Created: 2/17/2009 10:09:58 PM 
PUTNAM COUNTY, FL -- Pastor Terry Wright said Tuesday night, "We can choose to embrace despair, or we can choose to have hope."
Hope - the feeling that what is wanted can be had.
5-year-old Haleigh Cumming's mother walked into Dunn's Creek Baptist Church in San Mateo clutching her youngest child, and framed pictures of her oldest.
Johnny Marcus Sheffield, Jr., Haleigh's uncle on her mother's side, said through tears, "[Haleigh] is amazing. She's the greatest. Her and her little brother, I just love them to death. It's a shame."
Inside the hour-long service, Haleigh's mother and father sat on each aisle seat right in front of the pastor's pulpit, taking turns holding the 4-year-old son they have together. Each parent, physically leaning on their loved ones for support.
Both families nodded their heads in agreement when Pastor Wright prayed if someone has Haleigh, their heart would be softened.
"We're not naive about statistics," said Pastor Wright. "But we have a choice to make because they've not found Haleigh."
They choose hope over despair, and leave the sanctuary with the message that when the world says give up, hope whispers to keep going.
Community member Marisa Sapp brought two of her children to the vigil. Her daughter attends Haleigh's elementary school.
"It's just emotional," said Sapp. "Gives you chills, just knowing she's out there somewhere and you don't know if she's hungry, cold, you don't know. There's nothing you can do but sit and wait and just hope and pray."
The service included songs, prayer, and a short message from Pastor Wright. A pot luck dinner followed.
The church holds a few hundred people, and there was standing room only.
Putnam County Sheriff Jeff Hardy and other law enforcement members attended the vigil.
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