Our beautiful niece Heather Faith Wagner just 37 years young, has left the bonds and pains of earth to be with her Savior the Lord Jesus Christ! Growing up the only girl surrounded by 5 strong and virulent brothers, she held her own and at times was a second mom to her younger siblings. She was strong in faith, character, perseverance and love. Yes, she was given extra portions of Faith, Perseverance & Love!

She was born just Heather Wagner, since her parents left out the middle names of their children to give them the opportunity to pick their own middle name later in life. Then Heather chose “Faith” which was a most appropriate addition. Because that is what it would take to face the huge hurdles she would eventually face.

Heather was homeschooled by her hard working and talented mother Barbara and she was laden down early in life with the physical malady of Asthma, but she still maintained a normal life and excelled in school, in business and industry, travelling all across the USA giving seminars on healthcare programs to various companies and organizations.

That is until a severe Asthma attack in 2011 brought on by second hand smoke in her workplace left her unconscious. A coworker, Heather had trained on the use of an EpiPen, gave her the injection she needed and she returned to consciousness but only to be transported to the hospital where a long and deep decline of her health would occur. She would never return to the state of her previous life, never go back home the same person, never go back to the office, never be “normal” again.

Through an almost eight year nightmare her health status would traverse up baby steps and then decline like a roller coaster. But Heather never gave up. Her faith was in the God of the Bible and she understood that her Savior was with her every step of the way. So she fought and fought and fought. She even reached the place where she could go back to work, but only from her home office, still writing courses and doing training online and continuing to touch people’s lives.

In spite of her failing health she encouraged SO many people with her never quit attitude and never ending words of appreciation and encouragement for even the smallest things her Mom, Dad, family and friends would do for her. Here’s one example from her facebook page of her gracious and loving appreciation:

September 25, 2019 (after pulling out of one of her low health crisis times)

“I’m out of the woods so to speak, just a lot of rest and recovery to “do”.

There has been a core group of people who have REALLY been there for me, offering to come (or just coming to help me). I’m so afraid I’d miss someone’s name so I’m just going to say you know who you are.

I do want to especially thank my parents John & Barbara and my brother, Ryan and Sister (in Love) Belle who have been constants (daily) through this and I’ve learned so much about the great compassion of my work team-mates, despite SO much going on in their own lives (death, sickness), they rallied together to help me this week so I could focus on getting better. I’m so thankful and humbled to be honest.

There are definitely a few others who deserve my thanks and have just been amazing whether it be rides to drs, tests, meals brought, laundry done…I even had some friends hang some pictures do some organizing (okay, a lot of organizing!). Oh! and they even did a little Fall decorating to cheer me up while I’m laid up…I love Fall. 🍃🍁🍂

Y’all know who you are and you know me, thank you cards will be on their way eventually 😉

This post was far longer than I anticipated, though after being reminded in several ways this past week of how short life really is and can be, I just wanted to update everyone that I’m ok, I’m hanging in there and wanted to express my thankfulness for the love; prayers; encouraging words and practical, daily help. 💜”

That was Heather every day, thankful and appreciative through every crisis and all day long for almost 8 long years! What was her secret? Her “FAITH” which never wavered:

From September 2019

“You’ll never stop me.
I’m a warrior.
When I fall down, I get stronger.
Faith is my shield, His love is the armor.
I’m a warrior…”

 

From October 2019

I don’t have much
But what I have is Yours to use
So make my whole life Your upper room…

 

From November 2019 Heather’s last FB post:

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed.” Isaiah 54:10

 

Heather Faith Wagner is with the Lord, no more sorrow, no more sickness, no more crying, for the former things are passed away and her crown awaits her. What a beautiful Soul!