Leaders who inspire me (part 2) Bakerman

Part 2 of my final. This next person who has inspired me I've known for a little over 7 years. I do not know his full story like I know my mom's but I sure know what he's taught me from his life. Correct me if I'm wrong Bakerman. This is from my perspective and what I remember:

Aaron Baker was my youth pastor when I was a teenager and is still part of my life today. Aaron was in the Navy when I first met him. During that time he met a girl from church, Rachael, they fell in love and got married. While in the Navy, he went to school to learn how to be a teacher/trainer in what he did in the Navy, helicopter engineer or something like that. He started a family and a ministry in church.

As a youth leader he encouraged us to serve and he led by example. He and Rachael used to clean the whole 3 story church building. He worked full-time, was a student part time, was a youth pastor, a husband and new father. Somewhere in his busy life he managed to have time for us, the teenagers. He cared and shared his knowledge and wisdom with us.

Still to this day he has managed to lead teenagers by example. Currently he and his wife lead a worship and creative arts program at church where they encourage youth to participate and explore music and arts. His life has taught me that a leader is a servant to all.

He has taught me that life may be tough in some seasons, but it always gets better if you keep going. To lead people and teach people to be their best and to do that you have to be your best too… be the example they might not have.

Aaron’s pursuit for excellence inspires me to never sell myself short of doing my best in everything, even the little things and when no one is looking. He was a youth pastor, worked full time, studied part time, cleaned a church building, was a new husband and new dad, and still had time for us, the teenagers. And in all these things he did, I never saw him do anything less than his best.

I have learned to pursue excellence, anything less than that would be cheating myself, and others. This is something I'm still practicing and learning and applying.... it's not easy, but when you have a good example in your life to keep you motivated, makes it easier.

I want to be a good example! Thanks Aaron.

Leaders who Inspire me (part 1) - MOM

So for my Business 150 class we had to write our final, which was about leadership, I chose to focus on leaders that were in my life. And in honor of these people who have impacted my life here is part of that midterm:

My mother was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. She was one of 11 children and as far as I know was always a good student and a good worker. She married my father at the age of 22 and had 3 girls. During her 11 year marriage to my father she encountered many trials, which molded her character. She worked full time just about every single day. She didn't drive, so she always took public transportation and walked a lot. As my parent's marriage was breaking off, she made a crucial decision to leave my father and move to Tijuana to tend to my grandfather's farm, animals, gardens, and us full time. I think those were one of the times we lacked in financial wealth, but were the most happy.

Soon after, we came to live in the United States where we had some family. I'm sure in the beginning, it was really hard for her to find a job, but she eventually became a housekeeper for several homes while we were in school. A few months later she enrolled in night school to learn English and computers. She would work morning, go to school at night and somewhere in her busy life she made time to be MOM! My mother has become bilingual, but continues to better herself by reading. She bettered herself to give us a chance to better ourselves.

Her examples as she has walked through life have impacted mine. I have learned to be hungry for knowledge and wisdom. Her leadership taught me to do my best. My favorite quote that she says and the one I will take with me forever is when you're worried about something, or something's going wrong, she says: "Can you do something about it? If so, then don't worry about it, just do it! If you cant, then don't worry about it!" She always has such a peace about her. I've learned through her life examples and famous quote, that if I can do something about what I want to change, I need to just do it!