AllisonTimes 2011!

New Beginnings

Caleb graduated from Connors State College last May and enrolled in a Paralegal Course in September through Oak Brook College of Law. He is really enjoying the subjects, and the late-night study sessions (as he continues to work for Uncle Curt during the day) are right up his alley. Kim listens to his law lectures while cleaning up the kitchen every evening, as well as critiques his essays, so they should graduate at about the same time.

Timothy started an Accelerated Distance degree program last October which allows him to test out of college subjects (with CLEP and DANTES tests) as quickly as he can digest the information. He will then turn in all his test scores to Thomas Edison State College for a BS in Business/Computers. True to form, Timothy has a personal goal of completing his 4 year degree in 1 year. At the time of this writing, he has tested out of 66 hours in 3 months. Will he make it? Stay tuned.

Joseph enrolled as a freshman in Warner High School last fall to play football. It was quite a reality check for homework-hating Joseph. And after an X-ray of his ribs and knee, and an MRI and knee braces, he wasn’t in any shape to play football. However, he is determined to stay in the game and plans to finish out the school year, at least.

Hannah Grace enrolled as a 1st year student in Child Evangelism Fellowship last summer. She stayed most of the summer with the Kohen family, teaching 5-Day Clubs for children in the Tulsa area. She is still doing her school studies on the fast track at home.

Bethany still works at the Muskogee Public Library part time, while attending CSC full time. She is planning on transferring to NSU upon graduation from CSC.

Jubilee began K-4 school at home, and wakes up with a new beginning every day!

Among My Souveniers

Timothy took a little 4 week jaunt to Taiwan and Hong Kong last January to teach children’s Bible seminars (plus do a little sight-seeing!). The TSA and the Taiwanese food were the most difficult parts to adjust to. The Taiwanese will fry anything, including chicken feet, and people eat it! However, the night market made up for all the discomforts. Timothy brought home lots of souvenirs, such as chop sticks and … chicken pox. Timothy’s case of pox was relatively mild, compared to all the other big kids, who succumbed 2 weeks later. Joseph’s case was the worst, lasting an entire month. Like Job, he took a pot shard and “scraped himself withal.” He came dangerously close to the “bright light.” The only solace for the sick ones was in the shower. We went through 2 tanks full of propane that month – ours and Uncle Curt’s. Many sins were confessed and long-standing family mysteries were cleared up in their quest for healing. I guess there’s a bright side to everything.

No Reservations

Herb, Timothy, Joseph and Hannah boarded the bus for the annual church mission trip again. Destination 2010: the Indian Reservation of South Dakota. “Culture shock” is not quite adequate to describe their reaction. In Herb’s words, “I could stay here the rest of my life and not make a dent.” But, like that one starfish thrown back into the ocean, there were a few families at the reservation who were very grateful for the work that was done. The church crew remodeled some trailer houses and helped with a VBS for the reservation kids. They were very glad to get back to the comforts of home. Be it ever so humble….

Home School Adventures

Most of the Allisons attended the annual home school camp out/conference at Big Sandy, Texas in May. This year, Hannah Grace attended the student sessions, while Joseph marched with the ALERT Cadets. Timothy chose to teach in the Children’s Institute, where Jubilee was supposed to be stationed. She decided right away that the C.I. was not for her. But Mom decided it was. It took some heavy persuasion, but Jubilee finally surrendered to her fate – and decided it wasn’t so bad after all.

Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone'...

     Bethany and Timothy drove each other to Houston last August for Bethany to compete in the American Idol tryouts. She failed to warn Timothy about standing in line all night to get a ticket number. Oh well, at least Timothy would be able to watch the auditions. But wait! He was underage, and was not allowed in the building! Oh well, he got a nice long nap in the hotel room, and at least Bethany would come out with a win. But wait! The judges obviously were not looking for raw talent that day, and Bethany was politely excused. Oh well, they could redeem the trip by a visit to the Alamo. But wait! It was closed! Oh well, it made a good back-drop for pictures. Maybe they could visit some old friends in San Antonio, the Sangalis. But wait! They weren't at home! However, the Sangalis did eventually arrive home, and treated Bethany and Timothy to an evening of .... Bowling!

Spring Fling!

Last March, Kim dragged Hannah Grace to Oklahoma City for the 3 day Mother/Daughter Commit conference (what fun they had!). They then met Herb, Timothy, and Pa at the Cowboy Hall of Fame for the Safari Club dinner and auction. We were invited for the purpose of receiving Timothy’s plaque for his winning essay. The other attendees were actually bidding on rhino hunts in Africa, and polar bear hunts at the pole. We were clearly out of our league. The Allison family sat low in their chairs and refused to lift their forks for fear of winning a zebra hunt in the Congo.

No Stomach for It

Joseph was drawn for a special turkey hunt in Cookson which yielded no turkeys, and Herb was drawn for a special deer hunt in Pushmataha, which yielded no deer. Joseph was also treated to a special deer hunt in Pushmataha, but this time Joseph packed his own food (remember the sugar cookies in the tin can?). However, it didn’t help him much when he got sick in his tree stand. Joseph came down and the food came up. The trip was cut short with no deer in the truck, and they all came dragging home.

Rifle Rivalry

Herb took a truck load of young’uns, including Hannah Grace, to their hunter safety course in 2010. Hannah plans to outshoot the guys and win the family deer slayer contest. From last year’s hunting report, it shouldn’t be that hard. The deer count in 2010 was a disappointing: 1 spike for Joseph and 2 does for Herb.
Folks, there’s a fine line between hunting, and sitting in a deer stand looking ridiculous.

“Break an Egg”

When a position opened to lead the “Kids for Christ” devotionals at Creek Elementary School, Kim volunteered Hannah Grace and Timothy. They have learned that one must talk fast and loud to keep 200 kids’ attention in a very packed room. They also learned not to do the “egg skit.” This skit involves having a volunteer (Timothy) try to hold 10 eggs without breaking them to illustrate the impossibility of keeping the 10 Commandments. The eggs get broken, and the only remedy is to be covered with the blood of Christ (a red robe).

Things went awry when eggs started smashing and kids started screaming (and screaming). Then the little hooligans had the nerve to volunteer to die for Timothy. “No,” Kim calmly explained, “In order to die for someone else’s sins, you have to be sinless, yourself.” They maintained that they were. It was surprising how many of them had never disobeyed, never stolen anything and never told a lie! It was hard to convince them they needed a Savior. However, after the skit, one little girl came up to say she knew she had broken those commandments, and how could she get to Heaven? Timothy was glad to explain to her about the free gift of salvation, and share with her how to receive Christ. Luke 5:32: “I (Christ) came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Photo Man

Timothy attended another Institute in Photographic Studies last summer in picturesque Colorado, thus increasing his marketability as a photographer. He is now in great demand for weddings and senior pictures (not great pay, but great demand).

A Starlet is Born

Jubilee received rave reviews for her role of “Mary” in the church Christmas play. Her acting debut contained no speaking parts, but we were nonetheless impressed with her ability to stand perfectly still and silent through 3 songs. Stage fright probably played a part in that!

Keep Shooting

In August, Timothy and Herb embarked on the long awaited antelope hunt! Based on the accounts of the previous years’ hunters, Timothy would need but to sit for 5 minutes, the guide would whistle for the antelope, and then, lights out! But, due to a deadly winter, the antelope were scarce and didn’t come when called. 5 minutes turned into 5 hours, and so on, until at the end of 2 hard days of hunting and lots of bullets, Timothy finally connected with a buck at 350 yards. After 3 hits and a wild chase through the desert, he brought it down. They all learned a new hunting lesson: “if it’s still kicking - keep shooting!”

Jubilee’s Turn

With all the big kids going here and there, Jubilee gets stuck at home with mom a lot. To even the score, Herb took Kim and Jubilee to the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum in Shawnee. The big kids (who went everywhere in a pack of 5 when they were small) were concerned Jubilee wouldn’t enjoy the outing, being an only child. Jubilee, however, didn’t seem to mind having her parents all to herself to do her bidding at her beck and call. In fact, she seemed a natural for the part.

Footnotes

*Bethany and Caleb received President’s and Vice-President’s Honor Roll recognition at a special reception at Connors. Of course, they were only following in their mother’s and grandfather’s (and don’t forget Uncle Curt’s) footsteps who received the same award at Connors over 25 years ago. (Has it been that long?!)
*…About those chicken pox … Timothy came close to the "bright light," too, but only from the death threats he received from his siblings. They held him personally responsible for bringing home the virus.
*Turkey count for the year was Joseph and Herb – 2 each; Timothy – 1.  However, Timothy does contend that his turkey was the biggest.
*Hannah Grace got her upper braces off in 2010, revealing a dazzling smile, and the lower braces will come off in Jan ’11. In other tooth related news, she had 4 teeth extracted last year. However, none of this dental work has even slowed down her incessant talking.
*Bethany keeps racking up scholarships to further her education as a Criminal Justice major. Her latest scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa –“Leaders of Tomorrow”- warranted a write up in the newspaper.
*Timothy, Joseph, Uncle Curt, and Uncle Scott took a motorcycle trip to Waco, TX to celebrate Scott’s new motorcycle, and Joseph’s new motorcycle license. After several laps around a traffic circle, they managed to stay ahead of the rain and have a fun trip!
*Hannah Grace was given a Shih-Tzu mix named Candy which sleeps 24/7 (nickname: Doggie Doo-Little). She lives under a table in our school room/garage and appears to be quite content. Jubilee helps feed her and smother her with hugs and kisses.
*Our old faithful Suburban gave up the ghost after serving us for many years. We are still waiting for a replacement that will hold the whole family. The kids say this is not necessary, since they would rather not be seen riding with their parents, anyway.
*In December 2010, Timothy invited himself on a ski trip with the Harlin family to New Mexico. He made quite an impression rolling down the mountain in his camouflage hunting apparel. After a little deep snow hiking, which he didn’t really intend to do, he made his way back to the slopes to try the jumps again.

How hot was it?

Jubilee came in from playing last summer and announced: “It’s so hot, I’m sweating like a hypocrite!”