The Beacon The Beacon Issue 4 | Page 8

ALUMNI STORY: THE REPORT TIM KESNER On January 5, 1988, Tulsa received a snowstorm of epic proportions, and the Kesner family received an epic blessing in the form of a baby boy named Timothy. Despite the attending doctor’s ominous predictions, in 2018 Tim is celebrating 30 joy-filled years of life, highlighted by returning to Laps for Little Ones where he led the pack in the Alumni lap and finished strong with 21 total laps. To top it all off, he won an Apple watch and drone for his fundraising efforts! Along the way, Tim has been a great son, faithful brother, and inspiring friend to many. After beginning his formal education at Little Light House, he attended a public school in Cleveland, where he played soccer, basketball and competed in the Special Olympics. Growing up with seven older siblings, Tim has always been very competitive, and is always up for a challenge! For many years he offered CHS basketball fans an exciting half-time show of phenomenal half-court shots, and still spends hours perfecting his 3-point shot anytime the weather is clear enough to be outside. Speaking of weather, Tim does a great job at keeping his friends and family updated on approaching storms through texting, and often sends encouraging weather reports when a beautiful day is expected. He calls his reports “The Tim Kesner Reports.” He also enjoys sending out Bible verses, videos, and funny messages that keep us smiling! Tim has been blessed with amazing health and it is no exaggeration when I say he stays in better shape than anyone in our family. This past summer, Tim has averaged running 5-10 miles per day in preparation for an exciting vacation to Yellowstone, and Laps for Little Ones. He gets up early to do an exercise regimen consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, and burpees, and puts us 8 | THE BEACON BY: TIM KESNER’S AUNT RACHAEL all to shame with his strength and stamina. Another activity Tim excels at is swimming. Once while he was swimming laps in his sister’s pool, his one-year old nephew toddled through the gate and into the water. Tim acted quickly and saved the little boy’s life by pulling him to safety. He is truly a HERO! Along with his love for sports and staying active, Tim is a seasoned traveler. He has even fulfilled his lifelong dream of going to Hawaii – three times so far! He has visited the Sequoias of California, beaches on both coasts, been all over both the Rockies and the eastern part of the US. He also went to Mexico with his mom and brothers. His favorite vacation spot is Big Cedar Lodge, when he can get an invitation, because he loves the outdoors. Recently, he spent a weekend riding horses with a niece in Wisconsin. When Tim isn’t working out, or on an adventure, he loves to tease his siblings with photos of his dad’s gourmet breakfasts. He likes to stay busy watching Thunder basketball, eating at Cracker Barrel, helping out at his brother-in-law’s office, hand-copying Bible verses to pray for his 32 nieces and nephews, and painting beautiful landscapes of places he’s been – he’s even sold a few! Tim has spent the last 30 years defying the doctor’s prognosis and plans to spend the next 30 having just as much fun and adventure he can pack into them. We are so grateful for the blessing of his life, and for the encouraging role LLH has played in it. The love and expectations his teachers had for him early on helped produce a tenacity that has enabled him to accomplish so much. Thank you, Little Light House!