But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9.
God gives men the light, but many are filled with a self-sufficient, masterly spirit; and they strive by carrying out their own ideas to reach a height where they will be as God. They place their mind first, as if God must serve with them. Herein lies the danger in this: Unless God shall in some way make these men understand that He is God, and that they are to serve Him, human inventions will be brought in that will lead away from Bible truth, notwithstanding all the cautions that have been given.
The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach….
God is not “worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing” (Acts 17:25). No magnificence of outward display can please God, when the heart is serving idols and the hands are polluted with iniquity. The Holy Spirit will unite with those in the church who, with contrition of heart, will walk humbly with God. To all who look to Him and walk in the footsteps of Christ, He gives sanctification, comfort, and victory over the world. The people of God, His chosen kingdom, are not as a stagnant pool. They are as a river, constantly flowing, and as it advances becoming deeper and wider, until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. Whenever the gospel of God is received, its grace heals the maladies that sin has produced. The Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in His beams. Light, strength, and refreshing come from the Lord, and the good fruit borne bears witness to a work of righteousness.—Manuscript 33, April 27, 1903, “God’s Purpose for His Church.”
The Upward Look p. 131
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for A who is very ill. B
—-Please pray for my cousin David who had a heart attack and is on a ventilator. Mike
—-Please pray earnestly for my friend Fran. She has cancer and is in a lot of pain. Rose
—-Please pray for me. I am so sick with pain in my gallbladder. Connie
—-Shawn was admitted to the burn center for burns to both knees and was told that he would be sedated and placed in the debridement tub to wash and medicate his wounds. Thank you for your prayers. Kathy
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Dear Friends,
When Eileen was a little girl, she did not like to go outside and play. I thought that it was so unusual for a child to feel this way. I questioned her. She had no good reason, so knowing that it was healthy for her to get fresh air and sunshine, I would force her to play outside for an hour or so despite her protests. Sometimes I would go outside with her, but some days I was just too busy.
One busy day, when she was three, I had sent her out to play and started vacuuming. Eileen decided that she would punish me for forcing her to go outside against her wishes. As I was vacuuming, a quick movement suddenly caught my eye. It startled me and I let out a gasp and a scream. Eileen got way too much pleasure from that.
As soon as I saw that it was only a large toad, I felt silly. I’m not afraid of amiphibians or reptiles or other creepy crawly things. I knew that toad could not have gotten into an upstairs bedroom without help. I called, “Eileen, you get this toad out of here right now!” In her three-year-old mind, she thought, “What fun! I punished Mommy! I have given her what she deserved.”
How often we take things into our own hands and decide to do some punishing just as Eileen did. How many times we judge someone’s motive, and later find we were so wrong. This only makes a situation worse. This is not our Dear Saviour’s way. He gently leads us as we are able to understand, as we are able to accept. He assures us, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer 31:3 Sometimes this takes years to change us, but He feels that it is well worth the effort. “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied” Isa 53:11
As David watched over his sheep so long ago, he meditated upon God’s care for His people. He sang, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Ps 23 What a beautiful description of our Dear Saviour’s care.
He declares of Himself, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:11-14 He feeds us both spiritually and physically as does a shepherd. He gathers us into his Great Arms of Love and gently leads us in the way that we should go. (Isa 40:11)
Our Great Redeemer is not impatient when He does not get immediate results in His leading. No! He bears long with us. “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” Isa 48:17 So, when dealing with our fellow man, we must have the same patience and longsuffering, gently teaching, lovingly unfolding the Word of God. “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psa 119:130 As their understanding dawns, so their behaviour will change. As the light of God’s Holy Word takes root in their heart, it will result in a bountiful harvest.
Let us gently lead those about us into all the truth. Let us be patient with those who are erring. Let us make sure that we follow our Loving Shepherd’s example and ways in all things is my prayer.
Rose

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalm 37:3.
The Lord is acquainted with all our circumstances. When that Ethiopian traveler was reading the Scriptures, as he rode in his chariot, angels of God were looking upon the scene. One of the disciples was sent to meet the chariot, and when he came to the place, he saw the man studying the Scriptures. Philip said to him, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” He answered, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Then Philip opened to him the Scriptures. And when he had heard and believed, the Ethiopian asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:30, 31, 36).
This experience shows the Lord’s care for His people. It was the Spirit of God that led this man’s mind to the Scriptures. But he could not interpret their meaning. Then the Lord sent one of His servants to enlighten his mind, and to make him understand.
When the Ethiopian asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” Philip did not wait to see how he would hold on to the faith. He said, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (verses 37, 38).
The Lord wants everyone of us to fill the very place He has appointed us. If we will walk in simplicity and godliness, and trust in the Lord, just as the little child trusts its earthly parent, He will enable us to do the work He has given us to do. If we will seek the Lord, He will work for us…. The Lord will work out our salvation for us, if we will commit the keeping of our souls unto Him as unto a faithful Creator….
It is not we who make the impression upon the mind and heart. Angels of God make the impression. They see every effort we make, and they soften the hearts and enlighten the minds of those for whom we are working, so that heavenly impressions can be made, and hearts and minds can be led to see and understand….
You are not working alone. When you are tempted to become discouraged, remember this: Angels of God are right around you. They will minister to the very earth, causing it to give forth its treasures. This is the instruction I am trying to give to our people. I want them to understand what could be accomplished, if they would work the will of the Lord. It is the Lord who has given the instruction. Let us follow His directions.—Manuscript 13, April 26, 1909, “To the Workers and Students at Hill Crest School.”
The Upward Look p. 130
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for the following: Mary’s son who is in the hospital with sepsis, Marvin and Allaynne since Marvin is still in the hospital, Hannah who is still in the hospital, and Kathy who is in the hospital waiting for foot surgery-potentially losing part of a foot. Thank you for your prayers. Esther
—-Pray for Richard and his son. Arlene
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Dear Friends,
Many years ago. Eileen made a large cage for a pair of zebra finches that we had at the time. She constructed it around a lemon tree that she had grown from a seed. The birds loved it. Occasionally, she would roll the cage out onto the deck so they could enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
One day when they were inside, I heard the birds crying “Help! Help!” just as plainly as if they were saying the actual words. I stopped what I was doing and hurried to the other end of the house where we kept them. They looked at me with fear-filled eyes and continued their distress call. Puzzled, I began searching for the object of their fear. Finally, I saw it.
Evidently, while they had been outside, a mother beetle had decided to lay her egg in the ground of their cage, because a large, black beetle was floundering in their water dish. That bug that had terrified our little birds, was having problems of its own. Quickly, I opened the cage door and rescued the beetle. Immediately, our birds settled down and we happy once again.
How often we, too, are faced with perplexities and dangers. We are just as unable to remedy the situation as were the finches that day. We can do exactly as those finches did. We can call upon our Heavenly Father to rescue us. Praise God! He will deliver speedily!
He bids us, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Isa 45:22; Matt 11:28-30
“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” “Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.” Ps 18:2, 3; 33:18-22
May we cry unto the Lord as quickly and as earnestly as our little birds cried for me when they were afraid. May we reach out and hold His Strong and Mighty Hand whenever we are perplexed and allow Him to deliver us. May we always lift up our voice and “praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Ps 107:8
Rose

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3.
True Christians are faithful in little things, remembering that the Word of God declares, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). A faithful, steady obedience to the words of Christ makes men pure in mind, resolute in purpose, and faithful in every station of life.
True service is the unveiling of a heart made fragrant by the love of God. Such service gives nobility to the character in this life. Under its influence, love to God and man speaks from the lips and is revealed in the actions….
When God’s people place the gift of speech under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, thousands will hear the message that God is love; that He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His heart of infinite love embraces every human being. His love is an inexhaustible wellspring of joy and peace. It is as enduring as eternity. It is the fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem. From its unfailing supply every soul may be satisfied. This love is the life of God, working with transforming power in the soul, perfecting Christian character, making human beings partakers of the divine nature. Through Christ this living stream of love and life flows to the world….
In the Christian warfare life, spiritual life, courage, constancy, and decision are needed. Be strong in the Lord. Human courage will not suffice. The Christian soldier must be strong in the Lord. God is all-sufficient. In the omnipotence of His might gird on the armor. Make use of all the proper means of defense against the enemy of souls. You are everyone to perfect an individual character for yourselves. Resist temptation. Cultivate the Christian virtues. Be strong; yea, be strong!
Those who have so many battles to fight must be strong for service. Gain strength and help from the Source of all power. If we trust in the Lord, we shall triumph in the warfare against unseen foes, but if we trust in our own strength, we shall surely meet with defeat. The armor is prepared. Put it on, and fight bravely for the Lord.—Letter 67, April 25, 1902, “To My Brethren in Positions of Responsibility in the Pacific Press.”
The Upward Look p. 129
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Prayer Requests
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She is not getting better and none of the doctors can agree on what is wrong and how to treat it. Rose
—-I’m in a predicament with my health right now that is causing me to have suicidal thoughts. I did call my counselor and now feel the need to have others praying for me. Judy
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Dear Friends,
When Esther Marie was about 9, she and a friend were playing on some old railroad ties that were being used for decoration along her friend’s driveway. As Esther turned a cartwheel on that old wooden tie, a large piece of wood went deep into her foot. I have always been able to get slivers and thorns out, so when I looked at this large piece of wood, I thought this would be no problem. After having started digging it out, however, I realized this sliver was different. It crumbled when I touched it. The wood was too rotten.
Finally, I had to take her to the doctor. Even he had a difficult time getting it out, but since he was able to deaden her foot so she could not feel the pain, he could free her of that offending piece of timber. But there was a price to pay. When the doctor deadened Esther’s foot, he hit a bone so hard that it bent the needle. For weeks, that foot was very painful. For years, that bone ached when the weather changed.
Just so, there are consequences from the sin we have allowed in our lives. We can ask for and receive forgiveness, but a scar remains. Like David, who was called “a man after God’s own heart” before he became king, a man whom God blessed abundantly during the early years of his reign; after his sins of adultery and murder, his life became filled with trouble and sorrow far exceeding anything he had experienced while running from Saul. 1 Sam 13:14; 2 Sam 11 and onward.
Just as I tried to remove that crumbling sliver from Esther’s foot, we can try as hard as we possibly can to rid ourselves of sin and its consequences, but we are helpless to do so. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jer 13:23 We can, through determination, change outwardly; but we cannot change our hearts. “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” Isa 1:5,6
How much we need Someone Who can change our vile hearts and make us pure and clean within. How much we need a Great Physician Who can truly rid us of those sins that so easily beset us. He says to us, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa 1:18 “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Eze 18:33 “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.” Jer 33:8 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa 45:22
Our response should be, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight….Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow….Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.” Ps 139:23, 24;51
Let us come to our Dear Saviour now, that we may receive the pardon and cleansing we need. Let us allow Him to remake our tangled and twisted lives that we have so ruined by our sins and change us into a loving, victorious Christian whose light shines brightly for His glory. Let us daily walk with Him on the path to Heaven, guarding well the avenues of the soul and praying always for His help and strength that the splinters on sin cannot penetrate our lives any more.
Rose

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2.
I was about to write some words of encouragement to one who had helped in the work … at a time when it was going very hard. A hand was placed upon the paper, forbidding me to write, and a voice said, “These words of commendation will do harm to the one you are addressing. God is the Master Worker. Glorify Him, not man.” …
Let us be very careful not to praise or flatter any human being. Do not place before the Lord’s servants the temptation of human praise. It is God who enables men and women to accomplish good. He is behind every worker. Without His power, man is helpless….
There are those who by self-denial and self-sacrifice have prepared the way for a good work, yet who have not the capabilities that enable them to carry this work forward successfully when it has reached a certain stage of advancement….
Brother S_____ has been greatly blessed by God. The Lord used him to start the work at H_____. But he is not to think, because of this, that he is fitted to carry the school work forward on the broad, elevated place on which it must be carried. Others, whose education and training fit them for it, must take up the work in its advanced stages, and carry it onward and upward. But the Lord does not value the less those who in self-sacrifice and self-denial prepared the way for the work to advance.
The Lord’s workers must not think that they must be their own judges of the position they should fill. Let all remember that there are many different lines of work, and that all these lines of work are necessary. The hewers of wood and drawers of water do acceptable service, and make a success where others would certainly make a failure….
Look to Jesus. Do not spoil your record by giving way to despondency and distrust. Make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way…. The man who is nearest the Lord is the man who waits for Him as one who waits for the morning, the man who has the least confidence in self and the strongest confidence in God as the One who can save to the uttermost all who come to Him….
The Lord has an interest in all the work you are trying to do for Him. Do not worry. The day of trust is in our hands. The day of reckoning will bear the faithful witness as to how we have done our work. Let us do our best. If the Lord is with us, we shall be prospered.—Letter 64, April 24, 1902, to J. E. White, who was working among the blacks in the South.
The Upward Look p. 128
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Prayer Requests
—-I’m asking for prayers for God to intervene and me. I’ve been married to my husband for 20 yrs now. He is an alcoholic. Things are getting very bad for me. I’m turning 68 on the 23rd and It’s getting very hard on me taking care of him. He’s drunk every night. I have to keep him from getting hurt all the time. He falls in floor and it takes me forever to get him up. I love him but I’m getting worn out. Can’t sleep at night I’m at the end of my rope. Jimmie
—-Please pray for one of my sons. He is going through a real hard time right now with his wife and I am afraid he may become suicidal. He has tried in the past but God intervened greatly. Please pray for him that God will help him get back together with his wife and work all their problems out and give their hearts to God. Connie
—-Marie France is in the process of burying her daughter it is very painful for her and she needs prayer. Therese
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Dear Friends,
Some years ago, because of bad weather, we stayed home and watched a religious television station for our church service. One of the speakers we watched called a young boy of about eight to the platform. The evangelist handed him a dollar bill. The boy reached out, took it gladly, and thanked the man. The evangelist then told the boy he could go back to his seat. Clutching his dollar, the boy happily obeyed.
Then the man told the audience that he had tried to use adults for this illustration but they always stood there looking at him skeptically and asked, “What’s the catch?”
Even so, we can reach out and grasp the Great Gift of Salvation as did that little boy. It is ours for the asking. When the Philippian jailer asked, ” Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:30, 31 Was this belief a mere mental assent? No! True belief is a wholehearted belief that changes the life.
Yes, salvation is a free gift, yet it costs us everything. Jesus explains, “the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46
Isaiah urges, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isa 55:6,7 Paul adds, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Heb 11:6
May we give diligence to make our calling and election sure. (1 Peter 1:10) May we allow nothing to hinder us from obtaining the Gift of Salvation. May we seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; for we have the promise that if we do, all these things shall be added unto us. (Matt 6:33)
Rose

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31.
We had a very precious season of prayer in our little tent [at the Fresno, California, camp meeting] this morning. I felt my soul drawn out in earnest prayer for you [her husband, James White] and for myself. The dear Saviour seemed very near and very gracious, full of mercy and love. I feel like serving Him with my undivided affection….
Divine power must be combined with human effort or this terrible paralysis of indifference, this deathlike sluggishness will never be broken from the souls of those in darkness and error. Jesus is our strength. He is our Righteousness. We must pray more and exercise faith continually. I feel the necessity of drawing nearer and closer to Jesus. I see I must labor to the point to keep my mind ascending to God continually if I would maintain the victory over Satan’s temptations.
Oh, I have been shown how he exults when we are overcome and the spirit of impatience and faultfinding is indulged. He is in an exultation of triumph, for he knows that this grieves the Spirit of God and separates us from our Strength. Our words must be faultless, our spirit patient, and kind, forbearing, long-suffering, and we manifesting by our words and actions that we have learned of Jesus and are still learning in the school of Christ….
We are, dear husband, building for eternity. God is rich in strength and power, and we may have His shining countenance beaming upon us and we reflecting the light to others…. God will not excuse us in sin who have had so great light. We have not one atom of righteousness of our own to stand upon. All we have ever done is because Jesus has given us His strength and His power, not because there was any inherent goodness or wisdom or righteousness in us. We are sinful and weak and imperfect, and we must feel this strongly enough to reach up for a stronger help and holier power than we possess. Jesus’ life is a perfect model. We must not build upon the sand. If we do, there will be a terrible down-tumbling by and by of our house. Ye are God’s building. Let us show this in a harmonious character.—Letter 25, April 23, 1880, to James White.
The Upward Look p. 127
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Angie’s daughter who is seven months pregnant. Her unborn baby boy has two holes in his heart. Please pray that by the time he is born, the holes will have closed. Esther
—-Please continue to pray for Hannah. She had a bad spell yesterday during tests. Her heart raced to 178 bpm and she passed out. Also her rash became worse. The doctors have no clue why this is happening. Please pray that God will direct their thinking so that they will know what treatment to give her. Rose
—-My 10 year old son is ill. Please pray for healing. His name is Travis. Jenny
—-Please pray that my mother’s precious doggie will be found. When my mom died she left her precious doggie behind. This doggie was one of the last things my dear mother asked about before she died. She wanted to know if her dog was okay. I just found out her dog had somehow gotten out of my mom’s house and she has been missing for about a week. The caregiver has been taking care of her but somehow she got out of the house and it was a foggy day and now she is lost. I am so sad about this. This poor dog loved my mom so much! Please pray that she is ok and will be found soon. My mom had her for over 10 years. Connie
—-I’d appreciate prayers for continued healing and regaining my stamina. Georgia
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