Missing Antoinette

I lost one of my closest friends in the Fall last year. I considered her my “spiritual mom”. The meaning behind this is that she was a spiritual mother figure in my life. Someone who gave me wisdom, guidance, encouragement, who was always willing to be a listening ear, who lifted me up daily in prayer, and who would constantly point me back to Jesus. I met her the night I rededicated my life back to the Lord (Saturday October 10, 2015). She was on the prayer ministry team and seeing I was emotional and in distress, she offered to pray with me/for me. I agreed and right then begin what would become a cherished and special bond/friendship. She would tell me I could call her all hours of the night, anytime time or day. I was in a very low mental state and she became a glimmer of hope walking along side me. We would talk all the time eventually spending time together often. Rather it was over text, lengthy phone calls, coffee, hanging out, or eating El Chubby’s (her fav Mexican food), we had a great time together while always sharing the Lord in every single interaction. Even though there was an age difference, she quickly became one of my closest friends. I admired her testimony as she shared her background and how she was somewhat new to the faith. She spoke freely about how she grew up in a difficult home with an alcoholic abusive mother. Her mom would eventually get sober and lived the rest of her days as such. At the time I met her, her son was also an alcoholic in active addiction. I remember her telling me “I gave him completely over to the Lord” as we cried and prayed for his deliverance. Her son also got sober and gave his life to the Lord, serving in church to this very day! It was powerful to see the miracles God did in both of our lives during the short time we had together. She was amazed at how much scripture I knew and could comprehend. With smiles on both our faces, I would explain I’ve been reading the Bible since 4th grade. While I had many moments of turning away from God, He would always bring me back to Him. She would share with me many times (including telling my loved ones when she met them), “had I known Valeria was so well versed in the Word and in prayer, I would have been intimidated by her”. So truly it was a divine appointment how God united us. One of my favorite memories with her was when we attended our church’s women’s retreat in October 2019. The title of our conference was “Beauty For Ashes” from Isaiah 61:3, confirmation of what God was already doing in both our lives. We stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Vail. It was Autumn and the scenery was just as beautiful as the work God was doing in and through us that weekend. Quite literally, It was one of the best times of my life.

I don’t recall the date specifically but sometime in 2021 (I believe), she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer which she would battle until the very end. Just weeks before her passing, she was able to meet my husband. Someone she had been praying earnestly for and had been waiting to meet in person. I got to tell her how much I loved her and how grateful I was to have her in my life. We cried as we shared memories, we laughed, we held hands, and hugged many times. I got to read a beautiful message my mom wrote to her, thanking her for being there for me in my darkest moments (in addition to so much more). While there were many prayers (and tears) pleaded for her to be healed on earth, the Lord instead chose to heal her spiritually in Heaven forever. I miss my friend dearly. There are days and nights that I wish I could call her. I miss our talks, I miss her hugs, I miss her laugh… I miss her! While it hurts to not have her here anymore, I know she was a gift in my life from the Lord as I am certain I was to her also. Knowing I will see her again is where I find hope. In a place where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more cancer, no more death! Oh what a glorious day that will be!

Keep going sweet friend.

// prayer // 

Lord, Thank You for my precious friend. While I miss her greatly I thank You for the time we shared and for placing her in my life. Keep her family close to You, comfort them and never let them go. Father, Help us when we’re weary over the loss of our loved ones. Remind us that we do not mourn as the world does. You are our hope Lord! You are the resurrection and the life! Thank You that one day we will see our saved loved ones again. We know tomorrow is not promised, draw us closer to You and help us to be ready for the moment and hour You call us home. In Jesus name, Amen. 

🙌🏽🙏🏽💜

“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” -I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭51‬-‭58‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” -I Thessalonians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬-‭18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ 

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”
‭‭-Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬