From My Heart to Yours

The other day my six year old son, Weston, came to me and said, "Mom, you left for China on a Wednesday and you came home from China on a Sunday." He paused and then continued, "That Wednesday when you left wasn't a good day for me at school."

As I think back to that Wednesday when we left (September 26th) I have a vivid picture in my mind of Travis (age 8) and Weston's faces as we said, "goodbye." They didn't cry. We were all trying to be strong -- knowing that we were saying "goodbye" for a very long time. How long? None of us knew. But I remember the look of sadness--almost fear on their faces. It was enough to break your heart.

I'm glad Weston reminded me of this. Remembering this moment speaks to my soul of the great faith exercised even by my little boys, Travis and Weston. For them to say, "goodbye" to both of their parents for a lengthy, indefinite period of time required more faith and courage of a 6 and 8 year old than I can even imagine.

And here again, this is where the Lord stepped in and took over. This is when His spirit settled over our home. He not only settled over our home, but He took Lon and me in His arms and carried us. I'd felt the impression to "trust" Him and so I did...going forward to a new chapter in my life that would impact everything that lies before me.

So many of you have contributed to my story. As I've thought about it, my story is not a story of illness or a story of medical procedures and treatment. My story is not even a story of traveling to China. No, instead my story is rather simple. It is a story of love...the love and devotion of my husband, the love of my family, the love of my friends, the love of my Savior, and the love of my Heavenly Father.

So many of you have fasted, prayed, and attended the temple in my behalf. So many of you have brought food for my family and watched over them. So many of you have sent loving, kind, and inspiring e-mails. There have been times when a word or a phrase from one of your e-mails has given me the strength I needed and has gotten me through a tough time. Your e-mails have lifted me with everything from sharing a slice of life to sharing memories of the past to sharing testimonies of the Lord's love for us to sharing spiritual experiences that strengthen my soul.

I feel such a debt of gratitude to each one of you that mere words are simply inadequate. If only I could communicate with my heart! If only our hearts could speak one to another, only then could I come close to expressing the joy and gratitude I feel for so many who have served our family and helped everything to go so smoothly. I feel as the Nephites, in 3rd Nephi 17:15-18 of the Book of Mormon, who were attempting to describe the prayer the Savior uttered when he was ministering to them. As such, my feelings of gratitude transcend the written word. Surely the Lord is the good shepherd watching over our family and each one of you has been an instrument in His hands to serve and love our family.

I hesitate to name names, but there are some who were daily on the front-lines and I am so grateful for their tremendous efforts. Shayna (Wardrop) Whiting and Estee Blatter were a great team and held everything together while we were away. Mark and Holly Brown, with their weekend duty, were a huge part of helping my little boys to feel happy and loved. Reserves who also served on the front-lines were Celeste Wardrop, Suzi Naylor, Tami Wardrop, Kari Wardrop, and Lon's parents, Glenn and Pauline Wardrop. Shannon Engle sent packages and love from afar. And my parents, David and MelRae Brown, called me everyday from New Zealand (!) while I was in the "box." And of course, many thanks to my brother, Mark Brown, who made this blog possible. We never imagined how far reaching this blog would become. The night before we left for China, Mark e-mailed me with the beginnings of the blog. I was so overwhelmed to think that he would do this for us. By word of mouth, news of the blog spread and we have heard from so many dear friends, some of whom we haven't heard from in years. Hearing from all of you by e-mail has blessed our lives in great abundance!

I know this e-mail is getting long but I feel there is more I want to share with you. I feel like this experience has been a time of the Spirit tutoring my soul. If you don't mind, I'd like to share with you some of the things that I've learned from this experience.

1. I have learned and felt of the MATCHLESS love that our Savior has for each one of us. I have also learned how very deeply I love Him and need for Him to guide my life every day.

2. I have learned about faith and how, at times, we need to let our feet meet the fear by stepping out into the unknown always remembering that our God will not fail us or forsake us. We must NOT doubt!

3. I have learned about personal revelation and how the Lord will give us a little here and a little there to guide us. By our faith and by casting our minds upon these little packets of pure inspiration we can move forward knowing that He is guiding us.

4. I have learned about hope; knowing that as I go forward in diligence that I am ever following the brightest of examples -- my Savior.

5. I have learned about the atonement and how through it ALL things may be made whole.

6. I have learned to pray from the depths of my soul - truly communicating with my Father who loves me!

7. I have learned patience to wait upon the Lord as truly our time table may not be His time table.

8. I have learned of the power of priesthood blessings and how the words spoken through them are truly the words our Father would have us receive.

9. I have learned what true charity is -- the pure love of Christ -- as I have felt it in action by the love, deeds, kindness, and service of family and friends who have been watching over and blessing our family.

10. I have learned how deeply I love Lon and how eternally grateful I am to him for his love and devotion to me and our family.

11. I have learned of the power that is in the scriptures and have a deep love and gratitude for prophets through the ages.

12. I have learned that trials are gifts which give us the opportunity to come to know God.

and finally,

13. I have learned that when the Lord speaks peace to the soul that there can be no greater comfort.

I want to close by expressing gratitude to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to have this time of trials and joys -- it is truly a sacred experience. And to all who read this I proclaim that God lives! Jesus is the Christ! We are of a divine heritage and we are loved! I also want to bear testimony that I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is alive and thriving on this earth. This Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored by the prophet, Joseph Smith, and is led today by a living prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley. Of these things I know and bear witness.

I love you all so much and look forward to the day when I can see you again!

Love,

Sheryl

January 2008 Update

Dear Friends and Family:

What a wonderful experience being home with the family. That therapy alone is a miracle in itself. Hugging the children and reading to them is probably the best medicine that Sheryl could be taking.

Let me give all of you a look into the future for Sheryl for whom we all love and have been fasting, praying and serving. It will take all of our faith and prayers to have this miracle complete.

1st her normal skin color will start to come back. It will take a year.

2nd We will start seeing more blood veins. We have found 2!!

3rd Her skin will start to loosen up- again that will take a year to happen.

Right now she seems to have more energy- usually only 1 nap a day. Her white blood cell count has gone from 1.5 to 2.5. Normal range again is 4.5 to 11. The white blood cell count represents the immune system. Your immune system is what fights off colds, flu, and all forms of disease. That is why we have asked to have no visitors yet. When she gets up to the 4+ range we would love to have visitors if you are healthy. It will take some time for her body to heal from the disease that has plagued her for the last 19 months. It will be awhile before she can go out in public.

Dallin and Brandon, 16 and 14 bring her the sacrament each week. It is neat to have her own boys using their priesthood to serve their mother.

We have taken Travis and Weston out of school for the month of January. Elementary school classrooms seem to attract a lot of germs so I am taking them to ski school instead and Sheryl is doing math and reading with them daily. They both seem to enjoy ski school!

We are paying special attention to our eating habits. We have been extremely good in 2007 with exception to a few times in China eating at McDonalds and KFC. We know that eating right and exercising consistently is a must for full recovery and the best success.

Dr. Tom Dickinson has been incredible – not just as a friend but as the doctor who is overseeing Sheryl's care. We are blessed to have such a caring capable Doctor who is just down the street.

Thank you all for your prayers, fasting, service and love. I will do a blog once a month because so many of you have been asking. If any of you have any specific questions let me know and I will try to address them on my monthly blog.

I will continue to be Sheryl loving nurse. I have never enjoyed a job so much as being the "mom" of the family and being Sheryl's "go to man."

We love and appreciate all of you with all of our hearts.

Love your friend and brother, Lon

P.S. Our son, Jason, had an endoscopy and is on the slow recovery from the Dengue fever. He has been baptizing every month and also started a branch.

Christmas at Home

Yes, we are home- yes, even Sheryl is home in her own bed!!!! I had made two promises to Sheryl in April. #1 I would have her at a treatment center having the stem cell transplation in process before Thanksgiving. ( Not thinking much about it again nor even talking about it, the transplantation was done on Thanksgiving day. This was the day that the head Doctor in China picked - not knowing anything about Thanksgiving day in the USA. ) #2 I would have her home for Christmas. Yes, she still has her blood clots- yes, we went against the China Doctor's wishes- yes, I had to sign a paper saying that I take full responsibility for taking Sheryl out of the hospital at least 1 month before they wanted me to. But I had a very strong impression to get her home. I am confident we celebrated Joseph Smith's B-Day (12-23) longer than most people would ever celebrate someone's B-Day.

Well, after signing my life away I was then told that there was no way we would be getting out of Chengdu because the city had been fogged-in for the previous 4 days. They had shut most of the roads down which would not permit us to even leave the hospital. The airport was obviously shut down during this time! Well, I told the Doctors that I was the luckiest person on the planet and that the airport would be open and we would be able to leave for home. Truth be told (of which the Chinese had no understanding of) I knew that the Lord's will was to get us home without delay. Being home for Christmas was just a bonus- not the real reason! We left the hospital in faith and the clouds lifted and we made it to Shanghai. The Doctor's told us they expected to see us back later that morning. (Assuming that we wouldn't get out because of the fog.) In fact, 2 of the doctors took us to the airport because they knew of Sheryl's critical condition with the blood clots and of her having a very low immune system- not to mention her red blood cell count had dropped. But they were sure that the fog would prevail and we would be returning to the hospital. Well the rest is history and it went better then expected.

I was so excited to land in the USA-my only thoughts were probably simular to Lehi when he reached the promised land. I told Sheryl that now that we were in the USA we would have no more language issues. Unfortunately I was wrong! We hailed a cab to take us to Landmark Aviation (Where my good brother, Nathan Ricks, was waiting to fly us home to Provo in his private jet.) We soon found that our taxi driver was from Korea and spoke very little English! At that point I wondered if we were really in the good ole USA! Less than 2 hours later Nathan had delivered us to Provo and I had checked Sheryl in at Utah Valley Hospital (Kari my sister met us at the airport). At the hospital, another great friend, Tom Dickinson, had arranged for a whole battery of tests to be run on Sheryl with his able Doctor staff.

Yes, I broke the rules in China by sneaking out of the hospital as much as I could - well, I broke the rules in Provo too. On Christmas day I snuck Sheryl out of Utah Valley Hosptial and brought her home for a few hours. I got in a little trouble but Tom still likes me. I felt like a Doc- so I took the liberty of using my skills and bringing her home to the children.

No, not Santa nor even the children knew we were coming home. My parents were at my house and my mom started to cry and my dad did a tripple take and then would not stop hugging me and kissing me. Weston was the funniest- I snuck up behind him, picked him up and roared. He looked at me in a very calm voice and said, "Hi Dad". That was it- I have been gone for 3 months and all I get out of my youngest is that. Travis was mad because he thought I left his mom in China- he was so concerned about his mother being left alone- Then I broke the news and asked him if he wanted to go see his mom in the hospital.

Well, there's a lot to say but Sheryl is home with her family. We would love to see all of you and hug all of you but we are asking for just prayers and all of the great things you have been doing. Sheryl still does not have the energy to talk with anyone yet and we are asking no visitors - and that is no exceptions please. We are still in the woods. If you would like to communicate with Sheryl please do so by email to law1977@gmail.com We love all of you so much and appreciate all that has been done.

I will keep you posted each week.

Merry Christmas and have a great 2008

Lon

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

Update from China

Hello!

I know it's been awhile, but this is the first chance I've had since I've been in the "box" to send an e-mail.

The stem cell transplant took place on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving!) I was in awe as I watched the nearly colorless, almost wispy looking stem cells drip down through my IV. It is incredible to think of the healing that these seemingly insignificant drops can do in my body.

A flock of doctors had gathered at my window to watch the procedure – some taking photos and one taking a video. I had my I-pod playing Donny's, "This is the Moment!" It was a festive atmosphere! Jimmy and Jau Fang had brought a huge birthday cake to share. (They must have done a lot of searching to find such a cake here in Chengdu!) Lon had brought more flowers to put on my windowsill outside the "box." The docs and nurses sang "Happy Birthday." All in all the process took about 45 minutes. Now we wait for the stem cells to do their magic!

I've been told to expect another 30 days in the "box" after stem cell transplantation. Yet, they've also told me that everything depends on my body. If I can recovery rapidly I can get out of here sooner. Oh, I am praying for things to be quick! The Lord has blessed us with so many miracles already, but I keep asking for just one more!!

I have felt the tender mercies of the Lord and He is teaching me so many things. For instance, this miracle in my life took place on Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving means nothing here – it is just another day. I did not choose this day – it was determined by my docs. The Lord, in His goodness, chose to let this be a day of special significance to me in more ways than one! Also, one of the greatest lessons I have felt is that of charity – the pure love of Christ. This lesson has been taught to me by all of you who have loved and served our family so unselfishly. How can I express my gratitude to you who have done so much? I will forever be grateful for your Christ-like love and service.

I also want to express my love and gratitude for Lon and his love and devotion. He lifts me up and blesses my life. He tells me I'm beautiful even though I've seen myself in the mirror! He has been a great strength to me through all of this.

Well, I love you all!
Sheryl

2 Days Left

Nov 20, 2007

9th day of Chemo- 1 to go

Well- Sheryl started losing her hair 2 days ago. Also, her face looks like she just had her wisdom teeth pulled - but talking to her you would never know she even has a problem. She has written so much in her journal that I have to keep replacing her pens. She has truly created a sacred environment in her 7 X 8 room. Her room with the 1 glass wall is extremely quiet other than when the sweet nurses come and check in on the 2 IV's or wanting to learn some English.

Sheryl spends all day long and even into the night in her scriptures- journal- and praying. I so desperately want to hold her and go for walks with her- but I have to be patience because she will be in the box for another 30 days and then in the hospital for observation for another 30 days.

Her red blood count yesterday was 3.0 goal is 3.0 to 1.5
White blood is 1.5 goal is 0.5

So Wednesday back home, November 22, (Thanksgiving day here) she will be reborn physically. I challenge any and all to make that a day of rebirth spiritually and celebrate God's mercy and love to all of us.

We feel so blessed at the wonderful season- a season of Thanksgiving!!! For we are all truly blessed in the trials that we are faced with.

Well I need to go find some Chinese food for Sheryl for lunch. The only food she seems to eat or want is Chinese!!!! Ha Ha (No other options)


We love you all,

The Chengdu connection: Lon & Sheryl

Out To Dinner

My wonderful friends and family: Friday night Nov 16, 2007

Sheryl is 6 days now in the box by herself - that is 6 days of Chemo with 4 more days to go.

Well it is Friday night and Sheryl and I were discussing whether to go to California Pizza Kitchen, Cheese Cake Factory, or to Happy Sumo's? We considered many other places too, but decided to dine in. I have a lovely dinning room table. 24 x 18 That is 24" by 18"- we have had as many as 5 eating around it. 2 chairs in the room but quite a bit of bed space- so anyone else wanting to join us, we have the room!!! We however had the best surprise ever yesterday. When I was young men's president 21 years ago there was this wonderful YM I had in Priest quorum- Whitney Clayton. Well it must of been a good experience because he flew over yesterday from Shanghai (where he is living with his beautiful wife Jane and their 2 1/2 children.) Jane had made the best soups ever. Homemade soups with some homemade wheat bread and cookies. Whitney had brought a package FedX from our children with pictures!!! Yea- and posters that Travis and Weston made for their mom. They are not just posters - but life size clones of themselves that now hang at the foot of Sheryl's bed. SO every night now Weston and Travis tuck Sheryl in and guard her bed from any bad guys. Pictures of the family now hang on another wall that are life savers. I stole some of Sheryl's pictures because I needed my children around me too. The Doctors and nurses love looking at these pictures. They just keep saying "Beautiful"!!! Over Sheryl's head are pictures of the Savior- about 20. Thank you Greg Olson. The nurses paid me the highest complement ever- they told Sheryl that I looked like Jesus. (We are suppose take upon us His countenance.) So maybe I have!

Ok, for all you homemakers out there- does the "Laundry" mean anything to you? It has a whole new meaning for me now. Londry.
Lon dry- yes I have mastered my name. I walk into my little shower with my clothes on, get them wet and use the soup 1st on my clothes, 2nd on Sheryl's PJs, and lastly on my body. I then wrap the clothes up into my towel and take them to my room where I then hang them up on the 3 IV hooks that hang over the beds in my room. Thus the "dry" part!!! Yea for IV hooks- I was doing it once a week but it was tooooooo long of a project and I would always get soaked- these are safety tips for you campers or those that go back in time to the 1800's. So no worries anymore- I just walk in and get it done. Now I am always caught up. Feel free to use any of my ideas if you think they might be helpful. (At least my water is warm- Sheryl has a little pan to bathe - and it is freezing.)

Dallin must be learning something in seminary because when I told him mom's room was 8 X 8- he said that is just like Noah's Ark. (He's got to be studying the OT this year.) I told Dallin- no - I am on Noah's ark- mom is like one of the animals that is locked up in one of the cages on Noah's ark. I think he doesn't totally get it. Will someone take a tape measure out for my children to help them understand that Noah's Ark was a little bigger than that!!!!! Then Dallin says, "Dad, what do you do all day?" I told him PRAY a lot- study the scriptures, read church books, and write in my journal." He then says, "Sounds like seminary to me." Bishop- you might want to work with that boy, or anyone else that feels you can get thru to him!!!!

Sheryl's Doc is so pleased with her health and progress. Thanksgiving day will be her new birthday and we will probably be eating Chinese- I feel like we are in a foreign country. It will be the Thanksgiving never to be forgotten. It will be the day I will feel more gratitude to my Savior than I have felt before. We feel so blessed once again to watch these miracles happen daily.

Jason asked me tell him all about the 2nd coming- I love when my children ask me questions. I know there's hope for Dallin.

Well Brandon goes in for his foot surgery tomorrow- thanks Aunt Suzi for helping. Thank you all again for all of your love and support. We are true and strong. The Lord has truly blessed us thru this trial.

Your brother in the Gospel.

Lon A. Wardrop

In the Box

Dear friends and family:

I have let Sheryl do most of the updating--frankly because she is a lot better at it--but we are not comparing. What a brave and valiant young lady this daughter -mother- sister- wife and friend she is. I have been in tears more this past couple of weeks than I have in my entire life. It is rare that I am so often on the surface with my emotions but the love I have felt (we have felt) melts our very heart strings. I am not crying over Sheryl when she has a tube the size of my little finger go into her leg 4". No anesthetic- nothing but courage and faith from Sheryl and all of our beloved friends and family. To see her going through chemo does not bring me to tears. To watch her head being shaved does not bring me to tears. The emails melt my heart--thank you all, for it is our lifeline to the world.

My whole married life I have told Sheryl that she is so beautiful that she would even being bald. (No joke she is!!!) But she is so vain that she had to prove it to me. I told her that I could be on a deserted island with just her and I would be completely happy and the luckiest guy out there. So- here we are in Chengdu (our deserted island) and once again I have never been happier. I am so grateful for this time in our lives to climb Mount Sinai. Sheryl will be in to box about 40 days. 10 days of chemo and another 30 days of recovery. November 22, 2007 will be Sheryl’s new birthday. That will be the day they will put the stem cells back into her body. The doctor came into my room last night at about midnight so excited. They had gathered more than 100% of the stem cells they were looking for. He said that our God must be looking after us because the process of collecting the stem cells sometimes takes 2 days but there best was 5 hours. Sheryl was done in 2 hours. He knew a miracle had taken place twice in one day. SO he woke me up like a little child would on Christmas morning.

Our lives will never be the same. Here our son Jason is very ill on his mission- in bed for at least 2 more weeks (down to 140lbs) at 6'1" tall. Brandon is going in for another surgery this next week on his foot. Weston with the flu- but unlike Job our friends and family are with us. Sheryl's and my 40 days in the wilderness (they don't let me leave my room either) has begun. Many of you, I know, also have trials. These are the times when all you can do is turn to a Father who never abandons you- a Brother that will never leave you unless you don't want Him around - They will lift you - direct you- and comfort you. I have felt His presences- Sheryl has had an Apostolic blessing from Elder Nelson- who keeps asking about her- President Hinckley prayed for her in the Temple and Sheryl has had many sacred experiences, that only one that is truly pure in heart can have. How can a disease that is so crippling and so life threatening be the greatest blessing of all to have the wonderful spiritual experiences that we are having here. I would not wish this on anyone- yet it is ours and ours alone to work through. It is a tuff way to get to know God- but one well worth the travel.

We could never be able to do it without all of your support. When you have done it unto one of the least of these - you have done it unto me. We will never be able to repay all of your love and service. Thank you from the depths of our soul for whatever you have done on behalf of our family.

God lives and knows His children. Whatever difficulty we may face if we turn to Him- He will lift us up as He has our family. I feel so blessed for all of my trials- our family’s trials and it is God who I put my faith and trust.

Thank you all so much for your prayers- your service and your wonderful examples of LOVE.

Shi Shi (Chinese for thank you)

All my love that I have, your faithful friend, brother, Uncle, Son, Father, Lon

P.S. I am teaching English to all the Doctors 30 minutes each morning. Today I taught them two words. Hurting and pain- so there are about 15 Docs in there and I went around the room having them experience those words. They now understand those words really well. I told them when Sheryl is hurting or in pain they can help her more quickly.

Things in Motion

November 10, 2007

After not leaving my hospital room for 12 days my head nurse came and told me that she would be taking Lon and me to lunch. We went to my favorite restaurant here - the one with the hot pots- kind of like fondue. It was kind of my "last supper" as all of the big stuff will begin happening on Sunday. Everything up until now has just been preparation. I also knew that they would be shaving my head later in the day. Of course, I figured they'd use clippers on me, but when the barber showed up it became evident that that wasn't his plan. He got a big bowl of warm water and soaped up my hair. Then, to my alarm, he began at the crown of my head working from the back to the front using a straight edge razor! In my mind I kept repeating the words, "Be strong and of a good courage...be strong and of a good courage." I think if I hadn't been thinking those words that I would've been freaking out. So, yes, I am now completely bald. When I looked in the mirror it was quite a shock. But I'm okay. Lon has been very sweet and supportive. In a show of support, he also shaved his head and his beard which he had been growing for the past 2 weeks. (I don't mean to be rude when I say that he doesn't look much different!) My sweet head nurse who knew that this would be an emotional thing for me had her husband stop by the hospital and bring me a huge bouquet of flowers!

So, like I said, Sunday is the big day when everything gets underway. The docs from Beijing will be here and the separation of the stem cells will take place. Chemo will start on Monday. I will go into "the box" (isolation) on Sunday. My most critical time will be starting Sunday and then for the next few weeks. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers - am I greedy to ask for more? Please know that your prayers and faith and fasting are getting me through this. I feel strength beyond my own and I know where it is coming from.

On another note, we received an e-mail from our son, Elder Jason Wardrop, who is serving a mission in Goiania, Brasil. He is very sick with dengue fever and bronchitis. We are very concerned. Could you please remember him in your prayers also? Just know that the Wardrop family will be forever grateful for every prayer uttered in our behalf. We love you all so much! Your friendship and love warm our hearts. Truly we are blessed with the most wonderful friends in the world!

Love,
~Sheryl

Elder Wardrop

November 4, 2007

Just a thought... if any of you want to write to Elder Jason Wardrop through missionties he would love to hear from you!

To use it go to www.missionties.com email user name is law1977@gmail.com password is wardrop

We have really enjoyed using this service. Your letter is mailed to him from Sao Paulo, Brasil and he will get it in 2-3 days. You can also send photos attached to your letter. Please feel free to use this service. I have paid a monthly fee for it and it shouldn't go unused!

Thanks!

~Sheryl

November 3, 2007

Well, it's Saturday which means that the main doctors and head nurse are off today. Yet, the head nurse still came to visit us twice with her husband and brought me flowers. Also, one of my main doctors came to see me with a friend who is a doc in Beijing.

Every nurse and doctor who comes to our room asks to see our family. We are so grateful to Jessica (Ricks) Bybee who took our family picture last June! These pictures have sure helped to keep our spirits up. We look at them all the time! All the docs and nurses are amazed at how large our family is! Here in China each couple may have only one child. If they have more than one child they will lose their jobs and be subject to fines throughout the child's life.

Our new friend, Jessica, (whom we met through Jimmy and Jau Fang) who lives in Hainan told us, "I am very happy because I have one daughter, but you are even happier because you have six children!" She says that she wishes she had had three children. She says that now that she is in her 40's she realizes that she could've found another job and that she could've paid the fines. She is an amazing person. Her father was killed in the cultural revolution. Her mother fled the city with Jessica and her 3 siblings. They took up residence in the countryside where her mother, as an unskilled laborer, worked 2 jobs to support the family. Her mother taught the children that they should get an education. Now Jessica and her siblings all have advanced degrees. Jessica actually got her MBA at Cal State Fullerton in California. When she came to the USA she did not speak English well. She studied every night until 2 or 3 am trying to learn English at the same time she was studying her MBA coursework. She has been so good to us – she says she likes to help us because so many people helped her when she went to the States. When we first arrived in Hainan it was raining very hard because a typhoon had just passed through. Jessica wrote me a note that said, "We always think life just likes the weather.. For you, it's raining now, but we believe that sunshine will come to you again, and you'll be moving forward. Get well soon. With love and Blessings, Jessica's family."

We feel so blessed with wonderful friends here in China and back home. I looked at the temple calendar and was so touched. I couldn't hold back the tears. Thank you so much! I will be forever grateful!

~Sheryl

Update from China

I know it's been awhile since I've updated the blog. It's just that things have been so slow and delayed that there hasn't been much to say. It has been frustrating, but we figure the Lord is trying to teach us patience!

First of all I want to express my gratitude to all of you for the way you are serving and blessing our family! Lon and I couldn't be here doing this without your help and prayers. We feel so blessed! Saying "thank you" doesn't seem to express the realm of feelings we have for the way you are all blessing our family so abundantly. We are so grateful for your prayers, your fasting, your temple attendance, your visits, the meals brought in to our family, the packages sent to our family, the help with school work, etc, etc... When we talk to our kids and hear reports of all that you all are doing we are so amazed and overwhelmed. I am so touched. Thank you all for your Christ-like service.

Basically for various reasons we have returned to Chengdu for treatment. We feel good about this. The only real downside is that I won't be in warm weather for my recovery, but that's okay. We feel very confident in Dr Shang and the staff here in Chengdu.

We arrived here on Monday night October 29th. The head nurse picked us up in a military car, again, arranged for by her husband. The head nurse is awesome! She really cracks the whip in this department. Even all the doctors (except Dr Shang) do exactly what she says. She is the heart and soul of this place. As strict as she is with everyone in the department, she is completely tender with me. She doesn't speak English very well, but everyday she tells me that she loves me. She treats me like she is my loving sister. She spends a lot of time in my room and still talks to me non-stop in Chinese as if I understand and might answer her at any moment! She can read English well. She picked up my little hymn book the other day and turned to the song "Abide with Me." She sat and read outloud the words to the song. I don't know if she understood what she was reading, but it was sweet.

So, after 5 weeks of waiting, my treatment has finally officially begun. On Tuesday, October 30th they began giving me IV's that are supposed to coax the stem cells out of my bone marrow so that they can collect the stem cells from my blood. Maybe today or tomorrow they will begin to collect my blood - which is a process that will take several days - maybe a week. (because of the scleroderma it is very hard to get my blood) So, we are happy that the treatment is finally underway.

The hardest part for me is that I desperately miss my family! It's been 5 weeks already and I certainly won't be returning any time soon. It all depends on my body and how I do with the treatment. It is now pretty certain that I won't be home before Christmas. Through all of this the only thing that has kept me from getting on a plane and coming home is knowing that my children are happy and well cared for. I have all of you to thank for this. Thank you for loving our kids and for helping them. We are so grateful!

I am also so grateful for Lon. He has been so wonderful and supportive through all of this. His humor keeps me going when I feel down. As you all know, he is pretty fun to have around. When people talk to us in non-stop Chinese he'll answer in English saying something funny like, " Yeah, you're right I did forget to floss my teeth this morning." or "I know, you think I'm buff." It's pretty funny because I never know what's going to come out of his mouth. So, even when we're having a hard day, we laugh a lot.

Now, that things are moving along we will do a better job of keeping you all posted.

We love you all so much!

~Sheryl

Google Calendar for Sheryl

We have created a google calendar for Sheryl and Lon. Our hope is that someone can be praying, fasting and going to church or the temple in their behalf everyday that Sheryl is doing her Stem Cell procedure. It is our hope that Sheryl and Lon will be comforted and strengthened each day as we sacrifice and concentrate our prayers in their behalf.

We would like someone to sign up everyday starting November 1st to November 30th. Try to pick a day without a name. If all the days are full then we would love to have multiple people on some days.

To sign on to the calendar, follow these steps:

1) go to google.com
2) click on the tab that says "MORE" (at the top) then scroll down to "CALENDAR" and select it.
3) under email type in: sherylinchina and the password is: inchengdu
note: if you are already signed into your own google or gmail account, you will need to log out and then log back in with the "sherylinchina" login
4) this will bring up the calendar and you just click on the date you would like to enter your name and type your name.

Please do not delete anything on this calendar.

Thank you!! Tami

What's better than a Knight in Shining Armor?

Five of them!

Musketeers in Training!

Protecting the Fair Maiden from the vicious dragon!

Princess Harper is saved by the 5 Musketeers!

Valiant Musketeers: Packer, Travis, Westin, Holland & Cannon

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

Message from Sheryl's Mom

Angel Sheryl:

I am so impressed with you and Lon. In spite of your health problems, you still able to laugh. It certainly makes sense that bad breath would mean breathing problems. We find similar language differences here and after a while, we realize that their way of saying something is actually superior to ours.

I looked up Hainan on Google. It looks gorgeous - just like Hawaii or Tahiti. I hope the rain stops soon so you can enjoy some time outside in the pure beauty of that island. I am happy that you are in a warm place. I know your condition is worse when you are cold. It looks like a great place to rest and get better. It looks like a place we would all like to visit.

We are so happy to know how loved and appreciated you are there. It is really a miracle that all the people, doctors, nurses, etc. love you and treat you like family. The Lord is certainly blessing you. We wish we could see Lon in action with the Chinese language. I can see why the people love him so much. It is great that you can all laugh together. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful, loving husband who is always having the "best day of his life". He will never allow you to get depressed or scared. Thanks Lon, we love you so very much.

We fasted for you this weekend and many of our dear friends here in Tonga fasted with us again. We trust in the Lord and know that he wants us here at this time.

We are praying all day, every day for you. I guess the transplant will start today. Please keep in touch with us.

All our love,

~Mom and Dad

Note from the Murphys

Dear Brown & Wardrop families:

We are so proud and honored to be considered as family so we can laugh, cry, enjoy your stories, and feel of you strong and sweet spirits, as we worry and pray along with you and so many of your other friends. What a blessing to have your friends Jimmy Lu and his wife to be with you so your stay and treatments can be far less stressful while being in such a far away foreign land. It sounds like the Chinese will be humble and flock to the "Gospel" when the time is right, and their government allows it to happen. Your examples and love for them will be felt, and certainly will pave the way for many to accept and want to know why you are so special when that time comes. I hope you have thought to consider including the Barton family (especially Mike & Laurie Hurr) in your Blog, since they have so much love, respect, and contacts with the Mainland Chinese. I think your Dad an Mom are aware that Mike recently took a 2 or 3 year leave of absence as CEO from American Grain-Asia to serve as "Mission President" in Taiwan China. There contacts, as well as Jimmy Lu's may be helpfull.

With Love, The Murphys

Note from the De Vissers

Lon and Sheryl,

It sounds like you have hooked up once again with Jimmy and Jau-Fang. I am glad that they are able to be of assistance and am grateful to have played a small roll in getting you initially together. I hope Jimmy and Jau-Fang are doing well. Tell them hi from me.

We are grateful to hear from you and to know that things are going so well. We love you guys and you are always in our prayers. !

Love,

The De Vissers (Matt and Jan)

Report from Hainan

Here we are in the "Hawaii" of China - Hainan! It's much warmer than Chengdu even though it's been raining VERY hard since we arrived. They tell us that 2 different typhoons have passed nearby. The only effect we are feeling here is the rain.

I am at the Haikou city hospital (not military - has the same high rating as the military hospital in Chengdu) The nurses and doctors here are really good to me. There are 2 nurses who have been specifically assigned to me who speak pretty good English. Their names are Jo and Tina (a lot of Chinese give themselves an American name- which is the case with Tina) Jo was actually transferred from a different department specifically to help me. She told me that she knew I was coming and that she was very nervous because she had been asked to be my nurse. But she said, "Now that I know you I am not nervous anymore because you are very kind." I don't know that I'm so kind. I just smile a lot and say thank you a lot!

Jimmy and Jau-Fang hosted a dinner for us our first night in Hainan to introduce us to some of their friends who live here. As we sat at dinner I couldn't help but get a little emotional. Here are all these people who we don't even know who are willing to be at our beck and call. They are all willing to help us however they can. A couple of them have already taken Lon to get a cell phone and to get a wireless card for the computer. They are willing to drive us anywhere or help us in anyway. I am so touched by their kindness.

I have been undergoing a lot of tests at the hospital. Dr Shang and the specialist from Beijing will be here tomorrow. They are eager to get going too. They are very concerned about my situation.

Here's one funny story about the language difficulty. One of the lower level doctors was asking me questions about my symptoms. She speaks English well, but we soon discovered that not all things translate directly. I thought it was strange that the first question she asked me was, "Do you have bad breath?" I answered, "No," thinking what has that got to do with scleroderma? From there I decided to just tell her my symptoms instead of her asking strange questions that didn't apply to my situation. When I got to the part of telling her that I have a hard time breathing, she asked again, "How long have you had bad breath?" Then Lon, Jimmy and I started cracking up. How better to translate that I have a hard time breathing than to say that I have bad breath?! Now, mom - don't worry - there is a language barrier but Jimmy has been with us most of the time to translate. We will be okay.

So, Lon has learned a few Chinese phrases that he says to everyone we see. They are:
Nehow - hello
Wo I knee - I love you
Wo me tol fu - God bless you
shi she - thank you
Now, when we see someone who knows us they immediately say, "Wo me tol fu!" Everyone gets a pretty good laugh out of Lon.

Well, we love you! Thank you for your kind e-mails. We surely feel loved!
~Lon and Sheryl

Greetings from the Poret Family

Hi Sheryl and Lon,

Man, you need to be careful what you say or we will all be moving to China. I'm so glad that the people have keyed into how stupendously wonderful you are and truly are treating like a "Queen Bee!" Corrie and Steve had your kids over for dinner this weekend and their are doing well. Steve was thrilled to be feeding a group of hungry boys and has offered to give Shayna and your friend (Ellie?) cooking lessons. Is he great, or what?

The fall weather here for the past few days has been beyond beautiful, a real Indian Summer. Have you been able to find General Conference talks yet? We miss you terribly and are praying and anxious for you. I woke up this morning trying to count how many hours it will be until you get started with your treatment, but somehow got caught in thinking about the time-space continum, time-travel, etc, and by the time I got done I couldn't figure out if I was in today, yesterday, or tomorrow!!!!!

I love you. Take care.

~Judy Poret and family