Last April, on my birthday, I hopped on a plane in New York City, disembarked in Instabul, and finally finished my three continent jaunt in Lezhe Albania. Whenever birthdays come up and people ask, “what did you do for your birthday?” I have a unique answer.
photo credit: Emily Peterson
This year, on my 24th birthday, I rolled out of my tent in the coconut tree forest at 5:30 and stumbled to the open air toilet at our campsite. A few hours later, clinging to the person in front of me, the truck carrying my two friends, thirty-five complete strangers, and myself hurtles down the ancient, pot-holed riddled road towards the Indian Ocean. After cavorting on the beach for a few hours, our attempts to order lunch results in the use of four different languages and a tremendous amount of laughter.
As I look back on the last few years, my birthday experiences serve as an illustration of God’s work in my life. I realized that God has been blessing me exponentially more each year. College was fantastic and I thrived in that environment. Serving the Lord and traveling the world for a year changed me. However, neither of these experiences can be the pinnacle of my life. Each year is getting better and better. Better does not necessarily mean more travel or more adventure. Better means deeper intimacy with the Father, greater opportunities for service and impact. Better means life more abundant. I cannot wait to see what more God has planned. This 24th year of my life appears to be getting better than lest year – a stepping stone to even bigger and better things.
For my birthday, my team gave me 24 Challenges for my 24th Year. So just for fun, check out some of the crazy things they think I ought to try!
1. Complete P90X and/or insanity
2. Read the New York TImes top 50 books
3. Smile at everyone you see
4. Go on one date a month
5. Drink 24 different kinds of tea
6. Go hiking in 12 different states
7. Lead a crowd in a cheer at a college/pro soccer game
8. Try one new food every 24 days
9. Learn to say hello in 24 different languages
10. Skinny dip on your birthday
11. Be fluent in a language other than Spanish or English
12. Call a relative once a week
13. Memorize 24 Bible verses
14. Go skydiving naked!
15. Eat a different kind of cookie each month
16. Memorize one book of the Bible
17. Learn how to put on your make-up
18. Take a Sabbath every week
19. Go out of your way to do something kind for someone every month
20. Have a 2 AM diner run with a friend
21. Google top 50 movies of all time – watch them all
22. Go to your favorite band or bands concert
23. Do the "bernie" in 24 different cities
24. Take an early morning walk along railroad tracks
