Letter to Julia 20110728

I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the rejected one.

How are you feeling, my dearest, ravishing Julia? Are you hanging in there, my beloved? I apologize again for not writing as often as I used to. But I must talk to my love Julia, because I want to marry Julia. I must tell Julia to be patient and persevere, because Allah is with those who patiently persevere. I really don't have much other desire to travel into town from the kampung (village), other than work. Ah loooooove the kampung. I could just root here like a tree and spend eternity in the garden, and grow to be quite ancient, insyaAllah. But there seems to be more people, more traffic here in the village, and increasing, even though I only returned here less than 3 years ago. So many strangers. I get the feeling that I have much more traveling to do, in spite of my current poverty.

By the way, lentils don't work too well as chili. They break up very quickly, even at low temperatures. I suppose I have to splurge on red beans again. I did get a rather good lentil soup though, which matched quite well with the tortillas I made. The tomato sauce gave the soup a dark orange hue, but that's OK. It's a very addictive soup. I think I'll start another batch, but this time I'll make a base of chopped up shrimp heads and garlic, with some curry powder, for a super warm feeling lentil soup.

Julia, please be patient and persevering. Don't be like those who walk out their front door merely to be seen, and hinder others from the path of Allah. Some (like the hypocrites) say that our religion has misled us. But I put my trust in Allah, and so should you. Allah will never change the grace which God has bestowed on a people until they change what is in their souls. The worst of beasts are those who reject Allah: they simply will not believe. They are the type with whom you did make an agreement, but they break their word every time. If you gain mastery over them then disperse them, and if you fear treachery from them then be on equal terms with them. They are the enemy, so don't let the enemy think that they can get the better of you. Prepare your utmost against them, do whatever it takes to be most powerful against them, in all mental, spiritual, and material. Whatever you spend for the sake of Allah shall be repaid unto you, and you will not be treated unjustly. If the enemy wants peace, then make peace, and put your trust in Allah. If they intend to deceive, then know that Allah is enough for us.