Velvet Ashes / GROW | Site-Wide Activity https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/ Activity feed for the entire site. Sat, 11 Apr 2026 01:34:32 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v=2.21.0 en-US 30 hourly 2 c76d2514654abb682ced4875f7c9ace7 jmihsill posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi, Ladies - Has the 2026 Retreat group opened? I […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14788/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:21:31 -0400 Hi, Ladies – Has the 2026 Retreat group opened? I can’t find it. When I click on the link to the chat group that’s in the retreat experience, I get an error page (404 message). Thanks!

]]> 4 b874895a968ebaa5efab9bb28a209200 Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_formation&p=64088 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:40 -0400 0 61a5afe4bf4c9e58cf30a84e436a0d79 DeniseB posted a new theme. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_themes&p=63764 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400 0 61a5afe4bf4c9e58cf30a84e436a0d79 sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_book_club&p=63727 Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400 0 3ed8927ade9c7b9f4def348bf36d7365 BeccaT posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What was your original call to the […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14765/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 08:01:50 -0400 @gerd.lepoidevin What was your original call to the field? Is that the same call that has kept you their for so long, or how has it changed?

]]> 1 8a1237864532a6d9d02b275adecbf0ab AngieW posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin What about grandkids? We don't have any […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14760/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:07:47 -0400 @gerd.lepoidevin What about grandkids? We don’t have any yet but I think we will in the next 2-3 years. My husband already says he’s not sure how he’ll be able to leave them 😉

]]> 1 09d9f18ffed0ab6d43b5dc4c39a57ac3 Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin Hi Gerd! How do you and your husband […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14759/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:52:23 -0400 @gerd.lepoidevin Hi Gerd! How do you and your husband stay connected with your children who are spread out across the globe?

]]> 3 5bf57099a3a9efe522e0bfb7cd8f1e9b lynette-a-y posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin I noticed you were born in Norway but […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14754/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 03:49:37 -0400 @gerd.lepoidevin I noticed you were born in Norway but married an American! Were there any culture shocks or surprises in your marriage? How did you deal with them?

]]> 2 fd9b9248276c7a0b84c4582bedd3a2c6 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: It is crazy that we are already almost to the end of […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14745/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:36:23 -0400 It is crazy that we are already almost to the end of March! We will be wrapping up reading Get Over Here by Melissa Zaldivar and moving back to regular chatting. 😉

There are two Zoom opportunities to discuss the book and your experience with community as a single serving cross-culturally. It is okay if you haven’t finished the book! You can…

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]]> 2 456e972397379bc8ff69a06c0054de25 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @gerd.lepoidevin if you could go back and tell […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14744/ Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:22:37 -0400 @gerd.lepoidevin if you could go back and tell your newly-arrived-on-the-field self something (advice, encouragement) what would it be?

]]> 1 08cf20123fce111de9da928f96eb9a02 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: This resource was shared in the Global Member Care […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14743/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:50:32 -0400

This resource was shared in the Global Member Care Network and we wanted to pass it on!

FieldPartner is launching a new course on Cross-cultural Marriage this Thursday!

Cross-cultural marriages are beautiful—but they come with real challenges too.

Different expectations, communication styles, and traditions can create tension—but with the right…

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Two Cultures, One Heart

Building a thriving and joyful marriage for cross-cultural couples

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Two Cultures, One Heart

Building a thriving and joyful marriage for cross-cultural couples

]]> 0 6494626fb1236bceea5aeefdbad3c0ef sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14742/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:51:08 -0400 Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25)!

@gerd.lepoidevin has been our featured guest in our membership community this month and we get the chance to send all our questions her way. They can be about her life on the field, her favorite things, her recommendations or whatever! Anyone is welcome to…

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grow.velvetashes.com

Page not found - Velvet Ashes / GROW

Page not found - Velvet Ashes / GROW

]]> 0 afbff9fc2654042c3c53c2e309c98f0d RuthP posted an update in the group Moms: I'm planning to travel to the US later this year to […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14735/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 01:43:34 -0400 I’m planning to travel to the US later this year to surprise my Dad for his 70th birthday. We took a furlough not too long ago and the kids will all be in school so my husband is going to stay back with them. I am so looking forward to this trip and really grateful for the oppressed but ai already feel like I will have people judging me…

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]]> 4 9bb72c3169defd7bda588401c193cc5b RK1 posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi ladies,Im super thankful that I found this group! […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14732/ Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:45:19 -0400 Hi ladies,

Im super thankful that I found this group! Reading through your posts has already been such an encouragement and learning opportunity for me.

My family and I will be officially moving to SE Asia this July. We will have a 2 year old and 6 month old by then. My husband has been traveling in and out of the region extensively for a while…

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]]> 9 ef376a795de00ab268801249f64db3b1 meggo1 posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi ladies! I just got married last month and would LOVE […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14719/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:36:45 -0400 Hi ladies! I just got married last month and would LOVE any and all advice y’all have! We’re both originally from the US and both have been serving in Asia for several years (same country, different regions). He’s 42 and I’m 39 so we’ve lived quite a while as adult singles overseas. For the next few months we’ll live in my region but then…

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]]> 4 0bfbc63b8a8d9457270991817effca8a sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Friends, if you are following the reading schedule for […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14713/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:19:35 -0400 Friends, if you are following the reading schedule for “Get Over Here”, we are reading Chapter 6 this week.

Thanks for sharing your feedback on meeting times! Here are two options to join a Zoom call to chat about the book.

Thursday, March 26 — 12:00 pm UTC (8:00 am US Eastern)

Monday, March 30 — 4:00 pm UTC (12:00 pm US Eastern)

I’ll share…

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]]> 0 12f4563e7dafb573813c1a05bee5e789 MicheleZ posted an update in the group Book Club: Hi Ladies, just wanted to let you know the September […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14700/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:11:55 -0500 Hi Ladies, just wanted to let you know the September book, Ask of Old Paths is currently marked down to $4.99 (from $14.99) on Kindle.🙂

]]> 2 e6c94532ce3133e42eced8a0edd4a7f0 Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_formation&p=63427 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:21 -0500
Suffering

We’re continuing the Lenten journey this month, preparing our hearts for the cross and the tomb. We’re exploring how the way of Jesus is the way of suffering. How does he want to companion us in our suffering?

]]> 3 4cb53bb59da22451c7e96e4e78c548dd DeniseB posted a new theme. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_themes&p=63038 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500 2 c464b94ebb4176dc8e9300d94d27c1c6 sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_book_club&p=63315 Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0500
The Scarlet Pimpernel

The Scarlet Pimpernel with Sarah, Rachel and Danita Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book at the start…

]]> 2 7e83ba6e598c183f410883c54528df87 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Hey friends! Originally I hoped to do a midway point […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14647/ Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:26:03 -0500 Hey friends! Originally I hoped to do a midway point Zoom call to chat about “Get Over Here”, but I am going to be traveling. And I want to give all of us space to read at the pace that is needed. SO, let’s plan for an ending Zoom call and I want to go ahead and get that scheduled. My hope is to offer two different time options that will work…

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Singles Zoom Call

Please mark your preferred times for a Zoom call. All times are listed in UTC so you can check your local time here. Note that Daylight Savings in the US and other time changes may have occurred by this point. … Continue reading

docs.google.com

Singles Zoom Call

Please mark your preferred times for a Zoom call. All times are listed in UTC so you can check your local time here. Note that Daylight Savings in the US and other time changes may have occurred by this point. … Continue reading

]]> 0 090a611f1a9277d825eae4b7aceaf440 MicheleZ posted an update in the group Book Club: I'm loving Yet We Still Laugh! Thanks to the editors and […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14643/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:33:58 -0500 I’m loving Yet We Still Laugh! Thanks to the editors and to everyone in this group who contributed! I’d love to hear from those who didn’t (or who did, actually)- any funny stories that you remember when you’re reading others’ funny stories?

]]> 6 c7f4e5878665ed9a5e24d485488ff369 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Has anyone ever done a pilgrimage (like walking the […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14630/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 14:57:14 -0500 Has anyone ever done a pilgrimage (like walking the Camino de Santiago)? I haven’t yet but am preparing to walk part of the Camino later this year. I’d love to hear about your experience, whatever that looked like for you! If you haven’t done a pilgrimage, do you have one you would like to do?

]]> 17 36f0ccac723b83a63583b8ba200ccc06 Danielle Wheeler posted an update: Hi friends, I'm really looking forward to our […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14629/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:17:19 -0500 Hi friends, I’m really looking forward to our Lenten Journey that starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday! If you’d like to join us in the daily Scripture readings, here’s what we’re following: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nx69qLzU2iWrndueKCYmRgJYUlXfnfpN/view?usp=sharing

You’re welcome to share what you’re noticing here or in the…

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drive.google.com

A Lenten Journey - Daily Readings.pdf

A Lenten Journey - Daily Readings.pdf

]]> 0 102018d81d5aedf09ac593be3a7b332c Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi Nikki! Fellow social worker here. 👋 Some of […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14617/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:55:44 -0500 Hi Nikki! Fellow social worker here. 👋 Some of my pre-college cross-cultural experiences (similar to your work) shaped why I studied what I did… but I love that you’ve been studying and working in the field simultaneously.
What is the most rewarding part of your work with the girls?

]]> 1 034157005b6dd4f18073316d8d06c211 jmihsill posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi, @nikki-jacobson -- Question for the AMA: What's […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14615/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 13:54:48 -0500 Hi, @nikki-jacobson — Question for the AMA: What’s your funniest story from your time serving cross-culturally?

]]> 2 3f3b809d0b5f1ac16344a5ec9c88975e sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey @nikki-jacobson what's your go-to coffee shop order? ☕ https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14603/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:15:00 -0500 Hey @nikki-jacobson what’s your go-to coffee shop order? ☕

]]> 2 4324421d3329fdc20290f26c862fb336 Joanne posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi Nikki! What are some of your favourite things that […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14612/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 11:36:36 -0500 Hi Nikki! What are some of your favourite things that you have brought from your passport country?

]]> 1 26aa0a42a1c3feefa00d2f3f12dbcac2 lynette-a-y posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Happy Tuesday! For the AMA with @nikki-jacobson , […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14609/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:33:20 -0500 Happy Tuesday! For the AMA with @nikki-jacobson , what’s a book you’ve been enjoying lately? Do you have a favorite quote from it to share? 😊

]]> 2 8570fe2624917722245c5c7c10019e07 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: If you are reading along in "Get Over Here", we […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14606/ Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:36:23 -0500 If you are reading along in “Get Over Here”, we are reading Chapter 2 this week!

Chapter 2 is called Commiseration, and dives into finding space for all the feelings of singleness: grief, joy, frustration, hope, contentment. What has it looked like for you to hold all of those things? When it comes to community, do you feel like you are able…

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]]> 6 2bac6408e585509af5b3188d49dba4c2 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14602/ Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:43:01 -0500 Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up next week, on Tuesday, February 10th!

@nikki-jacobson has been our featured guest in our membership community this month and we get the chance to send all our questions her way. They can be about her life and work on the field, her favorite things, her recommendations or whatever! Anyone is…

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]]> 0 17e167bf13b4c20238044a3680a3ba8b sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: It is officially February (I know, I'm a day behind ;)) […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14581/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:27:20 -0500 It is officially February (I know, I’m a day behind ;)) and we are kicking off our mini Book Club! Our reading schedule is very gentle, and this week we are reading the Introduction and Chapter 1. Feel free to come back to this post to add any thoughts, questions or opinions as you read this week. Also, I’d love to know, how does the culture…

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]]> 4 8605e8952062ce9e5391bfd5e2b479db Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_formation&p=62895 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:17 -0500 2 c8cfbee6581a029f2889b2ccabccc234 DeniseB posted a new theme. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_themes&p=62562 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500 2 b0bf79630a5430b184e86bb9d0b2deea sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_book_club&p=62735 Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0500
Yet We Still Laugh

Yet We Still Laugh with Sarah, Rachel and Janessa Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book at the…

]]> 0 ab817f0e5f8b74262b3ae589304ca75e DeniseB posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey guys, just checking in with everybody. I know it can […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14548/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 18:39:41 -0500 Hey guys, just checking in with everybody. I know it can be hard to process the heavy things happening in the world in a space where you can acknowledge and share openly. I find I’m having to play the dance with how to do that in person with my community where I am. And it just made me wonder how are you doing?

What’s felt especially heavy to…

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]]> 15 6e4dd8cdfdaa18a4b12ff06513215062 jmihsill posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi, All! Wishing I could meet up with you at the […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14545/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 10:15:59 -0500 Hi, All! Wishing I could meet up with you at the local coffee shop for a cup of coffee in person today!

I was wondering when I should start keeping my eye out for spring retreat materials. Already anticipating what the Lord will do again this year as I enjoy the retreats so much!

]]> 1 bd3f4caa346e70e40132e7a1a0909675 Danita posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hello Karli! If you weren't living in your current […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14532/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:44:07 -0500 Hello Karli! If you weren’t living in your current country or your passport country, where would you like to live? 🌍

]]> 2 73b1f179499b316c1eb0e00c0555f751 nikki-jacobson posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hiiiii Karli! Can you share some ways that you manage […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14529/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:23:32 -0500 Hiiiii Karli! Can you share some ways that you manage your stress in your life abroad?

]]> 1 254e2f9b78819428b1626df16b0bce3d gerd.lepoidevin posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hi Karli, how have you grown as a person between […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14528/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:12:10 -0500 Hi Karli, how have you grown as a person between your arrival on the field and today?

]]> 2 4787860df491bfe192f63aeac0f41e7f DeniseB posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @karli.vonherbulis What favorite apps could you share? I […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14523/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:57:47 -0500 @karli.vonherbulis What favorite apps could you share? I noticed you use one to keep track of your flights?

]]> 4 34ebb17eb12f09a445b0514ea2486656 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: @karli.vonherbulis are you a goal-setter? Do you have […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14520/ Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:15:17 -0500 @karli.vonherbulis are you a goal-setter? Do you have any goals (or hopes) for 2026?

]]> 3 48aeb0901257714dc4ed630dca2bb282 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group The Velvet Ashes Coffee Shop: Hey friends, we've got something fun for you coming […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14518/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:31:54 -0500 Hey friends, we’ve got something fun for you coming up tomorrow (January 21)!

@karli.vonherbulis has been our featured guest in our membership community this month and we get the chance to send all our questions her way. They can be about her life and work on the field, her favorite things, her recommendations or whatever!

Here’s how it will work:…

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docs.google.com

AMA Day with Karli

Post your question anonymously here.

]]> 0 341b0a10b76449684c5a415b1832db28 madeline-h posted an update in the group Moms: Hey moms!This is niche, but are there any others who […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14505/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 18:27:23 -0500 Hey moms!

This is niche, but are there any others who have successfully cloth diapered their babies with a cold water only routine? I’ve been cloth diapering my toddler (packets and inserts) for about a year and have added my newborn, recently. Our wash routine seems to be ok, but I’m curious if there is anything different I can be doing that I…

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]]> 3 9dd3a6365cbf8d8f117944d21ea289e9 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: I'm excited to read Get Over Here: A Single's Guide […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14487/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 16:46:31 -0500 I’m excited to read Get Over Here: A Single’s Guide to Building Meaningful Community by Melissa Zaldivar with you! This mini book club will start February 1st. There will be weekly prompts + two Zoom call opportunities to chat more about the book. Here is a reading schedule if you would like!

February 1: Introduction & Chapter 1

February 8:…

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]]> 8 74053cd148dac8cfb0fe7e31c9ccb897 RachelKahindi posted an update in the group Book Club: A heads-up, book clubbers! Everything Is Tuberculosis, […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14485/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:23 -0500 A heads-up, book clubbers! Everything Is Tuberculosis, our September book, is on sale for Kindle right now: $2.99.

]]> 3 bb1045998caa6a3aa4ce49835e72c470 sarah_hilkemann posted an update in the group Singles: Happy New Year, friends! Did anyone do anything special […] https://grow.velvetashes.com/community/p/14483/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 21:39:37 -0500 Happy New Year, friends! Did anyone do anything special to ring in a new year?

For our Family theme this month, I created a journaling guide particularly for singles related to the theme. It has similar categories as the one on the Family theme page, but with some specific ways to engage with the topics as a single. You are welcome to check…

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]]> 3 60859b10dacd17543cf7e921a88ff13f Danielle Wheeler posted a new spiritual formation. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_formation&p=61741 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:04 -0500 0 44faeaad0e162ae3793ef296b901d4f5 DeniseB posted a new theme. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_themes&p=61773 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500 0 23c34275c9abb5888cf15c86fc6507ce sarah_hilkemann posted a new book club. https://grow.velvetashes.com/?post_type=va_book_club&p=61838 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0500
James

January Podcast – James with Sarah, Danita and Rachel Monthly Reading Plan You can choose to read at your own pace—binging the book at the…

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