The day I turned 31...

> Dear God,
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> Today is my 31st birthday. Some people start keeping their ages a secret when they hit 30 while I proudly say "I'm 31!" when asked about my age. Thank you for another fruitful year. I can't say I couldn't ask for more but I am eternally grateful for all the things that happened to my life - all 31 years of it.
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> Ten years ago, I graduated from college and You were there with me as I struggled through hard times. It wasn't an easy trek and there were times I would talk to You in tears - I felt like giving up. We had nothing then - absolutely nothing. We lost our house, but we knew that was coming long before. Still, we were thankful because I was already employed when we got evicted. After all, we didn't have to sleep on the streets and beg. You always found a way for us to survive it all even when my mom succumbed into depression. Even now, I still cannot believe I was able to provide for my mom's medication, my brother's schooling, not to mention our monthly rent. You have always sent reinforcements - from my loving grandmother to my generous aunt, to my dad who would, once in a blue moon, send financial support, to my then boyfriend C, who would never fail to lend me money just when I'm down to my last buck.
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> I prayed hard to be able to find employment overseas so I can help my family even more. When we lost our house, You were there when I made a solemn promise to my mom that I will help her realize her dream of having a house of her own which nobody can take away from her. Finding a job overseas is the fastest and easiest way I could keep that promise. At 24, You granted my prayers and I found myself leaving for San Francisco the day after C and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary as a couple. Because I had to leave in a hurry with a job already waiting, I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to my mom and my brother. That truly broke my heart to pieces. I was at the airport putting up a brave face while my grandmother, my bestfriend G, and my boyfriend C were teary-eyed. Deep inside, I was crying tears by the barrel.
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> The project didn't push through - it was canned even before I started, but you gave me an even better job in lieu of that. You blessed with me wonderful teammates and a very patient mentor. On my first birthday here in the US, I was able to buy myself a nice car. You made sure I had the funds and the job to finance it.
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> You brought me to places I used to imagine only in my dreams. At 27, I started making my mom's dream a reality. I know You were with her when the house was completed. I can hear the excitement in my mom's voice whenever I talk to her on the phone. It cleaned up my savings but I know it was well worth it. The year after that, I was able to co-own a house here in the US with my roommate. I cried on my first night there because never in my wildest dreams have I imagined myself living in a beautiful house like that. I now know why my mom was so elated. I grew up in a house where the roof leaked - where we had to wake up every now and then when it rains so we can empty out the basins that keeps the water from flooding the floor.
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> Because You blessed me with a stable job, I was able to not only help finance a house for my mom and my brother, but to help in the renovation of my grandmother's house as well. At 30, You blessed me with a great husband - my long time boyfriend who has been with me through it all. He understood the responsibilities I carried on my shoulders and he accepted me wholeheartedly. He was very supportive of my dreams. He made sure he didn't get in my way of achieving them even when I know it had hurt him so much to see me leave. I consider myself very fortunate and very blessed!
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> On my 31st birthday, You heard another prayer, and granted me a big birthday present. Another house would make 3! Today is not only special because it's my birthday, but it is also the day we closed escrow for a rental property. Again, I'm a co-owner with my roommate. I'm crying as I write this beca> use our broker just called to let us know that it's recorded in our name today!
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> Lord, I only asked for a roof above our heads while I was growing up. A roof that doesn't leak, stairs that don't rock and squeak everytime we climb it, and walls that are not infested by molds, yet You gave me a whole lot more!
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> Miracles do happen everyday. My life is a living proof of that. People who knew us before still couldn't believe how far we've come in a span of 10 years! It still amazes me to this very day how it all happened. I know one thing for sure though, You have always been beside me. You carried me through rough times. We've weathered the toughest of storms together.
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> Today let me not only celebrate my birthday, but let me take a moment to thank You for everything You have blessed me with. You are truly good.... all the time!
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> Your loving daughter,
> M