for brooke

i remember the first day i found out that brooke wilberger had been kidnapped. it hit me like a brick. i stood next to my friend ladawn at her computer in complete unbelief. i couldn't help crying. it couldn't help wonder how this could happen to such a great and faithful girl. the years went by and i never forgot that day in may. i always remembered the few pictures i have with brooke in them. one in particular stands out because we were arm in arm with other friends. i must admit i didn't know brooke very well. we lived on the same floor freshman year and she taught sunday school in our ward. she was so sweet and smart and outgoing. so even though we weren't close, she had a good influence on me. this incidence felt so personal to me. i cried and cried and asked heavenly father, "why her? why not someone like me who isn't as good? why did it have to happen to her?" it made me really wonder what i'm doing with my life, and what my purpose is. i think about that everyday.
finally after five years, they found brooke. reading the news articles was more than i could bear. http://abcnews.go.com/US/remains-brooke-wilberger-found-years-disappearance/Story?id=8632233&page=1 i cried and cried and cried again. reading the details of what happened to her brought me great sadness. but in the end, we know that she fought for her life and her virtue. she fought for everything. she fought for the things we take for granted. and yet we're still here. i know that God is a just God. i know that there is justice for brooke. i know that she is in that heavenly realm. i know that she lives and that her purpose is great. brooke was never alone. everyday of her life and since the day she disappeared, the Savior has been with her. He had to be there to bring comfort only He could provide. i am so grateful for brooke and the testimony she constantly shared and for the testimony she has that still influences us today.
i don't really know what to say. i just feel like a mess of tears. but i am happy because i know that her family has found closure and they can look to the day when they are reunited with brooke. what a beautiful peace the gospel brings.
this world has some evil people. but we can be good and we can do something about it. president hinckley always said that it's not enough to be good. we must be good for something. we have that opportunity. we have the chance to fight against evil and to stand for the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. brooke stood for this truth, even until the end.
brooke, i love you and i miss you.