Beauty

I just found out that the daughter of my former mission president and his wife died three days ago. It was a complete shock because at the time of her death, she was a beautiful, healthy, and vivacious nineteen-year old attending Brigham Young University. She accompanied her parents when they were in charge of the Taiwan Taipei mission from 2006-2009 (I served under them from 2007 to 2009), and while I didn't really know her, I remember her dynamic and fun personality. When news broke about her death, a long string of former missionaries and her friends expressed their shock and grief on Facebook. Many former missionaries are also planning on attending her funeral, a testament of the positive impact she had on them. She had so much energy and enthusiasm for life, and I can't help but grieve with her parents at their sudden loss.

I don't understand why God took her back at such a young age. Perhaps she had already accomplished all that she was sent to do on this earth, and indeed, her obituary enumerates an impressive list of accomplishments. But sometimes, it only makes the situation more devastating. All we can do is hang on and trust.

In honor of little Mary, I want to share one of her quotes (taken from her obituary). It is astonishing that such mature and beautiful words came from a nineteen year old:

"I think beauty comes when we find Christ, because it is only through him that you truly become perfect and godlike. 

Beauty is the Light of Christ in your eyes and letting that shine through your actions and service. Beauty is discovering that you are a special daughter of God with a unique and divine purpose. God is our maker, he made you, and God never makes mistakes."

May we remember these words of wisdom as we go about our daily lives through times of joy and triumphs, but more imperative, through times of sorrow and loss, and when all we can do is hang on and trust.