...darn

It's raining outside!

Does that mean I can't go running today? Man...I was really looking forward to that!

She couldn't cry out loud...

You crave
sweet dependence
caressing your shoulder

I seek
cool independence
lifting a burden off my shoulder

Don't make me write a letter!

Letter to the editor, August 15:

I do not begrudge Muslims' desire to retain their way of life and culture. However, I do not want to convert to Islam. I will fight to the death to prevent it.

This is where America is today. Either we fight to the death or we convert to Islam. It's that simple. That's what they want. That's what they fight for.

Many of us talk a good talk, but too many of us don't back it up. Freedom isn't free! Either we fight for it or we lose it.

John R. Wilkinson, Tulsa

My response sent to the editor:

Following the tradition of Jonathan Swift, the great satirical writer, I sit this day and write my dear friend Mr. Wilkinson (“Fight or Convert” Letters August 15, 2006). Dear Mr. Wilkinson, you are right: America is at war with “them.” Those Islamics who spend night and day working on plans to trick poor, innocent American men and women into fighting against this nation of perfection and absolute freedom. You are most definitely right: we must “fight to the death” to save our souls and our flawless country. So rather than just “talk a good talk,” let’s “back it up.” Since we must “fight to the death” let’s adopt an action plan.

First, we must absolutely refuse to convert to Islam. The idea of a religion that believes in only One God and prophets like Noah, Jonah, and David is too radical for any American. Indeed, if any pure American is approached by one of “them” and is asked to convert, immediately denounce their monotheistic religion and seek help from other pure Americans. Together we can make sure our freedom is preserved.

Then we should place all those who believe in this radical religion in small camps or prisons. We should detain them much like we did the Japanese after Pearl Harbor. That move greatly strengthened our nation making it a better place for freedom to thrive. Just as then, our enemy is as clear. So let us imprison all those who adhere to Islam, thereby proving our love of freedom and our promotion of the greater good.

Finally, we should give them the opportunity to repent for their evil ways. Just like we showed the Native Americans the errors of their “savage” ways and forced them to adhere to our rules of language, dress, and religion, our new enemy must simply convert to acceptable American society. Either they convert or fight our society and face such consequences as near extinction and loss of their culture. We, as righteous, conscientious Americans, must stand up to defend freedom. If you choose to live in America, you have the freedom to change and if you do not I have the freedom to fight you.

You are right Mr. Wilkinson; freedom isn’t free. Just as our forefathers fought against anything so apparently wrong (like the fight against the Native Americans’ savage ways upon our arrival to this land, the wars against abolitionists during the years of slavery, and the imprisonment of Japanese nationalists in America after Pearl Harbor), we must “fight to the death” against this clear and present danger. In fact, this is a holy war. Our American jihad must end in victory and true democracy.

So I choose to stand up next to you, fellow American, and defend America. Should I die, let it be known it was for a just, American cause and I died a martyr.

Kamlah, Tulsa

Masha'Allah....Alhamdulillah

SubhanAllah! I just had the best weekend EVER!!! This lock-in was, alhamdulillah, the BEST lock-in to date. The girls were awesome! I did not have any of the disciplinary problems we had last year and they were all fun to hang out with and super nice! :)

Also, the team of leaders was made up of an amazing group of sisters. They all knew what to do and how to do well, masha'Allah. And although I already knew all the leaders, I connected with them on a whole new level. They are amazing sisters who dedicated their time and effort for the sake of Allah. May Allah continue to bless them and reward them.

Overall, I think we really did grow as a group of sisters. I pray that our iman was sparked and the seeds of love, hope, and iman will take root and grow into something great.

I'll have to write more about the awesome-ness later! And I have tons of awesome pics to post later insha'Allah.

Alhamdulillah...alhamdulillah...alhamdulillah... (WOOOHOOOOOOOO)

For myself...

I'm tired...this lock-in really drains me no matter how many people help me out. Alhamdulillah...alhamdulillah...alhamdulillah....

I can't go to sleep easily at night (very weird for me...I love my sleep and things don't usually bother me so much)...I'm nervous about it. It is a lot of responsibility, but I love doing it. And I'll love the results insha'Allah.

Insha'Allah my intentions are in the right place.

Tawaklna ala Allah---We put our faith in Allah....

And when we do, it all turns out even better than we could have ever planned alone. It turns out even greater than we thought possible. It becomes something of Ibada (worship) and a means of constant reminder of His generosity, wisdom, and mercy.

Alhamdulillah.

Surprisingly (not really), I feel so much better! :) Alhamdulillah.

How do the children feel?

The windows were up for once. The air conditioner was blowing gusts of cool air onto my face. I sat alone in my mid-size car cruising on a decent paved highway on my way home from work. It was peaceful.

The silence of random thoughts and pampered living was crushed by the small jets zooming overhead. I had not heard their engines roar that loud before. Another passed above me. And then another ripped through the bubble that I live in.

Comfort, ease, it is all an illusion. With just one plane it could end. With just one drop, I would end.

The windows were down. The hot, humid air slapped my face as I awoke to find reality. I was teary eyed in my mid-size gas guzzling vehicle traveling a short distance on my way home. It is all an illusion.