THANK YOU!

I am about to head back home to Florida after a 10-day stint in Alpharetta with my wonderful extended family. One week ago last Wednesday I had my left ACL repaired and I am happy to report that everything could not have gone better. Thank you for praying, calling, emailing, texting, Facebooking, & Tweeting (did I miss any?!)

The recovery is going better than I could have asked. The physical therapist is a little stunned — glory to God! A miracle also unfolded in getting me into PT so soon, just two days after surgery. Everyone bent over backwards for me. Truly amazing.

I will still be hobbling around for the next several weeks pressing on in the PT department and getting my strength back. In the midst of everything I must confess I was NOT happy to be dealing with this; my temper got the best of me. Not a proud moment, but I have learned the unconditionality (new word?) of love, from my family and friends and, most of all, my heavenly Father. I have had a different visitor almost every night in addition to the cards and calls. Thank you for your support and friendship.

Here is a picture of my first visitor, Mindy, the evening after my surgery. Enjoy! -EL

A Glee-Filled Beginning

So you may know that Glee is one of my favorite shows. The Glee trend among my friends hasn’t set in quite as strong here in Titletown (perhaps people have things to do other than watch TV? Preposterous!) So we have instituted Glee nights. And it is wonderful. We’re watching from the beginning of the season, which is not only a fun refresher but I love having a low-key night where we can just laugh, enjoy good company, and smile at simple things in life.

I think I get too caught up in the big stuff sometimes that I don’t plan time for enjoying life. God gave us laughter, and friends, and good things in life. I think he smiles when we appreciate them, like dads do on Christmas morning when their kid opens a new toy truck, or baby doll, or whatever was at the top of their list. I hope you are enjoying good things in life, wherever you are.

Liza, We’re not in Georgia anymore…

Liza is the name of my 2003 Camry. aka the best car on the planet (made before recall issues!) I have been here in Gainesville for three weeks and one day today, and I thought some of you might like to see my change of scenery. After nine years in Georgia I am in adjustment mode. Four of the differences:

#1 — You will not find a large (at least six feet tall) statue of a gator in a mall in Georgia.  Or if you will, I certainly have not seen it.  However, this was taken at the Oaks Mall. Standard.  On that note, it is also standard for people to have/wear/display Gator paraphernalia.  This  is a lovely reality for which I am not yet accustomed.  Or re-accustomed.  Every time I see a Gator shirt I still get VERY excited, and I want to shout “Go Gators!!” across the restaurant/parking-lot/whatever. #GaDetox

#2 — When my family was in town for Wayne’s wedding we went for a walk through a nature path to look at live alligators.  Here is a picture of one of the many we spotted that day.

#3 — I had lunch with these lovely ladies (my mom and Ashley Owen), something that was not possible while I was still in Georgia.  And will soon not be possible as Ashley is moving!  Happy for her, sad for me.

#4 — This week I enjoyed Mochi Frozen Yogurt for the first time with my dear friend Melissa.  It was a treat indeed, something I can get used to. 🙂

I am missing Atlanta more than I anticipated, I must confess.  But I am loving the family time, the fellowship with neighbors and RiverCross friends, and working remotely has its own set of challenges and rewards to which I am adjusting.  Thanks for your prayers.  What’s new in your world?

Heading to Rwanda

No, not me (yet!) but two of my coworkers and friends are just a few short weeks away from traveling to Rwanda.  I cannot wait to hear their stories and see their pictures!

As they prepare to go we are raising funds* to get that Sustenance Farm* going.  Please consider contributing (many thanks to those who already have!)  This farm is to provide food for the 500 orphans in the village of Bukonya.  This is the village where we started a washing station. A few of the needs:

• Goats: $50/each
• Mosquito Nets: $7/each
• Cows: $1000/each
• Crops and tools as needed (to be assessed upon arrival)

Go to http://www.donate.drinkcoffeedogood.com to donate, or mail a check made out to “Drink Coffee Do Good Fund” to:

Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee | 352 South Atlanta Street | Roswell, GA 30075 (all gifts are tax-deductible)

Side note: This washing station in the village of Bukonya has become a processing plant for some of the best coffee I have EVER had!  It is available on our site, and is called “Bukonya Ikawa” which means “Bukonya [where it’s from in Rwanda] Coffee [in Kinyarwanda]” … get yours here: http://drinkcoffeedogood.com/ourcoffee.php?coffee=5

These are some of the children at the washing station in Bukonya. Your donations will help provide sustainable means of sustenance for them.

*If you would like electronic copies with more information on the Sustenance Farm and donations for them, please email me erinleigh@drinkcoffeedogood.com and I would be happy to send them your way

Final Goodbyes

This week marks my last in Atlanta for awhile. Though I am beyond sad about this, I must say that I am already anxious to not be living out of boxes. I’m excited to be In Florida and with my family, and to celebrate my brother’s wedding to Bethany this weekend.

Being sad is not fun, but I am in a constant state of gratitude. Grateful for a beautiful church that is hard to leave. Grateful for wonderful friends who I can’t imagine not seeing everyday. Grateful for good coworkers whom I am blessed to call my friends. Grateful for my family I have here, the times I’ve been able to spend with them. Grateful for the Braves, the good french toast in this city :), and for quaint neighborhoods I’ve grown to love. Grateful to be going home to loving, stable parents who are happy to host me.

If you are the praying kind, I would greatly appreciate yours this week.

How a Bike Changed Emmanuel’s Life

“I believe these bikes will give

the people of Bukonya a new start …”

-Emmanuel Hagumayo

We have talked a lot about the Sustainable Cycle project, and many of you have caught this vision for buying a bike that will change the lives of farmers and their families.  It’s been exciting to see the innovative ways people have purchased bikes: bake sales, art auctions, or simply a donation jar.

I am now excited to share with you about a man in the village of Bukonya who was one of the first people to buy a bike through the microfinance project.  Bukonya is the village in northwest Rwanda where we have started a coffee cooperative and focused much of our attention as a company.  This village is very rural, so we have taken the opportunity to work (literally) to the hills. The coffee they grow, by the way, is amazing!  Buy yourself a bag of Bukonya Ikawa … you won’t be sorry. 🙂  Here are a few facts about Emmanuel.  If you would like an electronic file of his story to share let me know (erinleigh@drinkcoffeedogood.com).

• Emmanuel Hagumayo, age 62
• Hometown: Bukonya, Rwanda
• Family: his wife, 7 children, 1 adopted orphan and 23 grandchildren
• Occupation: Coffee Farmer
• Emmanuel was one of the first members of the coffee cooperative, & one of the first to microfinance a bicycle
• His belief is that the bikes will give his community a new start, making it “a place where people work hard, food is plentiful, and education is attainable for everyone.”

Drink Coffee. Do Good. -EL

Change is brewing…

On May 19, 2010, I will bid an emotional farewell to the great city of Atlanta, Ga.  I cannot believe the time is so close.  So close that I have begun packing, tossing, sorting, and tossing some more. (I would also like to invite all the locals to our yard sale on May 15!)

For now I am traveling to Titletown, aka Gainesville, Fla.  I am beyond excited to be back in my hometown with the most amazing parents ever and quite a few wonderful friends.  I am looking forward to connecting with many friend of Thousand Hills in the North Central Florida area, many of you I will be meeting for the first time in-person!

Ultimately I am NYC-bound.  Thousand Hills Coffee cannot be contained to the southeast (e.g. Lindsay Rae out in Pasadena, Ca.!) so we are starting our northeast office from the Big Apple.  I am honored to carry a beautiful story to my favorite city, entering community there and joining many wonderful souls ushering the Kingdom in through everyday practices.

Why May 19?  My precious brother is marrying Bethany on May 22, making him the luckiest (ahem most-blessed?) man ever, and me the happiest sister-in-law of all time.  If you are in the central Fla. area, or anywhere within driving distance, let me know – I would love to visit!

Thanks for your prayers and your friendship.  To my Atlanta friends, you have been a joy to commune with.