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.