Mommy and Daddy, If you hadn't gotten married this day 20 years ago, I wouldn't be here. Nor would any of my other siblings. I love you more than I could say. It is nice to know someone is always there. ~Sveta~

                                                                          Islam
                                                                 By: Svetlana Dunlap

      Islam is a major world religion that began in the mid – 7th century when the prophet Muhammad had a revelation of the Quran, the Muslim holy book, through the Angel Gabriel in the city of Mecca. 
     The word ‘Islam’ means “peace” and “full submission to God.”
     One of the most important revelations of the Quran is to call the people to pray to the one and only God with no father, son, or companion. Muslims believe that Jesus did live, but that he was a prophet. The Quran includes parts of the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel but with some changes. 
Their basic statement of faith, the Shahada, is “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.” 
     The Five Pillars of Islam are the five most important things to be done in the Muslim life.
1. Having faith or belief in the oneness of God, and of the prophet Muhammad.
2. Partaking in a routine of prayer five times a day. They pray facing toward the holy City of Mecca. In Islam there are no priests. The prayers are led by a person, called an Iman, who has knowledge of the Quran. The prayers are said at dawn, noon, late-afternoon, sunset, and before bed.
3. The third pillar is having concern and caring for the poor. Muslims believe that in order to go on to the next world, you have to do good deeds, but Muslims only help other Muslims. Also, every year Muslims give a portion of their money to the Islamic Capitol in Mecca.
4. Self-Purification through fasting is the 4th pillar. Every year during the month of Ramada-n, all Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The elderly do as many days as they can, and then they make up for their missed during during the rest of the year. Children usually begin fasting around 12 years of age.
5. Making a pilgrimage to Mecca, the city where the Angel Gabriel came to Muhammad. Every year thousands of Muslims gather around the holy Mosque in Mecca. 
     Art is an important part of the Muslim culture. The abstract, decorative, and floral designs are unique to Islamic art and architecture. The Quran has art in it because it is written in Arabic Calligraphy. Their architecture is also unique in style. Domes are an essential part of the Mosque, the holy place where Muslims worship. 
     In the Muslim culture parents are highly respected. In the Quran it says “Say not to your parents a word of contempt, not repel them, but address them with terms of honor.”
     Muslim women must respect their husbands. They must do as he says and nothing else. A Muslim man can have up to four wives, and is allowed to divorce. Muslim Women have to be fully covered if they go out in public; only old women have an exception. 
     Faithful Muslims will starve unless their food is blessed in the name of Allah. (The name for ‘God’ in Islam.) Muslims do not eat pork or any food blessed in the name of Jesus Christ. 
     Muslims believe that Islam is the only true religion. They are warned against converting to Christianity, so religious dialog with Muslims will be almost impossible. 

Go to these sites for more information on Islam, but I do not suggest you become one. :)                                
(* www.islamfortoday.com,www.hilalplaza.com,www.islam101.com*)

 

     I surprised myself and only took five pictures, and deleted 2 of them. On Saturday evening we had our House-Warming Party. Finally! It is so nice to be in this wonderful house that Daddy and Ethan made with the help of all our friends and family----we couldn't have done it without you! You may not have helped physically, though many of you have, but you helped with your words of encoragement. One of our most asked questians these past 4 years was: "When are you moving into your new house?" The answer would always be: " Christmas, we just don't know which one. :) " Well, we moved in Christmas of 2009. It was expected earlier, but I'm sure it was all part of the paln God has for us. I'd been meaning to make a slideshow for you'll, and I finally did on Saturday morning, and then it wouldn't load on the internet. :( Nowhere.  Not Facebook, my blog, or youtube. :( Oh, well, maybe I'll just not be lazy, and post some. :) 
     Now on to a different subject, yesterday we had a friend over, and had some really interesting conversations. Isn't it funny how the topics swithch to completly different things? We went from talking about the Catholic church to the topic of swing dancing to Islam to how to spin your skirt just right..... You got the idea. Now the Islam one, we all wondered how it started. So today, when I opened my english book, I saw thath I had to write a report. I had already decided that I was goign to research Islam, so I decided to write one on Islam. It is a very interesting religion. When I get the report done, I will post it on here. 
     Wow, I don't think that I have ever written this much on my blog, and this really isn't much. :) I should sit down and write sometimes every once and a while, not jsut post pictures. :) Have a great day, week or whatever till I'm back in the blog world. I'll be back soon. :)
~CBETA~ (aka: Sveta)

I have created a new page about how you can help Haiti. It also has updates of Haiti. To visit it click on the "Help Haiti - Living Hope Ministries" at the top of this page.

My sister Anna stayed here for 3 months this summer. She worked with the schools teaching english, in the church, and with VBS.

Thank you for your prayer and support for LHM in Haiti.

~Sveta~

 Happy 10th Birthday,
 Irina Joy!

We were surprised with a lamb a couple mornings ago.

Here are 3 more that are kinda funny! :)

Yesterday, I went out with my sister Anna to take her Senior Pictures. I hope one of them turned out. :) I think my favorate is #4 and 7. Which are your favorate, leave a comment to let me know. You can also pop over to her blog and tell her also. :)
~Sveta~

As many of you know we moved to our new house after 4 years of waiting. It was well worth the wait. Go to Anna's Blog to read the story and see pictures.
~Sveta~

Anna and I had been looking through pictures these past few days for Anna to make a srapbook. Here are a few pictures that we found. Taken around 2005 and 2006.
~Sveta~