follow the commands

 Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

New International Version

23 At that time I pleaded with the Lord: 24 “Sovereign Lord, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do? 25 Let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that fine hill country and Lebanon.”

26 But because of you the Lord was angry with me and would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. 27 Go up to the top of Pisgah and look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan. 28 But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.” 29 So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.

Obedience Commanded

4 Now, Israel, hear the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. 2 Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.

3 You saw with your own eyes what the Lord did at Baal Peor. The Lord your God destroyed from among you everyone who followed the Baal of Peor, 4 but all of you who held fast to the Lord your God are still alive today.

5 See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? 8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.” 11 You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire to the very heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. 12 Then the Lord spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice. 13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. 14 And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

Idolatry Forbidden

15 You saw no form of any kind the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire. Therefore watch yourselves very carefully, 16 so that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol, an image of any shape, whether formed like a man or a woman, 17 or like any animal on earth or any bird that flies in the air, 18 or like any creature that moves along the ground or any fish in the waters below. 19 And when you look up to the sky and see the sun, the moon and the stars—all the heavenly array—do not be enticed into bowing down to them and worshiping things the Lord your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven. 20 But as for you, the Lord took you and brought you out of the iron-smelting furnace, out of Egypt, to be the people of his inheritance, as you now are.

21 The Lord was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance. 22 I will die in this land; I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land. 23 Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

25 After you have had children and grandchildren and have lived in the land a long time—if you then become corrupt and make any kind of idol, doing evil in the eyes of the Lord your God and arousing his anger, 26 I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live there long but will certainly be destroyed. 27 The Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the Lord will drive you. 28 There you will worship man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell. 29 But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

The Lord Is God

32 Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? 33 Has any other people heard the voice of God[a] speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? 34 Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

35 You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other. 36 From heaven he made you hear his voice to discipline you. On earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words from out of the fire. 37 Because he loved your ancestors and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out of Egypt by his Presence and his great strength, 38 to drive out before you nations greater and stronger than you and to bring you into their land to give it to you for your inheritance, as it is today.

39 Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. 40 Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.

Cities of Refuge

41 Then Moses set aside three cities east of the Jordan, 42 to which anyone who had killed a person could flee if they had unintentionally killed a neighbor without malice aforethought. They could flee into one of these cities and save their life. 43 The cities were these: Bezer in the wilderness plateau, for the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.

Introduction to the Law

44 This is the law Moses set before the Israelites. 45 These are the stipulations, decrees and laws Moses gave them when they came out of Egypt 46 and were in the valley near Beth Peor east of the Jordan, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon and was defeated by Moses and the Israelites as they came out of Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan. 48 This land extended from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Gorge to Mount Sirion[b] (that is, Hermon), 49 and included all the Arabah east of the Jordan, as far as the Dead Sea,[c] below the slopes of Pisgah.

The Ten Commandments

5 Moses summoned all Israel and said:

Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. 2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us at Horeb. 3 It was not with our ancestors[d] that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. 4 The Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. 5 (At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said:

6 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

7 “You shall have no other gods before[e] me.

8 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 9 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

11 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. 15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

17 “You shall not murder.

18 “You shall not commit adultery.

19 “You shall not steal.

20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

22 These are the commandments the Lord proclaimed in a loud voice to your whole assembly there on the mountain from out of the fire, the cloud and the deep darkness; and he added nothing more. Then he wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

23 When you heard the voice out of the darkness, while the mountain was ablaze with fire, all the leaders of your tribes and your elders came to me. 24 And you said, “The Lord our God has shown us his glory and his majesty, and we have heard his voice from the fire. Today we have seen that a person can live even if God speaks with them. 25 But now, why should we die? This great fire will consume us, and we will die if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any longer. 26 For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived? 27 Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.”

28 The Lord heard you when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. 29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

30 “Go, tell them to return to their tents. 31 But you stay here with me so that I may give you all the commands, decrees and laws you are to teach them to follow in the land I am giving them to possess.”

32 So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

Love the Lord Your God

6 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[f] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

10 When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah. 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said.

20 In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?” 21 tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the Lord sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

Driving Out the Nations

7 When the Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— 2 and when the Lord your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally.[g] Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy. 3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you. 5 This is what you are to do to them: Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones, cut down their Asherah poles[h] and burn their idols in the fire. 6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

7 The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. 10 But

those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction;
    he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him.

11 Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.

Footnotes

1. Deuteronomy 4:33 Or of a god
2. Deuteronomy 4:48 Syriac (see also 3:9); Hebrew Siyon
3. Deuteronomy 4:49 Hebrew the Sea of the Arabah
4. Deuteronomy 5:3 Or not only with our parents
5. Deuteronomy 5:7 Or besides
6. Deuteronomy 6:4 Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone
7. Deuteronomy 7:2 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 26.
8. Deuteronomy 7:5 That is, wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah; here and elsewhere in Deuteronomy

To+both,

 

To+both, Something HUGE is going down at the Supreme Court. It's moving lightning fast, and we face looming deadlines. JUST DAYS AGO, we filed a MAJOR brief at the Supreme Court that could devastate the abortion industry and save babies. Planned Parenthood takes $1.9 million of our tax dollars (Kamala Harris wants to send them even more) and aborts over 1,000 innocent babies every day. It's been caught selling the body parts of aborted babies. Now a monumental case pending at the U.S. Supreme Court could determine whether states can defund the abortion industry. We just filed at the Supreme Court to decimate Planned Parenthood. We also just filed our reply brief in our own case at the Supreme Court that could help save countless babies and overturn one of the worst abortion decisions left on the books. As we battle the endless taxpayer-funded resources of Biden, Harris, and Planned Parenthood at the Supreme Court, we need YOU. Our next legal deadlines are looming. This is one of our most important Supreme Court filings EVER, and we urgently need your Tax-Deductible support to save countless babies. TODAY have your Tax-Deductible gift DOUBLED at the Supreme Court to defend life through our Life & Liberty Drive. $20 becomes $40; $40 becomes $80. Have Your Gift Doubled at the Supreme Court. Defeat abortion and save countless lives. Take urgent action with us TODAY and join our Supreme Court fight for life. Sign: Defund Planned Parenthood at Supreme Court. Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel

DONATE NOW GIFTS DOUBLED

314 Action Fund

 314 Action Fund is the only national organization working to train, recruit, support, and elect Democrats with STEM and medical backgrounds to office at all levels of government. To receive our most important updates,click here.

To unsubscribe you can click here.

If elected President, Kamala Harris would be our first woman and first woman of color to serve as President. But she’s not the only one who would make history: Dr. Herb Conaway would become the first Black doctor with the ability to vote on legislation in Congress. Dr. Kristin Lyerly would become the only pro-choice OB/GYN in either chamber of Congress. Janelle Bynum would become the first Black woman to represent Oregon in Congress. And Jacky Rosen would be the first computer programmer and one of the only Jewish women to be re-elected to the Senate. These 4 incredible Democratic scientists would make history in another way: If they win their highly competitive races, Democrats are projected to flip the House and we would have defended the most vulnerable woman in the Senate (if we lose Jacky, Democrats are guaranteed to lose control of the Senate). That’s why we’re asking if you will donate DIRECTLY to Herb, Kristin, Janelle, and Jacky. Each of these races is expected to be decided by single digits and your support will make or break these races. Dr. Herb Conaway (NJ-3: OPEN) – Herb is running for an open House seat in New Jersey that was considered a ‘Safe Republican’ seat until Andy Kim flipped it blue. It is still considered a swing district and Herb is the perfect candidate to win it. Herb is a practicing physician, medical professor, state legislator, and Veteran. If elected, he would become the first-ever Black doctor with the power to vote on bills in Congress in American history! Dr. Kristin Lyerly (WI-SPECIAL: FLIP) – When Roe v. Wade was overturned, Kristin turned her anger into action. She personally risked her career and filed suit to personally sue and block the implementation of a total abortion ban in Wisconsin. SHE WON! Now she’s on a mission to restore reproductive access in every single state. This is a GOP-held seat in a special election that Democrats were twice within 4 points of winning. If she is elected, she will be the only pro-choice OB/GYN in Congress. Janelle Bynum (OR-5: FLIP) – Janelle’s district is currently held by Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer. In previous elections for the state legislature, Janelle beat Lori not just once but twice. Lori only won her previous election by 2 points and this is a district President Joe Biden won by nearly 10 points in 2020. Janelle is currently being outspent by GOP outside groups. If elected, she would be the first Black woman to represent Oregon federally – and if Kristin and Janelle win these two House seats – Democrats are PROJECTED to flip control of the House. Jacky Rosen (NV-SEN: DEM) – In 2018, we were proud to invest heavily to support Jacky Rosen in her successful effort to flip Nevada’s Senate seat blue. In doing so, she became the Senate’ first computer programmer, first woman in computer science, and one of the only Jewish women ever elected to the chamber. Polling confirms she is the most vulnerable woman in the Senate up this year: Republicans came within 1% of winning Nevada’s Senate race in 2022 and half a dozen polls show she is tied with her Republican. It is mathematically impossible for Democrats to hold the Senate if we lose Jacky. If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will be immediately processed and split between 314 Action Fund, Dr. Kristin Lyerly, Janelle Bynum, Dr. Herb Conaway, and Sen. Jacky Rosen CHIP IN $10 IMMEDIATELY » CHIP IN $25 IMMEDIATELY » CHIP IN $50 IMMEDIATELY » CHIP IN $100 IMMEDIATELY » CHIP IN $200 IMMEDIATELY » CHIP IN ANOTHER AMOUNT » Thank you, 314 Action

314 Action is the only national organization working to elect Democrats with backgrounds in science and medicine at ALL levels of government – from the Senate down to local school boards. Since 2017, we’ve supported more than 500+ candidates and reached millions of swing voters on their behalf with our data-driven messaging campaigns. Our candidates led the charge to flip the House in 2018, the Senate in 2021, and a handful of state legislatures in 2022. Now, there are more scientists in office than at any point in U.S. history. No one is better equipped to craft policy to address pressing issues like gun violence, climate change, healthcare reform, or restoring reproductive rights than scientific professionals. Recent polling confirms that scientific and medical professionals have some of the highest approval ratings and levels of trust among voters – Meaning our candidates are better positioned to win tough races and can cut through the partisan divide! 100% of our work is powered by individual donations and our average donation is just $19. We plan on supporting more Democratic scientists and medical professionals in virtually every state this election cycle than at any point in our history. With you by our side, we’ll defend our Senate majority, retake the House, keep the White House blue, and elect a historic wave of Democrats to state legislatures and local office. SUPPORT OUR WORK » PAID FOR BY 314 ACTION FUND, 314ACTION.ORG, NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE OR ANY CANDIDATE'S COMMITTEE. Click here to unsubscribe from 314 Action's Email List

Blackbottom By Toi Derricotte

 Blackbottom

By Toi Derricotte

When relatives came from out of town,

we would drive down to Blackbottom,

drive slowly down the congested main streets

    —Beubian and Hastings—

trapped in the mesh of Saturday night.

Freshly escaped, black middle class,

we snickered, and were proud;

the louder the streets, the prouder.

We laughed at the bright clothes of a prostitute,

a man sitting on a curb with a bottle in his hand.

We smelled barbecue cooking in dented washtubs,

    and our mouths watered.

As much as we wanted it we couldn't take the chance.

Rhythm and blues came from the windows, the throaty voice of 

    a woman lost in the bass, in the drums, in the dirty down 

    and out, the grind.

“I love to see a funeral, when I know it ain't mine.”

We rolled our windows down so that the waves rolled over us

   like blood.

We hoped to pass invisibly, knowing on Monday we would

   return safely to our jobs, the post office and classroom.

We wanted our sufferings to be offered up as tender meat,

and our triumphs to be belted out in raucous song.

We had lost our voice in the suburbs, in Conant Gardens,

   where each brick house delineated a fence of silence;

we had lost the right to sing in the street and damn creation.

We returned to wash our hands of them,

to smell them

whose very existence

tore us down to the human.

Illegal to rollerskate

 

quantum numbers

 

Biden loves ice cream

 Once upon a time in a sun-kissed summer, President Joe Biden found himself in the quaint town of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a place where memories lingered among the sandy shores and familiar faces. It was a well-deserved break from the whirlwind of Washington, D.C., filled with meetings, decisions, and the ever-present hum of politics. As always, he had a simple joy that brought a smile to his face: ice cream.

As he strolled along the boardwalk, the scent of saltwater and cheerful laughter filled the air. Biden’s eyes lit up as he approached “Scoops,” the beloved local ice cream shop known for its vibrant flavors and homemade recipes. The bell above the door jingled pleasantly as he entered, and the sheer joy of the place washed over him.

Behind the counter stood Sarah, a longtime resident of Rehoboth and an ardent supporter of the President. She was used to his visits, and today was no different. “Mr. President, the usual?” she asked with a wink, already reaching for the vibrant turquoise tub of mint chocolate chip.

“Absolutely, Sarah! But I think I’ll need a double scoop today,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye. The joy of ice cream was that it brought everyone together, regardless of their affiliation or status. Children lined up beside him, pointing at the colorful array of flavors, and he knelt down to chat with them, sharing smiles and warmth.

After getting his massive cone, Biden stepped outside, the summer sun beaming down. He balanced the tower of ice cream expertly in one hand and savored the first bite. Ah, it was bliss! The creamy mint intertwined with the crunch of chocolate bits sent waves of nostalgia crashing over him, reminding him of family summers spent at his grandfather's house.

He walked along the beach, chatting with folks he encountered, some offering kind words, others stories of their own summer adventures. They spoke of their hopes and dreams, echoing the sentiment that resonated with Biden—a desire for unity, for smiles, and for moments of joy amidst life’s chaos. Ice cream was a sweet reminder of simple pleasures, after all.

With each lick of the cone, he felt the weight of the world lift just a little. As he watched the waves crash rhythmically against the shore, Biden felt a sense of peace. Perhaps, he thought, if everyone could share an ice cream, talk, and laugh together, the world would be a little brighter.

Suddenly, a group of teenagers spotted him and squealed with delight. “Mr. President! Can we take a selfie?” They surrounded him, smartphones gleaming under the sun, and he couldn't resist their enthusiasm. With a smile and a big scoop of ice cream in hand, he posed for pictures, their laughter weaving into the backdrop of crashing waves.

When the day began to draw to a close, Biden headed back toward Scoops, feeling lighter in spirit. As he approached, he spotted an elderly couple sitting on a bench, sharing a cone and holding hands, laughter spilling out between them. He waved and ventured over, offering them a smile. “Best ice cream in town, wouldn’t you say?”

The couple nodded, grinning widely. The man chuckled, “So true! You know, Mr. President, it’s moments like these that really matter.” Biden nodded, understanding the truth in those words, realizing that in the grand tapestry of life, it was these threads of simple joy that held it all together.

With the sun setting behind the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach, Biden savored the last bite of his ice cream, feeling content. As he turned to leave, Sarah waved him goodbye, and he promised to return soon. The magic of a summer day, laughter, and ice cream would linger long after he left, forever reminding him of what truly mattered.

And thus, with a full belly and a joyful heart, President Biden returned to the White House, knowing that life’s sweetest moments could often come in a cone.