As I sat at the SMX Convention Center in MOA on September 10, 2026, waiting for the results of the 20th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards, I realized that many of my prayers had already been answered.

I completed my assignment from God. That is to write the book On the Road to Ever After. I got to submit it as entry to this award-giving body despite my hesitations due to my perceived limitations. My book was named a Finalist this year. My immediate family members and I were all present to attend the awarding ceremony with me.

In the weeks leading up to the event, we had been facing health challenges, and there were moments when attending the event did not seem certain. Yet there we were—my husband, our three children, and I—once again gathered as a family for an occasion that had become part of our journey. My husband was even able to take leave from work so he could join us.

Long before the results were announced, I already had many reasons to be grateful.

Since my first recognition in 2018, our family has always attended the Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards together whenever there was an onsite ceremony. I was a Finalist for three consecutive years in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and then again in 2025 and 2026. The only exception was during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 when no physical ceremony was held.

Being complete as a family has become one of the blessings I associate with this event. Last year, when I won, we were also complete. Naturally, I hoped and prayed that this year would be the same.

God answered that prayer.

Looking back now, I also see grace in the challenges we were facing before the ceremony.

Because of the health concerns in our family, my attention was focused on matters that felt far more important than an awards ceremony. While I was grateful to be a Finalist, I was not thinking much about winning. My energy was directed toward praying, caring for my family, and navigating the concerns that were right in front of us.

In hindsight, I wonder if God allowed those circumstances to keep my heart grounded and humble. Not too focused on myself and my accomplishments, but on people.

Had everything been easy and comfortable, I might have spent more time thinking about the competition, the results, or my chances of winning. Instead, the challenges reminded me of what truly mattered. By the time the ceremony arrived, I was not clinging to an outcome. I was simply grateful that we would be there together.

Yet amid all these concerns, I sensed a gentle prompting in my heart.

Show up.

Show up ready to receive victory and another miracle from God.

Show up in faith.

A few days before the awards ceremony, I felt a quiet prompting in my heart.

I did not know whether I would win. In fact, humanly speaking, I had reasons to doubt. The other books in the Ministry Category, together with mine, were written by priests. I was simply a lay person serving in the Church. Yet despite my uncertainties, I felt strongly that I should come prepared—as though my name might be called.

On September 7, 2026, while doing my morning prayer and reading the Didache devotional, I came across a reflection entitled Right Place, Right Time.

One particular line immediately caught my attention:

“Show up… because that might just be the day Jesus calls your name.”

The words seemed to leap off the page. My heart skipped a beat when I read those words.

As I reflected on them, I felt that God was speaking directly to my heart.

I sensed Him telling me to show up prepared for the awarding ceremony.

Not because I was guaranteed to win.

Not because I should presume anything.

But because, if He willed it, that might be the day my name would be called once again as winner.

I felt a deep sense of confirmation and affirmation from God. It was as though He was reassuring me that the prompting I had received was from Him.

It made me wonder: What if my name was already written on the blessing God had prepared?

What if, by God’s grace, my name was already written on that trophy?

Perhaps my role was not to worry about the outcome but simply to show up with faith, hope and joyful anticipation in my heart.

The next day, I acted on that prompting and booked a hair and makeup appointment at SM MOA. It may seem like a small thing, but for me, it was an act of faith and obedience. I was not claiming victory or assuming I would win. Rather, I was choosing to trust that nothing is impossible with God.

I wanted to be ready.

If my name was called and the trophy was handed to me, I wanted to be prepared for the photos, the videos, and the memory of a moment that could never be repeated.

So I showed up.

Not with certainty, but with hope.

Not with confidence in myself, but with confidence in God.

The reservation itself almost became a story. Despite an earthquake drill at the mall during my appointment, everything still pushed through.

During my makeup session, another realization came to me.

Looking back at my writing journey, I noticed that three of my five recognitions from this award-giving body came from books that I completed in 30 days or less.

Indeed, it’s possible that I would win that day.

Instead of making me proud, the realization humbled me.

Those books were written under pressure, deadlines, and circumstances that stretched me beyond what I thought I could do. They were projects that repeatedly forced me to rely on God rather than on my own abilities. Perhaps that was the lesson all along. God was teaching me not to depend on my own strength, experience, or writing skills, but on His grace.

Not by might, not by my own power, but by the power of God in me.

When I look back, it becomes obvious to me that many of these books would not have been completed on time if it had been left entirely up to me. Some deadlines seemed impossible. Some assignments felt overwhelming. Yet each time, God provided the wisdom, strength, inspiration, and perseverance I needed to finish.

That realization has become one of the greatest gifts of this journey because it helps me remain humble despite the recognitions.

I know very well who deserves the credit.

On that faithful day, at the 20th Cardinal Sin Catholic Book Awards held at the SMX Convention Center in MOA, God surprised me once again. My name was announced as the winner in the Ministry Category! Wow! This was my fifth time to win in this award-giving body!

This is why this year’s win feels especially meaningful. It even felt surreal. Am I only dreaming or was it really happening to me?

I was overwhelmed with gratitude and awe!

I was reminded that sometimes faith is simply obeying God by showing up and trusting God with the outcome.

More than a personal achievement, I see this win as a confirmation again of the mission and new assignment that God placed in my heart.

On the Road to Ever After was written to help parishes and dioceses strengthen their Pre-Cana programs and better prepare couples for the sacrament of marriage. As a lay person, gaining the attention of parish priests, parish leaders, and bishops is not always easy. My prayer is that this recognition will give the book greater credibility and help it reach the people who can use it to serve engaged couples and strengthen Catholic families.

More than the award itself, I hope it opens doors for more opprotunities to serve in the Church and to win more souls for the kingdom.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

The joy of the evening continued after the ceremony. We also had the opportunity to reconnect with dear friends from the Light of Jesus community whom we had not seen in a long time. We took photos, shared stories, and simply enjoyed being together. Our family celebrated together over dinner and dessert.

Looking back now, I see the entire day as a collection of answered prayers and miracles.

This fifth recognition is not simply another milestone in my writing journey. It is a reminder that God still opens doors for ordinary people who are willing to say yes to His assignments. That when God gives an assignment, He also provides the grace needed to accomplish it.

This victory is not mine alone. It belongs first to God, who made it possible, and to everyone who prayed for me, encouraged me, and supported my writing ministry through the years. I remain deeply grateful.

Sometimes God does not ask us to understand everything in advance.

Sometimes He asks us to write a book.

Sometimes He simply asks us to show up.

To show up in faith.

To show up prepared.

To show up believing that nothing is impossible with Him.

Because we never know when God will call our name.

To God be all the glory, honor and praise!

I hope this story of mine inspires and encourages you to show up every time God calls you to do something for Him no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem. For who knows, God might have already written our names on the the blessings, favors and miracles He has set apart for us in our future.