how relaxing...

I was over at the hospital today, to pay our bill for lab work, and as I was walking back down the long hallway, I happened to look down one of the dimly lit side hallways. I saw, to my amusement, a grey steel door, no window. On the front of the door was a red sign, about 15 inches square with one word on it: "SEDATION" All caps, white lettering.

Seems like seeing that door would be enough to make you need the services offered therein.

free AND matching???

So, God delights in blessing us. This I know.

Today, we got a call that someone in our church has a fridge for us. It's cream colored, just like our free stove. A small thing, to be certain. I definitely could have used (and loved!) a free fridge in any color. Matching?!?! Unbelievable.

Last week's $10 deals:
a rocking chair at a garage sale (solid, the kind they don't make anymore)
a chest freezer (a 5-footer, no lie)

Pictures to be posted soon of our drywall progress! Perhaps this weekend's project will be knock down for the ceiling! God is so good!!!

In addition, my brother Nate got married this past weekend. HURRAY! We couldn't go b/c of my pregnancy, but mom & dad got to go, and they said it was an absolutely beautiful day, and happiness abounded. We're so happy for them, and glad God put them together. They will be in Michigan for a July 15th reception, and boy am I looking forward to seeing them (and any of you guys that are coming!!!)

Again I am singing...

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!!

excuse me?

I went in yesterday for my 35-week checkup. Amazing how fast time flies. As the nurse was checking my blood pressure, she said, "You do realize that anything is fair game now. At 35 weeks, if you went into labor, we wouldn't stop you." And then she proceeded to hand me pre-admittance papers and information on pain management and all the other decisions I'll have to make before the birth of the baby. I'm sure I looked slightly shocked...

YIKES! Here I am, blissfully thinking that I have 5-7 weeks left of pregnancy, and this nurse just popped my bubble of bliss. For the first time it really HIT me that this baby is coming - SOON! Now I know the chances of my delivering 5 weeks early is slim to none, but that nurse and her mischievous twinkle and grin really got me thinking...

Housing update: all our drywall is up, and we're working on the 2nd coat of mud. Consumer's is supposedly switching our power over sometime this week, so we will once again have power in every room (YAY!!)

Still remaining:
finish mudding and then paint the walls & floors
finish up the bathroom (add the shower surround and hardware)
rig up our temporary kitchen (we still need a sink & a fridge!)
packing, packing and more packing!!!

I am not panicking...what good would that do anyway??? Waste my energy (already at a premium) and stress me out? I don't think so. My God knows exactly what He is doing!! I'm going to take one day at a time, and currently I'm counting down to my last day of work - July 7! (or, in the words of my lovely nurse Bev, "if you make it that long") Thanks, Bev.

junior high Christians

Lately, I've been doing a little thinking as I peruse blog articles and websites discussing which ministry methods are best, which parenting techniques are fully glorifying to God. I've been burdened by our tendencies to "best" each other or find fault with each other in order to make ourselves feel better about whatever choice we make.

I was going to post something, but while reading Ruthie's blog this morning, I clicked on a link to her brother-in-law's site and found an article well written. Wanted to leave a comment, but apparently I have to log in, so instead of leaving a comment there, I urge you to check out this insightful article.

I've commented before that I love working with junior highers because you EXPECT them to be immature, to lack discretion, to be in that transitional state, to be insecure and figuring things out for themselves (and yes, to smell a certain way). It is so exciting to watch them grow past that, to watch the metamorphosis from just-out-of-sixth-grade to going-into-ninth-grade. The growth is USUALLY phenomenal. I love the process.

Occasionally, however, it's not so exciting. A kid will come in and go out with the same immaturity, lack of discretion, and unanswered questions that he came in with...and it breaks your heart! It's incredibly sad to watch these kids grow into young adulthood and graduate with a junior high mentality.

Are we as believers doing the same? Does our lack of maturity, discretion and security encourage hastily spoken words of judgement? What is our motive for this judgement? Am I allowing God's Word to dominate my words, my thoughts, my judgements of others? When confrontation needs to occur, do I do it based on God's Word or am I a "junior higher" and pass the word around that "so-and-so did thus-and-such" thereby sowing seeds of dissention?

God, please make me sensitive to You.

they just keep coming

Talk about Works of God Mondays...

This Monday and Tuesday, Michael & Ken will be getting paid to work on our house. All day. You think we might be able to get the drywall completed? We will certainly be a lot closer than before!!

Is this not amazing? Do we serve an incredible God or what? I can see why people lift "holy hallelujah hands." But I am a Baptist Girl with many inhibitions (LOL), so it is the hands of my heart that are fully extended as I rejoice in the goodness of my God, who is good ALL the time!

EDIT NOTE: Quite by "accident" I found some articles written by Josh Larsen on this very topic which I found pretty interesting. See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Here we are after Saturday's shower in front of our van full of shower gifts. We were the recipients of a multitude of items bought with Little Muth in mind. It's amazing to think we need all this stuff for such a little person. Praise God for His provision through His people!

Here's my funny man, blowing out crazy candles on a mom-made birthday cake. Emma & Olivia are looking on, and Matt & Mark are in the background. Mom invited some friends to celebrate Michael's birthday with us after church! (these are their kids...lest you think this is an appropriate age group for us to fellowship with)

the belly

well, folks, here I am (last night) at 33 weeks pregnant. It's so hard to believe there are only 7 weeks left! Seems like just yesterday we were staring at the little pink lines...

As you can see, I am trying to make up for my tired appearance with a Muthlike crazy face. Looking at the photo, I can see that it did not work. (much to my chagrin)

catch up

The Pittsleys have come up with the coolest list of NBBC bloggers. Check it out and see if you can add more!

needed, one English teacher

Hey all! If anyone knows of an excellent English teacher who is a committed Christian, loves high school kids, and would be interested in teaching in a great Christian school come fall, shoot me an email. Our school is looking, desperately.

i shouldn't be surprised...

God's provision has been miraculous for us! I know I just posted a list of blessings, however, it would not be right for me to hold in my praise to God for all He is doing!

Last night we went to pick up our FREE electrical service panel (over $100 saved there) from another couple at our church (he is an electrician), and our friend the electrician said he had extra circut breakers left over from some jobs he'd done. So he GAVE THEM TO US!!!! (another $100 plus saved) He also had some spare dryer wire, and handed us a length of that to run at our house.

Last week it was coax cable and cat 5 phone wire that God gave us! And we also found out that the large spools of wire we purchased a little over a month ago for $200 each now cost over $1000!!! Who knew the price of copper would go up 68%? God saved us money before we even knew it!

My heart is doing a MAJOR happy dance as I delight in the provision of my God. I shouldn't be surprised, as I know that God delights in blessing us. But I am. It is humbling to know that although I am often unfaithful to my God, He is never unfaithful to me. And more than that, in response to my failures, God's blessings are dumped on me from heaven.

Why would I even hesitate to give my all? How can we do anything BUT serve this altogether faithful God?

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.