my top influencial people.

i was reading vicky beeching's blog (you can find a link to it on the side bar if you wish) and she posed the question to her readers "who are your top 3 most influencial people?" i answered the question, but kind of wanted to give a more in-depth answer (with more like top eight then top three). so, here is my list.

1. great-grandmother, ola mae. her hunger for God is something that i still strive after. her passion is one thing that kept me going, even through the really hard times. if it weren't for her direction, i doubt i would be where i am today.
2. my uncle, mitch. he had a love for people that few do. he always asked how you were doing, and would actually listen to, and care about, the response. i hope that people will remember me in the same way i remember him.
3. my youth pastor/mentor, kelly. he has shown me so much in the past six months. he has given me multiple opportunities to see what being a youth pastor is going to be like first hand. by allowing me to do rather than just watch, he has equipped me for the future and i am forever grateful to him for the time he has put into teaching/mentoring me.
4. my parents, james and mary. from a young age, they helped me discover God, but allowed me to do it in my own way. even though they were divorced by the time i got to high school, i have always been able to turn to both of them for answers. my dad is like my best friend, and my mom is the greatest inspiration.
5. the baby brother, jeffrey doyle. even though he is four years younger than me, he has influenced me in so many ways. he takes it upon himself to make-up for his mistakes and he never lets other people do the work he can do on his own. if you look up independent, you will find jeffrey. but, under all of that, he has a heart to help people. he has helped me through a LOT.
6. my cousins. they influence me in crazy ways. we are six (plus a few newbies) and i don't think i could have made it through this insane life without them.
7. my bestest friend, alisha rae. she influences me daily. she has such courage and strength. literally she has helped me through EVERYTHING (seeing we've been besties since 1992...we were five then). i love this girl to pieces.
8. the students and leaders of EPIC UTH. goodness. i can't really say everything about them here, it would take about a year to write it all. they influence me to continue in my faith, even when i feel like all hope is lost. they are always there for me to talk to and confide in. they live up the name of our group, they are truly EPIC and extraordinary. they are making waves.