Happy Birthday, Joseph!

Joseph Paul Pelo is my little brother, and today is his birthday. Had he lived, he would be turning 20. Amazing how time flies. But whereas most 20-year-old latter-day saint boys would just be returning from their missions, Joseph has been on his mission for the full 20 years and isn't likely to be finishing up anytime soon. He's one of those full-time forever missionaries, serving our Lord in the way he best can on the other side of the veil. I'm so proud of him! I only wish I could get his weekly emails and hear his crazy, amazing, dangerous and life-changing experiences. I just hope he's keeping a good enough journal to be able to tell me all those stories at our joyful reunion. 

Although Joseph doesn't live with our family in the physical sense, we are constantly aware of his presence and blessing in our lives. He protects, blesses, and inspires us daily. We remember him in our prayers and speak of him to our friends. He is just as real to me as the five other living brothers that I tease and talk to daily. And I love him just as much. 

Although I don't have mortal experiences to share with my brother right now, he is a big part of the rock from whence I am hewn. He has completely changed our family. With his birth and his death, we knew what it was to be an eternal family. We knew that we wanted, more than anything, to live so that we can be worthy to live with him again. We still know that and work for that. 

After each family prayer, my family places their hands together and we say, "Celestial kingdom here we come, brothers and sisters we are one." Joseph is part of that. He's a big part of the reason we are reaching for that Celestial kingdom. 

I have had many distinct moments in my life in which I have felt the presence of my little-big brother (I'm sure he's taller than me, just like all my other brothers). They are sacred and I treasure them. But I know he's real. I know he lives still and will live with me again after this mortal experience ends. We will be together as brother and sister, because of our elder Brother. Isn't that a glorious truth to rejoice in?!

So, Happy Birthday Joseph! I miss you and love you forever and always! I hope this day is filled with the best joys of family and friends and the hope the gospel brings. We will be eating your cake and thinking about you all the day long. I'm eternally grateful that you are my brother. I'm grateful for your faith and your work for our Father. I look up to you and strive to follow your example. You are one of my heroes and I can't wait to give you a ginormous hug and tell you how much I love you face to face! I know that day will come. 

Love you, Joseph Paul.