Love from the Missionaries

[Pat Freestone]

Hello from the wandering gipsies! One week into our mission and missing all of you! Thank you all for your wonderful support and send off! Tuesday morning,(10/21) we hit the road Jack, and didn’t look back. We spent the night in Gallup New Mexico.  Drove by the old theater where my dad would drive his little brothers, when the Saturday chores were done. Wednesday, (10/22) first stop Bluewater where my Dad was born and grew up. We visited the forlorn little cemetery and the grave of my Grandfather Ernest Collins Chapman. He was only 38 when he fell from the windmill he was working on, broke his back, and died on the way to the hospital. Once again, my heart hurt as I remember my dad’s recollection which he titled, “A Very Sad Day!” We continued on the road to Grants, where my Dad went to high school! While there we took a tour down into the New Mexico Mining Museum. A fascinating look at the century of uranium mining, a job I would never wish on anyone! We spent the night in Tucumcari and in the area of Route 66 that inspired the Cars movie!  Back on the road Thursday morning (10/23) making our way in a rain storm, to Oklahoma City with stops at Route 66 Midpoint Cafe and Pie Place, so yummy, and Buc-ees in Amarillo, Texas, have you ever seen such a place? Best BBQ brisket sandwiches and we paid $2.29 for gas! Rained on and off all day as we drove across the Texas panhandle and into Oklahoma but the storm didn’t really let loose until we were safely hunkered down in our hotel in Oklahoma City! On Friday, (10/24) we had heavy rains as we carefully made our way towards Kansas City. We made good time, in spite of the storm, and we were able to make the 2:30 session in the beautiful Kansas City, Missouri Temple. Cousin Eric Freestone is a sealer there and we met up with him after our session. We had a lovely dinner with him and his darling wife Faith.  It was wonderful to catch up with them and reminisce on a lifetime of precious memories. On Saturday morning, (10/25) we had breakfast and a great visit with nephew Jon Freestone. Then back on the road and an hour later arrived at Hamilton Missouri, home of the Missouri Star Quilt Company. Chris was very patient as I explored all 15 shops that lined both sides of the street. It was amazing!!! As we crossed the state line into Iowa, the autumn colors welcomed us. There is something so charming about Iowa! As we neared West Des Moines, a flood of memories enveloped us we recalled dozens of visits to Darick and Rebecca’s as well as Jacob and Natalie‘s during their medical school years with their little families. Remarkably, our hotel was located right next to the apartment complex where both families lived and encouraged each other through those challenging years!  We drove through the beautiful Waterbury neighborhood and darling Valley Junction where Caleb and Amy’s grade school is now an apartment complex. As we headed down the hill on Grand Ave toward DMU campus, we recalled stories of cars slipping and sliding on the snowy, icy road but today the trees dressed in brilliant fall colors, were only gentle reminders that the harsh winter snow storms are unavoidably, just around the corner. Sunday morning (10/26) we attended church in Iowa City which is part of our mission so we officially as missionaries, raised our sustaining hands during their ward conference. A couple of takeaways from the Bishop’s talk, 

There is power in collective prayer

Power in personal prayer that compounds over time. 

Power in prayerful service. 

Power in petitioning  the Lord through Jesus Christ

D&C 29: 6 And, as it is written—Whatsoever ye shall ask in faith⁠, being united in prayer according to my command, ye shall receive.

Put everything in God’s hands because when He starts something He will finishes it!

Pray for God’s children by name. 

Uniting in pray will accelerate God’s miracles.  

And Stake President’s word was “casual.” He reminded us of Elder Rendlund’s Oct 09 conference talk …” Please consider the state of your changed heart. Do you detect any rejection setting in as a result of the tendency of the natural man to become casual⁠? If so, find a place where you too can kneel. Remember, more than mortal years on this earth are at stake. Do not risk forfeiting the fruits of the ultimate operation: eternal salvation and exaltation.”

Back on the road, we set the GPS for Colette and Cooper’s house in Naperville. During the four hour drive, we were able to link in to the wonderful  ward conference for the Layton Lakes 3rd Ward back home. Once again we raised our sustaining hand and felt the love and support from our Bishop, Stake President, and all the people we love so much! It seemed we had come full circle, bidding farewell to friends and family from Chandler and being welcomed by children and grandchildren in Illinois. Today, (10/27) was the first day we weren’t packing a car and driving cross country, a nice break until Thursday morning when we will head out to Nauvoo! Woohoo!

We wish you all the very best! May the Lord bless you and keep you all!

Love, Elder & Sister Freestone 

Sent from my iPhone