My Least Favorite Aspect of Spring!

Some of you might be asking, "How can you have a least favorite thing when it comes to Spring?" Others might assume it's the clumps of mud in our front room and throughout the house thanks to mother nature's transformation in our driveway. You are both wrong. A few might know because of previous blogs written during this weekend.

Do you have an idea yet? I included three previous blogs below. Click on either of the three photographs for a direct link to read more about my least favorite things TO DO!

My only sister, Heidi M Allen, kidnapped from the D & W Convenience Store on April 3, 1994 remains missing today. There are a few things significant about this day. First, it was Easter Sunday and another, it was Daylight Savings Time. The reason many people were able to remember exact times when they learned of Heidi's abduction was because they had or hadn't set their clocks back yet.

God used something as simple as Daylight Savings Time to clear some of the fog induced by tragedy to ease the Oswego County Sheriff's and FBI's investigation. While I am able to reflect and see the benefit of this annual clock changing event, it is one thing I still struggle with today. To spring the clocks forward brings tears and buried grief for my lost sister to the surface each year.

One year I had the opportunity to share with a congregation, on Daylight Savings Time Sunday. Port City Assembly of God opened their hearts and church to me to share of Heidi and my testimony of faith. During the planning process I didn't realize I would be standing in front of others, talking about how God worked (and continues to work) in my life on one of the most difficult days of the year BUT God did. It was a blessed Sunday, to say the least and I'm grateful for the hugs, stories, and hope they shared with me.

With new technologies, it's not as difficult because most things, with the exception of the microwave, change themselves without any assistance from me. Others might just need to be turned off and back on again. Yet, each time I see a reminder to spring my clock forward, I think of Heidi and her kidnapping. Each time someone talks about the hour sleep they lose this weekend, I am taken back to 1994 when we lost Heidi.

While I still think of Heidi, remember the initial shock, and mourn our family and communities loss...something has changed. Within moments of this flashback in time, I am reminded there is hope. I have hope. Hope only found in God and my relationship with Him. Instead of wasting time, energy, or tears on things I can't change in the past...I choose to lift a prayer for Heidi, her return, our family, friends, and community.

While our family lost Heidi, one thing remains evident - we were never alone.

Thank you for always be there with us and taking time each day to lift a prayer for Heidi and her return. We hope to see you on April 3, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the New Haven Fire Barn for a social hour, fellowship, and closing with a community prayer vigil at 7:42 p.m. Bring a candle, friend, and memory! See you there!

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What is your favorite or least favorite aspect of
the days leading up to Spring's arrival?

Do you have a clock that still needs manual changing?