A New Beginning...and an Ending.

25 Years of History and Change

Its been a long time since I wrote in this Blog. Maybe its time to start writing again. I've been journaling for the last two weeks and I am really liking what I am starting to find our about myself. The past 9 months have been a time of reflection, change, and an awakening as Staci and I try to discover what the Lord has in store for me. We want to let you know It is with a full heart and clear soul that we are moving off of Young Life Staff as the Area Director for Bellingham. My everyday 'duties' as the AD for Bellingham are complete, however my contract with YL will continue through December. I will be available to them in various 'roles' as we strive to finish well for a ministry I love and for a mission that I strongly believe. In the list of reasons for my departure there is nothing that is negative; there wasn't anything I did wrong, YL didn't do anything to hasten our departure, Steve Blacksmith, our Regional Director, was amazing, and our Bellingham YL staff and volunteers were very supportive. Steve Blacksmith has been instrumental in walking with us through this decision and confirming what we heard as well. In the last 9 months since our Western Washington Region split we (Staci & I) have gently heard the whisper of the Lord release us from the privilege of being the AD for Bellingham. For us that me that means we needed to know that Bellingham YL has received the best of our time and effort and that we would also be leaving Bellingham with a full cupboard of funds, donors, leaders, staff, and committee. It is not a decision that we take lightly yet it is a decision that we feel confident moving forward into what is 'Next!' We are not planning on moving from bellingham as Emma is in her Senior year and Joel just started high school As the transition to 'What's Next' starts we wonder about the future. We are sure that it will be very meaningful for our family as well as for our faith as we journey into the unknown. One of my favorite quotes reminds me of where I need to put my faith: "We aren't sure of what the future holds but we are sure of who holds the future." - Martin Luther Thank you for your friendship and love of the Zenonians. If you would like to contact me please feel free to email me at zenonianloran@gmail.com I would love to speak to you or if possible have a great cup of coffee and talk about this and so many other things in your life. God's Best, Loran, Staci, Emma, Meghann, and Joel!

Western Washington U. ~ Coffee Review

Back to School ~ Its been a quick summer of doing a lot of different things but almost nothing is more important than sitting down to a great cup of coffee and a quiet time. I love my 12oz - Extra Hot - Vanilla Latte. I really don't drink drip coffee but I'm starting to experiment with cold brewed and/or French Press coffee as my tastes expand as well as my expectations. So, as an admitted Coffee Connoisseur, I am going to review some coffee places in and around Bellingham (and the Puget Sound) that might be of interest to you if you enjoy a good cup of joe every now and then.

Did you know that Bellingham ranks #4 nationally in number of coffee shops per 10,000 people (per capita) in the United States? True story - Here is the Link that tells you how Bellingham fares in the battle of coffee shops in the U.S. Anchorage comes in as #1 per capita in the U.S. Really, Anchorage?

Anyway ~ with the luxury of Bellingham being in the Top 4 I have decided to visit and review the best coffee joints in the city. Today I will let you know of a little shop in the downtown area called, "The Black Drop." The BD is an employee owned cooperative that embodies the spirit of Bellingham while keeping the integrity of what makes a great coffee shop. The Barista/Owners (Johnathan, Steph, and Katy) are the three owners that you see brewing your coffee, making latte art, grinding your beans, making change, and engaging in conversation. You won't find any grumpy baristas in this place like you might find in the Seattle area. The espresso blend that they brew has a darker complexity with a sweet finish that really is done with excellence and pulled with integrity. (No 7 second shots here). The coffee they sell is roasted from Maniac Roasting (former owners of The Black Drop) and is some of the best locally roasted beans around. Here are my ratings (1 - 5 with 5 being the best and 1 the worst) for The Black Drop:

Location - 5 (Downtown is the place to be...)
Parking - 2 (Don't blame the BD its not their fault)
Ambience - 4 (Friendly, and totally eclectic, Bellinghamy, and perfect)
Espresso - 4 (I ordered a Dopio for here ~ sweet and smooth)
Latte's - 4.5 (The latte art is amazing and it tastes great. I haven't tasted a five)
Comfort - 3 (There isn't room for more couches or soft chairs ~ but I wish there was...)
Consisent Bar Work - 4 (every so often someone is pulling shots that doesn't have the experience)
Study-Ability - 3.5 (stay away between 7:30 - 9:30 as it gets pretty busy)
WiFi - 3 (its not fast and its not consistent ~ but their working on it)

Overall its a great place to enjoy amazing coffee, made well, pulled right, stretched perfectly, and served with some style. Its a favorite spot of mine in the downtown area...besides the fact that its not coroporate in the slightest (and that's a good thing.)