TOP's Tuesday: Prayer & Prep for "Hope for Heidi M Allen"

On April 3, 2014, our family, friends, and community will remember my sister, Heidi M Allen. Heidi, kidnapped from the D & W Convenience store on Easter Sunday, 1994, she remains missing still today, nearly twenty years later.

One of the most difficult days in a year for the families, is the date our loved one disappeared. Each year brings news ups and downs, challenges, and praises. The way each family member, or friend, deals with the anniversary date is different...yet neither is really right or wrong. As the calendar turned to 2014 in January, one of the first things I thought of was this year's anniversary.

Typically, twenty years is something to celebrate but to have a loved one missing for two decades is more disheartening and difficult. How does a family, or Heidi's friends, deal with the loss of such a vibrant, joyful, young, and goal-oriented young woman from their lives...on such a difficult day?

We could hide within the four walls of our homes, have a small family gathering, or go on with life "as normal" and cry ourselves to sleep...BUT...how does this encourage, inspire, or offer hope to others? God didn't intend us to bury our hurts, fears, and grief ~ He created community for a reason.

Our family would like to invite everyone to the New Haven Fire Department on April 3, 2014 for a social hour and prayer vigil...to remember Heidi and keep HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT alive and active in our community.

Twenty years ago we joined together to search for our missing Heidi...this year we'll gather to share stories, memories, and laughter in a time of fellowship. We will have a prayer vigil, bring a candle and friend. Pastor Vivian Summerville, who lead our vigils twenty years ago, along with our new pastor, will start the vigil promptly at 7:42 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., is "social hour" to reminisce. I've scanned hundreds of pictures this past weekend in hopes of putting together  a show to play during the social hours. A small thanks to the thousands who dedicated and devoted countless hours in hopes of finding Heidi. Our prayer is the same today as it was 20 years ago...to bring Heidi home.

Is there a memory from 1994 you'd like to share?