translation

You can trust me on this. I solemnly guarantee you that I have never pursued/gone after this assignment, but have been trying, by all means, to avoid it. This is not only because I don’t want to part with you and my family, but also because I am fully aware that the great responsibilities are beyond my capability. In addition, the far-fetched happiness, which I set out to pursue, possibly for decades, can’t compare with the true happiness I feel during the one month I am home with you. But, fate has assigned me this mission, a mission, I hope, for me to achieve something. I will trust God who has been protecting me and blessing me, in the deep belief that I will return to your arms safe and sound in the fall. The hardship and peril brought by the journey won’t bother me; What saddens me is to know that you will be left home alone and worried. Therefore, I beg you, in all sincerity, to gather all your courage to try to live happily. Nothing can give me more comforts than hearing--and especially from your writing--that you are happy.