No fun pictures to share for today but I do want to share about the fun and new model we are using as a Church plant.

We have transitioned fully from meeting at Academy Theatre to meeting in the home of our lead pastors, the Dorrohs. Rather than a more traditional service where everyone comes in, sits down, stands for worship, sits for sermon, and leaves... we now function in more of a home church or family church model. This means that on Sunday mornings we have a potluck brunch and family meal together to start things off. It has been amazing to see the deep community that has come out of simply sharing a meal together every week. After plenty of time to eat and talk, we move into a time of worship and then discussion. The end time varies every week as community determines the length of time rather than structure.

What an amazing shift this is. It allows the structure to support our vision. Rather than the structure fighting our vision. It also fits our city better. Portland is known for being non-institutional - having a family model feels less institutional to people than a traditional Sunday service.

Another change is that we have, for the time, done away with Life Groups. In the grand scheme of being an Antioch (AMI) church plant, this at first felt - well, almost illegal. However, we believe God is saying that community and family gatherings will begin to  happen organically rather than through set gathering times every week. Since we made this change, people in our community have over and over said that they are enjoying not having something in the middle of the week at a set time that they feel, for whatever reason, obligated to attend. We have also noticed who those individuals are who are natural gatherers and have a heart to foster community as they have risen up to plan hang outs, worship nights, etc.. So, even without Life Groups, community is actually happening more. It is amazing.

Something else that we are doing are Discovery Bible Studies. More than just doing the step by step process of DBS, we have utilized its core components in every area of church, discipleship, our training school, staff meetings, encounters with people in every day life, and evangelism. The core components are essentially scripture, questions, revelation and prayer. When we meet for discipleship or DBS, we read scripture, ask questions about that scripture, and let others answer the questions as Holy Spirit gives revelation. It is amazing the depth of revelation and encouragement that comes from these meetings.

So, thats the skinny on our new structure and DBS.

Wow! Over a month has gone by and I haven't written anything! Wow, wow, wow. Well, here we go - a myriad of pictures and short descriptions to summarize the last six weeks of life. 

We went home December 18th and were so excited despite having to be at the PDX airport at 4:30am. Thanks Blake Brinkman for waking up and driving us there so very early in the morning!

Upon arrival we were greeted by some of our favorites! My precious Mom and the Davidsons! We just love them!
 

After a quick stop at Johnnies Charcoal Broiler for burgers we were home at my parents where Christian got to play with Rex! He loved it and Rex hadn't forgotten him!

 

And of course, a quick stop to Dad's office before heading to Okeene. Couldn't have appreciated this man's hugs more that night!

Christian's family was so fun! We celebrated eating at Chick-fil-A together, shopping and then on to Christian's favorite place, La Feria Latina.

La Feria Latina is a grocery store in Oklahoma City that also has the most amazing restaurant inside. They serve authentic Mexican and Guatemalan dishes and have the most delicious sweet bread ever. 

Stephanie and Kenzie - Christian's cousins

Sarah and I - She is also Christian's cousin.

Us enjoying La Feria Latina and Christian expressing his complete excitement to be there.

These are the seasonings from Christian's mom's (Nellie) home made, authentic Guatemalan tamales. They are to die for. She takes an entire day to prepare the spices, fillings, plantain leaves, then mixes them all up and cooks them until late in the night. We eat them when we celebrate Christmas at midnight! So fun. So so fun!

After spending a week in Okeene with the Madrids, it was time to head to the Odor's... this is my dad and I.

A few of the decorations and the long table that actually did fit the ENTIRE family. So fun! We love big gatherings!

This is my Grandaddy (mom's dad). He is sooooooooo kind!

These are my Papa and Nana (dad's parents). They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this December so we celebrated them at Christmas. What a legacy and sweet inheritance in the Kingdom they have given us by loving each other and Jesus for so long!

Celebrated New Years with these crazies - I mean couldn't love them more.

Here's more of the fun from New Years!

When we got back to Portland, one of my very favorite friends showed me that SHE CAN READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And then, because God is so kind and just knew how homesick we were going to be leaving all our friends and family in Oklahoma, these two came to visit! Kevin and Michelle took their time off to come love on us with their two kiddos. Amazing. We could not have been more blessed by them and the kindness of God in the timing of when they came out. 

Last week, we saw the largest snow flakes we have ever seen. They didn't stick but they were the size of our palms as they fell from the sky. I attempted taking pictures directly of the snowflakes with my iPhone but did not succeed. So, this one will have to suffice.



Now that you have the update on Christmas vacation, I'll next fill everyone in on Church planting in the Northwest and the transition from a more traditional Sunday service to more of a house church type model. So excited to tell you all about that in another post! 

I cannot believe it is December. I mean, really. In 12 days, Christian and I will be home for Christmas. What?! No way! Seriously! You bet. I keep having to tell myself that it really is December.

November flew by. We had some of our best friends come to visit, Thanksgiving, a board meeting, and adventures left and right. I didn't even have time to think about potentially sitting down to update this blog.

We have officially entered into the "we love it here but feel the weight of missing home" stage of moving. Maybe it is just that we are so close to walking through airport security to head that way, that it heightens that feeling - or maybe it is just been long enough that we truly feel how much we miss everyone back home. All that to say, we can't wait to see all of you Okies we will get to hug over Christmas!

We have been meeting people like crazy which has been so fun. From our apartment complex, grocery store, city police, other pastors, to business owners - we are meeting so many people. We love it!


Here are some pictures from the last month!

Katie and Jordyn came to explore our city and to see us! They were such an encouragement to us and we had a great time together. We loved having them here and wished they would stay forever!

Jason and Ashley Kennedy also came to visit - they taught in DTS and on Sunday morning. But, most importantly, we went with them to shop for a few things Ash wanted and they taught Christian how to swaddle a baby. I'm thinking that could come in pretty handy some day!

Toward the end of November, Christian and I decided to go hike at Forest Park on our day off. We had not been there before but had heard it is pretty cool. It is basically this huge forest just on the outskirts of Portland. We did "Hike Two" and loved it. We could have spent the whole day there except that it was drizzly and cold and I didn't bring snacks. ; ). We will definitely be going there again!

This is just ONE of the cool bridges in Portland. We are constantly in awe of the bridges here. For one - they are just cool. And two - the view from the bridges is incredible! I wish we could just pull over and stare at the city from the bridges but that would be a traffic violation and we can't have that.

Traveling Around - Our Day Off

Every week we have Friday and Saturday off unless there is an outreach or event scheduled. But, for the most part - we have it off.  Christian surprised me a couple of Fridays ago with a "traveling date" to drive West on Interstate-84. It was beautiful. I kept thinking, "God, am I really living here? Have you really brought me to a place of mountains, rivers, incredible beauty? Seriously?" For as long as I can remember, I have told people that I want to live in mountains, in a place full of trees and beauty and here I am. God KNOWS us. Here are some pictures from our drive...

 Yellow Leaves

 Old Highway along I-84

Remnants of Flowers

 Tree Canopy

 Train on Old Highway

 Multnomah Falls

 Multnomah Falls

 Trees Reflecting in Water

The Gorge

Around the House

Many of you have wondered what Portland looks like, or at least, what we see every day. Here are a few pics from "around the house."

        Make-shift Pantry                             Kitchen Table

A View of the Apartment Complex

Our Door Mat

Some Plants on the Balcony

The Beginnings of Rain... 

Food Carts.

A Quick Look at the City from the Car Window.

Discipleship Training School Started

I feel like maybe we should just all face the fact that, well, I'm not much of a blogger. So, for those of you reading, feel so loved because I'm posting for you all! I really do want to stay connected and want everyone to know what's going on, have a picture of where we live, etc.! It is sooooo important!

October marked the start of the Discipleship Training School. We have seven committed and super fun students. Tomorrow, we announce where we are taking them on their overseas outreach ; ). 

This is the class:

This is where we meet. It is the semi-finished basement of our office building. And guess what, we get to use it for free! And, we don't have to set up and tear down every week!

This is me of course... Christian was testing camera options.

The DTS retreat was at a mountain-ish cabin on Sandy River. It was beautiful. Here is the class eating dinner.

Here are a few pictures from around the cabin. Just to make you a tad jeali...