Mid-Summer Night's Dream...

Bahji, Israel

Courtesy Paul Aziz Netherwood

via Nineteen Months

Once a home, always home... now it's just closer than my life's vein.

Lovely Israel...

As promised... pictures from my adventures with Sanaz in Israel:

Eilat.

What happens in Eilat stays in Eilat.

Take public transportation - it's good for you.

...it also allows you to take goofy pictures at will.

Back in Haifa.

Heading down the upper terraces of the Baha'i Gardens.

Dinner at Duzan Haifa's German Templar Colony district.

This place is, like, world famous!

Sanaz on the terraces at night.

Remember, San :: man artist-am!

More From the Vault...

Taking pictures of inanimate objects is pretty much my option as I'm in learning mode - they don't care how long it takes me to put things in focus....there is, afterall, a reason why people in old photos look serious and grumpy - as it took f.o.r.e.v.e.r. to take the pictures.

The Prison Cell of Bahá'u'lláh

Akka, Israel

*This one from my third ever roll of film - more to come*

But Let Me Clarify...

*As seen through Hoda's eyes*
...why they really come:

The Shrine of the Báb

Haifa, Israel

In a few seconds you're going to read about how much I like to have visitors... and this is true. *Come visit and find out - I'm a pretty fair host, even if I have to say so myself!*
But yeah, they don't come here to see me.
They come to seek reunion with their Lord.

True Happiness Is...

Some time ago I mentioned that there were several Bahá'ís on pilgrimage to the Holy Land from the DRC. This week there are two groups: one from Ethiopia and one from South Africa. This morning I was invited to attend a breakfast reception for these friends....
So beautiful!
Just now, as I am typing this, the friends are singing and chanting in praise of God. They are just one floor below me, and their songs are echoing up through the hall of the International Teaching Centre. It is, truly, an amazing experience.
In a continuation of my thoughts on thankfulness - let me say that today I am thankful to be surrounded by such love and fellowship; so that, while I am missing my family at home, I feel part of a larger family here today.
Thank you.

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye...

If that phrase is copywritten somehow, please excuse me - but I'm talking about a different transformation, altogether.
You are all probably much more detached and spiritually grounded than I am - but it happens to me sometimes that I don't feel that my service or my work or my self is appreciated. {I get that it is, but sometimes it's easy to feel out of touch with this appreciation.}

But today I had an amazing day! I don't know that I've ever felt so appreciated and valued for my work and service before. At the Bahá’í World Centre (as you may know), I serve in the Department of Pilgrimage. The pilgrim group which arrived yesterday includes 65 Bahá’ís from the Democratic Republic of Congo. These friends went through untold hardships to be able to attain pilgrimage - and today I heard them sing. They sang of their joy at the possibility to pray in the Holy Shrines - and their songs uplifted me emotionally and spiritually in way I can't describe. It's like I lived vicariously through them, or something.

I would like to thank these lovely people for reconnecting me with the joy of service. I have been transformed.

*Photo courtesy of UNICEF*

Spring in the Holy Land

As my first spring in the Holy Land is winding to a close, I thought I'd share some highlights from what is quickly becoming my favorite season! (Don't worry, Fall, I still love you...)

Pilgrim Farewell :: Haifa Pilgrim House

Aimee Piper, (unknown) Pilgrim, Soroush Parsa, Tyrie Philoe

Posing for Kadria in front of the mall
Sartorialist Style

Aimee, Layli, Hoda, Kalila :: Bahá'í International Convention Registration
*too bad it's fuzzy*

Aimee & Nasim :: Lunch during Convention