By Susan Mitchell

This week, I had the opportunity to judge the angels appointed to me. Here’s what happened.

The first week in December, my sister Darla (in Charlotte, NC) and I (in Los Angeles, CA) were comparing notes on our Christmas holiday plans. When I realized she had no plans, and no one to spend them with, I invited her out for a visit. She preferred to drive (over 2400 miles!), so we concocted a road trip and enlisted my sister Sherry (in Dallas, TX) to join us. What we didn’t know is that the “snow bomb” was about to hit the Midwest and camp out for a period of time!

On the appointed day, Sherry and I flew separately to Nashville, TN, then joined up to fly on together to Charlotte, NC. We spent a couple of days with Darla (and my parents) before heading cross-country. Before we left, we prayed for blessings, travel mercies, and the appointment of angels to see us through.

Darla was a superb driver in her sporty RAV 4. Sherry entertained us with stories, questions, insights. I was the extra navigator and leader in an impromptu courts of heaven session for an ongoing family matter. Along the way, we stayed overnight with our brother Eric, his wife, and two aunts, and we stopped for lunch with Darla’s friends. We left Sherry with her family, and proceeded home.

The trip home was flawless, delightful—a rare opportunity to be together as traveling adults, sharing and practicing our faith. We saw just a bit of rain, with none of the incoming snow or ice. We stayed ahead of the inclement weather and found relatively inexpensive gas along the way, even in California.

Upon our arrival at my home, we judged our angels worthy, earnest, and serious about their task. We praised the Lord and applauded our angels for a wonderful, joyful, effective trip. I could feel the atmosphere vibrate with delight at the affirmation, as though we were all applauding each other, an echo chamber of praise for all.

Later, we reflected on the events of the year and the prayers that we prayed and the courts of heaven that we held for our families. We have seen much progress in situations that seemed impossible to resolve by our own strength at the outset of the year. The Lord's good verdicts will surely come to pass, and so far, we can say he has been faithful to give us signs and dreams that call our attention to his answers in further developments as they happen. “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Romans 13:11 ESV). Lord, come quickly!

Merry Christmas to all!