So to catch everyone up...I am trying to make it through a list of 30 blog topics that I found at someone else's blog. I have not been doing a good job of being a consistent blogger so I thought pre-determined topics would motivate me. It has. I have enjoyed the list so far. Today I am on #9 though and I am not sure I will make it straight through to 30. A friend is doing a 30 day blog challenge about books next month, I think I have to join her in that. I mean...I am a librarian and a total book nerd. So...I am going to do as many of THIS list as I can before July, then take a break to do THAT list, and then probably come back to this list....whew, it is exhausting to think about! lol...just kidding. I really love taking the time to write.
So today's topic is...List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
Wow...this is not an easy topic! How to narrow it down to 10 and not write a book about each of them! Yikes! Okay, well I guess I am just going to go with the first 10 I think of and try not to obsess about everyone I left out later. :)
1. My Mom - okay so this is the obvious answer I know, but it really is true. My mom is....amazing. Many people call her a saint. It's kind of true. My mom has so much patience and grace in every situation. She is super intelligent (but never even got a chance to go to college), she has a totally natural beauty and she is one of my best friends. She teaches me, daily, how to be a woman of God, a care taker, a person.
2. My Great Grandparents - So I was lucky enough to know my great grandparents on both sides of my family growing up, but always felt especially close to my Grandma and Grandpa Wardlow. So much so, in fact, that my regular grandparents we call Grandma and Grandpa Pops (what my dad called his dad) b/c Wardlow was already and always taken in our hearts :). These two people were utterly amazing. My grandma was THE best cook in the world, my grandpa THE funniest man. But the thing that I never forget, and that inspires me daily is that this couple would kneel in prayer EVERY night and pray for each one of us by name. Now understand they had a HUGE family and their kids all went out and had huge families, and I am the THIRD generation of huge families. Didn't matter...I always knew my grandma and grandpa were praying for me. What a feeling! I want to love others like that!
3. Jason - Read my last blog for a little more of his story. My cousin Jason died from Leukemia at age 10. He was amazing though it all! He was cheerful and kind. I am sick a lot, and I am NOT such a easy patient, but when I remember him I try to have more grace.
4. Ms. Wonders - my high school choir teacher. I have mentioned her in a blog before as well. She gave me a lead in a musical that I didn't feel I was good enough to do. She put me in her top choir that I never felt like I was talented enough to be in. She pushed me and pushed me to have confidence. She never really saw how much confidence that gave me, but I am a totally different person now. She has a lot to do with that!
5. Danielle Carter's 2nd grade class - Once I went to read a story to a friend's 2nd grade class and then tell them about my job. Working in the library was always supposed to be temporary for me, until I could get a "real job" that I wanted. As I was telling those kids about the things I do every day it occurred to me that I loved my job! It gave me the opportunity to do many of the things I always wanted to do, albeit in a different way than I imagined. This changed my outlook on my job and my life. I am now a professional librarian...and I still love my job.
6. Michael - obviously loving someone as much as I love that kid influences me. It influences every decision I have made and every decision I make. Putting someone else's needs before your own is an amazing thing. It seems like it would hard to do, but I find it makes my life easier, and more fulfilling.
7. Dr. Dan Spross - one of my religion professors at Trevecca. I could actually probably just fill this blog with all of the names of my professors, but I will limit my self to Dr. Spross. Old Testament Theology was my 2nd religion class and we were given the assignment of a book critique. I took the book I was given and I read it...about 6 times. Reading theology is VERY different than reading fiction! I really struggled with the book and when I turned my critique in I was very afraid of what grade I would get. I basically said in the paper that I didn't buy everything the author was saying. His argument was not solid enough for me. Not only did Dr. Spross give me an A, he stopped me and told me I was the only student who had really understood the assignment. He told me to never take anyone's word for anything but to always question and push deeper. It has totally shaped the kind of student, and person I am now. Not everyone likes that student or personality style, but I find it to be the most truthful version of myself. That was a defining moment for me.
8. Dr Swink - Dr. Swink was the director of the library when I first started working here, but I don't really remember her playing that large of a role in my life at that time. Shortly after she was named the dean of the School of Education. She held the highest role on campus any woman had ever held, that was already a point for her in my book! Several years later, though, when I became a professional librarian, and thus a part of the School of Education, I discovered what an incredible woman she truly is. She is such a passionate and thorough person in everything she does. I always grumbled when I had to go into a SOE meeting, but always left feeling inspired. We did a personality profile once and I found that my personality was the same as only 2 people, she was one of them! I was inspired to be more of a leader, and have felt the impact of those changes in my life in many ways. I doubt Dr. Swink even knows how much she influenced me, but she is definitely a role model for who I want to be.
9. JJ Abrams - okay, okay, I know...this one is dorky. But it is true. My creative side is so important to my well being. I have a bad tendency to let it go un-nurtured too often. I LOVE watching Abrams' shows though, because they always spark that part of my brain. I always leave them writing out possible scenarios for what happens next in my mind. And the kind of stories he tells always make me want to tell my own stories. He encourages me to think in different ways, and I love that.
10. My students - the thing I love the MOST about my job is the opportunity it gives me to be a part of the lives of the students who work for me. It gives me the opportunity to do the relational ministry I miss so much from youth ministry. The students do more ministry to me than I do to them, though, I am sure. They keep me young and they keep excited about life. I love to watch them as they choose which way their lives will go and I am so proud when I see them doing it. They make my life more fun and more hopeful!
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