Why Do We Light Candles?

I have been trying to find out the reason why in almost every religion and civilization there are rituals of candle lighting. The reasons vary according to each one and I've found that most are quite profound.

Other than using candles as a form of lighting before electricity came along, there are literally hundreds of rituals performed with candle lighting as a part of the ceremony.

Most of the rituals use the candlelight as a symbol of light of the deity or god that is worshipped, as well as an offering to them.

I like to think of it as "lighting the way".

The candle light can light the path from one place to another, or it can light the way to God.

It can be God's light shining down on us who are willing to make the effort to be seen by Him.

The light can be a healing light shining a miracle on one who is sick.

The light can be a light of energy to those who need their life force ignited.

I believe that when a group lights candles it can do all of the above, showing the forces of nature and the universe that there is a gathering of souls with a common unity.

Light a candle today. Show the world we care.


Please join us at Peace4 the Missing
Missing Persons Awareness and Support Network
http://peace4missing.ning.com

To Gift PEACE...only God can, but we can try...

The following are some of my reflections on this special place, a place for anyone of you as well, for you are most truly welcome...it's a place called Peace 4 the Missing and it's easy to get to too...

http://peace4missing.ning.com/

CAN WE BRING PEACE?

No, we can't...

In my humble opinion and own life experience, only God can do that. And sometimes, even HIS peace is not one we are capable of truly comprehending nor accepting in this life on earth.

So, why are we here then, at Peace 4 the Missing? Why do we and why should we care?

Because, even if, God willing, we are "only" somehow able to bring about even one mere drop, the tiniest of sprinkle of a peaceful, even momentarily peaceful feeling to those forced to endure the anguishing pain of the missing, then it is worth it.

It is worth our efforts, it is not a waste of time nor energy. Because they, we all, desire, truly need even a temporary mere moment of peace-like relief...because a heart and soul can only take so much. Because we do care and its always better to try to do something loving than to do nothing at all.

Thank You all, you beautiful souls, angels my life has been touched by in this place. Thank You for being you, thank you for caring, thank you for making this world a tiny sprinkle of a drop better. Because, somehow, amidst all the pain, that truly does mean so much.

And thank you, most especially, all you brave, courageous souls of the missing, those very ones we are lead to want to feebly attempt to bring the merest amount of peace-like moments to...you are the ones who have opened our eyes to this cause, the ones we so admire, the ones that despite their own agony, somehow, quite miraculously choose to reach out to others, to transform their own pain as a catapult to actively aide others reeling in the pain of having a loved one missing. You inspire us, you encourage us to do more and our lives are so much better due to you.

When Mommy is Missing

What’s a little mind to think?

To wake up one day and not see Mommy? To call for her and not have her come? To search for her and not find her? To dream of her only to wake up and realize that she’s no longer around?

For Mommy is so much a part of them. Not only did she give life to them, but she’s also such a vital part of their very existence.

We all should and need to take care extra special care of the little ones who for whatever reason are missing a Mommy. To comfort and care for their broken little hearts.

Heaven's Newest Angel, Brooke Bennett

In light of the sickening tragedy of 12 year old Brooke Bennett...I am once again reminded of the essential importance of protecting our children from Predators. For as much as we desperately want to, we cannot turn back time...are unable to protect and save Brooke from all the horrific events that her innocent life was forced to endure. However, let us not let her persecution be in vain! My fervent prayer is that her story will become a catapult towards awareness and protection of many children on how best to keep them safe from the evil sickness of a Child Predator.

Body of missing 12-year-old Vermont girl is found

By LISA RATHKE – 12 hours ago

RANDOLPH, Vt. (AP) — Instead of gathering at a vigil to offer prayers for the safe return of a missing 12-year-old girl, residents found themselves mourning the news that her body had been found.

Police unearthed Brooke Bennett's body Wednesday from a makeshift grave about a mile from her uncle's house, ending a weeklong search for the subject of Vermont's first Amber Alert.

"Brooke Marie, I love you so much," her mother, Cassandra Gagnon, said at the gathering later in the picturesque town of a little more than 5,000. "I just ask that justice be done for the person who took my baby away," she said, sobbing.

The girl's father, James Bennett, added, "I know Brooke knows that we love her and will always love her."

As state police announced the grim news Wednesday evening, they said Michael Jacques, the girl's uncle and a convicted sex offender, will face federal kidnapping charges.

Bennett, who had just finished seventh grade at Randolph Union High School, disappeared on June 25 after being seen at a convenience store with Jacques.

Jacques, 42, has been in custody since Sunday on charges of aggravated sexual assault against a different underage girl. He has pleaded not guilty. Jacques has 1993 convictions for kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault.

After searching in and around his home across town for days, police said they found the girl's body in a spot where the earth had been disturbed.

"The painful discovery of Brooke's body today is tragic and heartbreaking," State Police Director Col. James Baker said. He called the death "clearly suspicious" but declined to give details before a planned briefing Thursday morning.

In an affidavit unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Burlington, the FBI said an unidentified 14-year-old girl told investigators she was present on June 25 when Jacques tricked Bennett into thinking she was going to a party and took her to his Randolph home to be initiated into a sex ring.

The teenager said she was led to believe Bennett "would have sex with adult males" during the initiation. The 14-year-old said she herself had been having sex with Jacques since she was 9, as part of the sex ring.

The teen said she and Bennett watched television for a while before Jacques told her to leave and took his niece upstairs. The witness said she left the house with her boyfriend and didn't see Bennett again.

In another blow to the family, Bennett's former stepfather, Raymond Gagnon, was formally charged Wednesday with obstructing justice in the case.

He entered no plea at the federal hearing and was denied bail pending another hearing on Monday. The 40-year-old Gagnon, who lives in Texas, was on a regular visit to Vermont when he was arrested.

According to the affidavit, Gagnon told police he accessed his former stepdaughter's MySpace page from a computer at his San Antonio home after getting login information from Jacques.

Police said they have evidence that postings to the account were altered to make it appear that the 12-year-old had discussed a secret rendezvous shortly before she disappeared.

On that day, Jacques dropped Bennett off at a convenience store, and surveillance video shows they left in separate directions. She had told family members she was going to meet a friend and visit a hospitalized relative of the friend.

At the vigil for Bennett in Randolph — a site that still featured big banners reading "Come Home, Brooke, We Love You!!" — Gary Finch, Bennett's homeroom and math teacher last year, said she was an energetic and enthusiastic learner whom he loved having in class.

"She was always volunteering, always with a smile on her face. Smart, creative. It's a tragedy. It's unbelievable. It's hard to comprehend. I didn't think anything like this would happen to such a great kid," said Finch, one of about 300 people who attended.

Finch said that when school started last fall, Bennett was nervous about transferring from her small elementary school to the high school.

"She conquered that," he said. "She didn't conquer this."
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jHjvw1NOFGPL0mQ-JPqYfuNZF1LgD91M9G7O0