#a daily bible reading plan

[melvingaines]

15 Minute Devotional - July 31, 2024

Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Bible reading: Jeremiah 28:1-17; 1 Timothy 1:1-11; Psalm 85:8-13; Proverbs 20:12 #bible #reading #study #twoyearbibleplan #Jeremiah #Timothy #Psalm #Proverb #godsword #devotional #fifteen

[therevlisad]

Scripture Reading Plan for Sabbath and Rest

[delicatewonderlandengineer]

Made for This Do you realize that you were purposefully, lovingly, and carefully designed by God? King David said it like this: “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 ESV Your eyes, brain, heart, muscles, organs, nerves, fingernails, eyelashes, and smile. Not only are you wonderfully complex, but you were also planned before life as we know it existed by your Heavenly Father. Even as you read these words, your body is doing some incredible things—without your conscious consent. Your fingers are scrolling, your eyes are capturing, your brain is processing … All the while, your heart is pumping blood, your lungs are managing breath, your eyelids are blinking away dryness, your glands are producing saliva, your blood cells are multiplying by the second, your brain is directing your body while simultaneously storing memory—and so much more. David also points out in other portions of Psalm 139 that God knows everything about us, His presence is inescapable, and He thinks about us so much that such thoughts cannot be numbered. The point? You are uniquely and intentionally created by God to love Him and the people around you—to know Him, and make Him known. So, be encouraged. You were made for this.

[memoriesndew]

fall is here. It's time to lock in. weight loss edition.

intro:

after taking a miniature break I have finally decided to track my weight loss journey here, to keep me motivated and to track my progress.

there are approximately 3 months left in the year (without september) and in that time I want to focus on my weight loss and lock in. I will take a break from creating notion templates and focus on skills and hobbies.

why 3 months? simply because that's what's left in this year and also because most people start seeing results after 3 months.

details:

so I started this challenge last week and here are a few things I've achieved last week. I worked out for the whole week. I hit 10k steps daily from tuesday didn't do so well on monday. I also completed my daily workout cycle for the most part.

✿ my main goal is losing weight really just reaching my weight goal which is 42kg - p.s I'm short

✿ I will try my best to update daily and I also have a physical journal that I will update every night before bed

here are my current stats

𝑮𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔

( 🍨 ) 63𝒌𝒈 Current weight: 59.1kg

( ) 57𝒌𝒈

( ) 52𝒌𝒈

( ) 49𝒌𝒈

( ) 46𝒌𝒈

( ) 42𝒌𝒈 gw

( ) 40𝒌𝒈 ugw

i do think the stakes are not in my favour and I might not reach my goal at the end of the year but at least I can try.

so I will be uploading my workouts weekly, at the beginning of every week as to keep myself motivated to do them and for as many that would like to go on this journey with me. at the end of those 3 months, I will update this blog post.

✿ This is the habits i want to achieve each day also I plan to have a set eating time between 12pm and 8pm everyday. i will write about what I eat I'm also not going to be really dieting or cutting out foods just minimizing my portions

habit tracking:

maintain calorie deficit of 1200 hit 10k steps 7+ hrs of sleep 2l of water 30mins+ of movement journal progress movement cycle [3/3] eat between 12 pm and 8 pm

✿ : my days will mainly be filled up with reading (adrinette fics), language learning, crocheting, organizing, blogging, Bible study, watching(might continue Gilmore Girls) and more

decided to add workouts to my daily updates instead

i will start updating tomorrow

post tags : dews wl lock-in

[royalarchivist]

Phil: I should– probably shouldn't say this, but like, I'm gonna say it anyways because it makes me– makes me happy like, thinking about it. I have like, a whole origin story of my character like, planned out. And I don't know when I'm gonna get to share it with everyone, I don't know when I'm gonna get to share that. But like, I think about it almost daily now. [Laughs] I think about it almost daily. It's a problem. It's a problem. I need to start writing it down, 'cuz it's just- it's just swirling in my head, and I keep listening to the same songs that I think would go really well with it. They are heavily copyrighted, unfortunately. [Laughs] So... I'm like this close to pulling the trigger and commissioning some artists and animatic like, makers to just do it.

Phil: [Reading chat] "Ask Wolfy, and they'll just make you Minecraft Jesus." That's true, Wolfy is all about just making various different like, Jesus religion-related animations at the minute. So... if I wanted to become Jesus, I go to Wolfy. "Hey Wolfy mate, so I know you're a big fan of these guys, these old guys from the Bible and stuff, but what about– what about– [Laughs] What about me? Wanna do– wanna do another one? [Laughs] Wanna do a Creature 2?" But just like, super- super biblical– [Laughs]

Phil: What a crazy ask. Crazy sentence, crazy ask, Jesus Christ.

[kapurcell]

Best Bible Reading Plan for 2023

It's time to start reading your Bible again as the new year starts. Here are 5 great strategies for choosing the right Bible reading plan.

Every year it seems that Christians resolve to read their Bible more. Seasoned Bible Reading Plan veterans know what to do and how to do it but may lack the willpower or passion for keeping with it all year. However, novices could use some advice on the best Bible reading plans for the new year. So, here’s our best advice for how to read the Bible on a regular schedule in 2023. 1. Pick a Good…

[eyes-on-jesus]

If you wanna be close to God, you need to start reading the bible every day. Start small, set a daily alarm on your phone, download the bible app, and read some plans in there, as well as reading the bible itself on there. Start in the new testament and just go. Some days will be cool, some days you won't feel anything, but it matters. It will change you, your character, your life, your thoughts, everything. Next thing you know you are buying a journaling bible and drawing, tabbing, highlighting, lettering, journaling. Every morning, spend time with God, pray, involve Him, talk to Him.

[ayeyolooo]

SHARING A BED WITH THEM!

(gojo, inumaki, geto, yuji, choso.)

INUMAKI!

you heard three soft knocks on your room door, which made you wake up. “come in.” your voice rasped out. you rubbed your eyes as you looked at the door to see who was walking in. you seen your blonde haired boy. the both of you had just gotten into an argument so the both of you didn’t sleep with eachother today. but that changed soon as he walked in the door. his cheeks were rosy and so was the tip of his nose. “yes?” you sat up and turned on your bedside lamp. “bonito.” (hi) “hi inu what’s up, i thought you wanted to sleep in your room today?”he dropped his head down. “sausage with eggs and grits.” (i can’t sleep without you.) you pouted. “well it was you who said it.” he nodded. “tuna.” (i know) he replied. “caviar Rolls.” (i need you, i can’t sleep without you.” you pouted giving in you opened your arms wide having him smile and crawl to you. you held him and stroked his cheek and hair. “do you want to do bible study?” he perked up and immediately nodded. “okay go and get your bible so we can start.” you smiled grabbing your highlighters, and pens. inu came back with his blue bible and his notepad. the both of you prayed before reading the word together. you giggled at inumaki trying to read the words without having a hard time.

he giggled at you not understanding what some of the messages meant. he was happy to write them down for you. the both of you read psalms 91 which brought inumaki some comfort, due to him having a nightmare which brought him to your room. gojo opened the door quietly and seen the both of you holding hands and praying for eachother. he just smiled and closed the door back gently. he was genuinely happy for the both of you. inumaki has finally found his light, the person that brought his closer to God, the one who helped him with his nightmares. the one who prayed over him before every mission. y/n. you were literally heaven sent, and everyone was very appreciative of you.

an hour passed and the hoth of you were cuddled under eachother while the tv played in the background. the both of you were sleeping mouths wide open with slob coming out, and inumaki snoring.

some of the bible verses inumaki and y/n study on the daily.

—Jeremiah 29:11

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.

•inumaki sends you to read that verse when you’re worried about your future, or when you’re worried about school.

•you would send him this verse when he’s worried about a mission. when you send that to him, he feels at peace and calm.

—psalms 15:1

—Ephesians 4:26-27

"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil".

•the both of you would send this to eachother when you’d had just gotten into an argument, or when the both of you are stubborn gojo would slip these verses under the both of your doors signing them with your names so that the both of you would think that the other person sent it

—psalms 91:1

1He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty

•the both of you send this to eachother when you’re worried about going on a mission.

this is toooo cute🥹. i’m most definitely adding bible verses in my stories now🫶🏾.

[isabellehemlock]

Kat's Catholic Commentary - Part (I've lost track)

My focus for this episode will be on Lestat's speech in his parting letter to Louis.

The purpose behind the letter may vary depending on when it was written (before or after Lestat knew of Louis’ plan of betrayal).  However, my focus is on the language used - specifically “the veil” - and why my Catholic senses were tingling.

But first - the disclaimer:

This is purely a fan meta/theory.  Even when I talk about character motivations with some certainty, remember it's just my take, not a fact-based declaration.  This helps keep things brief rather than saying "in my opinion" before every other sentence.

All points and takes are valid - this is just one of them.  I'm exploring one potential aspect of Lestat and Louis' relationship, not the whole picture or even trying to suggest it as the main foundation.

Also, there are frank references to the Catholic Church, its history, practices, sacraments, and some Bible verses.  If at any point you need to take a step back for self-care, please do.  Your well-being comes first.

Before diving in, I’ll share why I see a potential for a secondary meaning behind it because I’d like to add some weight to my personal fan theory that Lestat is conscious of how faith is still an integral part of Louis’ identity and how he might use it (however the purpose of this, I’ll leave to the reader).

Several moments in the first season, and some from the books (spoilers ahead if you’d like to avoid events after IWTV), reference Lestat and Louis’ relationship and his faith (and especially with a context of Catholicism):

The entire monologue at the end of episode one as Lestat declares his feelings for Louis in front of the altar.

Lestat’s monologue of Saint Louis (both as an off hand reference in ep 1 and the expanded version of Ep 2 that ends with: “You’re challenge every sunset St. Louis, and I’d have it no other way.”)

After Louis asks about Antoinette in Ep 3, when Lestat is describing the need for various forms of pleasure for “anything that wards off the dungs of the everlasting road we walk” - pauses to point out Louis’ form of pleasure as “Pleasures of the Good Book by the fire for you.”

And then in Ep 6, when Lestat arrives to gift Louis something from his favorite bookshop: “‘The Book of Hours.’  Extremely rare, 15th century.” - the Book of Hours, is also known as the Liturgy of Hours, or Divine Office, used by both clergy, religious and laity alike for daily devotions on a rotating cycle for uniform prayer.

And from the books:

In IWTV, Louis’ reference to following Lestat as a kind of personal Jesus: 

I allowed myself to forget how totally I had fallen in love with Lestat’s iridescent eyes, that I’d sold my soul for a manycolored and luminescent thing, thinking that a highly reflective surface conveyed the power to walk on water. 

“What would Christ need have done to make me follow him like Matthew or Peter? Dress well, to begin with. And have a luxurious head of pampered yellow hair. 

Later, in Prince Lestat, when they are reunited, Louis says (from Lestat's POV): 

He leaned close to me, and he put his hand on my arm. “ ‘Wither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people’; and because I have no other god and never will, you shall be my god.”*

* This quote Louis is saying is from the Book of Ruth: She answered, "Do not be against me, as if I would abandon you and go away; for wherever you will go, I will go, and where you will stay, I also will stay with you. Your people are my people, and your God is my God.” - Ruth 1:16 CPDV

I’ve also shared metas and commentary on Tumblr and Twitter about Louis and Lestat's relationship to faith and the little nods I’ve picked up here and there (more on that below).  But this isn’t intended as a comprehensive summary, just a soft recap to add context for anyone wondering, “how did she read that in this scene?”

Now, onto the main point!  For anyone needing a refresher, here’s the letter in full:

In the event that you are reading this, something dreadful has occurred.  Which is not my own death, but rather, the fact that we both now exist in two different worlds.  Do not waste your life seeking revenge on the person or persons who did this.  Do not give them the satisfaction of the hunt.  Let treachery eat away at them from within.  And you, you go carry on with your living.  Know only this, mon cher: you are the only being I trust, and whom I love, above and beyond myself.  All my love belongs to you.  You are its keeper.  A veil will now forever separate our union.  But it is a thin veil, and I’m always on the other side, face pressed up against your longing.

Setting aside the beautiful writing, the language used, and the sentiments declared (it fed my Words of Affirmation love language meter well), my second thought upon hearing “A veil will now forever separate our union.  But it is a thin veil, and I’m always on the other side, face pressed up against your longing.” was what my Catholic senses were tingling.

In a previous meta I discussed how I viewed the scene of Louis’ turning as a nod to the Sacrament of the Eucharist (though I can also see the other fan theory of the Sacrament of Matrimony).  This furthers my idea of Louis viewing Lestat as a kind of personal Jesus.  Given the examples above, I believe there might have been some intention behind Lestat’s words to reach Louis on a vulnerable level through his faith.

But why would former Catholic altar boy Louis catch that meaning, and what would it mean to him?

In the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is veiled in order to symbolize the mystery and sacredness of the Sacrament.  The veil represents the separation between the divine and the mortal, indicating that the true essence of the Eucharist (Christ's Body and Blood) is hidden under the appearance of bread and wine (and it’s a practice that dates back to early Christianity, where the veil also served to protect the Eucharist from desecration and to enhance the reverence of the faithful during Mass).

As Catholics, we believe that Jesus, at the Last Supper, instituted the Eucharist, when He said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).  He also said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20).  They were declarations to emphasize the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist but also to serve as a message of hope - that there would be an intimate connection between Jesus and His followers, despite His physical absence after His death and resurrection - “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).  

Though death might separate the physical presence, the Eucharist provides a continuous, though veiled, connection with Christ.  This then allows the veil to symbolize hope and assurance that, while there may be a separation, it is thin, with the promise of a deeper, spiritual communion that transcends physical boundaries.

So, if Louis potentially viewed the Dark Gift as a kind of Eucharist that nourishes the soul, given to him through Lestat, then their spiritual interconnection and the nourishment it provided could continue.  His devotion to Lestat would not need to end.

I believe Lestat “I went to a monastery to become a priest” de Lioncourt, knew exactly what he was doing when he used those words to describe how interlinked they would remain.  

This furthered Louis’ (perhaps even subconscious) view of Lestat and Jesus - and himself as potentially Judas (meta here, and here), though I personally enjoy the view of Louis identifying with Mother Mary the most (visual reference and poem, art and another art piece here).

Whether intentional or not, or perhaps a completely different point that I read too much into (which can definitely be the case lol), it spoke to me on a deep level when I heard it.  I’d like to believe it did for Louis as well. 

[study-with-aura]

Friday, May 31, 2024

I disliked the weather today. It is what it is. I did get a lot done. I decided to do some Biology review as well on the questions I keep missing which are on energy and transport. I reviewed enzymes today, and I will review passive and active transport on Monday. I am so close to course mastery in both Geometry and High School Biology. Once I reach course mastery in Geometry, I plan to start the Getting Ready for Algebra 2 course.

I also found a neat music composition course online that is free! I am going to start it on Monday. It focuses on classical composition and has a greater focus on harmony and counterpoint later on according to the syllabus, and if I am going to be ready for level 10 harmony and counterpoint by next summer, starting now is a good idea. It's comparable to a second year university course if that tells you the difficulty of it! The workbooks are always very bland, and while my teacher goes through all of it with me too, I want to do some independent study while I have the extra free time to do so.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! I will be helping with prep for the service unit bridging ceremony, and then I am going to go to the art museum with my family. I haven't been in a while, so I am very excited to view the current exhibits!

Tasks Completed:

History 9 - Reviewed second set of terminology flashcards

Theory - Reviewed binary forms

KA Geometry - Completed daily mastery challenge

KA Biology - Completed Unit 8: Lesson 3 (parts 4-8) + reviewed Unit 3: Lesson 2

Duolingo - Studied for approximately 30 minutes (Spanish + French + Chinese)

Piano - Practiced for two hours in one hour split sessions

Reading - Read pages 164-195 of A Whisper in the Walls by Scott Reintgen

Chores - Dusted my bedroom, my bathroom, and the study + laundered my bedding

Activities of the Day:

Personal Bible Study (Matthew 6)

Morning Yoga

Virtual advanced ballet class

3 hours gaming with Julien (not all at once)

Evening Stretch

Journal/Mindfulness

[lovinglyysubmissive]

Here are some Christ-centered ways a husband can create a joyful, loving marriage by serving, honoring, and leading his wife:

1. Pray with Her and for Her

• Pray together daily and seek God’s guidance for both your lives. Pray individually for her needs, spiritual growth, and protection.

2. Show Selfless Love and Compassion

• Embrace Christ’s sacrificial love by putting her needs above your own. Show compassion through kind words and actions, always seeking her good.

3. Be a Spiritual Leader

• Lead by example in faith and integrity, prioritizing God’s Word in daily life. Encourage her spiritual growth by reading the Bible together, praying, and fostering a faith-filled home.

4. Encourage and Affirm Her Daily

• Encourage her strengths, dreams, and growth. Affirm her beauty, intelligence, and kindness to make her feel valued and appreciated.

5. Serve Her in Practical Ways

• Help with chores or errands, or surprise her with small acts like preparing breakfast or helping with her daily tasks. These gestures show you’re mindful of her comfort and happiness.

6. Listen to Her with Patience and Empathy

• Give her your full attention and listen without judgment, whether she’s sharing concerns, dreams, or everyday stories. Listening with empathy builds intimacy and trust.

7. Show Physical Affection and Care

• Make her feel cherished with physical affection: holding her hand, hugging, and gentle touches. Physical closeness helps deepen emotional bonds.

8. Take Initiative in Planning Date Nights

• Make time for romance by planning thoughtful dates, even if they’re simple, like a movie night or a walk. This strengthens your connection and keeps the romance alive.

9. Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Anger

• Approach conflicts with patience and grace. Be willing to forgive quickly, prioritizing unity over being “right.”

10. Express Gratitude for Her Efforts

• Regularly thank her for all she does, whether at home or in other aspects of life. Recognizing her efforts and saying thank you makes her feel valued and loved.

11. Lead with Humility and Gentleness

• Embrace Christlike humility and lead gently, respecting her voice in all decisions. Seek her opinions and consider her needs with a servant’s heart.

12. Protect and Provide for Her

• Prioritize her safety and well-being, both physically and emotionally. Provide stability and reassurance, especially during challenging times.

13. Be Open and Honest with Your Feelings

• Build trust through honest, open communication. Share your dreams, struggles, and hopes, letting her into your heart and life.

14. Encourage Her Talents and Passions

• Support her gifts and encourage her pursuits. Whether she’s pursuing a career, hobbies, or ministry, let her know you’re her biggest cheerleader.

15. Handle Finances Responsibly

• Make financial decisions that honor your family’s needs and goals. Plan wisely, budget, and invest in your shared future with her in mind.

16. Make Her Feel Beautiful and Cherished

• Regularly compliment her beauty, both inner and outer. Leave notes, send sweet messages, or surprise her with small gifts to remind her she’s special.

17. Offer to Pray for Her Specific Needs

• Ask her if there’s anything she’d like prayer for, and take time daily to lift her needs up. This shows genuine care for her well-being.

18. Honor Her in Front of Others

• Speak kindly about her to family, friends, and others, showing respect and pride. Honoring her publicly reinforces her value in your life.

19. Make Time for Quality Moments Together

• Set aside time just for the two of you, free from distractions. Whether it’s a quiet conversation or a shared activity, being present strengthens your bond.

20. Be Patient with Her Imperfections

• Extend grace and patience when she makes mistakes. Recognize that marriage is a journey of growth, and love her through every step.

21. Express Love and Appreciation with Little Gestures

• Surprise her with flowers, a note, or her favorite treat. These thoughtful gestures can make her feel adored and cherished.

22. Be a Safe Place for Her Emotions

• Create an emotionally safe space for her to share her feelings without fear of judgment. Be gentle, compassionate, and understanding.

23. Pursue Personal Growth for Her Sake

• Work on personal development, whether it’s growing spiritually, improving health, or managing emotions. Becoming a better man makes you a better husband.

24. Prioritize Her Needs and Happiness

• Consider her needs when making decisions, both big and small. Showing that her well-being matters builds trust and deepens love.

When a husband loves, serves, and leads in this Christ-centered way, he honors his marriage, builds his wife up, and lays a foundation for a joyful and fulfilling partnership. ❤️

[melvingaines]

15 Minute Devotional - June 12, 2024

Bible Reading: Isaiah 37:30 – 38:22; Galatians 6:11- 18; Psalm 66:1-7; Proverbs 17:2-3 #dailybiblereading #bible #daily #godsword #readthebible #twoyearbibleplan

[therevlisad]

Two Lenten Bible Reading Plans for the Gospel of John

[jo-harrington]

Heaven - Eddie Munson x Reader

Summary: Eddie had written off ever finding his person. Yeah he could fool around and have some fun, but at the end of the day no one would look at him the way he wanted them to. Until you came along and, in the most unexpected way, changed his life forever.

Pairing: Eddie Munson/Fem!Reader

Warnings/Themes: Fluff, Love at First Sight, Soulmates(?), Criticism of Religion/Catholicism, Implied Sexual Encounters, Implied Supernatural Encounters, Angst, Abandonment, Biblical and Other Literary References

Note: Set before Hell, we have our introduction to Reader/OC for my Van Helsing AU/Kas!Eddie series, As Above, So Below. Once again, this can be read as a stand-alone, but if you're planning on reading the eventual series, you might want to read the prequels.

That being said, this fic and the subsequent fics/chapters in the series will not be for the faint of heart. Please check the above warnings and ask yourself if you are in the correct headspace to proceed. I am happy to answer any questions via PM or Ask.

You can find the As Above, So Below masterlist here.

Please do not interact if you are not 18+.

Enjoy!

"Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it. Made for it stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand."

—The Business of Heaven, Daily Readings from C.S. Lewis (1984)

March 1984

When Eddie met you, he had all but given up on finding love.

He had heard it all before.

He was young. He still had the rest of his life ahead of him. Maybe love wasn't in Hawkins. He just needed to have patience.

But it stung to watch the others receive affection, care, and understanding when he waited. Wanting, deserving, but never receiving.

Until you walked into the Hideout, wet and weary after a long drive to an unfamiliar place in unforgiving conditions.

You weren't some spectacular beauty, or otherworldly siren, or heavenly angel that he would expect in a fantasy novel or a DnD game. You were, quite frankly, a mess. But as you turned and nodded your head along to the music, Eddie swore his heartbeat was louder than Mickey's relentless assault on the drums.

He approached you at the end of the set as you sat at the bar nursing a cherry coke and circling want ads in the classified section of the Hawkins Post.

He asked you if you liked cheese fries before he even said hello.

And the laugh you made was loud and honking, but it was nevertheless perfect.

You were a disaster made, he hoped, just for him.

June 1984

“The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall rise,” Eddie muttered as he traced the words etched into your forearm. “That from the Bible?”

"Yeah."

“That’s pretty badass.”

While all of his classmates were dressed in their best clothes—their caps and gowns—being celebrated by the fanfare that befitted the class of 1984, you and Eddie were spread out in the back of his van in your underwear, studying each others tattoos after a day of swimming and skipping rocks at Lover's Lake.

It was a lazy kind of day.

You had sensed his anxiety in the days prior, when you asked about the end of the school year, about his plans after graduation. He initially wasn't going to tell you that he wouldn’t be graduating. He tried to skirt around it. But somehow you knew.

You always knew. Because you knew him.

You suggested a day out, just the two of you. Something special. As opposed to the many "dates" he had taken you on where his friends ended up tagging along. You promised you didn't mind, but he would have liked to kiss you freely without some doofus making lewd noises in the background.

But your idea had been perfect.

Graduation was played up to be some kind of achievement, something special. But how could it be when you were surrounded by a hundred other kids who all knew the same shit you did. Probably didn’t even know it, actually; they were just good at remembering it for a little while.

How could that feel special?

But this? Learning about you? It was more important than math or science or some other useless bullshit.

Knowing you—loving you—was the most special thing he could ever achieve. And he was proud to say that he was getting straight A’s.

“Listen," you started as Eddie pressed a kiss to your skin. "I know all of the love-thy-neighbor-Jesus shit is pretty lame. But…I don’t know, some things are cool.”

“Care to elaborate?” he asked.

“Some of the Saints…reliquaries, catacombs, the Book of Revelation,” you shrugged. “You can kind of choose what you want to believe in, I guess.”

“Isn’t that kind of the point of organized religion?” He huffed and rolled onto his back, pulling your arm across his torso so you could rest your head on his shoulder and your body could drape across his comfortably.

"Isn’t what the point?" You fished the sharp pendant of your necklace from between your bodies and laid it on his bare chest beside his.

His was simple, a guitar pick he'd caught at the first concert he ever attended.

Yours, intricate, a silver cross with flowers and vines intermingled around the arms. Hyacinths, you told him once. As though he knew what they were. But he made a mental note to try and find them for your birthday, since you seemed to like them enough to have a necklace with them.

“Well, it's organized. That you all believe the same…I dunno. Stories? Lessons?” He rambled on as his hand gestured absentmindedly.

“It's all just…rules made by old men,” you scoffed. “Some stuffy guy in the Vatican says…I don’t know…don’t step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back and earn a one way ticket to hell? And I’m supposed to believe it?”

“That’s just a superstition.” He paused for a moment and snorted. “Kind of ironic that I, a supposed devil worshiper, am telling you this, Miss Catholic School.”

You rolled your eyes at him but still smiled.

“Pretty sure if someone knows more about Satan between the two of us,” you giggled. “It’s me.”

“Shhh, you’re gonna ruin my reputation.”

July 1984

The 4th of July fell on the most perfect day.

It might have rained a little earlier that morning, but Eddie had certainly slept through it, and it made way for perfect skies and just the slightest slickness to the grass as he and the boys ran around the open fields surrounding Weathertop.

The van was full of fireworks, and Jack's mom had set them up with sandwiches and a few coolers of iced tea and lemonade. Mickey brought the beers. Eddie had the good sense to invite some of the younger guys too, which meant Gareth's mom had sent him along with a few extra pies she had made.

Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, and Cherry—Eddie's favorite.

His mouth watered for the tantalizing summer feast, but he craved you more.

You were a little late to the party, having worked the opening shift at Bradley's, but before long your clunky, hand-me-down Marquis pulled up alongside his van.

"The freezers went down at work," you called to the boys. "So I have, like, a hundred boxes of bomb pops. Can I get some help before they melt? I have no A/C, so it’s hot as Hell."

It had just reached the height of the day, and the boys whooped and tripped over each other to get to the sweet, icy treats.

"In the backseat," you reminded them. "Not the trunk."

“Why don’t you let me take a look at your car?” Eddie asked, snaking his arms around your waist.

“To fix the a/c? If you want.” You shrugged but beamed at him. “It was my grandpa’s car. It’s on its last legs anyway.”

"At least let me look at the trunk." Eddie offered and you rolled your eyes at him, pushing him away from you playfully. "What? Then you wouldn't have to shove, like, a hundred boxes of bomb pops in the backseat."

"I swear, the trunk is just rusted shut at this point," you supplied with a laugh. "There's no use."

"Whatever you say, sweetheart," he pouted. He knew you knew when he was fishing for a kiss, but you gave in to his pouting anyway and immediately chased after his lips to plant one on him.

That night after the feast is consumed and everyone is enjoying the fireworks, Eddie couldn’t ignore the feeling that things were about to take a turn for the worst.

His closest friends would be gone soon, off to college and leaving him behind. His band practically broken apart, dreams shattered, if not for Gareth and Jeff.

Everything was changing.

And the only constant he could count on now was you.

He couldn’t help but worry how long it would be before you'd leave him too.

October 1984

The cicadas chirped and buzzed wildly. A mourning dove that had nested on top of the trailer in the spring and was still there and cooed restlessly, calling for a mate that had left it behind. The cheap window units Wayne had gotten from the hardware store ages ago chugged and clunked away to keep the trailer just on the side of cool enough to wear clothes.

They were sounds of summer, not fall, and most certainly not Halloween. But it was an unseasonably, disgustingly hot week, and it did nothing to help Eddie get into a chilling, haunted mindset as he planned a special one-off campaign for Hellfire on the 31st.

His repeat senior year hadn’t started off too well. The teachers were unforgiving, the students unkind. But he had promised Wayne he would try.

Things like the band and Hellfire certainly made it bearable.

You made it bearable.

You’d been working a lot of nights lately, but still made time for him and promised him special incentives and treats if he did well in school.

If he showed up on time for a week, you could have a sleepover at your apartment. Pass a test with a grade above a C, you’d tell him a secret.

He hadn’t gotten quite so good of a grade on a test yet but he had written a killer essay in English and he had negotiated your participation in Hellfire for Halloween, since the roster was slightly lacking this year. It hadn’t even taken much negotiation, really; you were just as excited to learn everything about him as he was about you.

So you’d spent a lazy Sunday afternoon with him as he explained the mechanics of the game and helped you create a character.

“…I forgot to mention if you do pick a rogue, you have proficiency in de—what’re you looking at now?”

He’d paused his lesson to grab some drinks, and when he returned, you were frozen in place, staring intently at a page in his players guide, brow furrowed. One of your hands clutched the book tightly, and the other touched the words on the page almost reverently.

He set your sodas on the nightstand and then glanced over at the book.

“Ah, we hadn’t gotten there yet,” he laughed and flopped down on the bed. “Tsk, tsk, reading ahead. But don’t worry, paladins are really cool. They pledge an oath to a deity—devote their whole lives—and then get this…divine ability so long as they uphold it. They can heal or even smite—”

You slammed the book shut at that and Eddie jumped in shock. You refused to look at him for a moment, rubbing your hands over the cover of the book in contemplation, before you looked up at him with a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes.

“I think I’ll be a rogue,” you nodded. “That sounded really cool.”

“A-are you sure?” He asked.

“Yeah.” You cleared your throat and sank down into his pillows. You rested your cheek against his shoulder, nuzzled him slightly, and shoved the book back into his hands. “So what else do I need to play?”

November 1984

Eddie woke abruptly to frantic banging on the front door of the trailer.

It had been raining when he went to bed, which usually helped him sleep. At first he thought the storm had just gotten stronger. 

Until he heard your voice.

You had abandoned the front door in favor of the side door near his bedroom. You tripped over the bowl he left for the stray cats and swore viciously. He chuckled tiredly until the banging started again and his heart seized in his chest.

You weren’t knocking. Your hands were practically slapping at the door.

“Please, God, please, please.” He could hear you muttering desperately.

He kicked the soft comforter off and pushed himself out of bed to get to you. As soon as the door was open you crashed into his chest, your arms wound around his waist, and you sobbed. Great, broken sobs that made his heart break.

He was about to put his arms around you, to soothe you and ask you what was wrong, when he smelled it.

Smoke. Fire. Acrid and cloying, engulfing you.

He looked down and was shocked. You were filthy; covered in dirt and soot and muck. The edges of your clothes and the ends of your hair were singed. You were visibly shaking.

"W-what happened?" Eddie asked frantically, prying your arms from around him, trying to see if you were hurt. He froze at the sight of blood caked on your hands and wrists. His stomach churned when he noticed the streaky stains it left below your nostrils. "Are you ok? Are you hurt? What happened?"

You simply shook your head and collapsed back against him.

He couldn't help the fear that overtook him, but he stayed strong as he pulled you into the trailer. As he got you into the shower and washed...whatever happened off of you. There were no cuts or burns or bruises. He tried to ask again, once you had calmed down enough that the tears fell silently and the only sounds you made were an occasional hiccup.

The next morning you were fine. You told him there was an accident at Bradley's. But there was no report on the news or in the paper. The building was fully intact. All of the staff were present and happily employed. You had no problem going back to work; in fact, you did so with a smile on your face.

Eddie never asked.

Because he knew you had secrets.

You never told him.

Because he never got a better grade than a C.

A month after that night, though, Hawkins National Laboratory was shut down and abandoned.

January 1985

"...can't I have anything for myself. It's unfair." Your muffled voice pierced through his dreams and pulled him into awareness.

He had been a light sleeper after that night in November, especially when you stayed over. You muttered in your sleep sometimes; it would wake him. You'd shift just far enough away; that would wake him too.

You had never had a full-on conversation before, though.

"Sins of the father, and sins of his father before that. Blah blah."

He blinked the bleariness from his eyes and watched as you paced at the foot of his bed. You wore nothing but your necklace. The cross swung wildly as your arms gestured and when you turned on your heel to continue your endless back and forth. Your voice was hushed.

It was half of an argument with an unseen adversary.

“I need a break…I know I haven’t been at this for long, but I’m sick and tired of it already.”

He vaguely wondered if you were hallucinating. A bad high. You’d always been reluctant to smoke with him but he had insisted tonight. After tangled limbs and quiet declarations in the sanctuary of his bedroom. Words of worship whispered to one another. The buzz beneath his skin had felt foreign and he figured the weed could mellow it out.

Maybe it had the opposite effect on you.

But then Eddie felt it.

As awareness settled over him, he felt an unseen, suffocating presence. It felt like the days where the weight of the world rested on his shoulders, only this time...the weight of the entire universe, every atom and every molecule, every moment--past, present, and future--existed all at once in his small bedroom and crushed him flat on his bed.

You continued on your one-sided rant and he didn’t know how you managed to move so freely when he felt so trapped, pinned in place by the weight of it. He tried to get your attention but he couldn't move, couldn't breath.

In the corner of his eye he swore he could see it. Blazing fire and wings and eyes.

He gasped and looked but saw nothing there. Still, the suffocating weight closed in on him further, pressing and squeezing, crushing him. And fear gripped him tightly. He wrenched his eyes shut and for the first time, probably in his life, he prayed.

He begged for it to go away.

Because if it didn't. He was going to die.

The bed shifted with your weight as you crawled to him and as soon as your hands reached him, he could breathe again.

“Eddie, oh my god please, are you ok?” You asked frantically, cupping his face in your hands. “Please say something.”

He gasped for air and sat up, clutching your hands to his face. You were his lifeline, his savior.

He closed his eyes and a million thoughts raced through his mind.What the fuck was that? Are you ok? Maybe he had a bad high, not you? Was it a nightmare? What the fuck was that?

February 1985

Your goodbye was expected. But that didn't mean it didn't cut him straight to his core.

You had been waiting for him one Friday night after Hellfire; he had driven the guys home only to find you waiting outside the trailer. Your car was packed with your belongings, similar to the way it had been the night you had stumbled into Hawkins.

He felt like vomiting as soon as he saw you.

You fed him some story about a sick, dying grandmother. How your mother had left a message on your answering machine begging you to come back home.

"She needs me," you told him.

"I need you," he replied desperately.

You couldn't do much more than shake your head and break down in tears.

"I'll come back," you promised. "It won't be long. Just wait for me."

In hindsight, he wished he had screamed and cried and begged you to stay. He wished that he had offered to go with you. Chicago wasn't that far. Wayne would have been mad, but then...Eddie would still have you.

Eddie was a good liar, though. He could fool anyone if he tried hard enough. He could even lie to himself.

He smiled and nodded and pretended to understand.

"Sure," he agreed. "I'll wait."

Your eyes started watering and you pulled him into the tightest hug. He wrapped his arms around you numbly, and as he did, he vaguely remembered some bullshit myth--

How humans were created...conjoined together. 4 arms, 4 legs, a head with two faces...but the Gods feared their power, split them in two. Condemned them to spend their lives apart.

--And he wished that he had some sort of secret, divine power to meld himself back together with you. Because surely, you belonged there with him. And if he concentrated on squeezing you just right, you would simply fuse together and you would never be apart again.

Life didn't work that way though.

You reluctantly pulled away from him and pressed a wet kiss to his lips.

Before you got in the car to drive away forever, you took off your necklace and pressed the cross into his hand. It practically burned.

"Don't lose that," you told him. "I'll be back for it."

He closed his fist around it and nodded, unable to trust himself with words.

He watched as you drove away, stayed standing outside until he couldn't see your tail lights anymore.

He let himself in the trailer, glad that Wayne was still at work--

You'd be back. You promised. You loved him. He loved you. You told him almost everything. You brought him hope. And care. And you made him feel complete. You'd be back.

--as he threw your necklace into the furthest corner of the room.

As he screamed in agony.

“Life moves very fast. It can go from Heaven to Hell in a matter of seconds.”

—Eleven Minutes, Paulo Coelho (2003)

[notesfromthepalace]

How Do I Become a Princess

I realize that most of my content talks about how when I evolved as a person, my relationships with people and certain activities changed/shifted. But I had never actually went in full detail about everything I believe I have done and have been through. I was asked a question by one of our fellow readers about the following:

"How do I get past the need of wanting to be seen?"

"How to take care of yourself on a budget?''

"What do I do when I get attention deprived, especially when I start feeling lonely?"

"How do I fix the mistakes of my past while learning from them?"

We'll start with point #1: "How do I get past the need of wanting to be seen" - so looking for validation from others.

As I responded previously, all of this starts with becoming one with your creator. We are born with certain inalienable rights bestowed on us from God. I believe when I reconnected with God through fasting, morning prayer (which I really need to get back to doing daily), reading the Bible and finding a church. Literally every morning, for almost six months, that was a daily ritual, Sunday to Sunday. I believe when I started to hear God, my care for what people would say, what they thought the knew of me, did not matter. To this day, if I feel like something goes against my beliefs in God or disrespects God in anyway, I want NO parts in it because the only opinion that matters is God's opinion of me. So the validation, the need to be seen or wanting to be heard by certain people became non existent and still is. And with seeking God and not caring how people may have felt about me, I also became a mystery. No one knew where I was at or what I was doing on my free time. And absolutely no one knew about my dating endeavors. When I became one with God again, certain people who were in my friendship circles faded away, I didn't watch or listen to certain things anymore, and the people I feel God was bringing into my life better aligned with my beliefs, values and my future endeavors. Getting closer to God not only revealed what I wanted for my life personally, but financially, career wise, and even philanthropically. This is why getting closer to God is the first step, it is a domino effect of positivity and elevation in your life.

#2: Taking care of yourself on a budget

"Show me the money"

It's possible friends. Let's start with appearance.

Although I am not the biggest fan of ripped jeans - this was for a walk in the park. Now, would you believe me if I told you that the jeans and the top together were less than $30?

This dress was on sale at Express for $25.

I also bought this dress on sale from Express for $35 and the shoes were on sale at Forever 21 for $14 - I still have both of the items by the way, five years later.

I'm not going to lie, are all of my pieces these prices? No. But I learned how to be a high low shopper. Meaning that if something feels like nice enough quality but doesn't break the bank - I'm buying it. What I usually splurge on, what I'd like to call my investments are shoes, bags, jewelry, hair extensions (I prefer raw hair) and some make-up and skin care, not all. For some things, you will have to spend a pretty penny, but that's where budgeting and making sacrifices come in. For example, I chose to pay out of pocket about $2000 to straighten my teeth and close a few gaps. I was able to do a payment plan and pay $88.95 a month for two years and during that time, I chose to do my hair myself versus paying $350 for someone else to do it.

Like look at those pearly whites. Yes, fixing my teeth was an aesthetic thing, but it was also a tremendous confidence booster.

Taking care of yourself is doable. It just looks different for everyone. It is very important to asses where you are at financially, budget, and think about the things you want to do first.

And when it comes to designer items, this is my advice from a woman I met at the Louis Vuitton store:

"Don't go broke trying to buy everything at once. Start with one item. And next year buy another. There's no rush" - European woman with the most beautiful blow out.

#3: What to do when you are feeling alone/attention deprived.

Get ready for it. It's going to happen. Evolving will be lonely in the beginning and throughout the middle. You'll have people you thought were your friends label you as "fake". You won't be invited back into certain arenas and you have to be ready for that. And if your focus is on finding a boyfriend/husband - you'll definitely feel lonely for a while because as you start to demand a certain standard, the men you may have given chance after chance to will leave you because you are no longer able to be manipulated.

There's going to be lonely nights and that's where you re going to fill the void with things that are going to make you better.

When I dumped my ex, and also stopped hanging around certain people I went back to the basics and asked myself "What does Sarah like?"

Reading

Facials

Shopping

Museums

Coffee shops

5x Star restaurants

Traveling

Learning

Working out - simply to look good, I don't actually enjoy it. But I like how I feel after and cute workout sets.

So I did just that. Literally all of it. To a point where I had even picked back up on my French. And all of these things brought me into different circles of people I would have never met if I had just stuck around the normal rift raft.

These things I did for me, but they also brightened my horizons and prospects for men as well who had similar interests as I *wink wink.

#4: Fixing the mistakes from the past and learning from them.

For me, this is where the constant prayer came in. There are things about ourselves we do not believe are problems because they are learned behaviors from child hood. I had to ask God to reveal them to me, along with revealing the mistakes that I didn't know were mistakes. In the revelation came education.

Start with one mistake, fix it or learn from it or both.

Then go to the next one.

Give yourself time and grace to learn and evolve. These things do not happen over night. Not only will you feel different, but the people around you will see a difference, and you'll attract another type of crowd. A better one.

I hope I answered this well enough @lanessoul

Thank you for the question again.

Until next time Sissy Poohs.

P.S. It's always best to be celibate during this time of reflection. Sex clouds the mind and ones judgement.

With Love,

Sarah Chanel