Exclusively Chosen…: my journey to purpose

By Toni D. Peterson

In February of 2021, author Toni Dudley-Peterson was happy with the life she had created and built for herself. She was an overachiever with a strong type-A personality that fit nicely into the ways of corporate America. Dudley-Peterson thought she was in control of her destiny, but she soon learned otherwise.

She suffered a stroke induced by Covid-19 and had a near-death experience that rendered her helpless and hopeless. Her journey to recovery hasn’t been easy. In Exclusively Chosen, she narrates her story, telling how she understood God was in complete control, and he was shifting her into her purpose.

Buoyed by scripture, Dudley-Peterson chronicles her challenges, thoughts, and experiences throughout her spiritual and physical journey. She’s grateful to be living, and by faith, God gave her the approval and courage to share her story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798385013654

Toni D. Peterson

Toni D. Peterson has worked as a clinical researcher for the past two decades. She lives in a suburb of Georgia with her husband (Shaun) and son (Nicholas). When not authoring books, she also writes medical documents, enjoys interior design wallpaper, and cuddles with her dog (CoCo). Although, a first-time author, Toni believes the spirit of the living God will lead you to the contents of this book. All the while, He is pursuing and guiding you to the freedom found only in Christ Jesus.

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Exclusively

Chosen…

my journey to purpose

Toni D. Peterson

Copyright © 2024 Toni D. Peterson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from King James version of the Bible, public domain.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures are taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMPC).Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.lockman.org.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1363-0 (sc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1364-7 (hc)

ISBN: 979-8-3850-1365-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023922848

WestBow Press rev. date: 3/19/2024

Dedications

Even when I didn’t always choose You, O God, You chose me. You persistently pursued me. God, my Father, thank You for choosing me.

To my mom and all of the prayer warriors whose prayers God heard and answered when I didn’t have the strength to pray for myself. God hears you—continue to pray without ceasing.

To the Gainesville community of medical professionals (Dr. S.B.L.), thank you for performing at the highest degree of quality medical care.

To my family and closest friends, thank you for your prayers, your heart-warming check-ins, and the many boosts of encouragement.

Finally, to my observant husband of twenty-six years, who promised before God that he would take care of me, my simple thank you isn’t enough! Your quick call to action helped me!

Contents

Chapter 1 The Spiritual Reset

Chapter 2 The Old Man

Chapter 3 I Am Not My Own

Chapter 4 Accept What God Allows

Chapter 5 Yes God, Because You Say So.

Chapter 6 Journey a New Path

Chapter 7 Re-Examine Yourself

Chapter 8 My New Love Language

Chapter 9 Good Character

Chapter 10 My Freedom Season

Chapter 11 Trust the Process

Chapter 12 The Journey Continues; Abundant Life

Author’s Closing Remarks

About the Author

One

The Spiritual Reset

A s we all know, in 2020, COVID-19 spread worldwide, resulting in a global pandemic. By the start of March 2020, the world stood tirelessly, waiting to make sense of how things had changed. The number of deaths worldwide reported for 2020 had exceeded the three-million mark, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). As we celebrated surviving 2020, many of us rang in the New Year from the comfort of our homes. Sure, there were concerns, but for the most part, people were ready to get back to living their lives. The world had been on