Deceased ISIS Hostage Kayla Mueller’s Letter Home Is A Lesson In Compassion And Spirit [Video]

As President Obama vows justice, a letter deceased ISIS hostage Kayla wrote to her parents, smuggled out by released hostages, reveals a woman who was enlightened beyond her years. It is a lesson in faith and compassion for others.

The terror group ISIS had been holding Mueller hostage and claimed she was killed in a Jordanian airstrike in Syria. Mueller was taken into captivity in August 2013 while leaving a hospital in Syria. According to CBS News, the email from ISIS included a photograph of her body.

The White House is providing no details on Mueller's death (word is it was confirmed via an email to the family with a photo), but promises to find the terrorists responsible and bring them to justice.  Mueller's family in Prescott, Arizona, says they're heartbroken to learn of her death. The family issued a statement saying "We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla has lost her life,” Carl and Marsha Mueller, Kayla’s parents said in a statement. "Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace."

Mueller's aunts read a statement from the family at a press conference yesterday.  They called her a free spirit who was always willing to speak up for the downtrodden.  They added that "the world wants to be more like Kayla, and if that is her legacy and the footprint that she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing."

A letter Kayla wrote to her parents is inspiring people world wide in the wake of her death. Asking for forgiveness for the pain she caused her family, Kayla's words revealed a woman who found gratitude in her own imprisonment, and who saw her ordeal as a lesson in faith.

"I have been shown in darkness, light and have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful." Kayla wrote, "I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it."

I think there's a lesson we would all do well to learn.

Here is the entire transcript of her letter home:

Everyone, If you are receiving this letter it means I am still detained but my cell mates (starting from 11/2/2014) have been released. I have asked them to contact you + send you this letter. It’s hard to know what to say. Please know that I am in a safe location, completely unharmed + healthy (put on weight in fact); I have been treated w/ the utmost respect + kindness.

 I wanted to write you all a well thought out letter (but I didn’t know if my cell mates would be leaving in the coming days or the coming months restricting my time but primarily) I could only but write the letter a paragraph at a time, just the thought of you all sends me into a fit of tears.

If you could say I have “suffered” at all throughout this whole experience it is only in knowing how much suffering I have put you all through; I will never ask you to forgive me as I do not deserve forgiveness.

I remember mom always telling me that all in all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our creator b/c literally there was no else…. + by God + by your prayers I have felt tenderly cradled in freefall.

I have been shown in darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am grateful. I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes we just have to look for it. I pray each each day that if nothing else, you have felt a certain closeness + surrender to God as well + have formed a bond of love + support amongst one another…

I miss you all as if it has been a decade of forced separation. I have had many a long hour to think, to think of all the things I will do w/ Lex, our first family camping trip, the first meeting @ the airport. I have had many hours to think how only in your absence have I finally @ 25 years old come to realize your place in my life. The gift that is each one of you + the person I could + could not be if you were not a part of my life, my family, my support.

I DO NOT want the negotiations for my release to be your duty, if there is any other option take it, even if it takes more time. This should never have become your burden. I have asked these women to support you; please seek their advice. If you have not done so already, [redacted] can contact [redacted] who may have a certain level of experience with these people.

None of us could have known it would be this long but know I am also fighting from my side in the ways I am able + I have a lot of fight left inside of me. I am not breaking down + I will not give in no matter how long it takes. I wrote a song some months ago that says, “The part of me that pains the most also gets me out of bed, w/out your hope there would be nothing left…” aka- The thought of your pain is the source of my own, simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength.

Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me, continue to pray as will I + by God’s will we will be together soon.

All my everything, Kayla