Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Waiting for Something. Anything.

I obviously don’t have it in me to write an upbeat or typical SUAR post. I will say that running, biking and yoga have been a tremendous and welcome distraction these past few days. It’s probably the only time when my mind rests a bit.

I go through the motions of working, tucking in the kids at night and grocery shopping, but I do it with distraction and a heavy heart. Yesterday I even drove by my own house, not realizing I’d passed it by. If you’ve ever had a crisis or a significant loss you know what I am talking about. You feel trapped underwater and plagued by continued thoughts of “How could this happen?” and “Why did this happen?”

Nothing new has been uncovered about my cousin, Sherry. The search has extended for ten miles outside of the town, but still nothing. The FBI has been called in. Sidney, Montana is very close to the border with North Dakota, so if she was abducted, it is possible she was taken over state lines.

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The only piece of evidence found so far is her running shoe. It was found in a ditch off of a road called the “truck route,” a place Sherry ran often. It is a road that thousands of trucks and vehicles use to get to the nearby oil fields. As is reported on the news, “The FBI and local law enforcement are investigating the possibility that Arnold was abducted from the small town along the North Dakota border, which has been changing rapidly in recent years due to an oil boom.”

The recent oil boom has brought a new dynamic to this small town of 5,000. The population has grown and despite a bump in the economy for Sidney, the impact has not been positive overall, as many townspeople have reported.

This is where the shoe was found (Good Morning America video HERE):

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The FBI spoke to Sherry’s parents last night and assured them: "They wouldn't give up until they had found something or found Sherry." Searchers have turned out in the thousands, checking ditches and barns and any other conceivable place she could be. This part of Eastern Montana is very rural and remote with wide open plains. Big sky country for sure.

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A few years ago when we visited Sherry and her family, this picture was taken. It gives you an idea of the amazing and vast  landscape.

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On this day, we all hiked up a one of the buttes in the Sidney area with Sherry’s family. You can not imagine a more welcoming or warm group of people. How could this happen?

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I hope Sherry is not afraid. I know she is a faithful person who would seek comfort from God at this time. I hope she somehow feels the overwhelming love and support from her family, friends, students and community. We are just waiting for her safe return. I cannot thank you enough for sharing her story and for the love you have shown to me too.

SUAR

92 comments:

  1. I know it will not give much comfort, but this information is on Facebook around South Dakota. Many of my friends and I have reposted. Hopefully positive news will turn up soon.

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  2. I have no new words, just more of the same. My thoughts and prayers are with Sherry and her family and you. I'm sooo sorry you have to go through this. xo

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  3. Sherry is in my thoughts. You as well, Beth.

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  4. OMG. I can't imagine. Sending happy thoughts and positive vibes to yoru friends and family. Best wishes.

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  5. Thought of her today as I went running with a friend and we talked about the safety aspect of having a running partner. I said a prayer for her that you would have some kind of information soon and that she would be at peace.

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  6. I've been following along with your posts and I am so sorry that this is happening... I know that blogging about it in Texas may not help, but I am sharing on my blog. Wishing your family strength and comfort.

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  7. My heart aches for you, I can't imagine what you are going through and I am on my knees praying for Sherry's courage and safe return.

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  8. I'm so sorry this happened. Thinking of you and Sherry and her family.

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  9. Sigh. I'm so sorry this is happening. Continued thoughts and prayers for all of you.

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  10. I keep thinking about you and her and her family and am sorry that all of you are going through this.

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  11. This story is still making me sick to my stomach with worry. I continue to pray for her safe return.

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  12. Again this morning, first thing I did was to turn on the lap top in hope of reading: Montana teacher found! but no. This is breaking my heart. I went running today and I thought of her and of you. My husbvand came home last night with an "early birthday gift like he said" : Pink Pepper spray. He said this story has him worried. I cannot blame him. We are all worried now. I am so sad you have to go through this. I hope she will be found and that she will be one of those stories that have a good ending. I hope that she is staying strong and brave through the situation she is in/

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  13. Beth, we are continuing to pray here in Florida. I have thought about & prayed for Sherry everyday since hearing of this. I will continue to do so. Praying also for strength for you & the rest of her family as well.

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  14. Beth, I can't tell you how sorry we are she hasn't been found. Still sending huge prayers and thoughts out for her safe return.

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  15. Saw it on ABC News this morning and I hope that the outcome is a good one. Prayers to all involved.....

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  16. Cannot stand it. Praying for her safe return.

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  17. I think of all the times I've let Vanessa run or ride by herself, and this scares the hell out of me.

    Keeping her in our thoughts! And thank you for keeping us posted.

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  18. I am continuing to send all of the good thoughts, hopes and wishes I can muster for Sherry's safe return. Life changes in an instant. HUGS to you too.

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  19. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sherry and her family also. I cannot imagine the things you must be feeling. Sherry is a beautiful daughter of God, He knows her and will send his spirit to comfort her.

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  20. My heart is so heavy for you and sherry and her family. I can't begin to understand what you are going through. I'm hoping and praying for her safe return.

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  21. I just can't imagine how anyone is feeling right now. I pray for Sherry and her family. I wish I was in Montana to help. I'm spreading her story on FB and twitter.

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  22. This is just awful Beth. The story ran on FoxNews/Fox and Friends this morning so hopefully someone will see it who can help.

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  23. I'm so sorry. My continued thoughts and prayers are both with you and Sherry's family.

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  24. Have been thinking of her and you during my runs. Sending prayers your way and hoping this has a happy ending.

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  25. Beth.
    I
    Am
    So
    Sorry.
    Been praying for sure.
    Thinking of you.
    Sorry I don't have the right words.
    Prayers from AZ.

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  26. She has to feel it, how could she not! YOU ARE HER VOICE to us Beth.. All of us still hoping, praying, begging that she comes back safe.

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  27. I will continue to pray for Sherry's safe return.

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  28. I don't really know what to say except that I will be praying until she is found.

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  29. I have tears in my eyes reading this. I can't imagine what you and the whole family must be going through right now. I run alone outside a lot in my neighborhood, but there are many wooded areas w/ no houses as well. This could literally happen to ANY one of us. I just keep praying they will find a good lead, like a trucker, or something, and be able to find her alive and well!!!! Even though I don't know her, my heart has been heavy since reading this a few days ago, and have reposted several times on my FB page. Much love sent your way<3!!!

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  30. Still praying and hoping Sherry is not afraid. She is not alone; God is with her. May God bring comfort to her family, friends and the town of Sidney.

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  31. I am so sorry to hear about this. She is in my prayers.

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  32. Hugs to you and your family. I am so sad and hoping for a positive turn soon!

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  33. Still in my thoughts and prayers, I think about you and Sherry often Beth.

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  34. Been thinking about Sherry all day.........continued prayers for her, her family and school family. <3

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  35. I'm sure that the searchers have asked about if she ran with a watch. But, if she had a gps, could they track that? I am thinking of her family and yours, and hope that she is safe.

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  36. Erin, I don't thinks he ran with a GPS and no one has talked about being able to track her that way. She also had lost her phone and did not have that with her.

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  37. You all are in my thoughts with hope that Sherry is found soon. - Angela

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  38. Beth, I have been thinking of Sherry and your family since I first heard. Today as I ran, I said a peace mantra and sent it out to her. Like so many others, I want this to end well and will continue to pray until it does.

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  39. Praying daily that they find her. Hang in there Beth!
    I have shared this on FB here in Texas.

    Sending you a Million HUGS!

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  40. Continued thoughts and prayers for her safe return and comfort for her family and friends at this time. Hugs!

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  41. just posted a small note about sherri on my blog.. It's a small thing I can do.. I have been thinking about her and you all day.

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  42. When I went to the track last night I texted Hubby my whereabouts, kept my cell phone in hand, wore my knuckle lights, and thought of Sherry.

    I can't imagine the pain of not knowing. What I am familiar with is that feeling of how strange it seems to go about your daily life when the world should by all rights be standing still. My heart is with you.

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  43. Sherry is on my mind and in my prayers. I carry my pepper spray without fail now on my early morning runs, and my stomach lurches every time I hear there's still no news. Praying, praying, and more praying.

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  44. I continue to pray for her safe return every day. I have reposted your posts via twitter and facebook.

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  45. i heard about this! praying and praying. Keep us posted.

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  46. I check the news several times a day looking for answers. Sherry, you and the rest of her family and friends will stay in my thoughts and prayers until this is resolved.

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  47. I prayed for Sherry my entire run this morning. I thought of you as well. She has so many new friends who are praying for her that she has never met. I will continue to pray for her, her family, and for you Beth.

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  48. I have also been praying that she is at peace and not afraid. I have been praying for her safe return. I have been praying for her family to be comforted. I have been asking others to pray for her, she could be any one of us. Still praying as I type.

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  49. I keep hoping for the best. I'm just so sorry for her and everyone in her life. Best wishes to you all. I keep hoping to read something saying that she has been found and is safe. Thank you for keeping us all posted.

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  50. I have been thinking about her so much and sending prayers. The story has impacted my own decisions lately (grab a partner, grab my pepper spray) and brought great awareness and conversation to my womens-only running club. I continue to pray that she is found safe.

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  51. I am with Run with Jess. This truly hits close to home for all female runners and I'm making very different decisions. I had promised my husband a year ago to never run alone outside but I've managed to "forget" that promise more then keep it. I've gone to great lengths to modify my training so I'm either on the TM or with someone. I pray she is found safe and soon.

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  52. I have been sharing and checking the Sidney news ever since I read about this, as well as praying for her and all of you who are family and friends of hers. It has had me just completely rattled and upset as a runner and woman. I could think of nothing but you both as I ran the past couple of days and continue to pray and hope for the best.

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  53. Sherry and you have not left my thoughts since I first learned of this. Although I have not been running for a while because of injuries, I still have a lot of my female friends (and my significant other) who are solo runners and it scares me so when I hear of this. Know that Sherry, her family and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  54. Beth I'm just so sorry. I continue to pray for her safe return.

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  55. *hugs* I'm sorry. Thinking of you Beth and praying for your cousin Sherry.

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  56. This is so incredibly sad. I am so sorry to read all of this and pray for her safe return...

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  57. It's so hard to find the right words to say, Beth my
    prayers go out to Sherry and every family member and
    friend who is looking and waiting for good news,
    will keep checking every day for up dates, keep the faith.

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  58. Trying to find the right words to comment.
    All I can say is I am still praying and thinking about Sherry Arnold over here. I pray for her safe return.

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  59. Wishing you strength ... hoping and praying for her safe return.

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  60. My thoughts are with you. I can so identify - also 43, also a math teacher, also run alone many mornings. This is such a nightmare for all of you. I hope, hope, hope some news comes soon!

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  61. i saw this story on fox news and was heartbroken. .... I have been praying for her ever since I read the story...
    will continue to pray....

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  62. I'm praying for Sherry and her family.

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  63. I am so very sorry this is happening. I am praying every day for her safe return.

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  64. Still checking in on you. Hoping for good news soon.

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  65. Did she wear a garmin? Can Garmin find her?

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  66. How horrible. You all are in my prayers.

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  67. There are few if none words that can be of comfort but I said a prayer for her and her family.

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  68. I'm following your blog for updates about your cousin. So many of us can relate -- I mean, how many of us go off running all the time by ourselves? The fact that they found one shoe just breaks my heart. I pray that she will return safe and unharmed!!!!

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  69. This is just so frightening. I really hope that she is found and safe. I am just heartsick and thinking of her story often. I'll keep praying for her safe and quick return.

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  70. I cannot imagine how something like this could happen-- my thoughts and prayers for her safe return.

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  71. So very sorry, thinking of Sherry.

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  72. Sending thoughts & prayers to your family.

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  73. Just heartbreaking. Continuing to pray for her safe return.

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  74. There is nothing I can say right now that will ease your pain, but you and Sherry continue to be in my thoughts. I have re-evaluated my own routine of working out alone in the early mornings. She is teaching us even in dire circumstances- Good news has to come- it just has to.

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  75. Sherry, you, and all her family continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. The not knowing is so incredibly hard for everyone involved.

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  76. I'm still hoping and praying for Sherry and her family and friends. I hope things get better for you, Lady. Take care.

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  77. My words feel very empty at this point. Please know that we are prayerful for Sherry and her entire family.

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  78. I heard this on several national news channels a day or two ago, and when I finally got to see your blog TODAY. My friends and I are on a marathon relay team in B'ham Alabama (Mercedes Marathon), and we're ordering SUAR t-shirts for the run--because of Sherry . . and you, of course. I can't imagine. We are also ALL teachers, and have 4 teams from our town participating. To have a fellow teacher, mother, runner, relative of yours missing--is an exercise in that deep gut-wrenching "no, not this" part of life that leaves me with no more words. Praying for all. No kidding.

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  79. I saw the report on GMA about Sherri this morning and I am so sad that they don't have better leads. I hope that they find her soon. My heart goes out to you and her family.

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  80. This is so tragic and makes me cry. I really hope she is alive and doing well.

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  81. Sherri is in my thoughts and I am hoping each day I will check-in and hear good news. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless.

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  82. SUAR, my positive thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family for Sherry's SAFE RETURN. Pls keep us updated on your blog about the upcoming search.
    Stay safe...

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  83. Wow this is a really touching story. I hope everything is okay with the family. Do you know if she was carrying pink pepper spray?

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  84. I don't believe she was Jordan. It was truly a tragedy. I hope people start to travel with a partner or like Jordan and other people on this blog said, carry pepper spray! Check out a local hardware store, they only cost about $10. Also, there are websites that have specific categories that have pepper spray just for women.

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