FAITH MATTERS Teacher Sees Gift In Pupil

REMEMBER OTHERS THIS SEASON

I was a shy, skinny, 12-year-old boy in Mrs. Kendrick’s class. She taught the junior boys at our church. It was a rowdy group except for one and that was me. I was very timid and withdrawn. Yet Mrs. Kendrick took a special interest in me. She went out of her way to draw me in. She had a gift to see potential in the rough and to encourage purpose in a young life. I will never forget the magic she worked in my life during that year. Years later, my wife and I were pastoring our first church in Houston. We got the news that Mrs. Kendrick was quite ill and might not have long to live Something stirred in me that I had to get back to Arkansas to thank her for her special touch on my life.

Sites Offered For Operation Christmas Child

Two collection sites are available Nov. 16 through 23 in Springdale for Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project. Volunteers pack shoe box gifts for children in more than 100 countries suering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty. From Northwest Arkansas, the shoe box gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary — sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds — to reach suering children around the world. “Operation Christmas Child is a unique opportunity to do something as simple as packing a shoe box that will have a lasting impact on a child a world away,” said Alescha Massey, Operation Christmas Child dropoff site coordinator, in a news release. Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to “follow your box” to the destination country where it will be handdelivered to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts, individuals can use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurs

SPRINGDALE BIBLE TRANSLATION TOUCHES LIVES

WYCLIFFE ASSOCIATES BANQUET HIGHLIGHTS NEED WORLDWIDE

Mark Thrash is an information technology specialist, not a linguist or translator. Yet he knows how to speak the language that matters — the language of the heart. “I’m a computer geek. But I speak human,” said Thrash, keynote speaker Monday during the Wycliffe Associates banquet at the Springdale Holiday Inn. Thrash spent a couple of years as a missionary in Malaysia, managing computer operations for the Summer Institute of Linguistics. The institute is a sister organization to Wycliffe Bible Translators, a nonprofit group dedicated to making Bible translations in every living language. Thrash shared his experiences with 85 banquet guests. Some were longtime supporters of the work Wycliffe does. Others were hearing about it for the first time — some with an eye toward possibly volunteering with the interdenominational organization.

ENGAGEMENTS

Engagement announcements for Benton County for November 1, 2009.

The Rockwood Files: A little laughter goes a long way

I once saw a TV interview with actor Will Smith (who starred in “Men in Black,” “Independence Day,” etc.), and he mentioned that he cuts his kids some slack about breaking the rules if they happen to be really funny in the process. As a parent, this didn’t horrify me because I knew he wasn’t saying his kids get away with whatever they want as long as they’re funny about it. He was just making the point that there’s real value and a real advantage to having a good sense of humor, and it’s something parents ought to foster. Having a good sense of humor and knowing how to use it has made Will Smith a wealthy man.

Garside, Rooney engaged

Lori Garside of Gentry and Bryan Rooney of Guy are pleased to announce their engagement and approaching marriage.

Olsons celebrate 60th

Ted and Beth Olson of Bella Vista will celebrate their 60th anniversary Oct. 29.

Neals mark 50th

Duane and Mary Neal will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Oct. 31.

The Rockwood Files What scares me most

This time of year, some people actually like to be scared. They go to novelty shops and buy plastic tombstones, fake severed limbs and cobwebs to decorate their homes and yards. I like Halloween as much as the next person, but I’ll pass on the scary stuff. I stay scared 365 days a year. Why? Because I’m a mother.

The Fundamentals

Local group helps kids with reading

In a classroom at Mathias Elementary School in Rogers with over 40 second graders, the Junior Auxiliary of Benton County went to work on Monday.

Benton County Religion

Unity Church of the Ozarks, Bella Vista Worship and children’s Sunday school are at 10:30 a.m.

WEDDINGS : Walton, Proietti wedding

Alice Anne Walton of Bentonville and Joseph Thomas Proietti of Merced, Calif., were married on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at Camp War Eagle in Rogers by the Rev. Arthur F. Fogartie.

ENGAGEMENTS : Pettigrew, Gourley to wed

Alisha Pettigrew of Bentonville and Stephen Gourley of Farmington are pleased to announced their engagement and approaching marriage.

ANNIVERSARY : Davises celebrate 62nd

Richard and Marjorie A. Davis of Bella Vista celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary Oct. 11.

Focus on the Family : Don’t let small grievances ruin relationship with parents

QUESTION: I have plenty of reasons to resent my parents. They’ve never abused me or anything like that, but they do such stupid things. My dad’s work has been the only thing he cared about. My mom is a perpetual nagger. How can I respect people like that?