Angelia K. Riffle Bridger, (52), went to her eternal home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 4, 2023. Angie is survived by her parents, Bobbie and Wayne Riffle, several aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and her beloved pets- Tux and Jack.
Though Angie was physically limited by a neuro-muscular disease all of her life, she was not limited in her great love for the Lord, friends and family, and animals. Angie graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Microbiology and then worked for 5 years for the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
Anyone who knew Angie loved her and knew she loved the Lord. She was a generous person who liked to bring happiness to others; the world was a better place because of her.
This is her testimony:
From the beginning, I was raised in the church. As a child, I faced the weakness of this body that my soul was in. I found comfort in what I was being taught in the children’s church and other youth activities. I learned who Jesus was..my Creator, my Redeemer, my Savior for my sin debt. At the age of 9, I gave my life to the Lord and was baptized. I wanted to feel secure in knowing where I’d spend eternity if my life were to end and to have my own relationship with Christ.
At the age of 9, I had not really faced many temptations of the world, but I knew I was a sinner in need of grace to save me. As I grew older, I did have the Spirit of peace within me as I dealt with life’s trials of surgeries, being different than my friends and just life as a young girl in a wicked world. I found strength through prayer. My downfall was the belief in myself, as much as the Spirit within me.
Even when I was away from church, the desire to seek more of God remained in me. I know God has been working on my sanctification in many ways and opportunities. One example, a church student union at college allowed my scooter in their building. After making friends there, I ended up in a Bible study.
My life wasn’t a ‘total’ surrender to His will until the age of 30. I’m guilty of wanting what the world offered and ignoring the cost of it. God allowed me to have all that I wanted from the world…a marriage, a home, a career…but I failed to put Him first and above all things…therefore I reaped the consequences. I’m thankful for this discipline.
My life was at a crossroad of choice...will I hang onto my will or trust in His guiding? My world was stripped away and what I thought was my end…was actually my new beginning. I thank God for doing whatever it took..and yes it hurt a lot…to get my dependence centered on Him alone. I thank God that since age 9, I’ve never felt truly alone. I thank God that as much as I've failed Him and chosen the world, that He hasn’t given up on me and continues His good work in me. I thank God that I am forgiven because of His sacrifice. I thank God that I don’t fear death because of His resurrection and promises that He has prepared a place for me with Him.
-Angelia