tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90807875849172222542012-01-31T10:57:24.076ZEvery thought which flows from our hearts is interconnected with everyone else as the Divine Spirit animating all creation unites us. When our thoughts are elevated toward the realms of spirit, they are utilizing our true capacity as souls in this life -- each quality of the soul being as a powerful and brilliant gem. In this spirit i share what comes to my heart.Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01377759449480163725noreply@blogger.comBlogger1261100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-58785504221607456442012-01-30T19:27:00.000Z2012-01-30T19:29:39.431Z

i found 2 pages of notes today that i wrote many years ago about spiritual parenting.  they are taken from Mr. Furutan's book, "Mothers, Fathers and Children".  i loved that book!  we gave it away to a friend when it was time for us to leave America. Mr. Furutan was a psychologist and a very deepened Baha'i who served as a Hand of the Cause of God for many years until he passed away in 2003. 

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-70480881696128611812012-01-26T14:39:00.001Z2012-01-26T20:25:03.822Z

this morning, while in the busy process of preparing lunch for our 3 children before making breakfast, i thought, 'wow, it's been a long time since i've made a typical sandwich for the kids' lunches' and yet not one of them has mentioned missing them. we have been eating a wheat-free & dairy-free diet for 1 month now (while eliminating sweets as well).  we have done this for about 2 months

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-71485162203026443182012-01-25T15:35:00.001Z2012-01-26T11:17:48.847Z

we have given away whatever we've outgrown or outworn since living here in Africa.  in South Africa we were able to create a system whereby the mamas of Delft would come and pay a small amount for the items -- this money was used for special Baha'i School activities.  after awhile i knew enough women well enough that i could offer whatever we had to them individually without it being in any way

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-76732422920043522412012-01-24T10:47:00.000Z2012-01-24T12:58:07.534Z

the 28th African Cup of Nations is happening throughout the continent at this time.  i'm not plugged in to all of the hype but i still feel the excitement, knowing how much i enjoy soccer and how much my heart loves the African continent.. now that we're living in Ghana, it's fun to be able to support the Black Stars with our friends here!  Ghana has a good team!!  many people will be coming to

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-79339656849772468262012-01-23T21:40:00.000Z2012-01-25T17:07:11.055Z

art supplies kept on the window sill by the dining table  our home is a refuge, a lending library, a study center, a meeting place, and a blessed spot where Devotions, firesides, deepenings and classes are held.  i've been witnessing the beauty of souls thriving in this environment that we call home.  it is fueled by love and requires just a bit of effort and coordination to ensure that there

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-37713326346098641792012-01-23T15:09:00.000Z2012-01-26T11:20:34.838Z

Joshua playing the handmade drum made by his brother, Emil, who is a Gem of Justice, when we were having Devotions this is Joshua.  he is 4 years old.  his spirit reminds us of Tamati in South Africa, Linda Somni's little sister.  he speaks little English but he understands it.  he is very adorable in all ways: when he prays, plays, dances, sings, bathes, laughs, etc.  he is one of those

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-86164324240758246832012-01-20T15:02:00.000Z2012-01-20T18:38:47.513Z

always trying to 'be strong' as in 'b' for 'bob' strong this is my dad, Robert Strong.  his motto is 'B strong'.  his faith in God is very strong.  he practices relying on God rather than himself.  he enjoys being with people and making them happy with his light-hearted humor and positive outlook on life.  this photo was taken when we first arrived to see him this past December.  he is

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-34343825304991288912012-01-18T10:38:00.001Z2012-01-18T10:38:09.398Z

Baha'u'llah has proclaimed the Oneness of Humanity.  he proclaimed this Truth, this fundamental verity, over 150 years ago when the world still had slavery, in a land steeped in religious fanaticism and political corruption.  His Message brought a new Spirit into the world.  He asserted, "O ye children of men, the fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion is to safeguard

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-39388548401245691542012-01-17T13:31:00.000Z2012-01-17T13:38:06.149Z

nothin' better than spiritually oriented hip hop -- and from south africa!! this music uplifts the soul to the realms above and beyond this material world. ***** "You see all round you proofs of the inadequacy of material things -- how joy, comfort, peace and consolation are not to be found in the transitory things of the world." ~Abdu'l-Baha

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-64962743324149212852012-01-16T16:47:00.001Z2012-01-17T05:47:49.284Z

our 3rd meeting this is our jr. youth group: The Gems of Justice.  2 girls are not in the photo -- they couldn't make it this day -- so we have a total of 10 people.  2 of the boys walk a half a mile to our home almost everyday for one activity or another.  the others live right around us in the neighborhood.  2 of them are 14 years old but they add a lot to the group and are very interested

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-60730883755412293812012-01-15T20:18:00.000Z2012-01-19T07:37:58.182Z

there is a gem of a little girl named magdelene who i find myself cherishing more and more each time i see her.  she is 10 years old.  she's very, very quiet and yet inquisitive, clever, thoughtful, tender and purehearted in her way of demonstrating her personality.  tonight she came to our 'sunday night storytelling'.  she didn't talk with anyone but offered one prayer when it was time for

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-91983328616513030392012-01-14T20:34:00.000Z2012-01-14T20:34:45.327Z

ayana poking aquia & making her giggle today's jr. youth group session was full of learning how to consult.  they needed to decide if they wanted to accept a new person to the group.  after a difficult process, they decided not to include him, as most felt they had bonded well and didn't want to begin getting to know someone else.    later in the session, 2 of the 3 girls that showed up

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-86450335878518653802012-01-13T06:00:00.000Z2012-01-19T11:18:04.244Z

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-9356625698511378472012-01-11T13:52:00.000Z2012-01-11T14:20:29.663Z

looking out at the ocean while eating lunch 1 1/2 hours away from accra i am happy to be back in ghana.  i feel alive here -- it feels alive here as well.  i like seeing all of the people walking by, the vendors working hard, the mamas carrying babies, the children in school uniforms, the smells of burning trash and broiled fish, the smiles and friendliness of passersby who appreciate you

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-91110485933984625272012-01-06T02:46:00.000Z2012-01-09T12:52:20.448Z

i was tested yesterday for food allergies for the first time in my life (i am 43).  i am moderately allergic to cow's milk and soy, while slightly allergic to eggs and yeast.  thankfully, i am not allergic to wheat or corn but it sure has made me feel like my life is now going to be completely different.  it will be better because my body will stop having to fight off what it doesn't want and

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-88760384953523253302012-01-03T16:03:00.001Z2012-01-03T21:25:18.845Z

the Douglas & Ramanujan families ready to play a game of soccer together i would describe our family as Baha'i, middle class, educated and multi-racial.  we are Americans who live abroad.  we find joy in being together, sitting around the table eating and talking.  we enjoy playing soccer together and watching a movie together.  we enjoy being silly and playing games, reading and studying,

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-15470573547454057072011-12-28T22:39:00.002Z2012-01-05T03:00:09.656Z

loving her Aba (father) i met with a friend this morning for coffee, a friend that i've known since high school.  talking with her about raising our children inspired me to share some reflections about being a parent because we acknowledged how few people we both know who are consciously making an effort to raise their children to be truly good human beings.  it is so much more than providing

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-18644956942537274542011-12-28T03:19:00.001Z2011-12-28T22:32:32.618Z

his lower lip was split so he couldn't smile easily or it would hurt..dashiel and ayana are trying to smile like him :) dyami is our middle child.  he is tender-hearted, caring, and artistic..he loves playing soccer and being silly.  he is the one who has attracted the most friends in south africa, and now ghana, because of his genuine way of being a friend.  this quality of his has brought

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-58080658384036264342011-12-21T17:00:00.001Z2011-12-22T19:12:19.562Z

this frame is up in my dad and stepmom's home.  dyami was drawn to it and took this photo.  i'm so glad he did because it truly encompasses how i am living on a day to day basis.  as Baha'is, we are deeply aware of the spiritual forces at work in the world of existence.  through conscious communion with the Most Great Spirit we are able to tap into those forces of spirit and affect each other's

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-64921086296662390282011-12-21T16:56:00.000Z2011-12-21T17:00:35.061Z

this is one of the best songs we've heard from ghana!

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-81276933853766360082011-12-13T14:38:00.000Z2011-12-13T15:10:46.817Z

domani, age 7, has a wonderful way of dancing.  after living in south africa amongst his Xhosa friends for 3 years, from the age of 4-6, he absorbed a lot of beautiful ways of their culture..dancing being one of them.  here is a little sample of him doing the 'osah' in front of a jr. youth group in accra, ghana, this year.  this was the first time he danced in front of other people other

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-37815828971554018382011-12-13T14:28:00.004Z2011-12-17T21:19:47.378Z

my mom, Susan Strong i am back in the states for a month visiting family.  it is something we look forward to for a long time while we're so far away.  when we're here, time slows down and we spend the days appreciating everyone and everything that we miss.. dad doing well after radiation treatment 2 months ago for me, it's particularly a time of paying attention to my parents and honoring

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-76085692694702810842011-12-08T19:37:00.001Z2011-12-26T16:38:52.584Z

today, ayana and dyami were watching Avatar the Last Airbender.  it is currently our kids' favorite tv show (and the only one they watch, surpassing Ben 10 in their eyes by far).  they don't get to watch it during school days but since school is finished for the term, they were happy to hang out and get to watch a few episodes. at one point in the show they became very excited and started

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-71849342329859847532011-12-08T13:36:00.001Z2011-12-13T21:02:20.635Z

this is dashiel and i as we look these days.  what fun we had taking this photo as we tried positioning our heads just right while he held the camera.. i have TOO much love for him :)

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-52585436109956989322011-12-08T11:10:00.001Z2011-12-08T13:36:39.678Z

a week ago i explained to some of the kids that have been coming for classes and tutoring that we are hosting a meeting to discuss the Baha'i Faith.  i told them we call it a fireside and that it's not a class, study session or Devotional gathering.  they came with eagerness and joy to my wonderful surprise.  since no one else showed up, it was very informal and more like a deepening, explaining

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-18932076536212321602011-12-07T16:16:00.001Z2011-12-08T13:23:36.687Z

i noticed that i've reached the 100 mark for posts.  when i started writing, i was living in brighton, ny, not really experiencing the spiritual energy of life as i know it today.  since arriving in south africa, we have lived in 5 different furnished flats, and are now living in a lovely house in accra, ghana.  my life has entered a whole new and different sphere of existence on the continent

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-7651722811114995852011-12-06T21:56:00.000Z2011-12-08T13:05:54.654Z

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-3858302590099038552011-12-06T10:25:00.001Z2011-12-13T21:11:03.959Z

We met Jason while traveling through South Africa in 2009. He lives in a small coastal town called Knysna. We met him upon parking the car. i was drawn to him immediately because he was so young -- he was out on the streets trying to earn a living by watching people's cars that are parked in town. In south africa it's become a way to work by standing by the cars in the spirit of '

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-71069723231034117302011-12-06T08:14:00.000Z2011-12-08T13:06:15.183Z

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-73530868366187275732011-12-05T13:30:00.001Z2011-12-06T08:47:18.569Z

it's been about 2 months of occupying cities to represent the 99% of the population that is not extremely wealthy or greedy.  as the momentum gained and spread to cities outside of america, i started to feel energized that finally a social movement was beginning to wake the masses from their slumber of lethargy and apathy.  it feels like i've grown up my whole life missing out on that sense of

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-22632176005883414582011-12-05T09:03:00.001Z2011-12-05T13:53:30.129Z

we are 'expats', whether we want to be considered such or not.  at first i couldn't identify with this term at all. in fact, i wanted nothing to do with it.  i am not a foreigner whose life is characterized by all of the trappings of an expat -- typically spending a lot of money and spending most of one's time on things of this world that do nothing to benefit humanity.  i know, a gross

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-90407072867783696122011-12-01T14:51:00.001Z2011-12-04T23:20:59.779Z

it's a sunny day of heat and humidity here in accra, ghana.  we're very fortunate to live with air conditioning.  as simple as i try to live, i think i'd be completely worn out if we didn't have the air con.  this surely must be why people who live in the hot regions of the world typically move very slowly.  this comfort of life enables me to have energy to serve my family and the community. 

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-33403574293803295592011-11-18T22:19:00.000Z2011-12-08T13:06:40.406Z

C-Real – Do The Azonto [Ft. E.L.] this link is one of the few ghanaian songs i've downloaded from http://bigxgh.com/ -- it took 6 months to find some songs we really like! what enabled it to happen was hanging out at someone's place, sitting on benches in the shade. when the kids started playing songs they have on their cell phones, it was like a swarm of bees rushing toward us as all of the

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-56793580980612158432011-11-18T11:28:00.001Z2011-12-02T10:00:02.315Z

this morning i heard a lot of commotion outside so i looked out of my bedroom window and saw women filling up water from the other side of the wall.  jugs were sitting on top of the wall for my neighbor while other women found another location to fill up their jugs.  a pipe had bursted.  free water for the neighborhood.  i saw Magdelene, a 10 year old girl, in her school uniform carrying an empty

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-27020978263434326062011-11-15T23:35:00.000Z2011-11-15T23:39:31.778Z

i have been reflecting on the spiritual forces at work in our lives.  they are channeled through our good deeds, pure-hearted thoughts and a life sanctified from worldliness.  they operate through humility, selflessness, unity, generosity, kindliness, forbearance, truthfulness and all of the many, many spiritual qualities of our soul.  while these forces are being released, they are always,

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-34814345895892704322011-11-03T15:18:00.001Z2011-11-03T15:26:32.995Z

Tom Price has given extensive talks on the 5 Year Plan.  they are linked to http://bahaiblog.net/.  he has provided a lot of insight for this current stage of humanity's evolution and our essential role in its organic growth toward alleviating the suffering and extinguishing the darkness that is encompassing the world.  though i attended 2 deepenings on the current Plan, it is these kinds of

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-71874238255737118182011-11-02T14:27:00.001Z2011-11-02T14:27:37.878Z

i have been reading "Toolbox for Sustainable Living".  my most recent attraction to the book has been how to dispose of human waste.  it provides a few ideas for creating a 'toilet'.  aside from the typical digging of a deep hole, i like the idea of building a straw bale base with a movable outhouse on top. :)  looked pretty cool in the book! as i was reading i thought about these 4 neighbors i

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-85085544846174785922011-11-01T14:27:00.001Z2011-11-01T14:30:13.793Z

a couple of days ago i took the boys to play soccer behind our compound.  the neighborhood kids had been waiting for 2 hours but i couldn't leave the house until late morning.  we were greeted on the side road by Gideon (Ogee), Abu and Ema (short for Emmanuel).  they took us to Emil's compound/home.  he wasn't home but it never matters because all of these families are like one family in so many

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-36320166245183846502011-10-29T16:01:00.000Z2011-10-29T18:25:01.512Z

i realized recently that the group of kids who come for tutoring do not know these basic facts: how many days and months are in a year how many seconds are in a minute how many minutes are in an hour how the earth revolves around the sun or the moon around the earth when i contemplate how many millions of poor children in the world who are like this group of children, completely unaware or

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-51704187306158284582011-10-21T15:51:00.000Z2011-10-21T15:51:53.591Z

the House of the Bab in Shiraz, Iran yesterday we celebrated and honored the Birth of the Bab at our home.  a group of youth and young adults were the only ones able to attend.  we began with Dyami reading a summary about the station of the Bab and what He was like as a child.  we sang a few prayers revealed by the Bab and then stood, facing the Qiblih, for the Tablet of Visitation.  when

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-24437472250506502622011-10-18T20:18:00.000Z2011-10-18T20:18:24.449Z

the last 2 days of tutoring have marked a significant advancement.  yesterday emil and his sisters, magdelene and martha, came, as well as abu's sister, elizabeth.  all 4 of them are between the ages 9-12 but they still desire to be tutored.  the little 7-8 year old boys have spread the word. i explained to them that i can't manage any more than the 8 of them because it's challenging to keep them

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-85135617276319276142011-10-16T17:13:00.002Z2011-10-17T15:50:29.319Z

a week ago a group of jr. youth met in our home to form a jr. youth group.  there were 8 of them.  2 had to leave early but the rest wanted to stay and talk.  we consulted and changed the day of the week to fridays from 4-6pm because sundays were not the best day for everyone.  since it was changed to a friday afternoon, i could no longer offer the 8-10 year olds a children's class at that time (

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-11949761990328642132011-10-07T11:38:00.000Z2011-10-07T11:58:09.510Z

i love this little garden.  initially it required a lot of care and patience to prepare it for the seeds.  when we started working on the plot of land, we needed to pull up grass and remove many rocks.  it was full of concrete pieces leftover from the construction of the water container foundation that was built adjacent to it.  the main activity of preparing the soil was taking food scraps

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-8805543384764524552011-09-26T13:10:00.001Z2011-09-26T13:10:11.747Z

we have been working with 2 carpenters to order and receive furniture for a few months: Ephram and Ada.  last week was our final delivery.  they brought the items in a pick-up truck and brought them inside.  once they were finished setting things up, they sat down to write the receipts and settle the payment.  i asked them if they would like some tea or coffee.  this is a question i ask each time

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-50341105871060001012011-09-08T22:49:00.000Z2011-09-08T22:49:03.903Z

Baha'is have been provided some notes for prayer.  they aren't considered part of the Holy Writings or with any authority, but since they are helpful, we refer to them for guidance.  today i feel like the spirit of the "Fourth Step" has permeated my entire day: Have faith and confidence that the power will flow through you, the right way will appear, the door will open, the right thought, the

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-54949883026636220382011-09-08T20:24:00.000Z2011-09-08T20:24:13.045Z

we started meeting children in east legon as soon as we went to play soccer and take a walk in the neighborhood.  dyami and domani naturally attract boys through play, while ayana naturally attracts girls through fascination.  the process of getting to know the children has been gradual and focused on joy, good manners and friendliness.  we faced initial requests to come over but at first we

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-61452531774390842582011-08-09T16:59:00.004Z2011-08-09T19:24:11.468Z

this post is intended to be a collection of email messages i sent to family & friends since living in ghana from may-july.  i realize that i have shared a lot of information & emotions with them over 3 months time, whereas i haven't felt able to sit down and open my heart up on the blog.  i'm hoping that one day i will look back at the blog & be able to see how much growth and change took place

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-55866170812541608002011-08-05T16:25:00.000Z2011-08-05T16:25:53.750Z

as i walked down the road recently to buy eggs from an outdoor, wooden stand, i felt happy and grateful to be living in this neighborhood. i reminisced about how i've longed to live amongst african people and how i couldn't really do that in south africa. here, in east legon -- a neighborhood in the outskirts of accra -- i walk past gated homes and old, worn out small homes without walls, right

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-76580383864327281022011-07-03T18:30:00.002Z2011-07-12T18:13:22.852Z

this morning Ayana and Domani were creating a melody to a Selection they are trying to memorize from the Baha'i Writings:  "If man be imbued with all good qualities but be selfish, all the other virtues will fade or pass away and eventually he will grow worse." it was a scene that was melting with sweetness and purity of heart.  they repeated the words until they were in harmony while Domani

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-17134529511044602372011-07-03T17:13:00.001Z2011-07-03T17:15:32.611Z

i am not a permaculturalist.  but i know it's the solution for the world's ecological, economic and social crises.  it's rooted in honoring and supporting Nature's systems, protecting its particular diversity within each region, channeling its forces, designing our structures and systems based on its principles, conserving vs. wasting energy and money, and creating environments in which food

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-77771967654126871812011-07-02T21:12:00.000Z2011-07-02T21:12:37.437Z

our days in cape town were the best days of our lives.  what immense joy we all shared together!  this is one of many photos capturing the silly moments -- making faces for the camera depending on what mood we asked them to portray. our kids feel like these friends are their brothers and sisters.  truly as family.  the closeness we share is divine.  it's not limited to this world.  it is bound by

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-20992477249289173972011-06-24T18:17:00.004Z2011-06-25T11:10:02.246Z

Congolese woman and child fleeing from destruction i cannot stop thinking about one of the world's worst atrocities against women: rape in war.  any form of rape is horrible, but the women who bear the greatest scars seem to be those who were the victims of war's brutality. Congolese soldier the subject is more than i can bear to dwell on, yet it is such a horrific and prevalent worldwide

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-59849001807977769322011-06-23T15:53:00.001Z2011-06-23T15:53:27.433Z

the other day i was pondering my struggle here living in ghana. i have gone around and around in my head and in my heart about outward circumstances that have been leaving me without energy. it's more than just missing loved ones and the cultures of south africa. it's more than facing the traffic and lack of infrastructure here. and it's definitely more than the typical things in life that test

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-39492580816313812272011-06-19T12:46:00.002Z2011-06-19T12:55:30.778Z

yesterday our family took a piece of paper and secretly wrote down 3 places we'd like to take a vacation someday.  i played along and wrote down:1. south africa: visit friends in delft and take the jr. youth out in a rented van on an outing 2. italy/alps i could only come up with 2 places.  this game didn't include the u.s. to see family because dash's company pays for us to travel there once a

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-52487812676791639252011-06-16T16:37:00.001Z2011-06-16T18:08:35.177Z

after six weeks of living in accra, it feels like a long list has accumulated in my mind's eye for experiencing many new sights, sounds & smells here.  for most of my adult life i have felt like i had a sense of what ghana was like -- perhaps through my friend's stories, articles, college courses...i'm not really sure.  i have seen the traditional, round & colorful baskets being sold in the u.s.,

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-20309563098132728512011-06-12T12:42:00.004Z2011-06-16T18:12:45.128Z

enjoying the water balloon toss game after Baha'i school this is sami naki.  i've written about him before but he's worth mentioning again.  he is one of the gems in our life.  i think about him everyday.  his birthday was yesterday; he turned 13.  sami is a charismatic soul, full of energy to sing, dance, draw, write & serve.  whenever he knew a celebration was coming up, he'd prepare

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-19310932553726306512011-06-10T15:09:00.001Z2011-06-10T15:40:03.120Z

yesterday the boys kicked the soccer ball over the tall wall of the compound into the adjacent cemetary. they explained to me that their 2 friends didn't want to enter the cemetary alone. so i did the natural thing and jumped up from my seat, slid on my sandals, walked down the stairs, opened the heavy gate of the compound and began walking around the side of the compound along a rocky, dirt path

Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01377759449480163725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-56969555050177433582011-06-08T23:42:00.000Z2011-06-08T23:42:03.757Z

today i listened to an NPR interview with a few of the millionaires who have asked the President & Congress for an increase in taxes to help offset the fiscal budget crisis.  it was the first time i've ever heard of the wealthy responding in this way to the spirit of Baha'u'llah's Teaching: That is why, in the Religion of God, it is prescribed and established that wealthy men each year give over

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-76302044654353682262011-06-07T16:51:00.000Z2011-06-07T16:51:48.645Z

  Drawing in the sand on a chilly and rainy summer day i love the eastern cape scenery of village life we enjoy leaving our footprints in the sand cleaning up after the traditional Xhosa wedding cutting greens for over 100 people to eat what joy watching the Xhosa ladies in the village chat with each other learning all about mealies visiting Steve Biko's resting place:

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-84616182686789504782011-05-25T18:37:00.005Z2011-05-26T10:43:32.562Z

i am learning about the cocoa industry.  while it entices my digestive enzymes for chocolate, the industry in general increases my desire for justice and sustainability because it is dominated by powerful companies, moneymakers and landowners who have very little regard for the farmers who do all the hard work to harvest the cacao beans.  In addition to the issues of justice for the farmers, it

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-76440680774032273372011-05-25T12:24:00.015Z2011-05-26T11:40:12.534Z

There is a website, All Chocolate, that describes everything you want to know about chocolate -- its history, production, recipes AND health benefits! I like how it explains that basically it's a plant that has nutrients, properties (like antioxidants), and chemicals that are beneficial to our bodies.  The key is to keep the cacao bean as close to its original form as possible.  If one is

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-49490517086495387152011-05-03T18:28:00.004Z2011-05-04T16:24:48.398Z

  Aside from the colorful car and roadside advertising,  the woman carrying that load is full of strength, balance and grace! While driving around with the real estate agent today, we had our first opportunity to see up close how the people, mostly ladies, carry big and heavy objects on their heads: we noticed that they wrap a cloth around into a ring and use it to anchor the goods,

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-81853273942321900382011-05-02T21:19:00.003Z2011-05-03T20:23:46.894Z

We are now living in Accra, Ghana.  It is a city that reminds me a lot of Kingston, Jamaica where i have visited several times.  The trees and plants are abundant and full of color.  The people sell all kinds of goods everywhere, even along neighborhood streets off the main roads.  Buildings all over are in various stages of being developed or upgraded.  The colors of red, gold and green are

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-34674910107410652962011-03-16T07:55:00.003Z2011-03-16T11:12:53.661Z

This song by Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of my favorite songs in the world (and i do love music from almost every culture in the world!).  It is in a category all its own.  It is in the realm of spirit, a chant, a prayer, a sacred celebration, as well as a somber melody expressing the pain of injustice that touches peoples' lives.  It touches me in a way that goes very deep. Back in 1992 i went to

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-1319189806084307572011-03-14T11:40:00.006Z2011-03-16T11:12:16.328Z

i feel so quiet but my mind is busy and full of thoughts.  my silence is helping me process and reflect all that is happening in the world.  i feel content but troubled by turmoil, calm but agitated by crimes against humanity, and full of certitude but wondering what next will test humanity's collective will  to help each other in times of crises. Photo gallery i think each of us who learns

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-32563553356498518632011-03-14T11:10:00.002Z2011-03-16T11:13:46.838Z

"'A financier with colossal wealth should not exist whilst near him is a poor man in dire necessity...Men must bestir themselves in this matter, and no longer delay in altering conditions which bring the misery of grinding poverty to a very large number of the people. The rich must give of their abundance, they must soften their hearts and cultivate a compassionate intelligence, taking thought

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-44957298091977852652011-03-04T09:51:00.002Z2011-03-15T07:46:51.879Z

The recrudescence of religious intolerance, of racial animosity, and of patriotic arrogance; the increasing evidences of selfishness, of suspicion, of fear and of fraud; the spread of terrorism, of lawlessness, of drunkenness and of crime; the unquenchable thirst for, and the feverish pursuit after, earthly vanities, riches and pleasures; the weakening of family solidarity; the laxity in parental

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-80612551377339123762011-02-22T09:13:00.001Z2011-03-13T13:13:38.051Z

the kids and i walked to school today.  the distance is about .6km, not far at all.  we're finally in a groove for the morning routine so we were prepared by 7am and had enough time to walk instead of drive.  the sun was already hot on the horizon as we set out.  soon there were little complaints about how heavy their bags were.  by the time we were halfway there we had greeted several Zulu

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-36975146276841584422011-02-16T11:31:00.001Z2011-03-14T10:42:15.097Z

Gardener behind Africa's heart pioneer By Alastair Leithead BBC correspondent in Cape Town Naki lives on a gardener's pension today The world knows the achievements of Professor Christian Barnard - the first man to carry out a heart transplant in his native South Africa. It was 1967 at the height of apartheid. But behind all the research and testing he carried out on animals that

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-4158837874309829972011-02-14T13:18:00.000Z2011-02-14T13:18:07.432Z

I just watched the movie, Australia.  What struck me immediately -- aside from the obvious sweetness of the boy's perspective -- was how bothered i was that a movie has to sell itself with a love story about white actors in order to convey the most significant story of the Aboriginal people's oppression. It is this theme of racial oppression which touches my heart much more than any other theme

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-21621827211755246502011-01-25T07:53:00.002Z2011-03-16T11:14:38.872Z

   Safe haven for immigrant children escaping from Zimbabwe to South Africa Global development guardian.co.uk

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-25922657859477124952011-01-20T08:55:00.002Z2011-01-20T09:04:19.797Z

before leaving Island Club this past December, i came to share lunch with the gardeners.  i had gotten to know most of them over the course of more than a year living there.  the one holding the cake, Xolani, i wrote about months ago in the blog.  he was the one directly responsible for watering our lawn and maintaining the shrubs.  the others passed by our kitchen window more than 10 times a day

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-70451168234296655222010-09-25T17:51:00.001Z2011-06-20T18:43:03.354Z

This was such a momentous occasion for the jr. youth group of Delft.  A few weeks ago 3 Animators came from different areas of South Africa to check out the happenings of jr. youth groups in Cape Town.  Their spirit uplifted the vision of our jr. youth and made them feel connected with the wider Baha'i community.  We sang, prayed and played soccer.  The visit was short but left a long-lasting

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-7232968187119142232010-09-25T04:37:00.004Z2010-09-25T04:41:26.449Z

 Women are being raped as casualties of war. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8677637.stm  It is one of the most horrendous crimes against a woman.  I rely on prayer to help console their souls.  The injustice of rape, the indescribable pain of rape, and the long-lasting scars of rape can never be adequately portrayed.  I keep thinking of how Baha'u'llah has given us insight into the reality of

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-30444402081803671252010-08-25T07:04:00.000Z2010-08-25T07:04:30.145Z

i am hoping others will be awe-inspired and reflect on the post from this blog: strawberryface: footnotes. my thoughts are centered on the unimaginable yet real story of what women in general, but specifically these first believers in the Bab, have endured at the hands of oppressors throughout history. i am a woman who always wondered what life in general was like for women at different periods

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-85767954182967933952010-08-10T07:13:00.001Z2010-08-10T15:05:00.054Z

I received some requests for recipes while posting about our alkaline diet on Facebook.  Our family has been enjoying a wide variety of meals that include no gluten, no sugar, and no dairy, as well as any other condiments that are considered acidic to the blood.  Here are a few recipes for those who are interested in a delicious meal that is abundant with nutrition and flavor: SWISS CHARD/TUNA

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-14821691313955737672010-08-04T07:33:00.002Z2011-01-20T09:00:51.443Z

Baha'i House of Worship Wilmette, Illinois This is a sample of my mom's etching work. Her pieces of Baha'i art are exquisite. I admire her ability to create such beauty! If anyone would like to place an order, her email address is: citizen1852@yahoo.com

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-57023281222067883402010-08-03T16:53:00.002Z2010-08-03T17:06:04.828Z

Food nourishes our bodies.  It gives us energy.  If we eat too much, our bodies cannot manage all the effort which goes into breaking down the food into nutrients and energy, so we become tired instead of energized. All whole foods from Mother Earth are nutritious.  The more we eat of them, the healthiest we can be.  Once we start processing them and overcooking them, the less we nourish our

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-79650506601465478052010-07-01T13:07:00.002Z2010-07-28T07:21:17.205Z

Nothing is more inspiring than reading the words of Abdu'l-Baha. i find myself speechless and unable to write any commentary because there is no comparison to His words. Yet i find myself constantly wanting to read His speeches and Tablets in order to have them in my heart, preferably by memory, because they are the elixir to touch the hearts of men. When i find prejudice creeping into my heart,

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-84010023884984442972010-06-11T10:56:00.001Z2011-06-20T18:56:13.041Z

i am not really feeling much like writing, but this Selection from the Baha'i Writings captured my attention while remembering our complex ties with the oil industry at this present time in civilization's development.  it feels like humanity as a whole is a prisoner of luxury and has not yet been willing to adapt to ecologically beneficial technologies which will protect us from disaster... "

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-65866777096965791762010-05-11T09:42:00.004Z2010-05-24T19:49:20.673Z

Xolani is the gardener who lives in our complex. He's a middle-aged humble soul who quietly works and emits a humility that is seen in his eyes. I have known him since October 2009. We started talking as soon as we moved in because of my interest in gardening. He have a very small yard area that doesn't belong to us but we've managed to plant seeds along the edge of the grass in front of some

Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01377759449480163725noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-48551247580860911442010-04-22T10:09:00.208Z2011-06-20T18:44:37.956Z

This is Samkele.  Everyone calls him Sami.  He is 11 years old.  He is one of the first children i met in Delft.  On my very first visit, he came to the home of Pamela Tobi -- who was the woman who first invited the Baha'is to come and begin children's classes -- and was very happy to show me some of his Xhosa dancing with his friend Yolanda.  Two years later he has shown us he's the best boy 

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-78710741357862681402010-04-20T13:19:00.002Z2010-04-20T13:20:35.209Z

This is Zetu. She is 7 years old and lives in Delft where we have a Baha'i School. She is smiling widely to show me her new 2 front teeth that seemed to take more than a year to come in. She is the first 'gem' that i have decided to begin sharing on this blog. It entered my heart the other day that Gems Of Oneness must feature individuals whose hearts have touched mine.  Children are easily the

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-12931772296619510412010-04-18T10:00:00.001Z2010-04-18T10:01:29.841Z

Air Travel Crisis Deepens as Europe Fears Wider Impact - NYTimes.comwhat i find so fascinating about this crisis is seeing the depth of our interconnectedness in the spirit of the earth being as one country. it is enabling us to realize how trade, business, economy & agriculture are dependent on a complex system of international transport, and that as a humanity, we must confront every crisis

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-82231270569828300042010-04-14T19:08:00.001Z2010-04-15T07:25:59.201Z

Luckybeans: The Baha'i Yeari am finding such inspiration from reading this blog! it's completely full of beauty and charm...

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-59276203187109110892010-04-14T18:52:00.001Z2010-04-15T07:24:50.030Z

Paper Sphere Ornaments and more creative crafts projects, templates, tips, clip-art, patterns, and ideas on marthastewart.com

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-72353031996835626882010-04-07T08:08:00.009Z2010-04-15T12:04:35.088Z

it's been quite a while since i have shared any gems of oneness from my life. instead, writing has ebbed and flowed mostly to individual friends and family, or as drops of thoughts on facebook's NewsFeed. after recently watching the movie, "Julie&Julia" (julie julia movie - Google Search), i felt inspired to integrate GemsofOneness back into my life as an expression of creative spirit out into

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-36814145314634352672010-02-07T05:05:00.000Z2010-02-07T05:05:06.920Z

Trinity doctor goes to Haiti to help earthquake victims - St. Petersburg TimesMy sister just sent me this article. it's great to read something real from an individual who has arisen to serve his fellow man. it's hard to find an article on the internet now that is covering the daily reality of life in Haiti. the US news has moved on to other non-significant headlines for the most part. i know

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-24900118236275271162010-02-02T12:54:00.000Z2010-02-02T12:54:43.897Z

AFP: S.Africa remembers Mandela's release 20 years on

Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01377759449480163725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-72698201054862061922009-11-20T09:33:00.003Z2011-06-20T18:54:03.963Z

i am pausing and reflecting on who i am in relation to God's purpose for my soul in this life. this Selection from Baha'u'llah's holy book focuses directly on what my soul needs to embody before i can receive this answer: But, O my brother, when a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading to the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse and

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-87006972267804477482009-08-05T05:34:00.002Z2010-04-15T08:20:47.563Z

http://urbansprout.co.za/the_unhealthy_truth_how_our_food_is_making_us_sickthis is such a good article, as are so many on www.urbansprout.co.za for ecological news!!

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-81715208727494246452009-07-16T18:19:00.003Z2011-06-20T18:46:41.214Z

i love the Xhosa people i meet here and admire how they are radiant in spite of the past and the lack of true support from those in cape town who aren’t Xhosa. every person i have met is surprised about me learning the language or going to the townships. it seems so natural to me yet i know most white people cling to what makes them comfortable without adjusting their way of life if they don’t

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-48850640182844369972009-07-12T10:35:00.004Z2009-07-12T11:43:50.711Z

O army of God! The Exalted One, the Báb, gave up His life. The Blessed Perfection gave up a hundred lives at every breath. He bore calamities. He suffered anguish. He was imprisoned. He was chained. He was made homeless and was banished to distant lands. Finally, then, He lived out His days in the Most Great Prison. Likewise, a great multitude of the lovers of God who followed this path have

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-15339267075941701932009-06-18T05:12:00.004Z2011-06-20T18:49:18.605Z

The wish of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, that which attracts His good pleasure and, indeed, His binding command, is that Baha'is, in all matters, even in small daily transactions and dealings with others, should act in accordance with the divine Teachings. He has commanded us not to be content with lowliness, humility and meekness, but rather to become manifestations of selflessness and utter nothingness. Of

Pamelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01377759449480163725noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-72102083461270622722009-05-13T20:22:00.001Z2011-06-20T18:52:12.866Z

Nthombekhaya, one of the mothers of the students in children's classes, had suggested she wash our car a few weeks ago. It's something we rarely get around to doing, and it was a mess. She must have wanted to wash it for months! When she proposed the idea, she explained that she does a very good job washing cars, and that all she wanted was a 2 litre bottle of Sprite. A 2 litre bottle of Sprite

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-13437001004497568162009-05-05T08:48:00.004Z2011-06-20T19:32:28.487Z

i will try to describe a picture of a typical Saturday morning in Delft, the township of Xhosa and colored populations where we hold children's classes, devotions and now 2 study circles on a weekly basis... we come off the highway and enter the main road which is always full of people walking, riding bicycles, standing and waiting for 'taxis' (vans that smoosh people in tightly), playing and

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-15873469470840353702009-03-26T05:17:00.004Z2009-03-26T05:40:18.416Z

Dyami Mandela Douglas. Our middle child and eldest son. He touches everyone's lives in a unique way of being adorable, inquisitive, and pure-hearted. His heart is tender and his mind is brilliant. He's a brilliant star.This morning, before 6am, he came and sat quietly very close to me while i was praying. He waited until there was silence and then asked if he could offer his prayers. He chose the

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-52923001553034557112009-03-13T06:17:00.000Z2009-03-13T06:19:36.316Z

Just found a cool site about Nelson Mandela: mandela.iol.co.za

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-43597255043913221802009-03-10T18:40:00.003Z2009-03-11T05:48:11.764Z

This is a special moment in the history of the Baha'i Faith because a tv actor/comedian spoke with Oprah about the Faith while millions of her fans listened. I feel happy to share this with friends, so I'm posting it here as well, just to capture the moment. :-)http://www.oprah.com/article/spirit/inspiration/pkgoprahssoulserieswebcast/20090309_oradio_oss_rwilson

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9080787584917222254.post-36047814238912951052009-03-08T05:38:00.009Z2009-03-10T13:56:59.385Z

Each Saturday morning, in a neighborhood of south Delft, South Africa, 3 children's classes and one jr. youth class are now being held in the home of a family who is supporting the early stages of a Baha'i School. This year's classes began on February 6th with a lot of excitement in the neighborhood after a long holiday without the classes. It's been 5 weeks of trying to coordinate teachers and

We Are Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11526777646584651451noreply@blogger.com0