If you want to know what this is all about check out this blog post!
Blog 9 -- List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
This one was pretty fun to do. I felt like I got to brag quite a bit on these special people in my life :)
1. Pam and Ray: Parents
I've always been a very compassionate person and now that I've grown up, experienced life, and have gotten to know and understand my parents better it's obvious to me where I got it. Most parents would do anything for their children, but I feel like both of mine go above and beyond their duties. They are incredibly compassionate to my sister and I, but also to others in need.
2. Karen and Mike: Co-workers
After I lost Spencer I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. Working at ARUP showed me an interest in lab work, but it wasn't until I started working at DCH that I realized I wanted to make a life long career in the laboratory. Karen and Mike are both very passionate and enthusiastic about what they do and it rubbed off on me early on. They make me excited about being a med tech and they make me want to strive to constantly learn more and pursue a passion that I didn't even realize I had.
3. Spencer: Husband
Spence influenced my entire life. I didn't realize how much I was lacking in nearly every area of my life until he came into my life and showed me my worth. He helped break me out of my shell and understand my beauty, inside and out. He influenced my education, my faith, my thoughts, and my actions all in a very positive way. He was, and is, my better half and I am so lucky to have had him in my life while I did.
4.
Jay: Best Friend
Jay is the definition of hard work and dedication. He's been my very best friend for 10 years and I've seen him overcome a lot and end up more successful than I feel like I will ever become. At only 22 years old he has graduated college, holds a full time job, owns his house, owns his truck, volunteers on the Fire Dept. and in the community. He is the HARDEST worker I have ever seen and he busts his ass to get things done. He is also very, very loyal. For as long as I've known this man, he's dropped everything for someone in need even if that person would never return the favor for him. He makes me strive to work hard, because I see how his hard work has paid off. I'm beyond proud of him and I'm so thankful to be able to know that we have an unwavering friendship as it means the world to me.
5.
Pam: Mother-in-Law
It's typical to say that we wish we would have maximized our time with a person once they are gone, but I really, really wish I would have spent more time with my mother-in-law when I had a chance. I feel like I could have learned so much more from her. Pam's faith in the Lord inspires me more than anyone I know. When I first showed interest in the church she was so excited for me. She always wanted to talk about it with me and let me know how right my decision was. Looking through old papers of hers with Spencer, I was so impressed. That woman was so steadfast in paying her tithing, church attendance, prayer, mission work, and scripture study. I wish I could even be half as dedicated, prepared, and loyal to our Heavenly Father as she was. She made a HUGE impression on me.
6.
Michael (Bugs) and Lauren: Friends
Mike (bugs) and Lauren are two of my many friends that I met on Starbright World, but they are two that have made the biggest impact on proving that their illness can't bring them down. I see the near impossible place that Lauren surfaced from years ago and it's incredible to me that she is now walking, making movies, mentoring, and touching lives. Bugs struggles with CP every day and he's been through some major, major scares. But this kid stays
so positive (at least to the rest of the world!) even though he's hurting, or fighting for his life. He fundraises thousands of dollars for causes that are close to his heart, he goes to school, attends speaking events and etc. These two push through everything given to them and it just goes to show how amazing they both are.
7.
College Writing Professor
While I think I was a bit of a teachers pet in one of my college writing classes, I learned a lot about myself from this professor. Gosh darn it, I just wish I could remember her name. She challenged my writing, each and every essay and each and every draft she gave me what I thought would be a specific impossible task to improve my writing so that the next one would be even better. When I came to her to bounce an idea off of or give a suggestion for how I could better an essay she always expressed how impressed she was. I've always liked writing, but this professor really brought forward my love and passion for writing. She brought out hidden abilities in the best way and helped me constantly learn how to better myself. She is part inspiration for the book that I am wanting to write. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have the knowledge of how to make it worth reading. Huge props to her. She was amazing.
8.
Bertha: Grandma
My gma and I have always been really close. I used to spend a ton of time with her, and I still try to see her at least once every couple of weeks. Every time I am around my grandma she's either cooking/baking or doing some kind of craft. I remember as a child I would always make Christmas candy with her, and she taught me how to sew a quilt. She's always asking me what my next project is, and she gets very excited when I tell her I've started or finished something. She pushes me to be creative and continue with sewing. She also makes me want to perfect all of her popular recipes so they won't be lost when she's gone! :)
9.
Shayna: Sister
I've always been very self conscious and I've always cared about what other people think of my appearance, thoughts, and actions. My sister is quite the opposite of that, though. She has a very independent-of-everyone-else type of personality. Since both her and I have grown up and become closer even though it's still really difficult for me to do, I've been able to be my own person and express myself through my own thoughts and actions independent of what other people think. Sometimes I think she takes it to the extreme ;-) But I do admire her for being HER.
10.
Rose and Kevin: HS Music and Math Teachers
Rosie and Mr. Dixson have always been two of my very favorite teachers through school. They are two of the teachers who I felt saw me for me, looking past my trials and reminding me that I was so much more. Rosie Saw my love for music and used me for my full potential. She cast me into difficult parts in my HS musicals. She made me be a soprano even though I hated singing the high notes. She gave me difficult trumpet and vocal contest music, knowing that with the work I could do them.
Never given the chance at sports, I really felt like I shined in music because of Rosie. Mr. Dixson saw my struggles in math yet he never, ever gave up on me. He saw me through tears, fits of frustration, and smiles when I finally understood a concept. He was more than willing to stay after school with me to get me caught up with the class, and he took me under his wing one summer to help me grasp difficult concepts so that I could be with my class the next year. He believed in me and knew that I could do it if I applied myself and used the extra help he was giving me. Both of these teachers helped boost my self confidence and as I said, believed in me and never gave up on me when I gave up on myself.
