Dear Hermana Pasquale,
I love you. Today for the first time in years I took a few moments to read through some of your journals and letters. Each one brought the fondest memories. It filled my heart with a warmth that is so unique and special. You are more powerful than you would have ever thought. You are working harder than you are giving yourself credit for. Quite possibly most importantly though, you are inspiring me in ways I’m sure you never expected. Thank you, and what do you say we catch up?
So, I’ll put your mind at ease, because I know it’s the burning question; no, you don’t marry Jake. You’ll be okay, I promise. To be honest, I’m still not sure who that lucky man will be. There will be a lot of losers that will take up way too much of your time, and there will be a lot of amazing guys that deserve a chance that unfortunately won’t be granted that opportunity. (Your missed opportunity in the end, sorry Sister) And I can’t forget to mention that there will be times when it just simply doesn’t work out. Turns and bends in the road can be overwhelming but don’t stress too much, amongst the extremes you will meet some good, life changing people. Our Heavenly Father wants you to know that there is no need to ever compromise your expectations because He has a plan, and that plan includes someone even better than what you have imagined. Stay worthy of that blessing.
I know you are scared to go back to school. I’m going to tell you something important though--you’re gonna rock it.Turns out you aren’t dumb. It is going to make you cry, it’s going to give you anxiety, and it will push you almost too hard. Do. Not. Dismay. There will be a day where you’re sitting in an upper level class, graduation finally in sight, (while you study a major you only half saw coming) and your colleagues will gently tease you about never being able to catch up to the pace you set in your classes. That “possessed workhorse” President Carter so loving labeled you as will stay inside. You are going to be so proud of yourself.
I need to be frank with you about a few things though. Even with all the gusto in the world beaming from that spirit of yours, things will get hard. There will be times you make choices that far from match who you are. I am so sorry. You are going to find that the spirit of the mission doesn’t always stay as present as you expected. Good people, pillars in your life, will stray from the gospel. This will hurt. Pride will lure you in with cheap tricks and flashy promises. Loneliness and insecurity will accent your life. There will be dark days ahead.
In a musical that you love they sing, “Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise.” You will find that to be an absolute truth. Even with wrong choices, and moments of stupidity, that you will unavoidably face, you will always find the light. You will still be able to close your eyes and feel His hands resting on your shoulders. You will still be able to hear your Heavenly Father’s whisperings encouraging you to be bold, imploring you to apologize, beckoning you to come, and leading you to go.
Be brave, Hermana. He will draw roads on your maps. He will help you conquer mountains. He will give you the sky and the sea. The scriptures will always be your life vest. The temple will always be your escape. There will be people desperately in need of your love, and there will be people that offer you that love when you will so need it. Prepare to be a leader and stay humble enough to follow---both positions lie ahead. You will never be alone. You will never lose your testimony. And you will always work to be better, because it matters to you.
Thank you for showing me how to do hard things.Thank you for showing me who I can be. I am forever indebted to the service you rendered. I love you. I promise to make you proud.
Most sincerely (con mucho amor),
Brittney Nicole Pasquale
