Our dear Enna-Marie is turning 18 months old soon. She had lots of milestone-achievements so far, like recently she can already open our bedroom and bathroom doors at home, able to climb and sit on the dining chair so quickly, walking stairs, running fast, repeating the words she hears from mama and papa (oops watch out!), saying the names of her friends and ours and family members, and also copying some actions she sees from us like laughing aloud! Recently daddy gave her the first lesson in washing the dishes :)... Her vocabulary is already over a hundred words, mainly English and of course not to forget her Dutch and Tagalog. Also, she has a total of 14 teeth now, the upper and lower canine recently came out.Some of her recent interests are eating tomatoes and all kinds of fruits, playing doll, reading the books stories about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and stories about the Greatest Holy Leaf (she actuallly learned to say Shrine of the Bab from us saying and pointing to the picture of these books), pressing the elevator and electric fan buttons, looking at the moon and stars in the sky (even during the day she looks for them and says moon and stars), putting hats on, and drinking by herself from a glass. Playing with keys, zipper and stroller/chair straps, and putting on mama's shoes still fascinate her.
Here is a very nice photo of her that we really like, that Auntie Nancy Wong took recently.
Here's a video of Rocco and Enna-Marie who were having such a great time playing together...
HAIFA, Israel, 27 May 2007 (BWNS) -- On May 29, Bahá’ís around the world will observe the 115th anniversary of the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of their faith.
Bahá’ís recognize Bahá’u’lláh as the divine educator who, as the one promised in the scriptures of all the world's religions, has come to inaugurate a new age of peace and justice for the entire human race.
Edward Granville Browne, a prominent scholar from Cambridge University, was granted an audience with Bahá’u’lláh near Acre, Palestine, in 1890, two years before Bahá’u’lláh's passing, and recounted the meeting this way:
"The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!"
Bahá’u’lláh passed away in the early morning of May 29, 1892, at the age of 75.
Bahá’í historian H.M. Balyuzi later wrote: "Many there were who came to mourn Him. They did not bear allegiance to Him, they could not see in Him the Redeemer of Mankind, yet they knew that a great Being had gone from their midst.
"They were from diverse backgrounds and sects and faiths and nations - officials and leading figures and priests, learned men and poets and men of letters, rich and poor, Druses, Sunni and Shi'ih Muslims, Christians of diverse denominations, and Jews. From other cities renowned in the history of the world, such as Damascus and Aleppo and Cairo, they sent their eulogies and poems and panegyrics and tributes.
"And Bahá’u’lláh, at the time of His ascension, was still a prisoner of the Turkish government."
Bahá’u’lláh was laid to rest in the northernmost room of a house adjacent to where He had been living outside of Acre. The shrine is the holiest place in the world for Bahá’ís - the point to which they turn in prayer and visit on pilgrimage.
- Bahá’í World News Service (http://news.bahai.org/story/549)
Here are some photos of our visit to the Mansion of Bahji this evening:
The Mansion
Papa and Enna-Marie posing at the entrance
pathway to the stairs
family photo after the visit...
Enna-Marie's cute pose...
...and another one...
and here is mama's favorite smile/pose!
group photo with the Ishikawa family
I hope am not yet late to my work
yay I made it on time...
hhmm...let me see who's calling...
now time to see some statistics...
let me start with the Philippines...
oops, it's breaktime, yummie apple!
what!!!...another report or shall I have another apple??
wow, I had a long day...where's my mommy now???
Enna-Marie so amazed with the water...
gives her smile afterwards...
...and here's a nice pose like a model!
playing sand with Ellen, Martijn's mom
enjoying the water with mommy
Opa Bert giving some water to Enna-Marie
want some of these??
Now, I got all what I need ha..ha...!
and it's dinner time...
friends enjoying the delicious food...
wiggling their fingers (they really like this song that I sing for them when I want them to sit together)
enjoying their last moment together...
...giving a hug...
...and here's a good-bye kiss! so cute and sweet! 
Amelia looking at the farewell book that some mothers put together for her
family photo, one last time!
The Mansion
Papa and Enna-Marie posing at the entrance
pathway to the stairs
family photo after the visit...
Enna-Marie's cute pose...
...and another one...
and here is mama's favorite smile/pose!
group photo with the Ishikawa family
