I'm the product of what God and others have put into my life. I'm influenced by many people, but especially by my family. In case you didn't know, I'm the oldest of nine kids. First I was born, then 7 brothers, followed by one sister! It's the best family EVER. [yup, same two parents for all the kids]

Influence means: effect, impact, sway, hold, authority, guidance, direction, pressure.

My family has impacted my character development, and they have had an effect on the personality I've developed. I'm so proud to be part of this large and very unique family!

My father Jim, my mother Carrie.

I'm the oldest, then, in order of age (left to right):
Joshua, Trevor, Nathan, Jeremy, Michael, Jeffrey, Caleb, Christel

Over the years, I've had varying types of relationships with my siblings. I've never had a better relationship with each one then I do now. It's been a joy to watch my brothers and sister grow in their maturity and relationship with God and each other. I've watched three of my brothers get married to lovely women of God (Sarah, Beth, and Sarah), and I now have two nieces (Piper, Vienna), with another niece/nephew on the way from Trevor and Beth.

How have my parents influenced me?
Apparently, I'm a blend between the leader outgoing qualities of my father, and the administrative, communicative qualities of my mother:

• My father Jim has taught me about true leadership. As a pastor at Elora Road Christian Fellowship, I've seen him speak passionately, be a champion for change and motivate and exhort other leaders around him. I've seen him demonstrate humility as a father and be a very fun dad who gives room for us kids to grow and step into our destiny. My dad also has a love of history and math, which has influenced us kids. "Math is the language of the universe!" (he says cheekily)
  
• My mother Carrie is the ultimate administrator. She brings organization to a family where there could be chaos with so many boys (*ahem). She is a fantastic communicator and could organize an email recruitment campaign, a meeting agenda, a family event with many people, and lots of food for hungry boys. I've been influenced by her office management skills as well as at home — learning to cook, clean and care for children all from her. She has a funny side to her, is a fantastic writer, and as well is as very web savvy — qualities not everyone knows.
  

A word about marriage
My parents have probably influenced me the most by their open honesty about what it takes to bring true intimacy into a God-centered marriage relationship. (The only reason why I can offer any good relationship advice at all is because of all the good I've learned from them.) They have a passion to help other couples ignite passion and develop the marriage of their dreams, and I'm so proud of them for that!

Though they are younger than me, my siblings have influenced me a LOT!!

• JOSHUA has taught me how to let the creativity out. Check out his site at The NonConformist Family.com. I've seen him launch his entrepreneurial side this year more than ever. He is also a networker and his blogging and web savvy has influenced mine. He's taught me to embrace the web, be more laid back in life, and enjoy the ride! He and Sarah are great parents and I love their approach to training their kids, too. (Don't expect I'll need to put that into practice anytime soon, ha!)
• TREVOR is an example of hard work, dedication and mastery of all things 'building.' Having worked in various construction and landscaping trades and developed a vast repertoire of skills, it's no surprise that he now has launched his own business in home renovation. He also works with his wife Beth at a fantastic ministry New Hope Youth Ranch. He's taught me the value of consistency, stability, and diligence.
• Through NATHAN, I've learned about the value of light-heartedness, fun and joy. I've learned about leadership. Without realizing the depth of his influence, he has led others. He's a youth leader at church and works in construction framing people's homes. He's a hard worker, yet fun! I often take myself too seriously, and he is a good balance for me in that.
• Through JEREMY, I've learned the value of accepting others. He can easily fit into any group, he has traveled having been out with Youth With a Mission to several nations. I've seen his passion for God and his risk taking in life. Jeremy is also very funny, has a great taste in indie music bands and has very cool hair that I can only aspire to.
• Through MICHAEL, I've learned to explore and take learning seriously. Michael wouldn't ever brag about it, but he was his high school class president and is uber smart. I've seen his growing interest in world politics and it's no wonder that he has a passion for social justice. He's leading a group at church on this topic, and I wish I was at ERCF so I could take that course. He cares about world issues, whether it's child slavery or fair trade, and from that I can learn much. Like all the brothers, he's fun and laid back.
  
• I've learned from JEFFREY the ability to make friends well, to gain respect from those of any age, and to fit in well with a group. Jeffrey is often known and described because of his humourous ways, but there's much more to him than his dramatic side. Jeffrey is confident and bring joy to any group. I've also learned from him not to be intimidated by age, or be held back from leadership. I've seen him take his faith seriously by leading others in study and paving the way with other guys on the same spiritual journey. He is a spiritual example to those who are older than him, including me!
  
• CALEB has shown me how to adapt, not be intimidated and not be discouraged by obstacles. He is a guy with a diversity of talents. He is a very quick learner and has many skills, probably because he has learned from others in the family. Caleb has a gift with conversation with strangers, adults, kids his age, or younger toddlers; he has the ability to fit in well. Caleb has also influenced me with his compassion to younger kids, especially our nieces. He brings joy to their lives.
• CHRISTEL is my only sister, so she and I have a special close relationship. Through Christel, I've learned flexibility, patience, understanding and forgiveness — she has shared a room with me for a number of years and is so accommodating to me and my ways. I've also learned from her the importance of learning from mentors, since I watch her thrive as she has submitted to the great example of teachers and people in her life. Christel is also growing rapidly in piano skills, and sings too. She's a sister after my own heart.
  

A photo from April 2011, the most current family photo, we've got, I think. (At Nathan & Sarah's wedding)

Being in another country, away from everyone, my heart is reminded of just how good I've got it. I'm blessed beyond measure to have been influenced by such a great family!!