artisans are women in poverty stricken rural areas with very few employment opportunities. They usually work at home with their children playing nearby.

Composed of hand embroidered wool with a metal buckle. These belts use a variety of handmade embroidery and should be handled with care to prevent fraying. Please put them through belt loops gently to prolong use.

1.75" wide; Small 36.5"; Medium 40"; Large 44" 

Cozy Knitted Bangle

Original Price: $30  Sale Price: $20

A design of knitted alpaca wraps itself around a gourd bangle.

These women who work with us are able to integrate knitting into their daily lives, and thus supplement their incomes. Every product is fully traceable including where we source, what are in the products, and who actually hand knits the items. All our designs are created as a collaborative effort.

 3" diameter. Composed of hand knitted alpaca and gourd. Handle with care.

Exploration Bracelet (Matching Necklace in the Necklace section)

Original Price: $30  Sale Price: $20

A stand alone bracelet or be matchy with the Exploration Necklace. The greens and wooden beads are the perfect accent to fall's colors.

 Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda.

 8 1/2" W with stretch and just over 2" L. Composed of paperbeads and wooden beads. Handle with care. 

Guapa Wrap Bracelet

Original Price: $26  Sale Price: $18

The perfect combination of natural hues, this leather wrap bracelet is accented with a hand honed tagua seed. This versatile accessory measures 25'' in length and can be worn as a headband or wrapped once or three times around the wrist. This piece is handcrafted of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador. It takes 3 months for the seed to become a bead. The artisans have been able to rise out of poverty and now employ other community members with the same vision for them! 

Gypsy Stack Bracelet (red)

Original Price: $20  Sale Price: $14

Unique and attention-getting, these twists of colored thread and golden beads stripe the wrist to brighten any day.

 Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.

 25" wide Stackable, adjustable. Composed of thread and brass. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Gypsy Stack Bracelet (purple)

Original Price: $20  Sale Price: $14

Unique and attention-getting, these twists of colored thread and golden beads stripe the wrist to brighten any day.

Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.

.25" wide Stackable, adjustable. Composed of thread and brass. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Pelotas Bracelet, Rose

Original Price: $15  Sale Price: $10

This piece is handcrafted of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador. It takes 3 months for the seed to become a bead.  Mix them, match them, these colors are made to accent any of our Noonday bracelets! 

Ripple Bangles (gold)

Original Price: $25  Sale Price: $17.50

Bangles of gold-colored brass are sassy and layer perfectly with what you have for that boho inspired look. Measure 3'' wide. The Ana Art Group is a family owned artisan business that receives a living wage for their work and is certified Fair Trade. "I had been working in this art for 10 years before I learned about fair trade. I now work only with fair trade buyers, I charge more for my products, and I finally can enjoy my work" says Naseem, on the artisans based in Delhi. 

Sterling Woven Treasure Bracelet, Black

Original Price: $34  Sale Price: $24

An intricately woven blue, turquoise and green diamond pattern over sterling silver posts.(.375"wide adjustable). Composed of hand-woven cotton. and sterling silver. Handle with care. 

Threaded Bangle

Original Price: $24  Sale Price: $17

From India

Woven Treasure Bracelet (Blue)

Original Price: $16  Sale Price: $11

Intricate and elaborate hand woven bracelets that mix and match to create a Noonday arm party like none other! 

Woven Treasure Bracelet (Red)

Original Price: $16  Sale Price: $11

Intricate and elaborate hand woven bracelets that mix and match to create a Noonday arm party like none other! 

Draped Chain

Original Price: $34  Sale Price: $24

Urban causal or sophisticated chic, add these delicately embellished chevron earrings dripping with golden chain loops.  Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.  3" long. Composed of brass. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Mediterranean Sea (Matching Necklace in the Necklace section)

Original Price: $32  Sale Price: $22

Mediterranean Sea-colored beads nestle inside a gold-threaded loop. Approximately 1-3/4" in diameter. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged. 

Urban Knot Necklace

Original Price: $36 Sale Price: $24

Multi-colored brass chains come together in a knot. Brass will oxidize over time. Approximately 22" long. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged

Pearl Drop

Original Price: $20  Sale Price: $14

Simple and elegantly handcrafted paperbeads hang from sterling silver wire. This piece is handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda. 

Onion Tea Towel

Original Price: $18  Sale Price: $13.50

The fabric is 100% organic fair trade cotton and each towel is 19-1/2" x 27-1/2". Hemmed on four sides with a loop for hanging. The cotton grown to create the towel is certified fair trade and the weavers also receive a living wage for their work. Hand printed in India.

Organic Soap

Original Price: $28  Sale Price: $21

Soak in the exotic beauty of India that is represented in this travel-size soap gift set. Made with four fragrant scents including: lavender, honey oatmeal, chai and mint. Handmade in Northern India using all organic and natural ingredients including fresh spring water, and locally grown herbs and spices. Each set includes a beautifully, handmade soap box. Each travel soap is 1.25 oz.

Handcrafted by a group of marginalized women in India. Proceeds from this collection go to fund literacy programs for the women artisans and children in the community. 

Bone Carved Polygon

Original Price: $45  Sale Price: $31.50

Hand carved cowhorn creates geometric statement while tiny brass beads breathe elegance into the piece.

 Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged.

 12-13". Composed of bone and brass. Brass will oxidize over time and tarnish with wear. Handle with care. 

Danica

Original Price: $138  Sale Price: $96

A bold statement that will sure to have you wearing and sharing our story.

This piece is handmade in Ethiopia using recycled nickel, copper, and bronze melted down from previous war weapons. Most of the artisans who created the pieces are HIV positive and receive healthcare and literacy training in addition to job training.

29.5" long. Composed of upcycled metal and artillery. Metal will antique with wear and time. Handle with care. 

Exploration (Matching Bracelet in the Bracelet section)

Original Price: $48  Sale Price: $33

Earth tones sparkle with glints of bronze. Gem-toned turquoise and cream colored paper beads mix with bronze glass and dark wooden beads for a statement of unique sophistication.

Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda.

27". Composed of handcrafted paper beads and seed beads. Handle with care. 

Inca Steps (bone)

Original Price: $72  Sale Price: $50

The Inca steps necklace is handcrafted by Ecuadorian artisans of nuts from the tagua palm. It is Eco-friendly, and needs nothing more than a white tee shirt! This piece is handcrafted of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador. It takes 3 months for the seed to become a bead. The artisans have been able to rise out of poverty and now employ other community members with the same vision for them! 

This piece is handcrafted of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador who provide employment opportunities for their community. The artisans are also shareholders in the company. "Our life has been difficult, but our children will have a better future”

Mediterranean Sea (Matching earrings in the Earrings section)

Original Price: $38  Sale Price: $26

Mediterranean Sea-colored beads nestle inside several gold-threaded loops. Handmade by a fair trade artisan group in India that creates avenues of employment for the economically disadvantaged. 

The Zoe Necklace (turquoise)

Original Price: $48  Sale Price: $33

We collaborated with our artisans in Uganda to create a lightweight, eye-catching necklace. Each bead is handmade from paper and then strung delicately with gold colored glass beads. Measures 15'' to 18'' in length with an adjustable loop closure. Handmade by African Style, a group that Noonday Collection helped launch in Uganda. 

Eyelet Arm Warmers

Original Price: $38  Sale Price: $26

Bold, flirty eyelet knit adorns and warms on any brisk day.

These women who work with us are able to integrate knitting into their daily lives, and thus supplement their incomes. Every product is fully traceable including where we source, what are in the products, and who actually hand knits the items. All our designs are created as a collaborative effort.

10.5" long stretch. Composed of hand knitted alpaca. Handle with care. 

Fireside Scarf

Original Price: $86  Sale Price: $60

Create a perfect glow for many occasions with a bright and ultra cozy winter item. A radiant fashion voice in chunky chained-cable knit alpaca with wooden button closure detail.

These women who work with us are able to integrate knitting into their daily lives, and thus supplement their incomes. Every product is fully traceable including where we source, what are in the products, and who actually hand knits the items. All our designs are created as a collaborative effort.

52” x 11” . Composed of hand knitted alpaca. Handle with care. 

Kenyan Kikoy

Original Price: $58  Sale Price: $40

Kikoys are exclusive to the East African coast, in particular Kenya, where they are made with the finest cotton grown in the region. A Kikoy is a work of art inspired by the vibrant colors of the coastline in this area. Wrap it, put a picnic on it, tie it, cuddle it. This is a must have for travel and all things sunny. Each of these is hand finished by a group of women in Kenya who receive a fair wage for their work. 

Kikoy is 64" x 40"

Whimsical Scarf

Original Price: $58  Sale Price: $40
Clusters of freshly sprouted bundles of hand dyed cotton gather for artistic measure. Handwoven and then dyed from natural plants that grow near the magical region of Lago de Atitlan. Our Noonday team had the pleasure of working with the women in San Juan de Atitlan, learning the natural dying process of this scarf. The scarf is made by a cooperative of women who share a passion to continue the heirloom weavings of the Mayan people.

Winter Sunset (infinity Scarf)
Original: $58  Sale: $40

This scarf is a perfect year-round accessory as it is wonderfully lightweight and comes in a wide array of colors to complement each season. It is made out of acrylic and hand-woven on looms. The scarf wraps two to three times around the neck. One size fits all.

Handcrafted in Ecuador by a group of artisans who are also shareholders in the company. They have been able to rise out of poverty and now employ other community members with the same vision for them! 

Honors and humility

This past Tuesday, I had the honor of being a "guest blogger" on the blog of a fellow Noonday Collection World Changer, McCall Aldridge.  She has been doing a series titled "I am THAT Mom" and I had the opportunity to contribute.  So, You can zip over to her blog and check out the fabulous posts by a variety of great women!  It was such an honor, not only to be asked to add my two cents, but mostly because of the caliber of women I got to mingle with in blog-world!  They humble me - in a good way!

Maximum Impact

My Mom used to say, “ You should be able to throw away the first child and start over.” She didn’t mean it LITERALLY! She was referring to the fact that with your first child you are learning as you go and when the next child(ren) comes along, you are more prepared. Rest assured, our oldest child is alive and well and on his way to adulthood. However, we have found that we have learned a lot over the last (almost) seventeen years of parenting.

I am a mother of five children (three homegrown, two born of my heart). Bob and I got married young-ish (barely into our 20^th year of life!) and wanted to have children fairly fast. We waited three years, but felt strongly that we wanted our children to be born soon enough to really KNOW our parents and to have a strong relationship with them. So, child number one, our oldest son, was born and we started this thing called parenting. He ruled the roost. Not literally, we had boundaries, but I wish we had been more intentional about the teaching part, the training. The only REAL training we did was potty training! We were not necessarily permissive, just very flexible.

Fast forward to five kids. Over time we have come to see our role as parents as our divine calling. For this season in our lives, our highest priority is to raise our children. What’s on the list of lessons?? We have determined that our children will leave our home (rumor is that this happens eventually) with some specific character traits and abilities. They will have a knowledge of God and hopefully a relationship with Him. They will be people of integrity, able to live independently and be employable. They will know how to: plan, shop for, and prepare a balanced meal, make a bed, do their own laundry, clean a bathroom and run a vacuum, compromise when necessary, make an apology, serve others, show compassion, be thankful, be content, and stand up for what is right.

How in the world, in the busy-ness of life, do we get this done? It is a daily effort. We don’t sit down and have lectures or lessons, but it is acted out in our every breath. We demonstrate through real-life opportunities. Every Saturday, the kids clean the house. They have come to the point that they divide it up cooperatively (believe me it didn’t start so congenially!) and get the job done. They each have a day of the week (convenient with five kids) that is THEIR day. On their day, they do their laundry, set the dinner table and say the prayer at dinner. After dinner, the rest of the kids clear the table. With five kids, you can imagine that some topics get more attention than others… like apologizing! One situation that can be difficult to teach/demonstrate is saying sorry for something you don’t think you did wrong. For example, Kid #1 makes a playful remark that Kid #2 isn’t in the mood to receive and therefore is offended… Kid #1 didn’t intend for the comment to be mean! Kid#2 shouldn’t be so sensitive. Perceptions. Teaching Kid#1 to say “sorry you were offended by my comment, I didn’t mean it to sound like that” is TOUGH! However, this is a valuable skill. This skill alone will mend broken relationships throughout his/her life!

I suppose the TAKE AWAY from this is that as parents, we have a great BIG job! We have to make MAXIMUM impact in a relatively SHORT amount of time. My suggestion… if you are asking… 

                            S L O W   D O W N .... 

 Be LESS busy. Pull out of some activities (your and the kids’) that are complicating your schedule so that you have the availability to take advantage of opportunities. 

 The moments are there to have that MAXIMUM impact, don’t let them pass you by.

God Bless,

Audra

**Thanks to McCall for the opportunity to be linked up!  She is a fellow World Changer and I just love her!**

It's because of the people

Why Noonday Collection?  Why Fair Trade?  It's because of the people.  Three years ago, we welcomed two beautiful girls into our family.  We love our girls and would never trade having them in our lives.  Our family is more with them!  More complete, more fun, more... Loud!  Our family is wonderful!  But the circumstances that brought them to us were not wonderful.  

{common street scene}

 {typical living condition in the capital city}

They were born into a family in Ethiopia.  Somewhere along the line, their father passed away.  Their mother was making it as a single mom, which is saying something in Ethiopia!  Our older daughter's recollection is that their mother had a job and at one point they had a "house".  But somehow, at some time, their mother got sick.  This started a difficult spiral downward.  They knew she loved them, but her illness and the lack of access to sufficient medical care rendered her unable to work and therefore, she lost her job.  Ultimately, she had to make the very difficult decision to relinquish the girls to an orphanage.  This is where we came in...

 {My very American Hubby at the orphanage ~ Children without families}

We were approved and eventually brought the girls home to our family.  

So how does this story connect with Noonday Collection and fair trade?  There are mothers all over the world who desperately need access to medical care and want to provide for their children.  Many of them are taken advantage of, working in settings that are not safe, where they are not paid enough to support their families and they are mistreated.  Noonday Collection, and other Fair Trade/Fair Labor companies, strive to ensure that workers are treated fairly, paid a living wage, and treated with dignity!  I represent and support Noonday Collection because by doing so, I can affect change!  My purchases make it possible for artisans to have access to medical care and to keep their families together!

You can make a difference too!  Today, you can be a part of a Giveaway!  By doing so, you receive!  By purchasing Noonday Collection, you can be a part of their story!  

{In this giveaway, you can win this amazing "Scarf" a.k.a. Cowl}

Head over to Ambassador Tara Eichstedt's blog tomorrow for more Noonday Goodness ~ www.blessingsbytlcwithtlc.blogspot.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Www.audrakoning.noondaycollection.com

Seeing

Moving means changes… lots of them!  We moved to a different state which meant finding new doctors, dentists, and vision specialists.  One kid getting glasses, four more getting check-ups!  We knew Alex needed an updated vision check and possibly a new prescription.  A few months back, his glasses had been “tweaked” and therefore didn’t fit “right”, which meant he just didn’t wear them.  At his vision exam, the truth came out… along with the natural consequences.  His vision had gotten worse in one eye due to the lack of correction.  In other words, the glasses which were made to correct his vision had not been utilized and his ability to see had deteriorated.  He ended up with a drastically different new prescription.

My vision is like that.  Not in a physical sense, but definitely in a spiritual sense.  When my spiritual vision gets “tweaked”, my vision deteriorates.  What in the world are you talking about, Audra?!  What is this spiritual vision?? 

~ Seeing beyond the physical.  Seeing the hurt in the eyes when someone says that they are “fine”. 

~ Seeing the wanting for affection in the overly rambunctious child. 

~ Looking into the eyes of a loved one and seeing the little flecks of color that went unnoticed for days….weeks….years!  Unnoticed because I haven’t taken the time to stop and LOOK! 

~ Finding a broken item, shattered on the floor and seeing the “broken” child who longs to reverse time and make it all better…but lashes out instead, with hurtful words and accusations. 

Sometimes I see with my head and not my heart.  The result?  Deterioration!  You know what I’m talking about.  That downward spiral into frustration and anger.  The stream of words flowing out of the mouth and into ears and hearts not equipped to handle such an onslaught.  Seeing only the physical, Only what is right in front of me, is evidence of vision that desperately needs correction!

Spiritual correction??? She’s off her rocker!  It’s not as hard, or weird, as it sounds.  God didn’t intend for us to go through life with blurry vision.  Running ragged, so hurried that we don’t see those around us …. frustration and anger…. you get the idea.  How do I achieve spiritual correction?? 

S L O W  D O W N….

look….

see….

(And the real clincher….)

Thankfulness.

The Greek word, eucharisteo, means Giving Thanks.  The root, charis, means grace.  But, it also holds the derivitave of charis, the Greek, chara, which means JOY!  Giving Thanks results in JOY!  Not happiness.  Happiness is fleeting, based on circumstance.  JOY represents a condition of the heart.  JOY is that glow that happens in the midst of ANY circumstance.  That ability to go on with a heart that has been reinforced with HIS strength. 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks IN all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“WHOA!” you say.  What about the yucky stuff?  What about the hard times!  Death, pain, illness, hurt!  I recently went through a VERY long night with one of my children who was hurting and there was NOTHING I could do about it.  That night, I was struggling with this very verse.  I have been trying to be “thankful in all circumstances” and was really wrestling with the concept of being thankful for my child’s pain….  Then it hit me.  IN all circumstances!  …not FOR all circumstances.  I have heard and said this verse many times, but this lightbulb could have lit up the whole town!   Being a word-smith, I began to make my own expanded version….

Rejoice (in the LORD, recalling the blessings ALREADY given), PRAY, and

give thanks:

IN,

DURING,

IN THE MIDST OF,

ALTHOUGH,

DESPITE,

EVEN THOUGH,

IN SPITE OF

the circumstances!  THIS is God’s plan for you (He made it possible through Jesus)!

(The Audra Version! )

THAT I can do!  Let the thanking begin!  I have started my own list of thanks… (Thank you Ann VosKamp for sharing your journey in the book, One Thousand Gifts).  Need a challenge that will bring JOY and perspective?  Start your own list.  READ the book! 

Sometimes we need adjustments to help our human, fleshy eyes “see”.  It doesn’t come naturally and just as remembering to put on your physical glasses to physically see, we have to choose to put on our glasses of thankfulness and “see” with His eyes.

Jacket Makeover

The Jacket.  Bought on a sale.  Really liked it.  Washed it.  Wore it.  Washed it.  The arms kept getting shorter.  I’m short as it is, but this was getting annoying.  So, I put it in the GoodWill pile.  Then a while later, as the weather was fluctuating, I was pining for a vest…. Enter the Makeover thoughts….

I don’t mind giving away items so that someone else, with short arms, can make use of an item… but, I saw the potential in the jacket to become a vest!  It was really easy.  Really!  So, here goes!

Here’s the jacket:

Cut off the arms, on the arm side of the seam.  Give yourself enough of a space to be able to turn it under for a hem.  I left about an inch.

Find a thread that mostly matches the fabric.  The better the match, the less you (or anyone else) will be able to see your flaws.  J  Turn the hem in toward the inside of the jacket…um, vest.  Fold it so that the original seam is on the fold of the opening.  I folded mine twice because the fabric had a funky puffy filler that I didn’t want showing or “falling” out. 

Start at the arm-pit and sew around the arm hole.  Here’s a close up of one arm, finished.

Now here’s the finished vest.  I liked it so much that I also did this makeover to a blue jacket that I had bought at the same sale. 

Happy me!  Two vests to get me through this weird Colorado weather!  I can layer it with a long-sleeved shirt, add a scarf and I am good to go!

CrockPot Goodness!

I LOVE my CrockPot!  Why?  Lots of reasons, mostly, I love how the CrockPot frees me up to be with my family when they hit the door at the end of the day.  The food can be “almost ready” and I can be conversing with my family about their day and helping with homework and hugging my littles.  J 

So, what’s in the CrockPot today?  Campfired Sloppy Joes!  I can hardly stand the yummy smells!  Last year I picked up a CrockPot Brand cookbook at Kohl’s for a $5 Steal!  The book is titled, “Busy Family Recipes” and although we are (on purpose) NOT a busy family, I do like the fact the recipes are quick and yummy!   This is one of my favorites from that book. 

I take the time the day before to prepare the ingredients so that I can just dump and run.  However, if you have the time on the day of the meal, you can easily prepare this the same day you intend to eat it.  It only cooks on high for three hours.  OK, so here’s the recipe.  All Credit goes to CrockPot!  I have added my changes at the end.

Campfired Sloppy Joes

Brown Together:

1 ½ pounds lean ground beef

½ cup chopped sweet onion

1 medium red bell pepper, chopped

1 large garlic clove

Mix in a small bowl:

½ cup ketchup

½ barbeque sauce

2 Tablespoons cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

ADD:

1 can (8ounces) baked beans

BROWN the meat mixture.  Mix the sauce.  Toss in the baked beans.  Mix them together.  Put it in the CrockPot and cook on HIGH for 3 hours.  Serve on buns!

*** My alternations:  I use a mixture of lean ground beef and ground turkey and because it is convenient, I just use 2 pounds total.  I also roast my red bell peppers and then add them to the mixture before I put it in the CrockPot.  I LOVE roasted red pepper!  It is sooo easy and delicious!  How it took me this long to find this out, I will never know!  I add some green bell pepper, just because I like them and I typically double the garlic.  So, as you can see, it is pretty much a free-for-all!  You can make this recipe uniquely yours!

CAUTION:  If you add a significant amount of additional “chunks” to your mix, you will want to add some moisture also!  Just dump a little extra ketchup and bbq sauce to the mix.  

The Unseen

Unseen?  Sounds a bit like a new movie or book.  But books and movies aren't real.  Even if they are based on real events, they could never capture the Realness in its entirety.  They are reenactments, at best, of an event that occurred in another place or time.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 states,

"no eye has seen, nor ear heard, 

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him.  

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit."

This past Monday night was New Year's Eve.  The kids were in bed before midnight, but my honey and I stayed up late... way too late...  We had heard that there is a crew that braves the wind, snow, and bitter cold to get to the top of Pikes Peak.  Their mission:  to set off fireworks from the Summit of Pikes Peak at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve.  We have a great view of the Peak from our back door and thought it would be pretty special to witness that event.  So, as our clock neared the fabled hour, we stood at the back door, wrapped in a blanket, watching, waiting, anticipating the display of splendor.
We could not see the adventurists that made that climb.  We did not witness the stacks of artistic explosives. We had no assurance of their arrival at the summit.  We had no guarantee that they would indeed fulfill their intent to entertain us.  In fact, we didn't even see any fireworks.  The cloud cover inhibited our view and as far as we know, they did indeed complete their quest... we think.
I was disappointed.  And tired!  So we went to bed.

God's a bit like that, but in a much better way.  1 Corinthians 2:9-10 says we cannot even IMAGINE what God has in store for us!  That's exciting!  I can't see Him working behind the curtain... or clouds... I don't see Him preparing the GREAT things that He has planned for me.  Life provides a LOT of clouds.  Busy-ness, schedules, family, work, drama, good, bad, money, lack of money, frustration, strife, health... clouds.  Faith is trusting even though you can't see!  Why?  Because what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18).  God warned Noah about things not yet seen, and Noah acted on Faith, building a boat... in a desert! (Hebrews 11:7).  We are assured that our Faith, believing in the unseen, will result in being filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy! (1 Peter 1:8).

So, although there often are clouds that blocking my view, I have Faith that God is working on the greatest display of all and that when He reveals his splendor, it will be more than I could ever ask or imagine.  Abundant, inexpressible and glorious joy will fill my heart!
In the meantime, I am thankful for the breaks in the clouds when I can see just a glimpse of his Glory.

Legacy

Today I had the honor of serving at Compassion International.  During the regular Chapel meeting, the current President, Wess Stafford, interviewed his predecessor, Wally Erickson.  Compassion's work has grown from modest beginnings in South Korea in 1952 when American evangelist Reverend Everett Swanson felt compelled to help 35 children orphaned by the Korean conflict.  Today Compassion has a worldwide ministry where more than 1.2 million children are now reaping the benefits of one man's clear, God-given vision.  As I listened to their conversation, I was moved by the connection these two men had.  Their friendship centered around their love for the children of the world and for the responsibility that God has put on each of us to care for the vulnerable and oppressed.  Their passion was clear and demonstrated through comments and tears shared as they relived moments in the history of their friendship and ministry.  The Chapel ended with a slideshow of moments captured on film... Wally with children on different continents, in different countries, at different ages, always smiling, always serving the children.

After Chapel, I had the privilege of assisting in the serving of lunch to Wally, Wess and various employees that had served at Compassion during Wally's tenure.  I watched as Wally and his wife reminisced with old friends and relived even more memories.  I was touched by how moved Wally was...even surprised at how much Compassion had grown since his retirement.  

That made me think.  What legacy will I leave?  How am I making a difference?  Wally just followed his passion, God's leading.  He invested in those around him and those around the world.  He "trained" Wess for 17 years before his retirement!  Who is right under my nose, that I should be "investing" in?  Obviously, my children.  That's an easy one.  But who else?  The Lord has been leading me into moments and encounters with the people around me.  Each conversation is laced with Him... How He brought us here, Why we said "yes", How He has been faithful to show Himself to us, How we are trusting Him daily.  Not preachy, mind you, just trusting and real.  Slowly and steadily, God is building our base for us.  The foundation on which we will build friendships, support, influence.  Last night, I attended the PTO meeting at our Elementary School and co-volunteered with a neighbor (that I have met once) to organize an event at school, today I served at Compassion, Friday I will attend a Parent gathering where several of us Middle School Moms to pray for our children's school!  I am determined to reach out.  Influence requires ACTION!  

The catch is... good or bad, we all leave a legacy!  Positive influence or Negative influence?

What legacy are you leaving?  It's worth thinking about.... better yet, It's worth ACTING ON!!

Fiber!

I have been dropping the proverbial ball lately on updating the blog.  So, in the interest of getting more fiber in my blogging (a.k.a. Get things moving!), I am going to attempt to post a nugget of Koning-ness once a week.  As the kids get into school, I may find more time to blog... So, here goes!

Family update:

• All of the kids are now enrolled and scheduled and such in school.  We start back to school nights next Monday.
• Bob is loving the company that we moved out here for: Compassion International. If you are familiar with the company, let me tell you, it is everything you think it is!  They really do care for the children and in a way that is God-honoring.  It is all about the kids!
• Marshall has found his other half... A kid named Matt that lives down the street. And although he misses his Missouri friends, this one seems to take care of his social needs!  We call them m&m!
• Levi has found his niche in following m&m around.  Which works most of the time! He also has a buddy, Scotty, that goes to our church and whose family is in our small group, that he gets along with well.  They will be in the same school next year (although different grades 4th/5th).
• Nardos has found her nirvana!  Two little gals that live a block away, both adopted from Guatemala and close to her age.  They also love princesses and dress up, so it's a good fit!  She "found" them one day while riding her bike and brought them and their Mom down to meet us!  They have been down to play a number of times, and now Nardos is at their house for a play date and lunch! I am sure it will end all too soon today and she will be begging for more play time!  Nardos also has latched onto a little gal that is in our small group, Sami.  She happens to be Scotty's littlest sister.
• Beti is Beti.  She is content to stay at home and is willing to go out with us when we go somewhere as a family (ie. the park, or for a hike).  She does not crave the social scene, but has asked if I can find out if Levi's friend Scotty is in her class next year.  She likes our small group (which meets every Sunday evening) and hangs out with Scotty's sister, Ashley.
• I, Audra, am enjoying getting our home organized and keeping our family sane!  I have recently started "meal planning" and am shocking the socks off the hubby!  I have found the creative side to structure and it suits me fine!  I love that I am feeding my family well and saving money at the same time.  I will do a post later with suggtions and tips for making meal planning work for you.  I want to give hope to the naturally disorganized and unstructured individual!  I can relate to you all!  
• In addition to Bob's work, he has been invited to serve in the church praise team band!  He is so excited he can't stand it!  He will start in a few weeks and he will be on a rotation for three months.  Then, if he wishes, he can continue for another three month rotation.  On the rotation, he plays one weekend a month.

Ok, I am going to end it here.  Check back for more family stuff!

Rocky Mountain High...

If you are younger than say...30, you may have the wrong idea about the Title of this post... If you are as old as me... You will recognize this as the line of a famous song written and performed by John Denver YEARS ago. Although I don't agree with many of John's beliefs, I do admire his ability to see the world around him and admire it for the unique creation that it is. In this song, he reflects on the "feeling" that he gets from being among nature. I get that feeling too. Every time I look out my window and see Pikes Peak, or walk outside and smell the pines, I admire and adore the maker of the heavens and the earth. Moving to Colorado has forced me to slow down and SEE the world around me. And oh the beauty! As hard as it has been to be away from our family and dear friends, the fact remains that God has a purpose for us here and everyday I seek to find it and fulfill it. How long will that take? Don't know. How will I know that I have found it? I trust that God will show me. Is it just one purpose? Probably not. What I DO know for certain, as a believer, I am called to seek Him first EVERY day. To do His will (sharing the love of Christ, taking care of the widows and orphans, Loving God with all my heart, mind, and soul) is what I am called to do. That's my purpose. I have found myself volunteered (by God,I think) to be a volunteer with Compassion International. I will be giving tours this summer and assist with a children's program that allows children to experience life as a child in an impoverished country. I hope that God will use me in this season to reach out to the children who come and make a difference in their lives as they learn how they can be involved globally. I also hope to launch Noonday Collection and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of the artisans who create our products. (check it out: www.audrakoning.noondaycollection.com). Ok, so mostly this is an update, but I also wanted to reflect on our mission here as a family. We want to impact our children and our world. Blessings!

His Purpose

With the imminent change of moving....I chose to quit my job as a Speech Pathologist in the Fort Osage School District.  This was graciously accepted by the School Board and I officially became unemployed at the end of the first semester.  This was a difficult decision that we knew would result in the loss of our second income (note:  We had just purchased a second house in Colorado), but it would allow me to focus on being "Mom" and meeting the needs of our five children during this time of transition.  May I also mention that my sanity was in grave danger!  I LOVED my school, my co-workers and especially the students that I worked with.  Little did I know that it would just be the beginning of the painful changes that were to come.  Much to my relief, I was replaced quickly.  A new Speech Pathologist was located and hired.  She is doing well, I am told.  Parts of me miss the "being needed" part of a full-time job.  Other parts of me can't imagine how I managed to keep it together for those two and a half months at which time Bob had moved out to start his job and I was here with the kids - working and holding down the household.  How did I ever get the grocery shopping done?

"Ok - get to the point, woman!" - you may be thinking....

This brings me to the theme proposed in the Title of this post:  His Purpose.  As I mentioned in my previous post, God has been stirring things up a bit and has allowed us to see a bit of what He has planned.  What I had been particularly struggling with was the fact that Bob had found his dream job - rather, his dream company.  He had been eyeing Compassion International for some time.  He had even applied for other positions, but this was the position that the Lord had in mind and this was the timing He had in mind as well.  So, Bob is where he is supposed to be, doing what he is supposed to be doing, and ... we are along for the ride?  I didn't believe that for a minute.  BUT, I did wonder what was in store for us, for me.  I struggled with and prayed about whether or not God wanted me to continue to work as a Speech Pathologist or move on to something else.  Ultimately, I wanted to be where HE wanted me to be and do what HE wanted me to do.

[Enter Noonday Collection]

I was reading the Facebook post of an acquaintance of mine.  A woman I GREATLY admire.  She mentioned a recently formed company called "Noonday Collection".  Through the format of Trunk Shows in people's homes, they sell Fair Trade items made by individuals from all over the world; individuals that are marginalized due to disease or in situations of poverty.  By representing these artists and selling their creations, these individuals can make a modest (very modest) living which in turn allows them to feed their families, get an education for their children, and potentially employ others in their community.  I was hooked!  I immediately began praying, "Lord, is this it?"  It hit all of the high points in my dream job.  I talked to friends about Noonday, I called Bob and told him to start praying that I would have clear direction about this.  I contacted the owner and asked to be considered as an Ambassador for Noonday Collection.  I had talked to so many people about this company and I hadn't even had an interview yet!  My enthusiasm was growing.  I had three people commit to hosting a Trunk Show before I ever formally submitted an application!  Time passes, interviews are held, I am offered the opportunity to become a Noonday Ambassador, I accept, I commit.  To what?  I commit to represent these artists, to tell their story, to educate my community about the oppression of others, to change lives, to follow His direction.

The jury is still out on the Speech thing.  I may continue it on a part time basis, But my heart is Noonday.  My heart is in telling people that God loves them and that they can make a difference.  Check out my website:  http://audrakoning.noondaycollection.com.  God is making a difference in my life and I am paying it forward.  And, if you are so inclined to have a show, contact me.  My info is on the website.  Blessings!

A new start

I was chatting with a friend last night on Facebook and it hit me.... In about 8 weeks, we will be relocating to Colorado Springs.  I will no longer be geographically close to her... that started the "waterworks".  I'm not going to lie, it will be fabulous to live in Colorado Springs, but I will miss so many people here.  I am like a 40 year old tree being uprooted.  I was born and raised in Independence.  I went away to college, got married, and returned to raise our family.  Much of my family lives here.  We LOVE our church!  We have so many connections and they are being re-routed from physical connection to wireless!  It is a painful experience.  Most of the time, I am caught up in the daily grind, but being the sole adult in a house of six people and a dog has been taxing.  Being 600 miles away from my Man, has been a long, lonely experience.  I miss him and we are ready to be all together again.  One of our kids is having a bit of an emotional time with the changes that are coming.  His tendency is to withdraw and avoid the painful reminders, but the pain is still there.  We are all learning to cope with change, loss, unfamiliar territory, pain, and the dichotomy of wanting to be in two places at once.  


How do we go on?  Five months ago, when we started this leg of our journey, I was confident in my declarations:  "God is in control.  He knows more than I do.  His ways are higher than our ways.  He has a plan for us - a plan to prosper us and not to harm us.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He goes before us."  I said them loud and proud.  After all, He started this.  He will not forget us or abandon us.  However, with the realization that this is REALLY happening and SOON, my voice is becoming shaky.  My confidence is wavering - not in God, but rather in me.  In this realization, I am reminded that I am faltering because I am trying to stand on my own.  Did I really believe all those things I was saying five months ago?  Absolutely!  And in some ways, I think I believed them more - somehow.  In NOT knowing all of the details, I found it easier to trust God to take care of it all.  It was such an immense undertaking and new turf for me, that I knew I couldn't take control or ownership of the details.  Frankly, I didn't want the responsibility.  I was much more comfortable letting God take the fall for the pain.  After all, He orchestrated this!  I still believe all that I said, way back then, but now my heart has to get out of the way and let His word speak to me.  


As I am typing this, Air1 radio station is playing a song by Group 1 Crew titled "He said".  The lyrics take me back to the foundation of my faith.  God, in His Word, made promises.  He is the ultimate Promise Keeper.  He is integrity embodied.  He never breaks His Word!  Read through these promises with me:


So your life feels like it don't make sense
And you think to yourself, "I'm a good person,
So why do these things keep happening? "
Why you gotta deal with them
You may be knocked down now, but don't forget
What He said, He said

"I won't give you more
More than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know, I'll never, ever let you go"
Don't you forget what He said
Don't you forget what He said, He said

Who you are, ain't what you're going through
So don't let it get the best of you
'Cause God knows everything you need
So you ain't gotta worry
You may be knocked down now, but just believe what He said

He said "I won't give you more
More than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know I'll never ever let you go"
Don't you forget what He said

Don't fear when you go through the fire
Hang on when it's down to the wire
Stand tall and remember what He said

"I won't give you more
More than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break"

"I won't give you more
More than you can take
And I might let you bend
But I won't let you break
And know I'll never ever let you go"
Don't you forget what He said

Don't you forget what He said.

"All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; He'll never let you be pushed past your limit" (The Message Version) The rest of the Scripture that this comes from is an important component:  "He'll always be there to help you come through it."  1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message Version).  The key is that HE will be there to HELP ME!  I don't have to stand up on my own.  I need to hold onto Him.  He will give me the strength necessary.  

A few days ago I read some very applicable and poignant points from a friend as she was sharing parts of her daily devotional.  Her point was that it matters that you are following Jesus (claiming to be a believer), but it matters more how closely you follow Him.  This world is fraught with teeming masses that blur our vision and line of sight with our Messiah.  If I am following at a distance, not taking time to connect with Him, read His Word, commune with Him, I will get lost!  I must follow closely!  I cannot put it on Cruise Control and expect to get to the destination that He has in mind.  And as I stated before, His ways are higher than my ways, HE has a plan and I should follow it ~ closely!  

He has been so faithful and generous to allow us a glimpse of things to come ~ ways that He is providing for us: emotionally and physically.  Thank you God ~ for your love and provision.  Thank you for knowing what I need before I need it.  Thank you, Jesus, for coming to die on a treacherous cross... so "that I might have life, and have it abundantly!" (John 10:10).  I long for the abundant life, not a dull, predictable, routine; rather one that is full of YOU, full of divine events and excitement!  Thank you Jesus!

As we close out on this geographical location.... leaving this area.... moving west, I pray that I will follow Him closely.  I want to follow so closely that I am ticketed for tailgating!!!  I pray that in the midst of change and all that comes with it, I will trust Him and follow His ways to the abundant life that He has planned!

Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Colorado

And if you are in the area - stop  by.  This is the view I get every day!  One great BIG reminder of His Majesty!  

Show Hope!

The things they say...

We were reading a book and in the story the dog gets sick. 


The text goes like this: 


     "What's wrong with him?" I ask. 

     "He ate too much," says Dad. "Someone overfilled his food dish."

At that point, in all seriousness Nardos says, "Wasn't me!"

Now that's what I call getting caught up in the story!

You know you are a Mother when...

I found this poem (in myriad of "stuff" I am unearthing in my house!).  I hope you enjoy it!

You Know You Are a Mother When…

• You count the sprinkles on each kid’s cupcake to make sure they are equal.
• You hide in the bathroom to be alone.
• Your kid throws up and you catch it.
• Someone else’s kid throws up at a party.  You keep eating.
• You consider finger paints to be a controlled substance.
• You’ve mastered the art of placing large quantities of pancakes and eggs on a plate without anything touching.
• You cling to the high moral ground on toy weapons; your child chews his toast into the shape of a gun.
• You hope ketchup is a vegetable, since it’s the only one your child eats.
• You find yourself cutting your husband’s sandwiches into cute shapes.
• You hear your mother’s voice coming out of your mouth when you say, “NOT in your good clothes.”
• You stop criticizing the way your mother raised you.
• You say, at least once a day, I’m not cut out for this job,” but you know you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

-- Author Unknown

Endurance

In all situations, there will be blessings and trials. That's the nature of being human. What sets one event from another can boil down to where you put your focus. I choose to focus on the blessings. Sure I see the trials, and sometimes I even shift my gaze to them, but in the end, I have to take my head and turn it intentionally to the blessings. Some might say that I am not realistic...but aren't blessings a reality too? In fact, I find that focusing on the blessings is a much nicer way to go about my day. It feels better, it is brighter, in the end, I sleep better! So, my glasses may be rose colored, but I like my view -- blessings!

Filling in the blanks

So, Bob was reading our blog... because you never know what I might put out there :) and he realized that there was a major gap in my flow.  I will try to summarize:

In October, Bob interviewed for and was offered a job with Compassion International.  It is a non-profit company that is focused on obliterating poverty! (my word choice)  We prayed about this long and hard.  We knew that accepting the position would also mean moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Complicating factors:  I have 40 years of roots here in Missouri, mostly in Independence.  Bob moved a number of times as a child and his passion for the work that Compassion International does was deep.  In fact, we have been involved with Compassion for almost 10 years - we sponsor a young man who lives in Indonesia.  He communicate with him often and have been blessed by being connected to him.  So, we decided that WE were not in a position to clearly discern direction considering our deep emotions over a move.  At that point, I told Bob, "God can clearly raise the dead and has performed numerous (understatement) other miracles....then surely He can offer a job or block the offer ~ according to His will."  That is where we left it, in God's hands.  Bob was offered the job, by God.  That's truly how we see it.

So, In late October, Bob began his position with Compassion International ~ something to do with application support...computer stuff.  The company is amazing.  Very faith and family oriented.  We made a number of decisions.  We didn't want to transition the kids to new schools and such in the middle of the year, so that meant I would be "single" mom for the remainder of the school year.  If we could find a house, a mortgage payment would be almost identical to a short-term rental and a house would give us a place to crash when we go out for our visits (Christmas and Spring Break).  So, at the end of October, we also drove out - yes, all seven of us - and went house hunting.  One of Bob's new coworkers gave us the name of a Realtor.  He is amazing!  In our one day of looking at houses, we saw 13!  The turning point really was at lunch.  Our Realtor, Bryan, was checking his phone and said, "Do you want to add one more house to the list???  It just went on the market today and is bank-owned which means it is priced to sell and will go fast...but it fits what you are looking for and in the right area."  LONG story short.... we went to see the house and fell in love!  It is exactly what we need!  That is what the house pictures in the previous post are all about.

So, this Wednesday, we close on the house.  Bob was home for a week for Thanksgiving and headed out this morning with a 24 foot Budget truck filled to the gills with what he will need to live at the house for the next 6 months (as well as all the stuff we decided we could get out of the house so that it shows better).  He made it safely to Colorado Springs in good time and most importantly, in one piece.  All day today I have prayed, "God, please get him there safely with no surprises!"  And He did.

In the midst of all of this, one other major decision was reached.  I have found that I am unable to be a full-time working, single-mom of five kids...and get a house ready to sell.  So, I made the difficult decision to quit my position at the school at semester.  Now, I can just focus on being Mom, getting the house ready and KEEPING it ready!

So, there it is.  The last few months....so many blessings, so many tears, but always trusting God that he DOES know more than me!  :)

House pictures

This was our favorite house that we saw.  We won't know for a few days if our offer was accepted.  Here's hoping!

office-ish area in kitchen

dining area and sitting area near front door.  levi sacked out on the floor.

family room in the basement where there are three large rooms for the kids and a full bath.

view from dining area near front door - toward the fireplace sitting room.  kitchen is on the other side of the wall near levi's feet.

front door and sitting area.

front of the house.

kitchen - as seen from fireplace sitting area.

fireplace sitting area and kitchen as seen from hallway leading to office, spare room, master bedroom, laundry and another full bath.

master bath

neighborhood

three car garage!