Back in the early 1980's, my husband and I were a young married couple struggling to provide for our two-year old daughter. Some days we didn\'t know how we'd feed our family until the next pay check arrived. But every time we were flat broke, we'd find money someone mysteriously left for us, once in our mailbox and twice in our car. We were in a big city far from our small hometown, and we honestly to this day do not know where the money came from. It just always appeared, right when we needed it most. God is amazing, He always provides!

Another time we had no money for Christmas presents and someone sent us $100. in the mail in a card from "Santa". It affected me to such an extent that I now always try to help anyone in whatever small way I can. We've tried to teach our children to do the same thing. When our daughter was in kindergarten, she came home one day & asked me why a girl in her class always wore the same pair of overalls with the same shirt underneath. I told her that was probably the only clothes she had. She also told me the girl never had money to buy juice or milk at snack time.

I started giving my daughter an extra quarter to carry in her backpack for the days when this girl didn't have milk money, and she'd quietly give it to the teacher. I always carry dog food in the trunk of my car and will feed stray dogs wherever I see them out and about, and will try to help them if they'll let me. We've rescued many strays over the years. I\'m always so happy to be able to help, the way some kind soul (angel in disguise) helped us in our times of need.

29 October 2009

While taking my nightly walk I noticed a group of ferral cats. I stopped to take a closer look, and noticed they were very thin. Upon that realization, I decided I would adopt this little "family" and feed them. Nightly I would bring them dry food mixed with moist fish or salmon. After some time, a few members would wait for me and offer a greeting. One cat in particular, I will never forget the look on her face; it spoke volumes of being unloved and unwanted.

Not long after a lady stopped me as I was bringing food. I was so afraid she was from animal care and control. She said she wanted to know if I fed the cats because she too was bringing food. Not only to this group, but to many other groups of stray and unwanted cats in the county. When I looked in her van it was full of cat food and bottled water! She then thanked me for my compassion towards the animals and asked me if we could work out a feeding schedule; at least this would reduce the food costs a bit and give this lady a much needed break. I am glad to be "working a schedule" with this fine person, knowing these animals are well fed and have people that love and care about them.

18 August 2009

I was driving down a dark and lonely road one night after work around 10:00 p. m. The same dark and lonely road I always traveled home on. I was tired, my feet were sore, and I was looking forward to chatting with my husband, kissing my two young children goodnight, and going to bed. Snow had begun falling lightly on my windshield when I noticed a woman and a small child walking on the side of the road. I said to myself as I drove past them, "That doesn't look right." I was glancing at them through my rear view mirror when I suddenly felt the Spirit prompting me to go back. It made me a bit nervous as I considered talking to a stranger on a dark and lonely road late at night, but I couldn't ignore the prompting. So I turned around and drove up along side the woman with my heart pounding inside my chest. I rolled down my window and asked her if everything was alright--and if she needed a ride. She told me her car had broken down and she was miles away from her nearest relative. (This was before the advent of cell phones.) As she was explaining her plight, I suddenly realized that she was not only accompanied by a toddler, she was holding a new-born infant in her arms who had been concealed beneath her coat! After the woman and her children were safely settled in my car, we started chatting, and I discovered that she was the mother of 12 children! I could not believe God had given me the opportunity to serve someone in such great need who had sacrificed so much to bring so many of His children into the world. After I dropped her off at her relative's house, and made sure she was safe, I drove home with tears of gratitude streaming down my face for the chance to serve I had just been blessed with--and when I considered who MIGHT have picked her up if I had not heeded the message I had received from the Holy Spirit. It is my prayer that all of us will heed those promptings when we receive them, for God cannot accomplish all He desires to do for His children without the inspired help of His Earth-bound guardian angels.

12 April 2009

This summer, my husband and I attended our neices wedding out of state. Our college age daughter stayed at our house to care for our animals. Our oldest yellow lab, Likki, 14 years old, is always out during the day. When my daughter returned home from work she found Likki tied up in front of our house with fresh food and water. There was a note from a woman who said they found her wandering on the highway, read her ID tag and brought her home. We think she may have been disoriented and confused by our absence. What a wonderful thing to do. This pet angel probably saved our sweet old dog and we are so grateful.

24 December 2008

Recently. I was waiting in line at a local covenience store when a 10 year old kid was searching for every penny he had to buy a bottle of Coke, a candy bar and pencils to do his home work. Well, he ended up not having enough money, so he decided to give the pencils back. I had been standing there the whole time and I finally asked the cashier how much he owed. She said 39 cents. I told her I would pay for the rest. I handed her two quarters. She took my money, thanked me and gave the eleven cents back to the kid. He turned to me and said, 'here, this is yours.' I shook my head and just said 'No. Keep it.' He was stunned. He thanked me and left. At that point I'm not sure if he will remember how I helped him out in years to come, but I hope that someday after he has worked hard his whole life and has made a career for himself, if he's ever stuck in a line waiting because a ten year old boy is short by a few cents, he remembers the same kindness he was shown so many years ago. And I honestly believe he will. The inspirational thing that stood out was that there were two other people behind me in line that were willing to do the same thing to help the kid out. They, too, were willing to make up the difference. Not to make the line move faster. I know! Cause they both said, it's sad to see. He needed the pencils, yet he had no choice but to give them back first. That made me feel proud of the caring in all of us to help. It's a true story, and I hope that it made God understand that I am getting back to helping people that are (truly) in need. It's easy to tell who really needs help as opposed to those that declare they are.

17 September 2008

One night, I once spotted a man and a woman struggling with bags of groceries near my home. I knew that they had walked many blocks for the grocery store was not a block or 2 away. I stopped, rolled down my window and called out, 'Do you need a ride?' They seemed unsure on how to respond at first, and I repeated my question. They answered, 'are you sure?' and I replied positively. They walked to my vehicle and piled themselves in. They still had at least 5 blocks left to go. They were so amazed by my kind gesture that the fella kept repeating, this has never happened in his life. He just couldn't believe it. As they left my vehicle he turned to me and said, 'you must be an angel'. I stressed to them that I know what its like to walk with groceries and would have really appreciated not having to do so, even with children in tow. It's not the first or last time I've given rides to people who were packing groceries, and it probably will never be my last.

02 July 2008

I was beginning a road trip by myself I was excited to be spending the next seven hours alone. I couldn't wait to put my CD's in and enjoy the ride... long story short my brand new trucks CD player stopped working.. after a few stops I finally found a brand new portable CD player as an extra I got a really nice head set, a box of double 'AA' batteries and I was ready for some relaxing time without my three teens or husband.. just me and the open road... when I started my truck up... my CD player started playing... I was shocked... but decided to wait till later to return my stuff.. as usual when I drive I eat, get fresh coffee, full tank of gas, bathroom break and I don't stop till I almost run out of gas.. but within ten miles of hitting the interstate 'GOD' said take this exit.. I was on the far side of a five lane interstate but the lanes were completely clear... i took the exit and GOD said 'Go to the Pilot store' I didn't need anything my coffee was still steaming hot but I said o.kay Lord.. I went in and started for the coffee pot for more fresh coffee.. and there in front of me stood an older homeless man with a CD player that had duck tape all over it and a set of ear pieces that had made blisters on his ears they had no padding what so ever... I began to cry I paid for my coffee and headed for my truck to get that 'Wal-Mart bag' when I returned the man was gone.. I got in my truck and drove around the parking lot thinking i was headed for the exit.. and I ended up at a dead end.. and in my head lights i seen this man sitting on a bench in the blackness of night.. I rolled my window down and said 'Excuse me sir I believe GOD has a gift for you.. and he wanted me to drop it off' I gave him the whole bag reciept and all.. he began to cry and said 'I just prayed this morning and ask GOD if he was still watching over me and look he's sent and Angel with a gift' I didn't take ANY credit for it what so ever... I hugged him told him that GOD is with him everyday of his life... when i drove away i had to pull off the road i was crying so hard and thanking GOD so much for using me to touch someone else. Always keep your ears open and listen to GOD he speaks loud and clear.. if only we remember to listen. GOD bless you all.

28 May 2008