I've been "chipped"

Hey everyone,

Ester Dawes emailed me with this link, and it's very possible some of you have already watched this, but for those of you who haven't, you might find this very interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo

After you see it, look at your passport, at least those of you who have a NEW passport. I've been "chipped" already. Crazy, and scarry. Do you remember our mom aways talking about having a chip implanted? I guess she was right all along :o)

Ika

Eva

Evi,

ja vim, ze nemuzes odpovedet svuj telefon, ale zavolej mi. Uz mame rezervace na vsechno, takze mame uz lepsi predstavu kde budeme kdy... Takze mi zadzvon.

Ika

Inside info

The "touching" of her hair didn't happen when he was drinking. They made it sound and look like it, so they can make greater drama out of the show. I agree, poor guy, he knows now to stay away from that kind of shows and any kind of alcohol!
Otherwise, before the incident took place I was really impressed with him and his devotion to God, not his wife, though. She was too negative about everything. And then she prayed in front of the guy to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Not too impressive.
kamil

Well, I think that in the beginning they represented the church great, and it looked like the lady from Prague really enjoyed herself as well. In my opinion the end was exaggerated, not only by the lady, but also by the producers of the show. I agree that it was a mistake to do the show, because you know the producers will do anything to "get you". They don't know much about Christianity or about that particular religion in the first place... At the end of the show I actually felt sorry for the guy, because we all make mistakes, but unfortunately, his mistake was made very public. One thing, that was kind of weird for me is that they didn't show actual footage from the incident, which makes me question if everything she or the narator said was 100% true about what happened.

Oh well, I hope they survived it without any major drama... The wife seemed to be nice about it...

Ika

vymena manzelek

I knew about this show, they repeated it, it was played 1.5 yrs ago, I have a copy of this one at home, but it would never play on my VHS player. But what to say, I rather make no comment. I guess, it is just another reason for public to talk about us. What a silly decision to come on that show. I know Pavel Kremla personally, he is from Frydlant SDA.
I hope it was a great lesson not only for him.

Rene

Vymena Manzelek

Hey everyone,

I thought I'd let you all know, if you watch Nova.cz, and the show Vymena Manzelek, and you haven't seen one from yesterday, you should watch it. It's already posted, and it's a Seventh-day Adventist family from Nydek "trading mom" with an atheist family from Prague.

Anyway, if you don't know how to get to it, call me, and I'll tell you.

Ika

Happy Sabbath to everyone,
I am so sorry to hear about Eva's difficulties and will pray that everything will workout.
I will surely pray for Jenn it must be so much on her. She already had plenty to worry about.
Love you lots
Zuzana

The more prayer, the better

Please pray for my sister. Kamil said I should omit the "juicy" details to protect my sister, but she needs prayer. As her older sister, my heart cries out for her and I wish I could protect her and help her. Her husband is in big trouble with the law and she is being investigated too, since she's married to him (though she's innocent)--all before she is to graduate in May. Finally she's started a legal separation leading to eventual divorce for which she's had biblical grounds for a long time... She needs love and to sense God's presence especially close to her right now as she cries tears from the deepest part of her soul, in groanings that only the holy spirit can truly understand. Jenn has gone to school full-time or part-time for most of their marriage, also worked full-time and been responsible for the children--all while he has gallivanted around doing who knows what. Louis needs to experience a little bit of judgment time. I think mercy's earthly doors are about to close for him. He's about to experience the results of his actions. May the Lord be with Louis' eventual salvation, and my sister's bruised and battered heart for all she's endured and continues to endure...
Annette

I would like you all to pray for Casey's and mine situation we're going through some setbacks, and don't know exactly what will happen.

Also, Ika that's great, we wanna see you there, Nanci (Casey's mom) said you are welcome to come and visit with us in their home, but that's up to you.

Otherwise, we are going to be there on Sunday evening, and on, so let's figure something out, so that we can put in a schedule.

You guys have a good day.

Eva

Last couple of days I was not able to get on the blog. Lots of reading. I had a dream the other day about this trip. We had only couple of weeks until the trip and we did not have anything done so lets work on it.
Ika let me know what I can help with.
love
Zuzana
ps: I do not care to sound anything like somebody else. I think in our moms mind anything will be beautiful.

Check your emails, I just finished sending you all the songs I have. Eva & Zuzu, sorry I didn't get to send Love Lifted Me. Later. I am too tired, it's 2:23 A.M.

Talk soon,
Ika

Hi,

I'm sorry I didn't get the rest of the songs to you all yet, but I was working on another project (my best friend's husband - from Czech - he's finishing his M.D. and PhD in Cardiology and Research, and he needed me to proof-read his Abstract) It was quite a task. Johnny, myself and our friend, who is a cardiologist here in the U.S. were working on it for hours, but we finally got done with it. So, unless he's going to have me proof read the actual Dissertation, then I should be good. The boys are still sick, but I think I can handle sending few songs to you all.

So, that's what's been going on on this end.

I am staying pretty busy, as most of you, so I am not thinking for a second, that with the pace of our lifestyles we're going to sound anything like Heritage Singers. But that doesn't really matter. The CD is not for us, it's for our mom, and I'm sure she will forgive the imperfections.

TTYL,

Ika

P.S. Eva, I didn't realize Loma Linda is 1.5 hrs. from where we're going to be staying in L.A., so maybe we could meet half-way. Or if you guys are planning to go to the beach one day, maybe we could meet there. Let me know. We're flying on Thursday night and coming back Tuesday afternoon (I think). Our only plans so far consist of going to the wedding Friday afternoon and church Sunday. I'm sure Johnny will want to visit some of his friends too...

God's wonderful People

Guys,
don't let this little difference in opinions side track us. I respect the right Kamil has, to share his opinion. I listen to the song after I read his concern. True, we can't just hop up front and sing this song without practicing. I thought with a commitment we've made, we are willing to work hard and prepare for the event.
Also, looking at the list of songs for the CD I have to admit we won't sound as good as the groups that sing the songs. We don't have a professional voices. The goal is not to sound same as Heritage Singers.
I agree, we don't need to pull anything that is above our capabilities, but I think we can do this song. If we need to, we can always make some adjustments to it.
Also this song will not be on a CD, so I believe we can do it. At the same time, I think we all are open for suggestions. If more people think we can't pull this one, come up with an alternative song.
It is ok, to have a different opinions. Let's move forward, time is moving fast.

Rene

Explanation

I'm glad that Ika put the post there because it's possible that more people misunderstood my comment but didn't voice it. What I wanted to say is that their voices and our voices are of different quality. (Can we pull it off?) When we are finished with the song, will it sound good enough? Also, when we made our Eden 1 CD, we couldn't do the song, "Let us go..." because without drums it sounded different and Tomas didn't want to or couldn't do anything else with it.
I hope this will help to clarify my post.
Kamil

God's Wonderful People

I don't think this song is too difficult. Tenor is probably the easiest part (it sings melody half of the song). The most difficult part is the alto, and I am sure Zuzka is up for the challenge.

Or maybe I am wrong. If everyone else feels the same way as Kamil, please say so. I had to get outside of my box, to accomodate other people's musical prefferences. Is it that this song is too up-beat for you? I never complained once, that all this music without even little bit of drums is too boring, and that I wanted music with a little bit of drums in it (I don't see anything wrong with it, and the Bible doesn't either), I don't know. I've never complained before, and yet, the people whom I tried to please, and who are getting the better deal of it all are complaining! I am just kind of disappointed right now...

IMB

OUR WEBSITE

There is not much to see, though. ;) km
http://www.freewebs.com/metzfamily/

Wonderful People

I just listened to the song that Ika suggested and I must say it truly has wonderful words. The song seems to be too complex, though. I'm not sure if we can pull this one off. It seems to me the most challenging song yet. Also, I'm trying to imagine the song without drums; I don't know what it will sound like.
Kamil

priorities

Hey guys,

I am happy to see things moving on. I think, it is very good choice for an opening song. The words are great. I haven't talk to Hanka, but I think we could take a responsibility to translate songs(if we get any help, it will be only appreciated), and put it on the power point.

Ika, and Zuzu, I appreciate very much both of you and how much you are doing for the trip, and for the concert to make sure we are on the ball.

I just wanted to encourage to focus and pick a final 10 songs out of 13 I saw the last time, and also we need to record piano. I am thinking to learn from Tomas how to use the program, and then to meet with Ika and record it and send it to Tomas.

As far as the choice of songs for a CD, I'd like to see for the children song "Jesus Loves Me", and then pick another 9 songs, so we have a material to work with.
Also, I believe the power point will help us to bridge over the prejudice thinking that we can't sing in Czech. One song that comes to my mind that was on the list is "Learning to Lean" this one has pretty good lyrics in Czech and sounds good as well ("Ja duverim").

Have a great day.
Thank you for your work and time invested in this project

Rene

I think this is a song that has very good melody, harmony and excellent words for an opening song. Great choice.
Thanks so much
love
Zuzana

Concert

Hi Everybody,


So, I have all the songs in one folder on WMP and I kind of played around with it as far as what could be the order of songs, and I've realized we don't really have too many songs that are little more "lively". I thought it would be good to have a "kick off" song in the beginning. So, I thought about few possibilities, and I emailed you one that I thought has a potential. It is a "happy" song, and we could replace the drums with just having piano, guitars and saxophone in the song, and it would be just fine. So, check it out, I am trying to upload it into an email as we speak, and hopefully it will go through this time. If it doesn't, here is the name. Some of you already have it:

God's Wonderful People from CD Songs to Remember by Don Marsh Orchestra & The Brentwood Singers.

If you have other suggestions for the opening song, write it on here.

Ika

Volunteer

I'll do it! I'll translate the slides into Czech! :-) Just kidding...I guess I'm not eligible for that...

Smiles to you all,

~Annette

Songs

Hey guys,

I just sent out Come Let Us Bow Down and Jesus Loves Me (to siblings only - you then share with your spouses). Please let me know if you didn't get it. Since I didn't get anybody's email confirmation, I just emailed it to the ones I already have.

I tried to send the other songs earlier, but I for some reason I couldn't do it, so I'll try later tonight when Johnny brings the laptop home. It looks like we're going to be snowed in for the weekend, so that should be fun ;o) Snow and Memphis drivers don't mix very well, so we'll be staying off the roads.

Talk to you all soon.

Ika

P.S. I need a volunteer who will take the responsibility of making translations of the songs and start making the slide shows. I don't think I can do it, as I've been told before that my Czech is not very good anymore. So, please someone, commit to it, that way it will give you plenty of time to get it done. Trust me, it will take a while to do it!

From Czech

We need Marnotratny Syn from Czech. We've never decided for the songs for morning, because I think that's going to be more likely mainly in Czech. We can of course do repeats from the CD, but maybe we can do a couple of extra czech classics (e.g. Zvony Zni, Pastyri Muj), etc.

If you want to start a list of songs that you would like to suggest, we can do that, and then we'll close the poll again by the end of next week. That way Rene knows what to get when he is in Czech.

Also Rene, one thing that I really need is a black currant tea! (Cerny rybiz). Thank you. I'll send you money for it. And ONE will be just fine. Here it's hard to find and to get it from internet with shipping and everything it will cost me 6 times more than it costs in Czech. I think I bought it at Tesco for 20 Kc.- I will pick it up next time I come for visit. I still have a little left over from last trip. I am a tea junkie... I would appreciate it very much!!! If you don't have room in your luggage, then don't worry about it.

IKa

trip

Hello everyone,

We are still going to Czech and to the wedding. . .

I also have a song and music to Each one, can reach one. . . but not online.

Keep on keeping on :)

Zigi

We're going to CA 20-24 of March :(

Ika

trip to Czech

I will be flying to Czech on March 20th, and return back on Apr 7th.

If we need any music from Czech, let me know asap.

Rene

I would like to have some songs in Czech but the truth is that it is easer and nicer to sing in English.
Ika, March 11-19 Andrews sister with her family will be here but I could come around the 20th and stay for few days, watch the boys so you can have more time to put the music together. Would that work for you or is it too late?
thanks for all your hard work
love
Zuzana

Respond ASAP

Hi y'all,

I am currently working on I Surrender All, and to be competely honest it's little strange to do it in Czech, but I did the whole first verse in Czech. It's not going to sound the same as in English, just because the syllables are different for different notes. Please take a moment to vote before I start working on it further.


I Surrender All
English:
Czech:
Either is OK with me:
Not decided but leaning more toward English: IMB ZR
Not decided but leaning more toward Czech: KM

Also, I just tried to send one song to Kamil via email, and it worked just fine, so please send me an email address where you preffer the songs to be sent to. Send me an email with the word SONGS in subject, and that way I'll know that's where you want me to send the songs. I will send each song in separate email, with the title in the subject. This way we'll keep the cost down.

Please keep in mind I don't have Marnotratny Syn, Each One Reach One and I Have Decided, but you can start working on what we have so far.

PLEASE RESPOND TO THE ENGLISH/CZECH POLL!!!!!

Ika

Music paper

Problem solved. I found free professional blank sheet music online

http://www.blanksheetmusic.net/

I attached this link for those of you who can use it for themselves.

Ika

Yes, I think that we've all agreed some time ago, that our mom would know about somebody coming. So, maybe if she knew Eva and Casey would be coming to Czech, then she would be taken care of.

The only thing I can send you Kamil right now without having to put almost any work into it is CD of the songs. I know you can't practice without it, but please be patient with me. It's extremely difficult for me to do anything (I need to go into town to get some blank music paper). But maybe I can find something online that I can copy.

I appologize if it causes inconvenience, but I'll do my best to get it to you as soon as possible. Trust me, I am not purposely procrastinating. I am just exhausted and so busy!!! But I'll do my best to get some stuff done today and tonight, and hopefully when the boys are asleep I can go get some packaging (bubble envelopes) at Wal-Mart, and run to the airport post office, which stays open at least until midnight, if not 24 hours. But that won't happen probably until tomorrow night. We'll see how much I can get done today.

I appologize again.

IKA

TRIP:
Of course, we are planning on coming. The only hindrance that could keep us back is a medical condition of Annette and/or baby that wouldn't be safe for them to go. If mom comes in August, the way we can get her back to Czech is to plan an event, such as, Eva's wedding reception for her Czech friends, etc. so I think we can bring mom safely home for the project we want to do.

CD:
I think that the CD project is a must! Just think about it. We might not have another opportunity to record a CD together again in our lifetime. The CD will not be only for our mom, but for us for years to come!

Practice songs:
I need the songs to be e-mail or mailed to me so I can start to practice them.

Blessings,
Kamil

Trip

Hi,

I am glad we're on the same page and back on track. WE WILL make it happen! Even if we have to reduce the number of songs on the CD. I'm sure that if everyone was commited to practice the songs once or twice a week (just by singing them through once each), it would be enough. Trust me, I listen to them on my phone mp3, while I do the dishes, and sing at the top of my lungs, and I am starting to be more and more comfortable with my part.

I promise something will happen soon, but right now it's just a really bad timing, because Levi has a horrible (as the doctor described) double ear infection and wheezing. He had to have a breathing treatment yesterday at the office. He keeps me up all night, I walk around like a zombie. But when you see that sweet little face cry and rub his ears and his chest, you can't help it but be wide awake to comfort him in this horrible pain. (I can relate, I had a bad ear infection when we went to Czech last year) So, between trying to take care of him, and slightly jealous Ezra and trying to keep up with the household chores I just don't have the time or the energy right now to do anything. But as I said while I am doing the dishes or chores, I listen to those songs, and I try to get familiar with all the parts, so that it's then easier to put it on the paper.

OK, Levi is crying again, so I have to go check on him.

Ika

Hello,
finally I have an access to Internet. It has not been working properly so they should come today to look at this.
Great I am committed 100% for the trip.
I think that we should try to work on the music and see if we can record the CD. If we come to the decision that it is too much than ok, we wont do it but I think we should try do our best. Even for us it is going to be great thing to have.
I will pray and get ready to do my best to make our moms stay pleasant. I will make sure to take time for her.
About the wedding. Evi just let me know what needs to be done and I can help you with anything that needs to be done (if I am able to do it).
great I need to go now but looking forward to hear from all of you
love you
have a blessed day
zuzana
ps:hope some one is praying for me :)

A calling card

Evka if you need a calling card, I have one. Call me and I can give it to you.

Rene

Hi everyone,

my commitment is still the same. I am going to Czech in Nov and from some other posts I got the feel that Zigi is going us well, and Zuzu told me she is going even if she went alone. But I want to speak just for myself . So I am on.

As far as the wedding is concern, I think enough was already said and writen about it, so let's give Eva and Cassey some space to breath. Cassey called me and I was able to share with him my concerns, and I would say, they were mostly general concerns we've all had. I appreciate Cassey being open and willing to listen and to consider the concerns. But it will be helpful to know soon when the wedding is going to be so we can make better plans.

The BIG decision we have to make is whether we are going to record a CD and also whether we are planning on having a concert on Sat night.

That's all for now.

Have a great evening.

Rene

I am going to talk to mom, hopefully tonight, when I figure out how to buy a calling card, I have tried, but either my debit card is not working properly, or I don't know how to do it....

Anyways, I think that Ika has good ideas. I agree with her. So that's 2 out of six so far...

Eva

Trip/Wedding

Hi.

So, what do you all think? I can only imagine, that most of you feel little confused, maybe little disappointed, even maybe upset at the recent developments. I have to admit I was. I am still little unsure if our family is capable to pull through, and I have faith that we will. Maybe this will be our biggest test of Christian behavior. I know I've failed. So many times, but who hasn't? We can't point at each other, because we're all at fault in some degree. Maybe you weren't part of the gossips, but unknowingly offended others with your behavior or comments. Many times what we say comes across totally differently than what was intended.

I just want to say, that from my talks with some of you, I know nobody intended to hurt anyone with their words or behavior. So, let's put it all behind for now, and talk where we go from here.

So, we have two options:

1/ We cancel the trip, because we just don't feel like we can work things out, or
2/ We find solutions, and pray for our relationships, pray for our communication skills, pray for God's leading...

If we go for #2, maybe we could consider a few things that could improve the whole process.

1. Eva & Casey could try to do their best to decide on their wedding date, NO MATTER when it is. Just to be able to work out some details about our mom and dad coming here.

2. Has anyone asked mom, how long she's planning to stay as she comes here for the wedding? And where would she like to stay? Maybe if we offered to have her for a week each, it would ease things up a little.

3. What if we would imagine for that short period of time that our mom was the best mom in the world and treat her in that manner? Do our best to avoid conflicting conversations, chose activities that she would enjoy, make her feel important in some small ways. I know it could be a challenge, but I always thought we were all up for a challenge. Just think about how you treat your friends when they come for visit. You would be willing to drive them across America, to show them things that mean a lot to you, or because you care for them enough to show them what they want to see. If we all decided to try to do the same for our mom, all of a sudden there would be no problem with transportation between siblings. I mean, if it would help any, I would be willing to donate some of our points for one plane ticket between siblings, or even meet Zuzka or Rene half-way if she wanted to come stay with us for a few days.

So, why don't you all think about it, and pray about it. If you are willing to work through all this, please express yourselves. And please do so even if you don't. Eva & Casey, please, as far as possible, try to figure out at least the month, when you would like to get married, when it works the best for the two of you. Then, Eva, could you please call mom, when you have a better idea, and ask her if the wedding was in such and such month, how long she would like to stay, and who was she thinking about staying with, or if she wanted to visit everyone. Once those two things get figured out, we can start making some good and solid plans for the fall trip.

If this post doesn't get any reaction, or at least not a positive one, then I think it would be in the best interest to cancel the trip. It's up to us, if we make things work.

Ika

Memphis shooting

For those of you who are concerned after hearing the news tonight about the shooting in Memphis, we're OK. The shooting occured little less than 7 miles from where we live. Anytime something like this happens just makes you hold on little tighter to your loved ones, and also makes you send out prayers little more often. Living in Memphis definitely doesn't allow you to take safety for granted, and it sort of becomes your second nature to pray for safety as you venture out on even the shortest of outings.

As one of the soldiers returning from Iraq said something like: "Coming back to Memphis and living here is like being back in Baghdad." So, when you pray for us on Friday, don't forget to pray for our safety; but we don't worry about it too much. When God decides it's time for us to go, then it's time...

Ika

(Smile!)

Ika,

I have to smile at the thought, because just 1 1/2 months ago a church member was telling me that she threw one small bag into a dumpster she saw around. The next thing she knew, the police were calling asking her to pick up her bag (her name and address were on mail in that bag). She explained that she hadn't known it was wrong, or she wouldn't have done it (and would never do it again). Still, they insisted she come. She got there, and (this is the funny part) told the police officer that with her height (which he could see was quite short) and her roundness, if she went in there to get the bag she might never get out! He could see that that was true, so, they got a stool of some sort for her to stand on. They just made her pick out as much trash from the dumpster as she could reach and reiterated that she wasn't to dump ANYTHING in public dumpsters. She chuckled so much when she told me how poor her would NEVER have gotten out if she had had to get inside! She would've struggled for a long time to get out!

I'm glad that you are able to make good use of perfectly good food that is thrown away. I know it happens. I'm not sure if I'm up to dumpster-hopping (especially as I become quite round in the coming months), but I'm glad you can find some treasurers and save some on your fam budget! May the Lord bless you guys! You've made yourself vulnerable in sharing, but I think we've all benefited in focusing on how God wants us each to improve in areas that we're weak. The Lord knows, and sometimes sharing helps others too. Blessings!

Annette

That's so cool Ika, I am thinking that I should check the dumpster here as well too. We have a health food store called Co-Op.

Money for food can add up and I am so surprised because I try to be so careful! But I guess it is something that we have to invest in no matter what (one lady at Weimar has three children and she spends a little over 100 on food! I think that's amazing.

Anyways, you all have a good day. is today praying for Renata?

Eva

Our little "FREEGAN" adventure

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd share this with you. Last week, as I scrolled through our TiVo-ed Oprah shows, one title caught my attention, and I turned it on. It said "Life of Freegans" or something like that. Immediately I was captivated by the stories of the people featured. One lady, who gave up her six-figure job to live a better life, not drived by money and stress. Another couple was a 25-year old engineer and her husband who is a doctor from Nashville.

OK, so pretty much what they do is reduce the amount of money they spend by not buying what they don't need, and they pretty much go "dumpster-diving" to find food that's perfectly fine, it just has small imperfection. There is a research done on how much food, that's still good is wasted. Immediately we looked at each other with Johnny, and said that we were up for the adventure.

So, finally, tonight was the night. We went to a few places, but the dumpsters were locked, or had shoots where you couldn't get inside the dumpsters. So, we went to Wild Oats (also known as Whole Foods in other parts of the U.S.) And we hit a jackpot!!!! Now, keep in mind, that Wild Oats would have mostly organic food. Before we went, we prayed that God would bless our search, and He gave what's the best for us!!!

So, here is some things we found: beautiful flowers, whole box of fresh cranberries, about 10 different kinds of organic cereal, tomatoes, potatoes, bananas, butternut squash, green beans, pasta, oatmeal, cookies, chips, nuts, juice, soymilk, oranges, onions, canned tomatoes, canned artichoke, bell peppers, packaged salad...... Every item is ORGANIC, it's NOT expired, most of the time what's wrong with it is that the packaging is dented or little bit damaged.

We're commited to use the money we save through this to pay off our debts and to be able to be more generous with our money where needed.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know, if you want to try this. By the way, we've been at the dumpster for a good while, and there was a security passing by all the time, but nobody talked to us or bothered us.

Talk to you soon.

Ika & Johnny