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| Author Pegg Thomas and Trooper |
Pegg, welcome to Overcoming With God. We appreciate your willingness to share your
testimony of overcoming with our readers.
Would you tell us about the one of the most
difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?
Starting
about 2008 I knew something was wrong with me, but I couldn’t put it into
words. Some statement from a writer, eh? The symptoms were vague at best. I’d
lost my energy, my focus, and there were physical things like hair loss and
swelling in my hands. I went to the doctor and got nowhere. I’m pretty sure she
had me down in her book as a hypochondriac. After a couple of years, I started
to agree with her. Then I put my foot down, grew a little backbone, and asked
for blood tests. They came back positive for both an autoimmune disease and
Rheumatoid. I started seeing a Rheumatologist and, even though I may never get
a definitive diagnosis on the autoimmune disease, I’m able to do most of the
things I want to do again taking just one medication and reorganizing my time
and resources.
What passages in the Bible have been most
helpful to you in those times?
My
go-to passage is always John 10:27-28
My
sheep hear My voice,
and I know them,
and they follow Me; and
I give eternal life
to them, and they will never perish; and no one will
snatch them out of My hand.
The
reassurance that I am His and nothing can change that is what keeps me
balanced.
What helped you get through or helped you
cope with this difficulty?
My
husband. He’s been my rock through it all.
In this latest work, do you have any topics
useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a
disorder or situation?
Embattled Hearts starts
with the heroine escaping from a domestic violence situation. She’s hurt—both
physically and mentally—and has lost her faith in God. No spoilers here, but
God uses some interesting characters to reveal His love for her and draw her
back to Him.
BIO:
Pegg Thomas lives
on a hobby farm in Northern Michigan with Michael, her husband of
*mumble* years. A life-long history geek, she writes “History with a Touch of
Humor.” Pegg’s debut story will be published by Barbour in April of 2017. When
not working on her latest novel, Pegg can be found in her garden, in her kitchen,
or on her trusty old horse, Trooper.
Pegg’s Links:
Book Links:
Book blurb:
Alannah Fagan escaped from a battle she wouldn’t survive.
Stewart McCann left behind a battle he couldn’t face. Thrown together at
Horseshoe Station, can they find something worth fighting for?
GIVEAWAY: We're giving away a copy of The Pony Express Romance collection this week! Answer Pegg's question to enter! Question: There are some special characters in Embattled Hearts that are of the four-footed variety. I’d love to hear from readers who have had a special animal in their lives and how that has shaped who they are today.
Congrats, PEGG, on your debut in Christian historical romance! I struggle with RA, too, and am grateful God is helping me overcome day by day! Welcome to OWG blog!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having my on the blog, Carrie! And thanks for all your encouragement since we've met online about ... what? ... four years ago? Time flies.
DeleteCongrats on your book release!
ReplyDeleteI had a few horses when I was a teenager & they taught me responsibility and definitely patience! My first horse/pony liked to lay down when he got tired.. once on a main road LOL.. Good memories and I look back and laugh at some of the silly things we enjoyed while riding with friends.
Ponies are the best! Mine was something of a Houdini and could open any gate. But the day she opened the back door and walked into my mom's kitchen, leaving hoofprints in the linoleum, yikes! I got in trouble for that one.
DeleteDEANNA, congrats you won a copy from PEGG THOMAS, of her debut book in Christian fiction. PEGG that is so funny about the Houdini pony and your mom's kitchen!
DeleteHow fun.. I've heard of horses opening gates :)
DeleteThanks so much! I am so excited about reading this collection!
I read Embattled Hearts last night. It's a great read.
ReplyDeleteI've found that living with and autoimmune disease you to "listen" to your body.
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Yes, listening to your body is important. I've learned that too.
DeleteI currently have 3 kitties. One is 6 years old and the other two just turned 2. They pretty much keep me entertained and frustrated at the same time.
ReplyDeleteCarrie, thank you for introducing us to a new author. Thisd sounds like a really good book.
susanmsj at MSN dot com
We have two barn cats, both spayed females that a local no-kill shelter was unable to re-home. They have settled in nicely and they are entertaining from a distance. They'll never be cats we can pick up and cuddle or that will jump in a lap, but they're happy and healthy here.
DeleteSUSAN, I am happy to introduce you to PEGG! She's an amazing writer!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI had a sweet cuddly part Siamese cat named Henrietta who could sense my moods and if I was upset she would want to snuggle up to me. I don't know how she knew.
ReplyDeleteThis Pony Express book sounds really interesting. I love reading historical Westerns.
We've had a few Siamese-mixed cats over the years. They were all special in their own way.
DeleteWe have a Blue Heeler/Australian Shepherd who loves to bark at anything that moves, hides when she hears a siren or the train whistle but gives the best kisses and loves to cuddle. She certainly has taught us patience and love for a highstrung dog, especially after having a Golden Retriever as our first dog.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your debut in Christian fiction, Pegg. The Pony Express book sounds very interesting. I first learned to ride as a child on a pony. Thanks for the giveaway.
bettimace at gmail dot com
Wow, that's a switch! From a Golden to a Heeler/Aussie. Two very different types of dogs.
DeleteMy boxera are a continued blessing to me and help me become the person i am now. Recently diagnosed with arthritis as well. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDiane Rivera
quickchangeus@yahoo.com
Sorry you're dealing with arthritis too. But there's nothing like a good dog to get you through a bad day. :)
DeleteMy Daddy was a dog lover so my brother and I always had a dog to love. One of our first was Blackie and he was blinded when my Daddy accidentally backed over him. Blackie taught me that a handicap doesn't diminish how we love or how we are loved and he was with us many years after his accident. My husband and I had a beloved dog named Max and his right paw had to be apputated after he was caught overnight in a neighbor's steel trap. Once again I was shown that a physical handicap can limit ONLY if we allow it. Max could run as fast, or perhaps faster, on 3 paws as many other animals did on four! My last fur baby was Buddy and he loved me unconditionally. He was my protector at all costs. He showed me the power of love and devotion!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie and Pegg!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
What great examples your dogs were!
DeleteWow, CONNIE, those dogs all sound amazing! What an example of overcoming!
DeleteI am a dog lover! I have Heidi and Josie and they bring a smile, for sure! Thank you for a great review, Carrie and Pegg! mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for chiming in.
DeleteWE had a beagle that was mentally retarded. People laughed when we told them & didn't believe us. One of them asked her vet & he told her that while it was rare that were documented cases of it. Bumper walked (strolled) by my husband's prize rose bush (only one rose would bloom at a time), reached over & bit it into. Then proceeded to shake it all over the front yard. When he started chasing children on their bikes we gave him to friends that lived on a 40 acre farm. They kept him for about 6 months & agreed with our opinion that he was retarded. They gave him to some friends that had a 400 acre farm. He never outgrew the puppy stage. The last we heard on Bumper was that he was enjoying the 400+ acres. If we hadn't worried about him causing a child to be injured we would have kept him. At least he lived out his life in the country where he couldn't hurt anyone. He was loved by all his owners and each of us made sure he was where he could be happy. He was always playful and happy & always made us laugh or smile at his antics. He wasn't trainable in any area.
ReplyDeleteLuther was 1/2 Beagle and 1/2 Lab. At 9 weeks old, all 3 puppies were bigger than their momma, who was the Beagle. A very small beagle. Luther was "special." I honestly think there were some oxygen deprivation issues there. So you're not the only one to find that. Luther wasn't very trainable, but in time, he did learn to come when he was called. Barely. I couldn't housetrain him. After two years of trying, he became an outside dog ... and we were all a lot happier. He lived to 17. Happy every day of his life. :)
DeleteI love dogs! I grew up with Labrador Retrievers. I've not had a dog since my Happy, 11 year old Golden, passed away 4 years ago from cancer.
ReplyDeleteFur babies make life richer!
CARRIE, thank you for this wonderful review! PEGG thank you for sharing your heart.
Blessings and ((((HUGS))))
Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI've never had a special animal that shaped my life, but I had two cats that I loved. Thank you for sharing. God bless
ReplyDeleteI have never had a special animal in my life until the last two years when we got a puppy, Mr Peepers, and he helped my husband soooo much after some very bad back surgery experiences the two years prior. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to move to an apartment and had to leave Mr Peepers with our daughter and her family. At least we will still be able to see him.
ReplyDeletewfnren at aol dot com
I have been owned by quite a few pets over the years. The unconditional love is heart warming.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Congrats Pegg on your new release and thank you for this post! It's inspiring that you haven't let RA stop you. (May God help you with any health issues you have) As far as a four legged friend in my life I have two. Batly and Mew-Mew,two cats we rescued from the parking lot of our apartment building.They're so sweet and loving,I always look forward to coming home. I can't imagine life without them!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your new release Pegg! I have a 7 month old chihuahua/pomeranian/jack russell terrier puppy named Charlie and he is a great dog. He is a snuggler and I love him so much! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteEmbattled Hearts is a great story, Peg! It's hard to believe that it is your first release - very professionally written. I've no four-footed friends and just wanted to tell you that i read a lot and your writing is among the exceptional!
ReplyDeleteI've had a couple. My horse during my high school years and early 20's, was a great friend and comforter when things got tough. In my mid 20's I added a dog to the mix who was a great protector and friend as well. I had to give both away when I moved back into town though. My horse went to my old 4h leader.
ReplyDeleteUntil I had my current cat Spooky I never had an animal that I considered mine. They certainly hold a special place in our hearts don't they? I even cried when my sister had to put her little dog to sleep.
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
I had horses growing up and have always had dogs. Most of my dogs have been rescue dogs, including my current Red Heeler puppy, who was a "throw away" dog. dixiedobie at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteWe've had had both dogs & cats, always adopted from the animal shelters. Although, I wonder who adopted/rescued who...lol! They have all played a special part in our lives and enriched it with thier unconditional love & devotion :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fun interview & giveaway chance!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com