Last Night in Beirut

This building was the Holiday Inn in downtown Beirut. It was a five star hotel-the place to see and be seen back in the day. It was bombed right in the beginning of the Civil War . It is still standing as are many war torn buildings. The Lebanese say they like the reminder of where they have been and where they are now and their future as a country/people. There is also some dispute about what to do with it amongst its people. You see bullet holes and destruction all across the country but not near as much as when Judson and I were there in 1993. It has really been developed and a ton of money has been spent to make the country thrive again. 

I HEART Beirut sign...

The Mosque in downtown Beirut. It is standing right next to the Orthodox Church. 

The history (thousands of years) is just amazing. Our country is such a baby compared to European countries. Because of the destruction of the civil war, as new construction was being done to rebuild the city, they are finding ruins all over the country.  

The Roman Baths

Our deeeelicious (inside joke) spot for lunch today...a traditional Lebanese Meze.

To think...their father, grandfather, great grandfather, etc stood right here many years ago... pretty cool! 

Martyr's Square...this area was completely demolished when we were here in 1993...

Byblos (Jbeil) was stunning...believed to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world...WOW! 

The BEST bread ever!

CCCL... Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon...St. Jude Affiliate

One of THE highlights of our trip...the St. Jude Affiliate hospital in Beirut, Lebanon, CCCL, Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon. Even though we knew we only had a few days in Beirut, we had this stop at the top of our list. We were fortunate enough to have a private tour pre arranged by one of our FAVORITE doctor friends (you know who you are)! We were greeted by all wonderful people who made us feel like family the minute we met. 

Our family has a deep rooted love and appreciation and admiration for St Jude for many reasons. Who could NOT have a special place in their heart for St. Jude and it's mission??? The most obvious heartfelt connection is the Lebanese community. Did you know that half of the board of ALSAC is required to be of Syrian or Lebanese descent? Danny Thomas actually came to the Naifeh Coon Supper many years ago. We have a picture of Danny and Oney. Pretty cool. Also, my girls have had awesome experiences working at St. Jude. Abby was part of the "Volunteen" Program one summer and a summer intern the next. Ally has had a marketing/media internship this summer with ALSAC. St. Jude is such a VITAL part of the mid south. We are so fortunate to have them in our backyard. 

The two hospitals are very similar. We only toured the outpatient area out of respect for families and their privacy. 

We cannot thank you enough for making the time for us and making us feel special.It was an honor to be able to tour the hospital and see Danny Thomas's dream alive and well.  Karen, Nisrine, Ali, and Hana...you all were a joy! Ali - your personal story of the Armenian man struggling to find care for his child was remarkable. God bless you all and CCCL! 

THANK YOU...Shukraan! 

St. Jude, ALSAC, BBQ, & The Dabke

Danny Thomas said it best: "No child should die in the dawn of life."

Because of the weather, I clipped this picture from the internet. I just couldn't post what the skies really looked like this morning.  We woke up to a MONSOON this morning. I mean really...I don't think I have ever seen it rain so darn hard in July in Memphis. I really hated it for the city of Memphis and the Convention attendees, but it was probably an answer to my prayers. It sure made my kids not wish to be at the Lake! If the sun had been shining, we really would have felt like we were missing something! Thank you Lord! 

Judson, Jan, Christi, Robin and I had a St. Jude tour scheduled for 9:30am. Judson and I have done it before but you can never do it too many times. We hopped on our bus and rode over to the campus. St.Jude welcomed the convention attendees with OPEN ARMS. They were very accommodating and welcomed us with smiles and open arms. It was like a ghost town over there-today was the official 4th of July Holiday. It definitely made the tour a little easier not to have to see a ton of precious little children(patients) - it was hard enough as it was- to try to grasp the reality of those hospital walls. 

We started out at the Danny Thomas/ALSAC  Pavilion. It was gorgeous!

 Sort of weird...the very first stone I stepped on was this one below...gave me chills to see this...

The Chapel Doors...

A beautiful carving on the walls that came out of Danny Thomas's home. 

HERITAGE...a HUGE part of the Pavilion and a HUGE part of the Lebanese Culture

 "Show me my way in life and I will build you a shrine."

-Danny Thomas' prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus

This bust is located in the research building. We rubbed Danny's nose for good luck! You can see how much it has been rubbed over time...

"There are two kinds of people in this world: The givers and the takers. The takers sometimes eat better, but the givers always sleep better."

– Danny Thomas

One of my personal favorite areas of St. Jude...the alphabet wall. 

Here are some cool facts that you may not know about St. Jude. 

50 Things You May Not Know About St. Jude

After our tour, we met up for lunch at Blues City Cafe. The older cousins met up and went shopping and to see a few Memphis sites. This picture was obviously taken in the brief break in the rain. 

After lunch, the Federation held "Bingo" in the hospitality room. Yes, Bingo. I thought-really? Im not sure if it was because of the rain or if the crowd is always this big...but MAN this was the biggest bingo game I have ever seen! Yep, we played! 

Maybe it was the Peanut butter and banana toasted sandwiches that Anita Harris prepared for everyone? Maybe it was Elvis? 

Or maybe it was the grand prize? A pair of ...sort of... blue suede (spray painted) shoes! Yep, thats my sister in law...she beat me! I played EVERY single game and never one-she played the last couple and won the grand prize! 

 You can see Judson and Jay trying to get her disqualified for cheating and playing too many boards or for being a "white girl" (NOT Lebanese)...hahahaha!!!

 Paula and Anita did a great job with this and really made it fun for everyone! 

 How cute is this t shirt? Peace, Love & Kibba

Ally and her Jidi hung out at the bar and visited during the Bingo game. Im pretty sure they had a good time, too!

The entire gang went to dinner at the Rendezvous. We always try to take out of town guests to the Rendezvous, especially when we are going to be downtown. 

 How cute is William? He was a trooper all weekend...he kept up with all of the older kids and adults!

 After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to shower and get dressed for the "hafli" aka "party"! 

 HOW GORGEOUS ARE ALL OF THESE KIDS?????

 Uncle Judson and his beautiful God daughter, Jeanne Claire. 

 Brief photo shoot with daddy and his gorgeous girls...

 Abby's Jidi (Lebanese for grandfather) is her puppet...he poses for selfies and whatever else she tells him to do...he is the best! 

 Me and my niece and nephew.

Judson and Kathryn celebrating the fact that they agreed on something! I can't remember what it was but...they agreed for once!

Sittie and Jidi sitting at the party watching their children and grandchildren do the Dabke! Can you tell how proud they were of everyone? I am sad that I didn't get a picture of me, Jan, Tish, Robin and Christi. Oh well, I tried to snap most everyone. 

I think the kids enjoyed themselves...they came to the room at 3:25...when the third band finally quit playing! Those Lebanese people sure know how to have a good time!