Dear all, Sorry for the long delay between my need for sleep, going back to work and volunteer activities I have very little free time to tell about our adventures, Love, Allan

A Hornet’s Tale

I was born under a children’s slide in a little park behind a church. I did not know at first what a slide was as no children ever came to slide. I did know that my home was warm and always had an orange glow. It was like living in a flower! One day I came home to see children having fun on the orange slide. How interesting and fun, but when I went to my home people began to scream and tried to hit me. I was fast and went under the slide only to find my home gone and several close relatives dead. I heard my mom and she told me that I had to help build a new nest. We moved to a nearby shed, but a mean man came out and knocked it down. I no longer like people. I got even with one in the late afternoon of September 15 when a man reached for the beautiful swamp sunflower where I was at work. Zap I got him on first try –deep into his flesh – payback for my aunt Julie.

Grandson Cole - His First Birthday

Today is my birthday (Sharon) and as a present to myself I am writing about my wonderful trip to see my children and brother for Cole’s first birthday!

We had a great time with Ron and Sally, Dan and Ali, Jeff, Heather, and the birthday boy, Cole. We grandparents were like paparazzi photographing the momentous occasion of the lit candle in the birthday cupcake!! Cole needed a bit of help to blow it out. He got great toys, clothes, and books. (Dan road tested the toys for him. :) )

While in Ohio we also went to a local park, hung out at the mall, went to a special park full of amazing flowers, and I spent a large amount of time just watching my precious Heather with her beautiful son. It was a very satisfying thing to do! My time with Ali was so nice, especially at the end of her visit when she picked up her precious cargo and headed home.

I got to spend time with my brother, Bob, too. So, it was a very nice, but short, visit. I’m looking forward to the next one! For Photos go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31594&l=5d334&id=617928368

Pilgrimage Video

My daughter has taken some of the photos shot on my recent trip, plus a few from Baha'i Media and added a background song from some friends of mine. The group New Creation created this song Let All Associate a few years ago and we all love singing along with it. I hope you enjoy -Allan Go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OSAqyh7qXs for better quality - Select "view in higher quality" directly below the video on the rightside.

Pilgrims - July 2008 - Baha'i Holy Sites

Over 30 different counties were represented among the 400 Baha'i pilgrims and almost 100 were children and junior youth - I have tried to capture a few of them. To see their pictures follow this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29454&l=a5cf6&id=617928368

The following accounts will hopefully give you a brief overview of what a Bahá’í pilgrimage is all about. For those of you who do not know much about the Bahá’i Faith, I would suggest the following web site: http://www.bahai.us/

I began my journey as a Bahá’i 18 years ago. Bahá’is cherish learning and independent investigation of the truth. And while a pilgrimage is a visit to a holy place, it also is a long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance. As you will see the Bahá’i holy places are beautiful they are also available for all of mankind. In fact while we were there the following happened:

Baha'i shrines chosen as World Heritage sites
July 8, 2008 - 2:24pm
The resting places of Baha'u'llah and the Báb, in Acre and nearby Haifa, Israel, respectively, have been designated World Heritage sites by UNESCO. Considered the two most sacred sites for Baha'is, the shrines of the founders of the Baha'i Faith possess “outstanding universal value” and should be considered part of the cultural heritage of humanity, said members of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.Other World Heritage sites include the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids, the Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, the Vatican, the Old City of Jerusalem and the remains of the recently destroyed Bamiyan Buddhist statues in Afghanistan.
The Baha'i shrines are the first sites connected with a religious tradition born in modern times to be added to the list, which is maintained by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.The shrines are noteworthy for the formal gardens that surround them, blending design elements from many cultures. In addition to Baha'i pilgrims, they attract hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists every year.The shrine of Baha'u'llah is the focal point of prayer for Baha'is throughout the world, giving it an importance comparable to the Western Wall in Jerusalem for Jews and the Kaaba in Mecca for Muslims. Born in Iran, Baha’u’llah was banished to Acre in what was then the Ottoman Empire, where he died in 1892. The Báb was executed in Iran in 1850; his remains were later moved to Haifa for burial.

Very exciting news! What I have done is break the posting into two parts one for the Bahá’í Holy Places and one of the Bahá’í pilgrims. So for a few pictures of the Holy Places go to:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29421&l=d0064&id=617928368

Arrival in Israel

Welcome to Israel! One long journey over 7,000 miles and many forms of travel, car, mini-bus, plane, tram, plane, train and taxi to get to a hotel bed; only to be awaken a few hours later by a loud party going on at the next building over. The party was a street level and I was asleep on the 10th floor with the air conditioning running and it still woke me up. I had a hotel in the “party” district of Tel Aviv by the beach. It turns out the Israelites live in a constant state of “tomorrow may be war” so let us enjoy tonight.

This really was my only day as a tourist. The next day I begin my pilgrimage to the Bahá’i holy sites. – Allan For pictures go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29404&l=59e07&id=617928368

July update

Well I just returned from Israel last night and hope to edit the photos soon. I still have several days of photos from Holland to post. Luckily for me I don't have a job till next Thursday - so between cutting back all the weeds I hope to catch up!
Love to you all, Allan