Dear Elder Summers,

I felt prompted to write something to put on your blog. I hope you don’t mind.

Today marks the last of the double digit days until you return. Tomorrow (May 21) will be nine days and single digits until we see you again. It’s funny, I have been counting down the days until you come home. The day you left the number was 735 and it seemed like an eternity we would be apart. The progress was slow at first. All I could think about was how much I missed you and how fervently I would pray that things were going well for you and that the pain of being apart would somehow subside for both of us.

As your mission progressed the days seemed to slowly pass. It was as though we were walking through thick mud. Each step would not feel like progress despite the countdown saying it was. I found myself every day wondering what you were doing, how you were feeling, whether there was anything I could do to help. During this time I could not help but think of my Savior and how He must feel the same way. He wants so much to help us and to be with us to make our journey lighter but knowing that we each must get through the mud using our own strength and the knowledge that He is there to guide us but the path is ours to travel.

Like any habit, the more time we have had apart the more we have learned to rely on ourselves and grow from the knowledge that the trials and struggles we have were put there for a reason so we can grow and be refined.

We have been so focused on the countdown that there have been times that we have forgotten or not appreciated all that we have learned or been given. It is only when we stop at these mile markers and pause a moment and lift our heads do we see how far we have come and all that has been accomplished.

Now with just over a week remaining I’m taking that moment to look up and reflect on this journey. Please do not take this the wrong way but for the first time since you have been gone I am not looking forward to your return. It’s not that I don’t love you or love having you around but at this exact moment my heart is breaking at the thoughts of you having to leave the people of Georgia and the service of the Lord.

I have seen and read the joy you have had on your mission and I will admit I shared more than a few tears thinking about the tender mercies you and our family have been given because of your service. I have seen the text messages from members and watched as people you have touched have been brought back to the Kingdom of God. I have seen people here at home likewise be blessed because of your mission. We have had an opportunity to talk to so many people because of that and I am saddened by the fact that it is almost over.

I will gladly be at the airport and wait with open arms for you to come through the gates to finally be reunited. I am looking forward to hearing all of the stories you have to tell and all the memories you have made. I can’t wait to see you hugging your mom who has missed you and worried about you so much. It will be a memory I will cherish for time and all eternity. I can’t wait for you to be back and part of our family together forever this time not separated by distance.

But I will also shed a tear of sorrow. For the people in Georgia who will miss you as much as we did. For your current and former companions who will miss those smiles and stories you tell and for all the daily miracles you shared together. I will cry for Grandma Summers who saw you open your Mission Call and saw the joy on your face when you were called to Georgia but was unable to be here when you returned. Tears will flow for your sister Lindsay who will not be here to hug you the way your other sisters will. I have no doubt that grandma and Lindsay have been with you on the other side of the veil watching your mission and all you have accomplished.

This phase of our lives is nearly complete and with it will be countless joys and sorrows that together help define who we are. I pray that the farewells you will be saying these next nine days will be sad and tug at your heart because of the love you feel for those around you. I pray that you will find comfort in that sorrow in the arms of your Heavenly Father so that you remember Him whenever you can and are worthy to feel His love always. I pray that you will find a way to stay in contact with those who have been a part of your life not just these past two years but have likely been friendships that were forged in the pre-existance.

I love you so much and keep a prayer for you in my heart at all times. You have been such an amazing missionary and an even more amazing son. I think perhaps what I will miss most is the opportunity we have had this past two years to take the time to write and tell each other how much we love one another. It’s something I am grateful for and something I will miss when it is over.

Love,

Dad