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The Search for Rachel, a father's journal

Monday, December 1

An arrest was made today in the missing Dru Sjodin case. Police arrested 50-year-old Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. The odds of a missing person coming home safe after 72 hours are not very good. I hope that we see another miracle happen and Dru is returned home alive to her family.

I sent out 11 e-mails to people who have offered to donate baked goods for this Saturday's Rachel Alert Network bake sale. I also found out we do not need a food permit because the bake sale is only for one day.

Tuesday, December 2

This morning I spent time with some Austin Community College students. The journalism students interviewed me about Rachel's disappearance. They will write up the interview and submit it as their final exam for the course they are taking. I also did this in the summer of 2002.

The Molly Bish story will finally be shown on 48 HOURS Wednesday, December 3. John Bish told me it was originally supposed to air in mid-October. It has been delayed twice.

Ex-sheriff John Maspero surprised a lot of people and resigned today. He said it's the right thing to do for Williamson County and I agree. I'm sure the decision was very difficult for him to make.

A lot of people are submitting tips to us about how Dru Sjodin and Rachel look a little alike. I'm pretty sure the man they arrested yesterday in North Dakota was in prison when Rachel disappeared. I noticed the resemblance last week and have been following Dru's case. I will verify his location on January 10, 2002.

Wednesday, December 3

I spoke with interim Sheriff Richard Elliott today. Sheriff Eilliot has asked for a copy of Rachel's entire case. He will review the documents, and then we will meet next week.

The Molly Bish story was on 48 HOURS tonight. The reporter did a good job of covering the case and explaining what little facts are known concerning Molly's disappearance.

Thursday, December 4

I added an event calendar to both rachelcookesearch.org and rachelalert.org. The calendar will list activities of the Rachel Alert Network and the Rachel Cooke Search.

The bake sale items are starting to roll in. I even made some Rice Krispy squares myself tonight. We will be selling baked goods at the Georgetown Christmas Stroll this Saturday, December 6, from noon until 8:00 p.m. Our booth is a little out of the way. It is on 7th Street, just east of Main street.

Friday, December 5

Seven out of the thirteen people who are donating baked goods for tomorrow's bake sale brought things by. Some of the other donators may bring their baked goods by the stroll tomorrow. I baked some cookies and more Rice Krispy squares tonight. Everyone has been really supportive of us.

Saturday, December 6

It was very cold and a very long day for today's Rachel Alert Network bake sale. We had a tremendous response from people who donated baked goods and other items. I'm happy to announce that RAN made over $500 at the sale. This will pay for an entire M.U.S.T. women's self-defense and awareness class. I'd like to thank everyone who donated and worked in the booth.

FOX 7 NEWS came by our bake sale booth and did a quick interview. They had a nice story on the Georgetown Christmas Stroll, which ended with a segment on the RAN bake sale. Media coverage like this informs the public that RAN is here to help people.

Sunday, December 7

I took the day off today after such a long and busy day yesterday. A few pictures of yesterday's bake sale have been added to Rachel's message board

Monday, December 8

We held the Rachel Alert Network Officers meeting today. I told our team that we surpassed our goals this year. We are looking forward to accomplishing even more in 2004.

After the meeting, we brainstormed about what kind of activity we could do on January 10, 2004. That day will mark two years since Rachel disappeared. We want to do something to remember her.

Tuesday, December 9

The Williamson County Commissioners voted today to appoint Jim Wilson as the new sheriff. Mr. Wilson will replace interim Sheriff Richard Elliott. An election for sheriff is scheduled in November, 2004. Jim Wilson will also probably run for the office then. Sheriff Wilson will be the sheriff until at least January of 2005.

I have already talked to Jim Wilson. In fact, he stopped by the Rachel Alert Network bake sale booth last Saturday. I will meet with Sheriff Wilson as soon as possible after he settles into the job.

I attended the Tree of Angels ceremony tonight. The Tree of Angels was created by Verna Lee Carr and People Against Violent Crime in 1991. Victims of violent crimes and their family may place an angle on the tree for the victim.

I decided not to place an angel on the tree until we find Rachel. The Tree of Angels represents part of the healing process a person or family has to go through after a violent act. We can't start that process until Rachel is found.

Wednesday, December 10

I updated the Tributes page on rachelcookesearch.org, adding the 2003 Run/Walk for Rachel and the Music for the Missing Concert. The What's New section on the home page is getting too long, and we will be announcing the details of the 2004 Run/Walk for Rachel soon.

We have an idea for an activity for January 10, 2004. When the location is confirmed next week, I will announce the event which will mark the 2-year anniversary since Rachel disappeared.

A new spell checker has been added to Rachel's Message Board. There is a button next to the Preview and Post buttons.

Thursday, December 11

I spoke to a group of Central Texas law enforcement agents in San Marcos today. The Laura Recovery Center is holding a missing person training class today and tomorrow, and they wanted me to speak to the group from a victim's perspective. I will also speak to a second group of law enforcement agents in tomorrow afternoon's class.

We are receiving several requests to hold M.U.S.T. women's self- defense classes in other cities and states. At this time we have to limit the free classes to Central Texas. If we receive a sponsor, then we will consider traveling to other cities.

Friday, December 12

I spoke to another law enforcement class this afternoon. The Laura Recovery Center was training them on handling missing person cases. I sat in and watched some of the excellent class.

The Laci Peterson teddy bear makers sent us a few hearts for Rachel to put on our family's Christmas trees. Next month they are sending smaller versions for Rachel's two-year disappearance vigil.

Saturday, December 13

I forgot to mention that the MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW called me. Their representative did not realize they had already featured Rachel last February.

The links to Rachel's web site from Dru Sjodin's web site are generating a lot more visitors to Rachel's site this month. Hopefully national television programs will now want to feature a story on Rachel.

Sunday, December 14

I took the day off today. I had plans to put up a Christmas tree, but I didn't get it done. Things like that just don't seem to matter anymore.

Monday, December 15

I received a beautiful poem about Rachel from a woman from Illinois. I am going to ask her permission to publish it on Rachel's web site.

We are hoping to announce the January 10, 2004, activity tomorrow. I'd like people to have time to plan around the event. This year we want to take time to thank everyone who has helped us over the past two years. We could not have made it without this support.

I am very pleased that Saddam Hussein was captured by our forces on Saturday. Hopefully Iraq will now have a chance to heal and rebuild. I also hope our men and women can come home to their families soon.

Tuesday, December 16

I ate lunch with Sabrina Allen's father Greg today. He has just returned from another trip to Mexico. This time he developed some good contacts in some of the Mexican agencies. Hopefully something will break soon on the location of Sabrina.

Paster Selle and his Faith Lutheran Church have come through for us once again. They are allowing us use of their gym and sanctuary for January 10, 2004. "Gratitude and Remembrance" will be held that day to mark two years since Rachel's disappearance.

We will honor Rachel, and our family will thank the thousands of people who have helped us through this awful experience. A gathering will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and then Pastor Selle will hold a candlelight service at 6:00 p.m.. More details about the event will be announced soon.

Wednesday, December 17

I added an information page about the January 10 Gratitude and Remembrance event. The rachelcookesearch.org/2year page will be updated as we define more details for that day.

I spoke with Chief Deborah Brown today. We are still scheduled to hold the next M.U.S.T. women's self-defense and awareness seminar on Tuesday, January 13, 2004. The class will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at B's Gathering House in Round Rock. For more details, including directions, visit rachelalert.org/must.

Thursday, December 18

Chief Deborah Brown sent me a list of holiday safety tips. I added them on rachelalert.org/holidaysafety . The tips are good to know to increase your awareness during the holiday season.

The body of missing Heather Carpenter was found near her Redding, California, home. Heather's 18-year-old boy was arrested for her murder. Heather has been missing since August 4, 2003. My heart and prayers go out to her family.

Friday, December 19

I added several more missing persons on the links page of rachelcookesearch.org. Most of the people had been placed in Rachel's Message Board in the other missing persons area. To view the links to other links visit rachelcookesearch.org/links.

I found out that the 18-year-old boy who was arrested for the murder of Heather Carpenter was not her boyfriend. Law enforcement is currently trying to find out if a connection existed between the two.

Saturday, December 20

I received a large box of ribbons from the Laci Peterson Ribbon Makers today. We should have enough ribbons for all of the January events.

I finally put up our Christmas tree. My daughter JoAnn and I will decorate it tomorrow or Monday. I put two angels on the tree. Both were made by my friend Brie from the Shawn Hornbeck Foundation. One angel is for Rachel and the other is for Shawn. I also put a heart from the Laci Peterson Teddybear Maker. The heart is a larger version of the hearts she is making for the January 10 remembrance.

Sunday, December 21

I created some invitations for the January 10 remembrance yesterday. I mailed a few of them yesterday, and I am addressing more today.

Monday, December 22

I collected all of the Rachel Alert Network incorporation documents and took them by our bank. We decided to get a safe deposit box to store important documentation.

A couple of women called today and reserved a spot at the January M.U.S.T. self-defense seminar. Based on the number of people contacting us, we should have a good sized class.

Tuesday, December 23

I caught up on my journals today. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth updating them, and then I realize it's one of the few things I can do. Families with missing members feel so helpless not being able to do anything.

Wednesday, December 24

I mailed some more invitations today for Rachel's 2-year remembrance on January 10. Rachel's boyfriend Greg called tonight and I invited him to come. Greg really wants to be here.

I hope that all of the violent criminals will take a moment this Christmas to remember what they did. Remember how they did harm to an innocent victim. Remember how they tore apart families. I want them to remember so they will never harm another person again.

Thursday, December 25

I made it through another Christmas today without Rachel. It was easier this year although I still would rather not celebrate.

Friday, December 26

I added some new pictures of Rachel to the slideshow on Rachel's web site. The new pictures of her range from age 1 to age 19.

Rachel's Guest Book has grown to over 200 messages. People from almost every state and several foreign countries have left well-wishes in the book. I appreciate every message that was written.

Saturday, December 27

I added a contact names list to rachelalert.org for parents to record their child's friends, family members, teachers, co-workers, and others. When a person first becomes missing this information is very helpful. It's a lot easier to put the list of contacts together before something happens. The list can be accessed through the child ID link on the home page or by going to rachelalert.org/contactlist.

Sunday, December 28

Several people have requested cookbooks. The cookbooks we were selling benefited the Kristen Modefferi Foundation. That foundation helps families of missing adults.

The Rachel Alert Network Officers decided to research producing our own cookbook with the proceeds going towards sponsoring the M.U.S.T self-defense and awareness classes and to help the families of missing persons. We decided producing a cookbook is a good idea.

Recipes will be gathered in the spring and the cookbooks will be published during the summer. I will be setting up an e-mail account for people to send recipes. Our goal is to have 500-600 recipes in the book and sell them for $15. If we pick up a sponsor we may be able to sell them for less.

Monday, December 29 through December 31

I took a few days off to take a mini vacation. This is the first time I've been out of town since Rachel disappeared which didn't involve an activity dealing with her disappearance. I felt I needed some time off before January 10.