Now On Lane 3

I just hit the big 30!

Yup... just recently :)

And I had the best party ever!!!

I had 3 cakes... 3 candles... 3 wishes...
It was celebrated with 3 different set of friends (early morning, lunch and dinner)...
It was also my 3rd birthday here in Dubai, and my 3rd birthday celebration away from home...

And I had 3 first time on that day...
Let me share with you those 3s... (briefly)

First is the 'alcohol free' yet very fun party!

I am trying to recall when was my last party without alcohol... maybe when I was in highschool?
Maybe...
And for the past years or hmmmm... decade of celebrations, I thought that it is impossible to enjoy a party without a beer!!!

On that day, I knew what it takes to be really happy... I learned that laughter comes from the heart and not from the mind corrupted by alcohol... and party is enjoyed most with special people whom you love...

Second on that three is the experience of the so called 'tribute' to the celebrator.

The feeling was overwhelming, as my new found family shared their thoughts about me... and offered verses that will be my guide towards the next chapter of my journey.

Through that, I was able to reflect... I am thankful to all the kind words they said about me... (thank God for the food, they were not hungry and angry ;-)

During that time, memories flashed back... Good and not so good memories that molded me to become who I am today. Years of struggles... Moments of success... Failures and achievements...

Trials that tested my faith and proved God's love and faithfulness... my ride was never easy, but it has always been safe and happy, having Him beside me.

Third but never the least is the total happiness that I felt on that day...
It was so so different... I felt the love not just by the people but most of all by God.

It is the first time that I didn't cry on a special occasion...
Of course, I missed my family who are not beside me physically... but the distance was never a hindrance for me to feel their love...
I longed to be with my relatives who always supported me and my friends who sailed with me all the way...

I missed them... but it won't be reason not to be happy.
We may not be together but I was embraced by their love...

God works mightily... He filled up those empty spaces...
He completes me...


On that day, a new chapter of my life started...
I'm done with rough slow lane 1... moved to curve fast lane 2...

Now, I am on straight lane 3 :)
Focused on every step together with our Almighty.

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Let me share 3 of the many verses that I received on that day...

Ephesians 3:17-19
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

2 Peter 3:18
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.