Coffee and convos

I've been a "certified" barista for a few weeks now and I have run into a large variety of people. I work the morning shift so we see a lot of regulars coming in for the same thing each day. I've been amazed at the amount of people who get the exact same thing every day - not only does this seem a little boring to me but also expensive (in money and calories).

It's also interesting to me the expectations some folks have for a thing as simple as a cup of coffee or a bagel. There are folks who will leave before they choose to wait in line. Others who expect that we (the staff) will remember exactly what they get each day and have it ready for them. You'd think that we would start to get to know some of these folks fairly well seeing them each day and all. However, you'd be amazed at how many people just look at their phone the whole time they are waiting for their item and how shallow the conversations are when they do happen.

I've really been challenged lately to go deeper with people, no longer just surface level conversations but ones with depth and meaning. This is not a skill that comes naturally for me as it does several people I know but rather it is one that takes practice and many conversations. I'm praying the Lord shows me opportunities to dive in and not only go deeper into others lives, but be willing to open my life up to them as well.

I would have to say that one huge thing I learned/realized this summer is how important it is to first be vulnerable with someone before expecting them to do the same with me. You can't expect the other person to go deep if you're not willing to do so yourself. I think I knew this, I just never connected the dots. Guess the Lord's given me a great opportunity to practice being more vulnerable with people in my life. Though it may sound strange and ridiculous that I want to open up with customers that come to get a cup of coffee each day, the fact of the matter is that some of these people spend a great amount of time each week waiting for their drink of choice. Why not get to know them when I see them so often?

Oh AAA...I'm so glad we're friends

In the last month or so I have managed to lock my keys in my car not once, but twice. Not only that but I would also venture to say that I have been much much more "blonde" than I generally am. I will constantly catch myself saying things or doing things that do not come across as a well educated woman in her mid twenties should. I do not say this to gain sympathy, but rather I feel like it just goes to show how busy I have been and how there has been much on my mind these days.

I have been LOVING my life up here in Maryland and have been trying to enjoy the most out of each day. Whenever I find myself without plans I am quickly able to find something to fill the time. Whether it's practicing for my next piano lesson, hitting around the volleyball in the gym, pouching (porch couching) with the interns, or just chilling in the brick house - there is always something to do. That's one of the great things about living at the ranch, it's always filled with adventures waiting to happen. I'm thinking sometime this week or next weekend I might give the mountain boards a go...this should be interesting.

Aside from doing so much I would say that I am also learning a ton. The Lord is always faithful to teach those who are willing to listen and while, sadly, I can't say that I'm always faithful to listen, I would say that on the occasions I do He has been so faithful to open my eyes and ears.

I'm reading through a couple of books right now, one being Love and Respect. While it's generally about the relationship between a man and wife (and I am by no means married) I would say that it's a great concept to pick up on for any male/female relationship in your life. Learning to treat men with respect and women with love is not only a great idea but it is also so biblical. This book is opening my eyes to how I treat others and how my words and actions may come across as disrespectful or unloving without even meaning for them to. While the book itself is somewhat repetitive, I would say that the main idea behind it is one worth studying a little deeper.

On a side note, my efforts to help the world better pronounce the word "Appalachian" are going well. Slowly, one person at a time, I hope to change the incorrect pronunciation of the place I once called home. For those of you wondering, the wrong way of saying this mountain range is: apple-a-chin. It is correctly pronounced apple-ahh-chin. Thank you and goodnight.

Wannabe outdoorsman (or woman, rather)

 Went to REI tonight for a bit and left with a new desire to do everything outdoorsy but feeling like that will never happen due to lack of gear. So dear REI, I'd say that coming into your store left the desired effect, I wanted to buy many new things - good job marketing crew.

BUT, I'm pretty sure that tomorrow I will be getting my very own harness which I am SUPER excited about. I'll have to find some way to use it this weekend for sure.

I felt like such a poser tonight though because my friend LaDessa and I just browsed around the store, tried a few things on - a harness, climbing shoes, tried to buy some rope (which was unsuccessful), asked some questions about water bottles, and then left. Haha. Maybe one day I'll get to go in, try things on, and leave with a bag - oh won't that be the day.

The Brick House

When the ranch asked me to stay on through the fall, they offered me a place to live on property which was definitely an answer to prayer. So here is a tour of my new home. I get the privilege of living in a 102.5 year old house. Ok, so not really sure just how old it is...but it's old. It has three stories, four if you count the attic which is basically a time machine into the past.

The first floor is basically the laundry room for the ranch and a guest room that they use for speakers who come for retreats and during the summer. Then there is a door that leads to a set of stairs that leads to where I am living.

Steps leading upstairs

At the top of the first set of stars, the entry way

Then right off of the entryway is the big old kitchen, it's also my office (as noted by the chair)

 The room to the right that you see through the door is the guest room.

 There is also a half bath off of the kitchen

Then if you step out of the kitchen and head to the right you will encounter another set  of steps, a door to the porch, the guest room, and the living room. 

My porch! Perfect for hammocking.

Mini trampoline. Morning exercises happen there (well they haven't yet, but maybe one day)

Here is the bare living room. I'm working on scrounging up some furniture but it's proving harder than I first thought.

Living room

Living Room

My frist housewarming gift made by a friend 

This is the bathroom on the third floor

Hallway on the third floor. My room is at the end of this hallway.

My room! Right next to the attic steps

The bed and chair were given to me by my boss from this summer and his wife.

Wall flowers! This is a big reason why I choose this room.

While the house is great and I am LOVING it...there are a few quirks (as there would be with any 102.5 something year old house).

Lots of HUGE rat traps

I have a plant! Actually...it's growing in through the window frame.

The fridge. Randomly it makes this really loud banging noise. You get used to it eventually. It also has a bunch of liquid that likes to sit in the bottom of it. I'm told that its from the freezer which leaks, still haven't been brave enough to clean it yet.

So there is my new home away from home. Like I said, I'm loving it. The first week was a little iffy but now that I've figured out a lot of the noises and such and I don't mind it at all. The mice and I are getting along just perfectly.

News.

I have a new job, several in fact. This week I got to fulfill a lifelong (well...maybe more like a few years long) dream of being a barista. I have begun working at a local coffee shop and making those fancy coffee drinks you love so much. Three days a week I get to supply the morning work crew with their needed caffeine and breakfast pastries and I love it.

I mainly work with one other girl, Sarah. She and I are the oldest of the barista's, the rest being a couple of college students and then mostly high school students. The shop that I work in is mainly a bakery though so sweets are constantly being made, put into the case, and sold. As soon as you walk in it smells delicious and just looking into the case can cause a sugar coma to ensue. Snickerdoodles is known for their cakes and desserts and can pretty much make you anything you desire. I kinda think that heaven will be a little like this, or at least I hope that there will be delicious desserts, pastries and coffee drinks.

This job is only part time though as I am also working at River Valley Ranch two days a week. After working at the Ranch this summer as one of the program directors I was asked to stay on part time through the fall and felt that this was an opportunity from the Lord so I took it. I get the joy of living here as well surrounded by a great community of believers.

After my trip to Switzerland I was really torn about what to do with life. I had no plans and only felt like I had a couple of options of where I could go and what I could do. Through much prayer I decided that the Ranch was the place for me to be for a few more months of my life and I am loving it! I can't tell you for sure how long I'll be here, but I'm not too worried about those details at the moment, I'm just trying to enjoy each moment of life for now.