By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Many of us travel an hour or more back and forth to our jobs. That’s just the way it is sometimes, but after 17 years of this, Teresa Davenport decided to stay home with her son and daughter, help with homework, develop personal confidence and assure her children that their mom is there for them.

As the income shrank, Davenport confided to a dear friend her concerns. “Have you ever prayed specifically for something?” asked the friend, prompting Davenport to actually compose a list of her wants: A job close to home, time available for her children and a Christian environment.

When she sent her resume to Meadow View Elementary for a registrar job, she got to personally witness the answer to prayer. She has now been there for 12 years, has many close friends at the school and lives within two minutes of her job.

Coming from a family of four girls, a live-in grandma plus loving parents was the basis of a wonderful childhood in the Huffman area. Three years out of high school, Davenport met husband-to-be, Gary, at a Christmas party. A proposal followed in three weeks.

The Davenports attend RiverPoint Assembly of God in Pelham. “Church is a huge part of my life and I am constantly awed by how much the heavenly Father loves us,” said Davenport.

She hand paints bookmarks for first-time visitors as part of the church’s ministry of greeting. Last year was their first year of involvement with Royal Family Kids Camp for abused and neglected children.

The Davenports’ favorite activity is antiquing (American primitive). Some favorite things to do are cooking, sewing, quilting, playing cards and watching crime shows.

Fifteen years from now, Davenport hopes to vacation all over the United States, visit bed and breakfasts, check out historical sites (especially New England) and play with grandchildren. These are hopefully yet to come from son Jacob, age 23, and daughter Rebecca age 22. All in God’s time.