GATHERING COURAGE
A Life-Changing Journey through Adoption,
Adversity, and a Reading Disability
by
T.A. McMullin
Genre: Inspirational Memoir
Publisher: Gathering Courage Media
Date of Publication: January 19, 2016
Number of Pages: 222
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Why do some people find success despite hardships and
others sink into a pit of despair?
Gathering Courage: A Life-Changing Journey through Adoption, Adversity, and a Reading Disability by T.A. “Terry” McMullin is the author's incredible, award-winning memoir meant to inspire hope and encouragement to those who are going through tough times.
Terry dusted off the hurt from abandonment, rejection by her adoptive parents, dyslexia, shock of placement in a foster home, and a life-altering accident. Her faith and tenacity along with the internal desire to overcome is thought provoking as Terry worked her way through Texas A&M University. Terry’s life transformed from a broken-hearted child who could barely make out words in elementary school to a distinguished educator and writer who encourages young people to work hard and achieve their greatest aspirations.
Any reader who loves a true story with a Christian focus should definitely read this book. Learn about the special love for rescued animals and how they played a part in healing hurts and encouraging success.
PRAISE FOR GATHERING COURAGE:
*North American Book Awards, 2015 Winner
"Gathering Courage is an American story filled with adversity, triumphs, heartbreaks, and great personal victory. . . I give this epic book five stars. I held my breath after every chapter and you will too! -- Charmaine Carraway, writer for the HUFFINGTON POST
"Overall, this memoir is a testament to the endurance of the human spirit in the face of emotional and physical pain. The author consistently notes the need for love and encouragement when dealing with both people and animals as well as the necessity of prayer and thankfulness; it's almost a rhythmic incantation in the text. Readers will feel as if they're walking alongside McMullin as she tells her story and advises readers how they, too, can survive setbacks. -- KIRKUS REVIEW
"Gathering Courage is a truly moving read that will touch many hearts and positively inspire them to touch the lives of others.” -- Faridah Nassozi, READERS' FAVORITE
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Tell us about one of your Border Collies?
I adopted Katie Lynn seven weeks after I said
goodbye to Rocky. She was a special friend sent to show that life may be tough
but with great courage you can make it.
Katie was severely hurt in a tornado and
became lost when strong, brutal winds and hailstorms raced through the skies
over her Oklahoma home. She became a victim of the devastation.
While emergency and rescue workers combed
through the rubble searching for victims, Katie was left hurt and wandering
helplessly for weeks before being rescued.
While searching for food and water, Katie was
shot in the abdomen for simply looking for a safe place to rest. Eventually,
she was picked up and placed in an animal shelter. Katie lost her hearing and
was totally deaf. Her left ear, pelvis, and several ribs were broken. There was
a bullet embedded in the right side of her body and she had a mouth full of
broken teeth that were infected.
The state of Oklahoma required that animals
left homeless from the tornado be placed in a shelter for a four-month period
of time before they could be adopted. However, money was not provided for the
care of these animals.
Katie remained in the animal shelter for four
months with minimal treatment. Her teeth continued to get worse, the bullet
remained in her body, and no one claimed her. It seemed like she was waiting
out her four-month death sentence.
Because of an act of kindness, life turned
around for Katie. After completing her stay in the shelter, Katie was released
to the All Border Collie Rescue and placed in one of their foster homes in
Oklahoma. The rescue immediately began to provide the medical attention she
desperately needed.
As with most foster homes, children or
animals are not part of the permanent family and they are often moved from home
to home. So within the rescue, Katie went to a foster home located in Texas.
Her new foster mom, Shirley, provided emotional healing, unconditional love,
and care for Katie on a daily basis. Because of Shirley’s compassion and
purpose, over time the efforts paid off and Katie became a healthy dog.
Katie learned to communicate with her eyes so
Shirley taught her sign language for come and stay. Katie and Shirley proved to
each other that unconditional love does make a difference.
Where is your favorite place to write?
My favorite place to write is in a Cow Camp Cabin at the
base of Palo Duro Canyon. I can open the
windows, feel the fresh breeze, and hear the sounds of the Whip-poor-wills
chanting back and forth to each other.
Their sound is occasionally interrupted by the yip and howls of coyotes
as they travel through the canyon at night.
After a long night of writing, just as the dew shines on
the leaves, I meet with the outfitter and saddle up to ride the trails of the
second largest canyon in the United States.
The peacefulness of this canyon clears the clutter out
of my mind and ignites my creativity.
The sound of wild turkeys in the presence of the unique sound of the
horse’s metal shoes hitting the ground makes me smile to this very day. A roadrunner with a destination in mind and
the unexpected jumping and running of a mule deer make me thankful for riding a
well-seasoned horse.
The beautiful colors of the canyon walls tell a story of
wind and water erosion, weathering, and withstanding the harshness of
life. Through it all they are still
standing tall and their strength helps me to tell that same story myself.
How does your book relate to your
spiritual practice or life path?
First and foremost, praise and gratitude goes
to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for the many blessings bestowed upon me. I
never dreamed that years of journaling, gratitude, and writing notes on a
napkin would lead me on a journey to write and produce a book.
God truly orchestrates our paths and puts
people in our life intentionally. I am grateful for my friends that God sent my
way because they have blessed me beyond measure. Every person in life needs a
cheering section, a group of people who love us, pray for us, and encourage us
to be the best we can be. I am blessed beyond measure.
What projects are you working on at the
present?
Daily I work on marketing Gathering Courage. It is important to me to donate copies of my
book to non-profit organizations, churches, and libraries on a regular
basis. I have a book signing at Barnes
& Noble in College Station, Texas coming up in November, 2016.
I am in the beginning stages of arranging for encouragement and
motivational speaking engagements. Encouragement puts love in the heart and direction
in the dream. Encouragement and kindness does make a difference, I know it did in my life.
Terry was born in an orphanage, then adopted, and made a foster child by her parents. Because Terry struggled with reading, comprehension, and spelling, she was placed in a foster home at the age of nine. As a child in the 1960s, hardly
anyone recognized the learning issues related to dyslexia. The struggle to learn continued through high school.
From her deep faith in the Lord, Terry developed an internal desire to excel, no matter the obstacle, no matter the situation. Pushing adversity and a reading disability aside, Terry enrolled in college. While attending college and working full-time, Terry taught herself how to read and study. With pure grit and determination, Terry succeeded and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Texas A&M University.
At crucial points in her life, Terry found people who showed her unconditional love and encouragement. Terry gained gratification, emotional, and spiritual support from working with horses and dogs. The encouragement from others made Terry’s life better so she vowed to be a champion for others who needed help.
Terry lives on a small ranch in Texas, a forever home, with her horses, donkeys, and rescued border collie dogs.
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