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'I'm getting hotter': Charli XCX slams stan criticism of latest single Baby




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Puppy Potty Training.. in 7 Days! -- How to potty train your puppy in 7 days

Puppy potty training in 7 days! Learn how to potty train your puppy in as little as 7 days.



  • Home & Family -- Pets

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Dogs - Dog Training - House Training - House Breaking - Puppy Potty Training

Detailed step by step guide to fast and effective dog house training.



  • Home & Family -- Pets

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ScottishWidows

ScottishWidows Credit Card with Cashback!




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The hottest advertising trend of today

Information on how to get your favourite tag before your competetor gets hold of it.




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JW Marriott - AAA Discount

AAA Discount




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Splendid - Shop Men's Bottoms with Free Shipping fea...

Shop Men's Bottoms with Free Shipping featuring Jogger and Track Pants, Shorts and more! # Expiration: 6-11-2026




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Confidence in Every Strand: Shop the Hottest Wigs for Sale this season

Have you noticed that people tend to wear different hairstyles during summertime? So have we and that is why we decided to investigate what types of wigs are the most sought after during this season. If you are looking at wigs for sale wondering which style to get for yourself, we are here to help [...]

The post Confidence in Every Strand: Shop the Hottest Wigs for Sale this season appeared first on Braves News World.




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Uganda: Journalists Boycott Parliament Coverage After Detention By Security

[Nile Post] At a press conference, UPPA president Sam Ibanda Mugabi strongly criticised the decision, underscoring the importance of independent media coverage free from interference.




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Potted bulbs

Potted bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths add a refreshing touch of Spring indoors during the winter months. With a little know-how they can be recycled to rebloom outdoors. Here’s what to do when...




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Plus-size tiny house provides rustic cottage living on wheels

Alabama's Timbercraft Tiny Homes has carved out a niche in the small living movement with its luxurious cottage-like models, such as the Teton. The Big Sky follows a similar rustic aesthetic and features a spacious interior that sleeps up to four people.

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Category: Tiny Houses, Lifestyle

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Amy and Scott Davis with their family in Belize





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Belize Guest Comments - Scott and Tanya from Winston-Salem, North Caroline, USA



The Jungle Dome will always be special in our memories for many reasons:


  •  Friendly staff and excellent food! (Loved the fresh orange juice and the fry jacks for breakfast) 
  • Clean and comfortable room (Loved the fridge and coffee maker) 
  • Beautiful surroundings and wonderful sounds of the jungle (Orange trees, flowers, howler monkeys, horses galloping, and birds, plus roosters too!) 
  • Refreshing pool and relaxing hammocks…aahhhh! 
  • Daytrips to the ruins, cave tubing with David, the Blue Hole to swim, and driving on the beautiful Hummingbird Highway. 
  • Also, the visit to Iguana Conservation Project in San Ignacio, was lots of fun (I think I’ve already taken over 1000 photos in three days)

·         Most importantly, the Jungle Dome will be forever in our memory, because this us where we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. 

Thanks for sharing your piece of paradise in Belize, that we plan on sharing with our own friends and family through stories, pictures, and memories. 

Best wishes for the future,

Scott & Tonya Craver
Winston-Salem, NC, USA. July 2013

P.S. Our kids would have loved the basketball goal and soccer field...guess we might just have to bring them next time!




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A forgotten page of the Freedom Struggle: the Khanpur Estate and Bara Basti villages

In the famous second battle of Gulaothi which was fought on 29 July 1857, British forces wanted to take control of the whole of the Bulandshahr district. To stop their advance, Nawab Walidad Khan of Malagarh deputed his main commanders, Haji Munir Khan and Ismail Khan, to Gulaothi.




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Maulana Syed Kifayat Ali Kafi: A Forgotten Freedom Fighter

Maulana Syed Kifayat Ali Kafi, a prominent Islamic scholar, poet, and freedom fighter, was executed by the British on May 6, 1858, at the crossroads of Moradabad.




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New Mercedes E-Class review: Has the best gotten better?

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a long, storied history with India with the first model officially launched almost 30 years ago. It has been going strong ever since and has been the bestselling Mercedes in India for years. Its popularity only grew with the introduction of the long-wheelbase V213 model in 2017. In its sixth generation now, the V214 E-Class is bigger, techier and promises the same chart-topping performance. We test the claim with the entry-level E 200.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class exterior

The new E-Class is longer, taller, and has a longer wheelbase than before, and as a result, road presence is considerable. Up front it gets LED headlamps in Merc’s latest design language, but the digital LED lights with projector elements are reserved for the top-of-the-line E 450. The star-studded grille with the huge Mercedes logo further adds the necessary bling, though its thick black surround seems at odds with the otherwise restrained and classy look.

It doesn't scrape over large bumps, but you still need to be careful due to its long wheelbase.

Over to the side, the added length gives it that much-needed limousine look, while the S-Class-like flush door handles are a techy touch. Like the new BMW 5 Series, the E-Class also gets 18-inch wheels, but, as the spokes stretch to the end of the rim, they feel bigger and don’t look as disproportionate as the ones on the BMW. The separated rear quarter glass is a nod to the Maybach S-Class.

Gets 18-inch alloys like the 5 Series, but the Merc's look more proportional.

At the rear, it gets LED tail-lamps with a tri-arrow design motif, and a healthy dose of chrome. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior

The E-Class has also grown on the inside, both in terms of space and modernity. The front section is dominated by what’s called a ‘Superscreen’, which means the dashboard itself is made of three individual screens: a 12.3-inch free-standing digital instrument cluster, a 14.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch passenger touchscreen. We’ve seen this cluster on new Mercs with a host of customisation options (although not as much as in larger Mercs), but the large centre screen is where most of the functionality is. So much so that even the AC vents are digitally controlled via the settings in the climate menu of the screen. Definitely a handful, but something that would mostly concern the chauffeur more than the owner seated in the rear, and luckily can be manually overriden. Moreover, HVAC controls are now exclusively in the touchscreen like the S- and C-Class, but less intuitively, require a two-step process to access.

Dash dominated by Superscreen; passenger gets 12.3-inch touchscreen.

What’s impressive are the seats that offer good room and support with the right amount of cushioning. The soft pillows help, but ventilation is sorely missed on hot days. Also, strangely, the Burmester sound system’s stunning 4D experience is exclusive to the front seats. The speakers inside the seats can be altered up to 10 levels, and at their maximum, are strong enough to double up as a massage function as well. Aesthetically, it gets a large open-pore wood panel for the centre console and soft-touch materials all around. What is a slight irritant is the cramped footwell with a cramped dead pedal – noticeable if you are someone with a UK12 foot size. 

Burmester sound system's 4D experience exclusive to the front seats.

In the back, space is even more generous than before. But it’s not just the sheer room on offer; the overall comfort is impressive as well. The seats, like at the front, are hugely comfy with the right amount of support and cushioning; however, the party piece is the recline that’s moves the backrest from 26 degrees to 36 degrees. And that's not all, the seat squab also features an extendable underthigh support for added comfort. Add to that the ‘Boss’ mode, which allows you to push the passenger seat all the way to the front, and you get enough room to sit as comfortably as you would in a lounge chair. It also features powered sunblinds for the rear windshield and windows with manual blinds for the rear quarter glass. AC performance was a sore point for the earlier version, but the four-zone climate control and the AC vents housed in the centre and B-pillars help cool the cabin fast. However, a command touchpad to control the infotainment from the rear would have been a cherry on top.

The India-spec E-Class gets the ‘Chauffeur Pack’ as standard, which brings with it a foldable centre armrest for the rear with cup holders, a wireless charging pad and some storage space. Fold the armrest back and you’ll have a centre seat, but it’s far from comfortable due to the large centre tunnel hump. This makes the E-Class only an occasional 5-seater.

Boss mode and 36-degree reclining seats mean it's as comfortable as a lounge chair.

What does improve practicality, however, is the fact that you no longer have to sacrifice boot space with a spare wheel. The space saver now sits under the boot floor and results in a rather generous 510-litre boot.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class performance

The new E-Class comes with three powertrain options: the E 200 seen here with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, the E 220d with a 2.0-litre diesel and the E 450 with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine. In terms of performance, the 2.0-litre petrol engine makes 204hp and 320Nm but also features a 48V mild-hybrid setup that bumps up the power by 23hp under acceleration. That said, the response is linear and the surge in acceleration is gentle. Although it’s more responsive in Sport mode, it never feels too aggressive. Mated to the engine is a 9-speed automatic, which, thanks to the closely stacked gears, always ensures you are in the power band.

The mild-hybrid setup aids in bottom-end response and the torque flattens out once you’re over triple-digit speeds. The engine is refined, but there’s a raspy exhaust note that seeps into the cabin past 3,200rpm; it is far from sounding coarse. 0-100kph is a relaxed 8.25 seconds but there is no dearth of pulling power during overtakes.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class ride and handling

While the performance might not be something to boast about, the focus of an E-Class is always comfort and ride quality. With 18-inch wheels and a soft suspension setup, the new E rides well and composed on smooth highways. However, over broken roads, especially at low speeds, there is a fair bit of movement inside the cabin, and it can thud over bad patches. That said, ground clearance is something you don't have to worry about much with the new E. Large speed bumps are well managed, and the car almost never scrapes its underbelly. Impressive, but you still need to be wary of the long wheelbase over some poorly built speed bumps. 

0-100kph takes 8.25 seconds, but there's no dearth of pulling power during overtakes.

Handling manners are neutral with a light yet sharp and linear steering that aids manoeuvrability. You can tweak the response in the drive modes, but it remains a comfy cruiser and not a corner carver. That said, grip levels are good and body roll, despite the soft suspension, is only marginal.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class price and verdict

Priced at Rs 78.5 lakh, the E 200 is only Rs 2 lakh more than its predecessor, and given the updates, it's not a significant amount. Against its rival, the 5 Series, also available in long-wheelbase guise, it's Rs 5.8 lakh more, so a comparison between the two is inevitable. But as things stand, the new E-Class – especially in this E 200 guise – has got a lot of things right. Sure, more tech should have been lavished at the rear instead of the front given its primarily chauffeur-driven duties. Still though, it is a vast improvement over the previous version, which is a feat in itself. 

It gets the stately look expected of a limousine, plenty of tech to keep it modern for a few years, and amazingly, an even more spacious and comfy rear seat than before. It's clearly then a no-brainer. The only question remaining is if it is better than the new BMW 5 Series, and we will find that out soon.

Also see:

Next-gen Mercedes CLA previewed ahead of global debut

Constant changes in EV taxation distort the market, says Mercedes India CEO

 




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Deepika Padukone’s Pottery Barn debut

Pottery Barn’s first home furnishings collaboration with its brand ambassador Deepika Padukone went live globally this week



  • Homes and gardens

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Kia Seltos facelift spotted with panoramic sunroof

The Seltos has only been available with a single-pane sunroof in India since launch, but it now gets a panoramic sunroof




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KTM 200 Duke with LED headlights spotted

The KTM 200 Duke sports the same design as the larger Dukes, with a central spine running top-to-bottom, splitting the headlight elements.




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Learn to make parottas like a pro at this culinary school in Madurai

Selfie Parotta Coaching Centre helps chefs fluff up the flakiest parottas to soak up the perfect amount of salna




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Karnataka government wants sugar content in beer capped at 25% of weight of malt of grain and declared on bottle label

Brewers have taken exception to the draft notification on it and demanded its withdrawal




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Youth and Young Adults -The Forgotten Stewards

If our youth and emerging adults do not understand and practice true Christian stewardship, we have sealed the regrettable fate of many of our churches. And yet, we have a relative dearth of resources or information available to teach true Christian stewardship to this most critical group of parishioners/stakeholders.Bill Marianes talks with Y2AM Director Steve Christoforou.




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Harry Potter

Frederica reviews the final Harry Potter movie—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two.




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Who's That Idiot Next to the Potted Plant?

Recently, I uploaded an old video to YouTube, of one of the strangest and funniest experiences I ever had with an interview. It was 1996. A producer for a viewer-call-in political talk show, "Capital Watch," phoned me about the work I was doing with a group called Common Ground for Life and Choice. We brought pro-life and pro-choice people together in dialogue, to get better understanding of each other's beliefs. (To get past misunderstanding so we could arrive at genuine disagreement, I used to say.) I put it on my calendar, and drove to the studio on Capital Hill. But while I was standing just off the set, waiting to be introduced, I heard the host say I was going to talk about common ground between Republicans and Democrats. I knew nothing about that. I didn't follow politics at all. But in a matter of seconds I had to walk on the set, sit down, and basically fake it for 20 minutes. I guess the producer had written "Common Ground" on the schedule without any further explanation, and that's what the hosts thought I was there to talk about. It's pretty funny. You can see me making guesses about what answer the hosts expected me to give, trying to sound like I actually knew something about the topic. Afterward I wrote a column about it, and how you can see someone on a talk show who appears to not know what they're talking about, "the idiot beside the potted plant." Well, that would be me. Watch the interview at www.youtube.com/watch?v=SneiaHIiogA. Read the column at: frederica.com/writings/whos-that-idiot-next-to-the-potted-plant.html.




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Bishops - Part 52: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire

Fr. Tom takes up his series on the bishops and structure of the Church and moves to the 19th Century fall of the Ottoman Empire.




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Only Begotten Son and Word of God

In his continuing series on the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Thomas reflects on the hymn sung at every Liturgy with its origins attributed to Sts. Justinian and Theodora in the sixth century.




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Gotta Go To Camp Now

Fr. John Monto joins Fr. Joseph Huneycutt for a week at Camp St Raphael. This week's podcast offers an audio snapshot -- including the soon-to-be-classic "DOWAMA Don't Let Your Campers Grow Up to be Clergy" and the new smash hit, "Gotta Go To Camp Now." Enjoy!




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Peter Cottontail and Pascha

A silly visit from the "Easter Bunny" leads to a serious exposé of "Spring Celebration Customs," the bunny basket, and the Pascha basket—even red eggs—in this timely encore episode.




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Here Comes Peter Cottontail?

So tell us, Father Joseph—just how did the Resurrection of our Lord get mixed up with bunnies, chocolate, and eggs?




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Spotting Bad Research

Today Fr. Anthony talks with heterodox political scientist Matthew Woessner (PhD, OSU) about how to recognize bad research. We are being inundated by all kinds of misinformation (and disinformation!) through the press and social media, to include from otherwise Orthodox sources. This is increasing our polarization and decreasing our trust in institutions and one another. Learning to recognize bad research isn't just useful for spotting deceptions about public health; it may even help us see through bogus claims about about ecclesial politics. Matthew Woessner is a Professor of Institutional Research at the United States Army War College, but the views he presents in this talk are his own.




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Episode 16: Harry Potter and the Pop Culture Podcast

The guys read Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and discuss friendship, character, sacrifice, and love. They close with their top five magical (non-Harry-Potter) characters.




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Episode 119: PCCH LIVE! Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Podcast (Pt. 1)

Steve Christoforou and Christian Gonzalez are joined by Christina Andresen for this special live episode of Pop Culture Coffee Hour! Recorded at the 2020 Youth and Camp Workers Conference in Phoenix, they discuss why Hogwarts is a CPS call waiting to happen, how friendship makes us better, and whether youth can be trusted with the Church. They close with a brief Q&A; and a promise to finish what Dumbledore started. Listen to Part 2 at https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/popculture/episode_120_harry_potter_and_the_half_blood_podcast_pt_2.




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Episode 120: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Podcast (Pt. 2)

Christina Andresen, Steve Christoforou, and Christian Gonzalez finish up their conversation on Harry Potter. They discuss how youth ministry should look like Defense Against the Dark Arts, how sacrifice shows true mastery over death, and who they think the true hero of the story is. They close with their Top 5 Things (and an Accidental One) They'd Make Into Horcruxes. Listen to Part 1 at https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/popculture/episode_119_pcch_live_harry_potter_and_the_half_blood_podcast_pt_1.




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Episode 153: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

The girls watched the Netflix film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. They discuss the emphasis on community over individualism, how death impacts life (and vice versa), as well as issues between races.




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Concerning Charlottesville and Related Disasters

What does the Orthodox Church have to say about Charlottesville? In the vocabulary of the day, nothing. In the language of the redemption of mankind: the Good News of Redemption found alone in Jesus Christ, and a life committed to imitation of his Royal way. The greatest mistake any human person can make, in this situation or any other, is to think that human means and ways will solve the tragedies and disasters of the fallen world. The solution must come from outside us, above us. Salvation is not found in killing our neighbor or our enemy. Salvation is found is seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in neighbor and in blessing our enemy, both. So if you wish to be saved, and if you want to make “a positive change in the world,” look neither to the Left, nor to the Right. Look up to Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the World.




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter One

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter One, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018) Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Two

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Two, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Three

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Three, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018) Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Four

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Four, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Five

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Five, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Six

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Six, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Seven

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Seven, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Eight

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Eight, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Nine

Christmas at Pine Cottage, Chapter Nine and Conclusion, by Renee Riva (Forget Me Not Romances, an imprint of Winged Publications, 2018). Available on Amazon




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Scott Cairns - A Short Trip To The Edge

Visit the "holy mountain" of Mt. Athos, and join in the quest for a spiritual elder with acclaimed poet and author Scot Cairns, who reads selections from his newly-released book and talks with two-time pilgrim to the holy mountain, Kevin Allen!




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Harry Potter - Friend or Foe?

Please note: The opinions expressed on this program do not necessarily reflect those of Ancient Faith Radio or Conciliar Press. In this hour long special edition program, Steve McMeans welcomes two guest co-hosts, Mary Braun and Andrew Honore! Our guest today is John Granger, a noted Harry Potter expert - www.HogwartsProfessor.com. Mr. Granger has traveled about the country speaking about these books, his predictions since they were being written, and their place in the canon of English Literature. Warning - if you have not read the latest Harry Potter book and don't want to know the plot, be aware that it is revealed in the discussion.




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Bop Spotter

an Android phone hidden in the Mission is set to Shazam all audio 24/7 and post the roughly 120 songs/day it can identify #




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Rotting in the Barn




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So You Gotta Have Faith




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You Are My Son!  Today, I Have Begotten You