Women Connect: Forever Friends — Candace Sistig Gaeta

friendships are the best

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Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? Proverbs 20:6 NLT

I have! I am incredibly blessed to have several loyal friends in my life, including sisters-in-law and a niece, who have been incredibly reliable. The best kind of friends I could ever hope for. What a blessing! I am so grateful.

My longest friendship - over fifty years - is with Candi. You know how it is when you are on to something really good...and you just want others to know. That's Candi.

I just want you to know her.

meet

Candace Sistig Gaeta

In our early teens Candi and I met each other and quickly became BFFs. To this day, when we're together - in our minds - we're teenagers again. While, as you will read, life dealt some serious blows...we have remained true to our Savior and nurtured our friendship.

We may go a couple months without talking but then feel the need to schedule a phone call. And we don't set a timer! Invariably in the call's first seconds - maturity takes flight - and we laugh just hearing each other's voices. She's that kind of friend.

Last week we spent a whole day together in Southern California. Prior to our visit I asked if I could spend a little of our time 'interviewing' her for this women connect. She graciously agreed.

So here's Candi...in her own words:

I grew up in a wonderful, godly home with parents who lived what they preached.

Early one morning, in the Covina Assembly parsonage, when I was about ten, God gave me a verse that carried me through many years.

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1(b) NIV

And then life happened. Through my teens some sexual abuse took place. And, back then, counseling wasn't common - we just prayed, forgave, and moved forward. I went to Bethany Bible College, knowing one day I would eventually marry a pastor.

Believing I was flawed from my earlier abuse, I married the first man showing an interest in me, who was also tall and ministry-bound. Early on, I knew I had made a dreadful mistake.

I lived for eighteen years in a most difficult relationship. More abuse but all cloaked in the ministry. Four children came through those years, and they became my life. Finally, many things surfaced, including extreme accounts of unfaithfulness. God clearly released me from that relationship.

Thirty years ago as a single mom of four kids, I suddenly found myself without an income and potentially without a home, God came through. He used a widower named Art Gaeta who allowed us to move into his home rent-free while he and his son moved in with his mother. My four children and I were able to get established, settling into a church and schools and finding our way again.

And it turns out...I married that widower! He became my Boaz (from the Old Testament story of Ruth and Boaz). Eight days after we married, my mother, my lifelong mentor and encourager, passed away. God already had a plan in place for my provision and encouragement.

Art and I have definitely had our blended-family challenges, but we've both flourished and grown. God gave me many years in a formal ministry position that included a lot of ministry with women. I was able to stand on the next life verse that God gave me:

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT

The Lord has given me ten beautiful grandchildren, and at present Art and I live merely steps from all of them in Gilbert, Arizona. It's the most unique and gratifying living situation I could have imagined.

Almost 21 years ago, the night my first grandson was born, I was so overjoyed. But that same night, God directed me to this Scripture:

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 KJV

At first I was anxious...why this verse at that time? I was concerned that my new grandson's health was in danger. But, no, God clearly gave me this verse to cling to, preparing me for what has become a twenty-plus-year journey.

I've learned to lean in and let God's righteous right hand hold me and my two youngest sons, identical twins. They are are still far from God. Both of them have made choices and have struggled more than anyone I know. My job has been to love them, to pray for them and to not be fearful or even dismayed. I'm still right there: clinging, resting and trusting in His sovereignty and timing.

Candi's prayer for us:

Lord Jesus, I ask that every woman reading this will come to understand that you utilize everything - the good, the hard, the confusing times - to grow us up, mature us, and make us more like You. >I thank you that even when the life we are living doesn't always seem 'abundant', our happiness isn't based on these temporary circumstances. You continually refine us as pure gold. >For the woman who is in a difficult season, bring hope, cheer and help her to keep her gaze on You! >I want to also thank you for your grace that is so much bigger than we realize. And for your love that is far-reaching and will never let us go. In your precious name, amen.

Thank you, Candi, for sharing your life and heart with us. I love your authenticity. I love you...my forever friend.

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Every year Candi + Art make their way to spend a week with us. It really is one of the highlights of our year. Over coffee, meals, long walks and basking in the redwood-filtered light, we laugh, reminisce, sometimes cry, always pray. And celebrate our friendship. Four imperfect people, in a very broken world, serving a God who loves us unconditionally and promises a life eternally with Him. Oh, what blessed hope we have!

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If you need the assurance of an eternal life w/ Jesus...or you know someone who does, please go to this link.

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