Sweet Allison

Sweet Allison,

You are a treasure to me!  I am so happy to be near you in this season of life.  I feel like you have really walked into a whole new level of passion for Jesus this past year, and it is super encouraging to see.  Being in dgroup with you a while back was so life giving and sweet, but to even just see how much more you love the Lord now is really awesome. When I came to OU, I was pleasantly surprised that the Lord was still putting new people in my life to be life-long friends.  I know that sounds silly, typical 18 year old thinking I guess, that your life couldn't possibly change that much after your 20! :)  So all of that to say, I think I am still slightly shocked (in a good way) when the Lord puts new people in my life that I know I will remain close to for years and years, and I am glad to be friends with you!  And even though it is a fairly new friendship, I know it is one that is special.  You are very dear to me, and I love doing life with you and your family.  As I think about you, the Word I have for you is that your creativity is noteworthy to the Lord.  You have a creativity about you Allison that I know really honors Him.  I really love that you makes things and events look and feel special, and I really see that as a significant gifting of yours.  I just want you to know that not everyone can do what you do!  And it is part of what makes you such a great friend, mother, and wife.

You are someone to be admired Allison Ray…

Much Love,
Brooke

Happy B-Day

Alison, I can't believe you're joining "the club". Welcome! You are a precious person and you are as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside. Your beauty and grace will follow you well into old age. I love your heart for God! Jesus began his ministry in his thirties, so I imagine God has something very special for you in this decade, so look forward to your thirties! 
Bless you Ali on your special day. 
Love Kimm F.

Happy Birthday Allison!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON!!! You are amazing! And I am so thankful to have you in my life! Thank you for all your prayers, love, encouraging words, all the time you give, and your sweet spirit! I hope your day is special and is filled with much peace, love, joy, excitement, laughter, and many great memories! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! 

~Kelli

Happy Birthday Allison!

Alli Jean,   Too bad your birthday  is not on Thursday this year!!! I mean not til Thursday!!! If we could only find all of the old YL videos of us, I think I would watch them all day long. Sister, not only are you one of the most fun girls, I know, you are also one of the most tender hearted women of GOd I know. You know that the summer of 98 was such a momentous time in my spiritual walk with the Lord, and God used you in an incredible way to point me towards his truth and goodness. I am so thankful for the years in college that we lived together, and we were able to serve the Lord through Junior High ministry together. You have a very special place in my heart Al! I love you so much and I am so thankful to call you my friend. Have stinkin 30th Birthday, I can't beieve it is actually here. I only wish I could celebrate with you. You have such a sweet family that loves you so much, and I glad Chris and I were apart of the early days of Bryan and Al. I can wait to share sotries with Millie and Owen when they get older about the sweet way Bryan pursued their mommy! Have a blessed day, and remember I love you dearly and I am so thankful that God blessed me with a friend like you!   His Love,   Tracy Carlson   "I thank God every time i remember you!" Philippians 1:3

Wishing you a Big Ol Happy Birthday

Oh Allison.

I didn't think we would be friends you know. You are super cool, have great style, are totally gorgeous, etc. So, yeah...I was kinda intimidated when we were first Greek Clusterers together. And yet here I am, getting to celebrate your birthday as a friend! You have made me feel more loved and secure than I feel in many of my friendships with much longer histories.

(I knew I didn't need to be intimidated after the incredibly heartfelt letter you wrote me when I got my job)

My favorite thing about you, Al, is that you are full of perseverance. You are disciplined and determined to look more and more like Jesus every day. It is seriously encouraging to me. It's easy to take a challenge from you because I always know the heart of prayer and love behind your words. I value your wisdom so much.

You are a woman I look up to. You are a great mother, wife, daughter and friend. It has been really affirming to see you interact with all people in your life. You honor and love well.

Other random things I love about you:

(I had the brief thought of typing out 30, for your 30th, but thought better of it when I realized that it might come off a bit stalker-ish)

1. "Big Ol" and the shortening of various words and phrases.

2. Your preggo indecisiveness.

3. That you are a girl through and through.

4. That you photograph everything.

5. Getting random and non-random texts just checking in.

6. Your sweet dance moves.

We are all so fortunate to have you in our lives.

I hope that you have a great birthday. Can't wait to celebrate more of them with you.

Love,

Amanda

Yeah, Allison is 30 (and I finally figured this thing out!!)

Al, Ross Daddy, RD...well, I have lots of memories of you over the years I've known you, I think we met when we were like 12 and we're going to be 30 already?!! Crazy. I remember having so much fun with you going to young LIFE (said in deep voice trinny) and playing "who am i" during pom practice. We would literally drive as fast as we could after football games and run to the door so we wouldn't miss YL. And we also were always getting in trouble at pom for talking/laughing in the back : ) Will try to post some old pics from high school if I can find them later! You've always been someone who makes me laugh the hardest. Now that we're all grown up (or at least a little more mature) you still are someone I just love being around. Not only because you can still make me laugh like no other, but you're also someone who encourages me to keep seeking Jesus. I love your joy for life and I love how you love the Lord. Thanks for being such a dear friend to me all these years and for being such a great example of a faithful servant. Love you friend!!! Kalee (el...MO)

hApPy BiRtHdAy aLLiSoN jEaN!!

Sweet Allison,

Happy 30th!!! I hope you have the best birthday this year!!! I can still remember when I first met you at OC....a LONG time ago!!! I remember being so drawn to you and just knowing that there was something different and special about you!! Your love for the Lord is amazing and so inspiring to everyone around you!! I remember being in the dorms with you, tomi jo, nicole, and april praying for our sweet husbands...and now I think we have the two sweetest husbands ever!!! God is so good!! I love seeing you with little Millie! You are such a good mommy and I can't wait to meet Owen!! What lucky little babes to have you as a mommy!

I love you so much sweet friend!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

love, Laura Jarvis