Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving around the corner, I have started to feel the busy of the season at work. 

While most of my day is stuck analyzing the company website and coming up with ways to effectively market and merchandise our wide assortment of retail products, I often find myself tip-toeing away to outside competitors' sites to see what strategies they are using or what seems to draw me in as a customer on their sites. 

And just like Pinterest, I get lost in the sea of photos and pretty stylized images of holiday decor and warm and cozy homes. I transform myself into that model, sitting on living room couch, enjoying a cup of hot apple cider and imagine my career as a full-time blogger - dedicating my life to telling life through my eyes and enjoying my  beautiful catalog-esque surroundings.

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As my day dream fades, I begin to think about my life and how thankful I am for what I do have. I am thankful for Jesus. I am thankful for each and everyday that I am given life. I am thankful for my hubs, my healthy baby girl, and my family. 

This morning we had a mini scare with baby girl and everything turned out perfect and we both are doing great!

I am thankful for a great job. I am thankful for peace, serenity and salvation. I am thankful for the ability to share my thoughts freely on my blog and feel no shame (there was a point I was afraid to blog because of what people might think of me). I am thankful for all of you, my lovely followers. 

And on top of that I am thankful for God's mercy and grace. 

 I studied the definitions of those two words and it really just made me think of how blessed I am to have a loving father who gives us a measure of grace and has mercy that endures forever. 

He shows compassion when justice demands punishment, not because of what we did or who we are, but because of His divine love for us. He shows us favor. It's all pretty amazing to me, and when I hear those words now I feel like there is even more life and meaning behind each of them. 

So, What do you think? 

What are you thankful for?

November Wish List + Lesson in Love Part 3

H a p p y   W e d n e s d a y !

Totally hit up H&M the other day and fell in love with quite a few goodies. Decided to put a little wishlist together. This is something the hubby can access just in case he wants to grab me a just because present! ;) Ha!

uno. leather gloves. Must have a pair of these, perfect for driving during cold winter months in MN.
dos. Over-the-knee socks. Love these with a cute skirt. I think I could pull these off with a baby bump, if not I'll still try :)
tres. Cardi. A preggo girl's best friend this time of year. Cardigans are great because you don't have to close them, and let's face it I have a hard time closing it if I wanted to. Buy them in any print or color, throw them over long tank and skinnies or tights with booties and go.
quatro. Nightgown with slippers of course. Need to stock up on these as they are the best comfort I can find when lounging at the house. I've been opting to use A's large t-shirts as a stand in until I up my collection.
cinco. Knit bon bon hat. Just makes me feel all warm in side when I shop for hats and gloves.
seis. Bought this tube scarf, so far in love and will be going back to get more colors. When I like something, I buy in every color.

A Lesson in Love 

Part 3

A couple weeks ago my dad taught a sermon about knowing who we are in Jesus. It was a great sermon because it discussed knowing that we have favor, having the right attitude regardless of the situation, and understanding that if we love and live for Jesus, He can withhold no good thing from us. 

Romans 8:28-29

"28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, for them that are the called according to His purpose. 29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be firstborn among many brethren."

It is so important to understand that our love for Jesus brings us great benefits. No matter what the situation or what things look like, this scripture confirms that ALL things (good/bad/ugly) work together for our good because we follow and love the lord. This means don't look at the situation! When bad things happen, we are so often so overwhelmed and enthralled in the negativity of it all that we change our focus, lose our positive attitude, and start trying to put our hands on things that Jesus ultimately has the control over. Take your hands off of the situation! Do you love Jesus? Do you trust Him? Do you serve and follow Him? 

Then let Him handle it. 

This was one of the most difficult habits for me to break, because I had always been a control freak. I basically felt that if I didn't somewhat help to influence the outcome of things in my life they would not work out. It gave me comfort to worry about things, even though it was never stress free or comfortable. I don't really know how that worked for me, but I was convinced every good thing happened because I influenced it. With Jesus I have learned that good things don't happen to me because I am perfect, or wear the right clothes, or go to church on Sundays. Good things happen for me because I serve a mighty God who loves me and its because of His goodness that all things work out for my good. To Him, I am His daughter and just like my parents do for me, He does for me because of His divine love for me.

That's pretty amazing! :)

Well, that's it for now!

Don't forget to enter the November giveaway below...

Grace - A Southern Drawl / Meredith - Create That Outfit / Aynsley - Aynsley Ovard / Jody - Jody Beth

Barbie - The Parlor Girl / Angela - Selfless Ambition / Ainslee - A Beautiful Heart / Tori Camille- Thirty Seven Four

Nikki - Fashion On The Fly / Jena - I'm Perfectly Human / Sierra - Life As A Waterlef / Jewel - Style Optimist 

Amelia - The Desert Muse / Nicole - A Dash of Gold

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a good day! 

***Giveaway Winners Have Been Chosen!**

Thank you to everyone who entered! Our winners are:

Olivia K.

Melaney A.

Alise C.

-J

Inspiration: Following Instruction.

Late night posting session right here. I've been meaning to sit down and write something to you all, all day, but it seems now I've got the time! So there you have it :)

Lately I have been learning a lot of great principles of life. Food for the soul, things to live by. Ever since I chose to live for Jesus, He has taught me many principles. Like, it's important to write things down so that you can easily recall them. I started by always writing down conversations we would have, or things that He would bring to me. I keep them in my handy iPhone; I can pull them up at anytime I need to be reminded of God's words to me and where my focus needs to be. 

One of the first things Jesus revealed to me is:

 We are not always given the things we want, when we want them, because we are not always ready or prepared for them. 

Sometimes if we are not wise and watchful, we can put ourselves into situations we are not prepared for. God gives us instruction to keep us prepared, so that during a trial we have something to hold onto, someone to call on, and something to believe. That is why it is so important to know that Jesus, as the creator, knows all and knows what is best for us. He has this thing called life already figured out. In fact, He's got the perfect plan!

Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways"

We are an afterthought, so we should just trust that He knows what He is doing and doesn't need our input to get there.

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 Jesus gave me an example of a young girl, let's call her Judy, that is looking for love. Judy has never been in a relationship but is in love with the idea of love. She falls for a man that is what most would define as a 'player', he is clearly not looking for a relationship but more of a good time. Everyone around her knows where this is going, but she is not ready or prepared for love, so she is blind to every clue that is thrown her way that he is not the man for her.

Now we have all probably been there at some point, falling for the wrong person, and when its all said and done and your heart is broken - you think you've lost it all. Same happened to Judy. Through this experience, and the pain, Judy realizes the strength she has inside of her and it makes her a stronger, wiser woman. She is no longer naive to all of those red flags she saw, and the next time a man like that approaches her she is not fooled by the nice smile or big muscles ;). 

Well, our Jesus wants us to be able to avoid the pain. Through His instructions, we gain discernment for situations and God can open our eyes to situations. Granted some of us, like to hit our heads quite a few times before we get sick of the headaches - but our Lord gives us the opportunity to follow His instruction and get the best result EACH AND EVERY TIME. Jesus gives us so much instruction in His word to help guide us in all of life's areas.

Which leads me to another great principle that I am working on applying to my life. 

Follow God's Instruction.

Proverbs 4:13

"Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her, for she is thy life."

There are directions and instructions everywhere. There are instructions for putting together the brand new baby crib that me and A are going to be buying :). There are instructions for using your shampoo; there is an instruction manual for using your brand new car (although I'm sure you never read it until there was an issue)! Everything in this world has instructions, and in order to get the result that the manufacturer is promising, you must follow the instructions. And once we are given instructions, we should know what to do...

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We often feel like we can take our own way, or take shortcuts in the instructions Jesus gives us and get the same results. Its like your mechanic working on your car and taking a few short cuts, you know, leaving a few nuts and bolts out and telling you he didn't need them! You didn't need them? Are you sure, because there is probably a reason those nuts and bolts were there in the first place. There's no way you could be surprised when the car breaks down again.. LOL

So, why are we so surprised when things in life don't go as planned and we didn't follow instructions? We have to think the same way about God's word and His instruction. If we don't follow it accordingly, we don't really have the right to complain to God about something that fell through or didn't work out as planned. Jesus truly wants the best for us, and there is a formula to how we receive that. 

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. 

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But alas, 

What's so great about Jesus is that, He is our father. And like my natural father, He loves me regardless and He only wants the absolute best for me. When He sees we are persistent in trying to please Him, He will do great things for us because of His divine love for us. While at times, we may have to pay the price for not following instructions completely; He still loves us and if we ask Him to give us understanding of  His word, He will help us with it, and we can cast all of our cares and worries to Him and He will take care of them all! He will heal our hearts, He will show us a way out of what seems like a dead end. 

He's so amazing and that's why I love Him more each and everyday! :) 

Hope this gives you some good inspiration for the weekend! Instructions are important and are truly words to live by. 

-J

WIWW + Lesson in Love 2

Happy Hump Day!

Lately I have been reminiscing on my post about having true divine love (read here). 

 At 25 weeks pregnant, I often catch myself being moody. 

I am learning that although the hormones are raging, true love doesn't have moods. It works off of principals. It suffers long - which I can say this 9 month journey to motherhood has been quite the change. However, through the journey - true divine love is still kind. 

I was shown an example of how I need to show divine love, from my hubs, A. I came home at night after hanging with my girlfriends. He woke up as I got into bed, and I started to talk to him about my fears of childbirth. He was sleeping, but at that point my pregnancy hormones were taking over and I felt as if even though he said 'everything will be okay,' that he was not being as sincere as I needed him to be.

I immediately blew up at him. Calling him rude and insincere to my feelings. Finally we talked it out, and he apologized for not truly being able to relate or understand what I am going through. The next morning, I had completely forgot about my freak out - as most women can relate! 

I'll admit sometimes we just get worked up, and the next moment we are fine :)

A called me from work as I was getting ready to leave the house to start my day. He said he just wanted to check up on me, because he felt really bad that I had felt that way and wanted to ensure me that he is always here for me no matter what. I felt horrible for the way I treated him, and apologized but he insisted he was wrong and would work on trying to understand the way I feel - even if he was dead asleep in the middle of the night...

grey/black dress. burlington. necklace. heartbreaker. studded arm band. F21.tights. TJ Maxx. Boots. Gifted.

Wow, what a great example Jesus had shown me of how true divine love works. I have often gotten angry with people over a miscommunication and held a grudge or said I will definitely not be the first one to apologize. I have wished bad things to people to hope they would feel just as crummy as I felt. I have showed my love through my emotions, versus showing an unconditional divine love built on principals like God's love. 

I am reminded again of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

What I learned and am working on is: 

Love suffers long, and is still kind - Even when things are not pretty and not going my way, still showing kindness and enduring it with a smile.  It is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. - Being slow to react to situations that I do not like. Controlling my emotions, and not wishing bad feelings towards others.

I challenge you to do the same this week and let me know the results you get with it!

Like the look above? 

Click to Enter my Fall Must Haves Giveaway for a chance to win $25 to H&M, Fall Scarf & Candle :) 

Have a good day!

-J

A Lesson on Love: Pt 1

Hey, Lovelies! 

Today I wanted to start a series on love, in it I will dive into definitions, experiences, and my journey in showing true love in this time. This world has definitely gotten away from true love and it is filled with so much hate and ugliness. 

Jesus came to change it all, and it is up to each one of us to apply His teachings to our lives to bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 

In 26 years, I believed I had become an expert on relationships and love. 
Well, not technically an expert but I have been through my share of good, bad, and the in between. Recently at church our pastor has been teaching about human love vs. divine love. God's is love and He is the truth - so only God could show us what true divine love is. 

See there are a lot of differences between human love and divine love. Many of us have never been taught about divine love. We are only used to using human love - which was birthed in disobedience through Adam in the beginning. God had to send His love to the earth, Jesus, who was the truth to show us what true love is.

Before true love was sent we couldn't have known what true love was.
Sure we know the word love, but our version of love vs. God's is very different. We must be willing to turn in our human love for divine love.

Human Love:

It can be good and evil. It is sensitive, and dependent on emotion. Human love has its own opinions and ideas about things. It is unpredictable. It is selfish. It can be jealous, it can be angry, it gives up when its time to endure. It is bitter sweet. 

Human love is revengeful, its a "as long as you do me right" type of love, it's a "as long as I feel good today". There are many examples of human love in the bible - one example is Cain and Abel. Cain loved his brother Abel and murdered him through anger and jealousy. Today we see many stories of relationships gone awry. Every night when we turn on the news we hear of a death, war, destruction, jealousy, hatred, betrayal, all stemming from a concept of love. 

My college years were filled with a lot of dating, after being betrayed by someone who I thought I loved. My heart longed for revenge and my way of getting through it was not taking anyone seriously. In fact, I hoped that bad things would happen to all the men that had ever done wrong to me. Even in some friendships, I did not show true love - I talked about their faults, instead of just doing them right. With my family, I said I loved them but I only went to them when I needed something, I used them when it was convenient to me - I showed selfish love. 

To me Love, was an emotion. It was something that could be turned on or turned off. If someone crossed you, you turned it off and acted out of feelings. Even with strangers I did not show love, when I saw someone needed help I continued on my way - never looking back.   

Divine Love:

God's divine love is built on his principals and truth. It is unconditional, it does not waver. It is always true and does not fail.  Paul breaks it down in 1 Corinthians 13:

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

He explains that love is above all, even for a believer of Jesus, if you don't have love you have nothing. This is because God is love, but not our concept of love He is truth and therefore our true example of divine love. 1 John 4:7-10 explains:

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

You see, God is love and was true love first. He sent His only son that we might live, not because we loved Him but because He loved us first. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 teaches us how true love acts:

4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Love is one of God's principals. It is His law. In fact God is love. And since God is love and truth, he is the only way you can have true love. Love can go through trying times and still be kind, it does not envy others or envy things, it doesn't show pride in itself. It doesn't snap off or go crazy when someone does you wrong or doesn't agree with you, it is not easily provoked, it does not even think of evil. It doesn't rejoice in other people falling or failing, but it rejoiceth in the truth, which is Jesus.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things. It never fails. Jesus is our perfect example of what true love is and He never fails. Through Him and only Him can we have true love, because He is love. If you don't have Jesus you can't have true love.

I hope that was a good foundation for what true love is. I will continue to write on this topic and about my own experiences with human love, and how God is teaching me to show and have his true divine love. 

Hope you enjoyed and can use this to really think and apply it to your life!

Happy Wednesday!

Pregnancy Essentials + Believing in God's plan

Happy Hump Day! 

I am excited it is half way through the week! Wednesdays feel so far away sometimes, but it's finally here. I am officially 19 weeks preggo, and if you have been reading you know that we are finding out the sex in two days! :) I told my family that we would have a revealing party on Sunday (If I can hold it in!)... We are going to have it either way, for me it's just a reason to get together and EAT. Since that's one of my many pleasures nowadays. 

I thought today I would share a few must haves that are especially important for me, this week at least..

1. Comfy, loose clothing. I seriously feel like dresses are the best way to go, they are light which is great for our current weather and they help you feel free *in all the right places* Ha!

2. Sunglasses. Of course with 97 degree weather and counting the sun is shining down. On top of SPF you must have some stylish shades. Also to hide the fact that you don't really want to wear makeup, you know what I mean!

3. SNACKS! I keep a few different snacks in my bag at all time. Because the little one is taking up space in my tummy, I can't even those big meals I love. I must nibble all day. White cheddar popcorn is my all-time fave. 

4. Cocoa Butter/Belly Cream. Smells so good and helps with those marks on the bod. Gotta take care of the bod. 

5. Water. Gotta stay hydrated, and its important to make sure you have a cute water bottle with you for it. You can always count on VS to get the job done. 

6. A fan. I often feel extremely exhausted and overworked after doing absolutely nothing. Like for example, after I eat. I feel like I've just run a mile. Fan is a must to keep cool as it's still smoltering hot here in MN. 

7. Last but certainly not least, cute comfy shoes. My feet are starting to look chubby.. And although I haven't packed on many pregnancy LB's yet, I know their coming so I gotta get comfortable. 

Exciting News!

So, I don't think I told you guys, but I have been looking into an opportunity to work in the marketing/interactive area at my job. Jesus actually led me to this position. Well, I got it! Got a raise! And start next week! AHHH! I'm super excited to get going, but I am obviously going to miss my girls in my current area! 

Jeremiah 29:11 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

What I wanted to point out is the importance of following God's plan for you. Jesus told me back in January that sometimes we are not given things that we want, when we want them. This is because we are not always ready for them. Taking God's lead in everything will always lead us into the right direction, right on time. You see, He doesn't need any help. In fact His plan is so perfect, it already has a beautiful ending. We have to trust in God's plan, not our own, and know that He has the best plan for our lives. 

Have a great day!

Steamy Weather + OOTD + Our True Work

Happy Monday!

Hope you all had a great weekend! 

It has been ridiculously hot here in Minnesota. I mean 95 degrees plus, which is not normal for us this time of the year. So on Sunday for church, I opted out of my favorite maxi skirt and decided this cute number from H&M would do the trick. 

Dress H&M. Necklace Thrifted. Black Sandals Heartbreaker. Smile Priceless ;).

On top of beating the heat, I met up with some girlfriends from work as my friend was giving away bags of clothes she no longer wears! SCORE! I found so many cute tops and dresses I can wear as my belly grows, so I'm very greatful and super pumped to share some of them with you. 

Also a hot weekend, doesn't end without some type of ice cream in the mix! Yum.

Over the weekend, I also learned some very important keys to life during the sermon yesterday. It involves our true work on this earth. 

Our work and purpose is not about making nice, going to church on the weekends, getting in a routine and serving Christ so that we "feel better" about ourselves. 

Our work and purpose is not about working a good job, having a close family, creating good memories with great people. Sounds good, but that's not what it is about. 

Our true work on this earth is about sharing Jesus with the world. Although, everyone is not going to accept Him (as the bible even states this); our work is to show others how great our lives can be with Him. Showing them how He is the great I am. He is the one true living God, and I am a living testament to his greatness. 

In fact, we all are. 

I have never lived better, and more accomplished life until I had Jesus on my side; and through out it all I have no worries. If any of you knew how I was, I was always a worry wart - couldn't sleep at night at one point I was so depressed from the worries and thoughts that consumed my mind. Now when I began to worry, I give it to Jesus and it always works out. 

 He is my peace in the time of a storm, He is my rock when no one is there, When I have no one to talk to - He is there and He understands exactly how I feel. I don't know where I would be without Him. I am so grateful that He chose little old me to share His word and to live for Him. 

I am excited and filled with true joy!

You all have the right to live a great, wonderful, mysterious, ever changing, beautiful life with Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is everlasting, he is a living God. AND He has a special plan for each and everyone of you if you seek Him. 

Happy Monday! 

Perfect?

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The old saying 'practice makes perfect' was always a mainstay for me throughout the years. I was taught that if you work hard at something, you will get better at it. But that 'perfect' part of the saying, what was that all about? 

All my life I saw people strive to be 'perfect.' Perfect by Webster's defintion means : being entirely without fault or defect. We have been told we cannot possibly be perfect. In a recent teaching at church, my pastor discussed what perfection is to Jesus.

It was amazing to get a true understanding.

He explained that only through God are we perfect, and that it is not something he expects around the clock. Instead, he expects our perfect obedience when he asks of us, calls us, beckons for us. We are to obey and do His will and in that we must do exactly as He says, perfectly as asked or called to do. Naturally, this goes against most things we have been taught - how can you be perfect sometimes and still consider yourself a perfect being to God?

As our heavenly father, he treats us as His loving children. Think back to when you were a young child, or even if you have children now; in our parents eyes we were good kids when we listened to what they told us to do, came when they called us, and obeyed their instructions. We were only punished for not being perfect, if we did not obey. When our parents were not calling us or asking anything of us - they could find no fault in our actions. Being without fault, made us perfect to them in those times where we did not have to be accountable to anything. 

Same goes with God. 

Thoughts?

Twins Game.:Weekend Fun:.Making Adjustments

Happy Sunday!

This week was filled with a few fun events, got to enjoy my love, friends, and the good summer weather, while it's here :)

On Thursday, me and Adrian got last minute (FREE) tickets to the Twin's game from one of his co-workers. We decided to have a spontaneous night out DT. Started with food of course :), then headed to the game. 

Saturday started with a morning brunch at Loring Kitchen & Bar.

(credit: Loring Kitchen and Bar Facebook Page)

The Loring Kitchen and Bar

1359 Willow St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 843-0400
http://www.loringkitchen.com/

Celebrating two of my dear girlfriend's 26th birthdays! Wow, time has flown :) 

Later, Me and Adrian went to see the new Denzel Washington/Mark Wahlberg film - 2Guns. I had higher expectations but it was still pretty good. Very action packed, with some humor from both of the great actors. Paula Patton is also in this, she's gorg.. But I didn't like her character as much.

On a different note.. 

This year has been an eye opening year and experience for me. From finding salvation, to marriage, to finding true happiness, and becoming responsible/accountable, I have learned an awful lot.

Writing this post makes me smile. There was a sermon this a few weekends back at church and while there were a lot of great topics discussed, there was one that me and my sister dove a little deeper into and thought was so interesting.

We will make adjustments for the world, but not for Jesus. 

On a daily basis we are held to standards in the world. For example - On a new job, our new employer requires us to prove our worth to them and work for 90 days until we are given benefits. We do it with a smile. We kick and scream when we feel we are following the will of Jesus for a week, and don't get what we think we deserve.

We abstain from alcohol for various reasons when we are required to, but when it comes to Jesus, we just can't limit our intake or give it up for Him.

We are required to work 5 days a week, sometimes even more than that. But when it comes to taking 1 or 2 days out to go to church to spend time with God, its like pulling teeth.

We always want Jesus to move when we need Him, but we are not willing to do what He asks of us when He needs us. We take our time and want Him to jump as soon as we call Him.

How sad to think that a God that can give us everything, can only get so little from His people. I would like to use this post as a motivation to all of us to think of how we would feel if someone treated us that way. When you are working on a relationship, there is give and take. Often times when there is an imbalance things seem to not work out. In our relationships with Christ, the more you give the more He will give back to you. He is true and perfect and will always hold up His end of the bargain.

So I am challenging myself to do the same. 

Will you take the challenge with me?

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