Category Archives: Faith

Becoming the “Leading Lady”

Let me first start by saying, this will not be a short blog. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a few .
I also want to say that we sometimes get in a box and limit what God can use to speak to our hearts and change our lives. I am going to share with you today; my life’s journey and how three movies have impacted me so! There are things and lifestyle choices I don’t condone in these movies. However there are lifestyle choices and things I don’t condone in my own life story.

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The first movie that I will mention is The Holiday. This is where I got the title for my blog today. This movie is about two ladies journeys in overcoming their fears, suppressed hurts, and disastrous relationships.

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Then we have Eat Love Pray. This movie is about another lady who finds herself waking up one day; married but lonely and no clue who she is. She goes through a divorce and sets out on a journey to find herself and God. A journey we have all been on

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The final movie is Under the Tuscan Sun. The leading lady of this story finds out she has been betrayed by the one person she trust the most; her husband. After going through a painful divorce she sets out on a journey she never knew she needed. She is given a trip to Italy so she can deal with her divorce and emotions. It is this trip that turns into her journey of finding who she truly is.

I will be quoting from these movies throughout this blog.
I have always had this person inside that wanted more in life. I admired strong women. I would fall in love with movies like these above. I would see the “me I was” in them and the “me I wanted to be”.
Growing up, all the way to recent years I would find my identity in; who I was friends with and who I was in love with.

Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You I can tell are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend. ~Author

In the old romantic movies, a leading lady is confident in who she is. She stands and shines. The best friend in the movies is always behind the scenes. She is taken for granted and used as a backup plan. Always trying to be what everyone else needs and wants them to be.

As I was listening to the quote above I saw myself as Iris as she responded to Author.

You’re right. You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for God’s sake~Iris

Now the way she uses for a “God’s Sake” and the way I mean it are different. She said it as a saying. I say FOR GODS SAKE -FOR GODS GLORY WE ARE TO KNOW WHO WE ARE! Be the leading lady of your own life.
I married at a very young age and had babies quickly after. I am so very grateful for my babies. I look back over my life in the area of boys, men, romance and love. I see where my way of thinking was wrong. These thoughts caused a lot of choices that led to hurt, fears, disappointments and regrets. Instead of asking God who Cassie was, what her dreams were and what her purpose was, I found it in others.

I jumped from one marriage into another. I found myself in the most dysfunctional relationship I could imagine. I continued to go back with this man because I believed the best was possible. I saw potential. I had fears of being alone. AND I was addicted to this dysfunction and drama. We divorced and remarried 3 times. Who does this? That’s what I would ask myself as I layered on years of guilt and shame.
“Who does this?” A person who is not being all they are called to be. A person; who doesn’t know who they are in Christ.

God dwells in me, as me~Elizabeth Gilbert/Eat Love Pray

 

Now wait before you throw stones at that quote!! God says in His word that we are ONE.

John 14:20 at that time when that day comes you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.
John 17:21 That they all may be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.
1 Corinthians 6:17 But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him.
“I have a history of making decisions very quickly about men. I have always fallen in love fast and without measuring risks. I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

I’ve been in love with being in love. Hoping I would find that strong woman I was so searching for; through being a wife and a mom. When reality is the only way to be a good wife and mom is to be a strong woman in Him first and foremost.

A man cannot tell me who I am, they can only mirror who I am.
“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. ~Eat Pray Love
I have jumped from relationship to relationship or to dreaming about the next one in my life. I’ve thought if I find that “one” all will fall into place. I’ll become strong and have a backbone and be that woman I admired in others. I wouldn’t have had a backbone I would have had my husbands “backbone” I would have been as weak or strong as he was. Relying on; his faith and identity.

My children lived with me for the first few years after their father and I divorced. Then life become more and more complicated, as they each decided to go live with their dad. Children need both parents. So reality is this was not a bad thing. If I would have had my security in God and not as a mom this would not have rattled my world. This time in my life added to a sense of being a failure and a lot of shame.
I have been on a journey of truth and forgiveness for several years now. I believe I have arrived at finding truth in God and forgiving myself. It has been through many tears but worth it to know now I’m on the other side of that.

“Someday you’re gonna look back on this moment of your life as such a sweet time of grieving. You’ll see that you were in mourning and your heart was broken, but your life was changing…” ― Elizabeth Gilbert

Romans 8:1 with the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

In this journey I allowed the fear of living and being alone to control my life. I would step out to try to be a “leading lady” only to fall back on securities of others. In 2011 I moved out of my apartment and into a friend’s home to “help” them with a ranch and to “find myself”. My plans fell apart when this was the choice I made that caused my daughter to move to her dads to be with him and her brother.

From this time in my life till present; I have not lived alone. I have wished, dreamed and even planned to make that step. However the fear I had was stronger than the faith I had. This is all okay though. You know why? He is a God who meets is where we are. I’ve experienced things, traveled to places, and met people I never would have without this part of my journey.

Hebrews 4:14 Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

I have had people speak into my life and try to tell me that they see me stronger than I see myself. That has taken me a long time to see. Sometimes we get confused and lost on our journey. But God says He will make the crooked paths straight for us. If you are lost, don’t worry! He knows where you are.

“When you’re lost in those woods, it sometimes takes you a while to realize that you are lost. For the longest time, you can convince yourself that you’ve just wandered off the path, that you’ll find your way back to the trailhead any moment now. Then night falls again and again, and you still have no idea where you are, and it’s time to admit that you have bewildered yourself so far off the path that you don’t even know from which direction the sun rises anymore.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert

It’s in these times that the SON will rise and shine light on your path!

Changing how we think and speak about life and ourselves develops who we become in this life. It determines if we will behave like the “best friend” or the “LEADING LADY”

Groceries, you need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select what clothes you’re gonna wear every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control. Drop everything else but that. Because if you can’t learn to master your thinking, you’re in deep trouble forever.Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love
Proverbs 18:21 Words kill, words give life;they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

Philippians 4:8 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

There comes a time when we have to stop wishing and talking and start doing.

You’re wishin’ too much, baby. You gotta stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone oughtta be.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

So where am I at today? Am I in the best friend mode or leading lady? Well let’s just say I’m well on my way to leading lady!

 

 

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My children and I have amazing relationships. I have recently encountered a friendship with a male who God used to heal a brokeness in me as a parent. He also allowed me to realize through this friendship that HE ALONE is all I need. Anyone else in my life is a bonus. And the big kicker is after 4 years I am now holding the keys to my very own little place to call home.

So like these ladies in these movies my joinery has brought me to truth, love and strength.

I hope that you too will take this journey! Become a leading lady! Besides they make the truest best friends!!

Dream Catcher 3:20
Cassie G

 

Interview with Bart Fortenbery

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BART FORTENBERY

 

I am really excited about this interview with Bart Fortenbery.   I have been reading Bart’s website information, listening to him minister and listening to his jams…Loving what I am reading and hearing.

 

Check out this Video of Bart Ministering on Living to Please God

 

BART FORTENBERY

In 1993 Bart gave his life to Christ. Since then, he knew that God had a special plan for him. Bart has always had a love for music. Once he discovered Christian music, he knew that was where God wanted him to be. Bart’s mission, is to help the lost get saved but also help the saved stay encouraged in their walk. With the message in his songs and his testimony of money struggles, going through a divorce, losing a home, yet never giving up; most people can relate to his life. Bart says, We often try so hard to do what is right and yet, Satan keeps trying to wear us down. Personally I have wanted to give up many times. Through the love and encouragement of others I have continued to follow Gods will. That is the same thing I want to send to others.
In Roman’s 13:10 ;Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements;, and Ephesians 5:1-2 ;Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, And walk in Love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God;. Bart says that we need to show more love and understanding towards each other and to be that reflection of Jesus Christ, so that others will want what we have , as Christians.

Bart is from the small town in Cherryville, North Carolina. He has 2 kids who is grown, daughter graduated from Sacramento State in California currently going for her masters at Appalachian University in NC  and son who graduated from UNC Asheville and married living in Gastonia NC.

TO READ MORE OF BART’S BIO PLEASE CLICK THE LINK BELOW

http://www.bartfortenberymusic.com/about-me

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What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?
Steven Curtis Chapman and I was introduced to Christian country by listening to Del Way
What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on air?
My first song released to radio was “The Power of Prayer” which went to #1 on the Inspirational Country Music Charts in May of 2003, which was written about a little boy who was dignosed with Spinal Bifada. And how The Lord has healed him through prayer. And station I am not sure.
What would you say was the defining moment in your music ministry that you knew that this was what you wanted to do?
It has not been one thing but a list of things that the Lord has placed me in and the learning experience has been overwhelming. Like, started leading praise and worship in a few churches, then started a youth band that went to different places and played, and then was offered the position as Youth Pastor at a church and I am still doing that and loving it, and was asked to fill in as a pastor and turning out to be a 4 month long event bringing the message every Sunday and leading praise and worship, and then being asked to speak in this church and that. I feel that The Lord was working in my life to do this, even without having an education to be a pastor. The pastor of the church where I am the Youth Pastor, has guided me and gave me advice along the way. And it helps when he is also a teacher at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Charlotte NC, a school that Billy Graham had a part in starting. And through the response from all the places that I have sung and spoke has reassured me to follow this calling.
What motivates you to keep going when your tired?
Just knowing what God has done in my life and used me in the life of others keeps me going even when the thought of giving up occurs.
Do you have any projects in the making?
I just finished a project, but am working on a Bluegrass project and Contemparary Project, and will be next year before those are complete.
What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?
“He’s working on Making it Better”
Do you write any of your own songs?
I write all my songs,
What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sung?
I would have to say The Power of Prayer since it was my first release and #1
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Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?
I was not on a stage but I was singing in a Nursing home and the nurse had rolled a sweet ole man close to me as I was singing and he started coughing and he could not stop. As I was singing he coughed and his teeth come bouncing across the floor and I motioned for the nurse and never missed a beat singing. But afterwards it was a good laugh.
Can you tell us about Apple Lane Music Group?
I started this a few years ago, trying to learn about the song promotion part of the industry so I could help those starting out. I know how hard it was for me to come up with the money that some ask for, which is fine and they have done a great job for me in the past but it is hard to come up with alot of money. So I am learning as I promote myself. And my son had gone to College at UNC Asheville for Music production and he is helping me getting the studio up and running. I also give music lessons to students and used to have a music store.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT APPLE LANE MUSIC CLICK LINK BELOW
What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?
That one is easy, and it is Galations 5, 22-23. If everyone had love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, this would be such a better place to live!
Thank you Bart for this interview
This has been one of my favorite songs so far.  Recently I have been helping another artist on a project that has made my heart so tender towards our soldiers.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BART FORTENBERY AND PURCHASE HIS MUSIC TODAY

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BART FORTENBERY

Interview with Miss Taylon Hope

Taylon Flowers WWES

TAYLON HOPE

 

This last year I was blessed to attend the 2014 ICM Awards.  As I was walking around all of the booths I saw a beautiful young lady standing behind one of the booths.  I realized she was Miss Taylon Hope.

I had listened to Taylon on HLE Radio and fell in love with her voice.  I had no clue she was only nine years old.  As I stood and listened to Taylon speaking with others around her, I was drawn to her.  Taylon spoke with others with such maturity, both intellectually and spiritually.  My heart was drawn to her for more than one reason.  I saw God in her and I also was reminded of two very special girls I have been blessed to get to know in my life. Taylon reminded me so much of the younger of these two girls all the way down to her beautiful red hair.

Taylon Singing use Cassie

When you listen to someone on the radio you only imagine what they are really like.  As I watched Miss Taylon singing her heart out on the stage, my heart melted even more.  I knew right then I needed her cd.   I also knew two young ladies I couldn’t wait to bless with Taylon’s music.  I was so disappointed that I got so distracted and forgot to stop back by the booth and purchase one.  Well God knew my heart because a few weeks later I was blessed by Taylon and her parents.  They sent not only a cd for me but two autographed photos for the two special girls I mentioned above.  They put smiles on lots of faces with that blessing.

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I am so very grateful to present to you my Interview with Miss Taylon Hope.

 

TAYLON HOPE

Taylon Hope is a nine-year old singer and musician from West Jefferson, NC. Taylon began singing when she was four years old in her church. She currently maintains a busy schedule throughout the year of performing at churches, festivals, fairs, and other venues. She released her debut CD, recorded in Nashville, TN, “What This World Needs”, produced by Tommy Brandt, in September of 2014 . She is part of Beyond The Music Promotions, owned by Tommy and his wife, Michelle. Taylon plays guitar and is also learning to play piano and mandolin. She was nominated last year for Youth In Music Award for the 2014 ICM Awards and nominations for Youth Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2014 AMG Awards.

Taylon loves to travel, playing tennis, spending time with her friends, and spending time on her grandparent’s farm. Her favorite place to visit is Nashville, TN and one of her many goals for herself is to one day sing at the Opry. She loves animals and has a pony, a dog, and a cat. Taylon feels blessed to be able to share her love for music and she has a strong desire to continue traveling and sharing God’s word through her music.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Question #1. At what age did you start singing Country and Inspirational Country Music?

Since I was small my parents have always told me they could tell I had a strong love for music. I began singing in my church at the age of 4 years old. In 2013, at the age of 8, I began singing Christian/Country music after listening and talking with my friend and mentor Tommy Brandt.

Question #2.What artist would you say has influenced your music the most?

The artist that influenced me the most would be Carrie Underwood. Her voice is amazing. I have had the opportunity to see her perform twice at the Opry. I love her latest song “Something In The Water” and how she is a Christian.

I also appreciate many other artists and musicians and their talents such as Hunter Hayes, Rhonda Vincent, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline. Christian Country/Gospel artists: Tommy Brandt, Mary James, Adam Crabb, and Kari Jobe.

Question #3. What was your first song to hit the air waves? And which station started your adventure on the radio?

My first song to hit radio was my current new single “What This World Needs” and the first radio to play my new single was HLE Radio out of Jennings, Louisiana.

Question #4. Do you have any new projects in the making?

I just released my current CD recorded in Nashville, TN in September of 2014. Currently, I have lots of goals for myself and my music. I am currently booking new dates and events for 2015 and I am working on writing a new song.

Question #5. What’s your current single on the air waves that we might hear?

My current single is “What This World Needs” I plan to release another single from my new CD this year.

 

Question #6. Does anyone else in your family sing or write music?

My Mom grew up singing with my Grandmother. My Mom and I do sing together and practice together a lot at my church. My Dad plays some guitar with me as well.

Question #7. What is your personal favorite out of all the songs you have recorded or sing?

I would say my favorite song from my new CD is the song “She Prayed Anyway” I wrote this song and Tommy Brandt helped me with it. I wrote the song about a young girl my age in third grade. The songs tells about how others questioned the young girl for praying during the moment of silence at school. She decided that no matter what she would always put God first in her life and she prayed anyway.

Question #8. What do your friends think about you singing and traveling?

My friends think that my singing and traveling is cool and they ask me to sing for them. They like to hear me play guitar. My friends like to hear a lot about Nashville. I have had the opportunity to sing at many local events in my hometown and I got to sing the National Anthem at my school this year and for the high school football and basketball games.

Questions #9. Are you part of a record label or independent?

I am currently independent. I am a part of Beyond The Music Promotions owned by Tommy and Michelle Brandt. I love them and all of the artists that work with BTM promotions. It is so much fun to travel and sing with all of them.

Taylon Cassie #4

Question #10.  Who do you travel with on the road?

I travel with Dad and Mom.

Question #11.  Can you share one of your funniest memories of Singing on stage or while recording?

One time my Dad was starting my music and he started the wrong song and I told the crowd he was a “work in progress” and everyone laughed. Also, while recording I have a really country voice and I laughed because I didn’t realize how country I was until I started recording. However, I love being country and that is who I am.

Question #12. What is your favorite scripture and what does it mean to you?

My favorite scripture is John 3:16 and it means that God loved us so much that he gave up his only son for all of us. We serve an amazing God.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TAYLON FOR SHARING YOUR HEART AND MUSIC WITH US.

 

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MISS TAYLON HOPE BE SURE TO CLICK ON HER WEBSITE BELOW

Taylon Cassie #7

CLICK HERE TO GO TO http://taylonhopemusic.com/

Taylon can be reached for bookings or information at:
*[email protected]
*Phone contact 336-846-9589

Follow Taylon on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/TaylonHopeMillerMusic?fref=ts

 

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie Gilman

Kickn it Java Style with Cassie 2/13/15

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Kickn It Java Style with Cassie

 

JESUS JAMS WITH CAROL

We had a great time last night in De Leon Texas.  Carol got to sing her Jesus Jams at the Two or More Coffee House.  This Coffee house has become my new favorite place.  There is such a wonderful atmosphere there.  I felt at home there.  They have wonderful food and I had the best cup of coffee I have ever had.  I had the Reeses…mmmmmm

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CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW THEM ON FACEBOOK

 Carol was backed up by Rendall Caviness.  Rendall can be found on Facebook under Harping4U!

https://www.facebook.com/Harping4U?fref=ts

He can rock that harp!

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I am working on perfecting live recordings.  Carol AKA Mommajo is letting me perfect these with her.  PTL…So I have included mp3 files of her Jesus Jam session.

PART 1 JESUS JAMS WITH CAROL

PART 2 JESUS JAMS WITH CAROL

 

I hope you enjoyed the live recording of Kickn it Java Style with Cassie!

For more information about Carol’s music be sure to go to her website below.

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CLICK HERE TO ENTER CAROLHOGNER.COM

Dream Catcher 3:20

Cassie Gilman

Happily Ever After?

How many of you are waiting on Mr. Right or Mrs. Right to live Happily Ever After?

I know that for girls we begin this dream when we get our first doll, doll house and kitchen sets. We play dress up and plan our weddings. We dream of that day we are just like those fairy tales we watch on the Disney Movies.

We grow into a teenage girl who dreams of her first kiss. We begin to watch more adult movies and read books that tell of romance and adult fairy tales.

We grow into adults who read romance novels and become addicted to Hallmark Movies and Wedding Reality shows.

We have this idea that when we have what we have dreamed about all these years we will truly be “Living Happily Ever After”

In my past I found that trying to grab onto this dream I lost a lot of who God called me to be. I waited on dreams that He put into me. I thought with out that “Happily Ever After” I couldn’t have any of the rest of it.

Has anyone watched the Lifetime movies or Roseane or even Reba? Life brings heartache, loss and real life situations to deal with. Let’s say you achieve Happily Ever After and you wake up one day and your spouce is gone. Out the door went your happy and all your dreams, if your happy was all in that one dream.

We are fed we are not complete with out that Happily Ever After in our lives.
When reality is if we are not complete in Him first we can never have that. Not as a single or married person.

Colossians 2:10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

We have got to be filled with His joy in our lives. If we don’t have His joy then when things don’t go as planned we lose that false sense of joy. What happens when you wake up one day at 40 and you have had two failed marriages? You find yourself with an empty nest? You had best know what true Happily Ever After is!

God is your Happily Ever After!

Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Do I still believe God has someone hand picked for you and for me? ABSOLUTELY. I believe when we find ourselves so full of Him and engrossed in all He has for us, we will run smack dab into them. The joy and love of God we each have will be so much that it covers all the Roseane moments. The hurts and disappointments that can come our way can be covered with Gods Grace, Love, and Joy.

The only way to be fulfilled and live your life and have Happily Ever After begins in John 3:16

John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Once you accept this LOVE then you are on the road. Next step is to believe that God has great plans for you. To not give up on All and Who He has for you.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Then you ask God what dreams He has for YOU! In fulfilling those dreams you will be overflowing with Happy! That’s what you want to have to offer to your Prince Charming or Princess!!

Ephesians 3:20 -21 God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.Glory to God in the church!Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!Glory down all the generations!Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Let God become your Happily Ever After!!!

 

When you are Happy in Him and who you are in Him, the rest of your dreams will be icing on the cake.

Dream Catcher 3:20
Cassie Gilman

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