spoke in church. While speaking, the husband was lamenting his son being on a mission and how hard it was, and how he now understood what Heavenly Father went through sacrificing his son. I thought to myself 3 things:

1. Imagine having a son pass away - that is hard for me (youngest son)

2. Imagine having a son choose not to serve a mission - that is hard for me (middle son).

3. Is there anywhere else you would rather have your son be?

I was actually sad when my oldest son came home, because I so much enjoyed his weekly emails, facetime calls, seeing his growth, and learning of the peoples lives he was touching through his service. It was great seeing him when he came home, seeing him regularly and now as he will be married in the LV Temple on 11/30. But I still miss having a son on a mission.