No Turning Back

Here's an excellent visual in video form of what Reggie McNeal means by the "Come and get it" approach of the conventional church!

It just doesn't dawn on us that we will impact very few if we depend on one place - one day - for an hour or so.

So where do we have a chance to get 2 minutes from someone who has designated the majority of their alloted 10,080 per week? Hmmmmm.... I think I know. I think.

Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
-Luke 9:62

"It's Perfect for Us"

...quoting Tessio (Abe Bagota)...

We haven't let interested readers (all __ of you) know that we diverted from the place we were looking at in August to another place right across the street from it. We were given a heads-up by the realtor about it since it had not yet been listed.

The space is much larger on one level and offered at a bargain basement price. It's also on the morning commuter side of the busiest north/south artery in Hickory. We will also be in advance of 2 major competitors who have challenging in/out access (although one purchased a drive-thru kiosk just north of us on the same side - but you can't come in and experience ambiance).

We had to pay for a second inspection that occured today. The personnel who were at our first inspection affirmed that the second space is much better suited to what we envision doing. It used to be a lamp shop called "The Shade Parlor." How do you like the photoshop insertion of our sign above the door I put in place of theirs?

As soon as we get the $$$ either from the approved loan we are awaiting, or word back from one that will give us more (?) we will set up signing the lease and then start doing the build-out.

As always: Pray - Pray - Pray. Thanks!

Barista Diva

Gaby switched jobs from Barnes and Noble Cafe in downtown Walnut Creek to Peet's Coffee in downtown Danville. After a bit of a paradigm shift, learning curve and personnel adjustment, she discovered a place she loves working at. It's refreshing that her conscientiousness and work ethic are recognized instead of taken for granted.

She just recently was given a promotion to being shift lead which brings her a few more dollars and some benefits we've been praying she obtain. She was recognized as "Peetnik of the Quarter" recently.

We often call on her to give us guidance on coffee blends and various beverage recipes. She rocks!

"Mommy" Rachel

We welcomed Lucy Olivia Matthews into the world on Wednesday, September 10th at 7lb, 6oz, 19" long. So we are grandparents for the first time. Noah kept us updated on progress by texting a bunch of family and friends. What a difference from the old days. When I was born, they didn't even know I was entering the world. My mother had a boy (my twin bro - Jay) and were surprised when I followed him 5 minutes later. My father had to make long distance phone calls twice.

Teena got to go out and see the new fam about a week and a half after Lucy was born. I'll be heading out in January. We love Lucy!

Our Two Growed Up Ladies

We have 2 daughters, btw - who get very little press here since they have long been off the dependant list on our taxes. Our apologeez goils for neglecting you. We do love you!

New Job(s)

Jordan got the job with Namco. We're telling everyone he'll be working for Pac Man (not to be confused with the troubled Dallas Cowboy). He starts tomorrow (11/3) with training. It's a probationary format, but with a high retention rate. He informed us that he may be working 55 hours per week. That seems like a good thing, given he's single, he's got the energy plus mega school loans to pay off. We're extremely thankful and ask you to pray for him to work diligently for the one he represents as well as for those who are giving him a chance.

Teena starts tomorrow as Office Manager at Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church in Hickory. Teena was called by a temp agency that saw on her resume how she has worked in parish and ministry settings. The rector of COA googled "Teena Stewart" and asked to interview her. She met last Wednesday and was called Thursday to learn she was selected.

God's providence is curious. Teena was brought up Southern Baptist - But she met and married a man who's ecclesiastical roots were steeped in the "Whiskey-palion" church ("...wherever 2 or more are gathered, there's a fifth" - - bu-doomp Cheee!). Teena really enjoyed her conversation with the rector, Karla Woggon, and is enthused about working at COA.

We continue to see dispatched boats and helicopters. Thanks for your prayers.

Italian Made

What a stride hit today. When we left CA last year, we had worked out a deal where we would get a one-group espresso machine (a "Conti Bar") along with the deluxe automatic one we purchased from a previous coffee shop owner. We hit some snags in trying to get it as we had to arrange for the shipping. Surprise! - a few hundred denari to have it toted across 3 time zones. OK. Let's bite the bullet and we'll take it out of the crate, hook up the water and fire it up.

Doh! Water spraying out like a fountain. Let's open it up and see what we can find. "I think it's got a few parts missing." A phone call to the left coast to hook up with Fabrice Moshetti (espresso coffee expert extraordinaire) and after much guidance and a few more hundred bucks in parts (solenoid valve, spray nozzle, collar gasket, head gasket, filter, o-ring), Jeff actually learned his way around an espresso machine and got it going.

Now - to learn how to create a fantastic-tasting espresso/latte. First attempt was OK, but too thin and not enough crema. Our family barista (Gaby - down there to my left in the grad picture) informed that my grind was too coarse.

The stride is not only getting the machine going, but doing coffee shop work. It feels right.

Back to CA

We just returned from Jordan's Graduation in CA. Couldn't wish that long trip on anyone. Talk about jet lag. Teena never could sleep on a plane.


Jordan now has BSGSP, a Bachelor of Science in Game and Simulation Programming. Up until just a few days before graduation he had no place to live and we were teetering with anxiety, even called some friends in Benicia to see if they could be a temp residence if nothing worked out. But as always, God came through at the last minute exceedingly above all we ask or think. God provided a friend in Redwood City who is in the military and has an efficiency apartment. So the afternoon of graduation we moved Jordan into Eric's apartment (that's Eric looking like Secret Service). Jordan planned to stay the weekend with friends in Vallejo which is near Benicia so we were en route back in that direction in our borrowed car and had just split off from him to take Gaby back to her place when he called us to tell us he had a literal blow out (not a grad party). This car is Nissan that was donated to him and it was working fine until the past month when suddenly two major things went wrong. He had to sink $1500 into it to replace the catalytic converter and then 3 days later transmission. And the tires were retreads. Evidently a tread separated. He was fine and we drove back to where he was on the busy 880 freeway south of Oakland He sat there as cars whizzed by until AAA could put the car on a tow bed, get to a safe location and change the tire. Then he had to pay another $300+ for new tires. All he needs now is a job :). He is interviewing today for a game testing position with Namco (creators of Pac Man) after posting his resume on Craigslist yesterday. Please pray for him because he only has a small window before his reserve funds run out and his loan payments begin.

We are proud of him. He's grown into a very independent young man and his faith in God remains strong. I joked with him that people would die for a job where they play games all day. He promptly informed me that it probably wouldn't be that glamorous and that he would most likely be testing the same thing over and over ad nauseam. Anyway, that's the latest on Jordan. Latest on coffee shop. Still waiting on BB&T bank. Called and rattled their cage yesterday. This is a real test of patience.

Update Bonanza

We got the message and are pleased to know that folks are actually keeping up with this. We DO encourage you to sign up for updates in the box to the left of the latest blog entry (this one until the next one comes) or at the website http://www.javajourney.org/ top right.

We will follow this with our current progress on a space (different than the one mentioned before), a loan, our equipment and new coffee supplier - plus other stuff.

Thanks for your patience and above all your interest.

PS: I think Ben was 15 when Adam was born. ;-D