Every Sunday, or whenever it is possible, I give a recap of the sermon I heard at church today. I often alternate between Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches.
Today's readings:
Numbers 11:16-17,24-29

The Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.” So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”

Joel 2:23-32

Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”

John 20:19-31

The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Acts 2:1-11

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

John 7:37-52; 8:12

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Today is the feast of Pentecost, and the end of the Paschal season which covers Easter, the Ascension and Pentecost. It is the culmination of the event of the resurrection.
In an earlier sermon we discussed why we say specifically “Christ is risen,” and not “Jesus is risen.” We said that it is unremarkable for a man named Jesus, or for instance Lazarus, to be resurrected; as we saw with the latter, this was only a resuscitation to life which still ended up again in death. It is a resurrection to earthly life. But to say Christ is risen has another implication altogether: resurrection to heavenly life.
By His resurrection Jesus teaches us three lessons. Let's review them.
First: Jesus rose from the dead with our very flesh. By His rising from the dead, which is our rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrates the inherent dignity of the human being, which not even death can keep confined. He demonstrates this further by His apparition to Thomas, displaying His very human wounds in His risen body, and by His glorious ascension to the right hand of God by which man is given his place right at the side of God. By His resurrection, Jesus displays the design of God for mankind: to elevate us above everything else.
Second: Jesus puts our humanity above the angels. Indeed, the angels were made to serve not only God but also man. See how the angels advised Abraham (in Genesis 18), saved Lot from Sodom (in Genesis 19), and guided Tobias (in Tobit). As stated in Hebrews 2:5-18, the world was not made to be ruled by angels, but to be ruled by human beings, which Jesus Christ fulfilled in His person. However, Lucifer, the devil, did not accept this, and inflamed himself with pride and revolted because he refused to serve man.
Third: “Christ” means the Messiah, the One sent by God Whom the Jews expected, and today still expect; our belief that the Christ has come as Jesus may be the only thing differenciating us from them, they who are our elder brothers in the faith. To say the One sent by God is risen is to say that God's promise, incarnated and recapitulated in this person, never dies; it remains with us forever, nothing can keep it away from us. This is why, during the Divine Liturgy, we answer to each other “Christ is in our midst—He is and ever shall be.” The Ascension does not contradict this: it is not the farewell of Jesus, but on the contrary the pledge of His everlasting presence. It is the fulfillment of His words in His last discourse (John 16:7): “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
The Gospel of John often speaks of the Paraclete, which is translated as the Helper but also means the Advocate, Defender, Intercessor. Jesus calls Him the Spirit of Truth. He is the mean by which His words after His resurrection will come true (Matthew 28:20): “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The coming of the Holy Spirit is the permanent presence of Jesus with us. As He also told the Apostles (John 14:16-17): “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Therefore the Lord sends us His Holy Spirit and remains with us forever, not in His physical presence but in His spiritual presence. Led and empowered and accompanied by Him, nothing is required of us, except for one thing: to know the Spirit. St. Seraphim of Sarov taught plainly that the aim of the Christian life is nothing else but the acquisition and intimate knowledge of the Holy Spirit. To this end, let us at least pray daily, morning and evening, from Pentecost to Easter, this prayer which during that time opens all our prayers: “Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us; cleanse us of every stain and save our souls, gracious One.” Let us also always keep everyday in ourselves the promise of Jesus' enduring and permanent presence in and with us, which becomes a fountain of joy and vivifying comfort and consolation for our troubles. Amen.

Every Sunday, or whenever it is possible, I give a recap of the sermon I heard at church today. I often alternate between Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches.
Today's readings:
Numbers 11:16-17,24-29

The Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.” So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord, and he gathered the seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tabernacle. Then the Lord came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again. But two men had remained in the camp: the name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad. And the Spirit rested upon them. Now they were among those listed, but who had not gone out to the tabernacle; yet they prophesied in the camp. And a young man ran and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” So Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, one of his choice men, answered and said, “Moses my lord, forbid them!” Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!”

Joel 2:23-32

Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you—the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame. And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the remnant whom the Lord calls.”

John 20:19-31

The same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Acts 2:1-11

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

John 7:37-52; 8:12

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, “Truly this is the Prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” So there was a division among the people because of Him. Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him. Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” Then the Pharisees answered them, “Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.” Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” They answered and said to him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Today is the feast of Pentecost, and the end of the Paschal season which covers Easter, the Ascension and Pentecost. It is the culmination of the event of the resurrection.
In an earlier sermon we discussed why we say specifically “Christ is risen,” and not “Jesus is risen.” We said that it is unremarkable for a man named Jesus, or for instance Lazarus, to be resurrected; as we saw with the latter, this was only a resuscitation to life which still ended up again in death. It is a resurrection to earthly life. But to say Christ is risen has another implication altogether: resurrection to heavenly life.
By His resurrection Jesus teaches us three lessons. Let's review them.
First: Jesus rose from the dead with our very flesh. By His rising from the dead, which is our rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrates the inherent dignity of the human being, which not even death can keep confined. He demonstrates this further by His apparition to Thomas, displaying His very human wounds in His risen body, and by His glorious ascension to the right hand of God by which man is given his place right at the side of God. By His resurrection, Jesus displays the design of God for mankind: to elevate us above everything else.
Second: Jesus puts our humanity above the angels. Indeed, the angels were made to serve not only God but also man. See how the angels advised Abraham (in Genesis 18), saved Lot from Sodom (in Genesis 19), and guided Tobias (in Tobit). As stated in Hebrews 2:5-18, the world was not made to be ruled by angels, but to be ruled by human beings, which Jesus Christ fulfilled in His person. However, Lucifer, the devil, did not accept this, and inflamed himself with pride and revolted because he refused to serve man.
Third: “Christ” means the Messiah, the One sent by God Whom the Jews expected, and today still expect; our belief that the Christ has come as Jesus may be the only thing differenciating us from them, they who are our elder brothers in the faith. To say the One sent by God is risen is to say that God's promise, incarnated and recapitulated in this person, never dies; it remains with us forever, nothing can keep it away from us. This is why, during the Divine Liturgy, we answer to each other “Christ is in our midst—He is and ever shall be.” The Ascension does not contradict this: it is not the farewell of Jesus, but on the contrary the pledge of His everlasting presence. It is the fulfillment of His words in His last discourse (John 16:7): “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”
The Gospel of John often speaks of the Paraclete, which is translated as the Helper but also means the Advocate, Defender, Intercessor. Jesus calls Him the Spirit of Truth. He is the mean by which His words after His resurrection will come true (Matthew 28:20): “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” The coming of the Holy Spirit is the permanent presence of Jesus with us. As He also told the Apostles (John 14:16-17): “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”
Therefore the Lord sends us His Holy Spirit and remains with us forever, not in His physical presence but in His spiritual presence. Led and empowered and accompanied by Him, nothing is required of us, except for one thing: to know the Spirit. St. Seraphim of Sarov taught plainly that the aim of the Christian life is nothing else but the acquisition and intimate knowledge of the Holy Spirit. To this end, let us at least pray daily, morning and evening, from Pentecost to Easter, this prayer which during that time opens all our prayers: “Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us; cleanse us of every stain and save our souls, gracious One.” Let us also always keep everyday in ourselves the promise of Jesus' enduring and permanent presence in and with us, which becomes a fountain of joy and vivifying comfort and consolation for our troubles. Amen.

Background:
As the title said, I’m finishing up a master’s in publishing studies with a bachelor’s in creative writing.
I’m also working on the content team of a marketing agency as part of an unpaid internship, mostly writing social media and blog posts.
Additionally, I have a GA position as an editorial assistant for a literature journal where most of my money/tuition payment comes from. Then, I work at a coffee shop 3-4 times a week for pocket money, but I mostly live paycheck to paycheck.
Current state of mind:
Lately, I’ve been feeling anxious that I really don’t know what I’m gonna do with my life. I’m also getting tired of being broke and doing the same thing every day because I’m broke.
I got my bachelor’s in creative writing because I loved reading and writing and thought I’d find a living in that somehow. Then I thought I’d be a professor for a while, but quickly found out that I don’t really want to be a professor.
When I got my master’s, I thought I’d pick up more hard skills. Editing and publishing seemed like strong skills but obviously print is dead/dying and editors are a dime a dozen.
I thought I would pivot somehow, so I got an internship at an ad agency writing ad copy. I had some hope that it could lead to a job, but since I’ve started no one’s been particularly welcoming and the vibe is very “you’ll help us out, get some experience/class credit, then you can be on your way.”
I’ve thought about teaching high school English, and I think I would find fulfillment in that. But, both of my parents are teachers so I worry that part of me would feel like I’m taking the easy route and that I would grow restless later in life. Also, from being around teaching all my life and seeing the current state of the world—being a teacher seems like a tough gig.
[insert boiler plate paragraph about how going into IT sounds cool]
So yeah. At the moment I feel kinda stuck until I finish school/my internship, and I’m really worried that i don’t know where I want to go/if there’s anywhere I can go once I finish.
Part of me feels like I’ve already lost the war, but I’m probably just being hard on myself.
Do y’all have any insight for where I could go from here? I hope I’m doing a good job but I also feel like I’m not doing enough

*exhale*
So where do I start?....
Guess best place is when I finished my bachelor's....My dad had Parkinson's. He had been going downhill after 2015. I mean REALLY downhill and we were taking care of him on our own without getting any outside help. Then it came to a head when my mom was starting to have a lot of problems and she opted to get him in Assisted Living. No more than a couple weeks later? Dies of a heart attack. I spent the next year with my nan and my mom trying to fix up what I left off and move on with my life.
Doesn't work out as well as I hoped
And then SURPRISE! Another dying family member. My nan got diagnosed with terminal breast cancer then checked out of life the summer of the following year. We did our best sure, but that still hurt. It was stressful, and it sucked.
​
So then we spend the pandemic years with it being just us. Enjoying the time we have. My mom and I made it work. Then surprise, surprise Mom gets diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. Late stage even and then I completed the set.
​
And now? I'm trying to move on. I'm trying to function, but when you've been a caregiver three times over... I mean really what do I do? Because I honestly have no fucking clue what I'm doing. I feel like I should've moved out. Except I didn't
​
I should have gotten a job at some point, but I didn't.
​
I look at my damn house. The house I grew up in, and I feel like I should know what to do when I look at all of it. Except I don't.
​
And I am so, SO tired.

Someone rando friended me on Discord with an account made only today to send me some wild Illuminati crap?? heres the whole convo
"TheAnonymousGhoul — Today at 5:07 PM
?
us.gov — Today at 5:11 PM
Dear [TheAnonymousGhoul],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to extend an invitation to you on behalf of the Illuminati, an influential and exclusive organization that has shaped the course of history for centuries.
The Illuminati is a unique and enigmatic collective of individuals who possess exceptional skills, knowledge, and resources. Our organization is committed to promoting the principles of enlightenment, intellectual growth, and individual empowerment. We believe that by joining forces, we can positively influence the world and create a better future for all.
As an esteemed individual, we believe that you possess remarkable qualities and potential that align with the values and goals of the Illuminati. We recognize your exceptional talent, intellect, and influence in your respective field, and we believe that your participation could contribute greatly to our collective efforts.
By joining the Illuminati, you will gain access to a vast network of like-minded individuals who share your aspirations for personal growth, intellectual exploration, and societal progress. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with some of the brightest minds across various disciplines and contribute to initiatives that transcend borders and conventional limitations.
TheAnonymousGhoul — Today at 5:11 PM
tf
us.gov — Today at 5:12 PM
Benefits of joining the Illuminati include:
Knowledge and Wisdom: Gain access to exclusive resources, esoteric knowledge, and profound wisdom that will expand your understanding of the world and its workings.
Personal Empowerment: Unlock your true potential and elevate your personal growth through mentorship, guidance, and transformative experiences offered within our organization.
Network and Connections: Connect with influential individuals from diverse backgrounds, allowing for invaluable networking opportunities and the potential for fruitful collaborations.
Humanitarian Initiatives: Contribute to meaningful philanthropic endeavors aimed at creating positive change and improving the lives of people worldwide.
It is important to note that membership within the Illuminati is a lifelong commitment. We operate with strict confidentiality and discretion, valuing the privacy and security of our members above all else.
If you are interested in accepting our invitation and embarking on this extraordinary journey, we kindly request that you contact us at your earliest convenience. Our representatives will be pleased to provide further information and address any queries or concerns you may have.
We believe that your involvement in the Illuminati would be a mutually beneficial endeavor, and we sincerely hope that you will consider joining our ranks.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We eagerly await your response and the possibility of welcoming you to the Illuminati.
Enlightened regards,
Daelan.
TheAnonymousGhoul — Today at 5:13 PM
man tf are you doing on a server full of 9 year olds
bro you didnt even bother to remove the []
us.gov — Today at 5:18 PM
Dear [TheAnonymousGhoul],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that the following message is an automated response designed to address your inquiry or provide necessary information. Please carefully read the contents below:
[Automated Response]
Thank you for reaching out to us. We have received your inquiry and appreciate your interest in our services/products/organization. At this time, we have implemented an automated response system to efficiently handle and address your query.
While I understand the importance of personalized communication, please be aware that this response is generated by an automated system. Rest assured, we value your message and will make every effort to address your concerns as soon as possible.
Please keep in mind the following information:
Our team is diligently working to review your inquiry and provide a comprehensive response within the designated timeframe. Depending on the complexity of your request, this may take some time.
We kindly request your patience during this process. We assure you that your message has been received and will receive the attention it deserves.
If your inquiry requires immediate attention or is of an urgent nature, we recommend contacting our customer support helpline at [Phone Number] for prompt assistance.
We understand that automated responses may not offer the same level of personalization as a direct human interaction. However, we have implemented this system to streamline our operations and enhance our efficiency in addressing your concerns.
We appreciate your understanding in this matter and assure you that your inquiry is important to us. We will make every effort to provide a detailed and satisfactory response as soon as possible.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation. If you have any further questions or require additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help.
Best regards,
Daelan"

So I found out in January, 2023 I was going to Jamaica - departure was on June 8th, 2023 to june 15th 2023 ( a family friend had an extra ticket from someone who ended up not going!). So the same day I printed out and requested copies of my birth certificate, and made an appointment for the earliest date and time of agencies based near me (Kansas, it ended up being a post office)- the earliest was February 16th, so I got everything completed and sent, expedited to make sure- I’ve heard horror stories of getting passports I didn’t want to have happen!).
I looked on the status page and saw they received my application on 2/22/2023.
I received a letter from the New Orleans Passport Center on May 13th, it stated “your application was not properly executed by the passport acceptance agent because the application does not properly identify the acceptance facility or show the signature of an acceptance agent. As all. As we receive a properly executed application we will process it. We are keeping your documents Kim file and will return them with your passport”. Then it continues that if you go to the same facility you submitted the first one from, no additional execution fee will be charged- and that I had 90 days to complete this otherwise it would be denied.
So the first thing Monday morning, I took copies of my information and photo, and the letter up to the same post office. The same clerk was there and remembered me- apologizing profusely. I told him it happens, I just wanted to get it done right no big deal. So he had his supervisor double check everything, they recommended I pay another expedited fee- just to dot my i’s- which I had no problem with as long as it gets done- so I went ahead and paid another expedited fee. It arrived the next afternoon at the New Orleans passport agency (May 16th) - I was tracking the ups #.
So I waited until the exact two week mark ( I had called in and was on hold until one hour prior to midnight but the lady said it had to be two weeks so… I sat on hold for four hours the next day). I explained the situation again to the agent, she asked if I had expedited already- I said yes, twice- explained the letter and story. She said she put an alert on my request, and to call again in one week if it hasn’t changed from In Processing status.
At this point I was very nervous as I was two weeks out- I was keeping my travel buddy informed because I didn’t want to screw up any plans, I paid for the flight and whatnot weeks before (the resort asks you for all of this to expedite getting there).
I saw on Reddit that you can contact the local senate, so the same day I had called and gotten the alert (Friday, May 26th) I called the senates office and left a message, along with filling out the form for help. In a few hours I was assigned a case worker who had me recant the story, and requested that I send a signed form indicating I would allow them to act on my behalf ( this is Senator Morans office). As soon as I got off the phone with her, I downloaded and filled out the form, along with sending all copies and paper trails of my journey that I could.
The next Tuesday I hadn’t heard from her and wanted to ensure she received my documentation ( this is now may 30th). She replied saying yes, but she had no updates. So I continued to email her daily asking if there were any updates- but I received no additional responses from her after that point.
Finally at the one week mark it was still “in process”, so I contacted the queue once again(June 2nd). After two hours on hold- I told the lady the story - the letter ( I keep pointing out the letter because I want to convey I filled things out properly, but the post office had not filled out or executed a requirement). She says the only thing to do is wait, or travel to an in person agency to apply in person if an appointment was available.( note I live in Kansas , so Arkansas, Texas or Colorado- all which would require me to book a flight to and from to get there. I do work full time and have a family as well but I was welling to jump through any hoop at this point). She says there are no appointments available- I ask for a supervisor at this point because I’m on the verge of tears and am here through no fault of my own. I talk to the supervisor- same thing.
So I post on Facebook asking friends, family and co workers for any advice- as I leave June 8th. Most say postpone the vacation or make an appointment (as I said I can’t postpone the vacation as I didn’t set any of it up, I was given the ticket pretty much).
So the next morning I print out copies of my paperwork- I once again email the case worker, I also fill out another form on the senators site- stating that I was assigned a case worker but have not heard back from her in two weeks- despite contact attempts daily.
So that brings me to today, I wait on hold for two hours- the guy checks for anywhere in the us for an appointment ( I’m not sure what else to do)- and nothing is open- he says all I can do is call back daily. So that’s my plan up to this point- it’s making me sick with stress about this whole thing. I can absolutely understand if I was the one who failed to supply the proper documents or incorrect information that caused them to send that letter- that would be on me. But I’m this case- I didn’t do anything wrong- I followed everything to a T, expedited twice, and made the proper communications and calls as soon as I was allowed to do so.
Tomorrow morning I’m going to call the queue again, and also call the senators office again. I’m not sure what to do- my passport was received to the New Orleans center on 2/22/2023, and today the status still says ‘in processing’.
If anyone can help or has any advice- please! I’ve done everything I can- I’ve also tried to be as nice as possible- the first agent told me there was ‘no way I paid over a hundred dollars’- I was like I have my receipt- I have all of it and the letter!
Sorry this is so long- I am to leave June 8th if I can, this is my first passport and I was really looking forward to this trip( I work a lot, like most of humanity!). And I do not want to leave my vacation comrade to be alone-help!

Writing on mobile, apologies if formatting is strange.
I have lived in my current neighborhood since I was 5, and over time, my parents became very close with our neighbors. Our properties are separated by a line of trees that stop about 50 feet before a creek. About 10 years ago, my parents and my neighbors decided to build a chicken coop in that shared space, following all of our county’s rules on keeping chickens according to the smaller property (ours). These chickens have been around for the past decade, and not one issue has arisen- we frequently give away excess eggs to the rest of the neighborhood, which was much appreciated at the time.
About three months ago, my parents passed away (neither of them had a will, and I am the oldest child (and only adult child at the time of their passing)). I am essentially running the household on my own, which is where the problems begin.
First comes sudden complaints about the chickens. Sudden fines and tickets(?) (upwards of $20,000, some backdated to 2015) and complaints are being issued against me, and me alone, about our chickens. I asked my neighbors if they had any complaints, and they were floored - they have offered to help me with the fines, but I don’t want to owe anyone anything until I know for sure I’ve done something wrong. The neighbors also talked to the HOA board inquiring about the sudden issue, but did not receive any answers because the dispute “did not involve them”.
The timing is also very odd, as my parents were friends with many people on the HOA board (and also board members themselves!) and when they passed, the board members sent in care packages and delivered resources to my siblings and i in support of us when we were grieving. These care packages stopped the month before I was hit with these fines. I have also had multiple wellness checks over the past month, where police have shown up at my door at strange hours, which may be unrelated, but I am suspicious that someone is trying to drive me out from pure frustration.
No idea if this is relevant, but the house is almost fully paid off (5 years left on the mortgage). HOA fees are current and automated, and the HOA president himself assisted me in switching the payments from my parents’ bank account to mine (our payment plan is a monthly one).
Does our HOA have a real leg to stand on, considering the chickens belong to both my neighbors and I, and only one of us is getting pushback? Also, when my parents were part of the HOA board, why were these issues never brought up when they were alive? I would appreciate advice on lawyering up if it comes to that. Thank you in advance.

It's really weird because at the beginning of this year I spent a week and some change at two different mental healthcare facilities because I was suicidal.
I finally got in a better place. I talk to a therapist weekly and I'm finally on medicine that works.
I graduated. My partner and I are happier than ever. My parents are so much kinder to me.
While my grandmother's dementia has worsened, we finally got her in a really nice memory care center and she's actually participating in activities.
And since she isn't in the house anymore my grandfather wants to move into a small place and give us their big beautiful house. We can finally stop living in our shitty apartment we can barely pay for.
And they wanna give me her car. It's a fuckin cadillac.
I've never had good luck, my girl is the one who always has but it's felt that way for a bit.
Except the fact that I've been having problems with my heart. I knew I was feeling a bit tired and weak but it didn't realize how bad it was.
I won't get into it, but it turns out I have pulmonary hypertension. It's different than regular hypertension and is kinda rare. Especially since I'm 27.
The pressure should be around 12-20 mm hg. Mine is 76 mm hg. That's severe pulmonary hypertension.
I have a right heart catheterization coming up and I feel like we've all been acting like once they get in there it's just something we can figure out and some medicine will fix it.
But I know its not good. I have a feeling in my core.
The disease is incurable and progressive.
I just am really sad for my partner. We are fucking soul mates. Like...made for each other type shit. We've been together 11 years and married for two. She is my favorite person in the whole world. I'm trying to stay strong for her, but if I go she won't make it. They'll have to keep an eye on her 24/7.
So I guess what I'm asking advice for is how to accept that you are dying while also being strong for your partner?

My husband (26) and I (22) have been having issues lately. Back story me and my husband are somewhat newly weds we’ve been married for a good year with an 8 month old baby, and we aren’t the richest couple so you can say we’re financially not stable he’s the only one working at the moment because I’m on a paid maternity leave ($300 biweekly) and even then we’re struggling. Anyways I overheard about a month ago that his sister (37) who works, lives in a government assisting housing and also gets paid by the government for her 2 kids was telling my husband I quote “ I need the April 250 and May 250”.. I asked my husband later that night what did she mean by that and he’s like she complained to him about her bills and he said he’ll help her. I was beyond fuming because he didn’t understand how I felt, I felt like we (a family with only one working member and a 8 month old baby who has needs) could use the money more, he was like “I’m not a rich person I’ll give her probably like a $100 or whatever I can”. Then yesterday I heard her asking him for junes money, now I’m thinking he’s helping her with her bills.I’m also pissed because she calls my husband and includes him in her and her ex husband’s shenanigans which I told him a thousand times to stay out of and that he needs to start prioritizing his family which he already started. Whenever I lash out he doesn’t understand where it’s coming from instead he blames the devil’s whispers and brings religion into it. I didn’t speak to his sister about it because he told me to be respectful and tbh when I’m angry I don’t know how to put my feelings to the side so I become the complete opposite of respectful. Oh and I forgot to mention it’s not like he’s the only person she has, she has 3 other brothers whom work and with no family of their own. Am I overreacting?
TL;dr how do i explain to him how wrong that is of her to ask for help when she knows we’re struggling? Or am I overreacting? I really don’t want our marriage to end but it looks like he’s too scared to stand up for himself when it comes to his sister and I refuse to stay in a marriage where my husband is going to be a middle man for his sister and her family (her kids, her ex husband and her)

Allow me to pose a question to fellow travelers. My family, comprising two adults and children aged 5, 3, and almost 1, is seeking a tropical destination for the winter months, preferably around October to November. We reside in the northern part of Europe. We are fond of places like Thailand, with warm weather, inviting seas, and pristine white beaches. Here comes the question: Are there any destinations that offer a relatively high standard of living, not necessarily perfect but with good infrastructure, excellent hospitals in case of emergencies, cleanliness in terms of environment and water, low crime rates, a tranquil atmosphere, efficient public transportation, and, of course, a serene beach? Is there such a place? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hello! So I'd like some opinions on what is a good path for me to take, considering my experience. Any perspectives - good or bad, are appreciated. I'm really stuck in my own head for this so any thoughts at all are helpful! Short backstory: I'm from the UK. I don't have a degree, I have been on and off travelling for almost 10 years, doing random low level jobs in between. Last 5 years working on a travel site with my bf while living abroad, and that isn't really going anywhere, not earning any money. Now I'm back home and trying to decide between a marketing/content related job, healthcare/medicine degree/jobs, or IT apprenticeships/jobs. More details: Since 2017 I've had a boyfriend who I travelled and lived abroad with. We worked on a travel website, where I got some basic experience with building a site. A simple version of it exists, but everything has taken soo much longer than it should have as he is a massive procrastinator and is trying to do too many things with no money. I/we didn't earn any money in this time, except when I came home during covid and worked. That time during covid I did an apprenticeship, it was marketing/creating content but I didn't learn very much. The work itself was ok, mostly writing product descriptions, making simple graphics, writing blog posts etc. Fairly repetitive. I found working in an office very sedentary, and I didn't click with my colleagues. My boss was a big procrastinator, and would do stupid voices, sing loud to awful songs, it very distracting. I liked working from home for a while (covid) as I didn't have to listen to dull chatter or pretend to look busy, being sedentary didn't bother me as much as I could get up and walk around the house, take a break to cycle, make food etc. I recently came back to my parents house again, after being with my boyfriend a year and half this time round. I feel like at my age I need to be getting myself together. I have maybe £2k in savings. I'm not sure I want to see my boyfriend again, as the relationship didn't make me feel good. I didn't like not earning any money, only spending it. I've been thinking of doing something completely different and following in the footsteps of my younger sister who got a Masters degree and is now a Physician Associate / Assistant - doing some kind of medical/health degree such as Dental Hygiene, Dietician, Optometry, Diagnostic Radiography...etc. Open to suggestions. Another option is to do another apprenticeship, but in something more directly IT related - such as IT support, or maybe cyber security, software developer (all apprenticeships). I'm not sure that those being fairly technical would suit me, I need to read more into it. I'm a little sceptical of apprenticeships seeing as I didn't learn much on my last one, but I think these IT ones sound more promising. Another option is...doing something travel-related like working in a travel agency to sell holidays or similar, but I'm not sure I'm into sales. Part of me wants to use my website/travel experience and go down the marketing type route, but part of me wants to earn a little better money, and just be done with the travel website dream, which isn't really a dream anymore. Thanks for reading!

A very close family friend of mine who I consider as an uncle has custody again of his stepdaughter’s children (his grandkids). The woman he married has a daughter who is a drug addict - she’s lost custody of them before. Recently since she’s been using again, she lost custody of her kids (she has one that lives with his father and the two girls are living with my friend). Maybe worst of all is she has another kid on the way, who’s probably going to get taken and put under my friend’s care.
Does the state provide assistance? Me and my family feel bad for those kids and worried about him. Especially if that baby ends up being born addicted to drugs and is going to need a lot of help.

TW: Violence
Growing up my father at first wasn't such a bad guy we did have happy moments, he got arrested when I was around 6, or 7, and he was at home a lot because they put him or house arrest. I remember during this time he actually spent time with me. We watched anime, he taught me how to play video games, we played COD together. When he got off house arrest he wasn't around as much, he was a drug dealer. He started to become more abusive to my mother as time went on, at first he would just yell at her, then it turned into him beating her, trying to stab her, chasing her, most times my mom would have to run and lock herself in the bathroom. Most times he was not home because he was out running drugs around, or partying. I remember every time he got home mom would tell us to hide. My first memory as a child is the police kicking in our door and my father was trying to jump out the window to get away I watched the police taze him. When I was young I hated the police because of what I had seen. My dad often times would come home at 3 - 4 am in the morning and I remember him moaning "help me, help me" it scared me so much. Or other times he would be very violent. It got to the point my mom couldn't take care of us anymore because she was too depressed, she would lay in bed and cry all day. I had to take the responsibility of waking up making breakfast lunch and dinner, and taking my two brothers to school, I would only go sometimes because cps used to make visits and I would have to stay home the previous day to clean the house so we wouldn't get taken away. I was 10 at this point and it sucked, I didn't have my first birthday party or sleepover until I turned 16, because the house was so dirty we weren't allowed to bring people over. My dad used to steal my moms money she got from government assistance, and use it for drugs, alcohol and paying people money back. One time my mom told him he's not getting the money because we had no food, we were eating out of a bag of sugar and canned stuff we would get from the food bank, he took a knife to her neck and tried to slice her open. It was all so terrible I could keep going but there's way to much stuff that happened.
We got taken away when I was 12 because my fathers mother called the police on him because he was chasing my mom around the street trying to harm her, and that resulted in us being taken away. We went to go live with my fathers family because they lied in court saying my mom was a psycho, and that she abused us when it was the other way around. My mom couldn't afford a lawyer so she had to represent herself in court and it didn't go well. Once we got living with my fathers family it was ok at first then after about 6 months she started being emotionally abusive, and it turned physical when she knocked out my 13 year old brother. I overheard conversations of my fathers sister saying that we were good money and how we would never be treated the same as her biological children. We ended up being taken away again, and we haven't seen our mom since we got originally taken away at 12 because my fathers sister wouldn't let us see our mom. Ever since we got taken away from her I'm 21 now, they said it was my fault because I told the social workers about the stuff that was going on, about her being abusive, and how its my fault my brothers have trauma being taken away. They don't talk to me because they truly believe that, they are the most manipulative, narcissistic people I have ever come across in my life. My brothers have supervised visits with them and my brothers came back and told me they were talking badly about me to my little brothers, saying I'm a bad influence and my brothers stood up for me telling my fathers sister that all the stuff they were saying is not true and she needs to shut her mouth. I don't know where she got I'm a bad influence from, all I do is go to work and come home, Christ she doesn't even have a job herself or her own car or her own apartment, I have all those things, she is living with her 65 year old mother. This was all recent and this is why I'm writing this, I just hate them we didn't deserve any of this. that side of my family is CRAZY.
​
Sorry for the HUGE rant but man I gotta get this off my chest. I hate that side of the family so much, my father is in the hospital now apparently from frying his brain from doing to much crack, and they expect me to feel bad for him and that I should come visit him, LOL as if, he couldn't even give me a proper apology for being a shitty parent, the only thing he has ever said to me since that all has happened is, "I wish I could of been a better dad but i'm not"

Wife asked for a divorce. She assumes she is going to stay in our home.
Was going to start with this letter before getting lawyers involved.
Notes: I make more, have a more established and secure career. I have an MBA, she has a high school diploma. I supported her for 8 out of 12 years of marriage as the souls financial provider, including the first 3 years we owned our home. She is 35, I am 45…. The rest is in the following:
I needed to put this into writing to ensure I don’t forget anything, and it’s important to express everything without getting emotional.
Why I want to keep the house and why it’s crucial.
Taking away this house means taking away my kids as well.
I have done nothing to deserve that. Honestly, I still believe I haven’t done anything to warrant such treatment from you. I’m not denying our shared responsibility for the breakdown of our marriage.
Finding a place close to them is prohibitively expensive. I wouldn’t be able to afford anything, and renting would prevent me from ever saving up to buy a home. The space would be too small to spend significant time with them, and I would have no money left to support them, their activities, or even myself.
If I move further away but not too far, I’ll be living in an area that may not be safe enough for them, and it’s still costly. If I move even farther away, where the cost and safety are satisfactory, I’ll be too distant to provide them with adequate support.
I want to remain an integral part of their lives, just as I am now, within reasonable limits. Taking the house away from me is selfish, cruel, and shows a complete lack of appreciation for the support and care I’ve provided to both you and them over the past 15 years.
Losing the house means losing my kids and demolishing any chance of a deserved future for myself. Starting over at 45… it’s simply heartless.
You have a security blanket. You have a support network that I simply don’t possess, comprised of friends and family. Your parents live less than two miles away and would allow you to live rent-free while providing the assistance you’ll inevitably ask them for. The kids would be just as comfortable there as in our current home. You can save money in that arrangement, which is another thing I mentioned I couldn’t do if I had to rent. Yes, I understand it will be challenging for you, but significantly less difficult than the hardship you would impose on me.
This option causes the least disruption.
It’s the only viable option.

The reason why so many of us are scared to do it is because there is no method that guarantees death. For this reason, I believe that assisted suicide should be available to us.
Being a 23 year old virgin is a good enough reason to end my life. Why can't I just go to a hospital and ask them to put me to sleep? Life is not worth living if you are an ugly man. The only men who get sex are chads (6ft3 and handsome as fuck) so there is no point in trying. I don't want to live in this fucked up existence where everything is determined the moment you are born.

Hey there, I'm a motivated 19-year-old living in the UK with a genuine desire to kickstart my career as a Personal Assistant. While I may not have extensive professional experience just yet, I'm excited to bring my dedication, adaptability, and eagerness to learn to a role where I can truly make a difference. I am currently living in London but able to relocate anywhere within the UK.
Here's a bit about my qualifications:
Education: - Completed A-Levels. - Achieved impressive results with all 7-9 grades (A-A*) in GCSE exams, demonstrating my ability to excel in diverse subjects.
Experience: - Worked as a tutor, honing my communication and organizational skills while helping others succeed academically. - Familiarity with managing schedules, coordinating appointments, and maintaining confidentiality.
Why I'm the right fit for you: - Quick learner: I'm eager to absorb new information and adapt to any situation that comes my way. You can count on me to quickly grasp tasks and provide efficient assistance. - Strong work ethic: I take pride in my ability to stay focused, meet deadlines, and go above and beyond to ensure the best results. - Excellent communication skills: Whether it's written or verbal, I can effectively convey information, collaborate with team members, and represent you professionally.
What I bring to the table: - Superior organizational skills: I thrive in dynamic environments, where I can prioritize tasks, manage calendars, and ensure everything runs smoothly. - Tech-savvy: Proficient in various productivity tools, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, which enables me to streamline tasks and enhance efficiency. - Positive attitude: I approach challenges with optimism and maintain a friendly demeanor, fostering a harmonious and productive work atmosphere.
I'm excited about the opportunity to grow and learn as a Personal Assistant, and I'm open to any industry or field where I can make a positive impact. If you're looking for a dedicated and adaptable assistant, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm eager to discuss how my skills and enthusiasm can benefit your team.
Rate: My rate is currently £9 per hour, reflecting my beginner status. However, I am eager to discuss potential increases in compensation as I gain more experience and demonstrate my value to your team. I believe in a fair and mutually beneficial arrangement that recognizes the growth and progress I bring to the table.
Let's connect and embark on this journey together! Please feel free to PM me to discuss potential opportunities.
Thank you for considering me as your Personal Assistant. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

My (49M) mother (79F) seems to be advancing down the path of dementia and has now settled on a set of persistent delusions involving my brother (51M) and his family. Is there anything that can be done to convince her that he isn’t breaking into her house to steal/hide stuff and that his kids aren’t messing up her phone?
I live out of state, and my brother lives about 3 hours away from her. She lives in California, and we all have some financial reserves.
She has no PCP for the last 10 years and is resistant to health care, despite working as a hospice nurse for 20 years—consequently she has no diagnosis of dementia. She often seems quite lucid, but forgetful, but recently had gotten worse—we manage her finances, she’s mostly stopped driving, and we don’t know if she’s feeding herself, etc.
The serious delusions started about 5 months ago—today we talked to her about whether she would go to my nephews high school graduation, but she only wanted admission from my brother that he drove to steal a bill for $10,000 from her the night before I visited 2 months ago. We used language like “I know that felt like it happened, but maybe something else”, etc., but she just got more certain. We left the conversation with the idea that we would get family counseling to resolve this.
This is my plan—will this have any positive outcome? 1. Engage a family counselor experienced with elder care and local to her and meet with them to try to resolve the impasse on my brother. Will she just nope out of the counselor doesn’t agree with her? 2. Get a power of attorney now (I have her assets in a trust for which I’m the trustee, but I think I have get a full financial/medical PoA). Can she still sign a PoA? 3. Engage a neurologist to get a dementia diagnosis/prescription and a new primary care provider. 4. Find a live-in caregiver or otherwise change her circumstance.
Are there any things (guardianship, assisted living, etc.) I should just skip ahead to?
Thanks.

This is not simple 😂 at all
​
But, 4 years ago my stepsons mom passed away unexpectedly. We took him to the funeral, and he wanted to spend the weekend with his brothers/aunts/grandparents, so of course, we said yes
They took that as an opportunity to kidnap him legally via a family friend, they took him across state lines, filed ex parteparted (emergency) custody. Took us a year, a dozen trips to court (2 states away) to get him back (no, they werent punished, they were heroes)
​
End result : grandpa and the family friend were each given a weekend a month plus phone calls. The friend dropped off and never popped up again. Grandpa had a few visits, then step son disclosed abuse that grandpa knew about and still let that teen babysit. We had a whole investigation launched, made sure his trauma therapist, knew about it to help him work through it.
​
Fast forward, investigation finds it founded and an additional court order us created banning this person from being around for visits. Visits resume, then covid hits, and it has a horrible effect on stepson, he ended up having a mental break, attempting to unalive himself and ended up in a mebntalmental hospital, then a treatment facility until now (2.5 years) for the first year, we had him placed at a facility 5 miles from grandpa, so he could visit. He never did. He called and demanded release for off campus visits. He did call to talk to stepson, but only to meddle in his mental health, all he would talk about is how horrible his dad and iI are, and court orders, and how he could get him out of that prison. Definitely not a prison, he needed the help, he is so much better for it.
​
Now stepson, has finally gotten to a great place mentally and is ready to come home. We have been planning a move to Texas for almost a year - and keeping him in his facility until he was ready. Our move date is in less than 60 days. At this point grandpa has not reached out, visited, sent a birthday card, or called us for a status check.
​
If we move, what are the chances that Texas will enforce this court order for a weekend a month, from an east coast state. Because that is a long way, and while we are not super limited financially, we cannot make a drive or plane trip for an unaccompanied minor every month happen. Step son has not asked or mentioned grandpa in almost a year, after he promised to visit and never came.
​
Tldr: will texas enforce a grandparent visit, for a grandparent who has not reached out in almost a year, from another state. And neither party lives or has ever lived in the state that signed this order
​
Signed a stressed out step momma.

I'm requesting assistance in verifying my interpretation of my variable mean_traumaX1000 because I'm not used to using the mean of a variable.

1. I used hospital discharge data to focus on a specific diagnosis of Multiple Significant Trauma:

generate MultiTrauma = 0
replace MultiTrauma = 1 if aprmdcdescription == "Multiple Significant Trauma"
summarize MultiTrauma
tab MultiTrauma
***** Mean is .0017801 or 0.18% of the sample; Total number of MultiTrauma=1 is 89 matching changes made above

1. Then I created a mean_trauma variable by facility name

egen mean_trauma = mean(MultiTrauma), by(facilityname)
sum mean_trauma. ***** Mean is .0017801
My instructor suggested I multiple the mean_trauma variable by 1000 because the numbers were so small.

1. Multiplying mean trauma variable by 1000

generate mean_traumax1000= mean_trauma * 1000

1. I then regress this variable on the log of total hospital costs

regress ln_costs mean_traumax1000, robust
**** For my first regression is the following interpretation correct?
With each additional 1 out of 1000 trauma patients cared for by the hospital the total cost increases by 1.83 %
With an R2 of 0.445 for my last regression does this result mean that 46% of my variance in the outcome that can be explained by the independent variables?
Thank you for the assistance.
https://preview.redd.it/6b76nfbb824b1.png?width=1418&format=png&auto=webp&s=cdda3f19a94fd1e8243e0e81345ea2c1e5decacf