Special Prayer for Sheryl

Family & Friends-

We have the wonderful opportunity to unite in prayer with the Prophet, First Presidency, and Quorum of the 12 Apostles. This Thursday at 11 AM MDT (October 25th), President Hinckley will be praying specifically for Sheryl and the Wardrop family. Please join us in prayer at this time. See the email message below from Sheryl's mom for more details.

Sheryl:

This has been an amazing, spiritual week here in Tonga. Some day I hope to record most of the highlights and send it to you. But...................

The major highlight came yesterday when Elder and Sister Russell M. Nelson came to Tonga for our Stake Conference. It is the Liahona Tonga Stake and we attend there. (We live on the campus of Liahona School and walk to Church.) Elder Condie came with them as well. After the evening Saturday night Conference, there was a small dinner. We were invited to attend. We sat with the Nelsons. He remembered us from Minnesota (where he stayed with us for 3 days), and Boise, and Kirtland. His beautiful new, young wife is outstanding.

We talked to them about some special experiences he had had in China some 17 years ago. He had spent a lot of time in Minnesota telling us about those experiences. He was surprised that I remembered the stories almost word for word. He brought us up to date on Dr. Chung whom he baptized at that time. As we talked about China, we told him about you, Sheryl. After a few minutes, Elder Nelson asked, "What is your daughter's name?" We spelled it to him as he wrote it down.

He then told us he would take her name to the First Presidency/12 Apostles prayer meeting in the Salt Lake Temple on Thursday at about 11:00 am. It would go on a special prayer roll and President Hinckley would read off her name and they would all pray for her.

Sister Nelson, who was holding my hand, said, "Now we know why we came to Tonga. We came to hear about Sheryl and to put her name on President Hinckley's prayer list. This is our dessert." We were all crying at that point.

This morning (Sunday) at Stake Conference, Elder Nelson gave our stake an Apostolic Blessing. He promised us that if any of us had illness in our families, they would receive the blessing of healing. After Conference, we ate lunch with the Nelsons, and Sister Nelson said she was watching my face during the blessing. She said she could see my reaction to the blessing of healing. And she hugged me again.

I know there have been times we have wondered if we should leave our mission and go to where we can be with you or with your children. You have told us every time that you want us to stay and serve - that you need a miracle and maybe if we serve faithfully, you will be blessed with a miracle.

We have been blessed so many times to know that this is where we are supposed to be at this time and place. The Lord knows where he wants us to be. We trust in the Lord that he wants us here.

I am suggesting that the entire Brown Family join with the First Presidency and the Twelve and kneel in prayer this Thursday, October 25 at 11:00 a.m. (Salt Lake time) no matter where in the world we might be. For us in Tonga it will 6:00 a.m. on Friday morning. I have complete faith that our prayers will be heard and "God will remember Sheryl".

I can't remember if I told you that Princess Pilolavu of Tonga reminded me on Thursday that she is still praying for Sheryl.

We love you and Lon so much and know you are worthy and prepared for your miracle.

Love, Mom and Dad