Love From Elder and Sister Freestone

[Pat Freestone]

Hello and sending out good wishes on this rainy day in Nauvoo. We have discovered that the best laid plans can quickly evaporate, or in this case be washed away, as the weather takes over and all creatures, great and small, adjust and adapt. It is actually a beautiful thing to watch! Sister Thurman often reminds us, “You can’t control the wind, but you can adjust the sails!” 

And isn’t it a beautiful ride? It is absolutely incredible where we end up when we put ourselves in God’s hands and embrace His fortuitous wind. Just a turn here, a lingering pause there, has placed us at the exact spot for a happenstance meeting with friends from precious chapters of our lives. 

Shannon Giles Checkets, one of my young women in the Alta Mesa Ward, was there with her daughter on the second floor. Same beautiful smile which she has bequeathed to her daughter. 

On another day, at the brief and only moment I was on the second floor, I ran into West 11th Place, childhood friend and neighbor, Debby Jennings Stapley. We had a tender embrace and expressed our love and profound adoration for my oldest sister Marianne, who left this earth all too early! It is a sacred truth that emotions are amplified in the temple. 

On a typical day, we have eight to ten different assignments where we serve in the temple.  I could never identify which is my favorite because each has profound meaning and brings such joy that I find myself wearing a perpetual smile! 

Serving in the clothing rental is especially satisfying as it is the crossroad for out of town visitors as well as the newly arriving young missionaries. This is where I got acquainted with Andy and Coleen Shumway’s darling granddaughter, Sister Barney. This week, our Chandler South Stake friends, Brian and Camille Taylor’s adorable twins stepped up to the counter. These beautiful young ladies have newly arrived to be young performing missionaries. We have known them since they were six, so I scooped them up, one in each arm as my own!!!

I have one new and amazing place where I love serve and feel God’s love and grandeur! This week (5/12/26) I started playing the organ in the Temple Assembly Room. It is a magnificent miracle to have the righteous desire of my heart come to fruition. It is such a sacred and holy room and a once in a lifetime privilege to put my inexperienced fingers on the magnificent organ. Truly, with God, nothing is impossible!!

I hope my Mom and Dad are feeling just a little bit compensated for all the money they paid to Mr. Daniels to teach us piano lessons. I feel just a little less guilty for not practicing and taking advantage of the opportunity they provided me with. Somehow, the lessons I did internalize, have somehow awakened and the Spirit is quickening my understanding and building upon an ancient but strong foundation. This is a pattern we continue to see unfolding throughout our mission. Our trepidation as Shift Coordinators had gradually transformed into a delight as we seek the direction from the Spirit to best serve with the temple workers and patrons. Our Sunday School class of 11-18 year olds, has swelled into a group of eleven enthusiastic and incredible youth!!! It is apparent that Come Follow Me is a daily topic in their homes and they talk freely on gospel topics with a profound knowledge of their Savior and His plan. No one brings a phone so it is never a distraction however, they do bring their scriptures, righteous!!! We look forward to being with them and feel great encouragement and hope for the rising generation!!!

Now that we been missionaries for seven months and have only five to go, I have a bit of a Mt. Nemo experience as I “Remember and reflect on the greatness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and what They have done for us!” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/26renlund?lang=eng 

May the Lord bless and keep you safely in the arms of His love!💕 

Love you all so much! 

Grandma & Grandpa, Mom & Dad, Chris & Pat

*Visited the one room school house in Nauvoo 

*PreMother’s Day dinner with the Temple Missionaries at Fat Jimmy’s 

*Montrose Landing in Iowa was the Temporary settlement and first river crossing for the Latter Day Saints during their exodus west.

*Amazing tour of the Nauvoo FM facility. 

*Giant wasps nests they removed. Yuck!

*Spring flowers everywhere!

Sent from my iPhone