Stacy Moore's RECIPE

Natalie, this is for you and all the other moms who need a great cake recipe for birthdays. Stacy, THANK YOU for your contribution. I received several compliments on the cake.

CAKE
3/4 cups butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3/4 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour (all purpose)
1/4 c. corn starch
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda

1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
2. Sift the dries in a separate bowl. Set aside.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, then sour cream, zest and vanilla (into the butter/sugar mixture).
4. Add the dries. Mix until just combined. Pour batter into 2-8" cake rounds, lined with parchment paper and sprayed with pan spray, and bake at 350 degrees for approx. 25 minutes, until the top of the cake is nice and golden and the middle is set. Check for done-ness by inserting a toothpick. The middle should come out clean.

I made a regular butter frosting with a little orange juice instead of milk and it was delish!

B-rad!

B-rad is three.

Bradley's birthday is October 8th, but the dual party was Oct 3rd. He's a little confused with all the fuss and candle blowing, but has enjoyed it nonetheless. Bradley is our joker and best face maker too. He has a real fun laugh. We are so thankful for him.

Bradley's second birthday in Malawi.

We have a similar picture of Brian's mom standing with arms outstretched "just in case".

Bradley's first birthday at Grandpa Mark and Babushka's in Long Beach, California. Here he is sitting on the traditional Biedebach Family First Birthday Table that Grandpa Mark sat on and that Brian, Sharon and John(Brian's siblings) all sat on too.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa. One day old!

The Party!

The birthday cakes. We have had cake for a whole week now!

Praying before opening their gifts, thanking God for the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.

Ami and Bradley were spoiled. Most of the kids who came to their party are neighbours of ours on the African Bible College campus.

We had a jumping castle with a huge slide. The kids loved it! It's a good thing we have a doctor on the campus.

Swords are great gifts.

Benjamin joined in the fun too.

Floreens!

Arrived here on October 3rd for an 8 day visit to spy out the land. They are checking out housing and vehicles...AND getting used to 'chopper chopper' spiders!

We are so amazed at how the Lord works! Here is the short story... Matt Floreen worked as an intern alongside Brian at Grace Christian Church in South Africa from Jan 2005 -2006. Matt returned to LA and continued to pray about his desire to serve the Lord in full-time missions. He also married the love of his life, Rachel and now the Lord is making it possible for them to work alongside us here in Malawi to strengthen International Bible Fellowship Church. Matt will assume the position of Administration Pastor and Rachel who has a Master's Degree in Biblical Counseling will be involved with Women's Ministry. We LOVE you Floreens! Matt and Rachel will join us, Lord willing in March 2009. Please take time to check out their fanatstic blog. http://www.africastories.com/

Midnight Mission...

We decided to have a combined party for Ami and Bradley since their birthdays are quite close together. A friend of ours, Stacy Moore, gave me this wonderful cake recipe and then we tried to make an "Ami" cake and a "Bradley" cake to celebrate the day.

I started decorating the cakes at around 7:30pm on my own...


When Brian came home around 8:45pm, I roped him into helping me...



We eventually finished...

at 12 midnight!

Morning celebration!

In our household, we like to celebrate birthdays with singing, candle blowing and opening of presents early in the morning. If the family member whose birthday it is, is an early riser, then that member is required to stay in bed and wait patiently for the "Happy Birthday" melody. The kids get so excited! Needless to say, mom and dad do too :)

Bradley gave Ami some real, real, real nail polish. She was so happy.

We did try and explain to Ami that birthdays are not just about receiving gifts. We, as parents, are thankful for the gift that God has given to us in her. She needs to be thankful for each day that she has been given to live and live each day for her Maker.

Malaria?

Brian has just had what he thinks is malaria. He wasn't feeling well last week and went to see the doctor. The malaria test came back negative, but all the signs and symptoms were there. Extremely high fevers, chills, headaches, body sweats that leave the bed linen drenched, vomiting, loss of appetite and exhaustion.

Apparently, the Malawi government says before you can rule malaria out you need to have six tests come back negative. It was horrible to see him like that, but it was good to explain to the kids that we need to look for things to be thankful for in trials like these and to remember that God is in complete control. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2

Anyway, the doctor put him onto Coartem straight away and he is doing better. Praise the Lord for answering our prayers and thank you to those who were praying for him. He is still tired, but was sweet enough to take me out for a bite to eat for my birthday last night. What a darl!