My trip to Guatemala, in true downtown Credo fashion, was all about creating community. I figured it is mandatory for you to meet the crew and get a little background…

I flew form Austin to Atlanta, where I meet the rest of the crew, which gave me some time to really be in thought and mentally prepare for my trip.  In Atlanta, I would meet up with Sarah, Stephan, Adam and Paul. Here they are from Left to right: Stephan, Sarah, Adam - Paul not pictured.

Sarah, whom I would be meeting for the first time, is the Downtown Credo Coffee shop manager.  Right of the bat, I knew we were going to get along. She was upbeat and silly.  Since coming on board, she has played a pivotal role in the coffee shop in orlando. She has a wonderful sense of detail and organization, something that is crucial when getting behind something like Downtown Credo, especially with our goals to grow. 

Stephan, whom worked closly with Bed when the Downtown Credo was first paving the way, was also with us.  Stephan is charismatic and fun. He is also very in tune with his surrounds, you can tell he experiences things with all of him. He was also our voice; Stephan was our translator. Because of his presence we were able to understand what all our fellow coffee growers were sharing.

Paul, who is Ben’s dad ( Ben is the founder of Downtown credo in Orlando).  Paul was scheduled to be in another area of Central America the week after our trip, so he decided to tack on an extra week to join us.  It didn’t take me long to apprecaite that Paul was with us.  He is one of the best problem solvers I have ever meet. He is truly jack of all trades and I can confidently say saved our live’s on multiple occasions during the trip.

Finally, there was Adam.  He was there purely for entertainment value. (Just kidding Adam). He was fortunate enough to go on the trip last year.  He really helped me understand how are the partnerships were intermixed and truly how much The Credo actually does revolove around creating community. He is open and honest and I respect and admire this about him. The trip wouldn’t have been the same without him there.

We flew from Atlanta to Guatemala City and this is where the story begins…

From Left: Adam, Me, Paul

It is hard to believe it has been almost over a month since I have returned from Guatemala.  Here is a quick snapshot of my past 30 days…As soon as I returned home from Guatemala, I caught another plane with my hubby to Mexico to celebrate his 30th bday.  We vacationed for a week, basking in the sun and enjoying eachother’s company. A much needed retreat.  As soon as we returned from that trip we moved! Not to worry, we only moved ten miles closer to downtown, the heart of my city. So the past 30 days have been a whirlwind, but what I realized is, right now amidst all the chaos, uncertainty and excitement, I feel more grounded in my life then I have felt in quite a long time. 

My time in Guatemala ignited a fire within me. I don’t know if it was the company, being so close to the heart of it all, or the accumulation of both, but I realized that Downtown Credo is so much more then just a good cup of coffee.  It is families, friends and above all else community.

My plan over the next week is to recreate my trip for you, through pictures and video on my blog so you to can experience Downtown Credo. Your mind will be blown by how much goes into getting you your morning cup of Joe. Be Warned, you will never look at another cup of coffee the same, or at least that is the hope ;-)

For now, Reject apathy, create community and give away free hugs!

I can’t believe it is finely here. Our trip to Guatemala! I will be traveling with myself and four friends to La Perla in the Quiche Region of Guatemala.  I leave tomorrow morning at 5:00am. I am excited for this journey because I believe it is going to ignite an even brighter fire in me to constantly live a life of meaning, impact and community.  I am so committed to bringing the Downtown Credo to Austin and this is another pivotal step in the process. On our journey, I will be meeting the coffee growers which we/you support with your coffee donations. I may even get to pick some of your beans!

I will be documenting this trip via journal, video and blog, so you can be part of the process too. I go with an open heart and mind. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, as I could not have gotten to this place alone.

P.S. I included this picture of my luggage because I wanted to document this rare occasion of how little I packed. I am a classic over packer. This is me with a luggage weight limit of 30lbs. I came in at 28.9, room to spare!

P.P.S .I have included a link to the downtown Credo’s web site where you can buy coffee from our family of growers in La Perla, if you aren’t already. If you drink coffee and you don’t know how it is getting to you and who it is effecting along the way…start asking questions… you don’t have to buy our coffee, but be a conscious consumer. Reject apathy and live a life of meaning, impact and community.

http://www.downtowncredo.com/products-page/

See you soon.

Isn’t the New Year funny? Every Jan 1st we get the opportunity to start fresh, to wipe the slate clean, to set new goals and literally recreate the path of our lives.  So why do so many of us fail at this by week two of January?

I was sitting with a friend last night discussing this very thing.  She shared that is isn’t the fear of success that holds us back, but instead the fear of people not liking our ideas.  The fear that people won’t believe in what we are doing. They may even call it stupid!  She also reminded me that people don’t buy into ideas, they buy into the people behind the ideas.    

This made we think about how many times in life I haven’t done something because of what other’s may think.  So in this year of 2012, I am committed to not letting anything hold me back.  And I know better then anyone, the evil “you can’t do it monster” that lives on my right shoulder will rear his ugly head. But, I will come back to this beautiful reminder.  Remembering, that most people who have made a difference in this world, weren’t always the most popular. I mean think about it, not everyone liked Martin Luther King Jr., but he sure made a difference in this world.  

May your 2012 be filled with wild ideas, unwavering passion, bold action and downtown credo coffee :)

So I mentioned that I meet a guy who was helping homeless people get back on their feet, by supporting themselves through the arts ( woodworking, painting, clay work, sewing). Every Friday ReWork host a free lunch at their workshop. Everyone is invited, family, friends, neighbors to the shop and the homeless people that live around the corner.  I heard this Friday’s featured meal was Gumbo, I figured this would be a perfect day to go hang out. 

When I arrived, I got the official tour from my friend Nate - he is the mastermind behind this whole project. They have been in the facility since May and have done most of the buildout themselves along with their friends from the streets.  The projects that I saw as I walked around were truly beautiful, unique and creative. I included a picture of a table I found to be pretty rad. As well as some pretty amazing artwork that the wife of one of the board members created on one of the interior walls.                                                           

After the tour, a few of Nate’s friends began trickling in. I meet Terry. Originally from Minnesota. He really enjoys reading and watching sports. He also shared that he is an artist. He enjoys sketching portraits of people specifically, because he finds they are intricate and interesting.  I meet Steve. He used to live in West Texas. He wife passed away not long ago. He likes to play the piano when he has access to one. He has two daughters.  I meet Angie, she is a mother of seven, she loves cats and is originally form Maine.  She resembles Sandra Bullock and people tell her that all the time.  Two of these three people have no where to live. There shelter consists of a plastic tarp and a sleeping bag.  On paper, it is hard to tell who you would label as homeless, right? There stories were heart breaking and as I left lunch that day I felt truly grateful for all the things I have in my life. Because I realized that like most of the people I meet today, they weren’t much different then me. They just had one to many rugs pulled out from under them.  I look forward to having lunch again. Maybe they will even let me cook my meatballs some time soon.