Good Bye to Amanda

Guest Post:

Tragically, Amanda passed away last night due to cardiac arrest.

Even as her life became defined by her RCM diagnosis, Amanda loved life and did not fear death, expressing confidence in Jesus as the resurrection and the life.

Her last hours were spent with friends at a BBQ, where she collapsed and became unresponsive in spite of attempts to revive her.

The Horst family treasures the prayers and care all of you have shared in their journey. Thank you for continuing to pray for them during this difficult time.

-Arlin, on behalf of Galen & Patricia

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31 thoughts on “Good Bye to Amanda”

    1. Debbi Christinck

      So so sorry. I enjoyed meeting Amanda and sharing her story with our readers at the Leader. Amanda had a sweet gentle spirit and firm faith. I know so many were praying for Amanda and the family. Praying for you all now as you mourn her passing. You have been a testimony of Gods providence in your lives throughout this and I know that providence will sustain you now. My deepest condolences

      1. thanks debbi , for your wonderful reporting on this story. Providence really is a good word at this time.

      1. Dr. John Collins

        It was with profound sadness that Alison and I heard about Amanda’s untimely passing while awaiting a heart transplant. I can still vividly recall that Saturday morning in July, fourteen years ago when we first met and I had the pleasure of delivering Amanda into this world. We know that your strong faith in the Lord and your many friends and family will help you endure this most tragic time. God bless.
        Dr. John and Alison Collins.

    2. shelley Robertson

      Oh my. I am sorry to hear this Patricia… .yet she is good now. I did not realize you left the valley. The east is a splendid place. My family were born and raised.

  1. MariJane Horst

    We have confidence that God had this all planned. But oh the pain of parting! Words are inadequte! Our loss is her gain. A new body with no pain or limitations! Praise God we have the confidence of someday meeting Jesus and our loved ones on Heavens shore. We need not weep as those who have no hope. Praying for you all during this difficult time.

  2. May I extend my sincere condolences to all your family at this time. I pray that the comfort only Jesus can give will be each of your experience. We do have a wonderful hope though & I’m so glad you know that hope! Bless you all with grace & strength over these next weeks & months.

  3. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you find rest in trusting that God’s timing is perfect.

  4. Our sincerest sympathies in this time of sorrow, parting and loss. May you find grace and strength for the journey in the coming days.
    Sincerely.
    Cor and Susan Harder.

  5. Danette Martin

    So sorry to hear this! Although we don’t know you in person, we are grieving with you, and feel a kinship through our connections in the family of God. Prayers as you navigate these next days and beyond…may the Lord be so near!

  6. Dear Galen, Patricia and children,
    I have just come to be aware of your daughter’s passing through Gina (Home Joys) and have such a deep pain in my heart for you and the family. We can’t immediately understand why God would bring your family so close to Amanda’s heart transplant surgery only to take her home but we do have the blessed assurance of His Love, Provision and Strength.
    I am the mama of a heart child (now 26) and though her health issues were not nearly as complex as Amanda’s I do have an understanding of what you were going through (hospital appointments, surgery etc) My heart weeps with yours as you come to terms with your loss, but Heaven’s gain.
    You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
    In Jesus I pray,
    Julia (Whangarei, New Zealand)

  7. Amanda’s short life was not in vain. We were so blessed with the Horsts’ recent visit here with us. Hebrews 11:4 says that Abel, though dead, still speaks, because of his faith. Amanda’s life also still speaks for Christ.

    John 6:63 says: “It is the spirit that makes alive, the flesh profits nothing.” Many people are walking and alive but are not filled with the spirit of Christ, so they are actually dead. Amanda’s body, which Jesus said “profits nothing”, is dead but she is more alive than many that are still with us! Will we be walking dead, or alive with Christ? Will our life still speak after our body dies?

  8. Dear family,
    We just want you to know we understand and we care…. we are parents to a heart child now in heaven.. our 8 year old had Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and severe epilepsy and silently passed from this earth early in the morning of January 16,2019.. our hearts ache with missing her but what a JOY to know she is completely whole and well. But still the pain is so real for us here. Our prayers are with you. May God grant you comfort and strength for today and all the tomorrows.
    Roy and Teresa Witmer

    1. Alex & Betty Briscoe

      Alex & I are so sorry to hear that Amanda has been taken to her Heavenly Father.
      Time….it doesnt really belong to us…May the love of Jesus bring your hearts comfort & peace..
      Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted..MATTHEW 5:4

  9. May God bless and strengthen you and your family as you go through this very trying time. May you be blessed with a special portion of his peace and love.

    Betty and Don Taylor

  10. Michelle Schison

    With heavy hearts we send our sincerest condolences to your family. Keeping you in our thoughts.
    Keith, Michelle and Logan Schison

  11. My heart is aching with you all, even though I’ve never met you. Praying God will be very near you in this hard, hard time!

  12. My heart is breaking for your family. We were so saddened to hear this news. When we met Amanda at the homeschool conference we were in love with her sweet, calm personality. We were amazed at how positive she was and were really looking forward to her recovery so that we could get together. Know that we are praying for your family and praying that peace will be found in knowing that this life on earth is temporary. There will be a day when we will have no more sorrow and we will spend an eternity with our Saviour and our loved ones. Love and hugs to everyone.

  13. Marvin m Martin

    Our sympathies are with you as you try to cope with the reality of your daughter’s death
    My you be given strength to again adjust to a new normal in life
    Praying for you as you go through this difficult time
    God will be with you as you lean on him for his ever present help
    Marvin

  14. Really sad to hear this. Praying for comfort and peace for your family. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life 🙂

  15. Linda Gauthier

    I’m incredibly sorry that you are all having to experience this loss, as parents and as brothers and sisters. May you all find the way to accept Amanda’s passing as a Family at your beautiful, peaceful home. Thinking of you from the Cobden area.

  16. Sheila DP - Kindred Credit Union

    My deepest condolences to you, and the whole family, as you mourn the loss of your daughter. Your dedication to family, resilience in the face of adversity, and trust in God was evident through Amanda’s transplant journey, and it will carry you forward. Thank you for sharing your story with Kindred and our members. Prayers and best wishes to you all.

  17. My heart goes out to you… May God be with you in a special way! Praise God there’ll be a reunion someday…

  18. Bertha Metzler

    I met you through Gina Martin. She posted in one of her blogs that she is grieving for you. So I clicked on the link she posted and I am enjoying learning to know new “blog friends”
    A Mennonite friend in South Alabama.

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