I’ve currently been back in Portland for just about one month. Since coming back, I was welcomed back to my old job but a new location. I work at Dutch Bros (for my southern friends, this is the coolest coffee company that has a ton of tiny stands around here). Not many jobs would take you back when you say you’re only going to be home for a month but, lucky for me, I have some of the coolest most kind owners ever. Always supporting me in what I’m passionate about and making it work with my schedule.
When they told me that I’d be starting at a new stand, I was a little nervous about it. Not only that but I ended up covering at a completely different stand everyday for a week before even stepping foot into my new home stand. These past few weeks I was working more than I ever have and when I wasn’t working, I wasn’t resting. Typically outside of work I’m doing whatever I can to fundraise and prepare for the race. However, I loved every minute of working. DB has made me feel so dang loved ON since being home. New stands of people I’ve never even met welcoming this random girl who is only here for 3 weeks yet people who still have been loving on me so hard. Kind people. Not just people but new friends. I’ve met four of the coolest managers and assistant managers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Shoutout 187 & 162! When I started working at my new stand I told myself I wasn’t going to get attached but boy have the people I’ve met made that so hard! Yesterday I had my last day and let me tell you it was the best last day ever. Woke up bright n early at 4am to open and ended the night by going to a huge event db puts on, with all my new friends, that my favorite artist performed at. They didn’t have to let me go but they did.
Last night I was reminded that God has been in all of this. He knew I needed these people in my life this month before leaving. Honestly, it has been the hardest most bitter sweet month for me and He knew I needed this community. People who probably don’t even know they’ve impacted me in such a positive way within such little time. People who give Portland hope because they are loving on others so dang GOOD. With this incredible job, I’ve always felt tons of love from customers that I’d never expect to get to encounter. Some of the coolest of people, some of the craziest of people, but all and all good people. Something about giving people their caffeine and working alongside amazing people that just makes this job one of the best. More of an opportunity than a job if you ask me. Cool thing happened here- I met and worked with another guy who has been apart of The World Race for two years and is actually moving to Swaziland in February!! Small world. A couple weeks ago I posted how I was struggling in this season of working so much but choosing to find joy in it, he commented “keep being Jesus to people because who knows, you might be the only example of him they have that day”. That hit me HARD and quickly became something I thought about as I served each person their coffee over the past few weeks. For a second, I had gotten so caught up in the busyness of life I was missing the big picture that this job offers me. A beautiful mindset that I’m happy I was reminded of. Something I never want to forget. In this past month, DB has showed me some of the greatest love and made me learn more about what it looks like to love like Jesus does and impact others lives in more ways than they probably ever know. I am thankful for my short but very sweet time here. For some of these people, Jesus might not even cross their minds when they speak to others. That’s okay. We all come from different backgrounds but man it’s crazy how I still learn more of Jesus’ heart through them. Something I never want to stop seeing. 187, thank you for not just seeing me as a temporary cover but for bringing me into your family and building friendship with me. 162, thank you for supporting me, loving me, and making leaving so bittersweet. I can’t wait to see y’all again someday. Shoutout to my owners, thank you for always supporting what I’m passionate about. This is a culture I want to live by even across the world. Most importantly, as this chapter of life closes, I’m giving all my thanks to Abba for these people and what I’ve learned during my time as a barista. Learning new things & making new memories that I’ll take with me. DB, I’m grateful for you. Thanks for all the mems and for helping me get another step closer to being funded!!
Love always, Cass
