Margaret is the primary caregiver for Ziggy the Cat, and the person
who offered me lodging in her home when I first came to Cupar in No-
vember of 2008. She is an active member of Cupar Old Parish Church
where I served as assistant minister last year. I have enjoyed having
her as a friend and watching her grow in leaps and bounds as a follower
of Jesus Christ. Recently Margaret has been encouraging me as I face
the challenges of discerning God's next step for me. Since I arrived
here in Scotland in late 2003, the Lord has blessed me with wonderful
friends, one of whom is Margaret. Ziggy, her cat, also has a special place
in my heart.
Margaret was born in one of the small mining villages outside Kirkcal-
dy, a large town on the east coast of Scotland. The wee village is not too
far away from Cupar where she has lived for most of her adult life. She
takes great delight in reverting back to the Scottish dialect of her youth
and throwing me for a loop. Margaret chuckles when I confess I have no
idea of what she is saying. She has been a tremendous resource for me
getting to know my way around Cupar, understanding the strange cus-
toms of some people, and finding just the right word to use at funerals.
I often go to her when I encounter words and phrases I don't under-
stand.
Margaret has worked hard all her life doing cleaning and caregiving.
Until last week one of her jobs was cleaning the church. Over the
years she has rented out a room to students doing short term studies
at a nearby vocational college in town. This helped her earn a little ex-
tra income. I have been tremendously blessed by the accommodation
she has provided for me the last 15 months that I have been here in
Cupar. The rent is very reasonable, I have everything I need, and I
have full use of the kitchen to do my own cooking. Margaret and I get
along very well and are sensitive to allowing each other our own space.
Margaret's husband died of a heart attack fifteen years ago. She is well
taken care of by her two sons and one daughter, all of whom live here in
Cupar. Her daughter just presented Margaret with her first grandchild
five weeks ago, giving Margaret great joy in her life. She had been wait-
ing a long, long time to be a grandmother. Now she is! Margaret has
been blessed with a great family and a nice home.
Margaret has told me, and her friends have confirmed it, that she was
very depressed four or five years ago. But several years ago she met
Jesus at an Alpha course at the church, and Jesus has been giving her
new life ever since. Now her face and her life reflect that new life that
only Jesus can give.
I often see Margaret studying her Bible. When she sees me she likes to
ask me questions about what she's reading or share with me something
God has been teaching her. I see by her countenance and actions that
Jesus is mightily at work in her. She is hungry for Bible study and Chris-
tian fellowship. Thus she goes to two and sometimes three different
house groups over a two week period. She is always helping out at dif-
ferent church events. Just over a year ago Margaret started a social
group in the church for women from the church and the community who
were on their own. Several months ago she started a weekly coffee time
for people who are the primary caregivers for family members.
Earlier this year the church announced the position of host or host-
ess for the church center. A person was sought who would represent
the church to the many people from the area who use the church cen-
ter. I and many other people thought Margaret was just the right per-
son for the position and encouraged her to apply for it. She went back
and forth about whether to apply or not, but finally did. There were
five or six other applicants, and she did not think she would get it. But
two weeks ago Margaret was chosen for the position! She is just the per-
son for the position: she loves meeting people and making them feel at
home. Yesterday was her first day and she came back all fired up about
the new position. She sees it as a ministry to the people of the commun-
ity. I am so excited for her. Because God has so richly blessed her, she
will be a blessing to so many people.
Blessings and all the best to you and yours,
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