Reading Instead of Writing - oops

I am supposed to be finishing up my papers for the summer so I can graduate, but my mind is constantly venturing to thoughts of Ethiopia. I take breaks to read Arising and in the book, the author recommends A Manual for Pioneers by Ruhiyyih Rabbani as well as Quickeners of Mankind, which is a compilation by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada. My family has a decent-sized collection of Baha'i books, so when I was reading Arising this evening, I decided to check our library for these two recommendations.

Now, my parents have never discussed pioneering and other than my dad's visits to Iran and our mini-trips to Canada and Mexico, my parents have never left the country - for vacation or otherwise. So as I started looking through our books, I realized it was probably going to be a fruitless search. Much to my surprise, I found both books in our collection! The first one I found was A Manual for Pioneers. It was once the book of Toni McCants, the woman who taught my mom about the Baha'i Faith. Her name is inside the front cover with "Sept. 1975". The copyright is 1974. The inscription she left my mother is as follows:

"With lots of love to a dear friend and sister - hoping you have a happy life of service and servitude at the Threshold of Baha. -Toni; March 22, 1984. Weatherford, OK."

My mom left Oklahoma that June to marry my father. I am guessing this is one of the last gifts she received from her old friend in Oklahoma, although they kept in touch thereafter.

The second book, Quickeners of Mankind, has my dad's name on the inside cover - written in his own handwriting. I find it very fitting that my parents each had a book on pioneering, and now my beloved cousin, Nazy, has given me a book. Today while I was reading, I happened upon an inscription she left me. I don't know why I hadn't seen it before.

"July 09 For Jasmin with love & admiration. -Nazaneen"

It brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. It is quite a feeling, for one you have admired for all of your life to admire you in return. And to know that someone so wonderful supports you in your endeavors. I am so thankful to be surrounded by so many beautiful souls.

I brought all of this to my parents attention: we all three have books on pioneering! I feel like it is a sign, or just interesting how things have come full-circle. My parents have not taken advantage of an opportunity to pioneer, but they will deputize me on my journey. This whole experience is overwhelming and I am thankful I have so much support.

Now, back to writing!