Saturday, September 29, 2007
Friday, September 28, 2007
A GOOD THOUGHT FROM A FRIEND
GOOD THINGS ARE OFTEN DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE,
BAD THINGS ARE ALWAYS EASY TO GET.
(Dosaij - 5th Prime Ministerof India)
He shall fight for you."
Deuteronomy 1:30
Deuteronomy 1:30
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Laughter is Good Medicine
Brain Belches & Double Takes
I hate when I speak while my brain my brain is shut down!
We've all done it!!!!
Here's some examples!
My friend's husband had to have the garage door repaired. The repairman told them that one of their problems was that they did not have a "large" enough motor on the opener. They thought for a minute, and said that they had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, "Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower." She responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, "NO, it's not. Four is larger than two."
_____________________________________________________________________
My friend lives in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road. The reason: "Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."
______________________________________________________
My friends' daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg.
______________ ______ __________________________________
Friends were at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, "Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?" To which she replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?" The airport employee smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."
______________________________________________________
The stoplight on the corner in the city, buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. A friend was crossing with a coworker. She asked if he knew what the buzzer was for. He explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. She was shocked as she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing driving?!"
_______________________________________________________
I once worked with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and couldn't understand why her system would not turn on. ________________________________________________________
When freinds arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up their car, they were told the keys had been locked in it. They went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the driver's side door. As they watched from the passenger side, they instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. "Hey," they announced to the technician, "Its open!"
His reply, "I know - I already got that side."
________________________________________________________
At the assisted living center where I work I had a call light go on. When I arrived I found the resident was struggling and struggling to get the foot to go up on her electric bed. She noted that not one of her buttons worked to move her electric bed. I pointed to the floor, "I guess we should plug it in." We both belly laughed.
Think on what is good, and lovely and kind. Don't forget to laugh at yourself.
Do you know the Promises within the Names of God?
YAHWEH YIREH
(We pronounce
Jehovah Jirah)
(We pronounce
Jehovah Jirah)
I love learning about the power and love behind the names of God.
The NameThe Hebrew word raah (RA-ah, from which yireh is derived) means 'to see'.
In this case, it is translated as provide.
Since God sees the future as well as the past and the present, he is able to anticipate and provide for what is needed.
Interestingly the English word 'provision;
is made up of two Latin words that mean "to see beforehand".
When you pray to Yahweh Yireh, you are praying to the God who sees
the situation beforehand and IS ABLE to provide for your needs.
Key Scripture
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the place THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided." Gen. 22:1-14
Prayer:
Yahweh Yireh, the Lord who provides for me,
thank you for all your blessings,
for forgiveness and faith,
purpose and hope,
food and shelter,
family and friends,
strength and wisdom,
rest and work,
laughter and light.
Your blessings never come to an end because you are a God of INFINITE GRACE.
Amen.
{taken from 'Praying the Names of God, by Ann Spangler}
I really really jumped in my spirit when I saw the Hebrew word raah...
"to see"
"to see"
to even 'see beforehand'
He knows even before we ask...
He knows even before we ask...
You will see God's provision!
Maybe if we have worn out the carpet praying
about something over and over again... it is time to PRAISE HIM FOR IT!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Harvest
those
My favorite, most delicious apple tree is so laden for harvest, much of what it worked toward has fallen to the ground.
The birds and caterpillars and little chipmunks and critters get their share too. We not only grow organically we share with God's creations.
Our ground is full of earthworms trenching new avenues of loam and waterways, lightening bugs that flutter about with their lanterns as they dance through the night, and caterpillars, working toward becoming next years butterflies to brighten our days. Even the ants clear away our debris and droppings and call it good. It all vanishes into the earth by next spring, creating the new earth and new life that will bless our children and grandchildren to come.
*This particular little tree worked so hard and had so many apples, it had to have pylons attached to hold up its branches. Now it is down to needing just one friend to hold up its most heavily laden branch. Many of the apples have been picked.
She will require heavy pruning this year though before the winter, to remove the damaged and weak branches that she received from working so hard to produce so much bounty and blessing for us; so next year will be her day of rest while she grows the new branches that produce new fruit the following year. We need a day of rest too, just like our little tree. Otherwise we can't produce the fruit of blessings in our lives.
*Sometimes I sense how fragile we are, like the little apple tree, and how we all need others to help hold us up so we can stand and so we can bare good fruit.
Life is hard, but God is good. In our weakness He gave us each other to share our burdens, hold each other up, and to delight in each other's company.
The joy of harvest and sharing our labors and our fruitfulness always brings more joy and memories to our lives that bless us forever. Friendship is gift as clearly as the apples off of a tree.
Yet, sometimes, the sheer weight of all that we are holding up is greater than we bare. Sometimes we all need a friend or friends to hold up our arms and lives with us, those to encourage, supporters, those who will care about what we are trying so hard to accomplish when it all weighs more than we can sustain. Someone to come along side and take hold up some of our burden. I am glad we need each other. I am glad I am Christian too. Both make life so much more fun.
We have beautiful deep purple grapes this year that I will pick after the first heavy frost. Then they will be at their sweetest and most flavorful.
They are Concord grapes. We have only one vine, but we planted a small vineyard this year when all the grapes went on sale in July. I hope they make it through the winter.
These are the kind you think of in Welch's Grape Juice that comes frozen in a can that you add water to. The fruit is so beautiful to look at in the fall and so delicious in the middle of winter.
In the middle of winter it reminds me of all the beauty I savored during the summer as I eat my breakfast and swig down that luscious grape drink on a cold winter morning. I saw this day, way back when I planted that one little vine years ago.
Part of what made it so wonderful tasting was knowing how few quarts of juice set waiting on the pantry shelf. It's seasonal like sweetcorn or strawberries. Something special unto its day. *That's why we planted a a dozen more vines this year. We want to extend the days we get to enjoy it. We already look ahead in the hope of a bountiful harvest 4 years from now.
You, my friends, are like my fruit. You are the apple pies made up in advance, ready to pop in & pull out when you drop in. I can see those days even now as I prepare the pies. That is the real fruit. The joy of sharing and fellowshipping together. Looking ahead to the days we will spend together over a mini-feast of flavors togethers, when the trees look dead, but knowing the life that is hidden away in each and every branch as we munch away on the fruit pies that were made from those dead looking branches. It's all worth the effort and so are you. Thanks for dropping in. Never look at what you see when it all looks dried up and dead. Believe for what you cannot yet see, and dwell in its fruit. May you be refreshed as you ponder the wonders and beauty of this life.
To think on PIE is to think on God and His love and kind provisions for us if we are willing to harvest and protect what he has given us. It is to see out ahead and share with love and fellowship this precious earth's bounty.
May you be blessed today.
Think on apple pie and remember how loved you are by God.
My favorite, most delicious apple tree is so laden for harvest, much of what it worked toward has fallen to the ground. The birds and caterpillars and little chipmunks and critters get their share too. We not only grow organically we share with God's creations.
Our ground is full of earthworms trenching new avenues of loam and waterways, lightening bugs that flutter about with their lanterns as they dance through the night, and caterpillars, working toward becoming next years butterflies to brighten our days. Even the ants clear away our debris and droppings and call it good. It all vanishes into the earth by next spring, creating the new earth and new life that will bless our children and grandchildren to come.
*This particular little tree worked so hard and had so many apples, it had to have pylons attached to hold up its branches. Now it is down to needing just one friend to hold up its most heavily laden branch. Many of the apples have been picked.
She will require heavy pruning this year though before the winter, to remove the damaged and weak branches that she received from working so hard to produce so much bounty and blessing for us; so next year will be her day of rest while she grows the new branches that produce new fruit the following year. We need a day of rest too, just like our little tree. Otherwise we can't produce the fruit of blessings in our lives.
*Sometimes I sense how fragile we are, like the little apple tree, and how we all need others to help hold us up so we can stand and so we can bare good fruit.
Life is hard, but God is good. In our weakness He gave us each other to share our burdens, hold each other up, and to delight in each other's company.
The joy of harvest and sharing our labors and our fruitfulness always brings more joy and memories to our lives that bless us forever. Friendship is gift as clearly as the apples off of a tree.
Yet, sometimes, the sheer weight of all that we are holding up is greater than we bare. Sometimes we all need a friend or friends to hold up our arms and lives with us, those to encourage, supporters, those who will care about what we are trying so hard to accomplish when it all weighs more than we can sustain. Someone to come along side and take hold up some of our burden. I am glad we need each other. I am glad I am Christian too. Both make life so much more fun.
We have beautiful deep purple grapes this year that I will pick after the first heavy frost. Then they will be at their sweetest and most flavorful. They are Concord grapes. We have only one vine, but we planted a small vineyard this year when all the grapes went on sale in July. I hope they make it through the winter.
These are the kind you think of in Welch's Grape Juice that comes frozen in a can that you add water to. The fruit is so beautiful to look at in the fall and so delicious in the middle of winter.
In the middle of winter it reminds me of all the beauty I savored during the summer as I eat my breakfast and swig down that luscious grape drink on a cold winter morning. I saw this day, way back when I planted that one little vine years ago.
Part of what made it so wonderful tasting was knowing how few quarts of juice set waiting on the pantry shelf. It's seasonal like sweetcorn or strawberries. Something special unto its day. *That's why we planted a a dozen more vines this year. We want to extend the days we get to enjoy it. We already look ahead in the hope of a bountiful harvest 4 years from now.
You, my friends, are like my fruit. You are the apple pies made up in advance, ready to pop in & pull out when you drop in. I can see those days even now as I prepare the pies. That is the real fruit. The joy of sharing and fellowshipping together. Looking ahead to the days we will spend together over a mini-feast of flavors togethers, when the trees look dead, but knowing the life that is hidden away in each and every branch as we munch away on the fruit pies that were made from those dead looking branches. It's all worth the effort and so are you. Thanks for dropping in. Never look at what you see when it all looks dried up and dead. Believe for what you cannot yet see, and dwell in its fruit. May you be refreshed as you ponder the wonders and beauty of this life.
To think on PIE is to think on God and His love and kind provisions for us if we are willing to harvest and protect what he has given us. It is to see out ahead and share with love and fellowship this precious earth's bounty.
May you be blessed today.
Think on apple pie and remember how loved you are by God.
Monday, September 24, 2007
God's Faithfulness through Tribulation
Sheila's poem, (below) caused me to think about how God has used hard times to shape our character and lives, and to chop off the habits, the pride, the foolishness in our lives, so we might be made useful, safe and blessed.
Have you ever had to look at the day and wonder:
How will I ever survive this day?
I think we all have.
Here are some of the deepest trials we have faced and God's faithfulness to His promises and to His children (us).
1.
We faced every parents ultimate nightmare. Our teenage daughter vanished. She reappeared a month later with people and life circumstances we were very worried about. God promised us, "Raise up a child in the way she should go and when she is old she will not turn away from it."
He was faithful to watch over her and bring her to safety; and to know that no matter what mistakes we make in life, we are loved just as we are; all of us.
2.When there were lay-offs and we were unemployed for so long our house had to be sold for what we owed instead of what we hoped for: God opened the door and moved us to a new state, a new job, a new church, new Christian friends, and taught us to depend on Him instead of ourselves, friends and money.
He brought us to read the Word of God for the first time and to find His promises. He brought us life-long Christian friendships with our most precious and trusted friends and prayer partners.
3.When we were told to we needed to move out of the house we were renting, (one year after loosing our home and having no savings left), and that we needed to move out at the end of that month, for they were building a subdivision - the next day my husband lost his job. (His boss gave his new wife my husband's job)- leaving us wondering who would rent to unemployed people with with a dog, a pet skunk, 2 kids and no savings. The reality that we could end up on the streets was an overwhelming fear for us as we sought the Lord to
save us. We knew we were helpless to protect ourselves or even our children.
We prayed and three days later God brought a wonderful Christian couple into our lives. They called us to ask if we would consider living on their 58 acre farm they had just bought. They wanted us to be caretakers of their two homes on the property, and live there for free, and use it for ministry. It included a spring fed lake called 'Mirror Lake'. I always felt that was from God's promises that 'right now we see darkly as in a mirror. One day we will see face to face'. It was a very healing and refining place. He was true to His promise that He will supply all our needs, abundantly more than we can think or ask. We lived there two years.
4.Our son passed away nine years ago. We were shocked and devastated: He had the possibility of a terminal illness. We knew that when we adopted him at three days old.
At the time of his death, he was showing signs of this illness beginning to assault him, though he never knew he had it. We never told him.
We believed our son should live to live and pursue life and God. He did. We did not want him living a life where he was waiting to see if he was going to die or seeking what was wrong with himself, instead of what was right. We wanted him seeking all that God had for him to do and what was wonderful about his life. He was a creative, kind, joyful young man.
Shortly after Scott turned 19 we found the need to run a huge battery of tests on him for he was six foot six and weighed only 136 pounds. Shortly after the tests were run, he took his life in fear of what was to come.
God says "Those who fear do not yet know how loved they are." My son is with the Lord. If not, we are saved by works, not grace. Scott loved the Lord with all His heart, but God spared Him from the suffering that was to come. Isaiah 57:1 says, "What man does not yet understand is that I take those who are righteous before me, early, to spare them from suffering."
He allowed Scott's fears and confusion to take his life. Scott would have suffered for years before passing away. Instead God spared him from suffering at the young age of 19. God is so kind in all that He does for His children.
5. After the death of our son we wanted to move away from our beautiful farm and Mirror Lake. It was time to go forward. The little place of healing and hope held too many wonderful and painful memories to stay.
My little family gathered and we prayed together one night.
"Lord, what do you want us to do?
Do we spend the money we have in savings now?
Do we save it and work as missionaries?
Do we buy a home?
Do we invest the money?
If so Lord we believe you will provide a home that costs less than what we have saved." (a meager amount that should have only purchased a small 'you fix it up house somewhere').
He gave me these thoughts, "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He MAKES me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the quiet waters. He restores my soul. Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. I will set a table before you in the presence of your enemies." "If you are attacked, it is not my doing."
We left it to the Lord to reveal His will.
Next day a realtor we had worked with us as we considered our options, called to say that, "Last night I felt like driving around in the country to see if there was anything new, not in the listing books yet. As I drove by they put out the sign." We went that day and put a bid on it.
It was abundantly more than we could think or ask again.
It was not a run down you fix it up mess either.
It was a beautiful 10 acre farm with a barn, a small, beautiful home and very nice outbuildings, costing less money than we had in savings. We even had $10,000 left after we paid cash and praised the Lord.
He has used this place beautifully for a ministry to families and to heal hurting and our broken hearts over the past 9 years
.
Our House The beautiful old Barn The Chicken house
*The Woodshed picture above was taken right after the ice storm last winter that left us with no power for a week. This was taken early early in the morning, right after my husband went out to check on the animals inside.
Our driveway.
God is so faithful to hide us under his wings and to quiet the storms of life, if only we learn to listen we will find the beauty of His will and great is His love for His children.
6. When my husband changed jobs for a promotion a couple of years ago, two weeks later his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer (half way across the country). Being the only child of an only child, required all of my husband efforts - costing him his new job and the reality that we once again were unemployed (for 8 months this time).
He gave us precious Christian friends who watched over us. Even though we fed two needy families in this time, our pantry remained overflowing. We can't out-give God.
"In this world you will have tribulations. But do not fear. I have overcome the world. I will never leave you or forsake you."
During his Father's last 6 months my husband didn't have job. But, he did have what was more important.
Time with his Dad.
Only God could have made my husband have and take that much time.
By God's grace and promises "You and all your household will be saved." His father, Bill was saved two weeks before he passed away.
What did we do during this trying time?
We watched as the Lord taught us to trust Him more and more.
Was it easy?
No.
But the Lord Comforts us with the comforts we will comfort others with.
Iron sharpens Iron.
That is why I wanted to share with you some of God's recent wonders in our lives, though there is much much more.
*We have an amazing heavenly Father who cares about even the littlest details of our character and lives.
He gave me this life verse.
It is beautiful to me.
May it bless you too.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
Acknowledge Him in all your ways
And He will direct your steps."
May we never forget,
Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through God who strengthens me."
Have you ever had to look at the day and wonder:
How will I ever survive this day?
 |
Here are some of the deepest trials we have faced and God's faithfulness to His promises and to His children (us).
1.
We faced every parents ultimate nightmare. Our teenage daughter vanished. She reappeared a month later with people and life circumstances we were very worried about. God promised us, "Raise up a child in the way she should go and when she is old she will not turn away from it."He was faithful to watch over her and bring her to safety; and to know that no matter what mistakes we make in life, we are loved just as we are; all of us.
2.When there were lay-offs and we were unemployed for so long our house had to be sold for what we owed instead of what we hoped for: God opened the door and moved us to a new state, a new job, a new church, new Christian friends, and taught us to depend on Him instead of ourselves, friends and money.
He brought us to read the Word of God for the first time and to find His promises. He brought us life-long Christian friendships with our most precious and trusted friends and prayer partners.3.When we were told to we needed to move out of the house we were renting, (one year after loosing our home and having no savings left), and that we needed to move out at the end of that month, for they were building a subdivision - the next day my husband lost his job. (His boss gave his new wife my husband's job)- leaving us wondering who would rent to unemployed people with with a dog, a pet skunk, 2 kids and no savings. The reality that we could end up on the streets was an overwhelming fear for us as we sought the Lord to
save us. We knew we were helpless to protect ourselves or even our children.
We prayed and three days later God brought a wonderful Christian couple into our lives. They called us to ask if we would consider living on their 58 acre farm they had just bought. They wanted us to be caretakers of their two homes on the property, and live there for free, and use it for ministry. It included a spring fed lake called 'Mirror Lake'. I always felt that was from God's promises that 'right now we see darkly as in a mirror. One day we will see face to face'. It was a very healing and refining place. He was true to His promise that He will supply all our needs, abundantly more than we can think or ask. We lived there two years.4.Our son passed away nine years ago. We were shocked and devastated: He had the possibility of a terminal illness. We knew that when we adopted him at three days old.
At the time of his death, he was showing signs of this illness beginning to assault him, though he never knew he had it. We never told him.
We believed our son should live to live and pursue life and God. He did. We did not want him living a life where he was waiting to see if he was going to die or seeking what was wrong with himself, instead of what was right. We wanted him seeking all that God had for him to do and what was wonderful about his life. He was a creative, kind, joyful young man.
Shortly after Scott turned 19 we found the need to run a huge battery of tests on him for he was six foot six and weighed only 136 pounds. Shortly after the tests were run, he took his life in fear of what was to come.
God says "Those who fear do not yet know how loved they are." My son is with the Lord. If not, we are saved by works, not grace. Scott loved the Lord with all His heart, but God spared Him from the suffering that was to come. Isaiah 57:1 says, "What man does not yet understand is that I take those who are righteous before me, early, to spare them from suffering."
He allowed Scott's fears and confusion to take his life. Scott would have suffered for years before passing away. Instead God spared him from suffering at the young age of 19. God is so kind in all that He does for His children.
5. After the death of our son we wanted to move away from our beautiful farm and Mirror Lake. It was time to go forward. The little place of healing and hope held too many wonderful and painful memories to stay.
My little family gathered and we prayed together one night.
"Lord, what do you want us to do?
Do we spend the money we have in savings now?
Do we save it and work as missionaries?
Do we buy a home?
Do we invest the money?
If so Lord we believe you will provide a home that costs less than what we have saved." (a meager amount that should have only purchased a small 'you fix it up house somewhere').
He gave me these thoughts, "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He MAKES me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the quiet waters. He restores my soul. Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. I will set a table before you in the presence of your enemies." "If you are attacked, it is not my doing."
We left it to the Lord to reveal His will.
Next day a realtor we had worked with us as we considered our options, called to say that, "Last night I felt like driving around in the country to see if there was anything new, not in the listing books yet. As I drove by they put out the sign." We went that day and put a bid on it.
It was abundantly more than we could think or ask again.
It was not a run down you fix it up mess either.
It was a beautiful 10 acre farm with a barn, a small, beautiful home and very nice outbuildings, costing less money than we had in savings. We even had $10,000 left after we paid cash and praised the Lord.
He has used this place beautifully for a ministry to families and to heal hurting and our broken hearts over the past 9 years
.
Our House The beautiful old Barn The Chicken house
*The Woodshed picture above was taken right after the ice storm last winter that left us with no power for a week. This was taken early early in the morning, right after my husband went out to check on the animals inside.
Our driveway.
God is so faithful to hide us under his wings and to quiet the storms of life, if only we learn to listen we will find the beauty of His will and great is His love for His children.
6. When my husband changed jobs for a promotion a couple of years ago, two weeks later his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer (half way across the country). Being the only child of an only child, required all of my husband efforts - costing him his new job and the reality that we once again were unemployed (for 8 months this time).
He gave us precious Christian friends who watched over us. Even though we fed two needy families in this time, our pantry remained overflowing. We can't out-give God.
"In this world you will have tribulations. But do not fear. I have overcome the world. I will never leave you or forsake you."
During his Father's last 6 months my husband didn't have job. But, he did have what was more important.
Time with his Dad.
Only God could have made my husband have and take that much time.
By God's grace and promises "You and all your household will be saved." His father, Bill was saved two weeks before he passed away.
What did we do during this trying time?
We watched as the Lord taught us to trust Him more and more.
Was it easy?
No.
But the Lord Comforts us with the comforts we will comfort others with.
Iron sharpens Iron.
That is why I wanted to share with you some of God's recent wonders in our lives, though there is much much more.
*We have an amazing heavenly Father who cares about even the littlest details of our character and lives.
He gave me this life verse.
It is beautiful to me.
May it bless you too.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding
Acknowledge Him in all your ways
And He will direct your steps."
May we never forget,
Philippians 4:13
"I can do everything through God who strengthens me."
Beautiful Poem from a Friend
The Testing Of Our FaithThere is only one way for faith to be testedand that way is through conflict or strife.For faith isn't "real" until you have to cling to itthrough the storms of this earthly life.
And faith can't be strengthened any other wayexcept to trust Him against all the odds.For faith will require you tune out the world's voicesso you can listen to the voice of your God.
Faith can also be tested in very personal wayswith God drawing a line like a fence.And it's there you make a choice to believe what He saysand not your own kind of frail, common sense.
Because it's not on the mountain tops of worldly successesthat faith is seen for its beauty and fire,But it's down in the valley, where we climb and we laborwhile looking upward with faith and desire.And when faith is tested through the passage of timeand through the hardest, most difficult lessons,
It changes and grows till it's purified & perfectedand more valued than all your possessions.That faith makes you stronger and able to see God betterbecause your confidence is no longer on you.
But rather on the authority of the Lord Jesus Christand His power to be faithful and true.
© Sheila Gosney
Sheila Gosney sends out her poems FREE via her own e-mail ministry.
If someone forwarded this to you, and you would like to subscribe
simply send a request to her at poetrysubscriptions@hotmail.com
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Pictures from Trout fishing at Backbone State Park near Strawberry Point, Iowa
SUN SETTING AT BACKBONE
Backbone State Park and surrounding area pic's
JOYUnder the old bridge at another beautiful, nearby park.
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