Dear Sister

I apologize in advance (but not really) because this is going to be a long post. This is something I am so passionate about, and in truth I started this post over three years ago but have never published it because I didn't feel my words were the right ones.

However, it has been pressing on my mind ever more these past few days and weeks and I knew I couldn't delay it any longer.

Sweet girl, YOU ARE ENOUGH.

Do you hear me?

You are enough. More than enough.

It doesn't matter how much you weigh, what color your skin is, your body shape, the degree you have (or don't), whether you're introverted or extroverted, if you're single or married, if you have kids or not, or any other number of things that our society - or even some men - would make you believe you have to be. You are enough.

Let me say this one more time just for good measure. You. Are. Enough.

I don't mean to say this with a tone of apathy, because of course I hope that we are all striving to improve ourselves and become the best that we can be. I hope we won't settle for mediocrity. But sweet girl, there are far too many things in this world that will tell you that you're not pretty enough, not skinny enough, not smart enough, not successful enough. Maybe they will tell you that you're too pretty, too skinny, too smart, and too successful. I know it is hard enough to do what needs to be done without having somebody else throw their two cents at you. And although I am here to also give my two cents, I hope you come away from this knowing that YOU MATTER. I cannot stress that enough.

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I have seen too many girls and women (including myself) look at themselves in disappointment because they didn't meet somebody else's expectations. They feel down about themselves and their abilities and doubt their worth in anybody's eyes, including their own.

So sisters, let me tell you this.

You are strong and courageous. You are important, intelligent and worthy. You are inspiring, creative and compassionate. You are loving, true and able. YOU are.

You are more than any outward label people would assign to you.

I challenge you to listen to these songs and think about them not in a romantic way, but as a pep talk to yourself; thoughts on you loving yourself. 

This is so incredibly important.

I hope that you will not be afraid to chase your dreams and become the woman you want to be, because you can do it. Your worth and abilities will not change just because he doesn't want to date you, or because they chose another candidate for the job, or because Mrs. Jones down the street is a better housewife.

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You are literally a daughter of a Heavenly Father with a heritage that is divine. You sit on the precipice of greatness. Do not take that lightly. Your life might look a little bit differently than you had planned, but that's OK. Bloom where you are planted and take courage with what God will make of your life when you turn to Him and get to work. 

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He loves you wholly and completely and perfectly. Some of you know this and it is rooted deeply in your heart. However, I know that there are also some of you who have doubts in your mind. You may be unsure of yourself, your faith may be wavering, or you may be unsure if God really loves you and that His Atonement really can make you whole. You may be afraid because of the uncertainty that lies in your future. If this is the case, I hope you'll make a conscious effort to open up your heart to the Savior as you watch this last video. Think of that holy infant lying in a manger, born to be our advocate that we may someday be sanctified and justified before our Father. Born to atone that He may perfectly know how we feel, even in the dark or bitter moments spent feeling alone. Born to give us true, fulfilling peace that we will never be able to attain anywhere else. 

I love watching Mary. I promise you, God has a divine role for women. And for you.




For what it's worth, I am cheering and rooting for you every step of the way. You've got this, and you are enough. Like Brian Andreas said "let your new self splash like sunlight into every dark place...and thank all that is holy for the gift, because now you have no choice but to let all your love spill out into the world."