Cupcakes

These days, I am really enjoying cupcakes. I read about cupcakes, I think about cupcakes, I bake cupcakes, I eat cupcakes, I dream about cupcakes...maybe that is taking it a bit too far :)

--Chocolate cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream, Devil's Food cupcakes with a Rich Chocolate Glaze, Coconut cupcakes with Lime curd filling, Tiramisu cupcakes, White cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream and one of my favorites...Caramel cupcakes with a Caramel Swirl Buttercream. I usually make two different flavors at a time and send all the "extra" cupcakes to University with Brandon...if I eat them all, I may end up looking like a cupcake.

So, if I have piqued your interest and you find yourself wanting cupcakes...go get a cupcake cookbook. Here's the one i've been using: Cupcakes by Shelly Kaldunski. Martha Stewart also has a cookbook on cupcakes.

Hmm, what cupcake flavor will be next?

Happy baking!!

Update

Well, it has been awhile since our last post. This is just a short update to catch everyone up on our goings-ons.

• Summer was HOT!! 49 degrees celsius or 120 degrees fahrenheit and that's without the humidity.
• Andrew turned fourteen on July 19th. We are very blessed to have him!!
• Kirk, Brandon and Andrew went sky diving...indoors.
• Brandon and Andrew went snow skiing, for the first time ever, right here in Dubai! They also went ice skating.
• We experienced Ramadan in Dubai. Lots of rules about eating and drinking in public during daylight hours (-- like don't do it). This includes chewing gum. Eating or drinking in your car is considered in public. They will fine you.
• Brandon is now attending the American University in Dubai. He is getting to know lots of people and is involved in the on campus ministry outreach "FOCUS" group. (Fellowship of Christian UAE Students)
• We took a short vacation to Fujairah, a neighboring emirate. It was nice to relax on the beach and take evening strolls.
• Kirk is enjoying work and has flown to Addis Ababa, Entebbe, Lagos, Istanbul, Mumbai (Bombay), Karachi, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, London, Jakarta, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and a few other places.
• Andrew continues to work out with a private swim team 5 nights a week which keeps Mom in the car a lot.
• Katrina, Brandon and Andrew spent 6 days in the US. (Short trip!)
• Andrew had emergency surgery just 3 days ago and is recovering well.
• We are settling into Dubai ... the "City of Life" and praising God for establishing us here.
• We have abundant opportunities to share the Gospel with those around us -- Please pray that the Lord would give us boldness.

Questions Worth Asking

Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

*Are you washed in the blood,

In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?

Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,

And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;

There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,

Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb

Elisha A. Hoffmann

* Refrain

It's Official!!

As of April 2010 my parents are officially married. I am SO happy!! It is such a relief to know ones parents are truly married! Bexar county (San Antonio), the state of Texas, the United States of America and the embassy of the UAE have all attested and validated their union. Then, their marriage was finally attested in Dubai by the ministry of foreign affairs. Now, we are able to be UAE residents. Yes, it is indeed a relief! Cause y'all know there was some doubt. :P

Seriously though, it doesn’t matter what institutions recognize this marriage but what is important is that God does. I am so thankful for my parents and their wonderful marriage! God has truly blessed it and continues to show much grace to me and Andrew through our parent's marriage! Marriage is God’s idea and it is a beautiful picture of our (the church's) relationship with Christ! For we, as the church, are His bride. Again I am very thankful for the wonderful picture that my parents model to us!

--Brandon

Independence or Dependence?

Today we as Americans celebrate our independence from the king of England. As Christians we daily celebrate our dependance on the King of Kings. Many have died giving their lives for America's freedom but eternally blessed are those who have given their lives for the cause of Christ. May our focus, as those who have trusted in Christ for salvation, be on Him who is the only Lord worthy of all our praise and honor.

We are grateful to be dependent servants of King Jesus.

Did you know?

• We have caution signs; the one in the picture means "watch out for camels"
• We can get home delivery of almost anything including Burger King
• They have to put chillers in the outdoor pools to cool them off
• Parking lots have guys available to "wash" your car for about $7 and they do a great job
• Dirty cars are considered "illegal" here
• Gas is about $1 a gallon
• Gas stations are "drive-up" service (you don't get out of the car, just yell out "special")
• A block of Philadelphia cream cheese is about $9
• Our favorite burger place is Fat Burger
• We can't seem to find dry Ranch Dressing :(

Happy Father's Day!

Considering His grace

O Great God

Written by Bob Kauflin

O great God of highest heaven

occupy my lowly heart

Own it all and reign supreme

conquer every rebel power

let no vice or sin remain

that resists Your holy war

You have loved and purchased me

make me Yours forevermore.

I was blinded by my sin

had no ears to hear Your voice

did not know Your love within

had no taste for heaven's joys

then Your Spirit gave me life

opened up Your Word to me

through the gospel of Your Son

gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life

that's dependent on Your grace

keep my heart and guard my soul

from the evils that I face

You are worthy to be praised

with my every thought and deed

O great God of highest heaven

glorify Your Name through me

This hymn has helped us as a family to turn our thoughts and worship toward our great God. Praising God for the precious gift of salvation through His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we have our hope.

Thursday is Friday...

...Friday is Sunday, Saturday is Saturday and Sunday is Monday. Living here has me all discombobulated. The end of the work week is on Thursday and then we go to church on Friday. Saturday is "the weekend" and Sunday is the first day back to work. So, when Sunday rolls around, I think it's Monday and may end up at all the wrong activities at the wrong time. Confused? So am I.

Katrina

Firsts

Well, I drove for the first time and it was...interesting. I am sure that I will eventually adjust to the roundabouts; but in the meanwhile I may find myself driving in circles till I decide which way to exit. I am learning my way around a little section at a time and am grateful for the use of taxi's.

Brandon and I saw our first accident up close and personal. Our taxi driver must have seen it coming because he slowed down on the highway and then we saw a bumper fly and a poor VW Bug go spinning. I am so thankful the taxi driver was alert and prepared. I think the incident made Brandon a little less keen on driving here.

We also purchased 2 mobile phones...one for me and one for Brandon. We have the same phone in different colors. Mine is white and his is black. Now he can teach me to use mine. I am much too lazy to read the manual.

It was 107 degrees outside today. Can anyone say, "heat wave". We are most grateful for AC and the way they designed our villas. Almost every room has its own AC control. That means we can keep our bedrooms as cool as we like for sleeping and not freeze out the downstairs level. Aren't they clever?

We had our first movie theater experience here. It was actually one of the nicer theaters we have been in. Oh, and when you buy your tickets, you pick your seats in the theater. That means all the seats are assigned and if there are not enough seats together, we can choose a different showing. Pretty nifty huh?

We are really enjoying our first experiences here. It is quite thrilling to be in a new country interacting with new cultures.

Brandon Bug is 18

Our Bug has turned 18 and we have loved every year the Lord has graciously given us to spend with him!!

He has his first mobile phone ready to make calls in Dubai.

We Have Arrived

Okay, so I (Brandon) am writing this blog post because.... well mom’s rendition was..... boring to say the least. I figured I should revamp it and bring in my own flare and life. :D

We have arrived in Dubai and have been here since the 13th of May. Yes, we have been negligent in our blog posting and are truly sorry. We will try to mend our wicked ways.... truly.

I believe we are all very happy to be one big family again! Since being here we have been running around making our lovely villa more of a home. Mom has been outdoing herself again with her wonderful fashion sense. Couches have been purchased, curtains have been picked and paint is upon the walls! Yes, mom is making our house feel like home. We have unpacked our boxes but there is little storage room so we have been trying to find alternative storage methods. I think we are enjoying making this house, the Montgomery’s, giving it our own special touches.

Papa is in the midst of airplane training. The company keeps him very busy and he seems to be more than up for the task. He spends most of his time juggling the family and studying. Did we mention that Papa is a great juggler, really.

We have also purchased a car! A 2007 white GMC Acadia with the most peculiar interior. It has leather seating but it is the color that confuses us a bit.... can you guess? No, I assume not, the leather is orange (Papa says it’s “rust brown”) and black. A very interesting look. I think the color will grow on us. It is funky and fun. :D I am sure it will be nice to drive. I plan to take my time getting on the roads here.... I am such a timid driver.

Here are some little things we’ve learned:

-Black Treacle is ... molasses

-There are 3.65 Dirhams (aka AED) to the dollar

-Closets are considered furniture

-Laban is butter milk

-Pure Vanilla extract does not exist here due to the fact that it has an alcohol content

-Baskin Robins Ice Cream is our favorite ice cream so far.... though we would happily have some Blue Bell. :D

-When you take a left at the roundabout ... it’s really a right (Don’t ask too many questions , just take our word for it)

-You can snow ski in Dubai (come and visit and experience it yourself)

-Sweet-N-Low contains aspartame here, beware!!!

A New Addition

We are proud to announce the arrival of our new grandson/nephew:

Ryan Kirk Montgomery

Born on : May 7, 2010 at 5:56 am

Height: 21 1/2 inches

Weight: 7 pounds 4 ounces

The Lord in His kindness allowed me to be there to welcome sweet baby Ryan into the world and I am grateful to have had the chance to see him before I leave to Dubai.

Jenny is doing great and was such a trooper through all of her labor. She is one tough cookie! She labored without ANY drugs; just the love, care and prayers of her wonderful husband and sweet friend Megan. I praise God that He has blessed us all with this precious new life and we pray for his second birth when he will know his Savior as Lord and King.

I was also able to spend some time with my sweet Jane who is growing up so quickly. She is such a joy and I love seeing the world through her eyes. Everything is a new discovery to her and it is fun to see her explore God’s creation. Jenny say’s that Jane may actually know who Nana (That’s me) is now. We are not sure, but Jane might also think she has a virtual Papa (that’s Kirk). We skyped with him one morning and every time I opened up my computer after that, she would say, “Where go? Papa?”. It was very cute!!

Posted by: Katrina

Inbetween

Welcome to our new blog!! We knew that communication with all our loved ones would have to be “pumped up” due to long distance and time change. This is our first post and so much has happened since leaving Virginia on March 22nd. We sent a 20 foot container of sea freight with some of our household items to Dubai, had movers truck a lot of stuff to our “address” in Texas for long-term storage and got rid of a lot of things. During our drive to Texas, we discovered that Andrew required a big surgery. Thankfully the Lord delayed Kirk’s departure to be here for the successful operation. Right after the surgery, our grandma Dannie went home to be with the Lord. We praise GOD she was ready.

We enjoyed seeing Danielle who came to San Antonio for a visit (and her birthday), our friend Belinda arrives this weekend, Brandon has his SAT exam May 1st and our second grandchild is due on May 5^th. Katrina is going to Louisville to get a little time with Aaron, Jenny, baby boy Montgomery and sweet Jane. Kirk is already in Dubai and starts 777 training on May 3rd. We have been apart for 26 days. (Katrina and the boys must wait for the entry permit paperwork to be approved)

We miss being able to sleep in our own beds, eat home cooked meals and fellowship with our CHBC family.

God’s grace continues to be sufficient for us and His power is perfected in weakness. What an incredibly gracious God we serve!! He has given us strength for each day and hope for each tomorrow. We are beginning to understand a bit better how to consider it all joy when encountering various trials. Our faith continues to be tested and He continues to give endurance and joy. We can only stand in awe of our faithful Savior and God.

Please be praying for us in this time of transition; that we would reflect Christ in all that we do and say.

Here are our specific prayer requests in Dubai: Please pray for F R U I T

-Family strength in fellowship despite the vast distance

-Realization of His purposes for us

-Unity with the believers here (UCCD) and all around

-Imitators of Christ

-“THAT Day” focused… keeping our eyes on the prize as we persevere towards our heavenly home