Andi's Angle Archives: August 2000

As I pondered over what I wanted to write about the Peru mission trip, I went through several experiences in my mind, mostly those that were happy or funny.  Then I thought I about the not so funny things, the frustrating experiences.  I was most frustrated when we ran out of certain medicines quickly in the pharmacy.  Of course, we ran out of items that practically everyone needed, like vitamins or Tylenol.  A great sense of helplessness comes over you when you realize that you have to send them away without what they need.

Andi's Angle Archives: September 2000

Two weeks ago, as my dad and I were replacing a light fixture on my front porch, I decided to quickly refill the hummingbird feeder that had been accidentally knocked off and spilled the evening before.   In less than five minutes I had the feeder back in its proper place, and in less than two, a hummingbird was perched on the side having breakfast.   I thought how it must have been hovering nearby, just waiting for me to show up so it could eat.  Definitely one eager creature!

Andi's Angle Archives: October 2000

Driving home one evening, I noticed several For Sale signs in front of houses along the road.  I began reminiscing about my house-hunting days, especially when I would see a house that looked great on the outside with a nice yard, and then when I would look at the inside, I was shocked.  Hideous "what were they thinking?" wallpaper, poor maintenance, and an impractical floor plan are just a few of the things I remember that changed my mind about moving into several places at which I looked.

Andi's Angle Archives: December 2000

Recently I was entering a requisition at work for a service to be performed by an outside contractor.  When I reviewed the quote, I noticed "Acts 4:12" was printed near their logo.  Not being familiar with that scripture, I looked it up.  It says, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 

Andi's Angle Archives: January 2001

As I perused the year’s newsletters, one word kept popping in my mind- GROWTH.  As a successful singles ministry should be, we experienced a great deal of growth in 2000.  Most importantly, the Lord’s church grew when Sandra Byrom, John Urias, and Tiffany Walker decided to become Christians. 

Andi's Angle Archives: February 2001

It is a new year and with a new year comes resolutions.  I don’t like resolutions; they just seem to be waiting to be broken.  I prefer to give myself challenges, and I would like to extend these challenges to all of our newsletter readers.

My Alaska Angels

My previous job as a government contractor required that I travel various places, including Alaska.   It was on a trip in May 2005 that I had a wonderful revelation.

The usual routine for travel to Alaska was a two week stay, which meant staying over one weekend and therefore, finding somewhere to worship on Sunday.  Northern Lights church of Christ is in Fairbanks, which is roughly a two hour drive from where I was working.  Since I am not crazy about making that kind of drive early in the morning, I chose to make a reservation at a hotel in Fairbanks for Saturday night and then return to base on Sunday afternoon.  I did some inexpensive tourist attractions around Fairbanks during the afternoon; the day was beautiful! 

On Saturday evening, the restaurant that I had chosen for dinner was not open yet for tourist season, so I decided to try another one.  I was seated in a corner by the fireplace, where I had a good vantage point for people watching.  (This was before I was an owner of a smartphone and could read the news while eating alone.)  I enjoyed watching a large group of folks  that were rather entertaining with their outbursts.   I finished my meal, which was excellent, and requested a takeout box for the remainder.  I then waited several minutes for my check.  When the waiter came to my table, I asked for the check.  He said, "It has already been paid."  Stunned, I replied, "Are you sure? By whom?"  I was concerned that there was some stalker-person watching me.  He said, "I don't know. The cashier just told me; maybe you can ask her."

So, I walked up to the cashier and asked her about my check, confirming that it was mine that had been paid by someone else.  After all, I didn't know anyone in Fairbanks.  And although I visited the church there on my previous visit in March, I didn't think that anyone would recognize me two months later in a dimly lit restaurant.  She said that a group of ladies had been dining together and when they left, they asked what I was having and paid for my meal. 

With no way to find out their names, I proceeded to my car where I just sat behind the wheel and cried.  I wondered “Why me?”  Was it because I was wearing my favorite jeans with the hole in the knee?  Was it because they saw the cracked windshield of my rental car?  (Not unusual for Alaska, by the way.) Was it because I was eating alone?  Or was it just a girls night out random act of kindness?   I was touched by their generosity to a total stranger as well as the obvious lesson that was presented to me.   Christ paid for all of us, even though we are, in a sense, strangers to Him.  Our only way to thank Him is to tell others about what he did for us.

The only way I can thank my Alaska Angels is to tell others also, and do the same.  Since that night, I look for those who may be eating alone whenever I am eating in a restaurant, get his/her ticket, and pay as we are leaving.   It is a bit tricky to pull off, but the wait staff is usually cooperative.  I want to encourage others to take a moment the next time you are eating at a nice sit-down restaurant, look around, and see who you can be an angel to.