We have been members of Clean Films for about a year now, and I have to say that this is a great way to go for watching movies minus the not-so-great content! Our TVGuardian was catching profanity, which is good, but the closed caption substitutions were uh...a little distracting, to say the least. Not to mention the stuff it edited that wasn't offensive...

When we heard about CleanFilms.com, we were a little skeptical, especially since Michael is all about video editing and hates to see a botched editing job. They claimed that the movies would be edited for profanity, sexual situations, and graphic violence, which sounded like things we'd want removed. The process works a little like NetFlix, in that you pay a monthly fee, choose the movies you want online, list them in the order of preference, then they automatically ship them to you in the order they become available. The DVD's come with a pre-paid return envelope.

So we got a 30-day free trial to start out with, and purposefully rented "really bad" flicks (with lots of the kind of content we would like to have taken out) to see what the quality of editing really was. We both have been very impressed at the smooth editing job this company does. Very seldom do you ever notice that a portion of the film has been removed - the story line stays intact, and their claims to edit out the profanity, sex, and graphic violence are quite accurate!

You can get a 15-day trial by going to the website, but if anyone is interested in an extended 30-day free trial, email me and I'll send you an invite.

can it be?

wildest coffee dreams do come true

a fleet of dumptrucks full

Thanks be to God "who daily loads us with benefits..." Here are just a few of the things we've seen Him doing these last few days/weeks:

1. perfectly normal blood test results for my one & only blood test of the pregnancy @ 28wks! (No GD, no RH issues, good levels on other stuff!)
2. Jim Miller's happy wedding to Liz on 5/19/06!
3. 32 more days until my brother ties the knot with Lissa, whom we love!!!
4. provision of a random assortment of house-improvement supplies that will save us lots of money, and some knowledgeable laborers to go with it!
5. an upcoming baby shower on June 3 (thank you, Andrea Stephens!)
6. a free window air conditioner (WAHOO!)
7. just 10 weeks left until little Muth makes his or her exodus to The Outside.
8. concert at church on Sunday afternoon was an amazing blessing
9. baby clothes! already trickling in - yay! no naked chillins!
10. decaf french vanilla coffee, and sleep...while I can still get it!

fun with friends

Here are some pictures of our get-together with the Reads and the Swieringas! About 3 or 4 weeks ago, hey all came up to work at Camp Co-Be-Ac, adding a new sound system, and we got together for pizza and fellowship! It was fun to see them, and Trisha and I had fun swapping pregnancy stories (we're due within days of each other!)

8mm moments

Last night, Michael & I went over to mom & dad's to eat pie and celebrate the 55th birthday of a Certain Grandpa-To-Be. We had found an old 8mm film under a cupboard in our new house, and were infinitesimally curious to see what it contained.

Michael was surprised and delighted to find out that there were reels of film with footage of our family, and more notably, me as a baby. I didn't remember seeing this particular footage of me before, and I must say, after getting used to viewing photos of your childhood, it is strange to see yourself in motion as a tiny baby. For those who grew up with the luxury of video cameras, well, enjoy it. But rest assured, you will never truly value the feeling that comes from being 26 and, for the first time, watching yourself at 6 pounds and a few days old getting your first bath.

It probably hit home a little more since I'm now expecting our first little person. I was amazed to see that just like any other days-old baby, I couldn't hold my own head up, couldn't care for myself, and yet...there I was, all of me and my personality, all of what was to be and is to be now in that little tiny helpless body. AMAZING!

It was great to watch mom and dad interacting with little me - despite the lack of sound and the quality of the footage, one thing was VERY evident: they loved me. I am very thankful for such great parents that worked so hard to rear me to love & serve God, and who have been faithful examples of godliness and true servanthood! (it's also nice to know that they made sure I was bathed regularly)

philippians 4:8-ing

"Many are the sorrows of the wicked,but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song;play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the Lord is upright,and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord." (Ps. 32: 10-11, 33:1-5, ESV)

Today, this chorus continually runs through my mind. I am so thankful for Scripture songs that fill our heads and hearts with God's Truth!!

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end!
They are new every morning,
New every morning;
Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord!
Great is Thy faithfulness!

---
Whatever the circumstances, whatever the blessing or the struggle - He is faithful, steadfastly loving toward us!

arise, my soul arise

text by Charles Wesley

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears;
received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

I now am reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

checking it twice

For awhile now, I've had a mental list of things I'd like to do before I die. Not that I'm planning to do that any time soon. These aren't things that really matter, just fun things that I'd like to do. My friend Andrea recently posted on things she'd like to do someday, and it inspired me to write some of mine down. I picked nine because, well, everyone does ten.

go wilderness backpacking
visit Italy
learn how to throw pottery
publish a children's book
play a cello (and do it well)
dye my hair red
write good music
learn how to swing dance
invent something useful

And there it is, in black & white. I probably missed one or two of my favorites.

toothpicks are not our friends

Thanks, everyone, for praying for my family! After 3 days in the hospital, mom is home, and she can see some improvement! Hurray! Dad's sinus infection is still raging, but he's not as swollen so that has to be good.

Mom got a chance to plant some seeds at the hospital, pray for Pam (a fellow patient) that God will work in her heart and draw her to himself. She let mom pray with her before she left. Also pray for Pam (a nurse). My parents know her from way back. Mom was able to talk to her for quite awhile and said she seemed like she wanted to just keep talking. Pray that God will use mom's presence and testimony to remind her of what she is missing by being out of fellowship with God. I'm so encouraged by mom's testimony at the hospital and her acceptance of a stinky situation, knowing there is always a Reason for things that happen.

Nevertheless, walk a wide path around toothpicks.

today, I see God in joint compound

God is BIG. we are little. Again and again, this truth is driven through my thick skull. My very thick skull.

This week, God provided 5 full and 2 partial 5-gallon pails of joint compound for us for free. Someone at church has just finished a basement remodel and their contractor made a "mistake" in his estimation of how much they would need. This guy from church asked if we thought we could use it.

Can we use it. We have an entire house to drywall! Praise God for contractors' errors, and church family generosity. We are blessed indeed.

infections

Hey, everyone who knows my sweet parents! Mom is having to spend the night in the hospital due to an infection in her foot. She stepped on a toothpick whilst walking stocking footed through her classroom last Thursday, and has already had an IV of antibiotics (Saturday) and more antibiotics to take orally, but it's just not getting better. My poor mommy.

Also, Dad has a massive sinus infection that you can visibly see swelling up the side of his face. Poor man, he's miserably ill and his wife is incapacitated.

Will you guys pray for my parents, please?

before the throne

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,

One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

words Charitie Lees Bancroft Smith

it's just plain fun to say

Word of the Day for Thursday April 13, 2006

salmagundi \sal-muh-GUHN-dee\, noun:1. A salad plate usually consisting of chopped meat, anchovies, eggs, and onions, served with oil and vinegar.2. Any mixture or assortment; a medley; a potpourri; a miscellany.

"miscellany" is a good one too. Thanks to my brother nate for calling to my attention the Word of the Day website.

but i feel like asking

I was talking to a customer the other day about an issue that needs to be resolved, yet I can do nothing about except wait for all parties to do their jobs. After I thanked him for his patience, he said, "there's no use for me to get angry. It doesn't help the problem get solved and it [makes you mad] so you don't want to talk to me." This coming from a man who is in all probability an unbeliever. What a rebuke!

Just this week I found myself upset because our van is having major issues--a burned out transmission started it all, but in the process, the mechanic found about 4 other issues that need to be fixed and we are probably going to end up spending as much for repairs as we did to buy the van in the first place. Honestly, frustration is building. House repairs may quite possibly be at a standstill until more resources become available due to this unexpected expense. Timeline for move-in? unknown.

There is a war going on in my heart. Questions about provisions, about what our needs really are, about why, about how, about when. And then, Scripture floods my mind, and the war is on.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (matt 7:11)

Since when do I get to know why God is doing what He is doing? It really doesn't matter if I know why or when or how. God loves me, and I know that He will always do what is best. God who cannot lie promises to meet my needs. He has proven time and again what a faithful provider He is.

I have forgotten
-the greatest gift of all, salvation! All "needs" pale in comparisson to this one, met by God's grace

-friends and family to encourage me spiritually

-medical bills, paid in full (two hospital visits with no insurance)

-the time mom & I prayed for new upstairs carpet without telling anyone else and God provided us with FREE carpet! (and why was I shocked)

-the FREE cars we got growing up (at least 2, I lost count)

-thanksgiving baskets

-checks in the mail, or slipped to us at church when "no one" knew we needed money

-graduating with no college debt

-a place to live for two years plus, virtually rent-free

-free furniture, over and over

-wonderful jobs for both of us, health insurance
and MORE provisions, too numerous to count.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. (ps 69:11)

the name game

We who are both named with two of the more popular names of our day know how it is to be known by your first name and last initial, or to hear your name shouted out and turn around only to find 5 or 6 others in the room turning also.

It's not like we hate our names. Michael said it about right yesterday: "I like my name a lot, I just wish it wasn't popular"

And so, we thought we were being really original when we came up with our top picks. Turns out our favorite girl name is #6 in the top ten most popular names, and I'm not sure I can do that to our child. Neither one of us want anything crazy; we just want something not on the top 10 list. SO we're back to square one. Or we just have a cool middle name picked out. Or we'll say forget the top ten list, use the name we picked, and deal with the same whining I put out when there was constantly more than one Jenny around.

Either way, we're still working on choosing a suitable moniker for the next member of our family, should that member be female. Thankfully, our boy choices survived unscathed. Now for the boy middle name...

confessions of a slacker

I'm horrible at remembering birthdays (as you may know from experience). I've tried to use a calendar with color-coded ink; a special card organizer from Hallmark with little post-its to remind me; I've even written all the birthday cards for each month out, addressed and stamped them with "mail me October 13" notes on each one.

But still, I forget.

I only have one brother. I grew up with him my whole life. He's always had the same birthday. And he's quite the brother. I forgot to call him on his birthday.

Sorry Nate. I really do love you, and your card and present really are on their way.

Thanks goes out to my mom, who emailed these sweet little reminders of how fun it is to be a big sister!

house but not home

Here is the "lovely" house that we purchased from HUD. We closed on our house in December and have already had opportunity to make some of the improvements. Thankfully, we aren't living there yet!
The second photo is about where the house is now. We are working feverishly on the inside at the moment. The old carpet is out, the kitchen is gutted, and some of the walls have been torn down and replaced with reconfigured ones. We are hoping to have all the electrical replaced within the next two weeks, the bathroom remodeled by the end of April; May for roof replacement and drywall, and June for painting and moving in (at least, we are hoping to move in during June!) Our kitchen will be makeshift at best, hopefully we will be able to have a sink and some sort of countertop & shelving, and we will be painting all the concrete floors until we can afford "real" floors. Siding will probably have to wait until Fall at the earliest. It is exciting to watch God supply our needs financially as well as by providing willing workers to help! The teens in our youth group have been over several times hauling debris to the side of the road, tearing out walls, hauling bricks, scraping up flooring and helping with clean up. What a blessing!

Thought you guys might like to see our family pics from Christmas--and for all you Northland grads, I included pics of some siblings you might know with their families!



Michael's immediate family
December 2005
It was SO FUN to be together!!







Tim & Joy Muth
Mark & Stephanie
(LaJunta, CO)





Tim & Sarah Valiante
(Newark, DE)

unscathed, amazed and ignorant

Well, the ultrasound is over, and went relatively well. Happily, we still are unaware of our baby's gender! The technician was SOOOO nice and was great at explaining what it was she was doing at all times. Our little child was not being cooperative as far as allowing photos of the heart to be taken, so it took a little longer, but we finally saw all 4 chambers (and the spine, and the kidneys...WOW) I am amazed at the goodness of God in giving us the opportunity to watch this little person growing inside me!

sweet deal

Hey, guys, my company is having a great sale on computer systems, and I know some of you may be in the market for a new, inexpensive computer. Check out the link that says "jenny's work" and you will be directed to a special page that gets you a discount on the current special (just because you're my friend!) The system shows up at the discounted rate when you "click for more details." It is really a great computer--we're thinking about getting one ourselves. If you have any questions about it, be sure to shoot me an email. Check it out!