TOP's Tuesday ~ YOU Encourage Me!

An aspect of writing Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey I didn't anticipate was the hope, encouragement, inspiration, and love I would receive from all of you. My goal and prayer while writing and working through the publishing process was to make a difference and share hope with others. I want people to know it is possible to survive tragedy or whatever stressor you might be facing. Thanks to one of my students, I learned what I needed, and it is Jesus. He is someone we all need, whether we know it, or want to accept it. I believed the last thing I needed was God because I blamed Him for taking my sister. I was wrong, He didn't take Heidi - men did.

Last night as the YNN reporter interviewed me, I was humbled by some of his questions. There were insightful, thoughtful, and hopeful. He didn't seek to trigger raw emotions or anger, but to highlight the hope and healing of my journey today.

Yesterday's blog shared a couple teen encouragers I know. There are so many of you out there and I appreciate you all and wish I could highlight each one but I don't think this is humanly possible.

So today's blog is dedicated to each of you:
*For those who read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey or When the Waves Subside: There is Hope and were inspired, healed, helped, or encouraged. Your reviews, responses, messages, notes, and emails do the same for me.
*For those who bought Encourage Others: One Day at a Time to organize the special people and days in your life - may you continue to add to this book
*For those who prayed, are praying, and yet to pray for Heidi and our family
*For those who prayed, are praying, and yet to pray for me, my writing, and speaking
*For the media that remember my beautiful sister 19+ years later
*For law enforcement who still meet on Heidi's case once a month
*For those calling in, messaging, and sharing "tidbits" and "information" you remember from 19 years ago - you never know when your passing thought might break the case
*For my parents, husband, daughter, and family - I couldn't do this without you
*For my friends and coworkers who also help make life so much easier & enjoyable
*For God - without Him, nothing is possible ~ with Him ALL is possible!

Thank you all for remembering Heidi, our Tower of Power. I'd like to share a message one reader sent me this week. I have her permission to share this with all of you.

If you've read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, will you post a review on Amazon.com for me? My goal is 38 reviews by September 14th, 2013 - Heidi's 38th birthday. I think we can do it. More than a thousand copies sold, so thirty-eight reviews should be a piece of cake. Thank you in advance.

“Lisa I just got done reading your book...even though I did not know Heidi personally we knew a lot of the same people. I drove by D & W that morning on my way to work at Scriba mini mart but it was like 4 am. I often think of her and your family. I know there are many families out there going through the same but it makes it more real close to home.

I loved your book. I thought when I began reading it I would feel sad and it would be a hard read. but even though parts were I felt an inspiration at the end of the book. I do consider myself a Christian person but I have been lost and through your passages in the book I feel closer to god than I have in years. thank you. I don’t know why but something spoke to me.

I cannot ever imagine what you and your family goes through every day but you will never know what this book has done for me. I cannot thank you enough for writing it.” ~ Stephanie C.

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I'm thankful for local media - last night YNN sent a camera and reporter to the New Haven Farmer's Market to interview me and get shots of my sister, Heidi M Allen's, updated age progression drawing done by Diana Trepkov.

Diana is a forensic artist who learned of Heidi's case through Laurie Travis, sister to Rose Gayhart, who has been missing over twenty-eight years. Laurie read Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey this spring and was so moved, she shared with Diana. God orchestrated our meeting, the result - this beautiful likeness of Heidi.

It is in the process of being added to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, NamUs, CodeUs, DOE Network, and other organizations that help to identify the thousands of unidentified bodies across the country.

To read the YNN article, click on the age progression photo. The interview ran last night and was on again this morning - they taped for twenty minutes, so you only get to see a few seconds but you never know when they'll use this footage in the future.

Thank you again YNN, Diana, and Laurie for helping to share Heidi and hope with others.

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3 p.m. - 6 p.m. TODAY - BOOK SIGNING
"A Touch of Grace" Christian Store
West 1st Street, Oswego, New York

See you there! If you can't make it - I am at the New Haven Town Farmer's Market on Mondays between 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. too!