Alone I had to face the difficult task of changing myself, to stop the everlasting reproaches, which were so oppressive and which reduced me to such terrible despondency.

November 8th, 1943 At night in bed I see myself alone in a dungeon, without Father and Mother. Or I'm roaming the streets, or the Annex is on fire, or they come in the middle of the night to take us away and I crawl under my bed in desperation. I see everything as if it were actually taking place. And to think it might all happen soon! (**good metaphor use later on for English)

The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then and only then can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature's beauty and simplicity. […] I firmly believe that nature can bring confort to all who suffer.

He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery.

My life here has gotten better, much better. God has not forsaken me, and He never will.

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

It really IS easier to experience spiritual connection when your life is in the process of coming apart.

The truth is that your spirits don't rise until you get way down.

I've gotten endless signs of the greatness of God's love and hilarious care, but I always end up needing a newer sign, maybe one that is cuter and more spangly.

Then it came to me: I was asking the wrong question. The right one is: Where is God in gang warfare? And the answer is, The same place God is in Darfur, and in our alcoholism, and when children are bullied: being crucified.

I do believe that God is with us even when we're at our craziest and that this goodness guides, provides, and protects.

You lose the known package of your nice organized self almost instantly here. Overeating is one way back, the way it is at funerals at home.