Thanks for all the well-wishing comments on the day’s earlier entry. Sunny “snuck” onto my blog this morning to post that birthday wish, complete with a pic of yours truly on that glorious day some thirty years ago. Thirty feels about right for me. What’s strange is that in 10 years, I’ll be FORTY. That just ain’t right.
But I have to admit: I have the best wife in the world. She surprised me Saturday with a 30th birthday party, which was great. Today, she surprised me again by giving me THIRTY birthday gifts. Needless to say, I’m overwhelmed by her love. You’re awesome, Sunny.
So, in honor of my thirty years of life, I thought I’d blog today about some of the future goals I’ve set for myself. If I play my cards right, I figure I have another thirty or forty years left (Lord willing). In honor of the big day, here are thirty things I hope to accomplish in whatever time I have left:
Thirty Goals (in no particular order)
1. Visit all 30 major league baseball stadiums (18 down, 12 to go)
2. Begin a full-time pulpit ministry
3. Write a book. (I used to write a lot more. I wish I had the time to really write.)
4. Take my kids to Disney World
5. Take Sunny to Europe…
6. …AFTER I finish with grad school (5 more years, baby!)
7. Own my home (26 more years, baby!)
8. Take an Alaskan cruise
9. Learn to cook
10. Hike the Grand Canyon
11. See U2 in concert
12. Read everything by C.S. Lewis (I still haven’t forgotten, Lucy)
13. See the Cardinals win ANOTHER World Series (I know, I’m being greedy. I don’t care.)
14. Learn Spanish
15. Take a mission trip to Africa
16. Go skydiving (I think I know a family member that can help me with this one!)
17. Meet Ozzie Smith, get his autograph and tell him he’s the reason I’m a Cardinal fan
18. Hear Fred Craddock preach
19. Teach at least one class at the university level
20. Learn to play the guitar
21. Become a better disciple of Jesus
22. Visit the holy lands
23. Coach my kids’ Little League teams (or soccer clubs, Mike)
24. Learn to juggle
25. Memorize the Sermon on the Mount
26. Take batting practice at a big league stadium
27. Baptize my kids
28. Spoil my grandkids
29. Love people more
30. Get old and fat and live out my days in a rocking chair on my front porch next to Sunny
Well, there you have it. Thirty years in, I wouldn’t trade a thing about my life. Here’s hoping the next thirty years are as exciting and fulfilling as the first thirty.
already & not yet 
Sounds like some great goals! Can Kenny and I join you and Sunny on the Alaskan cruise?
I’m so excited to see #12!! Thanks for the mention…I feel special to have influenced your list!I tried to do #25 after hearing Dave Rubio recite it at Impact…but now I’m memorizing Philippians instead.I’m going to the Grand Canyon(#10) next fall on a road trip! You and Sunny and the twins should come along! I don’t know how much fun it would be for ya’ll cramped in my 89 Honda…but you’re still welcome to join!~Lucy P.
Happy birthday. I could regale you with stories about how your body starts to degenerate in your thirties, but I’ll spare you since I know you’re going to find out soon enough. Note to Jon: the “just relax” thing starts at age 50…if you’re lucky and don’t have problems before then.That looks like a fine list. We share several in common.Give Eyegal a call when you get a chance.
Jamey, you guys come on. We’ll all have a blast!Lucy, #12 will be my first readings once I’m done with grad school. Maybe I can read them on the plane to Europe!Mike, I don’t want to hear any stories. I’m enjoying my pre-degenerate state.
Maybe I’ll buy you the series as your graduation present! ~Lucy
Happy Birthday Jason! I just turned 30 in May and thought it would be a really big deal. I’m OK with it now. But it helps that I am soooooo much younger than Scott.
April 11, 2007. #18 has been accomplished.