One of the strengths of our congregation is in the depth of our young couples with children. I am told that the health of a congregation requires a good number of people in this age group. We have several of these families with us and they are well rooted and very involved. For this we are grateful. And it is rather odd for a church in the kind of area where we live, so we so we should count our blessings. One of the blessings I count in this regard is Todd and Amy Davis, with their kids, Sydney and Mary Kathryn. In many ways they anchor this age group with an enthusiasm and a commitment that motivates others. Todd grew up in Kennett. He is the son of Linda Davis and the late Jerry Davis. He is an only child, which may indicate what kind of person he is! He has always been business minded, or so says his uncle, Ed Mead. Ed told me that in 1988 and 1989 Todd was the youngest business man in town. He owned a baseball card shop (“Bootheel Baseball Shop?) down from where the Palace Theater used to be. Since then he has had a presence in the business community in several places. He went to MCCC in Blytheville and then to SEMO, though he is still only 30 or so hours from a general studies degree. I would describe Todd as rather straightforward and business minded, with the ability to be intimidating. But once hegets his “bluff? in, he is a man with a childlike heart! Amy Davis grew up in Kennett, too, the daughter of Robert and Paula Rickman. She is the third of four children. She is on pace to graduate this fall with a teaching degree. She also went to MCCC and SEMO and is finishing up here in town. She is someone who knows what she wants and goes after it. And you never have to wonder what’s on her mind! This translates into a life of faithfulness and committed discipleship. Todd and Amy met while they were cruising in 1993. The cruising route then was between Shell or Hardees and Faughts Station. Since Amy is four years younger than Todd, they didn’t know each other growing up. Todd was with Ryan Griggs in a maroon Grand Am and Amy was with Kim (Smith) Todd in a maroon Buick Regal. They stopped to talk behind Baker Welman Brown. They were both passengers in the vehicles and chatted a while. Somehow, in some way, later on they arranged a meeting and the rest is history–and largely forgotten (or simply not discussed with outsiders!). On March 25 of 1995 they were married.Married life had Todd working at Kentucky Finance and Amy working at Walmart, in the sporting goods. Sydney was born on December 26 of 1997 and Mary Kathryn came alongon February 10, 2000. A couple of weeks ago our seniors were able to witness the humor and singing talents of both Sydney and Mary Kathryn. They are beautiful and delightful girls, though Mary Kathryn has not spoken over 5 words total to me in all the years she’s been alive. Over the years Todd has sold insurance, worked for Heights Financing, owned his Bootheel Loan Company, and now works at St. Charles Mortgage Co. Amy has worked in several areas of Walmart, as a Teachers Aid, and has worked with Todd in his business. In the meantime, they have been a vibrant part of the youth work at the church. They are active in every facet of spiritual training with their kids and stand ready to do almost anything asked by the elders or someone in the congregation. Their example of faithfulness in the face of intense trial during the loss of Olivia Jude in October of 2005 will not soon be lost on any of us who witnessed it. Their example, their active participation, and their spirit is an inspiration and encouragement to all of us. That is why we as a church count our blessing of having Todd, Amy, Sydney, and Mary Kathryn among us.
Todd and Amy Davis