The results are in ...

The results are in and the Baha'i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois has been named one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois.

See a video about the Seven Wonders at www.enjoyillinois.com/sevenwonders.

Or read about the Baha'i House of Worship at www.enjoyillinois.com/sevenwonders/chicagoland.html

Canada World Religion Day Stamp

From the Darkness

From Alicia: Sometimes ...the words just flow ... it's been awhile since I've felt the inspiration and urge to compose. This just came to me and so I share it with you.

When it all falls away,
Where does the heart live?
To what song does it cling?
Voices arise, freeing themselves
From the chambers of the lies -
Holding fast the tear welling
From the rapture of His grasp.
Fall away, fall away.

Trees kneel down in hunger,
Or is it thirst for a mere
Drop of the ocean of His wonder?
His grace that palpitates vibrantly
Out from even the smallest leaf vein -
Rending asunder all that binds
Till nothing is left but ...

That raw paleness glowing, softly glowing.
Now bursting, yearning with pain ...
And love - the Battle ends, begins.
Stretch out your hand. Let loose the heart strings
And receive, rejoice and fly away.

Trip to Haifa, Israel

--Please forgive this very rough and incomplete outline of our experiences. More to come.

Day 1, Saturday (Shabbat)
Arrive
Take Sherut to Haifa, Israel
Locate Rutenberg Institute where we are staying.
Sisters, brother, cousin greet us.7
Journey to the Mansion at Bahji and the Shrine of Baha'u'llah.
Dinner at Lucia's flat.

























Day 2, Sunday
Recovery morning; Tour through the Monument Gardens; Dinner at Lucia's flat; Talk by Peter Khan, Universal House of Justice Member. More details later.




























Day 3, Monday
Visit to the Shrine of the Bab
Walking part of the Terraces
Talk by Universal House of Justice Member

Day 4, Tuesday
Serving with Lucia at the Baha'i World Centre, Office of Pilgrammage
Visit to Shrine of the Bab
Visit Amelia's Flat

Day 5, Wednesday
Serving with Lucia
Visit Geoffrey's Flat

Day 6, Thursday
Visit the Shrine of the Bab
Walk part of the Terraces
Riding the Carmelit with Family




Visit to Roya's Flat - Monopoly Night


Day 7, Friday
Trip to Acre/Akka


The Prison


Move to Dan Gardens Hotel
Recover

Day 8, Saturday
Breakfast with the girls
Temple Land


Brian and I walk up the Terraces from 1-19 (including stop at at the Shrine of the Bab)



Quick Trip to Bahji, Shrine of Baha'u'llah








Sushi Night


Saying goodbye

Day 9, Sunday
Amelia takes us to the train station
Take train to Tel Aviv
Fly home