Goals
"Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing." —Barry Finlay
This icon of the Life of the Holy Prophet Moses (artist unknown) shows him at various points in his life where he encountered God. While the Biblical narrative describes him as being on different mountains each time, this icon emphasizes that it is the same God through all of them, and that his whole life is one long ascent up the mountain of God, meeting various goalposts along the way. My hope is that as I meet each of these goals that I list here, I will continue to climb the mountain of life to new heights of understanding.
Short Term
Personal
There are, as I write this, six or seven books on my shelf that I have started but not finished. My hope is to finish them by next year's end.
Professional
I currently run a small business changing tires and fixing lawnmowers. The machinery I use is in need of maintenance, however, so my hope is to get it all back in shape by spring.
Academic
I am currently en route to get my Associates in Arts with South Piedmont Community College this spring. I am in the process of determining whether to continue on to Wingate, or switching to Dallas International.
Long Term
Personal
I would like to read all of the published works of
J. R. R. Tolkien in the next decade. There are many of them, and often voluminous, so that will be quite the task cut out for me.
Professional
I am currently discerning whether to pursue holy orders in the Anglican Church of North America. I am also developing the skills necessary to be a missionary, with translating the Christian scriptures and liturgies in mind.
Academic
I plan on getting a bachelor's degree in the next four years, though what it is in specifically will depend on whether I go to Wingate or DIU. After that, if it becomes clear I should pursue the priesthood, I will be off to seminary.