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
Scroll down for Giveaway!
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
CLICK TO PURCHASE
* Amazon * Barnes & Noble *
* Website (for signed copies) *
Gathering Courage
Prologue Part II
Continued from the Lone Star Book Blog Tours 10/6/16 tour stop . . .
The yelling of five thousand bounced from one side of the arena to the other. Then a complete hush came over the crowd as the focus was on Cody. While still mounted on his mustang, Cody pulled his bid card out of his vest pocket and flashed his number at the auctioneer.
“Yes, five thousand, five thousand, do I hear fifty-five hundred?” The sound from the auctioneer intensified throughout the coliseum. The crowd stared in amazement as Cody kept his bid card raised high in the air. The auctioneer called fifty-five hundred but no one said a word. Cody kept his bid card raised before the auctioneer. We knew the bond between this horse and trainer was fused solid. Again, the auctioneer loudly called fifty-five hundred but no other bids were raised. No one wanted to take Cody’s horse away from him.
“Sold! Sold to Cody Kyle Carson for fifty-five hundred dollars!”
The crowd stood up and cheered to congratulate Cody and Jesse for a job well done. I cried with joy knowing this beautiful, loyal mustang gelding would not be separated from the trainer who taught him how to trust. Cody would not be separated from the horse he loved unconditionally.
Although the auction was over, the emotions prompted by thoughts of separation sat deep in my stomach because I, like Jesse the mustang, had been adopted and placed in a different environment. As a child, the raising and the guidance that I received was turbulent and unsettling. Unconditional love, patience, and trust—experienced by all the performing mustangs at the event— were not a part of my adopted family. I was left to cope on my own to develop the skills needed to be successful in life.
Life circumstances consistently proved to me that not everyone could be trusted. So at an early age, I learned to trust myself and to be self-reliant in order to simply survive. Trust is built one step at a time unfortunately, and the threads of trust can be pulled apart in an instant, with the repair process taking years to rebuild, if it rebuilds at all. Through the love of animals, I realized that kindness and gentleness were life changing. I learned that unconditional love, unconditional trust can melt away hurt and pain hidden deep inside one’s being. Love can become a source of encouragement to others.
From the time I was a child, I had an unspoken yearning to be faithful to the Lord. I prayed a lot and held on to what was solid and true. From my heart, I wrote a prayer and repeated it often:
Lord, I want to be what You want me to be…
I want You to be proud of me…
Lord, help me walk through the valley so low to the top of the highest hill.
Lord, I want to travel the journey You set before me.
Please hold my hand and help me to live in the center of Your will.
I need You, Lord, and I want You to be proud of me.
Each of us has a journey to share, a life full of excitement, challenges to be conquered, dreams to be fulfilled, and hard-earned wisdom to be passed along. Gathering Courage is my story, my journal, my struggles, and my accomplishments. I share with you my heart-filled life to serve one purpose—to encourage you to be the best you can be. Life at its best is tough and it is in the tough times that we all must gather the courage to be our best and to do our best.
It is my desire that this book will encourage you to reflect on your life, to overcome your hardships, and to accomplish your dreams. The journey is within and I look forward to hearing from you about the courage and accomplishments in your own life.
Award winning Gathering Courage author, T. A. “Terry” McMullin, knows as well as anyone that hard times are a part of the journey of 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.
WEBSITE
GATHERING COURAGE FACEBOOK
KATIE LYNN’S COURAGE FACEBOOK
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
SEVEN SIGNED COPIES!
(US ONLY)
October 3 – October 17, 2016
CHECK OUT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
| 10/3 | Review | It’s a Jenn World |
| 10/4 | Author Interview 1 | Hall Ways Blog |
| 10/5 | Review | Country Girl Bookaholic |
| 10/6 | Excerpt 1 | Margie’s Must Reads |
| 10/7 | Review | Forgotten Winds |
| 10/8 | Guest Post 1 | My Book Fix Blog |
| 10/9 | Promo | Momma On The Rocks |
| 10/10 | Author Interview 2 | StoreyBook Reviews |
| 10/11 | Review | Blogging for the Love of Authors and Their Books |
| 10/12 | Excerpt 2 | Byers Editing Reviews & Blog |
| 10/13 | Guest Post 2 | Books and Broomsticks |
| 10/14 | Review | Reading By Moonlight |
| 10/15 | Author Interview 3 | A Novel Reality |
| 10/16 | Promo | Syd Savvy |
| 10/17 | Review | The Page Unbound |
blog tour services provided by:
Books in the Garden 
Thank you for hosting my book, Gathering Courage. I know your followers will enjoy reading this book.
TA Terry McMullin
LikeLike