Early Homecoming: A Resource for Early-returned Missionaries, Their Church Leaders, and Family

Every missionary matters to our Heavenly Father.
After becoming ill with a life-threatening parasite and being sent home after serving for only six months, Kristen Danner Reber has experienced firsthand the struggles that come with being released from a mission early. After fighting the blows to her confidence, self-esteem, and faith, Kristen looked outward for others who have gone through similar circumstances. In this compilation of scholarly research and personal accounts from early-returned missionaries, you will find
• A discussion of the different reasons why missionaries can be released early
• Advice for mission presidents and parents of early-returned missionaries
• Counsel for missionaries who find it hard to come back to church after coming home early
• An open and loving conversation about how to view an early homecoming as a positive and spiritual experience
Perfect for returned missionaries, their family, and their leaders, this book will help you navigate through the mixed emotions of an early release for any reason and press forward with faith.

Kristen Danner Reber served a mission in the Philippines from October 2010 to April 2011. Two parasites derailed her plans to serve the expected eighteen months, and she struggled for years with feelings of failure. She graduated from Brigham Young University in April 2014 with a bachelor s degree in English and minors in editing and psychology. She has since become the operations manager for LDS Publishing and Media Association (LDSPMA) where she enjoys working closely with many professionals in publishing and media fields. Kristen also enjoys doing freelance writing and editing work, and most notably has published two articles with the Ensign. When she’s not writing or editing, you’ll likely find Kristen playing her harp or engrossed in a book. Kristen married James Reber in 2013 in the Utah Manti Temple. They live in Washington state with their two children.