My little sister

Can't believe she's all grown up...
Very openminded and friendly...
Very innocent...
And fun!

He that hath given Him a voice is He that hath given a voice
unto all things, that they may praise and glorify Him.

BahÃullÃh

Last Friday we had some friends over for prayers and a simple dinner. They brought so much love and happiness with them, besides their good appetites and funny jokes:) We had some prayers, then we ate delicious food, played guitar and sang, and played some games in the end. People stayed very late and for me it was a good sign that they really had a good time and didn't want to leave. The group was diverse, not everyone is on this picture though. We had some friends from India, Philippines, Singapore, United States and Bolivia, and of course I was there and I am from Kazakhstan:) Picture was made by Amir's cousin Quddus.

Family

I finally felt what it's like to have a family in the Holy Land. At first, when I arrived, I witnessed so many of my friends having their parents, brothers, sisters, in-laws coming visiting them while they are here, and I never even could imagine myself on their place:) It was impossible for my family to visit me due to their financial situation. So it would remain inside of my heart as a wish for fulfillment of which I prayed tirelessly. Finally, when I and Amir decided to get married here my family started talking about coming for our wedding. They really strained all their efforts and with some help they made it! I rejoiced in happiness of being able to visit and pray in the Holy Shrines with them, especially at such an important period of my life! It was amazing! Amir's father was able to come too and stayed with us for another 3 weeks after my folks were gone home. He had an opportunity to volunteer at different departments and visit the Holy Shrines often. It was so nice to have him and be able to share the experiences of the Holy Land with him. After he was gone, we felt lonely for sometime but then life of service has taken over us with all its challenges and joys and we finally could feel what it's like to be married and be alone with each other. Few weeks after we got good news of Amir's cousin coming and serving here for 18 months. This guy brought back the feeling of an extended family to us and we were very happy to welcome him here. And yet few other weeks later Amir's immediate brother Jamal arrived to serve here as well:) I feel like all my prayers were answered and if before I was all by myself, now I have two brothers and a husband serving by my side. I cannot explain how wonderful it is to feel that:) I am so excited and happy! Jamal arrived yesterday and will stay here for 18 months. In 5 months we will be gone and hopefully this half of my family will be able to visit another half in Kazakhstan when we'll join them. I am so grateful that I married someone who values family so much. I think this is one of few things we have in common in our cultures. I just love it:) And, if we are to follow Bahaullah's words of "...all men be as one kindred and one family...." how will we know what's it's like if we don't have a model to look at, if we don't value our own families?

Same and New

Faranak in Peter's Office
Meeting NEW staff that weren't here at her time
Chatting with Quality Control section

Wow, i just noticed that we look so colorful! You can see my mouth is busy chewing chocolate:)

Faranak used to work in the SAME office two years ago. She left the World Centre, happily got married and had a baby. Now she came back for pilgrimage with her NEW family:) It was so nice to see you, Faranak, although we didn't get a chance to see your hubby and a baby. Your presence in the Office even though for few brief minutes brought back so many nice memories to me. When Sahba asked you how does it feel to be back, you said that things are NEW but in some ways are the SAME. I must say i felt the SAME way about you. Marriage and maternity changed you a lot in a good way, i could see NEW Faranak in front of me, but in some ways of course it was nice to still see SAME Faranak that used to serve here with us:) Thank you for dropping by and for yummy chocolate (i had two pieces!). And thank you to Lessan for pictures:)

Devotional gathering

Intone, O My servant, the verses of God that have been received by thee, as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him, that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men.
(Baha'u'llah: Gleanings, Page: 295)

Devotional gathering at Shadman and Radostina's place was such a delight! Their home is a "home" indeed, full of love, harmony and unity. They are the newlyweds who invited few people to say some prayers. It happened to be Amir and mine two-month anniversary as well:) Hard to imagine more meaningful spending of time with friends than prasing the Almighty together. The company was lovely, very joyful and divers! Outside the World Centre such gatherings are held all over the world with purpose of introducing people to the act of worshipping God and inviting them to study the creative word of God in study circles.

Summer in Israel

Games on the sand - Omid and Ulviyya
Games with the BBQ grill - George, Amelia and Tamila

Cooling down in a shade
Lunch time!
Arnold and Canan - enjoying their time...

Looking at my last posts seems like we don't do anything but swimming in a sea this summer:)
Yes, last weekend we went to the Dor beach which is "a tiny beach town located 8 miles north of Caesarea just south of the Carmel mountain range. It was occupied early by the Canaanites and Phoenicians (www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/2938/histcult.html). Dor was important for the shellfish, which were used for the manufacture of Tyrian purple. Some evidence exists for this being the place where the Philistines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philistines) began in Israel." Here we go, even a beach turns out to be a historical place, that's life in Israel:). It's one of those places after which i don't enjoy the public beaches in Haifa. it's private, clean, waves blocked, clear water, with soft fine sand. So far i've been there on weekends when it was quite crowded and still enjoyed my time there. Now i am thinking of going on a week day or even better at night when i suppose there won't be many people. Looks like Arnold and Canan love this beach as they were the organizers both times i went there. If you are in israel during summer Dor beach is highly reccomended. Pictures courtesy of Tamila Zeinalova and Pash Afaridan.