Change

I am anticipating the change of season to fall, so that it cools off in Fresno! Change in our lives was a big part of summer for the Downs Family. Summer flew by as we enjoyed and savored moments with family and friends. Here is a recap as well as new things the Lord is doing in our lives:

My Grandma went to be with Jesus.

We bought a new car with the "cash for clunkers" program. Never have we owned one that didn't have at least 100,000 miles on it.

The Lord provided a home to buy and closed escrow in less than three weeks. We are overwhelmed with grateful hearts as it has enough room so that Melody and Charlotte can live with us still. Kylen is excited about the lemon tree. We all love that there is a pool to cool off in. Precious friends are our neighbors. Come visit us!

Kylen started high school.

The Lord is changing my heart in different ways, growing my love for Him with increasing measure!

Ashlyn is leading her first Bible Study with 5-8th grade girls, studying Philippians on Thursday afternoons.

I have the privilege of volunteering at The Well Community Church office about 10 hours a week. I love it!

Meghan, who lived with us when we first moved down from Hume, moved back to Fresno after spending last year in Virginia. Yippie!

Melody and Charlotte are in the Residency Program with our church, studying God's Word four mornings a week from 6-7am.

Julianne has begun to babysit and enjoys loving on the kids.

Brian and change don't go together...he is the most consistent and loyal man I have ever met. Not saying he doesn't change or things in his life don't change, but when I think of him...a rock comes to mind. He is steady and solid and firm and a safe place to stand...and oh how thankful I am for Him.

Huge news that we would love to be covered in prayer is that 6 of the 8 Downs' are going to Kenya in December! We are believing the Lord for gigantic things, which is a piece of cake for Him. Will you join us in praying that He would grow our love and faith in Him? Only He can do that! We have a lot of heart preparation and practical prep before we leave the country. We are believing the One who Provides to provide for every penny of our trip. What a joy to be able to spend Christmas time with missionaries as well as the Kenyan people and love them through word and deed.

That is the quick update...there is so much more that the Lord is doing and changing in us for His glory. Thank you for taking time to share in it with us.

Camping at Shaver with the Paris'

I wonder where we are supposed to turn to go to our campsite...hmmm. We went by this sign that reads "Dorabella" about three times before we realized we had to look on the ground to actually see it. I didn't know we were going to play "Where's Waldo" on our weekend camping trip. Eureka! We found it and got to our campsite with time to set up before Brian and Kylen arrived in the other car...Ashlyn and Julianne put up the tent like pros. We didn't notice the poles were upside down until Brian arrived later that afternoon and walked around the tent turning them around. I am not sure if the tent would have collapsed. Good thing he came to the rescue.

It was wonderful to go camping again with John and Julie, and Bill, Heather, & Will. I am thankful for such an amazing family!

My favorite camping things: to sit by the fire and chat and take in the beauty of the trees and by simply being together without the rush of life around us. Another highlight of our time was hiking to the lake and watching Kylen and Will play in the water and waiting for Ashlyn to fall in the water as she was trying to retrieve a water bottle without getting wet, even though it had floated out onto the lake.

Julianne and Ashlyn in the tent with their cousin Will.

Julianne's face says it all.

Will gets the prize for the dirtiest!

What a special memories!

Firsts and Lasts

I get sentimental as I recount different seasons of life and today is no different. It is the last day of school for Ash, Ky, and Ju. Kylen is about to complete his 8th grade year and is promoted to the high school world. Wow! We now have two college gals, two high schoolers, and one junior higher dwelling within the four walls of the Downs home. I LOVE it! (This is a quick hello because school gets out in 30 minutes and I am going to pick the munchkins up for Clovis North Educational Center and then off to get some lunch as a special treat.)

As for a "first"...I wish I had the video from Charlotte's phone because I have thought about the sweetest interaction between two animals that we witnessed yesterday. (I'm not really an animal person and usually don't get all gooey over them, but this was precious.) Charlie, our orange, long haired cat met his first non human friend. Bella, a golden-retriever/lab came over yesterday and she and Charles became instant best friends. Bella is four times as big as our cat, but they didn't care. Charlie purred the entire time and never got scared of this big puppy dog. They kissed and hugged and wrestled while both of them were intentional about not hurting the other. This went on for a good 15 minutes. Priceless.

Quick side note on what the Lord is impressing in my soul: We are enabled by the Lord's grace and power and FREE to love every person with the Love of Jesus...it is true and our calling in life. Let's believe Him for it. (Galatians)

Mission Possible 2009--Northern Ireland

Brian and nineteen other firefighters are heading to Northern Ireland to work alongside and minister to the Irish firemen. Brian is going to keep us all updated at this site: http://missionpossible2009.blogspot.com/ .

Newest Addition

Charlotte Teisinger has joined the Downs family. She has lived with us for two weeks and we have decided we love having a big family. Char thinks she is making a goofy face in this picture, but I think it shows her fun free spirit and this amazing picture that she just completed painting as a gift for her sister who is getting married this month.

If anyone missed a memo along the way, there are 7 of us under the Downs roof at the moment. Brian, Ashlyn, Kylen, Julianne, Melody, Char, and me. Meghan, the gal who lived with us last year, is in VA at Liberty University. We love every person the Lord brings our way.

Other updates:

*Julianne just began badminton and has her first game tomorrow. Go Broncos!

*Kylen got his wire off his teeth after almost knocking them out a couple of weeks ago.

*Ashlyn has blessed me as I have watched her reach out to people again and again and love them unconditionally.

*Melody is almost done with her first semester of college! Great job!

*Brian is as handsome as ever! That sums it up...