Well, familia.
This is the last. The last leaf. The last supper. The last melon. The last straw. The last chance. The last...I don`t know what else I can put at the end of last, but there are a lot of lasts in this life.
I can`t believe that I´m creating one now. A last. The last email as a full-time missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The last time I will be writing to you all with a little plaquita en mi pecho and the autoridad given to those called as representatives of Jesus Christ.
The last time I will wish you a "rabbit rabbit" in advance. The last time I will share my testimony through insufficient words. The last time I will enter this email address. The last time I will be in Ecuador on a Monday. The last a lot of stuff. And it`s hard to say goodbye.
Hard to say goodbye to the believing and faith-filled people of Ecuador. Hard to say goodbye to the smells, the dogs, the trash, the trees, the different plants, the cement houses. Hard to say goodbye to the missionaries, to my mission president, to the people who have helped me along this year and a half adventure. Hard to let go of the autoridad I have been given. Hard to not be able to teach with the same poder as antes. Hard to not be as close to my Savior Jesuscrist as His representative.
I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know He is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that this is His church. He personalmente la dirige. It will be a new adventure going home, but I will never forget everything that has happened here. I love being a missionary. I love the Gospel. And I love my Father in Heaven.
See you soon. :]
Hermana Ayer
P.S. can we go blueberry picking when I get home?
South America is a little bit sunnier with Sarah Ayer around! Enjoy Hermana Ayer's fun and uplifting emails home from her time serving as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission [enero 2013 - julio 2014].
Monday, June 30, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
The time is far spent.
FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, the time is far spent, there is little remaining. I can´t believe that in just a week and a half, I will be home. What´s most crazy is that I´ll be there for the 4th of July!! I thought I was going to have 2 of those here in Ecuador, but I guess not. This mission doesn´t tell us much, so the 8th was just a guess on my part, but revelation from Presidente Torres says the 3rd. So I´ll see you then. :)
Mom and Dad, happy 27th anniversary this week! I hope it´s a great day! It´s so golden because it´s 27 years on the 27th. (Just like Mills Dog! 2014 is a golden year!)
Ecuador ganó contra Honduras 2-1. We had to be in our house early because of the borrachos.
I have a new compañera! Her name is Hermana Schiller from Chile.
I don´t have much else to say (sorry), except that I love you a lot. I have loved being a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that this is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I know that Christ lives and that He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. God is our loving Heavenly Father and has given us so many blessings! Look for those blessings in your life. Count them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. He has given me so many blessings, and the greatest is this time that He has given me to be His representative. I can´t believe He trusts so much in me that He called me to be His representative, as weak and imperfect as I am. I know that we don´t need to be perfect to do this work, but we need to give all we have. DyC 4. I know Christ lives and the Book of Mormon testifies of Him. I know this book is true. Read it, meditate, and pray. God will answer.
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. Love.
Mateo 19:29
3 Nefi 5:13
Well, the time is far spent, there is little remaining. I can´t believe that in just a week and a half, I will be home. What´s most crazy is that I´ll be there for the 4th of July!! I thought I was going to have 2 of those here in Ecuador, but I guess not. This mission doesn´t tell us much, so the 8th was just a guess on my part, but revelation from Presidente Torres says the 3rd. So I´ll see you then. :)
Mom and Dad, happy 27th anniversary this week! I hope it´s a great day! It´s so golden because it´s 27 years on the 27th. (Just like Mills Dog! 2014 is a golden year!)
Ecuador ganó contra Honduras 2-1. We had to be in our house early because of the borrachos.
I have a new compañera! Her name is Hermana Schiller from Chile.
I don´t have much else to say (sorry), except that I love you a lot. I have loved being a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I know that this is the only true church upon the face of the earth. I know that Christ lives and that He is our Savior. He is the Son of God. God is our loving Heavenly Father and has given us so many blessings! Look for those blessings in your life. Count them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done. He has given me so many blessings, and the greatest is this time that He has given me to be His representative. I can´t believe He trusts so much in me that He called me to be His representative, as weak and imperfect as I am. I know that we don´t need to be perfect to do this work, but we need to give all we have. DyC 4. I know Christ lives and the Book of Mormon testifies of Him. I know this book is true. Read it, meditate, and pray. God will answer.
I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. Love.
Mateo 19:29
3 Nefi 5:13
Even maaaas fotos
Fotooooooos
I'm Coming Home!
Just so you´re aware................
I´m coming home on the 3rd, not the 8th.
A week and a half.
Wow.
See you soon!
Hermana Ayer
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission <2011492@ldschurch.org>
Date: Mon, Jun 23, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Subject: RV: Travel Itinerary For AYER/SARAH MORGAN - 03Jul - 4SHHMQ
To: "sarah.ayer@myldsmail.net" <sarah.ayer@myldsmail.net>
Cc: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission President <2011492-PRS@ldschurch.org>, Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission <2011492@ldschurch.org>
From: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission <2011492@ldschurch.org>
Date: Mon, Jun 23, 2014 at 1:26 PM
Subject: RV: Travel Itinerary For AYER/SARAH MORGAN - 03Jul - 4SHHMQ
To: "sarah.ayer@myldsmail.net" <sarah.ayer@myldsmail.net>
Cc: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission President <2011492-PRS@ldschurch.org>, Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission <2011492@ldschurch.org>
Hermana Ayer,
Aquí está su itinerario para enviar a sus papás.
Elder Richards
Secretario del Presidente
Mision Ecuador Guayaquil Sur
Teléfono: 00-593-04-228-2454
______________________________ _______________
De: Janelle Isom
Enviado el: miércoles, 23 de abril de 2014 19:07
Para: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission
Asunto: Travel Itinerary For AYER/SARAH MORGAN - 03Jul - 4SHHMQ
De: Janelle Isom
Enviado el: miércoles, 23 de abril de 2014 19:07
Para: Ecuador Guayaquil South Mission
Asunto: Travel Itinerary For AYER/SARAH MORGAN - 03Jul - 4SHHMQ
*** This is a NON-REFUNDABLE TICKET; cancellation or change fees may apply. We have until 5pm MST the next business day to cancel or make any changes at no additional charge. Please review the itinerary.
*** ELECTRONIC TICKETS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND ARE READY FOR TRAVEL, SEE ETKT INFORMATION BELOW. PLEASE CHECK IN WITH A GOVERNMENT ISSUED PHOTO ID TO RECEIVE YOUR BOARDING PASS.
*** CHECKED BAGGAGE FEES MAY APPLY PLEASE BE PREPARED TO PAY - Please request your bags to be checked to your final destination.
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT DATE 23APRIL14
50 EAST NORTH TEMPLE ST AGENT VH/JI BOOKING REF 4SHHMQ
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
TELEPHONE: 801 240-5111 AYER/SARAH MORGAN 328112-R
FAX : 801-240-5115
MISSIONARY TRAVEL
ECUADOR GUAYAQUIL SOUTH MISSION
SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE
_____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______
AMERICAN AIRLINES 03JUL GUAYAQUIL MIAMI FL 700A 1230P
AA 948 THURSDAY JOSE JOAQUIN D MIAMI INTL
V ECONOMY
BREAKFAST NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 4:30 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 757
SEAT 35F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 03JUL MIAMI FL PHILADELPHI PA 305P 550P
AA 1646 THURSDAY MIAMI INTL PHILADELPHIA I
V ECONOMY TERMINAL A
FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 2:45 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 737-800
SEAT 22F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 03JUL PHILADELPHI PA MANCHESTER NH 635P 816P
AA 4447 THURSDAY PHILADELPHIA I MANCHESTER BOS
K ECONOMY TERMINAL C
NON SMOKING NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 1:41 DURATION
US 3418 FLIGHT OPERATED BY US AIRWAYS EXPRESS-REP
AIRCRAFT OWNER: US US AIRWAYS
AIRCRAFT: EMBRAER 170
SEAT 09D NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
NO SEATS ARE AVAILABLE TO PRE-ASSIGN
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY AND REQUEST YOUR PREFERRED SEATS AT CHECK-IN
RESERVATION NUMBER(S) AA/ZIZXKZ
AYER/SARAH MORGAN 328112-R
ETKT:AA/001 7430817019
Monday, June 9, 2014
Caridad
FAMILIA!!!!!
I´ll be honest, I didn´t work that much this week in my propio sector... Monday was pday, so we only worked from 6-9 pm. Tuesday, I did an intercambio with some hermanas in my zone, and I was the one who went to work in their sector. Wednesday, I worked the whole day in my ward (Monay). Thursday, we had a capacitación en la mañana with the two zones here in Cuenca, then I had to travel to Guayaquil with the other Hna. Líder de mi zona y los líderes de zona. Friday, we had Consejo de Líderes in Guayaquil, and in the afternoon, we just worked in Centenario (Guayaquil) instead of going back to our propio areas. Saturday, we had an awesome Capacitación con Elder Waddell, then travelled back to Cuenca, and I had time to work in my area from 6-9 pm. Sunday, I worked in my area the whole day. That`s 2 days in my own sector. Kind of nuts, but this week has been incredible, en serio. I feel so uplifted!
But first of all, I want to clarify the point of my funeral story from last week. The reason I talked about how I had to play at the funeral was because something funny happened. As a little backstory, the Bishop always calls me Hermana Yesterday instead of Ayer. So at the funeral, he told the hermano directing the service that I was going to play. When the hermano went to open/begin the meeting he said, "Y en el piano, la Hermana Yesterday." I about died...no pun intended.
Also, this week, an elder from UT tried to make the point that his state was the best and said, "Por lo menos vivo en un estado que existe." Oh, don`t you worry, I defended my tierra (como Moroni...Alma 46:12, 48:10). I opened my mouth and it was filled (DyC 33:8). This Sunday we ate with the Bishop, and I showed him and the elders where it says New Hampshire on the movie Joseph Smith: Profet of the Restoration. Conviction feels good. I would have to agree with John Kerry on this one: I love NH.
But more than NH, I love the Gospel. And I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
This week when we had our Consejo and capacitaciones, all the liders talked about our Jesus Christ and how we need to be more like Him. I felt like they were talking to me. He came to this earth so that we can be saved, but not saved in our sins, sino from our sins. That`s why we have the Gospel! Thanks to Jesucristo! The Gospel is the ONLY thing that will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. It`s the only thing that unites families for eternity. It`s the only thing that will give us happiness in this life and a fullness of joy in the world to come.
In the capacitación on Saturday, Elder Oaks was supposed to be there. He wanted to have a meeting with the three missions/líderes of Guayaquil (Sur, Norte, y Oeste), but wasn`t able to make it because of a delayed flight. Elder Waddell from the seventy (who`s in the Presidencia del Area) came and told us to think about it...Elder Oaks wanted to have a meeting with the three missions, but God knew he wouldn`t be there. Why? It`s not like He got up this morning and said, "Oh no, Elder Oaks`s plane didn`t make it! Why didn`t you tell me sooner? Now what are we going to do?" It was funny, but very true. (All the missionaries there were very disappointed to not hear Elder Oaks...including me.) But God has a purpose in everything: He needed all three missions to get together anyway. We have NEVER had a meeting like that before.
Elder Waddell said that Guayaquil is the city that baptizes most in the WHOLE WORLD! (And since Guayaqil Sur always baptizes more than Norte and Oeste, he basically told us that ECUADOR GUAYAQUIL SUR is the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD.) He congratulated us for our efforts and that we`ve been an example for the world. Then he said that now we need to convert ourselves into the city who most retains and reactivates those people who have been baptized. If we want to have more baptisms, we need to reactivate more people, and retain the fruits of our labors. "Misionero 2.0 convierte, retiene, y reactiva." We need to become those kinds of missionaries.
He also said that baptisms aren`t the measure of our succes--it`s the person we become on the mission. I feel as though I haven`t had as much éxito as I would have liked here on the mission in terms of baptisms, but it`s not about the numbers. It doesn`t matter if I never got to serve in the best places in the mission (aka Galapagos). It`s not about the place. I need to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I need to have His attributes. I may not be able to do what He did, but I can do it like He did. Elder Waddell said, "Dificultat es una excusa Dios no aceptará." The trials of this life are to make us grow stronger, to be more like Jesus Christ, to refine us into that pearl of great price. Hermana Waddells shared Helaman 5:12, and said that this [the mission] is our time to build our foundations en Cristo, because it will strengthen and carry us throughout the rest of our whole lives! I hope that in this last month of my mission, I can give it my all and really come to know my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and become liek Him. More patient, more humble, more diligent, and most of all more charitable. Because charity is the PURE LOVE OF CHRIST and it endureth forever. Moroni 7:45-48.
I love you all!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. Guess who`s giving a talk this Sunday?? HAPPY FATHERS` DAY!!!!!!! The tradition lives on.
P.P.S. Who`s the presidente of BYU? Someone told me it`s not Cecil anymore...?!
P.P.P.S. Everyone in Consejo told me I talk like a Cuencana! Ahhh! No!! Except I don`t say my "rr" like "zhh". That`s the only good thing. The Cuencan accent is a mix of Mexican and Bolivian. It`s very distinct. I don`t say "azhhos" o "comprarsh" like they do, though...just the fluctuation of my voice is the same.
But first of all, I want to clarify the point of my funeral story from last week. The reason I talked about how I had to play at the funeral was because something funny happened. As a little backstory, the Bishop always calls me Hermana Yesterday instead of Ayer. So at the funeral, he told the hermano directing the service that I was going to play. When the hermano went to open/begin the meeting he said, "Y en el piano, la Hermana Yesterday." I about died...no pun intended.
Also, this week, an elder from UT tried to make the point that his state was the best and said, "Por lo menos vivo en un estado que existe." Oh, don`t you worry, I defended my tierra (como Moroni...Alma 46:12, 48:10). I opened my mouth and it was filled (DyC 33:8). This Sunday we ate with the Bishop, and I showed him and the elders where it says New Hampshire on the movie Joseph Smith: Profet of the Restoration. Conviction feels good. I would have to agree with John Kerry on this one: I love NH.
But more than NH, I love the Gospel. And I love my Savior Jesus Christ.
This week when we had our Consejo and capacitaciones, all the liders talked about our Jesus Christ and how we need to be more like Him. I felt like they were talking to me. He came to this earth so that we can be saved, but not saved in our sins, sino from our sins. That`s why we have the Gospel! Thanks to Jesucristo! The Gospel is the ONLY thing that will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction. It`s the only thing that unites families for eternity. It`s the only thing that will give us happiness in this life and a fullness of joy in the world to come.
In the capacitación on Saturday, Elder Oaks was supposed to be there. He wanted to have a meeting with the three missions/líderes of Guayaquil (Sur, Norte, y Oeste), but wasn`t able to make it because of a delayed flight. Elder Waddell from the seventy (who`s in the Presidencia del Area) came and told us to think about it...Elder Oaks wanted to have a meeting with the three missions, but God knew he wouldn`t be there. Why? It`s not like He got up this morning and said, "Oh no, Elder Oaks`s plane didn`t make it! Why didn`t you tell me sooner? Now what are we going to do?" It was funny, but very true. (All the missionaries there were very disappointed to not hear Elder Oaks...including me.) But God has a purpose in everything: He needed all three missions to get together anyway. We have NEVER had a meeting like that before.
Elder Waddell said that Guayaquil is the city that baptizes most in the WHOLE WORLD! (And since Guayaqil Sur always baptizes more than Norte and Oeste, he basically told us that ECUADOR GUAYAQUIL SUR is the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD.) He congratulated us for our efforts and that we`ve been an example for the world. Then he said that now we need to convert ourselves into the city who most retains and reactivates those people who have been baptized. If we want to have more baptisms, we need to reactivate more people, and retain the fruits of our labors. "Misionero 2.0 convierte, retiene, y reactiva." We need to become those kinds of missionaries.
He also said that baptisms aren`t the measure of our succes--it`s the person we become on the mission. I feel as though I haven`t had as much éxito as I would have liked here on the mission in terms of baptisms, but it`s not about the numbers. It doesn`t matter if I never got to serve in the best places in the mission (aka Galapagos). It`s not about the place. I need to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I need to have His attributes. I may not be able to do what He did, but I can do it like He did. Elder Waddell said, "Dificultat es una excusa Dios no aceptará." The trials of this life are to make us grow stronger, to be more like Jesus Christ, to refine us into that pearl of great price. Hermana Waddells shared Helaman 5:12, and said that this [the mission] is our time to build our foundations en Cristo, because it will strengthen and carry us throughout the rest of our whole lives! I hope that in this last month of my mission, I can give it my all and really come to know my Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and become liek Him. More patient, more humble, more diligent, and most of all more charitable. Because charity is the PURE LOVE OF CHRIST and it endureth forever. Moroni 7:45-48.
I love you all!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. Guess who`s giving a talk this Sunday?? HAPPY FATHERS` DAY!!!!!!! The tradition lives on.
P.P.S. Who`s the presidente of BYU? Someone told me it`s not Cecil anymore...?!
P.P.P.S. Everyone in Consejo told me I talk like a Cuencana! Ahhh! No!! Except I don`t say my "rr" like "zhh". That`s the only good thing. The Cuencan accent is a mix of Mexican and Bolivian. It`s very distinct. I don`t say "azhhos" o "comprarsh" like they do, though...just the fluctuation of my voice is the same.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Guinea Pig
FAMILIA!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I had cambios. I am now in Barrio Monay aquì en Cuenca, todavìa. My new compañera has 10 weeks in the mission, so I`m finishing up her training still! She`s from Snohomish, WA, and she`s awesome! Hermana Prete. She had emailed me in enero asking about the mission and some basic questions because she found my blog (and said it looks awesome--thanks, Parker!). And now we`re compañeras! She`s so great and speaks FULL ESPAÑOL and looks a lot like Lauren Bennett! Seriously, she knows so much and has a such a great desire and muchos ànimos para enseñar. We`ve been inviting everyone to be baptized, and no one has accepted, but that doesn`t get our hopes up! The people here are so duro, but we`re going to find the escogidos.
Our ward is HUGE!!!!!!!! There`s this part called El Valle, that is GIGANTIC! I don`t know if you can go on Google Earth and look up El Valle, Cuenca, but that might help you get a glimpse of all the area we have to cover. We`ve been focusing our efforts on one area called Rayoloma. It`s been good, and we have more investigators, and bastantes picaduras en nuestras piernas. We talked to a familia de Catòlicos this week, and they didn`t want to believe the bible in how baptism should be. They just wanted to argue and make sure our bibles said the same thing. Chao. We`re not here to bible bash nor to convince...sino convertir.
We went to the church on Friday because the ward was going to have an activity, but it turned out they had a funeral instead, so I had to play impromptu for another funeral in the mission. This week, the sun came out a lot more and it felt so good!!! We went out to visitar con una hermana, and she said, "El sol es malo!!" So serious, too! I would have to disagree, but I decided instead to shut my mouth.
We live with my hija, Hermana Argueta, and also Hermana Adams, who I`ve spent casi all of the mission with!! We`re going to be pals despuès. It`s been so fun! We always speak spanish in the house, though, so my hija from Guatemala doesn`t feel bad, and because English has slipped from my brain a lot.
Yesterday, we had a good rabbit rabbit and Dìa del Niño. Except that because of the Dia del Niño, all the schools had programs for the children, so none of our investigadores could come to church. Kind of frustrating. Satan works in mysterious ways that I don`t like. But that doesn`t mean we have to give in. We just have to always stay strong, do the right, and never make excuses. God has His commandments laid out before us. We can chose to obey or to disobey. It`s simple. If we obey, we get blessings. If we disobey, we get consequences. Also simple. Choose to obey. It makes life so much better and so much happier. I love the Gospel. I love the simplicity. Don`t be confused because of the easiness of othe way. Just obey and be happy and you`ll have eternal life! 2 Nefi 31:20
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. We ate cuy this week. My compañera was sad because her sister has a guinea pig named Chester.
P.P.S. I didn`t know Skate Eskate burned down along with Little Ceasers!!?? I never even got to go to skate escape! So sad....
Well, I had cambios. I am now in Barrio Monay aquì en Cuenca, todavìa. My new compañera has 10 weeks in the mission, so I`m finishing up her training still! She`s from Snohomish, WA, and she`s awesome! Hermana Prete. She had emailed me in enero asking about the mission and some basic questions because she found my blog (and said it looks awesome--thanks, Parker!). And now we`re compañeras! She`s so great and speaks FULL ESPAÑOL and looks a lot like Lauren Bennett! Seriously, she knows so much and has a such a great desire and muchos ànimos para enseñar. We`ve been inviting everyone to be baptized, and no one has accepted, but that doesn`t get our hopes up! The people here are so duro, but we`re going to find the escogidos.
Our ward is HUGE!!!!!!!! There`s this part called El Valle, that is GIGANTIC! I don`t know if you can go on Google Earth and look up El Valle, Cuenca, but that might help you get a glimpse of all the area we have to cover. We`ve been focusing our efforts on one area called Rayoloma. It`s been good, and we have more investigators, and bastantes picaduras en nuestras piernas. We talked to a familia de Catòlicos this week, and they didn`t want to believe the bible in how baptism should be. They just wanted to argue and make sure our bibles said the same thing. Chao. We`re not here to bible bash nor to convince...sino convertir.
We went to the church on Friday because the ward was going to have an activity, but it turned out they had a funeral instead, so I had to play impromptu for another funeral in the mission. This week, the sun came out a lot more and it felt so good!!! We went out to visitar con una hermana, and she said, "El sol es malo!!" So serious, too! I would have to disagree, but I decided instead to shut my mouth.
We live with my hija, Hermana Argueta, and also Hermana Adams, who I`ve spent casi all of the mission with!! We`re going to be pals despuès. It`s been so fun! We always speak spanish in the house, though, so my hija from Guatemala doesn`t feel bad, and because English has slipped from my brain a lot.
Yesterday, we had a good rabbit rabbit and Dìa del Niño. Except that because of the Dia del Niño, all the schools had programs for the children, so none of our investigadores could come to church. Kind of frustrating. Satan works in mysterious ways that I don`t like. But that doesn`t mean we have to give in. We just have to always stay strong, do the right, and never make excuses. God has His commandments laid out before us. We can chose to obey or to disobey. It`s simple. If we obey, we get blessings. If we disobey, we get consequences. Also simple. Choose to obey. It makes life so much better and so much happier. I love the Gospel. I love the simplicity. Don`t be confused because of the easiness of othe way. Just obey and be happy and you`ll have eternal life! 2 Nefi 31:20
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hermana Ayer
P.S. We ate cuy this week. My compañera was sad because her sister has a guinea pig named Chester.
P.P.S. I didn`t know Skate Eskate burned down along with Little Ceasers!!?? I never even got to go to skate escape! So sad....
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