Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers

Heavenly Rescues and Answered Prayers contains Powerful Stories of Life’s Emergencies.

For more than 35 years, veteran EMT Andrea Jo Rodgers has been helping people in their most terrifying and vulnerable moments—and bearing witness to the miraculous power and handiwork of God.

In this new collection of unforgettable stories, Andrea shares more heart-pounding accounts of rescues and interventions from her vast experience as a first responder. Whether it’s a boy fallen through thin ice into freezing water, an old woman and her walker stuck at a railroad crossing, or a loyal dog playing guardian angel for his incapacitated owner, join Andrea as she responds to incredible scenarios that testify to God’s power and love.

Not only will you be astounded by the courage exemplified by Andrea and other first responders, but you will also be inspired by her faith, empathy, and hope—even amid the most daunting circumstances. These powerful stories will encourage you and deepen your awe for God’s amazing mercy and grace.

Meet the Author: Andrea Jo Rodgers.

Andrea, thank you for joining me today. Tell us a little about yourself.

I am the kind of person who always keeps busy, and writing is something I enjoy in my scarce free time. I’m a happily married mother of two, and family means everything to me. I enjoy working as a physical therapist, and I specialize in pelvic floor rehab, oncology rehabilitation, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). I love serving my community by volunteering with my local EMS squad as an emergency medical technician. I’ve been volunteering since high school (over 9,700 rescue calls), and now I’m blessed to be answering calls with my twins, who are also volunteer EMT’s.

Are you a night owl or morning person?

I am most definitely a morning person, which is a good thing, because I have to be at work by 6:30AM. I am high energy all day (I seriously don’t even drink caffeine), but I am ready for bed by 9:30PM. However, when I respond to  multiple nighttime emergency first aid calls with my rescue squad, I am sometimes a little sleepy the next day!

Do you reward yourself when a book is finished? If so, what is your favorite treat?

Well, to be honest, I don’t wait until my book is finished. Chocolate is my favorite treat during the writing process! In my opinion, there’s nothing like a crème filled chocolate to keep the creative juices flowing.

I agree. Chocolate is a great energy boost.

Are you part of a writing group?

I was briefly a part of a writing group in the past but had to give it up because there are simply not enough hours in the day between working, writing, caring for my family, and volunteering with my first aid squad.

Who was the first person you allowed to read your completed book?

My husband and sister are the first ones to read my books. They are a great support system, and I feel blessed to have their input.

Do you have a favorite author or book?

My favorite author is Jane Austen. I have read Pride & Prejudice many times, and I can never resist re-watching the 1995 BBC version.

What book or author has inspired you the most?

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of the books by James Herriott, which relate true stories from his experiences as a veterinarian. Currently, my family and I are watching the series All Creatures Great and Small, which is based on his books.

What’s next for you as an author?

Right now, I’m working on a book about healthy aging, drawing on my experience and knowledge as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I also have several  short stories being published by Guideposts.

Andrea, thank you for being my guest today. Where can readers find your book:

https://amzn.to/46U4JZs

Where can readers find you?

www.andreajorodgers.com.

https://www.facebook.com/AndreaJoRodgers/

and amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrea-Jo-Rodgers/author/B00SAAQM18?isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true    

Meet Author Andrea Jo Rodgers

My guest today is Andrea Jo Rodgers, author of Heaven-Sent Miracles and Rescues, true stories that Andrea has seen from the frontlines in her work as a volunteer EMT.

Andrea, thank you for being my guest today. Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I’m happily married and feel blessed to be the mother of teenage twins as well as two “fur babies” (Dachshund and Shih Tzu rescues). I love working part-time as a physical therapist in a hospital-based rehabilitation center. I’ve been a volunteer emergency medical technician on my local first aid and rescue squad for thirty-five years and have answered over 9,000 first aid and fire calls. This is even more special now because my twins recently joined too, so I get to spend quality time with them while we’re helping others. I enjoy writing books about my experiences as a volunteer EMT, some of which carry over into my job as a PT. I’ve also written two middle grade action-adventure novels. I enjoy watching my children play sports, day trips, reading, walking, playing with my dogs, and spending time with my husband and friends.

It sounds like you have a very full and fulfilling life. Let’s talk about your book, Heaven-Sent Miracles and Rescues. What is your book about?

Do You Believe in Miracles?

For more than three decades, Andrea Jo Rodgers has served her small-town community as a volunteer EMT. Over the years, the incredible events she’s witnessed have taught her that behind the scenes of every dark and dire situation waits a God capable of doing the impossible to help, protect, and save those He loves.

In Heaven-Sent Miracles and Rescues, Andrea shares tales of amazing and supernatural occurrences she’s seen from the frontline. From breathtaking water recoveries, to heroic battles against housefires, to astonishing interventions against medical crises, Andrea’s accounts of emergency rescues will have you reading at the edge of your seat while reassuring you of God’s awe-inspiring power over every circumstance.

Whether you’re searching for affirmation that miracles still happen, or you simply love reading exciting and inspiring true stories, Heaven-Sent Miracles and Rescues will leave you uplifted, encouraged, and on the lookout for God’s divine handiwork in your own day-to-day life.

This book sounds like something I would enjoy reading. I love to read true and inspiring stories.

What inspired you to write Heave-Sent Miracles and Rescues?

Years ago, when my son was nearly three, we were in a life-threatening accident in which our elevator crashed and filled with water. It was truly a miracle we survived. That event made me step back and take a close look at my life. I thought about my relationships with God, my family, and my friends.

I also thought about my goals and aspirations. One of my lifelong dreams was to write a book. The accident inspired me to pen my first book, At Heaven’s Edge. I’ve been writing ever since. Heaven-Sent Miracles and Rescues is my fourth book about my inspirational experiences as a volunteer EMT.

What was the catalyst for your interest in writing?

I recall being a voracious reader by first grade. Even before I could read, I was fascinated by picture books. I wrote my first story when I was in the first grade. It was about how my mother rescued a baby duck from our town’s lake. So, I suppose you could say writing about rescues has been in my blood from a very young age. As I got older, life got busy, and I put my pen down for many years. The elevator accident re-ignited my passion for writing.

Do you have a day job? If so, how do you find time in your day to write?

When I’m not writing, I work part-time as a physical therapist. I specialize in women’s health, urinary incontinence, lymphedema, osteoporosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Most of the time, I work in an outpatient facility, but sometimes I work in the hospital, treating everything from trauma patients to tiny infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Volunteering with the rescue squad also keeps me quite busy, as I answer about 300 calls per year.

Over the past few years, I spent a great deal of time creating a 13-hour continuing education course for rehabilitation professionals about handling medical emergencies in the workplace. I’ve enjoyed teaching it, and soon I’ll be recording it for a company that specializes in online learning. It’s challenging to find time to write, to say the least. I write a few minutes here and there, so I always make sure to have a pen and paper with me in case I have any downtime. I’ve written in waiting rooms, airports, and even at sporting events.

What does your family think of your writing?

I’m fortunate to have a family that supports my writing career. My husband Rick is my “tech support.” He designs and updates my website www.andreajorodgers.com and also creates my bookmarks. Rick and my sister proofread my books, and my children enjoy reading them.

What’s next for you as an author?

I’m currently working on a fifth “heaven” book that includes more inspirational experiences as a volunteer EMT with my rescue squad as well as true stories about guardian angels and near-death experiences.

Thank you for joining me today, Andrea, and sharing details about your inspiring book. Before we go, where can readers find you online?

Readers can find out more about me at my website, www.andreajorodgers.com. It also includes information about my books and links to interviews. They can also find me on Facebook: : https://www.facebook.com/AndreaJoRodgers/ and can learn more  about my experiences  from my latest guest appearance on “At Home with Jim and Joy” earlier this year. https://bit.ly/3TTAwnN