I have another great news to share with you, dear readers!

This blog, Hands-On Parent while Earning, was a finalist at 40th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) last November 14 held at the Star Theater.

I wanted so much to make that announcement as soon as I got the invitation to attend the awards night via mail. But we were advised that the CMMA wanted to keep the identities of the finalists confidential until the awards night.

When I submitted my entries last summer for the Cardinal Sin Book Awards and the CMMA, I really prayed hard that I would at least become a finalist in both of these award-giving bodies. After I read the announcement on the Cardinal Sin Book Awards Facebook page that I was one of the finalists, I wondered if the same thing is true for my blog entry. Fast forward to September, as I mentioned in my previous post here, I won the Cardinal Sin Book Award in the e-books category. Still, there was no announcement about the CMMA. I thought that probably, my blog did not qualify.

Then, one morning, I got an invitation from the CMMA. I jumped and shouted in joy! I even cried. Just the thought of being chosen as a finalist in this prestigious award-giving body was enough for me. Of course, I still hoped and prayed that I would win.

Months before this happened, the thought of becoming an award-winning blogger was just a vision and a dream. Then, I mustered the courage to act on that vision and dream. I submitted my blog for evaluation before the deadline announced. I read this dream every day. I affirmed myself that this is God’s will for me. I imagined that I was already searching and thinking of what clothes to wear for the awards night.

So, when I received the invitation, I was overjoyed! I felt that I was on the verge of having another big dream coming to life! This was the 4th God-sized dream that I listed this year in my Novena to God’s Love. Will God fulfill all of my God-sized dreams this year?

Like what I imagined, I nervously and happily searched for the perfect gown that I will wear to the awards night. This will be the first time that I am attending one. In my vision, I also imagined that my family was attending the awards night with me. So, when I was told that they can join me, I was delighted. I told my husband and kids months ago to get their coats and ties ready because they are attending the awards night with me when my blog is chosen as a finalist.

It was a vision coming true bit by bit as the awards night came closer.

I eventually found the gown that I wanted. I found high-heeled shoes to match it. I booked my appointment at the salon.

Then, the big day came. My husband, kids and my mom were with me again. We were a bit late but thank God that the program started late as well (around 30 minutes later than what was in the invitation). I thanked God that we still made it “on time.”

During my inquiry with the organizers, I was told that the winners of the 12th Cardinal Sin Book Awards last September will have separate seats from the guests. But I didn’t expect that we would be assigned front row seats! Wow! When I was told that the winners in the recent Cardinal Sin Book Awards would be presented at the CMMA, I was given another reason to really invest in a new gown. 😉

Attending the awards night for the first time and as a finalist was already wonderful. I was rubbing elbows with the famous and established personalities in the radio, TV, print and music industry. Most of the winners passed near me because I was seated in the first row and near the stairs that lead to the stage where all the winners are asked to go up when their names are called.

I claimed in faith that the God who brought me that far will also grant me the favor of winning in my category that night.

I sat at the edge of my seat as the presenters called on the finalists and announced the winners leading to my category. I took a video of them as they read the finalists in my category. And then I heard them announce my blog’s name and my name! I stood up and walked up the stage to claim my award – a special citation for the best blog category.

For the first time in my life, I was almost speechless. After we receive our awards, we are asked to have a photo at the official photo wall and to give a short speech on video. I could hardly think. I was overwhelmed with joy. I replayed this scene in my mind countless times in the past months. Yet, I still could not think well of what to say that moment. Anyway, what mattered most to me was that I won, and my family was there to witness that moment.

I saw the likes of Ogie Alcasid, Jamie Rivera, Ali Sotto, Ted Failon and many others go up the same stage where I stood to receive my award. The awards night was also hosted by celebrities like Eugene Domingo and my friend Carlo Lorenzo.

I’m still reeling from all these successes and achievements. It feels surreal that all these big dreams came true and within the same year!

Let me share 3 tips with you:

1. Do not let go of your visions or dreams. Habakkuk 2:3 says, “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Visions become realities when you work on making them happen and when you believe that God can and will make them happen.
2. Look/Stare at your vision boards daily or many times a day and imagine that your visions and dreams are already coming true. Affirm yourself that you deserve them. Persevere in doing something every day to make them turn from vision to reality.
3. Then, let God be God. Give room for God to make miracles in your life.

When I listed all these big dreams and my other dreams in my Novena to God’s Love pamphlet, I did not limit what God can do. I knew that even though I listed many big dreams in that list, God can make them happen within the same year if He wants to. True enough, God granted my prayers and my dreams. Aside from helping me make my latest e-book From Career Woman to SAHM, WAHM then Businessmom (Lessons from my Transitions) an Amazon Bestseller last April when I launched it, he also helped me fulfill 3 more big dreams.

Now, as I have anticipated, I need to have my business card updated to update my credentials. I also need to update my speaker profile and my blog media kit to include these credentials. I can only praise and thank God for this abundance of blessings and miracles in my life!

And one of my ways of thanking Him is by inspiring and helping other people like you and spreading the good news that I would not be where I am now, if not for His help.

I hope my success story inspires and equips you to keep on dreaming and to reach for your dreams!

If you need help and inspiration or you need a coach to help and guide you, feel free to contact me through my websites or email me teregmps@yahoo.com or teresa@fulllifecube.com. I would be happy to help you!

You may see more photos of these past events in my Facebook Pages namely: Full Life Cube and Hands-On Parents while Earning. For updates from me and more tips, I invite you to like and follow these pages.

Dare to dream God-sized dreams!

Teresa Gumap-as Dumadag

Amazon Bestselling Author of 2 books

Award-winning Author, 12^th Cardinal Sin Book Awards

Award-winning Blogger, 40^th Catholic Mass Media Awards

Children’s Book Author, Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay

www.fulllifecube.com

www.handsonparentwhileearning.com