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
Gathering Courage is the recounted memories from the author Terry and how she struggled with adoption and a reading disability. Gathering Courage was difficult to read in the sense that I couldn’t believe a little girl had to endure so much. I’m a special education teacher and work with children that have varying disabilities, and it broke my heart to read about a girl struggling with a disability and what she had to bare and overcome. I think special education has since come a long way, but none the less, I couldn’t believe some of the things Terry recounted. Her struggles were so deep, so difficult to bare, that I couldn’t believe she had to endure all this alone. She went from being given up for adoption as an infant to being sent to live with another family because she had failing grades in 5th grade, to other horrific things that had happened to her. But through it all Terry had hope and kept her head up. Despite what anyone said or what others had done to her she found it within herself to forgive and love.
One thing I found most inspiring was her ability to teach herself how to read. She has dyslexia and problems with reading comprehension. Over time Terry found a way to overcome this challenge. She found a solution when no one else was there to help her. I’m always proud to see any child with special needs over come their obstacles…. but Terry did this all on her own, a fact that is beyond inspiring.
I think Terry’s recounting is definitely worth a read. The writing flowed nicely. The only complaint I had was that it often jumped around and wasn’t always written in a linear fasion. But even then I think Terry’s story is powerful and eye opening. If you are interested in reading Gathering Courage I encourage you to do so. It’s a very gripping read about personal struggles and a special kind of individual that still manages to keep her head high, endure, find hope, forgive, and still find beauty in the world.
I included a few quotes that really stuck out to me from Gathering Courage:
“Words spoken or unspoken have the power to bring their own degree of pain.”
“Yes, I am a simple person. A simple person, however, can be extraordinary if they have the drive to succeed and the courage to press through the mud of life.”
“Forgiving can be difficult, but the hardest part is to push through the pain of hurt and mistreatment.”
“Yes, forgiveness is an ongoing process, and many times has to be applied over and over. Forgiveness is the gift we give to ourselves.”
“Sometimes, all it takes is a listening ear and a friendly smile.”
Terry is an extraordinary woman and I’m so thankful and honored I had the privilege of reading her exceptional and inspiring story.
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. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
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