People who have had significant impact in my life:
(Constantly under construction)
To those who are on here: Thank you for the significant impact each of you have had on my life whether it was a small part or a very large one. As you can see, it takes a great deal of input to produce a moderately successful human being. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the amount that it takes. I have tried to be honest here, and that could possibly step on some toes; sometimes hard truths can help people more than just the “safe” road which I seem to take too often.
To those I have known who are not on here: I am sure that in interacting with you I have learned a great deal, though I only have time to list out a few people here.
Immediate Family:
Thanks for everything, you are all amazing; I would be nowhere without you!
Dad
Mom
Shelley
Laura
Friends:
Aaron Alexander-good friend at Landrum Middle School
kept me sane when coming to a new Middle School as well as pushing me academically
Adam Chesler-friend at AU
helped out with the WIG project initially, one of a few perspectives on Judiasim I have had
Andrew Greever-helped out with at Kanakuk
that the heart is more important than experience when dealing with teens, that often you have show them tough love, not be their best friend
Adam Jarczyk -best friend in HS
a wall to bounce ideas off of spiritually or just intellectually, as well as just being there whenever I need it, how similar experiences bind people
Alex Zhushma-friend/roommate at AU for soph, and jr. years, navs
a good friend and one who broadened my perspective on spontanaeity, how hard it is for some people to have structure in their life
Andrew Thompson-friend at AU from Bible study freshman year
really challenged me in the areas of my relationship with the Lord and prayer, helped me learn guitar
Andy Carroll-friend at AU, navs
challenged me to find out who I am, where I am going, and just loved me, what it means to be a “people person” or a big picture thinker, a hero
Andy Rauschenburg-friend at AU, aerospace, navs
mentored me as a younger aerospace student, to be a warrior poet, advice on relationships, to value relationships more than I had
Ben Steele-friend at AU, in Dorm study, roomate sr. year
how independent I am and people can be and how it hurts us, indirectly to really grapple with death
Ben Stubblefield-friend at AU, navs
showed me the depth of the Scriptures and what it meant to be awed by God, how I look up to and rely on leaders and who I will follow
Bethie-second grade crush at Beaches Chapel School
learned that I really like a lady with a great smile
Bill Gist-tennis coach through end of middle school and some of high school
saw what it meant to be a good buisnessman and care about people, spurring them on to greater heights by encouraging (negatively or positively)
Brian Holland-friend at AU
saw a person who could absolutely make life more fun than I ever thought possible by being willing to laugh
Briana Keafer-friend at AU
to live on an entirely different plane of existence, even if I do not understand it, to honor women, to step up and be a man
Chad Callendar-friend at AU in Materials job
to be professional as a grad student, to be one who can delegate jobs to others, to be more honest with myself
Chris Davis-counselor at Kanakuk
that I should never assume a person with a rough exterior does not have a deep relationship with God
Christin Deas-Nav staff at AU
set a higher stanard for me in what it means to listen and ask questions to get to know people
Clare Dalton-friend in HS
that there are some young ladies pursuing God in HS, however difficult it is to see, that I cannot force a relationship
Courtney Guasti-friend at AU in Materials job
to find a research project you are really interested in, to take initiative in the job search, that I can be an advisor to those older than me
Dan Candeto-friend in HS
the math and programming man, how weak I am at doing math problems in my head
Dan Drown-friend at AU
to develop a rock solid foundation in Biblical truth
Dan McDonald-pastor at Eastside Community Church
to be excited about God’s word and how to be a pastor who demonstrates he really cares about you
Danielle Johnson-good friend/crush in HS, on tennis team
what infatuation feels like, how I need to approach a relationship more than just physically, commitment demanded..
Daniel Gossman-friend/roommate at AU for sr. year, in dorm study, navs
how hard divorce is on so many people, peoples’ insecurity, how to handle difficult times in life, about tough love
Daniel Pope-friend at AU
to embrace the history and doctrine of the Bible, some kali techniques
Danny Witt-tennis coach in middle school
how to have fun and be serious about tennis at the same time, how hard I will work for a powerade or piece of bubble gum
David-kanakuk counselor
how you can be quiet, yet still sincere in a way people know you care about them
David Liggitt-kanakuk leader
the results of forgiveness and how hard it is to ask for it, though how sweet the results are, how to excitedly pour my life out into teens
David Witt-tennis coach in HS
how to be disciplined in my tennis and training (patient and planning out points), how hard I needed to work to get to the top
Debra Guess-friend at AU fresh. year
gave me a short glimpse of the joy of a relationship growing with Christ at the center, to just have fun around young ladies
Derek Guffin-friend at UF
To passionately pursue a relationship with God, to relate to others in that context, to love anyone and everyone
Diedre Gilmore Lott-friend at AU, navs
some perspectives of what it is like to be a couple as a young adult, to think about my major choices and really take them to God for guidance
Don-tennis coach at Kanakuk
encouragement to trust God, especially when tired or sick, a glimpse of what life looks like to be single for a long portion of life, to encourage anyone and everyone, how my pride in my tennis ability is foolish
Donnie Hoover-navs leader at GT and MB03
how I needed to let go of control and trust God, how much pride I really have, how I need a childlike-faith, to work on establishing convictions, to not address life strictly intellectually, a bit about relationships and not to neglect the emotional side of life
Dr. Bill Gale-boss in Materials Engineering Lab Job
what it is like to be a professor, the need to know course material to be able to use it, to reach for a higher level, not to seek approval from men, how valuable providing an environment where it is safe to fail is
Dr. Prorok-professor at AU
how a good teacher acts and organizes class
Dr. Ron Barrett-professor at AU, boss while building WIG model aircraft
to be excited about engineering though it is not my end all, a great deal about hands on construction of models
Dr. Thoreau-professor at AU
how a good professor acts and organizes class, how helpful it is when they are really open and available for questions
Elizabeth Terry-friend in HS, fellow trombone
to not grow conceited in my abilities, what quality young ladies can perceive, not to immediately reject those ladies I do not have interest in
Emily-hall director fresh. and soph. years
how to care for people who are almost complete strangers in a dorm, how unguided freshman usually are
Eric Comerford-MB03 worship leader
that the purpose of worship is not for us to “get” something out of it (something learned or emotional high), but to give God glory
Eric Sepp-childhood friend, helped make me an auburn fan
Evan Minierd-Landrum Middle School friend
that I do not want to grow my hair out long, helped keep me focused on God and academics during my year at Landrum
Father Pierson-HS chaplain
helped me see that there is value in reading the original writings of the church and the value of consistency in prayer and Bible study
Gary Spooner-pastor Covenant Presbyterian Church at Auburn
how the ideal of community is a very complicated topic, encouragement to really examine my “inner self”
Grandhowie-grandfather
how to make the most of life, even when you get older, how hard it is to draw out wisdom from grandparents but how precious it is when you do
Grandi-grandfather (now dead)
to play tennis initially, to be smart and invest my money, to be crazy with any grandkids I might have
Grandmollie-grandmother (now dead)
to be gentle and loving, to persevere through anything and when the time comes to let go of life satisfied, to hope in life after death as a reality
Greg Pannacione-friend in HS
not to be cynical about life, what being devoted to being a good saxaphone player means, how tough it must be to wake up and think there is nothing but this life ahead
Haley Henderson-crush in 5th grade, that I desire an athletic woman
Hunter Lott-tennis counselor at Kanakuk
that we need to dream, though we also need to do the work to implement our dreams, the need to work together to achieve those dreams
Ian Bowling -friend at AU, in dorm study briefly
that there is a lot involved in following the Spirit, sometimes you have to let go of those you mentor, especially if you are very different people
Ian Schaefer-RA freshman year at AU
helped me really adjust to college and to loosen up and have fun (playing Settlers, Spades and Risk until the early morning)
Jacky Crawford-friend at AU, MB03, tennis player
that I love sincerity in a woman, that men and women can be friends interacting on deeper levels, what a woman seeking God looks like, a bit about what it means to spiritually spur on a sister
Jason-counselor when I was a camper at K-2
that even a rough big guy can show us Christ through his attempts to love us
Jason Antoine-friend at AU
that sometimes we really just need to be sociable, especially about tennis
Jason Romine-friend at AU, tennis player
showed me a different side of life than what I am always comfortable with, that I do not desire a shallow relationship with a woman
Jay Giles-friend in HS on tennis team
that a “pusher” displays patience and foresight which those who pretend they are good at tennis often do not have
Joe Maschoff-MB03 leader, navs
that there is a great deal of Biblical history which many are ignorant of, how to really study the scriptures
Joe White-Kanakuk founder
to have a heart for other people which no one can question you are so passionate, especially teens because of the difficulties they face
John Andress-friend at AU, in dorm Bible study
not to take friendships for granted, what it means to live with pain and gratefulness for how God has blessed me physically
John Gibbs-friend and across the street neighbor from Saudi Arabia
how to have a good pillow fight or wrestling match, what premature independence might have done to me
Johnathan Grover-next door neighbor in Saudi Arabia
how those who run fast and look cool get the ladies when you are younger, and often later as well, that a smile will take you far
Josh Davis-friend at AU, navs
an extremely high standard of purity, that engineers can have fun without talking about technical things, to approach God with sincerity
Kathryn Baldwin-friend at AU
where cynicism about love can lead people (think valentine bags), how tough it is to be a young lady in engineering, how an engineering poet is not an oxymoron
Katie Blackmar-friend at AU, aerospace, navs
how great it is to have a good mentor coming into college, how engineering can be spiritually dangerous, the power of expectations
Kevin Blankenship-friend in Saudi Arabia
how serious one can be about swimming, a different view on brother/sister relationships
Kevin Lott-friend at AU, navs
how we change before and after we are married (to some extent), that I desire to have a deep relationship with my wife so that we are a team
Kristin Cuthbert-crush at Landrum MS
how difficult it is to submit to your parents authority and not go to a dance, how I desire an intelligent woman in a relationship
Lance Armbrester-good friend at AU, MB03 team, navs
showed me how to really sincerely and honestly approach God especially through prayer, to seek after Christ with obstacles from your past, how to approach a relationship in a Godly manner
Leigh Tatum-friend at AU, navs
how a lady sometimes needs to be gently pushed out of her comfort zone, how I can judge people wrongly and need to gather multiple opinions
Leigh Jones-MB03
what it means to steadfastly guard a woman’s heart and to wonder at nature, especially sunsets, sunrises, and storms
LeighAnn Letourneau-friend at AU
how to be a good, interactive listener and encourager, that sometimes we can honor God by just going crazy
Manifold Family-church family who “adopted” me in college
showed a totally new definition of hospitatlity to emulate, how it is great to have someone you can rely on however independent you want to be
Marchant Davenport-friend at AU
inspired me to make this journal, that you cannot push someone to grow spiritually, how to be a loyal and extremely hospitable friend, how I judge others too quickly and am not bold enough in helping address needs I see, how to handle critique
Matt Allen-MB03 team member
showed me the discipline of really exercising every morning
Matt Emerson-friend in AU in freshman study
what it means to see where God was calling him and then doing what was necessary, even when others doubt you, that early marriage is not necessarily a mistake
Matt Houston-former K-2 director
how I need to look out for others interests before my own and so often do not really love; I now wear a necklace of a chain link as a reminder
Matt Lufrano-good friend in HS
another who shared his Jewish perspective with me, who taught me a little more about how to relax about life but also to work hard
Matt Nielson-friend at AU, navs
made me feel welcome at Navs when I first got there, introduced me to frisbee, helped encourage me to be more outgoing
Matt Ricke-friend in HS on tennis team
helped keep me working hard, how we need someone else to go with us when we are trying to stand for something
Matt Williams (big cat)-co-counselor at Kanakuk
although not of the greatest stature he had such a great desire for teens to see the gospel that I was inspired by
Matthew Parsons-friend at AU, in MATL
how hard it is to break up, what it means to keep going when life seems to crumble around you, some things that take away work ethic, how hard it is to trust God sometimes, how bad or good a friend I can be
Mike Brennison-friend at AU
worked with in the Adaptive Aerostructures Lab, that however different you can be from a person you still share some things in common
Michael Mackenzie-friend in HS on tennis team
that you do not have to conform to peer pressure and can continue to work hard, especially if there is someone leading you elsewhere
Mike Ryzewick-friend in HS, valedictorian
that being intelligent is great, although we all want to have some fun also, challenged the logical basis for my belief, effects of denying Christ
Mike Scalassa-friend in HS, on tennis team
that sometimes your heros are not who you thought they were, how to become a friend of one who you look up to
Mike (cat)-friend at AU
bible study leader for my first bible study with peers, that sometimes difficulties in life can really change people or reveal who they really are
Mimi-my grandmother
that I have a sweet tooth, and how life often brings out extremes of what we have decided to live like
Monika Waniek-tennis coach in HS
to keep going on, even when what you dreamed of doing was smashed by an accident
Mr. Cooper (PVPC)-middle school youth group leader
helped me when I was homesick at camp for the first time, made Christianity interesting in MS
Mr. Dave Lindahl-boss in the Materials Engineering Labs
what it means to be well supported throughout college, dared me to dream big, that what I see as easy and obvious can be good research
Mr. Ritter-HS physics teacher
inspired me to have confidence and even build a prototype to support my case when I have a good idea
Mr. Thrift-HS homeroom teacher
inspired me to start learning guitar and just showed a teacher cared about me, especially spiritually
Mr. Tippins-HS band teacher
taught me I could not tune, taught me to not ignore the depths of life, but also that there is hope, not to be cynical, two words: Pachabel’s Canon
Mr. Willis-teach in Saudi
THE teacher who taught me what it meant to work hard academically in 4th grade, inspired me to new heights in reading and math
Mrs. Dallison-HS older scottish chemistry teacher
made chemistry fun and definitely somewhat more explosive, yet made us learn the background which still helps me a great deal
Mrs. Edwards-HS math teacher
really encouraged me when I was overshadowed by the math “big shots”
Mrs. Smith-middle school math teacher
I was in a class with others who were much older; made it a lot easier to adjust to Episcopal, not to root for Florida (WHOOPS!)
Mrs. Funk-middle school math teacher
made algebra so much easier and gave me a greater respect for the environment
Mrs. Van Winkle-homeroom and science teacher in middle school
taught me to “never assume” that achieving my dreams would take more work than I had previously thought
Mrs. Vermillion-biology teacher in HS and Brain Brawl mentor, let me compete at a higher level
Natalie Kerr-friend at AU, navs
first person I ever asked out, that people can have spiritual lows but still be growing, how to let God have control over my relationships
Paden Woodburn-friend in HS, on tennis team
how our minds try to justify sin, how our talents can shape our lives
Paul Hartman-friend in HS, went to prom with my sister
that being a humble but popular “class act” and a sincere Christian are not mutually exclusive
Polly West-friend at AU
that prayer is of utmost importance, that God has a heart for the nations
Ray Davenport-friend at AU
more about intentionally ministering to various types of people, how life offers many distractions from God
Rick Bourque-pastor of Eastside
that the Bible is larger than we can ever imagine, what good Biblical teaching looks like, how big grace is and how prone we are to materialism
Rocky Stout-MB03
how difficult ADD is and how to try to help someone who has it, that their input can be quite good if you will listen and persevere a little
Ryan Dunne-friend at AU, great tennis player
that I still have a ways to go to really be good at tennis
Ryan Rooks-friend in HS, tennis player
that no matter how you look, sincerity and integrity will get you far
Ryan Schumacher-friend at AU, in dorm study
how timidity hinders us, how to be gentle and patient with people, to be excited about programming or starting small businesses, that sometimes we just need someone to go with us, how people change, that hope is contagious
Sally Jolles-friend from HS
that I cannot just roll over people and need to ask forgiveness, that I was a selfish guy in HS
Sam Kobliska: DBF teammate at AU
that there are many who are still willing to think deeply and engage the world passionately, that separation is not the answer, how to be a calm, steady team leader
Sara Fletcher-friend at AU
how we need to be brutally honest with ourselves, but not float spiritually
Sarah Wirgau-friend at AU and before
that sometimes there are things in life you just do not understand, to let loose a little more, yet be able to be sincere almost instananeously, how I am often respected, but perhaps rarely loved
Sean McKee-friend in HS
helped inspire me to start guitar, that progress is difficult to measure, that we can ask all the right questions but not get to the answers
Stephanie Bourque-friend in HS
took to my only prom, that it is foolish to try to convince yourself to like someone, that relationships need to have depth, that there are spiritually deep women
Stephanie Carlson-friend in Saudi Arabia
that crushes last a short time
Stephanie Paulk-friend in HS
that it is a struggle to stand for Christ in HS
Sterling Gerdes-MB03 team
how to be joyful in the Lord, to memorize scripture more (!), how to engage life on a more emotional level
Steve Jones-friend at AU, Bible study leader freshman year
that a leader is needed and appreciated, however ADD they might be, not to worry about the future
Susan Dennis-friend at AU
that art is deeper than what we can just see
Thomas Robertson-MB03
how pride can blind us very quickly, to be sensitive to how the group around me is feeling
Tim Hilton-MB03
that I greatly respect and admire sincere and athletic young gentlemen
Todd Hendrix-friend and Navs leader at AU
that the basics of Christianity can always use refreshment and are the most easily passed on, to be bolder in ministry
Tom Williams-friend and Navs leader at AU
the life of Nav staff, how a family can affect you, how I need to be open with those I minister to as well as ask them how they are
Tony Pesce-MB03 team leader
what a great one-on-one meeting is like, how to organize a Bible study (esp. managing people), what a Christian relationship looks like…
Trey Gunn-friend in HS
how women can distract us from our relationships with others and God, how little motivated by money I am
Wes Johnson-friend at AU
what it means to be passionate about engineering, how I am not the smartest or even close to who is out there
William Dunham-good friend at AU, roommate
about relationships, to loosen up, the effect of a touch, how much I value a sincere friend, to be very careful with my words, that I hate TV and often movies but will watch anyway if they are accessible…
The Life Examined 
