Bring Rachel Home

If We Could Bring You Back Again

2011-10-11T01:12:00.000-05:00

If We Could Bring You Back Again

If we could bring you back again,

For one more hour or day,

We’d express all our unspoken love;

We’d have countless things to say.

If we could bring you back again,

We’d say we treasured you,

And that your presence in our lives

Meant more than we ever knew.

If we could bring you back again,

To tell you what we should,

You’d know how much we miss you now,

And if we could, we would.

By Joanna Fuchs
(http://www.poemsource.com/sympathy-poems.html)

We are honoring and celebrating Rachel's life on her 34th birthday. Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. Pray that Rachel is brought back to them soon.

Forever in Our Hearts

2011-03-13T04:04:00.000-05:00

Today marks the three-year anniversary of Rachel's disappearance. We ask that you please keep Rachel's family, especially her daughter, Amber, and mother, Louise, in your thoughts and prayers.

Forever in our Hearts

A million times we needed you,

A million times we cried,

If love alone would have saved you,

You would of never died.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we love you still,

In our hearts you hold a place,

No one can ever fill.

A light from our household is gone,

A voice from our love is stilled,

A place in our vacant home,

Which never can be filled.

Some may think you are forgotten,

Though on earth you are no more,

But in our memory you are with us,

As you always were before.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

But you did not go alone,

A part of us went with you,

The day God called you home.

Your precious memories are for keepsakes,

with which we never part,

God has you safely in his keeping,

But we have you forever in our hearts

http://www.dennydavis.net/poemfiles/mempoem.htm

Your Mother is Always With You

2011-03-12T19:43:00.002-06:00

When you need your mom the most,
remember she's still a part of you.

She is always with you...

She is the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.

She is the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks.

She is the cool hand on your brow
when you are not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop.

She is the place that you came from,
your first home.

She is the map that you follow
with each step that you take.

She is your first love,
and your first heartbreak.
And nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, Not space,
Not even death,
can separate you from your mother.

You carry her inside you.

~anonymous

To Amber on Rachel's Birthday

2010-10-11T01:04:00.004-05:00

I Am Still Here

Please don't mourn for me

I'm still here, though you don't see.

I'm right by your side each night and day

And within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I'm always near.

I'm everything you feel, see or hear.

My spirit is free though I'll never depart

As long as you keep me alive in your heart.

I'll never wander out of your sight~

I'm the brightest star on a summer night.

I'll never be beyond your reach~

I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach.

I'm the colorful leaves when Autumn's around

And the pure white snow that blankets the ground.

I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond,

The clear cool water in a quiet pond.

I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in the spring,

The first warm raindrop that April will bring.

I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine,

And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine.

When you start thinking that there's no one to love you,

You can talk to me through the Lord above you.

I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees,

And you'll hear my answer on the soft summer breeze.

I'm the hot salty trees that flow when you weep

And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep.

I'm the smile you see on a baby's face,

Just look for me, I'm everyplace!

~Author Unknown

Contacting Amber, Part II

2010-09-04T15:04:00.002-05:00

Please be aware that all of those who love and care for Amber will do anything to shield her from people who are out to scam her, or cause additional pain, all in the name of money. Although we would like it if everyone wanting to help would do as asked and not contact her, but rather an adult, there are still some people that feel it is best to go to her without going through the proper channels. So here is what is going to happen. We would like that you contact an adult. She has an abundance of them in her life. All of their email addresses have been provided before. Contact them. However, if you contact her, we will get a name, phone number, email address and you will be thoroughly checked out and vetted before you are able to speak with her.

Please be warned that Amber has an extensive network of people who love her and care about her and want to see her protected from people who seek to scam her and cause her pain.

Feeling Mad...

2010-05-30T04:41:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I don't think that everyone realizes what a wonderful person Rachel was. Sometimes I feel like if they did, if they really, truly understood that then surely they would do more to help find her. That Amber and Louise could be given the knowledge that she was found. That people would quit spreading rumors that she is alive and chose to run off. Then I realize that all of those people who spent hours coordinating searches and searching for Rachel did care...or they would not have been out there. Searching. Sometimes in extreme heat, sometimes in the cold. But they were there. I'll be honest here. I got mad when she wasn't found.

Before anyone gets upset with me, please read on. I got mad because my niece's mother, an incredibly sweet woman who would do anything for someone in need, was taken from her. She was taken from her daughter by a man who was so selfish in his obsessive "love" that if he could not have her then no one could. I got mad because I felt that if she wasn't found, then he outsmarted everyone and in the end "won" at his sick and twisted game.

There hasn't been much going on in the searching front. I guess that we have needed to step back, regroup and see what we can do to continue searching for Rachel. Honestly, I'm at a loss for what we can do to reignite interest in the case. I ask for any and all opinions! It seems like the traditional media does not want to hear the case of a missing woman when there is no suspect to find, because the suspect killed himself. I might be wrong. But, I would like someone to tell me what I should be doing.

I want to get interest in Rachel's case again because it is the right thing to do. I enjoyed my friendship with Rachel. She was an awesome mom and friendly, light hearted person who deserved better after leading a tumultuous life. I want Amber to know that people still care and would still do anything to help her find her mom. I do not want to see Rachel forgotten. Please help us search for the answers- or tell us what we should do.

Online Candlelight Vigil

2010-03-01T00:25:00.002-06:00

The event is online. Details are as follows:

March 13, 2010 marks the two-year-anniversary of Rachel Conger's disappearance. We ask that everyone post their messages of prayer, love and support to the group wall so that Amber knows that people do still care and still want her mother to be found and her family to have that closure. Please post a message of support, encouragement, prayer or light a virtual candle at http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/enter.cfm?l=eng (Group initials BRH). The virtual candles stay lit for 48 hours.

On the one month "anniversary," we held a candlelight vigil on the Henry County Courthouse steps to honor and pray for Rachel and her family. On the one-year anniversary, we held a candlelight vigil at Bird's Creek Baptist Church to honor and pray for Rachel and her family. On this second year anniversary, Rachel's daughter, Amber, will be unable to be with us, but we still want to honor and pray for Rachel.

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...

2010-01-20T00:27:00.004-06:00

1 Peter 4:15- But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

For almost two years, we have tried to take the high road and not address those that would like nothing more than to see Amber and Louise hurting over Rachel's disappearance. We will still strive to accomplish that lofty goal. Obviously, we cannot say what is on our minds while others go around blithely stating whatever they want. That is the difference between having class and not, I suppose.

Just in case anyone is wondering and feels the need to make up new gossip. Amber moved to Georgia to live with her father and his girlfriend in Tracye's hometown. To get away from all of the gossip- so summon up whatever class or dignity you have, and quit making up stories about the situation. Or I won't make thinly veiled references to you on a blog, I will outright name everyone who has done something mean to Amber or Louise since March 13, 2008.

Malachi 3:5: And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 7:9-10- Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?

Contacting Amber

2009-11-20T19:48:00.003-06:00

Anyone wishing to help please contact Jody Simmons, Carol Simmons, Lori Simmons or Tracye Smith. Do not contact Amber directly. Thank You.

Missing Mother: Amber's Story

2009-11-08T20:28:00.002-06:00

My name is Amber Simmons, I am 15 years old and I lived in Paris, TN my whole life- until recently. My mother, Rachel Conger, went missing when I was 13 years old. For over 10 years, I witnessed my step father, Paul Conger, abuse my mom. I have seen him hurt her in many ways like, choking, hitting, slapping, and holding guns to her head. He had threatened many times to kill both my mother and I.

We never thought anything like that would actually happen. My mom and I were best friends and I shared everything with her. She was taken from me by someone I loved and trusted. About a month before she went missing- my mother and my step father got into a huge fight- she had learned to just let him yell but he took it to far this time. I had two friends over and he was threatening to kill me and my mom’s two pregnant dogs. He kicked us out that day. My mother had been working in Clarksville TN, so she got all of our things and she took them to a friend’s house. I stayed with one of my friends in Henry County so I could still go to school. We found a house in Como, TN. I was so happy to finally get out of that house and away from him. We were doing so well on our own while he was barely able to buy food for himself.

That is when he decided he needed us back in his life. My best friend lived down the street so I was always at her house and she was always at mine. On March 12th, 2008 I had been hanging out with a few friends that lived close to me when my mom came home in her friends truck- apparently she was borrowing it because she had been given a couch. Her car was still in Clarksville. Paul was with her, I had gone out of my way to give him a dirty look and be rude to him. They got the couch in and she told me she had to go over to his house to get some of her things. I was going to church that night so I was said okay. I went to the church down the road and when my friend and I were walking home I tried calling my mom a few times- she didn’t answer so I went ahead and went to my friends house. Finally, at around 9:30 I got her on the phone but Paul answered. I asked to talk to my mom and he asked to "borrow" her for a night. Of course, I said no and asked to talk to my mother. That made him mad and when she got on the phone she sounded like she had been crying. I told her, "I want you to come home momma." She told me she would come get me.

When they pulled up to my friend’s house, I saw he was there and it made me so mad. I gave him dirty looks the whole time. When we got to my house he decided he needed to go take a shower. While he was gone my mom told me what was going on she said that he said if we didn’t let him in our lives then he would burn the house down with us in it, then she told me if I heard anything during the night to crawl out of my window, run to my friends house and call the police. Then she told me I will always love you no matter what happens. I had to walk to my friends house and get my cell phone charger. When I came back he was at the house so I quickly went to bed, not wanting to see him.

When I woke up on March 13th, 2008 my mother was not there. The bed was unmade, dishes were in the sink, and the back door was open. All of those things were very unlike her. I figured she had went to town to get something or maybe Paul was making her take the truck back and say he didn’t need his help anymore. She had told me to call her friend Doug and let him know the situation, they were NOT involved in any way other than friends he just wanted to help us out. So I started calling all of my mom’s friends after calling her for the 10th time with no answer. Doug hadn’t seen her and thanked me for the heads up, none of her other friend had seen her either, so I decided to call Paul no answer form his cell or house phone. I called everyone I knew and no one had seen either of them.

I decided to get dressed and call my friend to come over when she got there, I told her everything. We watched a movie, frequently calling my mom with no luck. Around four o’clock my friends mom took me to town, I went to my dad’s house to see if he had seen her and of course he hadn’t so I went to the police to file a missing persons report. I was so scared. They put out an APB (all points bulletin) to look for the license plate number of the truck that they were in, they couldn’t find it.

Around 11 that night I still hadn’t heard anything so I called my dad and grandma to come get me. We got my two dogs and I stayed with my grandma that night the next day they stared flying helicopters and searching for them both. They found the truck that Friday with my mom’ belongings in it like her phone and purse. On Sunday, they found my step father dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound. They continued to search for my mom with no luck.

Over the summer of ’08 I held a car wash, bake sale, yard sale, and a benefit concert to raise money to bring in search teams. I rose about 6,000 dollars in the end. I was able to bring in two search teams, United Response Search and Rescue, and The Cue Center for Missing Persons. I am so grateful to them for their efforts but my mother is still missing. I have had two candle light vigils and one balloon release. It will be two years since I have seen my mother on March 13th. I know she could never leave me because we were best friends and she loved me more than anything else. I lost my Mother at 13 years of age and I haven’t been the same since. I need closure and answers. So far I haven’t got them but I hope one day I will have them.

Thank you for your time,

Amber Simmons

Prayer

2009-11-01T02:21:00.002-06:00

There is nothing to update, we have not been in contact with any search organizations since the last time something fell through. It gets discouraging, to say the least. I would like to take the time to ask everyone to keep praying for Rachel to be found, keep praying for Amber and Louise to have strength in what is still a difficult time.

Amber has moved with her father to Georgia for a fresh start. A place where no one talks behind her back about her mother, a place where she is free of the mindless gossip about Rachel and Paul that people spread. A place where some people do not side with the man that abused her mother and then did what changed Amber's life forever. We love Amber, we miss her dearly, but we understand.

We will update as we can, but the updates are few and far between. It is now fall, if any search teams are interested in coming to search for Rachel, we would love to speak with you. We can always be reached at bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com, phone contact info can be provided via email. We are not giving up in our search for Rachel, we feel that she deserves to be found, but we do need help in accomplishing that goal.

Remember My Name

2009-10-12T01:11:00.005-05:00

Rachel Conger

Oct. 11, 1977-

March 13, 2008

Remember My Name

When you remember my walk upon this earth

Look not into my steps with pity.

When you taste the tears of my journey

Notice how they fill my foot prints

Not my spirit

For that remains with me.

My story must be told

Must remain in conscious memory

So my daughter won’t cry my tears

Or follow my tortured legacy.

Lovin’ is a tricky thing

If it doesn’t come from a healthy place,

If Lovin’ Doesn’t FIRST practice on self

it will act like a stray bullet

not caring what it hits

You may say:

Maybe I should’ve loved him a little less

Maybe I should’ve loved me a little more,

Maybe I should’ve not believed he’d never hit me again.

All those maybes will not bring me back – not right his wrong.

My life was not his to take.

As your eyes glance at my name

Understand once I breathed

Walked

Loved

just like you.

I wish for all who glance at my name

To know love turned to fear –

kept me there

Loved twisted to fear,

Kept me in a chokehold

Cut off my air

Blurred my vision

I couldn’t see how to break free.

I shoulda, told my family

I shoulda told my friends

I shoulda got that CPO

Before the police let him go

But all those shoulda’s can’t bring me back

when I lied so well
To cover the shame

To hide the signs.

If my death had to show

what love isn’t

If my death had to show

that love shouldn’t hurt

If my death had to make sure

another woman told a friend

instead of holding it in

If my death reminds you

how beautiful

how worthy

you really are

If my death reminds you

to honor all you are daily

Then remember my name

Shout it from the center of your soul

Wake me in my grave

Let ME know

My LIVING

was not in vain.

Copyright 1995 Kimberly A. Collins, Washington, D.C., reprinted with permission.

http://peace4missing.ning.com/forum/topics/remember-my-namewriting-toward

On the Anniversary of Rachel's Disappearance

2009-03-13T07:51:00.003-05:00

It has been twelve long months since Amber Simmons has looked upon her mother's face, and yet this 14-year-old child soldiers on and holds her head up high, despite those who want nothing more to tarnish her mother's name or insinuate that her mother left her willingly. Rachel Conger was thirty when she disappeared on March 13, 2008 from her Como, TN home that she shared with her daughter, Amber. Amber's stepfather had spent the night of March 12 at Rachel and Amber's home. When Amber woke up on the first day of her spring break vacation, neither Rachel or Paul was in the house. The backdoor was standing open, which is something that Rachel would never do. There was no note left, no voicemail on Amber's cell phone from Rachel saying when she would be back. Fast forward to Sunday, March 16. Paul's body was found in the woods off of Briarpatch Lake Rd., he had taken his own life but left no clues as to where Rachel could be found.

Over the last year, Amber has organized fundraisers and recruited some of the nation's best search and rescue organizations to come to Henry County and look for her mother. Amber has spent each of the last 365 days in her own mind wishing that she could just have her mother back. To the people who have graciously donated to help bring Rachel home, we thank you. To the people who have kept Amber and her family in their prayers, we thank you. It is people like you who make it possible for Rachel's family to keep searching for her. To the people who only have the time to gossip and insinuate negative things about Rachel, please consider that at the heart of this tragic situation is a 14-year-old girl who desperately misses her mother.

Amber and Louise are holding a candlelight vigil this evening at 5 p.m. at Birds Creek Baptist Church, on Whitlock Rd. to mark the one-year anniversary of Rachel's disappearance. The vigil is open to the public. They could really use everyone's thoughts and prayers on this day.

Press for Rachel Conger

2009-03-02T19:57:00.003-06:00

Lately, several media outlets have ran stories about Amber and Rachel. We are grateful for the media coverage because it helps to keep Rachel's name out there, so that the public does not forget that this amazing mother is still missing. All articles can be found by clicking the following links:

Weather Limits Conger Search on the HenryCountian.com

Daughter Yearns for Closure in Case of Missing Mother on the Paris Post-Intelligencer website

Search for Missing Woman Resumes on WBBJ website

CUE Center Search

2009-03-02T19:49:00.002-06:00

On Saturday and Sunday, CUE Center for Missing Persons performed an extensive search for Rachel under rather harsh conditions. All day on Saturday, rain and sleet fell, making the searchers job that much more difficult. On Sunday morning, searchers had to deal with the snow that fell the previous night. Although we were lucky that unlike most areas only a small amount of snow fell in the Henry County area, searchers still had to contend with slippery mud and freezing temperatures. Even in all of this, the CUE volunteers and HCSO deputies never gave up. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the search, whether it be volunteers that turned out for the search or the people who donated money and/or food to keep the searchers well fed during their time here.

We received a tremendous response to our call for help with donations, and we are very grateful to everyone that gave what they could! The search for Rachel was unsuccessful this time, but CUE is interested in searching again, and we would appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers to find Rachel!

Searches for Rachel

2009-02-18T21:52:00.002-06:00

There's something special about the people that comprise the two search teams that have and will come in the future to search for Rachel. We cannot say thank you enough to these wonderful people that take time out of their lives to come and perform this job. So, with that being said, we still want to thank United Response for everything that they did and continue to do to help us try to find Rachel, and thank you to the CUE Center for featuring Rachel on the National "On the Road to Remember" Tour, and the upcoming search. These are two wonderful organizations ran by wonderful and caring people, and we want them to know how much we appreciate both groups. God Bless all of you in everything that you do!

CUE Center Search for Rachel

2009-02-18T21:48:00.002-06:00

Bring Rachel Conger Home

Email: bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com

The Search to “Bring Rachel Home”

One Henry County Daughter’s Incredible Effort to Find Missing Mother

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, thirteen-year-old Amber Simmons awoke to a day that would change her life forever. Amber woke up on her first day of Spring Break to find her mother, 30-year-old Rachel Conger, gone without a trace. In the months following her mother’s disappearance, Amber turned her attention to raise funds to bring professional search organizations to Henry County to look for her missing mother.

Community United Effort (CUE) "Center for Missing Persons" toured 17 states in 12 days on their 2008 Road to Remember Tour to raise awareness of missing persons. Rachel was featured as Tennessee's missing person and a stop was made at Memorial Park on September 1, 2008. Additional information about CUE Center can be found at :

http://ncmissingpersons.org/aboutcue.htm

On February 28 and March 1, the CUE Center for Missing Persons, based out of Wilmington, NC, will conduct all day searches for the remains of Rachel Conger. The director of CUE Center, Monica Caison, stated that they are providing this service free of charge and will bring twelve K9 dogs and their handlers, and search teams from North Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Florida and Maine.

Donations for the searcher’s lunches are requested from individuals and businesses that are willing to help. Email bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com if you would like to help donate!

Items needed for lunches:

*Sandwich meats

*Bread

*Fruits (bananas & apples)

*Small bags of potato chips

*Bottled water

*Granola bars

*Napkins

*Lunch bags

*Ziplock sandwich bags

We need at a minimum, enough of each item for 200+ lunches!

The Broken Chain

2008-10-11T17:35:00.001-05:00

For Amber, on her mother's day of birth
(Originally posted by her grandmother, Carol Simmons)

Rachel Lynn Younger Conger
Oct. 11, 1977-March 13, 2008

The Broken Chain

We little knew that morning,

that God was going to call your name.

In life we loved you dearly,

In death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you,

you did not go alone;

for part of us went with you,

the day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories,

your love is still our guide;

and though we cannot see you,

you are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken,

and nothing seems the same;

but as GOD calls us one by one,

The Chain will link again.

~author unknown~

Rachel's 31st Birthday

2008-10-11T17:16:00.003-05:00

On the website created for Rachel Conger, there is a counter that lists the time since Rachel's disappearance, but for Rachel's daughter, Amber Simmons, it feels like an eternity has gone by. Amber said that she wants people to remember that her mother was a good person, and that she wants her found more than anything. Saturday, October 11, is Rachel Conger's 31st birthday. We would like everyone to take the time and say a prayer for Rachel to be found, and for Amber to get the peace that she needs so much.

Find Rachel Conger Benefit Concert

2008-09-05T15:25:00.001-05:00

Country artist, Mary Elizabeth Murphy, is the proud organizer and featured entertainer of the "Find Rachel Conger" benefit concert, to be held September 6th at 5pm at the Casey Jones Amphitheatre in Jackson, TN.

Rachel Conger is a 30 year old mom and has been missing since March 2008. She has a 13 year old daughter, Amber, who is devastated that her Mom is missing. Mary Elizabeth stated in a MySpace bulletin that, "I am 16 and only three years older than Amber. I can not even begin to understand what Amber is going through." Mary Elizabeth went on to say that "I love my music, and am working hard to get my career going, but I have always wanted my music to make a difference, and have a positive effect on people's lives. What better way, than to raise money for those in need? Not only me, but some of my friends are joining me in this event." At the benefit concert, CDs, T-Shirts, Autographed photos, and more will be for sale. There will also be a concession stand available.

Please grab your lawn chair and/or blanket and join us for this event! We are asking for a $10 ticket fee (or more if you feel led).

We would like to say that words cannot express how grateful we are to Mary Elizabeth for organizing this event!

The following MySpace bulletin was written by Mary Elizabeth Murphy, featured musician & benefit organizer for the FIND RACHEL CONGER benefit concert.

I want to let you know about the benefit, FIND RACHEL CONGER ,I am doing this weekend. It will be this Saturday, Sept.6, at the

Casey Jones Village Amphitheatre
56 Casey Jones Lane
Jackson, TN 38305
beginning at 5pm EST

This benefit is not to bring attention to me or any of the other entertainers, but to raise money for the BRING RACHEL HOME SEARCH FUND. Rachel has been missing since March. She has a 13 year old daughter, Amber, who is devastated by her mom being out there, and not knowing what has happened to her. I am 16, and I can not imagine the pain she is going through. She and her mom are close like me and mom are, so I want so badly to help her, and this benefit is the only way I know that I can, except for praying, which I do also.

You can get all the updated information at
http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com.

I want to invite you to come to the benefit on Saturday. Not only will we have having singers, we will have booths set up to sell CDs, autographed photos, T-Shirts, and other things, Also, there will be a concessions booth. Ticket prices- $10 requested, more if you feel led. Or, if you would like to help out at the event, that would be WONDERFUL!!!! ALL monies will be donated to the fund.

If you will be not able to attend, but would like to contribute to this benefit, we would appreciate donations, of drinks, snacks, CDs, T-Shirts, Autographed photos, and/or money. PLEASE help me, help Amber find HER MOMMA.

Here is a list of entertainers:
Mary Elizabeth Murphy
Devin Cates
Maggie Martinez
Natalie Grace Wilson
Greg Boals
Amy Blankenship
Joey Blankenship
Amanda Mitchell
Livy Hassenflug
Taylor Goodson
and others.

The Casey Jones Village Amphitheatre is a large outdoor venue, with a super stage.

Like most outdoor venues, there are no seats or benches, so please be sure to bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets!

Thank you so much for your time to read this message. Please keep us and the event in your thoughts and prayers, that we will be able to raise enough money to help Amber find her mom.

Mary Elizabeth

Amber's Speech for the CUE Center: On the Road to Remember National Tour

2008-08-31T21:59:00.001-05:00

(This is a speech that Amber gave today at the CUE Center "On the Road to Remember" National Tour rally stop for Rachel. We, Amber's family, would like to say how proud we are of Amber and that we will not give up looking for Rachel! We are thankful to The Henry Countian for their continuing coverage of events pertaining to Rachel, the CUE Center for adding Rachel to their national tour and URSAR for coming up to search for Rachel at the beginning of August and their ongoing efforts to find Rachel!)

I would like to thank everyone for coming today and a special Thank You to the CUE Center for Missing Persons for adding my mother, Rachel Conger, to their Road to Remember Tour.I would like to tell you about my mom. She’s so much more than just a face on a poster. She loved riding horses and motorcycles, and listening to country music. She collected ceramic frogs. She liked reading-especially books written by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and James Patterson, but she sometimes read nonfiction as well. My mom loved animals. We had miniature dachshunds and she treated them like babies. She was always picking up stray cats and dogs and bringing them home to take care of because she felt so sorry for them.

Mama loved children too. I have seen her sit down on the floor at the doctor’s office to play with them. My mother was a really nice person and tried to teach me to be too. She did not believe in gossiping about other people. Once when we were in Wal Mart I made a nasty remark about someone and mama told me “if I couldn’t say something nice about someone then don’t say anything.” The she made me say something nice about everyone we walked by. I really miss my mom; we could talk to each other about anything. She was my best friend.

This summer my family, friends, and I have had several fundraisers to raise money for expenses for a professional search organization to come to Paris to search for my mother. A couple of weeks ago, United Response Search & Rescue, a search team from Texas came to Paris to search for my mother. Unfortunately, they did not find her, but I’m not giving up the search. While the search team was here they trained some volunteers in ways to search for missing people and we plan to continue the searching until my mother is found. We hope to be able to continue the fundraising efforts and buy equipment that will aid the search for my mother as well as others who may go missing.

Next Saturday, September 6, beginning at 5PM, a benefit concert is being held for my mother at the Casey Jones Amphitheater in Jackson Tennessee. The benefit organizer and featured musician is Mary Elizabeth Murphy from Humboldt. In addition to Mary Elizabeth, there will be several other country and Christian bands playing. All proceeds from the concert are being donated to the Bring Rachel Home Fund. Please make plans to be there!

CUE Center: On the Road to Remember National Tour

2008-08-24T23:45:00.004-05:00

Bring Rachel Conger Home

For Immediate Release
Email: bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com

CUE Center for Missing Persons
On the Road to Remember National Tour
Rally Stop Featuring Missing Paris, TN mother, Rachel Conger

The CUE Center for Missing Persons will set out on August 21 for their 5th Annual "On The Road to Remember Tour 2008" in honor of those who remain missing, homicide victims and the unidentified. The CUE Center for Missing Persons will be at a rally stop for Rachel Conger at Memorial Park (Maurice Fields Dr.) in Paris, TN on Sunday, August 31, 2008 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Henry County Sheriff’s Department will provide fingerprinting for ID kits for children at the rally stop. There will also be a balloon release to honor all missing persons. Also being featured on the CUE Center tour from Tennessee are: Tabitha Tuders, missing from Nashville, TN (missing since 04/29/03) and Frances "Franny" Graham of Coker Creek, TN (missing since 09/18/05). For more information contact CUE Center and see tour route schedule/information below;

National Tour - Quick Facts - Dates 8/21/08 thru 9/2/2008
Rally Stops – 30
States Traveling Through - 17
Cases Missing Featured – 110
Case Homicide Featured – 6
Tour Miles Traveled Total – 5,299

National Tour Purpose and Inspiration
The annual tour was created to generate new interest in cold cases of missing people across our nation. The inspiration came in 2004 from the case of North Carolina college student Leah Roberts, who had gone on a cross-country trip of self-exploration. Her wrecked and abandoned vehicle was found, but Leah is still missing. Leah's case went cold and interest faded until CUE volunteers set out on a grueling 14-day trip to retrace her route and inform the media of all those who were missing in the path of the tour. In the years to follow, it only seemed right to keep hope alive after families across the country voiced the need for more help and supported the tour.
National Tour Objective
The national road tour, called “On the Road to Remember,” is an awareness campaign that focuses on missing persons cases that have gone cold or have not received appropriate media coverage on the local level – much less the national level.. The tour, which travels through many states annually, provides that attention.
In all cases of missing people, it is vital to inform the public of the missing person’s circumstances quickly and to disseminate that information to the media and the public. In most cases where details are released immediately to the public through an organized campaign, the public brings forth information that aids in the investigation and or the location of the victim. The media plays a significant role in getting the word out on the behalf of the missing person and should be recognized as a vital resource to any investigation.
Interest in many of the cases we have featured in previous tours has been renewed. The media has learned about local cases they were unaware of; case investigations have been renewed, and searches conducted. Information has resulted in new leads in some cases, and has even helped identify an unknown decedent. Finally, some of the missing have been found, which is the main reason we conduct the tour every year, despite the toll it takes on our all-volunteer staff.
It is the belief of the CUE Center for Missing Persons that all investigations, the public, volunteers, and the media should work in collaboration on cases involving missing children and adults; until this happens, there will continue to be cases of the missing labeled “cold” or “inactive.”

# # #

United Response Search and Rescue

2008-08-12T21:19:00.002-05:00

Many people have asked us over the last few days if we are disappointed that URSAR did not find Rachel. Of course we are disappointed. We desperately want Rachel to be found. But, are we disappointed in United Response Search and Rescue? Absolutely not. They put 110% effort in to locating Rachel. Every team member was caring toward Amber, and they really care about her situation. They traveled here to try and locate Rachel. They did their absolute best and that is all that we wanted. I wanted to state that under no circumstances are we disapppointed in URSAR.

They are very focused and very driven at what they do. They have a goal in mind, which is to find a missing person. But are they cold and callous, with disregard to the family as they go about attaining their goal? No. The URSAR team members that I met (and I am sure that this is true for every member that they have) were very warm and friendly. They care about Amber and what she is going through. The United Response Team equipped us with the knowledge that we need to keep searching for Rachel.

We wanted to let the team members of United Response Search and Rescue know how much we truly appreciate them taking time out of their lives to come up here and search for Rachel. You cannot ask for a better group of people than the URSAR Team. I don't feel bad about saying that they are the best group of people that I pray that I never have to recommend to anyone!

Interview with Amber on WPSD & WBBJ

2008-08-10T16:55:00.004-05:00

We would like to thank both WBBJ & WPSD for their moving and emotional interviews yesterday with Amber. Everyone that has interviewed Amber in the last month has been so caring and compassionate with her, and for that we are very grateful!

If you would like to read and see the interview with WPSD: Click Here

If you would like to read the interview with WBBJ: Click Here

If you would like to see the interview with WBBJ: Click Here

I would like to add that WPSD & WBBJ have covered this story from the beginning, and they have shown so much interest and compassion (I hate to keep using that word, but it really does apply here) for what Amber is going through and we are very thankful to them for giving her a chance to tell her story!

United Response Search and Rescue- Aug. 9th Search for Rachel

2008-08-09T19:08:00.002-05:00

The WONDERFUL people from United Response Search and Rescue headed up the volunteer search for Rachel Conger today. Despite tediously searching for Rachel in hot weather and rough terrain, unfortunately, Rachel was not located- which was a big disappointment to Amber, Rachel's family, the URSAR team and everyone searching. We had hoped for a much larger turnout than what we got, but we are extremely grateful to the great people that did show up and gave it their all to help find Rachel. Once again, we are grateful to everyone of you who stood side by side with us, helping to locate Rachel.

In conclusion, Thank You!

A BIG thanks also goes out to Holy Cross Catholic Church, Yoder Brothers Meat Processing, E.W. James & Sons, Henry County Sheriff's Department and the Salvation Army!

Radio Interview for "Thirty Minutes" on WCMT

2008-08-09T01:24:00.003-05:00

Amber and I did a radio interview with Dave Chaffin on WCMT. I'll let everyone know when it's supposed to air!

Amber's Interview with WPSD

2008-08-06T19:50:00.003-05:00

Amber did an interview with Jennifer Horbelt of WPSD, Newschannel 6 (http://www.wpsdtv.com/) and it will air tonight at 10 P.M., it will also air in the morning. Everyone, please check it out!

Link to Amber's Interview with WPSD

Details for Community Search for Rachel

2008-08-06T10:49:00.006-05:00

Date: August 9th, 2008

Time: 8am

Place to meet: Holy Cross Catholic Church (Gymnasium)
1210 East Wood St.
Paris, TN 38242
(Amber spoke with a member of the URSAR team this afternoon, and found out that this location is subject to change- if it does, we will get the word out as fast as possible)

Minimum Age of Searchers: 18 and please bring ID

What to Wear: Long pants and no open toed shoes

Also, please wear sunscreen and bug spray (bug spray with DEET helps to repel ticks)

Volunteers Needed to Search for Rachel

2008-08-06T00:44:00.005-05:00

I would like to ask everyone that is able to please come and help search for Rachel Conger on August 9, 2008. I know that it is Fair week in Henry County. I know that it is hot outside. I know that most people probably have other things that they would rather be doing. But, with that being said, I also know that my niece, Amber Simmons, desperately misses her mother and wants more than anything to know what happened to her mom. She spent her entire summer planning fundraisers to bring United Response Search and Rescue to Paris, to look for her mom, but we need volunteers to help us search for her. We need the community to come together, volunteer and help this thirteen-year-old child start to heal from all of the pain that has been thrown at her in the last five months.

If you are interested in helping to search for Rachel, please email me at bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com. We're afraid that we will not have much time to get the word out regarding the search, so please tell everyone you know, in hopes that we can get the 250-300 volunteers that we need on Saturday!

August 9th Search for Rachel Conger

2008-08-05T22:34:00.003-05:00

More details to follow, but tonight we met with the United Response Search and Rescue Team and the search is planned for Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 8am. Amber and I will be calling tomorrow and getting a command center secured for that day. I will update the blog and contact media as soon as I know something more concrete. We need as many volunteers as we can get that day! Here is the basics for Saturday:

Date: August 9th, 2008
Time: 8am
Place to meet: Undetermined (as of right now)- but it will be in the East Wood St/Hwy 79 area of Paris and will serve as the Command Center on that day
What to Wear: Long pants and NO OPEN TOED SHOES
Minimum Age of Searchers: 18, and bring ID
Also, please wear sunscreen and bug spray (bug spray with DEET helps to repel ticks)

New Fundraising Totals as of 08/05/08

2008-08-05T22:25:00.003-05:00

A BIG thank you goes out to Mr. Larry Hudgins and West Tennessee Auctions for raising $700 to go toward the Bring Rachel Home Search Fund. A complete story will be posted later on The Henry Countian.

Cell Phone Donation Drive

2008-07-31T21:07:00.002-05:00

United Response Search and Rescue has sent donation bins to collect cell phones for recycling. All proceeds from the cell phone and ink cartridge drive (that are collected in Henry County) will go toward the Bring Rachel Home search fund. You can donate your used cell phone at: Lakeway IGA, Trolinger's or E.W. James & Sons. Please help us make this drive a success!

One Henry County Daughter’s Effort to Find Missing Mother

2008-07-29T23:07:00.002-05:00

Press Release

On Thursday, March 13, 2008, thirteen-year-old Amber Simmons awoke to a day that would change her life forever. Her mother, Rachel Conger, was missing and Amber has since been doing everything that she can to help find her mother. On April 13, Amber organized a candlelight vigil at the Henry County Court House to honor and pray for her mother to be found. Since the first month of her mother’s disappearance, Amber has since turned her attention to raising money to bring in professional search organizations to help find her mother, Rachel Conger.

Her daughter, Amber, is the driving force behind each event to help find her mother whom she dearly misses. She had this to say to the community; ''I really want my mom found; she means the world to me. What 13 year old would not want their mom found? I am appreciative for what everyone has done to support us & help search for my mom. I ask for your continued support to help bring her home.''

On June 27, Amber organized a car wash at Advanced Auto Parts that raised $500. When faced with needing to reach an initial goal of $4000.00, Amber got to work organizing two more fundraisers. On July 12, the “Bring Rachel Home” bake sale was held at E.W. James & Sons, and raised $834.00 and on July 26; the “Bring Rachel Home” yard sale raised $550.00. In the planning stages is a benefit concert, which is set to be held on August 23rd, at Casey Jones Village/Old Country Store Amphitheater in Jackson, TN (more details about performers and the time that concert starts will be available in the next several days).

All proceeds from the fundraisers will help cover the immediately needed travel expenses for their upcoming Search & Rescue set for Aug 9th. United Response Search & Rescue Organization has offered the family their assistance with Law Enforcement in search efforts for missing Rachel Conger. They are a Texas based Non-Profit Search & Rescue Organization who aid in searches for missing children & adults nationwide. Their search is set for August 4-10th, with a volunteer community search on August 9th. It will take the community's continued support to help them reach their $4,000 urgently needed goal for ongoing search and rescue efforts.

They are asking for volunteer searchers from the public on Saturday, August 9th. Please spread the word, as we need about 250- 300 volunteers to help aid us in our efforts. More details will be available soon. We are also in need of food and water donations for that day. If willing to donate meals or drinks, please contact:
bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com

Newly added to their site, is a heart tugging beautiful music video tribute slide show, in honor of missing Rachel. To learn more about missing Rachel Conger or to make a contribution please visit: http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com

# # #

Fundraising total as of 07/26/08

2008-07-26T17:49:00.003-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came out to the yard sale to support the effort to raise money to bring search organizations to look for Rachel. Today, we raised $550! We're very excited about the progress we have been making and will continue to raise funds in order to give Amber what she needs- she needs people to search for her mother and to not give up hope that we will find her and that we will raise enough money to be able to bring back search organizations, such as United Response Search and Rescue, if the first effort at searching is not successful. We ask that everyone please keep this in mind when you are making any comments around Amber. We also need prayers for Rachel and Amber and their family, that Rachel is found soon.

Reminder: Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale

2008-07-25T20:57:00.002-05:00

I wanted to remind everyone about the Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale, Saturday, July 26 from 8am-3pm in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot. We will also be auctioning collectible items on eBay. More details on that to come!

Rachel Conger Memory Slide Show

2008-07-24T01:35:00.005-05:00

Never Alone: A Tribute to Rachel Conger from her Daughter

Bring Rachel Home

Bring Rachel Home Benefit Yard Sale

2008-07-23T12:40:00.003-05:00

On Saturday, July 26, we will be hosting a benefit yard sale in the parking lot at E.W. James & Sons (1301 W. Wood St., Paris, TN) to further our efforts to bring in professional search organizations to search for Rachel Conger. We will have a donation box there, and we request that everyone bring in their used cell phones. United Response Search and Rescue Team recycles used cell phones and donates some phones to women's shelters. All phones collected will go toward the funds needed for search and rescue.

Fundraising Total Update

2008-07-22T01:21:00.001-05:00

Missing Henry County Girl Found

2008-07-21T17:08:00.001-05:00

From the Henry Countian Website:
http://www.henrycountian.com/news.php?viewStory=2937

By Shannon McFarlin

Paris, Tenn. - The 12-year-old girl missing since Sunday has been found safe and sound at a Paris residence.

Mariah Amber Decru, 40 Dorsey Rd., Henry, was found Monday afternoon at a Paris residence following tips called to the Henry County Sheriff's Department.

Criminal Investigation Division Director Damon Lowe said, "We received several tips" from citizens as to the girl's whereabouts throughout the day Monday after the news article appeared in The HenryCountian.

"We were able to track her to a residence in Paris," he said.

The girl was reported missing Sunday evening. She had been dropped off at the 3rd Floor Skate on Washington St. in Paris, but wasn't there when her mother arrived to pick her up at 10:30 p.m.

Lowe said the search continues for Sean Michael Oliver, 16, 7975 Hwy. 69 N, Paris, who has been missing since Friday morning. He was last seen in front of the Maverick convenience store on Memorial Drive.

Lowe asked that anyone with information on Oliver's whereabouts call the sheriff department at 642-1672 or the anonymous tipline at 642-0929.

Two Henry County Juveniles Reported Missing

2008-07-21T14:46:00.002-05:00

From the Henry Countian:
http://www.henrycountian.com/news.php?viewStory=2932

Two Juveniles Reported Missing

Posted: Monday, July 21, 2008 10:14 am

Paris, Tenn. - Two local juveniles are reported missing.

According to reports by Henry County Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Fugua, Sean Michael Oliver, 16, of 7975 Hwy 69 North was picked up for a doctor’s appointment and dropped back off at Maverick gas station in Paris on Friday morning.

Oliver was reported missing around noon by his mother and was last seen wearing a red and white stripped shirt, long blue shorts, and a black baseball cap with NY on it.

In another report, Mariah Amber Decru, 12, of 40 Dorsey Road in Henry was reported missing on Sunday around 1 p.m. According to a report by Deputy Fuqua, Decru was dropped off at 5 p.m. at the 3rd Floor Skate Park at 205 East Wood Street and was not there when her mother went to pick her up at 10:30 p.m.

Decru was last seen wearing a black shirt with skulls, blue jeans, black shoes with pink letter, tongue pierced, and pierce on left of lip.

Update: The Henry County Sheriff's Department is attempting to get a photo of Mariah Decru as well and when we receive it we will publish it.

United Response Search and Rescue

2008-07-16T13:18:00.002-05:00

United Response Search and Rescue Team (URSAR Team) is a 501 (c)(3) volunteer nonprofit organization that is based in Texas. URSAR does search and rescue for missing children and missing adults. United Response Search and Rescue Teams has agreed to assist Amber in searching for missing Rachel Conger. I can honestly say that I find the director of URSAR to be a very caring and compassionate woman, and URSAR comes highly recommended to us from several different sources.

(From the United Response Search and Rescue website)

URSAR Team has more than 100 highly trained members and over 3000 non-member volunteers. Their active team members consist of Law Enforcement Officers (active duty and retired), Homicide Detectives, Swat Team Members, Medical Examiners, Paramedics, Fire Fighters, members of the U.S. Marshall’s Posse, Military Reserve Personnel, retired Navy Core personnel, Forensic Osteoligist, Forensic Psychologist, Criminal Justice Students, Certified Public Safety Divers, Swift Water Rescue Divers, Aquatic Crime Scene Investigators, Pilots, Vet Techs, Social Workers, Educators, Family, and friends of the missing as well as other trained SAR specialist.

United Response Search and Rescue Team has a proven successful track record, providing massive search capabilities in Texas, with positive outcomes. Their team has also helped find missing persons in other states. United Response facilitates a rescue/recovery Command Center for search missions, which is utilized by the SAR Team Incident Command Staff, law enforcement, and the families of the missing person. The center includes computers, printers, copy machines, cell phones, and communication resources.

http://www.ursarteam.org

Interview with WBBJ

2008-07-16T13:16:00.002-05:00

Amber did an interview with WBBJ (News Channel 7, out of Jackson, TN) today. She answered questions about her Mom, and the efforts to raise money to bring in a search organization. Her interview with reporter, Lauren Linney, will air tonight (July 16) on the 6:00 P.M. and 10:00 P.M. broadcasts.

Bring Rachel Home Yard Sale -July 26

2008-07-13T18:38:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, July 26, Amber has planned a yard sale that will be held in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot. If anyone is interested in donating items to the yard sale, please contact Lori at bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com. We are so thankful that the community continues to support Amber in trying to raise funds so that we can bring professionals in to search for her mother!

I will update the blog as soon as I get a definite time that the yard sale will be.

Bake Sale Gas Card Giveaway Winners!

2008-07-12T16:19:00.003-05:00

At the bake sale, there was an opportunity to win one of two drawings for a $25.00 Shell Gift Gard. Our winners are:

Mr. Michael Key of Puryear, TN and Mr. Larry Conger of Paris, TN.

Congratulations to our winners, and thank you for coming to support Amber to Bring Rachel Home!

Bake Sale Photos

2008-07-12T16:12:00.004-05:00

Amber Simmons

Amber Simmons, and volunteer, Steven

Amber Simmons

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos

2008-07-12T16:09:00.006-05:00

Coconut cake, cheddar bacon beer bread,
chocolate chip cookies- it was a tasty day!

Amber Simmons at Bring Rachel Conger Home
Bake Sale

Amber Simmons with volunteer, Steven

Amber Simmons and Dorothy Nichols

Amber Simmons with volunteers, Steven and Billy

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos

2008-07-12T15:56:00.005-05:00

Photo of Rachel Conger on vacation in 2006

Devoted mom with her beautiful girl!

Amber Simmons, daughter of Rachel Conger

Amber Simmons, with volunteer, Steven

Gift card giveaway!

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale Photos

2008-07-12T15:43:00.004-05:00

Amber Simmons, daughter of Rachel Conger,
at bake sale.

Amber Simmons selling goodies at the BRH Bake Sale!

Rachel Conger missing flier.

Rachel Conger memory book, made by
Dorothy Nichols.

All photos by Lori Simmons

Bake Sale

2008-07-12T14:25:00.005-05:00

We would like to say thank you to E.W. James & Sons for letting us use their parking lot for the bake sale, and thank you to the UPS Store for printing and distributing fliers for the event. We would also like to give a BIG thank you to all of the people in Henry County that generously donated their money to bring Rachel home! Our grand total for today was $834.60!!! So, our total so far is:

The Safe Space Blurb

2008-07-11T23:17:00.002-05:00

The Safe Space has a blurb on an interview that Amber did for BreakTheCycle.org, an organization that aims at breaking the cycle of dating violence in teenage relationships.

She did an excellent job and we're very proud of her!

Bring Rachel Home Bake Sale

2008-07-09T18:16:00.001-05:00

Be sure to stop by the “Bring Rachel Conger Home” Bake Sale on July 12 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., in the E.W. James & Sons parking lot at 1301 West Wood Street in Paris , Tennessee .

All proceeds raised will help open doors financially for us to bring in Search and Rescue organizations to search for Rachel Conger, missing since March 13, 2008. The communities contributions will help us reach our immediate needed goal of $4,000, to begin utilizing and continue on-going search efforts with the rising gas and travel expenses.

The bake sale is organized by Rachel's 13-year-old daughter, Amber Simmons, and there will be many delicious pastries for sale, including Pecan pie,Danish pastries, caramel pie, peach cobbler, zucchini bread, cookies, fudge, and several different kinds of cake and teacake. We can always use more, so if you would like to donate a baked item, bring it to the E.W. James & Sons parking lot by 8 a.m. on the day of the sale.

When you visit the bake sale, do not forget to buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two $25 Gas Gift Cards.

If you cannot make it to the “Bring Rachel Conger Home” Bake Sale, you can still donate to the tax deductiable,Rachel Conger Special Account, “ Bring Rachel Home ,” Account No. 8038-010, at the Holley Credit Union in Paris , Tennessee .

Rachel Conger is a young mother who was last seen the morning of March 13, 2008. A witness saw her getting into a Ford F-150 in the Como area with her estranged husband. She has not been seen since. Please contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at 731-642-1672 if you have any information about this case. For more details about the Bake Sale and our efforts to “Bring Rachel Conger Home,” please visit http://bringrachelhome.blogspot.com or send an e-mail to bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com.

"Bring Rachel Home" Special Account Set Up

2008-07-07T16:03:00.002-05:00

If anyone would like to donate to the Bring Rachel Home fund, the tax-deductible bank account is set up at:
Holley Credit Union
1107 Mineral Wells Ave.
Paris, TN 38242

*Information required*
Rachel Conger Special Account "Bring Rachel Home"
Account# 8038-010

Thank you everyone for your continued support!

Fundraising Thermometer

2008-07-06T17:49:00.003-05:00

Our initial goal is to raise $4,000 for the Bring Rachel Conger Home fund. On July 7, we should have the bank account information ready to post. Until then, we are posting this fundraising thermometer so that everyone knows where we stand so far!

Prayer for a Missing Person

2008-07-01T23:23:00.003-05:00

Prayer for the Family of a Missing Person

Dear Lord, hear me in my plea.

I ask You, if it be Your Will, for the quick and safe return of Rachel to her loved ones. If it not be Your Will at this time, Lord, then I ask for the graces necessary for her loved ones to be able to carry this cross. Even though it may seem like the darkest of times, let them know that the light of Your Love shines ever so brightly upon them and that You have wrapped them in the mantle of Your most generous and Sacred Heart.

Please, Lord, as a new day dawns without Rachel, let them know that as they take each difficult step forward, You are right there by their side. When they falter, let them know that it is You who pick up their cross and enable them to carry on. May they never doubt Your immense love of them, and may they find the peace and joy that comes from loving You. Amen.

Written by Kelly Jolkowski

Project Jason Website

Missing Poster of Rachel Conger

2008-07-01T15:57:00.004-05:00

This is the Missing poster that we have created for Rachel, to view the poster as a larger image, click on the poster and it will create a larger image.

Rachel Conger Benefit Car Wash

2008-07-01T00:41:00.004-05:00

At the Rachel Conger benefit car wash that was held on June 27 at Advanced Auto Parts in Paris, TN organizers raised $500 to go toward the Rachel Conger search fund. We would like to thank Advanced Auto Parts for letting us have the car wash there, the kind people that donated money toward finding Rachel and our volunteers that helped to wash cars all day!

On July 12, another benefit fundraiser has been organized. We are holding a bake sale at E.W. James & Sons on West Wood/Hwy 54 in Paris, TN.

Car Wash to Raise Money

2008-06-16T11:53:00.005-05:00

Amber's grandmother, Carol, spoke with Texas EquuSearch today and we have a target goal as to how much we need to raise. Our target goal is $4,000 and we will start working toward that goal on June 27th, 2008. Amber has organized a car wash at Advanced Auto Parts, on Mineral Wells Avenue in Paris starting at 9:00 a.m. She has also talked to several local businesses about leaving donation jars in their stores. I will update the blog with those locations as soon as the donation jars are in place.

So, to remind everyone,

Car Wash

Advanced Auto Parts on Mineral Wells Avenue in Paris

Friday, 06/27/08 at 9:00 a.m.

Fundraisers for Rachel...

2008-06-14T22:54:00.003-05:00

Amber spoke with Texas EquuSearch on Friday, and learned that although they would like to come up here to search for Rachel they cannot right now to do the soaring fuel costs. With that being said, Amber has decided to organize several fundraisers to help collect donations to bring Texas EquuSearch up here to search for Rachel. In the works right now are a car wash, bake sale and yard sale (all to be held at different locations, we will update the blog when we have confirmed dates). There will also be donation boxes set up in local stores. (I will update the blog with the locations when they are confirmed.) We are also organizing a benefit night to raise money, and are going to start contacting local bands to see if they would like to participate. We just wanted to let everyone know what was going on, and what we are planning. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas, please let us know!

May 2008

2008-06-01T21:22:00.005-05:00

Amber has created a Myspace page to help bring awareness to her missing mother, Rachel Conger. Here is the link: Myspace page to Bring Rachel Conger Home

On May 15th, we spoke with a retired investigator, who has been brought in by the Henry County Sheriff's Department to work solely on Rachel's case. He is basically going over everything in the case. He did not have any news for us, but that was to be expected.

The last blog referenced a psychic that we have contacted. People seem to have mixed reactions to this- however, we are doing whatever we can to help Amber find her mother. Whether it be calling in a psychic, contacting a professional search organization or staying in contact with the Sheriff's Department- we will do whatever it takes to help Amber get the answers that she needs and deserves.

If anyone ever needs to contact us, please do so at lksimmons@gmail.com or bringrachelcongerhome@hotmail.com. Everyone, please keep praying for Amber and Rachel.

*Edited on July 7th, 2008- We wanted to let everyone know our updated thoughts on contacting a psychic. It was not a good idea and since then, we have concentrated our attention on contacting Search and Rescue Organizations that actually have a chance at finding Rachel. We still pray that God will lead us to Rachel, and continue to ask for your prayers for Amber and Rachel.

Finding Rachel...

2008-05-07T20:56:00.007-05:00

On a suggestion, we recently decided to contact someone that might be able to help us a little bit more in the search for Rachel. She is a psychic medium and remote viewer. This in no way diminishes the tremendous efforts of all that have helped us before, and continue to help, in the search for Rachel. But, for Amber's sake, we need to pursue every avenue that we can to find Rachel as soon as possible. We did give the information to the Sheriff's Department, and hopefully, we find Rachel soon through whatever means necessary.

We appreciate that the Henry County Sheriff's Department is understanding of the fact that Amber, and Rachel's entire family, need answers and will pursue those answers in any way possible. The Henry County Sheriff's Department has been supportive of every idea that we have came up with, and we would just like to say thank you. Every single person involved in this investigation is working toward one common goal: to bring Rachel home. We are still grateful to everyone that has been involved thus far, and our thoughts and prayers are with every single one of you that are involved in the effort to find Rachel. I truly believe that the Lord will lead us to her, we just have to keep the faith that it will happen.

A Blessing Service for Those Who have Someone Missing

2008-05-03T21:11:00.004-05:00

Let Us Pray

God our Father,
your Son Jesus Christ as a child
was lost in the chaos of a great city
and was restored to the love of his family;
watch over Rachel, now missing, for whom we pray
and protect her with your love.
Be near to those who are anxious for her;
let your presence change their sorrow into comfort,
their anxiety into trust, their despair into faith,
that they may know your loving purposes.
And this we ask in the name of Jesus our Lord,
who loves and lives and cares for all your children.
Amen.

This Blessing for the missing was found online at Missing.WS http://www.missing.ws/_prayer/prayer.asp a website dedicated to missing people in Ireland. I am responsible for inserting Rachel's name in the blessing.
(Taken from Magee Brian, ed. The Veritas Book of Blessing Prayers. Dublin: Veritas, 1989, p. 140)

Searching for Rachel

2008-05-02T11:32:00.003-05:00

It has been several weeks since I have updated the blog with any information. For those that read daily, I apologize. However, there hasn't been much to update. I spoke with a woman from Texas EquuSearch on April 15, who was extremely helpful and friendly. Texas EquuSearch is a great organization, who help so many families that are in the same situation as Rachel's family. One look at their web site tells you just how busy these people are. They have put Rachel's picture on their website, as well as a missing poster when you click on the photo. Link to Texas EquuSearch Missing Poster.

Amber spoke with Sheriff Monte Belew on April 30, and he told her that someone new is on the case, and he will be going over all the information that they have so far and reinterviewing people. I would like to ask everyone to please continue to keep Amber and Rachel in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully, a resolution to this situation will come soon.

"The Henry Countian" Coverage of Candlelight Vigil & Additional Thank You

2008-04-14T15:04:00.003-05:00

To read about the candlelight vigil that was held for Rachel Conger, please visit this link to The Henry Countian website:

Conger Family Thanks Well-Wishers at Vigil

We would like to say thank you to Shannon McFarlin, of The Henry Countian, who has consistently written articles that are respectful and informative of the investigation and search for Rachel. Once again, we would like to thank everyone that attended the vigil. We would also like to thank Sheriff Monte Belew, Mrs. Maggie Johansen, and Mr. William Ellis for speaking at the vigil. Amber is also very appreciative to Whitney & Jeremy Buckelew for their participation in the event.

We will post more updates as they come in, hopefully, God will intervene and something will happen to bring some answers soon.

Thank you!

2008-04-13T20:55:00.003-05:00

Thank you to everyone that came out tonight to support Amber, and the rest of Rachel's family. I know that the weather was not favorable, but it means so much to us that each and everyone of you took time out of your lives to come out and support Amber and her family. Henry County truly is a county that cares about their neighbors, and we thank everyone for their support.

Reminder: Candlelight Vigil

2008-04-12T03:30:00.003-05:00

We would like to remind everyone about the candlelight vigil for Rachel on April 13 at 7:00 pm. We have tried to get the word out regarding the vigil via the local media, but we are not sure how well that has worked out. (However, a very big thank you goes to The Henry Countian, who has posted several reminders regarding the vigil on their current headlines and calendar.)

Amber has organized this vigil to pray for her mother, but I would like to ask everyone to please keep Amber in your thoughts and prayers, as well. She may be young, but she is wise beyond her years and has taken this horrible situation and stepped up to make decisions and try to get updates on the search for her mother. With all that, she is still a girl that loves her mother and misses her very much. She needs answers and she needs prayer.

Please keep Rachel and Amber in your prayers, and please join us on Sunday night, if at all possible.

Custom T-shirts for vigil

2008-04-06T22:34:00.002-05:00

We have created T-shirts that we are planning on wearing to the Candlelight Vigil, and thought that we would provide the link for others to purchase one, if they wanted to.

Rachel7, Bring Rachel Home, Missin... - Customizedbybrh2008
Get this custom shirt at Zazzle

A Mother's Love

2008-04-05T00:27:00.001-05:00

I love the way Rachel is looking at Amber in this picture.

Card of Thanks

2008-04-02T14:10:00.002-05:00

Amber put this card of thanks in the Paris Post-Intelligencer in the Tuesday, April 1 edition of the PI.

Candlelight Vigil for Rachel set for April 13

2008-03-31T11:42:00.006-05:00

What: Candlelight vigil to honor and pray for Rachel Conger

When: April 13th, 7:00 pm (we would like to start gathering before dark)

Where: Henry County Courthouse lawn, in front of steps

We ask that everyone please bring (1) 10" or 12" white taper candle ($0.74 at Wal-Mart or $0.75 at Dollar General). For more information, please post a comment here or email me at lksimmons@gmail.com.

Organization requested to help in search for Rachel

2008-03-31T01:52:00.003-05:00

The non-profit organization, Texas EquuSearch, has been requested to assist in searching for Rachel. It is my understanding that their help was requested last week, however, we have not heard if they will be able to come and help in the search for Rachel.

Texas EquuSearch is a non-profit organization that comes in and assists law enforcement when it comes to finding missing persons. They do not charge for their services, however, they do rely on donations to operate. Even if they are not able to assist in the search for Rachel, I would like to ask everyone to consider donating to Texas EquuSearch in honor of Rachel Conger of Paris, TN: missing since 03/13/08. It was not much, but I donated what I could last night, and I hope that others will as well. This organization does a great service for missing people and their families.

Please Click Here to Donate to Texas EquuSearch

Isaiah 30:21

2008-03-31T01:46:00.002-05:00

My sister posted this as a Myspace bulletin (on the same day as the volunteer search at Briarpatch Lake Rd. on the 22nd). I'm sure that she would not mind me sharing it here.

"Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
“This is the way; walk in it.

”
~ New International Version ~

Unfortunately, the search today to find Rachel was unsuccessful. Please continue to keep my niece Amber in your prayers. Rachel has always been an awesome mother, and Amber deserves answers. Please pray for the law enforcement and numerous other volunteers who continue to search various areas. I am praying that He leads us to her and I feel like that is our only hope in finding her."

Candlelight Vigil for Rachel

2008-03-31T01:42:00.003-05:00

Rachel's daughter, Amber, is trying to plan a candlelight vigil on April 13 in honor and prayer for her mother. We are currently trying to get all permission required for the location that we would like, and we will post more information as it comes available. Please check back often, as we will give updates as often as possible.

2008-03-28T05:36:00.002-05:00

From the Henry Countian

http://www.henrycountian.com/2008/news/mar23_29/mar24_search.htm
Video by Joel Washburn, for the Henry Countian website

Search for Rachel Conger continues...

2008-03-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

Please follow this link to read the story on The Henry Countian website: http://www.henrycountian.com/2008/news/mar23_29/mar24_search.htm

My deepest apologies for not properly crediting all sources.

PARIS, Tenn. — Some 300 people from all over west Tennessee came together Saturday to help in the search for Rachel Conger, combing the fields along Briarpatch Lake Road by foot and on horseback. Henry County Sheriff Monte Belew praised the "tremendous turnout," but said this morning the search turned up no new leads to Rachel Conger's disappearance.

The missing woman disappeared Thursday, March 13, from her new residence in Como, TN with her estranged husband, Paul, in a borrowed gray Ford F-150 truck. Paul Conger was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the woods near the Briarpatch Lake Road home that the couple had formerly shared.

Belew had issued a call to the public to help in the community-wide search for Mrs. Conger. Hundreds heeded the call, gathering around noon at the Yoder Brothers Meat Processing Company on Briarpatch Lake Road.

Most of the people who showed up did not know the Conger family, but said they felt compelled to aid in the search for Mrs. Conger.

Jeff Andres of Henry came with his son, Daniel. "I didn't even know her, but we just wanted to help," he said.

Ivan Folsom, Jr. of Camden, came with his horse, "Lady". "I think it's great that so many people showed up," he said. "The more the merrier."

June Taylor and Shawnee Hill said they didn't know Mrs. Conger, but wanted to donate their time to the effort. "I didn't know her, but we're from Paris and as far as I'm concerned, we're all neighbors."

Kay Whitby of Paris said she and her family just returned from a spring break vacation. "We didn't even know about it until yesterday and once I heard what was going on, I decided I wanted to help."

Search and rescue teams and law enforcement personnel came from all over the area, including Shelby, Obion, Benton, Decatur and Carroll Counties. Belew said he didn't call them to come, "they just heard about it and volunteered on their own."

Along with the Henry County Sheriff's Department, the sheriff's reserves were there in force, along with the county's Equine Search and Rescue Group and the Henry County Search and Rescue Squad. Many also brought their K-9 units.

In his search instructions to the crowd, Belew also provided a detailed time-line on the Conger case. According to Belew, Rachel had been staying at her new residence in Como and she left with her husband in the borrowed truck around 7:45 a.m. Thursday.

The couple drove into Paris and Paul placed a phone call at 8:03 a.m. from his cell phone, which was transmitted by a cell tower in Paris. In the call, he told his first cousin that he was going to Clarksville with Rachel to return the truck.

A video surveillance camera at West Wood Wine and Liquor captured video of the Conger truck driving by at 8:07 a.m., Belew said.

At 9:33 a.m., someone called Rachel on her cell phone, but Paul answered the call "and he seemed upset." That phone call was transmitted by the cell tower at Swan Bay (in the Paris Landing area at Kentucky Lake), Belew said.

At 10:20 a.m., a reliable witness saw Conger in the side yard of his home. At 11:45 a.m., the gray Ford truck was back on Briarpatch Lake Rd. "and Paul Conger pulled into the house and stayed briefly, maybe 5-10 minutes, and got back into the truck". At that point, Conger drove down Briarpatch Lake Rd. and turned in along a dirt road where he ditched his vehicle. ''

Paul Conger was then found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday morning about 500 feet from the Ford F-150 in the woods, Belew said.

Using law enforcement personnel, as with the help of two helicopters and a cadaver dog, searches for Rachel already had been performed near the couple's home, at Swan Bay, in Benton County, at Paris Landing, Gray's Landing, and in the Land Between The Lakes areas 15, 16, and the Standing Rock area, Belew said.

"If she is deceased, and we believe she is," Belew said, "she probably received her wounds between 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Thursday morning."

With nothing new uncovered during Saturday's search, Belew said a decision will be made on how to proceed. "We're going to sit down today and re-interview witnesses and look at evidence again. We'll be getting DNA evidence back soon, too. We may have another search next weekend. But in the meantime, we just want the public to know how much we appreciate how helpful they were in trying to find Rachel."