Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
You are the Potter....
...I am the clay.
This week has been a week of relaxation. With only a VBS at night, I have had the opportunity to have each morning free. While the sleeping in and lazy moments have been nice, I have most enjoyed the time I have had for my Bible study...I am soo amazed at how crucial this has become to my life..i mean I knew before that my quite time was important for my walk with Christ , when living in a pursuit of holiness...but this week and last it has soo stood out to me. In this time, my prayer life has deepened tremendously and God is showing me amazing things in the book of Jeremiah. I am so embarrassed I took this time for granted before...I mean I get to spend time with my Best Friend of all!! And through this time He is constantly refining my life...It is like gold....Gold does not come out of the earth in the pure shiny form we often see. Instead it comes out ugly and dirty. Over time the metal worker puts the gold to a fire, constantly shaping and melting away all the impurities. This is what my life is like in Christ. Each day, every trial, or storm is an opportunity for Him to reshape and refine the impurities in my life.
A few days ago, I neglected my time with Him. I put my own self first and when I did this I hurt a friend of mine. Rest assured after much prayer and talking we are now even closer than before...But God could have brought us closer in a way that would have been less painful if I had just started my day sold out to Him.
One of my favorite phrases is "Soli Deo Gloria" It basically says for the glory of God alone. That is how I truly want to live each day...I often fail. I have to strive hard each day to throw myself away and push myself completely aside..but is sooo worth it when it is for His glory!!!
Again this week God has worked in marvelous ways. I had a wonderful opportunity to teach a class of seven 7-10 year old. And out of those seven, I had the opportunity to lead four of them to Christ! God is so good!! My favorite part is when one of my students, Tamara, remembered that since we are both Christians now we will get to see each other in Heaven! PTL!!!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Au revoir,
Katie
Check this out..one of my new favs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAqUIOak8g4&feature=related
This week has been a week of relaxation. With only a VBS at night, I have had the opportunity to have each morning free. While the sleeping in and lazy moments have been nice, I have most enjoyed the time I have had for my Bible study...I am soo amazed at how crucial this has become to my life..i mean I knew before that my quite time was important for my walk with Christ , when living in a pursuit of holiness...but this week and last it has soo stood out to me. In this time, my prayer life has deepened tremendously and God is showing me amazing things in the book of Jeremiah. I am so embarrassed I took this time for granted before...I mean I get to spend time with my Best Friend of all!! And through this time He is constantly refining my life...It is like gold....Gold does not come out of the earth in the pure shiny form we often see. Instead it comes out ugly and dirty. Over time the metal worker puts the gold to a fire, constantly shaping and melting away all the impurities. This is what my life is like in Christ. Each day, every trial, or storm is an opportunity for Him to reshape and refine the impurities in my life.
A few days ago, I neglected my time with Him. I put my own self first and when I did this I hurt a friend of mine. Rest assured after much prayer and talking we are now even closer than before...But God could have brought us closer in a way that would have been less painful if I had just started my day sold out to Him.
One of my favorite phrases is "Soli Deo Gloria" It basically says for the glory of God alone. That is how I truly want to live each day...I often fail. I have to strive hard each day to throw myself away and push myself completely aside..but is sooo worth it when it is for His glory!!!
Again this week God has worked in marvelous ways. I had a wonderful opportunity to teach a class of seven 7-10 year old. And out of those seven, I had the opportunity to lead four of them to Christ! God is so good!! My favorite part is when one of my students, Tamara, remembered that since we are both Christians now we will get to see each other in Heaven! PTL!!!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Au revoir,
Katie
Check this out..one of my new favs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAqUIOak8g4&feature=related
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Long time no write.....
...It has been a long time since I have posted anything. But it is a- okay because in the last few weeks God has been working in my life in immense ways. Each day has been a brand-new opportunity to live for Him and for that I am so grateful.
The last time I posted, my team and I were doing VBS in a daycare. Since then we have worked with seven other churches and each one has touched my life in a different way.
The third week we were in a Seminole Indian church, working on the reservation. Here we had about 30 - 40 kids come each night. Very quickly these children grew near and dear to our hearts. We went first went to the church we encountered some difficult moments, but much prayer and communication helped to resolve the situations. We saw Christ working in the lives of each of these kids.
At the end of the week we did a weekend retreat with a Haitian camp of about 30 kids. It was a time filled with worship, building relationships, and we saw three children give their hearts and lives to Christ! We even got a little crazy and did some tie-dying and made s'mores over a gas stove!
Week four was our first busy, busy week. That week we were helping with vbs in two churches. One at a Haitian church in the morning, and a Caribbean church in the evenings. Very quickly we learned what it meant to be flexible and how to entertain 19 kindergartners for three hours. In each church we met kids who soaked up the words we taught and who absorbed everything that was said. At same time, we also struggled with issues in our own team. We were at a point that the honeymoon was over. But through much prayer and talking we resolved everything and were able to put ourselves aside. And our awesome God was able to use us in mighty ways. At the morning church we saw six children come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. At our evening church we saw six others give their hearts to Christ. The evening church had a great effect on me. I taught a class of about eleven 9-11 year old. I have never met such deep children in my life. These kids wanted to know everything about Christ that I knew. Our bible story time could easily have gone for two hours each day. These kids were such sponges, desiring to know more about Him and to be more like Him.
Week five brought us yet another two-a-day week. But this time our team increased by two! The vbs team in West Palm did not have a church to work with, so they came to join us in Ft. L.
We greatly enjoyed our time with Sarah and Kelly and all that they shared with us. They learned from us and we in turn learned from them.
Our morning church was a Hispanic church that we met in a park and did Route 254 with. Each day we only had about 9 children, but they were great. On the third day, Kelly was sharing the gospel with the older kids ( ages 8-12), and two of the boys would barely let her finish. They wanted to make Jesus the boss of their lives right away! There was no waiting for them. Before the end of the week, we had the privilege of seeing three new Christians begin their walk with Christ.
At our evening church, we were blessed to work with a large group of helpers and teachers. At this church, we really got an opportunity to just sit back and help rather than just be teachers. It gave some us more of an opportunity to get closer to these sweet kids. When we left the church we had so blessed to see seven kids give their hearts and lives to Christ!
Week six brought to a Haitian church. At this moment this church has become very near and dear to the hearts of our team. We were so blessed to have classes full of children that were well behaved and eager to listen to what we had to share. Emily and I had a combined class for bible study. Each day we took turns teaching and sharing the bible lessons. And each day we were astonished by the brightness in our kids. They were so eager to learn more about Christ and were like sponges soaking up what we had to share. I am certain they had enough questions to last us three weeks. Leah had a blast working with the little ones aka. kindergarten. And James worked with youth, and through his humble attitude and spirit, the Lord used him to bring two kids to a relationship with Christ.
This week we are a new church and I am eager to see what God is going to do!!
Did you know that you were created by God? And that He says you are His greatest creation? Well we are! God says we are His greatest creation and He cares about us and He has a plan for each of us! I just wanted to share that. I share that many weeks with the kids at VBS, but I was thinking about it during my quiet time this morning. How awesome is the God we serve! He created in His own image and called us His greatest creation, yet we chose to disobey Him and sin entered the world. If I had been where God was, I would of left us then. But thankfully I am not God. God in His sovereignty and love still loved us. In fact He desired a right relationship with us. But because of sin, we were separated from Him. So He sent His Son, His only Son, to die in our place...or as I tell the kids, Jesus took our punishment on the cross. This was a part of God's plan for us. His plan is for us to have a relationship with Him and to live Him forever.
Each day I am reminded anew that without Christ I am nothing. Absolutely nothing. But with Christ I have a relationship with a Heavenly Father who cares for me, and loves me, and has a plan for my life! What more can I need!
This song has been a team song for the past few weeks and I just want to share it:
Something Beautiful by Needtobreathe:
In your ocean, I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin' on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful
And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side.
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful
In a daydream, I couldn't live like this.
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful.
When I wake up, I know I will have
No, I still won't have what I need.
Something Beautiful
Hey now this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something
The last time I posted, my team and I were doing VBS in a daycare. Since then we have worked with seven other churches and each one has touched my life in a different way.
The third week we were in a Seminole Indian church, working on the reservation. Here we had about 30 - 40 kids come each night. Very quickly these children grew near and dear to our hearts. We went first went to the church we encountered some difficult moments, but much prayer and communication helped to resolve the situations. We saw Christ working in the lives of each of these kids.
At the end of the week we did a weekend retreat with a Haitian camp of about 30 kids. It was a time filled with worship, building relationships, and we saw three children give their hearts and lives to Christ! We even got a little crazy and did some tie-dying and made s'mores over a gas stove!
Week four was our first busy, busy week. That week we were helping with vbs in two churches. One at a Haitian church in the morning, and a Caribbean church in the evenings. Very quickly we learned what it meant to be flexible and how to entertain 19 kindergartners for three hours. In each church we met kids who soaked up the words we taught and who absorbed everything that was said. At same time, we also struggled with issues in our own team. We were at a point that the honeymoon was over. But through much prayer and talking we resolved everything and were able to put ourselves aside. And our awesome God was able to use us in mighty ways. At the morning church we saw six children come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. At our evening church we saw six others give their hearts to Christ. The evening church had a great effect on me. I taught a class of about eleven 9-11 year old. I have never met such deep children in my life. These kids wanted to know everything about Christ that I knew. Our bible story time could easily have gone for two hours each day. These kids were such sponges, desiring to know more about Him and to be more like Him.
Week five brought us yet another two-a-day week. But this time our team increased by two! The vbs team in West Palm did not have a church to work with, so they came to join us in Ft. L.
We greatly enjoyed our time with Sarah and Kelly and all that they shared with us. They learned from us and we in turn learned from them.
Our morning church was a Hispanic church that we met in a park and did Route 254 with. Each day we only had about 9 children, but they were great. On the third day, Kelly was sharing the gospel with the older kids ( ages 8-12), and two of the boys would barely let her finish. They wanted to make Jesus the boss of their lives right away! There was no waiting for them. Before the end of the week, we had the privilege of seeing three new Christians begin their walk with Christ.
At our evening church, we were blessed to work with a large group of helpers and teachers. At this church, we really got an opportunity to just sit back and help rather than just be teachers. It gave some us more of an opportunity to get closer to these sweet kids. When we left the church we had so blessed to see seven kids give their hearts and lives to Christ!
Week six brought to a Haitian church. At this moment this church has become very near and dear to the hearts of our team. We were so blessed to have classes full of children that were well behaved and eager to listen to what we had to share. Emily and I had a combined class for bible study. Each day we took turns teaching and sharing the bible lessons. And each day we were astonished by the brightness in our kids. They were so eager to learn more about Christ and were like sponges soaking up what we had to share. I am certain they had enough questions to last us three weeks. Leah had a blast working with the little ones aka. kindergarten. And James worked with youth, and through his humble attitude and spirit, the Lord used him to bring two kids to a relationship with Christ.
This week we are a new church and I am eager to see what God is going to do!!
Did you know that you were created by God? And that He says you are His greatest creation? Well we are! God says we are His greatest creation and He cares about us and He has a plan for each of us! I just wanted to share that. I share that many weeks with the kids at VBS, but I was thinking about it during my quiet time this morning. How awesome is the God we serve! He created in His own image and called us His greatest creation, yet we chose to disobey Him and sin entered the world. If I had been where God was, I would of left us then. But thankfully I am not God. God in His sovereignty and love still loved us. In fact He desired a right relationship with us. But because of sin, we were separated from Him. So He sent His Son, His only Son, to die in our place...or as I tell the kids, Jesus took our punishment on the cross. This was a part of God's plan for us. His plan is for us to have a relationship with Him and to live Him forever.
Each day I am reminded anew that without Christ I am nothing. Absolutely nothing. But with Christ I have a relationship with a Heavenly Father who cares for me, and loves me, and has a plan for my life! What more can I need!
This song has been a team song for the past few weeks and I just want to share it:
Something Beautiful by Needtobreathe:
In your ocean, I'm ankle deep
I feel the waves crashin' on my feet
It's like I know where I need to be
But I can't figure out, yeah I can't figure out
Just how much air I will need to breathe
When your tide rushes over me
There's only one way to figure out
Will you let me drown, will you let me drown?
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful
And the water is rising quick
And for years I was scared of it
We can't be sure when it will subside
So I won't leave your side, no I can't leave your side.
Hey now, this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something beautiful
To touch me, I know that I'm in reach
'Cause I am down on my knees.
I'm waiting for something beautiful
Oh, something beautiful
In a daydream, I couldn't live like this.
I wouldn't stop until I found something beautiful.
When I wake up, I know I will have
No, I still won't have what I need.
Something Beautiful
Hey now this is my desire
Consume me like a fire, 'cause I just want something
Monday, June 7, 2010
Did you know that 3 "weathermen" traveled to see the Baby Jesus?...
...haha...neither did I. But that is what I learned in VBS last week. My team was blessed with the amazing opportunity to have backyard Bible club of sorts this past week.
We started the week out with a small group in a neighborhood....now let me provide a little information about this day. My team arrived to our BYBC site to discover that it was quite bit unsafe for kids. In a time of what should of been panic mode ,because we had a facility that was proving to be faulty, the team pulled together and we worked hard to figure out the best solution. We knew that God had called us to serve here this summer and that He would be in every circumstance and situation. And He totally was! We were sooo blessed to have 5 sweet boys and their grandmas come and be a part of the BYBC and we were able to share Christ with them.
One sketchy situation turned around for God's glory!!
After that, we were given an opportunity to teach the same curriculum in a small daycare run by a sweet lady. Thursday and Friday, we were able to spend time with 17 sweet children , sharing Christ and just loving all over them!
We were also able to help in the Forum's daycare graduation ( the daycare is on the bottom floor of the hotel we are currently living in).
Week one has been completed and already God has been using us and blessing us in numerous ways.
This week we have the opportunity to meet and greet with pastors and churches that we will be working with this summer. Way exciting!
Prayer requests for today:
- traveling mercies as we visit many different places during traffic and crazy weather.
- the hearts of those we will soon be meeting and sharing Christ with- that they will be receptive to the word of God.
- the churches(pastors, staff, and volunteers) that we will be working with.
- My team as we continue to prepare and learn curriculum to teach. Also for continued unity as we continue to grow even closer so that we can be used to our full extent by God this summer.
- for the families and friends of the four of us...we all have moments of homesickness and we are being missed too:)
Au revoir,
Katie
Ps. Today my team and I visited a church on the Seminole tribe reservation in Hollywood, Fl...this is the very same church that is located in the shadow of the casino where Anna Nicole Smith died...they are also one of or the last Native American tribes that have not been "conquered" by the government...I just found that bit of information a bit amusing ;)
We started the week out with a small group in a neighborhood....now let me provide a little information about this day. My team arrived to our BYBC site to discover that it was quite bit unsafe for kids. In a time of what should of been panic mode ,because we had a facility that was proving to be faulty, the team pulled together and we worked hard to figure out the best solution. We knew that God had called us to serve here this summer and that He would be in every circumstance and situation. And He totally was! We were sooo blessed to have 5 sweet boys and their grandmas come and be a part of the BYBC and we were able to share Christ with them.
One sketchy situation turned around for God's glory!!
After that, we were given an opportunity to teach the same curriculum in a small daycare run by a sweet lady. Thursday and Friday, we were able to spend time with 17 sweet children , sharing Christ and just loving all over them!
We were also able to help in the Forum's daycare graduation ( the daycare is on the bottom floor of the hotel we are currently living in).
Week one has been completed and already God has been using us and blessing us in numerous ways.
This week we have the opportunity to meet and greet with pastors and churches that we will be working with this summer. Way exciting!
Prayer requests for today:
- traveling mercies as we visit many different places during traffic and crazy weather.
- the hearts of those we will soon be meeting and sharing Christ with- that they will be receptive to the word of God.
- the churches(pastors, staff, and volunteers) that we will be working with.
- My team as we continue to prepare and learn curriculum to teach. Also for continued unity as we continue to grow even closer so that we can be used to our full extent by God this summer.
- for the families and friends of the four of us...we all have moments of homesickness and we are being missed too:)
Au revoir,
Katie
Ps. Today my team and I visited a church on the Seminole tribe reservation in Hollywood, Fl...this is the very same church that is located in the shadow of the casino where Anna Nicole Smith died...they are also one of or the last Native American tribes that have not been "conquered" by the government...I just found that bit of information a bit amusing ;)
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Team Jesus requests prayer warriors!!
I've made it! I am currently in Ft. L and have settled into the hotel. The summer is now well underway! Woo Hoo!!
The past few days I have been at orientation with my team and a the rest of the VBS Summer Missionaries. It has been an incredible time. We learned more about ourselves, about each other, and about what to expect for the summer. I am also currently suffering from information overload...there is an incredible balance to the VBS thing that I am often a little unsure if I will be able to do it all...but I will...I will be able to because I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.
As for this week coming up, we will be jumping right into our VBS curriculum. It is rather exciting and interesting all at once. This week we will be traveling on "Route 254" in our Backyard Bible Clubs. I am excited to meet the kids we will be working with and taking them down "Route 254" while we learn more about Jesus.
All in all everything has been amazing so far. The people we meet to help us out or train us are so amazing and generous. We hardly ever have to worry about food, or locations, or gas money because it is often provided for us. And the team is amazing in itself. All four of us-Leah, Emily, James, and I - we are all different and contribute to everything in our own unique way...for example: James is outgoing and works well with people,Emily is also the people person but very easy going and flexible, Leah is the sweet peacemaker who often has wise things to share and the occasional sarcastic comment that is a real zinger;) and well me...you all know what I am like..but I help contribute to the organization of the team.. All together I believe we will make a great team...we will make the right team, and I am so confident in this because we are a team that was created by God. He called us here this summer and He has placed each of us in this team for a reason. And I am super excited to see how God uses each of us! Go Team Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Au revoir!
Katie
The past few days I have been at orientation with my team and a the rest of the VBS Summer Missionaries. It has been an incredible time. We learned more about ourselves, about each other, and about what to expect for the summer. I am also currently suffering from information overload...there is an incredible balance to the VBS thing that I am often a little unsure if I will be able to do it all...but I will...I will be able to because I can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens me.
As for this week coming up, we will be jumping right into our VBS curriculum. It is rather exciting and interesting all at once. This week we will be traveling on "Route 254" in our Backyard Bible Clubs. I am excited to meet the kids we will be working with and taking them down "Route 254" while we learn more about Jesus.
All in all everything has been amazing so far. The people we meet to help us out or train us are so amazing and generous. We hardly ever have to worry about food, or locations, or gas money because it is often provided for us. And the team is amazing in itself. All four of us-Leah, Emily, James, and I - we are all different and contribute to everything in our own unique way...for example: James is outgoing and works well with people,Emily is also the people person but very easy going and flexible, Leah is the sweet peacemaker who often has wise things to share and the occasional sarcastic comment that is a real zinger;) and well me...you all know what I am like..but I help contribute to the organization of the team.. All together I believe we will make a great team...we will make the right team, and I am so confident in this because we are a team that was created by God. He called us here this summer and He has placed each of us in this team for a reason. And I am super excited to see how God uses each of us! Go Team Jesus.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Au revoir!
Katie
Thursday, May 27, 2010
D-Day!
Well technically...it is not really D-day because I am not conquering any beaches in WWII buy ya know...
Its finally arrived! Today is the day that I leave to begin my summer adventure! It is a bit nerve-wracking because I have absolutely no idea what to expect. The good news is I will be learning new things, new experiences and meeting tons of new people!
As exciting as it is, I feel totally unprepared for the summer...it is always that way isn't it...you have big plans set up and then when the day arrives you want to turn the clock back two months to have more time to prepare. But just when I start to stress, I am reminded who is in control of my life. God has called me to serve Him in this place this summer and so ultimately he will prepare me...in fact He has already gone before me preparing the way and guiding me. This summer will be an awesome opportunity to love on children and their families and share the love of Christ with them. It will be a summer of dying to myself so that Christ and only Christ is glorified.
To my friends and fellow prayer warriors, I ask that you will pray for my team and I. Pray that we will trust in God in each situation we face. Pray that we will not kill each other ;) and that we will all get along and form deep friendships. Pray that we will do nothing for our own gain, only for his glory. And finally I ask that you pray for us to be like window panes....Clear of our own selves and selfish desires so that Christ can shine through us in every thing we do.
Au revoir!
Its finally arrived! Today is the day that I leave to begin my summer adventure! It is a bit nerve-wracking because I have absolutely no idea what to expect. The good news is I will be learning new things, new experiences and meeting tons of new people!
As exciting as it is, I feel totally unprepared for the summer...it is always that way isn't it...you have big plans set up and then when the day arrives you want to turn the clock back two months to have more time to prepare. But just when I start to stress, I am reminded who is in control of my life. God has called me to serve Him in this place this summer and so ultimately he will prepare me...in fact He has already gone before me preparing the way and guiding me. This summer will be an awesome opportunity to love on children and their families and share the love of Christ with them. It will be a summer of dying to myself so that Christ and only Christ is glorified.
To my friends and fellow prayer warriors, I ask that you will pray for my team and I. Pray that we will trust in God in each situation we face. Pray that we will not kill each other ;) and that we will all get along and form deep friendships. Pray that we will do nothing for our own gain, only for his glory. And finally I ask that you pray for us to be like window panes....Clear of our own selves and selfish desires so that Christ can shine through us in every thing we do.
Au revoir!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Summer Time =...
...Adventure Time!
Summer is finally here! Woohoo! No more projects, tests, homework, or dorm life! Its is finished forever...well...at least until August..so technically not forever.
In two rather short days I will be saying goodbye to my loving family and heading towards good ole K, Fl. Upon arrival there I will commence in orientation activities that will prepare me for the rest of the summer..in the great city of Ft. L. I will be part of a four member team that will be doing VBS activities in various churches for about 8 weeks!. I am super pumped..and a bit anxious because I have no idea what to expect...and as I am a supremely structured person it is difficult not knowing the future. But, this is where it is so great to serve such an awesome God. In my nervousness and anxiety about the future, I am reminded that God is in control and He has called me here this summer, and will be faithful to take care of me
So now it is crunch time...got to pack, get the car in for a "check-up", organize my life, blah , blah, etc. Life will soon be full of traveling, new faces, new relationships, and lots of summer time activities! I am way excited...so if you want to know what is going on in my crazy world then keep on reading in weeks to come :)
Au revoir !
Summer is finally here! Woohoo! No more projects, tests, homework, or dorm life! Its is finished forever...well...at least until August..so technically not forever.
In two rather short days I will be saying goodbye to my loving family and heading towards good ole K, Fl. Upon arrival there I will commence in orientation activities that will prepare me for the rest of the summer..in the great city of Ft. L. I will be part of a four member team that will be doing VBS activities in various churches for about 8 weeks!. I am super pumped..and a bit anxious because I have no idea what to expect...and as I am a supremely structured person it is difficult not knowing the future. But, this is where it is so great to serve such an awesome God. In my nervousness and anxiety about the future, I am reminded that God is in control and He has called me here this summer, and will be faithful to take care of me
So now it is crunch time...got to pack, get the car in for a "check-up", organize my life, blah , blah, etc. Life will soon be full of traveling, new faces, new relationships, and lots of summer time activities! I am way excited...so if you want to know what is going on in my crazy world then keep on reading in weeks to come :)
Au revoir !
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