Angels of Warmth and Comfort.

James M Sandbrook

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Angels of Warmth and Comfort.

Just when she thought her life was as cold as it could get, an unexpected visitor warmed her up. By Joan Wester Anderson. Prospect Heights, Illinois

Twelve-year-old Nancy Petti (now Doran) and her family had recently come to the Bronx in New York from their native Italy. Their decision to do so was born out of great hope, for many times, Nancy's father had attempted to start his own business in Italy and at one point had even left the family temporarily to try the same thing in Germany. Eventually, her parents had decided that America offered the best chance of professional success for themselves and their children.

Nancy, her older brother, and younger sisters had been excited about the move, but apprehensive, too. What did America look like? Was it similar to the movies they saw? Would they make new friends? Of course there would be

challenges as they became accustomed to an unfamiliar language and new housing, jobs, and schools. But God had guided them through this formidable journey, and Nancy's parents firmly believed he would continue to take care of them.

Nancy wished she had the same faith as her mother and father. Yes, she was becoming accustomed to a lot of things in her new country. But no one had warned her about the cold weather. As that first winter tightened its grip on New York, Nancy could hardly believe how brutal the cold was, especially inside their apartment. "We didn't have much money, so this top-floor unit was all we could afford," she remembers. "But the landlord refused to give steam heat, and the temperature was so low you could see your breath. We usually wore coats and blankets during the day, and the oven was always on, with a pot of boiling water on the stove top for steam."

Even worse were the nights. Without a dense layer of blankets, "it felt as though the apartment had no walls and that we were actually sleeping outside."

Oh, why had they risked everything to come here? Nancy felt abandoned and lost. It was hard to be positive when your fingers and toes ached and you couldn't do your homework or even sleep because you shivered so much.

One bitter night, Nancy awakened and lay in the dark. She had curled into a little ball, trying to keep as warm as possible, but it wasn't working. She felt numb, as if she turned to ice, and her thin blanket had slipped off her shoulders. Nancy tried to pull the blanket up to her chin. But her arms were stiff, and they wouldn't work! Was she freezing to death? "Oh, God, I'm so cold I can't even pick up my covers," she prayed. "Please help me."

Suddenly the room began to glow. It became brighter and brighter. What was happening? Nancy rubbed her eyes in wonder. There, right in front of her, stood a beautiful angel. Italy was filled with statues of angels—Nancy knew what these beings were. But this angel wasn't made of plaster. She was alive! "She had shimmering blonde hair, her eyes were a brilliant blue, and she wore a white flowing gown. Even more extraordinary was the light that radiated from within and all around her." What a beautiful creature! And she was visiting Nancy, in this cold, drab apartment! Nancy drank in the sight.

Tenderly, the angel smiled at her. Then she bent over, gently picked up Nancy's blanket, and pulled it up to the girl's chin. Nancy felt a burst of warmth, safety, and love. Instantly, the freezing room seemed filled with sunshine. Then the angel vanished.

Nancy didn't know it yet, but the risk her family took in coming to this new land would be rewarded. Not long after that night, her father was able to open a successful Italian restaurant. Nor did Nancy know that, despite future winters, she would never again be bothered by the cold.

But she knew one thing for certain: God was closer than she had ever imagined, and all she needed to do was simply reach out to him. His angels could find her wherever she was.

Joan Wester Anderson is a GUIDEPOSTS angels expert and author of numerous books on angels.

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