About a year after our son's death, we started receiving surprise gifts from the Glasgow Reformed Presbyterian Church "Blues Busters." We still do not know the identity of these anonymous encouragers. On the day that would have been Mark's seventeenth birthday, we each received a plant with a poem that reminded us that our son was with Jesus. We found two white roses on our doorstep on the first anniversary of our son’s death. There were other gifts as well. All were given anonymously. While some of the gifts reminded us that we could still enjoy life, others touched our deep pain.

Our friend, Hilda Martin, faithfully serves God in the prison ministry, as a nursery worker and spiritual mother. She serves without expecting any thanks, but her spiritual daughters surprised her with anonymous encouragement that helped to turn her heart toward God.

Hilda Martin's Fan Club
I love serving God but I find it very difficult to receive from others. My spiritual daughters found a way to encourage me that I could not refuse. One day, I arrived to oversee our church nursery and found a gift. It wasn't even my birthday. I was embarrassed by such attention and resisted opening the package until I was on my way home. Inside the package were a beautiful wreath and a card that said, "From the Hilda Martin Fan Club." Every Sunday that month I received a surprise gift. The people who delivered them refused to tell me who they were from and seemed to enjoy the encouragement as much as I did! I was shocked, surprised and puzzled and did not know how to react. Each gift was specifically chosen for me. From a beautiful handcrafted pin and earrings in my favorite color to personalized stationery, a personalized mug, a handcrafted black bag with my name, and special Scripture verses written in gold. Each note was signed, "From the Hilda Martin Fan Club."

Receiving these expressions of love humbled me, but it also made me feel special and honored. I felt as though God was saying, "Thank you, Hilda, for loving my daughters and pointing them toward me." Their encouragement spurred me on to persevere in my service to God.

(Reprinted from Treasures of Encouragement, A Monthyl Planner, Sharon W. Betters, page 8)