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.
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):
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.
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.
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?
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
