For Shilo: Confidence.

Dear Shilo,

Here are a few thoughts I want to share with you as you contemplate your future:

"The Lord knows both what He will need you to do and what you will need to know. His is kind and He is all-knowing. So you can with confidence expect that He has prepared opportunities for you to learn in preparation for the service you will give. You will not recognize those opportunities perfectly... But when you put the spiritual things first in your life, you will be blessed to feel directed toward certain learning, and you will be motivated to work harder." (President Henry B. Eyring)

"Our efforts to learn must be combined with personal worthiness for us to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost... We are imperfect beings, but each of us can strive to be more worthy of the companionship of the Spirit, which will magnify our personal discernment and prepare us to better defend the truth, to withstand social pressures, and to make positive contributions.

...Our Heavenly Father expects us to use our agency and inspiration to examine ourselves and our abilities and decide the educational course we should follow.

...We know that nothing is more perplexing than not knowing what to do with your future, but nothing is more personally rewarding than discovering your own abilities. Read your patriarchal blessing, consider your natural aptitudes and talents, and go forward. Take the first step, and doors will open... With the Lord, 'all things work together for [our] good' (Romans 8:28), and the education we receive comes in incremental steps as our lives unfold before us.

... Be wise. Each of us is different. If you seek His counsel, the Lord will let you know what is best for you.

...We may have to struggle to achieve our goals, but our struggles may yield as much growth as our learning. The strengths we develop in overcoming challenges will be with us in the eternities to come. We should not envy those whose financial or intellectual resources make it easy. The stuff of growth was never made of ease, and persons who have it easy will need to experience their growth with other sacrifices or forego the advancement that is the purpose of life.

Most important, we have the obligation to continue our spiritual education by studying the scriptures and Church literature and by attending church and the temple. Feasting on the words of life will enrich us, increase our ability to teach those we love, and prepare us for eternal life.

The ultimate goal of education is to make us better parents and servants in the kingdom. In the long run it is the growth, knowledge, and wisdom we achieve that enlarges our souls and prepares us for eternity, not marks on college transcripts. The things of the Spirit are the things that are eternal, and our family relationships, sealed by the power of the priesthood, are the ultimate fruits of the Spirit."

(Elder Dallin H. Oaks)

You can read the article in it's entirety here.

You will never disappoint me as long as you are living in a manner that allows you to have the Holy Ghost as your guide and companion. Even though [in mortality] I've known you the longest, your Heavenly Father knows you better. 

Don't ever ever ever let "what people will think" influence what you know is right for you.

"While it certainly takes courage to face perils, the true badge of courage is overcoming the fear of men."
(Elder Lynn G. Robbins)

I have confidence in you!

Dad has confidence in you!

The Lord has confidence in you!

Heavenly Father has confidence in you!

And I will ALWAYS love you (think Whitney Houston here).

Love, Mom XOXOXOXOXOXO