Community...such a blessing!

Thank you New Haven community for once again bringing hope, joy and smiles to our family. Thanks to John for initiating this wonderful afternoon of work and fellowship. Many hands make light work ~ in less than two hours the dreary and overgrown garden was transformed into the beautiful garden of hope and remembrance it was designed and meant to be. Thank you to those who brought flowers, tools, mulch, gloves, and a heart for my beloved sister. After three days with our Ride for Missing Children family ~ working with all of you was the cherry on top of one fabulous weekend! Thank you!

On our way to church this morning I stopped to snap a some "before" shots of the garden. The two little pots behind that post are black-eyed susans, one of my mom's favorites. A friend and sister-in-Christ left them on her way to church this a.m. They were actually planted along this same post so my mother's love would be always surrounding the post bearing the plaque designating this as the "Heidi Allen Community Garden." Thanks to all that brought or donated plants and flowers! Your love will blossom throughout the year and into next ~ reminding us of the amazing community we live in ~ always remembering Heidi.

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Before leaving the store I snapped a few more photographs of the finished garden, or so I thought. I drove off with tears in my eyes ~ tears of joy and sadness. Ever so happy to have spent the time with such wonderful and caring people and saddened by the reminder, Heidi is still missing.

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Four orange lilies surround the center ~ orange like the ribbons wore in hopes of finding Heidi seventeen years ago. Today, four orange lilies planted for the hope we still have for Heidi's recovery and discovery. Some pray for closure. Some pray for justice. Some pray for recovery. Most pray for all. Thank you for joining us in prayer.

Hebrews 6:11 NLT
"Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true."

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Minature roses  within the circle of orange lilies ~ small yet powerful reminders. It doesn't matter how long the days, weeks or years between visits ~ true friends are blessing! Thank you!
Psalm 130:5 NIV
"I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
   and in his word I put my hope."

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My daughter's photography improves daily...I might have to hire her as my "blog photographer", lol. :)

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And the finishing touch, some rocks from the lake to surround the lilac trees and post proudly displaying the garden's significance. The sun shining on the day's hard work...rays of hope on a newly restored and refreshed garden.

The only picture left to capture is at night with the solar lights aglow in the darkness...lighting her way home!
Romans 15:13 NLT
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

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