Today is my birthday. Yes I am now twenty-three years old. But I don’t really think of it as old. In retrospect, in those 23 years, I have accomplished a lot. I finished grade school, started a Christian fellowship that expanded to the district, received my high school diploma, earned a four year Bachelor’s Degree in 3 1/2 years, completed my Masters Degree, began writing my first book to be published [which is also my thesis paper], and traveled literally around much of the world. At least those are the major things. But looking back, I would not have been able to accomplish anything, especially those big moments just mentioned, without the strength of God working through me. Honestly, my life is but anything that I can take the glory. My life is also in no way near completion. At least in theory. I don’t know how many more birthdays I will get to celebrate. Maybe 1 year or maybe 90 years, but regardless, I have more time to give glory to God with my life, no matter how many years are attached to it.

Because of this, I do not think that I am old. Not in the slightest. As much I feel I have accomplished, academically, spiritually, or just personally, I still have so many things that I want to do. Here is just a brief list not in any particular order:

• swim with sharks [not in a cage]
• live overseas longer term
• get married [HECK YEAH!!!!]
• have kids and possibly adopt
• sky dive
• become tri-lingual w/ Spanish, Italian, Hebrew or Arabic [any]
• plant at least one youth center
• travel to these countries/regions: South Africa, Norway, Australia, Pacific Islands [any], Egypt, Rome, Athens, and pretty much anywhere!
• document about all of my travels with photography & journaling

These are just a glimpse of some of the things I want to accomplish. Nothing is impossible. I refuse to let age defeat the possibilities in my life. I have so much more time to do so much!  Yes, there are things that I had planned to happen before this year’s birthday that did not happen- for example… I am not married yet. But God’s timing in my life is so much more beautiful and perfect than on my own. With God’s strength I can do anything. My dreams on my own are nothing. But in passionate pursuit of God’s call in my life, the possibilities are limitless! So in celebration of my birthday, I give honor and glory to God, for with him I am destined for greatness with every breath, day and year he gives me.