In our home, church, neighborhood, and community....

we have wondered, researched, tried, relinquished, and regrouped in the quest to establish God-honoring family rhythms.

Our home in West Salem

In our home...weekday life takes the shape of Drew heading off to work on the bus, our daughter attending 2 public school classes in the morning, and son and Millyellen beginning school work at home. This is the most eclectic school year yet with public school in the mix, a weekly meeting with a homeschool group, a weekly immersion Spanish class for son, daughter and Millyellen, and classes at home. Millyellen began the Brethren in Christ (BIC) Directed Studies Program by taking a class as well. In our quest for family rhythm in the evenings, we read a chapter of scripture together on Sunday, and then four nights during the week a different family member will read a portion of the passage along with a reflection, song or prayer of their choice that engages that passage in some way. This has been very life-giving to us.

In the realm of church....We have continued to visit a number of churches so that our children experience different worship services in addition to trying different youth groups and Young Life to see what might fit best. We've worshipped once a month at our sister BIC church El Monte Calvario in Brooks just north of Salem. One Saturday evening, we feasted outdoors with them enjoying traditional Mexican sopas, tacos, drinks, music and fellowship in August. Millyellen and Drew preached together one evening for "the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). The service began with Pastor Rebeca Pedroza sharing a letter of support and blessing from our BIC Pacific Conference Bishop, Perry Engle. His letter addressed that our denomination stands with our Latino brothers and sisters in this tense political climate. We were blessed to have our new friend Vicky translate as we acknowledged the fear, hate and debate all around us. We focused on the God who offers unity and love through His Spirit within the church and offers love to those who set themselves against us as enemies. We ended the service with a time of prayers for the individuals, couples and families who came forward, and we believe God began healing as tears streamed down.

In our neighborhood.....on October 5th we hosted an autumn party for us to gather our neighbors. If you look at the picture of our house above, you can see that behind it on each side is a four-plex of apartments on the same property. We appreciated getting to know neighbors from 3 rental units and hearing a bit of their stories. With the approaching holidays, we look forward to inviting our neighbors to our next get-together. Millyellen has met monthly with the local neighborhood group, Edgewater Partnership to learn and participate with those who care deeply about our immediate area. We have met a couple local pastors and received their blessings as we seek to offer a neighborhood expression of church in "West Salem". Often after dinner, our family walks the neighborhood talking, praying and listening to how God may use us to love.

In our community...for all of our Pennsylvania friends out there... we miss Roots! But, we have found during the growing season, Salem Saturday Market. Mixed in with pictures of the vendors, you'll notice one of our children reading while awaiting the bus home from market, while the other child does parkour. Variety and uniqueness does bring smiles to the heart!

Also, we have continued to engage the local refugee supporting community group-Salem for Refugees. We continue to monthly participate in the Sunday evening International Prayer Gathering of refugees. Recently our daughter has begun to serve with the littles during that service which her heart has missed deeply.

Peace City Church has begun to take shape in our spirits as the Lord is directing a multi-cultural neighborhood expression of church.