A New Country...Again!

We were very surprised to get Bailey's email today and to find out that he is no longer in Togo.  He was driven to the border today and picked up by the senior couple serving in Benin.  He is now serving in Cotonou Benin and is very excited about it.  So...now it's time for us to learn more about another country.  (We just BARELY hung up the Togo flag outside!)

So...Benin is a developing country and is located right between Togo and Nigeria.  The city where Bailey is, is located right near the ocean.  There are only three branches of the church in all of Benin...so there is a lot of work to do.  There are about 9 million people in the country.  It is a tropical, sub-saharan nation and highly dependent on agriculture.  The annual rainfall is about 51 inches and the country has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons per year.  The average temperature ranges from 75 to 85 degrees, with very high humidity.  If he's lucky, Bailey will see elephants, lions, antelopes, hippos and monkeys!

There are about 42 African ethnic groups that live in the country and the literacy rate is below 40%.  Women are particulary subject to illiteracy.  AND...I won't write about all of the scary things I read!  (More reasons for us all to keep Bailey in our prayers.)  :) 

                                



Little Neighbor Girls...All Grown Up!

We went to a baby shower today for Trisha…one of “little neighbor girls.”  She’s having a baby in April.  We’ve been blessed with a wonderful support system of neighbors, family and friends.  It’s a great place to raise a family! It’s hard to believe how fast time has gone by and now our little neighbor girls are becoming moms and having families.  Trisha will be a wonderful mother!  (And…we are getting old!)

High Priest Group Fireside

Brent had the opportunity to organize a fireside for our ward’s high priest group. He called Brother and Sister Bailey and invited them to be the speakers at the fireside. They served in Bailey’s mission. (They left just as Bailey arrived last August.) We held the fireside in our home. There was a wonderful turn out!   The Baileys did a beautiful job sharing their testimonies of senior couples serving a mission. They have a tremendous spirit about them and we loved every minute of their talks. We can’t wait to serve a mission.  Following the Baileys presentation, Ivan and Brent scooped up some ice cream for sundaes. It was a great night. Our ward is the BEST!

Check It Out

Brent has worked so hard the past couple of weeks to really get our entertainment center and bar in our addition finished up.  He has done a beautiful job!  I couldn’t wait to get everything organized and put into the cupboards and drawers.  I think it turned out perfectly!  (Don’t you love it, Bailey?)

YUMMY Cupcakes!

I made cupcakes for a Relief Society tasters' table.  I decided to try a new kind of cupcake.  I made Key Lime Pie Cupcakes...and they were so yummy!  I thought I'd share the recipe. 

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup half and half
6 T. key lime juice
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 recipe whipped cream (see below)
4 T. grated lime peel for garnish

Mix cake mix, eggs, half and half, and 3 tablespoons of lime juice.  Pour 1-2 tablespoons of batter into each paper liner.  In a separate bowl, mix sweetened condensed milk and the rest of the lime juice.  Evenly divide lime milk into batter-filled cups.  Top with remaining batter and fill 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.  Cool completely.  Frost with whipped cream and garnish with grated lime peel.

Whipped Cream

2 c. heavy whipping cream
1/4-1/2 c. powdered sugar

Pour cream into large mixing bowl and mix until cream thickens and soft peaks form.  Add sugar.  Beat until stiff peaks form.  The stiff the cream, the easier it is to frost the cupcakes.  Keep refrigerated.  DELISH!