Elaine Sepulveda’s family clung to each other and cried after blowing out the candles at the end of the vigil Saturday evening.

Elaine’s family and members of the community gathered outside Harbor Tower Village in Oak Harbor to pray for Elaine’s protection and safe return.

With their 15-year-old daughter now missing for more than two weeks, parents Mary and Juan Jimenez’s search for Elaine has turned heavenward. They asked friends and members of the community to come pray with them during a candlelight vigil.

With prayers whispered between sobs, the family sat in a semi-circle behind Pastor Dave Veach of Oak Harbor’s Living Word Church, as he spoke words of comfort and courage for the family and those who came to support them.

Amidst the glow of candles, friends, neighbors and families from Juan Jimenez’s squadron, VAQ 140, bowed their heads and listened, whispering their own prayers.

“My heart really goes out to the family.” said Jill Hager, an Oak Harbor resident who attended the vigil. “I’ve never experienced anything like this, but I can just imagine the grief and mourning they are going through.”

Hager said when she first heard about Elaine’s disappearance, she felt she had to help in some way. She has sent the girl’s missing poster and information to America’s Most Wanted for their missing person’s files.

“I think they can provide miracles if anybody can, other than God,” she said. “You never know, there could still be a miracle out there. All we can do is pray for a miracle.”

Hager said she felt it was good for the family to have a vigil.

“I think it helps spiritually. It gives them hope and lets them know the community is behind them. Our hearts go out to them,” she said.

Others attending said they were grateful for a time and opportunity to come out and support the family and join in prayer for Elaine’s protection.

Nicole Nagle, 17, a senior at Oak Harbor High School, said she has missed seeing Elaine at school since her disappearance Nov. 6 and hopes, wherever she is, she is safe and returns home soon.

Nagle’s mother, Kari Nagle, echoed her daughter’s hopes for the missing girl’s safe return and added her condolences for the family.

“I’m a mother … I have two girls of my own,” she said. “I hope she comes home.”

Another Oak Harbor resident, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeff Groebli of VP1, said he and his family have lived in Oak Harbor for the past two years, and had thought about making Oak Harbor their home, but now with this, he said he’s not sure.

“This strikes so close to home,” he said. “I have two daughters, 12 and 8 years old, and they’re very close.”

Groebli said he doesn’t know any of the details surrounding Elaine’s disappearance or the current police investigation, but he said if Elaine is out there, he hopes she comes back or is returned soon. He mentioned the case of Elizabeth Smart and said even when it seemed impossible, she was found and returned to her family.

Still hopeful, Elaine’s mother said she will do what she needs to to continue getting word and information out about her daughter. She said they will continue to expand their search.

She also said she would like to extend her gratitude and thanks to everyone in the community for their help and support, especially those who have helped organize and carry out searches for her daughter, and those who helped with and participated in the candlelight vigil.

Like the white balloons the family released into the night sky, they released their prayers upward and then clung to each other for support until the wave of sadness passed.

By the end of the vigil, the balloons and prayers traveled heavenward, the candles winked out and only smiles of compassion and comfort continued to glimmer through wet eyes, as community members met with the family to express their hopes, concerns and condolences for them.