That’s So You: Day 9

Jad Denmark
"with his beautiful daughter"

Jad was my youth director throughout most of high school. Over those years he really helped me to claim my faith for myself and define it. He is a very spiritual, loving, compassionate person and inspired me to live out my faith in real way. His passion for serving and the way he views Christianity are so special and unique and I am blessed to have him in my life. Since graduating high school he has continued to support me and check in on my life, encouraging me to work at a Methodist summer camp and to get involved at our church. Sadly, he moved away to continue his education, but it’s nice to know he is just a phone call away if I need anything. He also shared his beautiful family with me and let me babysit his kids, whom I love dearly :)

Who has inspired you? My wife, Shelly is a continual inspiration to me. I feel blessed to get to see her and talk with her every day... see sappy! Other than being my life companion, my wife etc. she is an inspired woman, her gifts, her compassion, her intellect, her love, her deep desire justice and reconciliation continue to amaze and inspire me. Henri J.M. Nouwen has continually enriched, uplifted and convicted my life. His writings especially "life of the beloved" have been and continue to be transformative! And most recently one of my professors has been a powerful inspiration. Dr. Strawn at Candler School of Theology. He is a old testament scholar but more than that he deeply loves his subject, cares about his students and loves his job. That is a phenomenal combination!

That’s So You: Day 8

Jennica Hill
"in New Zealand"

This post is super special because this girl is my best friend. Today is also her 21st birthday!!! Jennica and I have known each other since 1st grade and grew up together in church and school. It wasn’t until our senior year that we got really close though. She inspires me in so many ways and has been beside me through some of the hardest years of my life. I feel like the best way to describe how she inspires me is by helping me “come out my shell”. If it weren’t for her I probably wouldn’t listen to better music, eat weird food, educate myself in politics, choose boys for something other than looks, etc. haha! I can be very superficial and materialistic, and she is great about making me want more and want to know more. We can have conversations about absolutely nothing and understand each other on a level that is unreal. I can’t imagine my life without her in it and can’t wait to live with her next year at FSU! Happy Birthday love :)

What is your biggest dream? To at least visit every continent, but hopefully visit every country in the world and make an impact on people's lives throughout my journey.

‘That’s So You: Day 7

Pam McMillan
"at Starbucks"

Pam has inspired me in many ways, but one of the biggest ways is through her listening/counseling skills. Whether she believes it or not, she is really great at giving advice and listening to stories and problems. She is actually the one who inspired me to do this project and helped me come up with my idea. I put a link in my first Experimonth post to her blog about her adventures of “unitasking”. Pam is also a very big advocate for helping girls with self-worth issues, which is something I really admire about her. She has a heart for that and I think she is going to help so many people in her life. 

What do you want to achieve in the next year? I have a lot of small goals- Ride in a Kayak from Sunrise to Sunset in a State Park, Read the bible from cover to cover, Perform my poetry at an open mic night. I have a bunch more, but those are some of the more interesting ones. Ultimately, I want to take steps this year to become a better version of myself. I'll never be perfect. But I want to make the most of life. I feel like the best way I can do it is by taking risks and actively developing good habits.

That’s So You: Day 6

Clare Valdivieso
"Mozambique?"

Omg this girl. Clare is a huge inspiration for me. I have only known her about 2 years and I feel like everyone needs someone like her in their life. She is so uplifting and positive and shines so bright when she enters a room. Anytime I’m around her I feel like I want to be a better person. She cares so much about others and always willing to serve. She also dresses really cute and has a beautiful voice :)

That’s So You: Day 5

Elyse Sibley
"with her brother :)"

Elyse and I have known each other since she was born. Our parents are best friends and we have grown up together. There are so many ways this beautiful girl has inspired me and continues to inspire me. She is mature beyond her age. Even though she is younger than me, I feel like I could go to her for advice. She is confident. She is independent. She makes decisions for herself and respects herself. I know that it seems repetitive but it’s all so true. She inspires me to be my own person and to know that the things you go through in your childhood don’t have to shape who you are today. She asks me the questions I don’t want to ask myself. I can’t imagine not having her in my life to look up to and dream with. She is going to do so many great things in her life. Love you Elysey.

Who has inspired you? Brenda, my dance instructor.

That’s So You: Day 4

Susan Hotho
"at the beach with her hubby :)”

My mom has inspired me to be nice, to think of others, to be a better Christian, to say how I feel, to work hard, to hardly work, to have what I want, to love my body, to be respectful, to be polite, to be cleanly, to dress cute, to cry when you need to, to be my own person, to fall in love, to relax, and to follow my dreams. And I’m sure I’m missing something.

What do you hope to achieve in the next year?  Balance! I love spending time with my family and friends but over the last 6 months I have been so busy at work that I feel like my life is out of whack. Life is too short and I am missing opportunities for love and laughter. One of my favorite places to relax is at the beach!

That’s So You: Day 3

Jerry Hotho
"at Silver Glen”

This is my dad. He has influenced my life in a lot of ways but the one that sticks out to me is his practicality. From money to politics, he is very smart about his decisions in life. This has rubbed off on me (in positive and negative ways) and has really shaped me as a young adult. I know we don’t see eye to eye on everything but I’m glad we can talk openly about things.

Who has inspired you? Jacques Cousteau. He established the foundation for my views on the balance of nature.