A few other notes of interest. First, I've nominated people more than once as my heroes before. Joy Lacorte, Keisha Paez, Virleshay Gayatin, & Anastasia Bailey all share that honor. But this is the second time I've nominated the same person for two consecutive years. El-Ryck becomes the first male to join the Twice Nominated Club after making the list last year. As long as I find new ways you inspire me, you can make this list multiple years! Also in other "repeat" news: For the third year in a row a member of the same remarkable family makes the list. Three generations of heroism in one family! I don't know what they're doing over there in the Green family but whatever it is, it's being done right. And here's the kicker. There will be a fourth hero from this extraordinary clan, setting a new record for individual nominations from the same family (right now they are tied with the Paez tribe; Carol, Keisha, and Natalia were all nominated). But for reasons that I'll explain next year that nomination has to wait. So stay tuned for the 12th Annual Inspirations in December 2018!
In the meantime here are this year's heroes and inspirations:
Dr. James Appel
Jasmyn Green
El-Ryck Kendrick
Pastor Bob McGhee
Jasmyn Green
I'm inspired by her calm spirit
"One thing about me is I try not stress." So began a Facebook post by Jasmyn earlier this year. No big deal right? We all try not to stress. But as I've gotten to know Jasmyn over this past year I've found that she is remarkably successful at living up to that aspiration. Her life is the definition of the full plate--it seems like she's got at least two different theater projects that she's involved in at any given time; she works full time at two jobs, does a bang-up job as the youth ministries leader at our church, and she may be working on writing a new play. And she manages to do all this with her trademark calm spirit, good humor, and patient demeanor. It's not to say that she doesn't ever get stressed. She does on occasion. Three hours before curtain of our debut performance of her play Lie in the Bed You Make was one of the few times I've ever seen Jasmyn sweat. But far more than most she maintains an even keel, come what may. The good news for me in aspiring to her zen-like approach to life is that I have access to the same One she credits for her ability to live mostly stress-free. "That's what I have God for," she says, "He takes care of all my problems and then some! Don't like stress? Try Him--you might be surprised how freeing life will be."
Dr. James Appel
I'm inspired by his life less ordinary
I can't say for sure, but I have this feeling that James doesn't see his life as one of sacrifice. Most people would look at his work as a missionary surgeon in Tchad and think, "Wow what a hero. Look at what he and his family have given up to serve the less fortunate." But it's not the noble dedication to going without Western comforts and family close at hand that inspire me about James. You see, I've lived life like James has and I can tell you there is nothing like it in the world. You feel so fully alive and the work, while difficult, is so deeply rewarding. James and his family inspire me because they remind me that it's still possible to live extraordinarily in the service of God and others. Right now circumstances don't allow me to live on the other side of the world but I hope that if and when the opportunity does arise, I'll have the courage to take the leap again. In the meantime, I want to bring as much of that mindset of extraordinary service and love to every day of my life right now.
Bob McGhee
I'm inspired by his commitment to loving people
We called him Bobby Love. So much so that I kind of forgot his actual last name for awhile. Pastor Bob picked up that nickname some years ago when my sister-in-law and her husband visited his church, and as many people do, decided to slip out ahead of the communion service. He followed them out the door imploring them to stay, saying "I love you guys." We thought it was funny, and a bit extreme and so he was christened him Bobby Love. But we were wrong. While his attempt to let those visitors know they were loved may have backfired, he couldn't be faulted for trying. More importantly, I've learned that while Pastor Bob can be funny there's nothing funny about the compassion he has for others. And while he might be extreme and offend the doctrinal purists who view "too much love" with suspicion, I think Pastor Bob understands what following Christ is ultimately all about. During his farewell Sabbath at Worthington Adventist Church, someone recounted how concerned Pastor Bob was about the people that most folks neglect but that he'd built relationships with over the years. "Who will look after them after I leave?" he had asked. That's when I got it. Faith is great. Hope is amazing. But the greatest of these is love. Pastor Bob understands that. I never told Pastor Bob the nickname I had for him, but I like to think he'd wear Bobby Love with pride.
El-Ryck Kendrick
I'm inspired by his journey
I wouldn't say he started at the bottom, but he is definitely on his way to the top. I am so immensely proud of El-Ryck. I've known this young man since he was a loud fifth grader with a hot temper and whether he has known it or not he has always been a blessing in my life. During fifth and sixth grade we butted heads over his classroom behavior and academic performance, but he taught me patience and despite my being hard on him, I grew to love this guy. In seventh grade he was one of the first students to run with me in the Buckeye Classic 10K. He amazed himself with his ability to run 6.2 miles; so much so he did it again the next year. In the eighth grade he made his mark as a powerful speaker and actor. He was the star of the school Christmas play and blew the audience away with his final monologue. At the beginning of each school year throughout high school he would volunteer to come in and help me set up my classroom before school started. I always appreciated his help with the heavy lifting and fellowship over lunch from Sonic when the work was done. And now El-Ryck has decided to join the United States Army. For years, I've had El-Ryck's back; now he has all of ours. El-Ryck has always had a sense of honor, courage, and service so it's no surprise to me that he's chosen to serve our country. El-Ryck's journey so far has been nothing less than inspiring. I can't wait to see where he'll go next.
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