Love from Elder & Sister Freestone

[Pat Freestone]

Dear Ones,
Again we find ourselves either at the end of a well worn week or at the beginning of a new one. It’s a little hard to tell! Nevertheless it has been another memorable seven days! 
From the first day we rolled into Nauvoo last October, we have been fascinated with the progress of construction on the Temple Visitors Center. We were told that this slowly rising shell, had taken nearly two years thus far. From the onset, the completion date would be June 27, 2026, to coincide with the dedication date of the reconstructed Nauvoo Temple June 27, 2002, which was chosen to honor and commemorate the date of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, June 27, 1844.
We have watched cement trucks work through cold winter nights, despite early snow and ice storms and wondered how the completion date would be met. The wet and rainy week that the shingles on the roof went on only to be scraped off into the dumpster to begin the process all over again, we truly had our doubts! As the deadline approached, lights inside seemed to blaze around the clock. We were told that interior walls were painted and repainted, several times, before the desired color was finally approved. The acres of sod and thousands of spring flowers seemed to magically appear amidst rain storms and tornado warnings. All survived and even seemed to thrive. No detail was overlooked inside and out including driveways, a new parking lot, and even widening the roads around this beautiful facility. And finally this week, the long awaited day arrived for the dedication by Elder Gong. The night before, all of the missionaries were invited to attend a devotional with Elder Gong as the guest speaker along with Elder McKay and Sister Runia. Just a few takeaways from their talks:

Now is the time,
This is the place,
We are the ones.

Do I really believe that another’s persons soul is as precious as my own?

What have we been given, with the responsibility to share with all the world?
1. We have a fullness of the gospel, a sense of what the plan of salvation is, and the purpose of life in a way that nobody else has. 
2. We have an understanding of the importance of priesthood authority, power and authority to bless in God‘s name. 
3. We have a unique testimony of Jesus Christ. 

“The gospel is true, 
it’s all true, 
and it’s always true!”

The dedication was, of course, right on schedule, June 27, 2026 at 1:30 pm. We were serving in the temple but we were able to access the link and watch it when we got home. I have included the link if you would like to watch it. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/broadcasts/nauvoo-vc-dedication

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/broadcasts/nauvoo-vc-dedication

The crossroads to Nauvoo continue to place friends and loved ones on our path. We were thrilled to meet up with the Judds from Gilbert, in the temple and have their family over for dinner on Wednesday. Walking across the temple grounds we stopped and chatted with a youth group from Thatcher, AZ and our granddaughter in-law’s little sister, Katie Palmer was part in that group. What are the chances? Main Street with her historic buildings is bustling with families coming to visit and with missionaries who authenticate time travel by stepping out of the 1840s to share their experiences of living, loving, and leaving this Zion society. 
We ask ourselves everyday, How will we ever be able to leave? Even tonight, as we watched the sunset and the moon rise over the Mississippi, we desperately tried to make time stand still. Instead we capture each moment in a picture as well as adding another precious image to the photo album in our hearts. 
Everyday the saying on my fridge magnet reminds me, “Nothing can erase what Nauvoo gave us!” (Parley P Pratt)
Our hearts and our door are always open, we love to share the spirit of this beautiful city!
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Grandma & Grandpa, Mom & Dad, Chris & Pat