Christmastime is Here!

We just finished a wonderful visit with my parents who flew out from the NW.  Poor things were starved for sunshine and I believe we aided in drying them up during their two week stay with us.  They got to see Origins Coffeehouse for the first time...that was a special moment for all of us.  They have prayed us through this entire process and so feel a deep connection to this place.

During their time here we decorated Origins and set out holiday inventory.  One of our evenings was spent tying bows on mugs I picked up here and there at thrift shops so that we can offer our "Buy a Box of Tea (or bag of coffee), Get a Mug Free".  So far it's been a wonderful incentive!

I also have had time to put up decorations at home, of course while listening to Christmas music (my favorite CD this season will be Michael W. Smith's new one, "It's a Wonderful Christmas").  I reminisce while I set out the Christmas Pyramid given to us by our exchange student's family while in Germany two Christmases ago.  What a wonderful memory that is!  I had to post a photo of our family drinking hot chocolate and gluwine in the Weihnachtsmarkt in Stuttgart.  While there, we dropped into a Fair Trade Gift shop.  We can't help but wonder if that was but another seed planted to prompt us to open Origins.

And so as another day draws to a close, with just the five of us at home again, and Christmas and memories in the air, I am filled with reassurance and hope that our God has been faithful and good, and He will continue to be just that for us.  The people He puts in our lives to enrich and bless us, and the experiences He allows us to have to deepen our understanding of Him and His world are what we consider some of His greatest gifts to us.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful Advent Season as we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus!

Almost Half a Year!

It's hard to believe we're coming up on 6 months of being open.  We've seen the LORD provide over and over.  We've come to deeply appreciate our staff as they run the business on the front-lines, volunteering to take on more responsibilities and helping the business to take shape. 

Adryan taking on Justin, two of our favorite boys in town.

Don & Anthony challenge each other at Chess Night (Thursdays) at Origins.

Summer was good.  The community showed support through it all.  Our icebergs and blended lemonades were a hit.  We managed to create many addictions and therefore repeat customers.  Our bakers continue to turn out beautiful and scrumptious creations, causing some to ask if we catered.  We had live music every Friday night but 2 since opening....we paid the bills, payroll, and taxes on time.
College students are back in town and that was a shot in the arm.  Now we're playing catch up with ordering more inventory, not only for our consumable products but our gift items.  I LOVE ordering more from our co-ops, knowing that we are part of the solution to keep individuals out of poverty.

Selina, our last exchange student, and boyfriend, Niko, playing chess one Thursday night with our daughter, Marissa.  We were excited for them to see the coffeehouse.

Jacob and Aaron

Now that the business is moving along smoothly, we feel we have room to focus more on the mission of the coffeehouse.  Coming soon, we'll be hosting our first ever "Fair Trade Educational Week" at Origins.  We plan to spotlight the co-ops we support, educate the how's and why's of making Fair Trade choices, and also educating the public of the on-going evils of human trafficking and how to be part of the solution.  More to come!

Marissa's Poem: Origins

Origins

************

A big sign welcoming you

some bamboo blinds for decor

You walk into a cozy sight of books and tea and jewelry

But the thing that meets you above them all

The smell of coffee very strong

You order what you want

"It will be ready in a minute"

said with a friendly smile 

assures you that you came to the right place

It's comfortable, cozy too

You feel that you know everyone

The dim lights,

Soft guitar,

Tells you that you are at 

Origins

By: Marissa Kendall

Turning Toward Summer with Friends at Origins

Our daughter, Kaelie, and Lillian  are enjoying time together at Origins.

 Our youngest playing checkers with friends on the first day of summer vacation.

Amanda and Mandy recommend drinks to the Lingafelter family.  The special that day was a Tropical Iceburg...beautiful and delish!

Brad listens to Savanna's ringtones while the rest of the Hall family enjoy their time at Origins.  Also, we can see baby Sawyer sampling his mom's smoothie.

Recent Gezellig

Good friends gather for good conversation at Origins on a Friday night.

Peyton Wade with his sidekick guitar, strumming some lovely melodies. 

Exchange students, Franzi and Ludo, hanging out with Audrey and Lillian, and sipping some DELICIOUS drinks!

The Place to Be

Apparently we're the flavor for the day - Origins is the place to be.  We love hearing how much people love the atmosphere of our coffeehouse, some making it their "office", others meeting regularly with a mentor or staff or class.  We have a group of retired women that come in on Mondays at 9 am, like clockwork.  We love seeing our nephew over in the orange corner sipping on an Orange Creamsicle smoothie and reading a book.  It's fantastic to have all generations gather for live music and pie on Friday nights.


And yet, we feel we can't take credit...God has simply poured out His blessings on this venture.  We wake up feeling uncertain about ourselves and the newness of it all, but we lay it again at the feet of the One in whom we are certain, and we "do the next thing" as Elisabeth Elliot would say.  At the day's end, after closing out the register, we thank Him for all He has done.  This is His place, it is all about what He wants to do, who He wants to touch and how.  


And for that reason alone, we hope that Origins continues to be, "the place to be." 

Yes, We're Open!

Thanks for hanging with us as we worked through the first couple weeks of being open. Many of you are wanting updates, so I apologize that it has taken this long to blog again!

In a nutshell....it started with a bang and continues to go well.  Though I couldn't sleep the night before our Grand Opening and felt sick to my stomach, and probably cried 10 times (!) it really was a great day! (I know that this was because of being stretched to the max and because everything was so foreign to me.  God continues to show me that this is His doing, and by His strength this has come to be.)

The response from our community has been overwhelming.  People walk in and say things like, "I can't believe this is in Haviland," or "I love this place", and even a few " I can really feel God here."  We are humbled and grateful that what we have offered, all our planning, ideas, and service has been received  with open arms.  We hope to always be a blessing to those who walk into Origins.

Our staff has been incredible, surpassing all my expectations, and because they are so capable and responsible, within the first week, I was able to have a sense of normalcy again, and can be at home with my family.  I often feel guilty if I'm not there, but they are all doing so great!  Thank you, Molly, LeAnn, Eliot, Hannah, Mandy, Annalisa, Amanda, and Ashley for being awesome baristas!  Thank you Danae, Shannon, Marcy, Amanda, and Mandy for baking like pros!  

Also, Ryan has really gotten excited about the business side of it.  I feel such a burden lifted as he takes on this aspect of the ministry.  I know the LORD knows the desires of my heart, and so as I give myself away for His kingdom, I believe that He will do just as He promises.


We ask for continued prayer support from anyone who would like to do so, as we totally believe that this was born and bathed in prayer from the start.  We hope to continue to lean on God's provision and to always give Him the glory.