Creating Community: The Common Threads in Mindy Starns Clark’s Books (Plus a Giveaway!)

Some writers will pick a single genre and stick with it their entire careers, while others tend to produce a wider variety of works. Looking at my own oeuvre, it’s easy to see I fall into the latter category. Over the past 20 years, I have written plenty of Amish fiction and nonfiction, but I’ve also written mystery novels, dual-timeline novels, and even a how-to book on housekeeping!

That’s a lot of variety, something the creative side of me needs in order to flourish. I love to explore, creatively speaking. In fact, if I’d had to write the same types of stories in the same genre for every single book I’d ever done, I’d have gotten incredibly bored. Like I said, variety.

Or is it?

Upon closer inspection, despite having penned such a wide rage of works, I find that some common themes do tend to resurface across almost all of my fiction, such as:

  • characters who are somehow isolated but come to find connection and community through the course of the story
  • strong female protagonists who are smart in life but clueless in love
  • long-hidden family secrets, unusual settings, unique professions, and more

My Brother's CrownMost of these elements are included with intention, but the truth is that common threads can appear across an author’s entire body of work, creating connections that he or she never consciously intended. This is exactly what happened to me with regard to what’s known as “displaced people groups.”

The United Nations defines this as “the forced movement of people from their locality or environment and occupational activities. It is a form of social change caused by a number of factors, the most common being armed conflict. Natural disasters, famine, development and economic changes may also be a cause of displacement.”

Apparently, there is something about this phenomenon that stirs my creative interest enough to shape entire novels around it—yet it took my husband to point this out to me. It happened a few years ago, when I first told him of a new series that Leslie Gould and I wanted to write, about a family of Huguenots forced to flee from France under the threat of religious persecution.

“Great idea,” he said. “So it’ll be another one of your displaced people group stories.”

“My what?”

“Displaced people group stories.” When he saw the blank look I gave him, he added, “You write about them all the time. Did you not realize that?”

In that moment, it struck me how right he was.

My fascination with this phenomenon started back in 2008 with a standalone mystery I wrote called Whispers of the Bayou. Though that story takes place in the modern day, much of its mystery surrounds the history of the Acadians, who were forcibly removed from their homes in Nova Scotia back in the mid 1700s and scattered to the four winds. A large group of them eventually ended up in southern Louisiana, where they reestablished community and slowly became known as the “Cajuns.”

My Sister's PrayerThe Amish were also victims of displacement, forced to leave their beloved homelands in Europe and head to America in search of religious freedom. Many of my Amish books have dealt with this very topic, weaving their tragic history in and among their stories.

Then there were the Huguenots of France, who were protected for a time under a royal decree that allowed them to worship as Protestants rather than adhering to the state religion of Catholicism. But when that freedom was later revoked, the Huguenots were forced to convert to Catholicism or face punishment, imprisonment, or even death. As many as 400,000 Huguenots fled France, relocating to Protestant countries in Europe, South Africa, and North America.

Our first novel in this series, My Brother’s Crown, is set in 1685 and focuses on the Gillet and Talbot families of Lyon, France, who are part of this great diaspora and end up in England. The second book in the series, My Sister’s Prayer, picks up their story with the next generation, as they emigrate from England to the New World. In both books, the characters are forced to leave behind all that they know and start life anew elsewhere.

So why am I drawn to stories like these—tales involving people groups that have been forcibly displaced?

If I had to guess, I’d say it ties back into my most common recurring theme, that of isolation and longing for community. I can imagine no greater isolation than that of those who’ve been sent from their homes and towns and lives and everything they’ve ever known only to resettle somewhere foreign and strange and new.

I can also imagine the incredible sense of connection and community as small clusters of these people groups clung together to establish new homes, new towns, and start over again.

My Daughter's LegacyWe all have “people groups” to which we belong, from small (“I’m a member of a book club”) to large (“I’m an American”) to everywhere in between (“I’m a Shih Tzu lover,” “I’m a Southerner,” “I’m a Broadway aficionado,” and so on). You have them too. Even the fact that you’re here right now, reading this article, makes you part of a people group. You’re a lover of Amish fiction or, even more specifically, you’re a part of the AmishReader.com family. Participating in this wonderful place, discussing your enjoyment of a specific genre with like-minded people, hearing from familiar authors who share your enthusiasm—these are things that create community.

And community is something that we all need, whether we have to find it anew after being forcibly removed from our homelands or we simply have to seek it out in the stable, safe environments in which we have always lived. Either way, God designed us to need others, and in seeking community we acknowledge that need. In finding community, we begin to fulfill it—and that’s the stuff that novels are made of.

Or at least my novels, apparently.

Considering the vast number of displaced people groups throughout history still left to explore, I’m sure this is a topic I’ll be revisiting again—though perhaps with a bit more intention next time.

©2016 Mindy Starns Clark

* * *

 

Author Mindy Starns ClarkMindy Starns Clark is the bestselling author of more than 20 books, both fiction and nonfiction, with over a million copies sold. Mindy and her husband, John, have two adult children and live in Pennsylvania. Visit her online at www.mindystarnsclark.com.

***Want a chance to win one of three copies of My Sister’s Prayer? Enter the giveaway using the form below!

Fine print: This giveaway is open to US residents only. The form will close at midnight PT on October 19, 2016.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Of Kapps and Carriages: A Comparison Between the Amish and the Huguenots (Plus a Giveaway!)

Article by Leslie Gould

WofLCoCollage

During my research for The Women of Lancaster County series, which I co-wrote with Mindy Starns Clark, my fascination with church history expanded exponentially. For a while I was “living” in 16th century Switzerland, the time and place where the Anabaptists—the foundational movement of both the Mennonites and Amish—originated. The more I learned about the era, the more fascinated I became with the Reformation and the many branches of Protestantism it produced.

When a reader told me about her Huguenot (French Calvinists) ancestors who immigrated to America about the same time as the first Amish came to Pennsylvania, I was immediately intrigued.

My Brother's Crown coverMy research into this group of early Protestants resulted in another series with Mindy—Cousins of the Dove, a modern/historical saga that traces a fictional French Huguenot Family from the 1600s to the modern day. The first novel in the series, My Brother’s Crown, released in October, and we’re currently writing the second, My Sister’s Prayer.

As I continue to immerse myself in Huguenot history, I can’t help but compare and contrast the Huguenots to the Amish. Following is a very brief and very simple introduction to what Mindy and I have learned through the years. To see how we were able to weave this knowledge into compelling fiction featuring brave heroines who face nearly insurmountable odds, you’ll have to read the books!

* * *

1. Origins
Verdict: very similar

Both the Anabaptists and the Huguenots originated in the early 16th Century as a result of the Protestant Reformation. The Anabaptists had their start in 1525 and the Huguenots in 1530.

2. Formative Years
Verdict: somewhat similar

The Anabaptists began in Switzerland and then spread, largely due to persecution, throughout Europe and eventually to both Russia and America. They were often referred to as being part of the “Radical Reformation.”

The Mennonites were Anabaptists who followed the teachings of Menno Simons. The Amish broke off from the Mennonites in 1693, believing the original group was drifting away from the teachings of Simons, and were led by Jakob Ammann.

John Calvin, the founder of Calvinism, was French but ended up fleeing to Switzerland and eventually pastoring a church there. However, his teachings led to the establishment of many churches in France too, and by 1562 there were two million French Calvinists—or Huguenots, as they were soon called. Like the Amish, most were eventually forced from their homeland. During the 1680s alone, an estimated 400,000 Huguenots fled France due to persecution under Louis XIV, going as far away as South Africa and North America. (There was a small group of Huguenots who stayed in France, and they will be explored in the fourth novel in our series.)

3. Baptism
Verdict: very different

A belief in adult baptism was one of the reasons the Anabaptists broke off from the Swiss Reformed Church. The Anabaptists believed only adults could make the decision to be baptized and quit baptizing their infants, which led to persecution by the Reformed Church, the Swiss government, and the Catholic Church.

On the other hand, Calvinists retained the tradition of infant baptism, believing it to be a covenant with God. (There are, of course, other theological differences between the two groups, including predestination. A primary source on the subject is John Calvin’s Treatises Against the Anabaptists and Against the Libertines. There are also, however, many basic similarities in the theology of the two groups.)

4. Simplicity
Verdict: different

Throughout their history the Amish have been known for their simple living. They, generally, reject modern ways, choosing to drive horses and buggies and to live off the grid. From the beginning, the Amish dressed simply and even referred to themselves as “Plain.” Today, the women still wear Kapps, modest dresses, and aprons, while the men wear suspenders and wide-brim hats. Traditionally, the Amish worked as farmers. Today, as the population grows, they’re running out of land and more are opening businesses or working in factories or other manufacturing jobs. Most Amish communities continue to meet on one another’s properties instead of in a church building, just as they’ve done since the beginning.

The Huguenots included members of the French wealthy class and even the gentry. Many had large homes, fine carriages, and a significant amount of material goods. (Although there were certainly poor Huguenots too—more so in rural areas.) Congregations usually built churches (called temples) where they worshipped together. Although their dress may have been more modest than the latest fashions, they did not focus on a simple lifestyle as part of their overall philosophy.

amishgirlspublicdomain.bb5. Today
Verdict: very different

Within a couple of generations the Huguenots assimilated into the dominant cultures that they joined—but they also left a lasting influence on those societies. Eight of our U.S. presidents had proven Huguenot ancestors, including George Washington, whose great-great-great-grandfather arrived in Virginia in 1620. Twelve other U.S. Presidents had credible claims to Huguenot ancestors. The experiences of the French Huguenots also seem to have contributed to the inclusion of Freedom of Religion in the First Amendment of our Constitution. Today there are Huguenot societies around the world, including one in Virginia that Mindy and I visited, that continue to preserve and share the history of their ancestors.

On the other hand, the Anabaptists have assimilated to a lesser degree. There are a total of 2.1 million Anabaptists worldwide, including Mennonites, Mennonite Brethren, Hutterites, and Amish. The Amish, as we know, are one of the groups who have assimilated the least. Today, there are nearly 300,000 Amish in the United States, up from 5,000 in 1924 and 84,000 in 1984. They are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States thanks to a birthrate that is three to four times higher than the U.S. average. (There are also Amish settlements in Canada and a Beachy Amish Mennonite Fellowship in Ireland.)

* * *

ManakinHuguenotThank you for stopping by today! I hope you’ve enjoyed this quick comparison.

Please leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win a set of The Women of Lancaster County series OR a copy of My Brother’s Crown.

Fine print: Giveaway is open internationally and lasts through November 24, 2015. Participants must be 18 years old or older to enter. Two winners will be randomly selected—one for The Women of Lancaster County series (four-book set) and one for My Brother’s Crown. These winners will be contacted via email on Wednesday, November 25. The prizes will be provided by the author, and the giveaway is in no way sponsored by or affiliated with Facebook, WordPress, Pinterest, or Twitter.

* * *

Leslie Gould is a bestselling author of 20 novels. She received her master of fine arts degree from Portland State University and lives in Oregon with her husband, Peter, and their four children. Connect with Leslie at www.lesliegould.com.

 

Amish Culture: View on Music (Article by Kelly Irvin)

A Plain Love Song

Amish & Musical Instruments
By Kelly Irvin

Writing A Plain Love Song caused me to pause and think perhaps more than any of the previous Amish romances I’ve written when it comes to trying to understand the Amish culture and faith. That’s because I love music. I’ve always wanted to play musical instruments, but alas, I have not a smidgen of talent. As I began to think about writing this story of a young Amish woman who loves music and desperately wants to write songs, play the guitar, and sing, I realized I needed to do some research to understand the objections the Amish have to such an aspiration. My go-to books for answering my questions on topics such as this are The Amish by Donald B. Kraybill and Amish Society by John A. Hostetler.

To understand why the Amish eschew musical instruments, you really have to understand the underpinnings of their approach to faith. They reject pride and try to practice humility at all times. The underlying attitude is of submission to God’s will. In our world of The Voice and American Idol, performers are celebrities who are feted, well-paid, and much loved by their fans. We’re told to compete, strut our stuff on the stage, and seek fame and fortune. Not so, with the Amish.

buggiesatauction by Tim Irvin - credited

Donald Kraybill says the Amish church discourages musical instruments because they’re afraid their use will lead to performances that show off individual talents. Worship includes singing, but without instruments, and in a very slow a capella style. Playing a musical instrument is seen as a means of self-expression that results in feelings of pride and superiority. It calls attention to the individual and is a distraction to true worship. The Amish love music and often sing at home while working. The young folks go to singings on Sunday evenings, but in most cases, no instruments are used.

So my story is a what-if story. What if a young Amish woman dreams of performing as a country music singer? What if she meets a young Englisch man who falls in love with her, teaches her to play the guitar, and encourages her to reach for her dream?

My husband and I flew to Missouri, rented a car, and drove from Jamesport to Branson, taking the same road Adah would’ve taken on her trip. I imagined what it would be like for her to leave her family and the only home she’d ever known, perhaps forever. I tried to see the billboards for the Branson shows through her eyes. I tried to imagine how she would feel when she saw the sparkling rhinestone-studded dresses, the exaggerated makeup, and the dangling earrings worn by the female performers. Did she nearly jump out of her seat when a confetti cannon exploded during a show? I did, so I suspect she would too.

Nohitching by Tim Irvin - creditedAnother thing I learned while writing A Plain Love Song is that I will probably never play a musical instrument. I bought an inexpensive guitar with a DVD, thinking I’d teach myself to play. Uh-huh. I couldn’t get my fingers to reach the right strings, and they hurt! A tone deaf person has trouble tuning an instrument. Never fear, it was great research. I had better luck (in my humble opinion) in writing Adah’s songs. I love writing poetry and bought a couple of books on writing song lyrics to help shape my words. This stretched me as a writer.

I’m not convinced that God doesn’t take great joy in my church’s musical worship, drinking in the beautiful notes of piano, guitar, and drums, as the faith band leads us in singing his praises. Nevertheless, I have tremendous respect for the humble, obedient, and genuine faith of the Amish. Their desire to never be distracted from their express purpose of worshiping God is to be admired.

Kelly IrvinKelly Irvin is a Kansas native and has been writing professionally for 30 years. She and her husband, Tim, make their home in Texas. They have two children, three cats, and a tankful of fish. A public relations professional, Kelly is also the author of two romantic suspense novels and writes short stories in her spare time. To learn more about her work, visit www.kellyirvin.com.

Pictures from Amish country taken by Tim Irvin.

 

Anna’s Healing

A few months ago I told you that I would be visiting the Amish community in Chouteau, Oklahoma. This is the scene for my upcoming book, Anna’s Healing. Today I thought I’d share some of those photos.

 

photo-33

 

One of the first things you’ll see when entering the town of Chouteau is the Amish Cheese House. They have wonderful sandwiches made on fresh bread with Amish cheese, and of course the workers are Amish and Englisch. Everyone was very friendly!

photo-34

 

 

 

This is a common thing to see in Chouteau. The Amish use tractors in this community (due to the difficulty in farming the clay dirt). They also drive the tractors to town! Notice the canopy to shield them from the sun and the truck bed pulled behind! this is for storing your groceries or other purchases. It also provides a place to sit if your friends want to go to town with you!

 

photo-10

 

This is a fairly typical Amish home in the area. Notice the absence of electrical lines, the gas tank in the front, and the tractor. I discuss the differences in this Amish community in my series!

photo-11

 

 

 

 

 

Items found at a local store. You definitely know you’re in Amish country!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anna’s Healing will release one year from now, and I’ll let you know as soon as the pre-order button is available. In the meantime, if this series sounds interesting, you might check out my Pebble Creek series here.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Vannetta

 

 

 

 

 

February and the Amish

February is a busy time in Amish households. I suppose most months are. But in February, the Amish who farm are preparing their fields for planting, miriam newslIF the snow has melted. This winter, that might be tricky. Dads also use this time to repair any farming tools that need it, and there is the constant tending of the animals.

For moms, the work of February is much like the month before. Yes, laundry can be hung outside if it is 32 degrees or even a bit below on a sunny day. Otherwise it’s hung in the basement, or on the porch that has been temporarily enclosed. Many moms also plan their spring garden – much of the family’s vegetables will come from there rather than the store. February is a good month for quilting and also I’ve heard that quite a few babies are born in February!

For students, February brings something special – Valentine’s day. Teachers have several different plans for this holiday–allowing students to decorate the room with strings of paper hearts. These young scholars also make valentines which they put into boxes they have decorated. The last period on Valentine’s (or Friday if it lands on a weekend) is spent passing out those valentines to one another. Some moms also send treats–puffed rice candy, popcorn balls, and cookies.

In A Promise for Miriam, I describe a fun Valentine’s tradition. Each student brings a lunch, placed in a paper sack or box or pail. The container is decorated, and then they are all placed on the front table or the teacher’s desk. At lunchtime, students draw names and exchange lunches.

To me, a lot of this sounds like Valentine’s day when I was in school, and as a teacher I realize that a lot has changed. However, what hasn’t changed is the way students care about one another and how Valentine’s offers a bright, fun holiday as we wait for the first signs of spring.

I’m praying this February finds you well and looking forward to the changes in the months to come.

Blessings,

Vannetta

 

Amish Marriages Are Arranged: True or False?

Amish Marriages Are Arranged: True or False?

FALSE.

Although Amish marriages may have far more traditional ceremony involved than English marriages, they are not “arranged” in the technical sense. Amish men and women are allowed to court each other voluntarily, with the blessing of their parents, and may freely choose whether or not to marry each other.

For an engagement to be made official, the groom must go to his bishop, declare his intentions, and acquire a Zeugnis, which is a letter of good standing from his church. If the bishop is aware of any sinful behavior or need for correction, he deals with it at that time.

Once the groom acquires the Zeugnis, he delivers it to the bride’s minister or deacon. That church leader will visit the bride, confirm she desires to marry the groom, and discuss any sin or other concerns in her life. After this meeting, if all is satisfactory, the leader will wait until the appropriate time and then “publish” or announce the engagement to the church.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life

Plain Answers About the Amish Life
By Mindy Starns Clark
Available Now

For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

 

Amish Groups Are All the Same: True or False?

Amish Groups Are All the Same: True or False?

FALSE.

Due to several centuries of church growth, expansion, and division, many different types of Amish affiliations are now in North America, each with different sets of rules and practices. There are, however, certain elements that most Amish groups tend to have in common, including that they:

  • Adhere to a statement of faith known as the Eighteen Articles
  • Wear some form of distinctive Plain clothing
  • Worship in homes rather than in church buildings
  • Do not connect their houses with public utilities as a way of remaining separate from the world
  • Use horses and buggies as their primary means of transportation
  • Limit formal education to the eighth grade
  • Live in rural areas
  • Emphasize an agrarian lifestyle
  • Are pacifists
  • Choose their religious leaders through divine appointment by drawing lots
  • Speak a German dialect as their primary language
  • Value the history of their people and their martyrs’ heritage

In what ways are the various groups different?

While all Amish affiliations adhere to the same basic belief system, the particular ways in which they choose to live out those beliefs can vary greatly from group to group. Aspects on which they may differ include such elements as buggy styles, church discipline, clothing, lawn mowers, technology, and much more.

How are they divided into the different groups?

Though it’s difficult to provide an exact number, at least two dozen different Amish affiliations are in North America. These affiliations are further divided into more than 2000 church districts. Approximately 500 Amish settlements are located in 30 states and in Canada.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life

Plain Answers About the Amish Life
By Mindy Starns Clark
Available Now

For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

 

The Amish Would Go to War with Syria: True or False?

The Amish Would Go to War with Syria: True or False?

FALSE.

Because of Bible verses such as Exodus 20:13 (KJV), “Thou shalt not kill” and Matthew 5:39, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also,” the Amish believe force should never be used in any human relations whatsoever, for any reason. This is why they do not serve in the military nor practice any form of self-defense. It is also why they won’t work as police officers, hold political office, or serve on juries.

In the early years, the Amish lifestyle and practices were not that different than those of other Americans, so they tended to blend in. But as the country changed and began adopting more industrialized/modern practices, the Amish began to stand out more and more. From the 1920s to the early 1970s, the Amish were viewed with suspicion and even hostility—especially during wartime, due to their pacifist stance.

In the mid-1970s, however, a new attitude about the Amish began to emerge as suspicion and contempt gave way to compassion and curiosity. Time passed, and ill feelings engendered during the World Wars faded into the background. As “diversity” and “tolerance” became American buzzwords, the Amish gained a new level of acceptance.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life

Plain Answers About the Amish Life
By Mindy Starns Clark
Available September 2013

For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

 

The Amish Only Go to School Until the 8th Grade: True or False?

The Amish Only Go to School Until the 8th Grade: True or False?

True.

Amish children conclude their formal education with the eighth grade.

Is that legal?

Initially, school officials considered the Amish teachers uncertified and under-educated and their lack of high school-level instruction unacceptable. A period of unrest and controversy followed, and some Amish fathers were arrested, fined, and even jailed for taking a stand. Some compromises were reached, but the issue finally came to a head in 1972, when the case of Wisconsin v. Yoder reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Finding in favor of the Amish, the court determined once and for all that Amish schools were to be allowed and that forcing Amish children to attend any school past the eighth grade was a violation of their religious freedom.

What does an Amish person do if he or she wants to learn more after the 8th grade?

Amish adults who require further learning on a particular topic, such as bookkeeping, will teach themselves, learn from a coworker, or take a correspondence course. In some communities, when a high school diploma is required for a job, Amish youth may be allowed to get a general equivalency diploma (GED).

What is the parent’s role in an Amish child’s education?

The National PTA has published a list of the “The 10 Things Teachers Wish Parents Would Do.” Not surprisingly, Amish parents have already been doing many of these things for years, such as setting a good example and encouraging students to do their best. In fact, number ten is central to the way Amish parents operate: “Accept your responsibility as parents. Don’t expect the school and teachers to take over your obligations as parents. Teach children self-discipline and respect for others at home—don’t rely on teachers and schools to teach these basic behaviors and attitudes.”

The Amish would never dream of leaving parental matters such as those described above in the hands of teachers. Instead, they know they are the primary authority figures in their children’s lives and are responsible to raise them up in the way that they should go.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life

Plain Answers About the Amish Life
By Mindy Starns Clark
Available September 2013

For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

 

The Amish Believe They Are the Only Ones Going to Heaven: True or False?

The Amish Believe They Are the Only Ones Going to Heaven: True or False?

False.

To do so would be prideful, which goes against one of their most basic values. The Amish are respectful of other Christian denominations. As one Amish man said, the Bible is meant to be a mirror, not a spotlight. Better to pay attention to their own walk with God than presume to judge others.

If I asked an Amish person how to get to heaven, what would his answer be?

That person would likely refer to God’s will in the matter and then perhaps describe the need to have a personal relationship with Christ. He might also quote an applicable Scripture, such as, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life

Plain Answers About the Amish Life
By Mindy Starns Clark
Available September 2013

For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live.
Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw