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Blog Missions Newsletter Partnership

September Update

We need your help! 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7, 11 – Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. … You will be enriched […]

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Blog Celebrations Uncategorized Updates

Upson Downs 8.10.22

Greetings! As our men revive their yearly baseball draft tradition, I give thanks for traditions. They help make us, shape us, and define us. Even some men who are not baseball fans (how is that possible?) learn to love it, check with each other about various players, strategize, and, of course, compete. It brings camaraderie […]

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Blog Updates

Upson Downs 5.24

We all should know what happens to “the best made plans…” So finally, being quarantined in my room with COVID, there are no more reasonable excuses for such a lengthy delay. We have all stopped holding our collective breath and heaved that great sigh of relief over Maddy’s prognosis. The start of this year found us […]

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Blog Celebrations Holidays Special events Updates

Upson Downs 1.3.22

Greetings friends and family, Here we are beginning a new year once again. Loosely quoting Dylan Thomas from A Child’s Christmas in Wales, “It was a never-to-be-forgotten day in a memorable year.” Of course, the author is referring to one of those snowy, wonderful, Christmas days of his childhood. Among many other traditions, we watched the sweet, lovely, […]

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Blog Celebrations Our story

A Reminiscence

When I was in Tucson recently I stayed with a high school friend who graciously allowed me to invite myself into her home. Fifty plus years past high school brings incredible changes in all of us, so we spent some time reacquainting ourselves. Barbara surprised and also blessed me with the question, “Why Rich? What was […]

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Blog Celebrations Holidays Hospitality Service

Upson Downs 11.29.2021

Well, we did it! We had a grand and glorious celebration of grace and thanksgiving. We received rivers of grace: a visit from the Williams with a good time of connecting, Ramon’s annual holiday weekend with us, okie dokie Henrietta sharing words of wisdom, and seeing Anne after a long absence. Ash dropped in for […]

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Blog Celebrations Hospitality Special events Teaching Travel Updates

Upson Downs10.31.21

Well, it’s nearly Halloween and fall is upon us, (whatever that means in Southern California!) We have been making several trips to the Northwest (where they do have actual autumn,) hoping to encourage our brothers and sisters in their struggles. As the McCorkels return from Portland, the Kjos duo heads up to hang out for […]

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Blog Celebrations Partnership Travel Unity Updates

Upson Downs 9.15.21

Greetings friends and family! To catch you all up on our recent “doings” I will start with the infusion of new folks into our midst. We welcomed Angie, Trevor, Andres, Isai, and Liesl this past week, so our weekend was spent on work “parties” (WHEE!) to help them get settled in. Yes, we are rather […]

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Blog Hospitality Partnership Updates

Upson Downs 8.24.21

Greetings dear ones! It’s time for an update. The “summer of hospitality” continues as we say goodbye to three guests and welcome five more. What an honor and a privilege. I truly marvel that God has found us worthy to be a cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters. As Cassidie is on modified […]

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Blog Hospitality Partnership Updates Wineskins

Upson Downs 8.1.21

Dearest friends, please continue to pray for us as we welcome more guests. It is critical for us to welcome others and be hospitable; it is even more urgent that we extend that love and grace to those among us here. “Above all hold unfailing your love for one another..” (I Peter 4:8) We must be […]