Peter has graciously agreed to give away one copy of his book to a commenter drawn at random. To enter, simply leave a comment that includes your e-mail address on either of Peter's posts. Drawing will take place Saturday, October 27th at midnight. Winner announced here at Redwood's on Sunday, October 28th.
Here is Part I.
Welcome back, Peter!
Somewhere in the several weeks it took to get the blood test results back, I received an email that said I was an Operation First Novel semi-finalist.
And then an email that said I was a finalist for Gideon's Call. I read it over and over again. From my bed.
Finally
the blood test results came in and the doctor called me. Come in, he said. No
appointment needed.
I
stopped making testosterone. Here’s his exact quote.
“We
don't know for sure what's causing the problem. The leading theories are
auto-immune disorders and environmental exposures, especially plastics. In
years past doctors did not look for the condition all that much, so we don't
know if the explosion in prescriptions is due to the problem getting worse or
if we're just better now at finding it. If we really are seeing more and more
of this, then environmental exposure would be the more likely culprit. If the
rates are actually stable then autoimmune disorders would be more likely. Stay
tuned. More research is on the way.”
What
about the sun’s heat exploding from my body? I’m proud to say that I was going
through male menopause. Yep, hot flashes, body aches, and changes in how my
body responded to everything. I even
started eating broccoli.
After a month, I still didn’t feel great, but
made reservations to the Christian Writers Guild Conference, where the winner
of Operation First Novel would be announced.
Before
packing up to go, I started feeling better. My body recovered enough to drive
the 800 miles from Boise to Denver. And there, I stood with the other finalists
under the rueful gaze of Jerry B. Jenkins as he announced the winner was Peter
Leavell.
And I
felt a shock burst through my body. I spent the rest of the conference as if
staring into the sun.
Instant
fame, articles, speaking opportunities, and I don’t have to do a bit of it in
my power. Because I know Jesus wraps his arms around me. He will be with me
every step of the way. Because I need Him.
My body
is 65-75% of what it was before, now a full year after I’ve fallen ill. My mind
still suffers from panic attacks while two conversations happen at once.
Although, I can’t decide if that’s the normal male mind. It’s just enough of an issue to realize I
must rely on Him for my strength.
But
that’s okay. Because, to the relief of my family, He took me from that deathbed
and gave me a new life. And His arms are wrapped around me. And I love Him. And
that’s all that matters.
***************************************************************************
"He took me from that deathbed and gave me a new life. And His arms are wrapped around me. And I love Him. And that’s all that matters."
ReplyDeleteThis truly touched me! Thanks for sharing, Peter.
Thanks for the encouragement, Jessica.
DeleteAwesome testimony. Have been waiting to get my mitts on the book ...hoping there will be many more to follow!
ReplyDeleteEvery speck of health and strength we have is something to praise God for, but we don't often realize that until we've been ill. And it's amazing how He uses our trials, in our lives and the lives of others. Looking forward to reading your book!
ReplyDeletePeter it's been great following your experience on Facebook. God is great I'm sure he will keep blessing you. I look forward to reading Gideon's Call.
ReplyDeleteKurt Tate
Peter made Idaho proud. Would love to read his book. Enter me in the contest! Keep going, Peter.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone, for your comments!
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteYou and your wife and children are in my thoughts and prayers. In 2009-2010, my husband suffered with head and neck cancer and the brutal surgeries and treatment for it. God held us and our three young children in His hands, and my husband is doing well now. He was a wonderful man before; now he's even more of an amazing man. Keep looking up -- God has a plan.
Blessings to you today and always!
Dianna T. Benson
www.diannatbenson.com