The "Drops" of Life

The "Drops" of Life

~December 18-2007

My Dearest Family and Friends:

Ok 1st Sheryl Stats:
Still Beautiful being "Guang Toe" (Bald)
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 120
Skin Color: Is back to normal from her knuckles to her finger tips (the rest is fairly dark)
Feet: Color is better and swelling is down quite a bit
WBC (White Blood Cells): 1.5 -- "Boo How" -- Normal should be 4-10 (Your immune system) Has gone down a lot
RBC (Red Blood Cells): 2.7 -- Has also gone backwards (For your energy levels)
Right leg: Swelling has been reduced by about 1 inch in the past 48 hours
Blog Clots: Several have dissolved but several have become fibrous
(Fibrous is serious business- they are the kind that harden and stop blood flow)

Remedy:

• I soak her leg 2 X a day- as hot as can be
• Legs are both elevated 24/7
• Blood Thinners and other IV's (Again both are in her feet above the ankle)
• Injections of some drugs ? to up her WBC and RBC
  (It will take some time to have these both go up naturally) Several Months
• Massages on her right leg, feet and her hands approx. 7 X a day
  A whole new meaning to waiting on someone hand and foot!!!
• 1 good massage everyday (Yes, I have the privilege of doing all the soaking and massaging)
• I try not to sing and dance for her - instead thank goodness for I-Pods, and for my sweet daughter Shayna for loading it up with many books and music (especially the music) Pretty much all Christmas music right now. The song "I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams" seems to really resonate this year!
• Scriptures - and lots of prayers
  

Drops:
Well as you all know my last name is "WarDROP" which means I understand about Drops better than most people. I have been referred to as little dripdrop, gumdrop, and just dripdrop. Being away from all of our family and friends especially this time of year we have become the "Teardrops!!" Sometimes the teardrops have come because of pain- as in every time they have to find a new IV location for Sheryl because the disease has hardened her skin so much that it is very painful. Teardrops for being away from our family (Children.) Teardrops because of the kindness you have all shown our family. Teardrops from the many E-mails we have received from you. Teardrops because of all the kindness that the Chinese Doctors and nurses have shown us. Teardrops because of the love Sheryl and I show to each other. Teardrops because of the tender mercies that seem like they happen everyday. Teardrops because of the many mighty miracles that we have experienced - witnessed and felt. Teardrops because of our Savior's love for us- our children. As we have prayed like never before- read the scriptures with new eyes the teardrops roll off our cheeks with gratitude - peace and happiness for all of our many blessing that we have.

I have a middle name- and now so does my last name War TEAR drop!! During this Christmas time Sheryl and I can choose to focus on ourselves and not being with our children and feel sorry for ourselves- which is the natural man. But this Christmas we have the privilege of just focusing on our Savior with no distractions that usually come with this time of the year. It is a lot easier to focus on all the many things He has done for us and continues to do for us. Let me describe our room to you - Greg Olson pictures of the Savior on one wall- our family pictures on another wall and 2 life size posters of Travis and Weston guarding Sheryl and me all night. Actually every picture of our whole family and of Sheryl and me we have given to the docs and nurses.

So, this season we will be filled with teardrops of joy for all the blessings we have. Thank you again for all that you do for us in prayer- in fasting- in temple attendance and in service. It means so very much to us.

The Chengdu TEARDROP connection:

Lon

P.S. Have you ever seen a giraffe walk thru central park in New York? If you did you would stop and stare at this most unusual site. Well here in Chengdu when I make the prison break all the people stop and stare. I am the giraffe. I stand about 1 foot or taller than 99% of all the people. I know for most of the Chinese I am the 1st American they have ever seen in real life- and they are going to take full advantage of the look!!!

My Dearest Family and Friends: December 16, 2007

Out of THE WOODS:
In Provo, the neighborhood that we live in is called the "Woods." We often say when things are going good or are getting better that we are "Out of the Woods!!" So think about this- We are out of the "WOODS" yet we are in the "WOODS" trying to get out of the "WOODS" to get back into the "WOODS!!"

You really start thinking about the words we use because the Chinese are always asking me what certain words mean. I have given every Doctor here and a few of the nurses American names. Most of their names are so hard to pronounce and everything is backwards with at least 3 names for each- I just had to name each one of them. It was fun because it was like naming children- which now, I happen to have about 15 more!!! When I named them they always asked me what the name meant: I always told them the same thing. "I don't know I just like the name." I had to change a few because they too could not pronounce our American names. All of their names mean something—Does yours mean something to you? Hopefully, we all know what our name means and whom we represent - the Chinese just don't know Him and most of them have never even heard His name. ( Think about that.)
By the way Sheryl's official name is Wang Fang. (Pronounced Wong Fong)
My name is Li Lin Chin - some of you might have heard of me- in the States they call me Jet Li!!

Ok here are Sheryl's Stats:

Attitude Hung How (Very Good)
Health Boo How (Very Bad)

Lots of blood clots -too many to count up her entire right leg and even up into her core.
Major swelling in her right leg
2 IV's 1st in her hand (16 hours a day)
2nd in her lower calf close to her foot (24 hrs a day) They are anticipating for at least the next 7 to 10 days more.

SCHOOL'S IN:
Now for all of you that have gone to Ivy League schools – Sheryl now has had more IV league experience than anyone else I know. Just think- she got her IV league training right here in Chengdu. The tricky part of being an expert in the IV League stuff is getting the job. To find a place for the IV - hands- arms or legs is difficult –- to find a vein-- therein lies the miracle. But to experience that miracle you have to go through a lot of pain- and many tries to make it work. If the IV bottle finishes and we are not on top of it- her blood clots which makes for another fun time of finding a new vein. It usually takes a few Doctors and 3 or 4 nurses giving it a good college try. How about hot rags on her skin to help the process? So you know how painful college finals are- crunch time and all- try two IV league schools at the same time. Extra homework- no time off and interruptions from the tutors every 30 minutes all night long. (They call them nurses here.) So for all of us that have gone to school or are now going through school we are having pop quizzes all day long and a major final about every other day. But graduation is coming soon – January and then some post doctoral studies in the United States. Professor Lon will be making sure she gets her Doctorate by this time next year and then onto graduation. Then getting a job watching Travis- who will then be 9 and Weston who will be 7. Dallin (16) and Brandon (14) don't count- they don't need the PhD.'s to watch them. They just need a strong college graduate with no advanced degrees watching after them. (So I think I will take care of that.)

SANTA'S NOT COMING TO CHINA:
So HO HO HO: Santa is going to have to get the job done without any assistance from these parents who I think will be having Chinese for Christmas. It's utterly disgusting eating at McDonalds. I haven't done it for 20+ years and we have now eaten there 3 times this past week. I thought we would never eat there again- yet this food is getting to us and not in the right way. Can't they just give us a salad instead of always cooking it? Oh well, the other option is not to eat anything at all which has been a choice of mine quite a bit- however, Sheryl keeps eating 3 good meals a day. (If you call what we eat good.) Did I tell you- McDonalds is 1 hour+ (one way) away from here!!! The song that is played at any public place here is "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth." (Sung by some teenager – I think it's Donny – when he was 15!) The funny thing is 99% of the people here don't speak any English at all, so why are they playing the song? We will miss all of you for the holidays but most of all our hearts are longing to be with our children. There is nothing like watching the magic Christmas morning with little boys who still know that Santa is coming to town. The only thing that is not coming to town is their parents!

WIDOW'S MITE:
I have met the most Christ-like person in China - a person that has everything that any of us would die to have. It is what is described in every General Conference on how to live- act- think and serve. A person that has the faith of a child- the work ethic of President Hinckley and the laughter of a 6 year old. She's fun, very short- (I actually think she is the 8th Dwarf -always whistling while she works.) Literally she's always singing and sometimes even dancing when she mops the floor. She's laughing when she is doing our dishes and cleaning around the hole in the bathroom. She's a person that has all, yet has nothing. Physically speaking she rents a room 8' x 8' that she lives in with her husband. I have been over to her "home" to eat a Chinese feast with 5 others. Three of us were sitting on the bed- a small table was borrowed from the upstairs neighbor and the others sat on plastic stools we would use for step stools. No kitchen- no bathroom other than the one that all the community uses. Rent is 100 Yuan a month. (Approximately $12.50 a month.) We pay her 10 Yuan a day ($1.20) to help around what we refer to as Motel 1 (using Motel 6 as a measuring device.) To Shao da Gee (her name) we just refer to her as "Knee How" which is how you would address anyone. We just say it a lot and she will have a smile that would cross the Mississippi. She is a person that has all yet does not have the Gospel. A person that spends 10 to 15 minutes studying Greg Olson pictures of the Savior that we have posted on our wall- and I mean studying the pictures!!! This is the same person that I told about in a previous update that she thinks the Savior looks like me. No one could have said anything kinder to me- I mean no one and she really did not know the significance of what that meant to me!!! Shao da Gee is all of about 4 feet 2 inches. Her husband might be an inch or two taller- maybe. Shao for short (double meaning there) has hung a picture of our family on her wall at home. She literally started dancing and singing when she got the picture from Sheryl. Our dishes, which are mostly plastic, will be "a China set" for Shao. Think of your China set that you probably have in your China cabinet at home. She does have a "CHINA CABINET" in her home. Deseret Industries would not even take it, only the sanitation dump would accept it. This Christmas season how many of us who have all the material things have the true meaning of Christmas that Shao carries with her day in and day out? Feeling true happiness- not just trying. Sometimes we think, "If only I get this done, then I'll be happy." Or, only if I make this deal happen or if I get to a certain income level or as soon as something happens, I'll be happy. Shao lives in the NOW. Everyday, and I mean everyday all day long. If only we could be that wealthy- the wealth of the widow's mite. She gives her all each and everyday- a person so full of gratitude that she is having a Thanksgiving feast everyday.

Yes, I love the people of China. I have learned so much in such a short time. I have learned that there is nothing I wouldn't do for my perfect wife. I long to go on walks with her- just the two of us. I long to go on walks with my boys holding Sheryl's hand and chasing after my little boys. God has granted us a time to deepen our love and respect for each other. I never knew it was possible because I was madly in love with her before we had this challenge. An eternity of being with the Divine- and believe me I am with someone that is a Goddess here on this earth.

I pray at this Christmas time that we all can be so grateful for what the Lord has given us or not given us. This gift that Deity has given Sheryl is her's alone. I just happen to be privileged to watch her unwrap it. The package will be completely opened by this time next year.

To all that desire to be as blessed as the Savior taught his disciples in Mark 12:41-44 of how blessed is the widow who gave her all. May we give our all to the Lord, our spouses and to those we are blessed to be around- with all our heart, might, mind and strength.

In faith, In hope, In love and In whose name I bear,

Lon A. Wardrop

P.S. If any of you are trying to save some money- here is a tip I have learned from the Chinese. Shut off all the water in your house at 8pm and turn it back on at 8AM no matter what is happening in your life. Have the hot water go on only 1 hour per day… and don't tell people in your family when that hour is. It works here!

A Setback

I just spoke with Tami Wardrop. She relayed the following information from Lon and asked that I post this news. Sheryl is experiencing a major setback. The doctors have detected several blood clots in Sheryl’s leg near one of the main arteries. Her situation is very serious. Lon has asked all of us to pray, fast, visit the temple and do all we can in Sheryl’s behalf. We are so grateful for all so many have done.

As the posting of this news has fallen to me, I would like to very publicly express my love to Sheryl and Lon and my testimony that I know the Lord is with them. I also know the Lord can and will be with all of us as we send our faith to China.

Many of you know that the most tender experience of my life came when my son was very ill and I felt faith magnified by the prayers and fasting of our family and dear friends. I know the power of united faith. Today I will pray for Sheryl and for our faith to transcend the distance and heal Sheryl.

All the love I can send,

Holly Brown

Google Calendar

Family & Friends-

We would like to continue the calendar for temple and fasting for Sheryl til she is out of the woods. This could be for a couple of months. The doctors are so pleased with how well she is doing but we all believe a big part of that is because of the temple attendance and fasting in her behalf. Please sign up for the month of December and even January. This is one act of service we can perform for her even though she is miles and miles away.

Here are the instructions for logging into the calendar:
1) Go to http://www.google.com/
2) click on " MORE" then select " CALENDAR",
3) username: sherylinchina password: inchengdu

Thank you again for signing up and doing all that you did in the month on November. It is SO APPRECIATED!!!!!!!!

The Great and Dreadful days continue!!!

Dear Family and Friends:

Did you know that it is the "law" in China that if you are 16 and older and male that you have to smoke?! Also, it is the "law" that you have to clear your throat and spit frequently whether you are male or female. Not only do you have to spit- you have to do it with a lot of noise. And here you thought the only law was that you have to have rice with each meal! Other interesting laws- when you are driving you have to cut people off. Also, you have to drive on sidewalks if there is too much traffic on the roads. Cars have the right of way and the only bikes that are allowed in China are the ones made in the 30's, 40's or 50's. Also, the bike must be able to carry more than what you can put in a full size pick-up truck!

Another law- you have to be very, very poor and very humble and have a smile on your face. There truly are a lot of wonderful people here. However, as Dorothy said in the Wizard of OZ, "there's no place like home."

I just read Sheryl's blog and she truly is doing remarkably well. She really has made her own world- even though for the past several days she has been so weak that she can hardly even sit up in bed. She has not had the strength to talk on the phone - but her spirits are still up and we feel blessed that this miracle is taking place right in front of our eyes. I can't tell you the countless tender mercies that have been ours- the many, mighty miracles that have been ours - the mighty and many spiritual experiences that have been ours - but they have come with a heavy price, one that both of us would never trade. As we have said before we could not have done this without all of your prayers - fasting- temple attendance and wonderful service. Shi Shi, Shi Shi, Shi Shi. (Thank you 3 times)

Now with that said, I want to visit with each of you on a few things that this experience has taught me in a very real and difficult way. As most of you know, I am a pretty positive and cheerful person. I like to turn lemons into lemonade- with a little extra sugar. I have always loved life- and the many things that life has to offer. I love to take control of my world and make things happen- which means I have not always been the most patient person!! My father has taught me not to procrastinate but to be action oriented- so I truly love making things happen and being around the people that I love. My family has been everything to me. Sheryl has always been my whole life with the children running deep into my thoughts and wanting to be with them and see them in all that they do. For the past 40 days, as Sheryl has either been in the box or with so many tubes and pain that I have not been able to be with her, it is hard to look thru the glass and not be able to hug her. The phone doesn't work most of the time for Sheryl- so I can hear her but she cannot hear me. Many of you have offered to fly over and see Sheryl and me - we had to say no. I truly feel that I am alone and in prison. I have never felt so all alone as I do now. Yes, I feel the peace of the Lord, yes, I have the scriptures, yes, I have prayer-but I am alone and Sheryl is all alone. The people here at the hospital speak either no English or very broken. We speak no Chinese so it is hard to have a conversation. Last night I took Sheryl a sliced apple, some yogurt and a piece of bread. Her nurse microwaved it all for a long time! Of course, it was ruined! So I tried one more time and thru charades the nurse got it right the second time!

Although I desperately miss my children it is nothing compared to the way I have missed Sheryl. Seeing her- but not being able to hold her in my arms is difficult. I would love to walk hand in hand with her and just be able to sit down and talk with her as I put my arms around her. For all of you that have lost a spouse - I understand a little of what you have gone thru. We have been spending most of our days in the scriptures and they have been a life saver. Do we really understand how valuable the scriptures are in our lives or do we take them for granted? There are many examples when the people did not have the scriptures they were led quickly down forbidden paths.

We have spent a lot of time in the Pearl of Great Price and Old Testament but they still only go back 6000 years. That seems like a lot of time but Sheryl being in the box has given me hours of time to ponder - even many days about eternity. I have always heard - read -talked about forever but it never, ever hit me like it has being all alone. I started to think about all the years this earth has been around with Father Adam and each of the patriarchs of each dispensation. I started to ponder a million years- a billion- a trillion and started to ponder what it meant with the biggest number I could imagine. To be alone for eternity is the most empty - painful- ugly thought I could ever have. No wonder Alma and the sons of Mosiah changed their ways and went to preach for the remainder of their days because they had had a glimpse of the awful hell. It was so ugly to them that they could not imagine anyone going through it.

Whatever we are when we die- it never ends. NEVER! To be alone for anyone for whatever the reason will be the ugliest hell anyone of us could ever imagine. To not be part of the highest degree of the Celestial Kingdom is the never ending hell. To say I am happy alone - well, the Lord seems to honor our thoughts. I have said to Sheryl many times since we have been married that she would look beautiful even if she were bald. The Lord remembered! I have told her that I would be as happy as can be to be alone with her on a deserted Island. The Lord remembered! (That was the 1st month here.) Be careful of your thoughts- be careful of your words- because the Lord remembers and will test us.

I plead to all my family - my friends and anyone that will hear my voice or read my words- God is a merciful God but he wants a humble people. It's not about "show" to our friends and family. It's not about "show" to the world- he wants our hearts- our minds and our souls on His altar. He wants it now!!!!!!!!! I pray for all of us that we might make the days of our probation meaningful. Please have hope- have faith- and most of all have charity which never dies.

As the doctors in the states gave us no hope- just despair, I give all of you HOPE -MIRACLES- AND THE GOODNESS AND MERCY OF A GOD THE HEARS US AND LOVES US FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

I testify that miracles do happen. You will in the near future be able to see with your eyes and touch with your hands my beautiful and wonderful eternal companion. You have watched our children be made strong- is that not a miracle that you can witness everyday? Is not that manna from the heavens? As parents who are missing our children so much we've known that our children have not missed a beat while in your care.

The people here in China, for the most part, have never even heard of Jesus Christ. Most of them have never even heard his name. 1.4 billion on the records! Most of these people have nothing. I mean nothing! Yet, I have seen so many of them who are so happy and loving. Teachable is what they are! How many of us are grateful for what we have in the gospel? I know that, as for me, too many of my waking hours have been spent in things pertaining only to this life instead of on the riches of the eternities.

For Sheryl and me - we will never be the same. Our hearts are so full of gratitude for all the kindness you have shown us and are so grateful for the Christlike service we have received from you.

I plead for you to have hope and faith and to know that we worship a God of Miracles, a God of mercy, and Endless is his name!

Forever and never ending for time and all eternity,

Your father, son, brother, uncle, and friend:

Lon A. Wardrop

Day 21 "In The Box"

Well, today is day 21 of being in the "box." Some of you have asked what it means to be in the box. I am in a room that is about 8'x8'. Lon cannot come in to see me and I cannot leave the room. Only doctors and nurses who have gone through a sterilization procedure and have put on 3 layers of protective clothing can come into my room. I am hooked up to an IV pretty much full time and so I sit or lie in bed all day! But, not to worry, I have an I-pod and a computer (on which I can get on-line about 10% of my attempts!) I have my scriptures (at first they were not going to let me bring them in – Lon told them that my scriptures were not an option!), my journal, and some books. I also have a mini DVD player. So I have created my own little world in here. On one wall is a big window where I can see Lon when he comes to visit. We can talk quite well through the window. Just beyond this window is another window to the outside world. It's nice to have some sunlight come through, although most days it is very overcast and dismal outside. Think of a big, polluted city and that's Chengdu. On another wall I have life-size posters of my two little boys (Travis and Weston) that they drew themselves. Another wall has pictures of my family and the last wall has pictures of the Savior. So, I am surrounded by goodness! My doctors seem pleased with my progress, although I still feel very weak. I'm not sure how much longer I'll be in here and am not really sure what to expect once I am out of the box. I want you all to know that I feel the power of your prayers – I really do! Although I am in isolation I have never felt alone. I have felt your love and the love of my Savior in great abundance.

Now, a shameless plug for sending Christmas cards to the missionaries in our lives! Elder Jason Wardrop would love to hear from you. His address is: Elder Jason Wardrop

Elias a neto/antiga 6

Quadra 10 lote 16 casa 3
Vila Miguel Jorge
75123-230 Anapolis – GO

BRASIL

The postage is 90 cents. There is no more pouch mail for Brasil through the church.. Or you can write him on mission ties. Go to missionties.com user name law1977@gmail.com password wardrop

I love you all!

Sheryl