I have two angel stories, one that happened in waking hours and one in sleep.

It was 1994 and I was seventeen years old when I had my first angel encounter...or what I believe was an angel. I was living in the St. Louis area but had gone to several different high schools since my father was often relocated. About a month before my graduation, my father suddenly announced that we were moving immediately to Atlanta. I was very upset. I chose to remain in my school, moved into a horrible situation with a friend, and my parents left without me. A lot was going on with me at the time, with the result that I didn't finish high school but found myself working in a store like Walmart.

The day after Thanksgiving, "the busiest shopping day of the year," I arrived at work with an overwhelming feeling of depression. I was immediately confronted by a supervisor who gave me my assignment. Then he scolded me because I had left my name tag at home. I was told to create a new display at the end of an aisle, which I was happy to do because it provided an escape from the customers. I spent time on my knees cleaning the bottom shelf of old stickers and dust, deep in thought about what I was going to do. I was so depressed I even considered suicide. At that point, a man interrupted me. I looked up at him afraid that he was going to drag me completely across the store to show him where some clearly marked item was.

"Can I help you?" I asked with a forced smile.

"How are you?" he asked. I was a little taken aback. I wanted to skip the small talk and get back to work.

"I'm fine. Is there something I can help you with?" I don't recall exactly what we talked about, but I remember that he was dressed in a tan suit, had dark hair, was in his 30's, and was very clean cut. He asked me questions about school and family and how I was doing. I didn't even get up from my knees. The whole thing seemed a little odd, but I decided he was just being nice.

At the end of the conversation, however, he said these words to me: "Well, Jennifer, I just want to let you know that you're going to be fine, that everything will be fine." Touched by his sincerity, I sent him off with a thank you and a Happy Holidays!

I watched him for a second as he turned down an aisle, and then I resumed my cleaning. But after a moment, I realized that he had said my name. How did he know my name? My name tag was missing! I rushed around looking for him, asking other employees if they had seen him, but he was gone. He disappeared into the crowd or, as far as I'm concerned, into thin air.

I have always prayed, but at this time in my life God answered my prayer with an angel. And that angel was right. I got my GED, reunited with my family in Atlanta, worked as a paralegal in a nice firm, and have now relocated for a new and challenging life in Holland with my soon-to-be husband. If God ever decides to send me an angel again, I wonder if he will speak in Dutch! Dank Uwel liefe Jesus voor mijn leven!*

The second story takes place in a dream that came to me at a time when I was doubting that God really loved me. Suddenly and very vividly I was taken out of a normal dream and found myself sitting in a dark room on an overturned crate. A light appeared...yes, just like you would see in a movie, and an angel swiftly descended in front of me. She was beautiful, with long brown hair and a white and gold gown. I was very excited to see her and said "Hi!"

She looked at me with a smile and said, "See, God does love you." A million questions were going through my head, but before I could ask them, she left. I woke up instantly and, even though I was frustrated, her few words were all I needed to hear. I now know that God hears me, loves me, and that he's watching out for me.

Jennifer A. Cole

* Thank you sweet Jesus for my life.