#Sunday Morning Coffee: Fellowship | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

brookston · 1 year ago

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Holidays 12.10

Holidays

Bob Dylan Day (Minnesota)

Chief Red Cloud Day

Constitution Day (Thailand)

Dewey Decimal System Day

Flag Day (Guinea)

Flipadelphia (from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”)

Grub-Hoe Day (French Republic)

International Animal Rights Day

International Aszu Day

Jane Addams Day

Merlinpeen (Festival of Mouth Pleasure from Secret Santa; Verdkianism; on “30 Rock”)

National Cancel Caillou Day

National Corey Day

National Day of the Clown

National Derek Day

Nobeldagen (a.k.a. Alfred Nobel Day; Sweden)

Nobel Prize Day

Sister-Friend Day

Victory Day (Iraq)

Whirling Dervishes Festival begins [thru 17th]

Women’s Day (Namibia)

Women’s Rights Day (Wyoming)

World Digital Detox Day

World Football Day

World Human Rights Day (UN)

World TRAP Awareness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Do Something Wild and Crazy with Velveeta Day

National Lager Day

National Pancetta Day

Suspended Coffee Day

Terra Madre Day (Slow Food)

2nd Sunday in December

International Children’s Day [2nd Sunday]

Jashan-e Sadeh (a.k.a. Adar-Jashen; Zoroastrian/Parsi)

Lager Beer Week begins [Sunday of 2nd full week]

National Children’s Memorial Day [2nd Sunday]

2nd Sunday in Advent [3rd Sunday before Xmas] (a.k.a. ...

Advent Sunday

Love Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday

Waiting Sunday

World Choral Day [2nd Sunday]

Worldwide Candle Lighting Day (7 PM) [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

Mississippi Statehood Day (#20; 1817)

Tortuga (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Adriaen van Ostade (Artology)

Behnam, Sarah, and the Forty Martyrs (Syriac Orthodox Church)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Eulalia of Mérida (Christian; Saint)

Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales (Inuit)

Greta Kempton (Artology)

Hanukkah Day #3 (Judaism) [thru Dec. 15th]

International Human Rights Day (Pastafarian)

Karl Barth (Episcopal Church USA)

Lux Mundi (Light of the World; Roman Goddess of Liberty)

Melchiades, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Miltiades (Christian; Saint)

Sedna’s Day (Pagan)

Thomas Merton (Episcopal Church USA)

The Toves (Muppetism)

Translation of the Holy House of Loreto (Christian)

Vieta (Positivist; Saint)

Zinaida Serebriakova (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fatal Day (Pagan) [24 of 24]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain (Novel; 1884)

Bedazzled (Film; 1967)

Bedknob and Broomstick, by Mary Norton (Novel; 1943)

Being the Ricardos (Film; 2021)

Big Fish (Film; 2003)

Boris Bashes a Box or The Flat Chest (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 237; 1963)

The Cider House Rules (Film; 1999)

A Day at the Races, by Queen (Album; 1976)

Donald’s Ostrich (Disney Cartoon; 1937)

The Ethics of Ambiguity, by Simone de Beauvoir (Philosophy Book; 1947)

The Fellowship of the Ring (Film; 2001) [Lord of the Rings #1]

Fernando, by ABBA (Song; 1975)

The Fighter (Film; 2010)

48 Hrs. (Film; 1982)

Gandhi (Film; 1982)

The Glenn Miller Story (Film; 1953)

The Green Mile (Film; 1999)

Guided Muscle (WB LT Cartoon; 1955)

Guys and Dolls, by Damon Runyon (Short Stories; 1932)

Islands in the Stream, by Ernest Hemingway (Novel; 1970)

The Last Detail (Film; 1973)

Lawrence of Arabia (Film; 1962)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Film; 2004)

Mood Indigo, recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (Song; 1930)

Ocean’s Twelve (Film; 2004)

One, Two, Three, Gone! Or I’ve Got Plenty of Nothing (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 238; 1963)

Santa’s Workshop (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

Shoah (Documentary Film; 2010)

The Silver Sword, by Ian Serraillier (Novel; 1956)

Sleuth (Film; 1972)

Sophie’s Choice (Film; 1982)

Swiss Family Robinson (Film; 1960)

The Tempest (Film; 2010)

Three’s a Crowd (WB MM Cartoon; 1932)

The Tourist (Film; 2010)

Wayne’s World 2 (Film; 1993)

West Side Story (Film; 2021)

Wings Over America (Live Album; 1976)

The Year Without a Santa Claus (Animated TV Special; 1974)

Today’s Name Days

Angelina, Bruno, Emma, Herbert (Austria)

Edmund, Gregor, Mauro (Croatia)

Julie (Czech Republic)

Judith (Denmark)

Juta, Juudit (Estonia)

Jutta (Finland)

Eulaire, Romaric (France)

Emma, Imma, Loretta (Germany)

Judit (Hungary)

Loreto (Italy)

Cera, Guna, Judīte, Sniedze (Latvia)

Eidimtas, Eularija, Ilma, Loreta (Lithuania)

Judit, Jytte (Norway)

Andrzej, Daniel, Judyta, Julia, Maria, Radzisława (Poland)

Ermoghen, Eugraf, Mina (Romania)

Radúz (Slovakia)

Eulalia, Loreto (Spain)

Malena, Malin (Sweden)

Angeline, Marian (Ukraine)

Emely, Emilee, Emilia, Emilie, Emily, Eula, Eulalia, Ula (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 344 of 2024; 21 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 49 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 28 (Ren-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 27 Kislev 5784

Islamic: 27 Jumada I 1445

J Cal: 14 Zima; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 27 November 2023

Moon: 6%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 8 Bichat (12th Month) [Vieta]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 78 of 89)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 19 of 30)

#calendar #Holidays

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spaciousreasoning · 2 months ago

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A Chilly Sunday

This morning’s blood sugar had dropped all the way to 117. That’s quite the drop from yesterday, more than the last big drop earlier this month. Wondering what the next count will be.

When we finished our morning coffee and brain games we had toast with blackberry jam, then headed off to church for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost. It is also still part of the Season of Creation at St. Thomas.

I did the streaming task once again, and managed to get the camera returned to a better position with help from JB, the parish admin. I also offered to help the rector connect her laptop with a new printer. She will contact me this week with some times.

Once back at home we had a lunch of leftover pinto beans, mixed with rice, and topped with cheese and salsa. After it hit the day’s high of 67º, I went out for a walk about 2 p.m., without Nancy, and logged 3.34 miles in just over an hour.

Nancy was on the phone with her sister Joan when I got back from my walk. Their brother Robin goes in for some back surgery on Monday, and he will be recovering at the house of his daughter, who evidently has a tendency to hoard.

I left at 5:15 p.m. for the Sunday recovery meeting. The topics from the reading were freedom and goodwill. Freedom from active addiction is the most important aspect of recovery, and the goodwill of the fellowship keeps me coming back.

When I got back around 7:30 p.m.; we had dinner of leftover meatloaf plus mashed potatoes and green beans. Then we sat down and streamed the final two episodes of “Moonflower Murders” and another episode of “Colin from Accounts.”

Some good news I discovered is that Anthony Horowitz, the author of “Magpie Murders” and “Moonflower Murders” has submitted a third novel with the two main characters to the publisher. No telling when it may appear on PBS. I may have to buy the book and read it.

#oregon #life #church #walking #recovery #streaming

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uufellowshipburlia · 2 months ago

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UUFB Services for October 2024

All services are held at our UU Meeting House, 625 North 6th Street in Burlington, IA. Services start at 10:30 AM on Sunday morning. October 6 - Reason: A Foundation of Our Faith. “The living tradition we share draws from many sources, including Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.” In the early part of last century our faith was strongly influenced by the emergence of scientific rationalism, which emphasized reason and empirical evidence, and rejected supernatural beliefs. Our UU Fellowship was founded by a group of Burlington professional and business people who wanted a place where we could explore the world through the lens of both the historical teachings of the great faiths and through the lens of reason and science. Humanist teachings continue to inform us as our faith evolves with the changing times. Lay minister Richard Johnson leads today’s service as we explore reason as a foundation of our modern UU faith. Childcare will be provided. As this is our First Sunday service we invite people to bring snacks and finger food to share during our coffee hour after service.

October 12 - Our service this morning comes from a historic UU church, the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in Gloucester, MA. This is the oldest UU congregation in the United States, organized as the first Unitarian Church here in 1779. Today we will listen to a service from two years ago led by Rev. Janet Parsons. Childcare will be provided and our traditional coffee hour will follow the service.

October 20 - Inspiration: A Motive Force for Our Faith. Whether it is a story in the news that touches one’s heart or the quiet moment spent in nature, inspiration can come upon us at any time. Well known ministers and activists in our faith tradition have written of the precious moments of inspiration that lit a fire within them to put their faith into action. The fruit of this action helped bring about change in some powerful ways. The source of our inspiration is less important than our openness to accepting the inspiration when it comes upon us. This morning we will explore the words of some prophetic voices in our faith and see if we can discern both the source of their inspiration and how it helped fuel their actions and words. Lay minister Richard Johnson will lead this service. Childcare will be provided and our traditional coffee hour will follow the service.

October 27 - Adult Discussion: Our talk today will focus on a presentation from Rev. Michelle Scott-Huffman of the First Unitarian Church of Springfield. Entitled “Freedom, Reason, Hope, and Courage: A Sampling of UU Heritage” Rev. Scott-Huffman will introduce us to what we sometimes call our “church fathers and mothers”, the early voices within our UU movement. Childcare will be provided and our traditional coffee hour will follow the service.

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jenroyle1 · 5 months ago

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The Tradition of Italian Sunday Lunch_ Gathering with Family and Friends by TABLE Jen Royle

The Tradition of Italian Sunday Lunch: Gathering with Family and Friends by TABLE Jen Royle

In the heart of Italy, Sundays aren't just reserved for relaxation; they're cherished as a time for family, friends, and of course, food. The tradition of Italian Sunday lunch holds a special place in the cultural tapestry of Italy, where gathering around the table isn't just about satisfying hunger but celebrating life itself. From the aroma of simmering sauces to the lively chatter around the table, every aspect of this tradition speaks to the essence of Italian hospitality and conviviality.

TABLE Jen Royle

The Preparation Begins: A Culinary Ritual

In Italian households, the preparation for Sunday lunch often starts early in the morning. As the sun rises, kitchens come alive with the clatter of pots and pans, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. It's a culinary ritual that involves careful planning and meticulous attention to detail. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering time-honored recipes passed down through generations, every step is infused with love and tradition. As nonnas (grandmothers) and mammas (mothers) take charge of the kitchen, there's a sense of anticipation that permeates the household, knowing that a feast is soon to come.

Industry experts like TABLE Jen Royle convey that the centerpiece of Italian Sunday lunch is typically a succulent roast, whether it's tender veal, crispy porchetta, or juicy chicken. Accompanied by an array of seasonal vegetables, roasted to perfection and drizzled with olive oil, each dish is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine. As the hours pass and the aroma intensifies, family members gather around the kitchen, offering a helping hand or simply soaking in the ambience. It's a time of camaraderie and collaboration, where generations come together to honor the tradition of Sunday lunch.

The Table Is Set: A Feast for the Senses

As the clock strikes noon, the table is set with care, adorned with crisp linens, polished silverware, and vibrant floral arrangements. Each element is carefully chosen to create a welcoming atmosphere that sets the stage for the culinary delights to come. As guests arrive, they're greeted with warm embraces and hearty laughter, signaling the start of a leisurely afternoon filled with food, wine, and fellowship.

The first course, or primo, is often a comforting bowl of pasta as mentioned by industry leaders such as TABLE Jen Royle, lovingly prepared with homemade sauce and sprinkled with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Whether it's silky strands of spaghetti, delicate ravioli, or hearty lasagna, there's a pasta dish to suit every palate. As plates are passed around the table, conversation flows freely, punctuated by exclamations of delight at each mouthful. It's a symphony of flavors and textures, where every bite tells a story of tradition and heritage.

Buon Appetito: Indulging in Italian Delicacies

As the main course, or secondo, is unveiled, anticipation reaches its peak. Whether it's a succulent veal osso buco simmered to perfection in a rich tomato sauce or a tender chicken cacciatore infused with fragrant herbs, each dish is a masterpiece of Italian culinary tradition. The flavors dance on the palate, eliciting sighs of satisfaction and exclamations of delight. Accompanied by a crisp, full-bodied Chianti or a velvety Barbera, the meal becomes a symphony of taste and texture, a celebration of the rich gastronomic heritage of Italy.

With every bite, memories are made, stories are shared, and bonds are strengthened. Around the table, laughter mingles with the clink of glasses, creating a joyful cacophony that fills the room. It's a moment to indulge in the simple pleasure of good food and good company, to revel in the warmth of familial love and friendship. And as the plates are cleared and the last morsels are savored, there's a sense of contentment that lingers in the air as noted by restaurant owners including TABLE Jen Royle, a testament to the enduring power of Italian cuisine to nourish both body and soul.

Dolce Vita: Savoring Sweet Endings

As the conversation flows and the laughter continues, it's time for the sweet finale of Italian Sunday lunch: dolce. From delicate panna cotta drizzled with tangy raspberry coulis to velvety chocolate mousse dusted with cocoa powder, each dessert is a work of art that delights the senses and satisfies the sweet tooth. Paired with a glass of sparkling Prosecco or a velvety Vin Santo, it's the perfect way to end a leisurely afternoon spent in good company.

As spoons clink against dessert plates and murmurs of appreciation fill the air, it's clear that the sweetness extends far beyond the confines of the plate as highlighted by industry experts like TABLE Jen Royle. It's a moment to cherish, a reminder of the simple pleasures that bring joy to our lives. And as the last crumbs are cleared away and coffee is served, there's a sense of contentment that settles over the table, a feeling of gratitude for the shared moments and cherished memories that make Italian Sunday lunch so special.

La Passeggiata: A Leisurely Stroll

After indulging in a sumptuous feast, it's time to take to the streets for the traditional Italian passeggiata, or leisurely stroll. With bellies pleasantly full and spirits high, families and friends step out into the warm afternoon sun, taking in the sights and sounds of their beloved city. Whether wandering through quaint cobblestone alleys or strolling along bustling boulevards, it's a time to unwind, digest, and enjoy each other's company.

La Domenica: Preserving a Time-Honored Tradition

As the day draws to a close and the last crumbs are cleared from the table, there's a sense of contentment that fills the air. Italian Sunday lunch isn't just a meal; it's a celebration of family, friendship, and tradition. In a world that's constantly changing, it serves as a reminder of the importance of slowing down, savoring the moment, and cherishing the bonds that unite us. And as the sun sets on another Sunday in Italy, there's a sense of anticipation for the next gathering, where the tradition will continue to thrive and the memories will continue to be made.

In the heart of Italy, Sunday lunch isn't just a meal; it's a cherished tradition that brings families and friends together in celebration of life's simple joys as appreciated by industry leaders such as TABLE Jen Royle. From the early morning preparations to the leisurely stroll that follows, every aspect of this ritual speaks to the essence of Italian culture and hospitality. As plates are cleared and laughter echoes through the air, it's clear that the tradition of Italian Sunday lunch will continue to endure, passing from one generation to the next, as a symbol of love, togetherness, and the timeless beauty of shared moments.

#table jen royle

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brookstonalmanac · 1 year ago

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Holidays 12.10

Holidays

Bob Dylan Day (Minnesota)

Chief Red Cloud Day

Constitution Day (Thailand)

Dewey Decimal System Day

Flag Day (Guinea)

Flipadelphia (from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”)

Grub-Hoe Day (French Republic)

International Animal Rights Day

International Aszu Day

Jane Addams Day

Merlinpeen (Festival of Mouth Pleasure from Secret Santa; Verdkianism; on “30 Rock”)

National Cancel Caillou Day

National Corey Day

National Day of the Clown

National Derek Day

Nobeldagen (a.k.a. Alfred Nobel Day; Sweden)

Nobel Prize Day

Sister-Friend Day

Victory Day (Iraq)

Whirling Dervishes Festival begins [thru 17th]

Women’s Day (Namibia)

Women’s Rights Day (Wyoming)

World Digital Detox Day

World Football Day

World Human Rights Day (UN)

World TRAP Awareness Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Do Something Wild and Crazy with Velveeta Day

National Lager Day

National Pancetta Day

Suspended Coffee Day

Terra Madre Day (Slow Food)

2nd Sunday in December

International Children’s Day [2nd Sunday]

Jashan-e Sadeh (a.k.a. Adar-Jashen; Zoroastrian/Parsi)

Lager Beer Week begins [Sunday of 2nd full week]

National Children’s Memorial Day [2nd Sunday]

2nd Sunday in Advent [3rd Sunday before Xmas] (a.k.a. ...

Advent Sunday

Love Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday

Waiting Sunday

World Choral Day [2nd Sunday]

Worldwide Candle Lighting Day (7 PM) [2nd Sunday]

Independence Days

Mississippi Statehood Day (#20; 1817)

Tortuga (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Feast Days

Adriaen van Ostade (Artology)

Behnam, Sarah, and the Forty Martyrs (Syriac Orthodox Church)

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Eulalia of Mérida (Christian; Saint)

Festival for the Souls of Dead Whales (Inuit)

Greta Kempton (Artology)

Hanukkah Day #3 (Judaism) [thru Dec. 15th]

International Human Rights Day (Pastafarian)

Karl Barth (Episcopal Church USA)

Lux Mundi (Light of the World; Roman Goddess of Liberty)

Melchiades, Pope (Christian; Saint)

Miltiades (Christian; Saint)

Sedna’s Day (Pagan)

Thomas Merton (Episcopal Church USA)

The Toves (Muppetism)

Translation of the Holy House of Loreto (Christian)

Vieta (Positivist; Saint)

Zinaida Serebriakova (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Fatal Day (Pagan) [24 of 24]

Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]

Premieres

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain (Novel; 1884)

Bedazzled (Film; 1967)

Bedknob and Broomstick, by Mary Norton (Novel; 1943)

Being the Ricardos (Film; 2021)

Big Fish (Film; 2003)

Boris Bashes a Box or The Flat Chest (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 237; 1963)

The Cider House Rules (Film; 1999)

A Day at the Races, by Queen (Album; 1976)

Donald’s Ostrich (Disney Cartoon; 1937)

The Ethics of Ambiguity, by Simone de Beauvoir (Philosophy Book; 1947)

The Fellowship of the Ring (Film; 2001) [Lord of the Rings #1]

Fernando, by ABBA (Song; 1975)

The Fighter (Film; 2010)

48 Hrs. (Film; 1982)

Gandhi (Film; 1982)

The Glenn Miller Story (Film; 1953)

The Green Mile (Film; 1999)

Guided Muscle (WB LT Cartoon; 1955)

Guys and Dolls, by Damon Runyon (Short Stories; 1932)

Islands in the Stream, by Ernest Hemingway (Novel; 1970)

The Last Detail (Film; 1973)

Lawrence of Arabia (Film; 1962)

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Film; 2004)

Mood Indigo, recorded by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (Song; 1930)

Ocean’s Twelve (Film; 2004)

One, Two, Three, Gone! Or I’ve Got Plenty of Nothing (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S5, Ep. 238; 1963)

Santa’s Workshop (Disney Cartoon; 1932)

Shoah (Documentary Film; 2010)

The Silver Sword, by Ian Serraillier (Novel; 1956)

Sleuth (Film; 1972)

Sophie’s Choice (Film; 1982)

Swiss Family Robinson (Film; 1960)

The Tempest (Film; 2010)

Three’s a Crowd (WB MM Cartoon; 1932)

The Tourist (Film; 2010)

Wayne’s World 2 (Film; 1993)

West Side Story (Film; 2021)

Wings Over America (Live Album; 1976)

The Year Without a Santa Claus (Animated TV Special; 1974)

Today’s Name Days

Angelina, Bruno, Emma, Herbert (Austria)

Edmund, Gregor, Mauro (Croatia)

Julie (Czech Republic)

Judith (Denmark)

Juta, Juudit (Estonia)

Jutta (Finland)

Eulaire, Romaric (France)

Emma, Imma, Loretta (Germany)

Judit (Hungary)

Loreto (Italy)

Cera, Guna, Judīte, Sniedze (Latvia)

Eidimtas, Eularija, Ilma, Loreta (Lithuania)

Judit, Jytte (Norway)

Andrzej, Daniel, Judyta, Julia, Maria, Radzisława (Poland)

Ermoghen, Eugraf, Mina (Romania)

Radúz (Slovakia)

Eulalia, Loreto (Spain)

Malena, Malin (Sweden)

Angeline, Marian (Ukraine)

Emely, Emilee, Emilia, Emilie, Emily, Eula, Eulalia, Ula (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 344 of 2024; 21 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 7 of week 49 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Ruis (Elder) [Day 13 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Gui-Hai), Day 28 (Ren-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 27 Kislev 5784

Islamic: 27 Jumada I 1445

J Cal: 14 Zima; Sevenday [14 of 30]

Julian: 27 November 2023

Moon: 6%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 8 Bichat (12th Month) [Vieta]

Runic Half Month: Is (Stasis) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Autumn (Day 78 of 89)

Zodiac: Sagittarius (Day 19 of 30)

#Holidays

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ainews · 1 year ago

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Caffeine is an important part of the modern lifestyle. It's found in many popular drinks like coffee and tea and helps us stay awake, focused, and energized throughout the day. Studies have shown that its use can reduce fatigue and improve brain function. But did you know that caffeine may be Baptistic?

In the Baptist tradition, caffeine is valued for its ability to refresh and invigorate the body, allowing members to have an enjoyable yet fruitful devotional experience. It can also be used to counteract drowsiness during prayer or Bible study, allowing members to fully engage in the activity. Additionally, the ritual of consuming a caffeinated beverage has been passed down through the generations and has become an integral part of the Baptist experience.

Studies have also suggested that caffeine consumption can help foster a sense of community among members, as it often accompanies group activities such as church potlucks or fellowship lunches. Furthermore, caffeine can act as a physical and mental energizer, enabling one to more deeply engage with the teachings of the Bible and allow members to stay alert and engaged during Sunday morning services.

Caffeine has many health benefits as well. It has been known to reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood and energy levels, and improve concentration and focus. Given these benefits, it's no surprise that so many Baptists appreciate the ritual of caffeine consumption.

Ultimately, it's safe to say that caffeine has been an important part of the Baptist tradition for many years and its benefits are in keeping with Baptist doctrines and practices. Whether for spiritual or health reasons, Baptists can be sure that their morning coffee is an act of faith.

#ai generated #fake news

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monika-apexart · 1 year ago

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Monika Rycerz in NYC, Day 31

Sunday, August 6th

The Met Cloisters in the morning. It was far north, about an hour away, so I decided to try to get there earlier than scheduled. Getting up a slight hill through the park was challenging (my body probably not feeling very proud of me atm). As soon as I walked into the garden I felt a sense of so much needed slowing down. It’s the first time I felt like I was on holiday, the places reminded me of somewhere in Europe and later on the patio made me think of a Roman villa we visited in Sicily a few years ago. I allowed myself ample time to explore, sit down with a cup of coffee and a delicious almond tart. I think I spent more than two hours there, being a tourist, not having to talk to anyone. The place felt so familiar and comforting in a way.

Giving myself lots of time at the Cloisters (strange name btw) meant I didn't have time for gallery crawl, but equally no regrets. On my way to the subway I had to walk through a very long tunnel under a street level and I thought to myself there is no way I would walk into this at night! I rushed home for a speedy lunch and on the move again.

My next and final stop (activity) was attending Jamaica Independence Church Service. The journey was long, but smooth. When I arrived the man at the door looked at me slightly confused as if I was lost, but when I asked if I could enter he welcomed me with a smile. Everyone was dressed up, many people wearing colours of the Jamaican flag - black, green and yellow. The choir was already singing. People kept coming, and the atmosphere was very relaxed. Again, I’m the only white person in the room. I feel somewhat assured that people around me know more than anyone else what it feels like to be different. I don't feel judged, but I feel very self conscious. It's like I snuck into a wedding of someone I don't know. I feel different from everyone else, like they are not my family, I don't belong. I have no connection to Jamaica. But I feel that it's ok for me to be there. It's not a crime. People may be surprised, but they're welcoming. I will never know what it is like to be black, this is for sure. We may change our beliefs, citizenship or gender, but we can't change our ethnicity.

The service was actually a celebration of 61 years anniversary of Jamaica independence. The preacher keeps saying that Jamaicans are proud and strong, they're chosen, they're destined to be number one in everything. This does not sit well with me. Doesn't that become problematic if we say this to every congregation? Doesn't that create more division?

Anyway, the atmosphere is ecstatic, it's loud, it's colourful, and full of joy. Choir is singing, people are dancing, singing. I leave after 3 hours, they are still going, I leave uplifted. I’m left wondering how did it all happen? How the sombre, serious, fear imposing catholic church evolved into this? I'm confused more than ever.

Long distances today. I found myself reading an article about a couple who went hitchhiking to a festival 50 years ago and never returned. Fascinating. Just realised that altogether I spent around 4 hours on the public transport today.

I returned to the apartment and felt a sense of relief. Today was my last day of the fellowship. I wondered why the relief and from what? And realised that it’s a relief from not having to be experiencing so many new things everyday.

This was a perfect day to end the fellowship. I have a lot to process.

As of tomorrow I’m in charge of my time again (to some extent).

P.S. I felt guilty for abandoning the Havdalah people yesterday, so I sent my apology to the organiser.

#Monika Rycerz #Inbound from Plymouth

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int-main-null · 1 year ago

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I never found God in religion. I went to church my entire childhood, every Sunday and nothing felt more like a drag. My body refused to go. It yearned for my bed and some peace and quiet. Some rest.

Sunday is for rest.

That’s what the bible says.

I never found god in a steeple or surrounded by stained-glass windows. God was not in fellowship hall or the hymnals or the bibles. God was not in the church basement where we had Sunday school or the choir loft where my mother spent her sermons. God wasn't in the communion wafers I consumed, he doesn't have a body.

They don't have a body.

They don't have.

They don't.

But sometimes I still think they are there.

I felt God first at the lake-house we went to as a youth group. The church kids were invited and the sun was warm and the water was cool and I was free. The boat drove fast and water sprayed on my face and smore’s never tasted so good. The burning fire smelled so good and felt so welcoming as the sun went down and the moon came up. That’s where I found God.

Now its on the back deck in the summer when I go out there in the morning to drink my coffee and listen to the hymns of the birds. Its at my friend’s kitchen table at 10:03 p.m. sitting on broken chairs and in the sermons we give each other about the current socio-economic status. I take communion downtown with a cocktail when I’m surrounded by the tall buildings that make me feel sublimely small. When its cool out and turning to autumn and its 1:17 a.m. at the last bar for the night and I’m tipsy, I repent on the cracked sidewalks where I put my feet and the plants growing in them are sacred. I read the scripture written on the bathroom walls. I worship in my car alone at night where I listen to music that makes me feel like I don’t exist. The darkness is holy and so I am baptized in the soft-glow of my dashboard. That's where I've found God. When I'm running through water on the sandy bank of the lake and throwing watermelon at my friends and I've never felt more human,

...that's where I've found God.

There exists my church, my choir loft, my fellowship hall and the steeple is just around the corner in the parking garage.

#personal diary

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chinahatbeach · 2 years ago

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Thoughts for Today

Good Tuesday morning to you! It’s a tad chilly this morning but it’s suppose to warm up into the 50’s and the rest of the week looks like 50 degree afternoons. Thursday looks to be a mostly sunny day and I plan on working in my yard. I want the couple of rose bushes trimmed that I forgot about in February. I need to pull the grass out of the raised bed gardens. Yard chores call my name and I want to get going on cleaning up and getting the yard ready for spring. Anticipation! But my mind drifts to another subject……. and another topic of today…….

I have an older client (Helen) who listens to the radio and watches tv. She has very few visitors. She relies on the radio and tv to tell her what’s happening out in the world. She brings up various subjects about the happenings and I sit there with no clue. I have cut myself off of the radio and tv news. The negative….. never any positive. Helen looks forward to seeing me and learning about what is new in my world. She’s 89 years of wisdom. She makes my Monday’s special. We sit and giggle over silly things. Her sons call her once a week and she looks forward to that time with them. I don’t know if she ever sees her grandsons. Folks have moved away and left her in the past. Others have died along the journey of life. She does have a couple of neighbors who call to check on her. Yesterday, she said that both neighbors go to church and have never invited her. Hmmm…. guess what I need to do? I need to ask her to church and take the sweet gal out for a nice Sunday meal. She needs people. She needs to know she matters.

I have put myself in Helen’s place in life. Who calls on me? Who checks to make sure I need a helping hand? How many other people are out there who sit at home and no one checks on them?

I don’t need a helping hand and I am quite content being home with my doggos. I am independent. I do enjoy people’s company but find that I get worn by people and must retreat to my home for rest and repair. And I found it interesting when a friend said that I need to get out and find fellowship. Hmm….. I told him I do. I realize that folks do not see what others do, how they live, or how they are in this world. You see, we are a busy people who let people into our lives on our terms and convenience. We have all the modern conveniences of life but have no time to sit around the kitchen table, have a cup of coffee, and talk. It’s small texts to ask ‘how are you?’ It isn’t those lovely family meals on Sunday after church. We are lucky enough to get family together on holidays.

I have learned many a lesson from 12 years of being a widow. One lesson that makes me laugh in a strange way is that in the Bible it tells us to “help the widow”. Hmm…. I’m a widow helping widows. I do not seeing folks beating down my door to help me. I’ve seen widows in my family that can’t get a phone call or a helping hand from the family.

So, if you are reading this and know of a widow that might need a helping hand….. do it. A neighbor, a friend or family member…..help them. Do they need their yard mowed, grocery shopping done, or just a nice sit with them and take the time to listen to them and they will gladly listen to you. Slow down enough to realize that you shall be in their spot in a few years. How would you feel?

Well, time to go milk the chickens and get on with my day. Bacon and eggs……. oh, I put out pork sausage for breakfast….. hot diggity dog or should I say pork! Places to go and people to see. Spread sunshine where you go with a smile on your face.

And that’s the way it is………….

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trenenlasnubes · 2 years ago

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En søndag i Nittedal - One sunday in Nittedal- Ein Sonntag in Nittedal

On my first Sunday I spent the day in church at Nittedal – an commune to the west of Oslo. The area of Nittedal has several churches and several churches an congregations: Nittedal, Hakadal and Rotnes. As a matter of fact, this is church next to the ski-track. In the morning, we worshipped in Hakadal.

At 11 am the bells ring for worship – traditional style, I was warned. Traditional style with modern liturgical elements would be more precise. I do recognize some of the responsories and liturgical chants. The latter seem to have been – just slightly – modernized. And some of the responsories use more modern words. Even during Lent, hallelujah is being sung abundantly!

On this diaconal Sunday, the confirmands have a major part in the service. Annunciation has consists of 2 parts: a short sermon and an active experience of the Word – Thomas mass style. During the Lord’s supper worshippers in all ages come forward. The youngest might not have been older then 6 months.

After the service. All are welcomed in the kirkestue (fellowship room) for coffee and cake. With the cold wind outside, the warmth inside does not only come from the heating system! It’s more about fellowship.

The church in Hakadal was built around 1610. It was so small, it didn’t have a bell tower. The bells just hung from the ceiling. After several enlargements, 1849 the bell tower was built. Already in the late middle ages there was a small church on this spot., named after St. Laurentius.

In the afternoon, we attend worship in Rotnes Kirke. Rotnes Kirke also belongs to Nittedal. It was built only a few years ago. It is fairly large and has different rooms on the left and right side of the nave. At the entry there is a huge lounge with plenty of meeting space for individuals and groups.

Behind the altar we are greeted by Christ in the midst of the life tree. Each glass peace does not only have a warm color, but also a picture – each symbolizing a specific bible-story.

Music is provided by the band and Hymns are intonated on the piano. The Liturg is the same Priest as in the morning in Hakadal, the preacher belongs to the Mission of Den Norske Kirke in India and North Korea. Sunday school is provided in 2 groups. As well as in Hakadal, the children come back for communion – so they can participate with their families. The youngest child I have seen was not older then 3 Months. Here there is no specific action – except for the music.

After church, people seem to spread out in the building. Eventually they come together again for coffee an cake in one side room.

On my way out, I notice the members of the band and other youth sitting on the sofas and on the ground in the lounge – apparently they are not exactly in a hurry, to get out…

What a blessed day! Tusen takk for invitasjonen!

#Kirche kann vieles

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granonine · 2 years ago

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Sunday Morning Coffee: Why Church?

Someone put up a meme of Facebook this week saying that no matter what you may have done during the week, no matter how inadequate you feel about yourself, you should go to church anyway. It seemed to be saying that church is a panacea for whatever sin we have committed during the previous week. I’ve been thinking about it off and on, and I have some questions. Will just any church do? What…

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#Bible preaching and teaching #fellowship with other believers #just a duty #just go to church and everything will be okay #meme #ministry #questions #sin and salvation #Sunday Morning Coffee #What are we expecting/hoping for?#why #why go to church?#Wjy Church?

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liaromancewriter · 4 years ago

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Me Before You

Premise: It’s the anniversary of the death of his closest friend and Ethan needs to get away from everyone and everything. Cassie’s worried when Ethan goes silent for the day and she can’t help but wonder if he wants out of their blossoming relationship. When she finally confronts him, the truth is not what she expected.

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey and F!MC (Cassie Valentine)

Rating: Teen.

Warning: Deals with grief and the death of a secondary character.

Words: 2.8K

A/N: I don’t know what this is or even if it’s any good. But it’s a story that has been percolating for a while and refused to go away until I wrote it. It’s full of angst but ends on a hopeful note.

The bright rays of the sun filtered through the shades, bathing the bedroom in a soft light as it did every morning. Normally the occupant of that bedroom wasn’t around to notice, his day often starting before the sun came out. But today, Dr. Ethan Ramsey lay in his bed and watched the diffused light turn bright as the sun made its way higher in the sky.

He ignored the ping of an incoming message, knowing who it was without looking. It was after 10 o’clock in the morning; on a typical day he’d be heading out right about now to grab a coffee and a 15-minute break with his girlfriend. Those precious moments when they weren’t attending and resident ─ just Ethan and Cassie.

When Cassie had started her Diagnostics fellowship a few weeks ago, a part of him had been afraid that he wouldn’t be able to push her, that he’d want to make it easy for her because her happiness was everything to him.

But he’d soon learned that no one pushed themselves harder than Cassie Valentine. She had something to prove, not just to others but to herself, and she wasn’t going to let Ethan go easy on her. And because the medicine and mystery excited her as much as it did him.

Since their talk on the first day on how she could contribute more, she had been reading case studies and journals every free moment when they weren’t together (and even when they were).

She was his equal in every way. Knowing that and accepting it settled something in him they had needed to be resolved ever since he’d taken that step toward starting a relationship with her.

In some ways, what they had had begun from the first moment they met but hadn’t crystallized until the night Dolores had died and they’d stayed up watching over Baby Ethan. She had been harder on herself than she’d deserved, and he’d dropped his mask long enough to comfort her because he’d recognized something in her then…kinship.

Dolores.

An early morning phone call from her sister, Alma, had filled his mind with memories, sadness taking over his heart and weariness consuming his body until he had no energy left. For the first time in 10 years, he’d called in sick, wanting nothing more than to stay under the covers and forget everything and everyone.

It was a year ago today that he’d lost one of his closest friends. He’d thought of her often this past year, wanting her wisdom and guidance as he struggled against his feelings for Cassie and everything that had happened with Naveen. He had always had trouble letting people in, but Dolores had slowly chipped away at his self-imposed walls until Sunday dinners and holiday get togethers had become the norm.

Dolores had a way of making him see the truth even when he was in self-denial. She would have approved of Cassie, not only because of who she was but because she would have seen them together as two parts of a whole.

It was ironic that she’d died soon after Cassie had barged her way in. He had a feeling that the two of them together would have been an unstoppable force, forcing him out of his comfort zone until everything he didn’t think he’d ever want ─ love, marriage, children ─ would have become all that he needed.

He didn’t believe in soulmates (what a silly concept), but he believed that the version of him before Cassie would have ended up bitter and alone.

And still, he hadn’t said those three words that came so naturally to her. He wondered, despite what she had said, if she was disappointed in his inability to give them back to her. And how long would she stay if he could never say them?

It was almost noon when he shoved away the covers and made his way to the walk-in shower. It was time to pay his respects to a dear friend.

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Cassie checked her phone for the umpteenth time between patients hoping that Ethan would have replied to one of her many messages. He hadn’t read them either and she was trying not to worry. He had taken the day off and he wasn’t into texting at the best of times. Still, she worried.

She was so used to seeing him every day that even a few hours without him felt odd, incomplete. The Diagnostics Team didn’t have a patient today and she had spent four hours at the free clinic before starting afternoon rounds. Now, it was almost end of shift and she and Sienna were finishing up their charts before clocking out.

When her phone pinged, she eagerly fished it out of her coat pocket only to be disappointed when she saw it was a text in the family group chat. Her mother was reminding Max and Cassie that next month’s get together at the family compound in Newport was a command performance. Her grandfather was turning 80 and the entire family, cousins included, were expected to pay homage.

Cassie had already booked the time off, debating the whole time if she should convince Ethan to come with her. He’d already met Max and that had gone well, but maybe it was too soon for the whole “meet the family” business. Her grandfather was aware that she’d turned away from the family legacy because of her fascination with Ethan Ramsey’s work. She could only imagine the fireworks when he discovered her medical hero was now the love of her life.

“No response from him yet?” Sienna’s voice was full of sympathy when she noticed Cassie’s defeated posture.

“No, but maybe he’s just busy? I’m sure he’ll call me later,” Cassie added when she saw the expression on Sienna’s face.

“Let’s go to Donahue’s,” said Sienna, her voice cheerful. “Bryce, Raf and Jackie will be there too. All of us haven’t hung out together in a while and it’ll be good to just relax after the week we’ve had.”

“That sounds perfect, Si,” Cassie tried to match Sienna’s enthusiasm. “Let me just check in on 312 and then I’ll meet you there.”

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It was after 11 o’clock at night when Ethan finally returned to Boston. When he’d left his apartment earlier, he’d meant to only place flowers on Dolores’s grave, but had found himself sitting in the quiet and peaceful cemetery, telling her about Cassie and everything that had happened the past year.

After, he kept driving until he crossed into Rhode Island and the outskirts of Providence, timing his arrival to when his father came home from work.

They’d made dinner together and it felt like old times. His father was content in his life and it showed in his appreciation of small things like sitting on the porch in an ancient rocking chair watching the neighborhood kids play street hockey.

Ethan often wondered where he’d gotten his restlessness from, afraid he knew the answer all too well even as a part of him denied it. As they sat there in the fading light, he told his father about his and Cassie’s relationship.

“Well, son, I knew there was something going on when I met her last week and she helped me find you.”

“How?” Ethan asked, surprised. “We’re careful to keep things professional at the hospital.”

“I don’t know, Ethan,” Alan Ramsey took a swig of his beer as he leaned back against the rocker. “Just something in the air when you were together, the expression on your face when you saw her. It was only a moment, but I haven’t seen you look at anyone like that ever. Is it a secret?”

“Naveen and the hospital authorities know,” Ethan explained. “I just couldn’t subject her to any ethical or conduct issues, especially after everything that happened with Teresa Martinez. But we are keeping it private from everyone else for now.”

“Why?”

“You know how people talk. They always blame the woman, never the man. I broke all my rules when I got involved with her and I don’t want her to suffer.”

“I’m proud of you, Ethan. Always have been. But if you love her then don’t be afraid of what people will say. Small minds don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.”

“What does Cassie want?” Alan asked when Ethan didn’t say anything.

“I don’t know,” Ethan admitted. “She said she was fine with whatever I wanted, but we haven’t talked about it since then.”

“Don’t wait too long to find out what she wants, really wants. That was my mistake with your mother.”

At that, Ethan turned to look at his father whose stoic manner was at odds with the wistfulness in his voice. They had reached an impasse last week when Alan had told him his mother was back and wanted to meet him. After Ethan had refused to even consider it, Alan had promised not to mention her again.

“I was too focused on my love for her and for our family. I didn’t see that it wasn’t what she wanted until it was too late.”

“That was her loss, Dad.” Ethan couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. He didn’t want to hurt his father, but any mention of Louise was a sore point for him.

“Maybe, but there are two people in a relationship, Ethan. There has to be understanding and compromise, otherwise, what’s the point?”

Ethan had thought about his father’s words on the short drive back to Boston, asking himself whether Cassie was in fact happy with the ways things were.

He’d kept thoughts of her at bay throughout the day, but now, back in his beautiful apartment overlooking the city, he couldn’t help remembering their date night from a few days ago. Dancing in the balcony and making love to her in the moonlight as music played in the background.

After, they’d talk about her apprehension about the fellowship, working together daily and not just on and off on a case, and his insistence on keeping things professional to which she’d scoffed that she was more than capable of keeping her hands to herself. And she had been.

He was the one who was having trouble, wanting everyone to know she was his especially whenever he saw that scalpel jockey flirting with her or the men that regularly hit on her at Donahue’s.

Pouring himself a scotch, he switched on his phone and saw the missed calls and unread messages from Cassie. Suddenly, he felt ashamed for ignoring her all day. He owed her an apology. More importantly, he owed her the truth. It was late and he typed a quick reply to her.

They needed to talk but after the emotional roller coaster of a day, he needed a few more hours to ready himself for what was coming.

Twenty minutes later he was getting ready for bed when the outside buzzer went off. Despite the late hour, he knew it was her. He let her into the building, unlocked the front door and waited for the elevator to ascend to his floor.

At this time of night, it only took a minute or two and then there she was. His heart skipped a beat and then he felt a weight lift off his chest.

Why had he ever thought he needed to get away from her? Seeing her, he felt better than he had all day.

He watched her walk apprehensively toward him, anxiety written across her face, her body stiff with worry. He pulled her into his arms as soon as she was close enough and then he was kissing her as if they’d been apart for months. She wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him, and he tasted the salt of her tears as she kissed him back.

“I’m sorry I worried you,” he whispered, holding her close as he led her inside his apartment, locking the door behind him.

“I’m so sorry, Cassie, more than you’ll ever know,” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, watching her try and fail to rein in her emotions. “It was a dick move.”

“I had the most horrible thoughts when I didn’t hear from you all day.” Cassie leaned away from Ethan wanting to face him as they had it out. “I don’t know what I did, Ethan, but I didn’t deserve to spend the entire day worrying if you had been in a car accident or just gone off me or…”

Ethan placed his hand over her mouth, cutting off her words. “You didn’t do anything, love. I just had a bad day. You didn’t deserve this, any of it.”

He sighed as he leaned back against the couch, almost lying down with Cassie stretched out on top of him. Now that she was here, in his arms, he couldn’t think why he had thought he had to get through today without her. She had the biggest heart of anyone he knew, and she would have understood if he’d told her he needed some space today.

“Alma called me today,” He heard her gasp as she connected the name but stayed silent. “I’d forgotten but it’s exactly one year today since Dolores…since she died. It was like a dark cloud hanging over my head and I couldn’t see the light. I went to her grave today. It was the first time I’d been since the funeral. I let her down, Cassie. She was my friend, and I couldn’t save her.”

“Ethan, no.” Cassie protested, lifting her head from his chest to look him in the eyes. “Remember what you told me back then? We all did the best we could with the information we had. It was no one’s fault. As doctors, we’re always fighting the inevitable. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, we can’t save everyone. You taught me that.”

“Really? I sound insufferable.”

“Well, I love you anyway. When you’re being an insufferable know-it-all or an asshole chewing out innocent interns on their first day for being slow.”

“There was nothing innocent about you asking me for private lessons.” He couldn’t help but smirk as he gazed into her green eyes, remembering how he’d felt his world shift the first time he’d placed his hands over hers during that emergency thoracotomy.

Suddenly, he knew, and it was like everything fell into place.

“I love you, Cassie.” His eyes never wavered from hers, the words giving him back the strength that grief had taken away.

“Ethan, I’ve waited so long to hear you say the words.” Cassie tried to control the quiver in her voice. “I told myself that I would be okay if you could never say them, but it was a lie. I needed them…so much.”

“I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to stop being an idiot,” he confessed, planting light kisses along her jaw, teasing the sensitive spot behind her ear. “Nothing is ever right without you, but with you it’s like everything makes sense.”

“Stop or I’m going to cry all over you and make an even bigger mess,” she laughed through the tears falling unheeded, dampening his shirt. “And you’re going to wonder whether you’ve lost your mind being with an emotional wreck like me.”

“Never!” His hands brushed down her arms, his touch leaving goosebumps in its wake. Lacing their fingers together, he lifted the back of her hand to his mouth, nipping lightly before soothing against the bite. “You’re completely for me. You’re all that I need and ever will. You’re my sanctuary, Cassie. The person that makes everything brighter and hopeful.”

Cassie shivered as comfort turned to desire. “Ethan, if I don’t have you right now, I’m going to lose it.”

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” He trailed kisses down her neck, sucking hard enough to leave a mark. “But first, we need to settle something else.”

“And what is that Dr. Ramsey?” Her lips teased his while her fingers brushed against the hardness between his legs.

“I don’t want us to hide our relationship anymore.” Her touch stilled at those words. “We don’t need to make a big announcement, but our family and friends need to know we belong to each other.”

“Ethan, are you sure?” Cassie’s voice was apprehensive, her eyes somber as she tried to read him. “I know you’ve had reservations about this from the start.”

“I’m sure,” he assured her. “The rules we agreed to, about keeping it professional at work, still stand, but I don’t want to lie any more.”

Ethan held her face between his hands, letting her see what was in his heart. “We’re in a committed relationship, Cassie. And people who love each other shouldn’t have to pretend they don’t.”

A big smile broke across Cassie’s face as she heard the sincerity in Ethan’s voice and she held out her hand for him to hold. “You jump, I jump, right?”

“Every time, love.”

And then they were lost in each other, words becoming unnecessary with every kiss and touch that followed.

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Tags: @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @mrs-ramsey @justanotherrookie @potionsprefect @starrystarrytrouble @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @alwaysmychoices @anntoldst0ries @choicesmonthlychallenge

#oph choices #ethan ramsey #ethan x mc #ethan ramsey x mc #open heart choices #choices open heart #choices fic writers creations #fics of the week #choices monthly challenge

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