Robin Jones Gunn

You love the sweetness in his little smile and the way she wiggles her tiny toes in delight. You love the beautiful chaos that your life has become. And then come the challenges of motherhood. The exhaustion. The frustration. In A Pocketful of Hope for Mothers, Robin Jones Gunn reminds us that as moms, the only thing we need to do each day is to live with a selfless spirit, a tender heart, and all the gusto our giddy souls can muster. She reminds us that no matter how fragmented our lives may feel right now, all that matters is that we love well. God is near, giving us encouragement and hope as we care for the little soul that has been entrusted to us. This collection of heartwarming vignettes, inspiring quotes, and simple prayers makes a perfect gift of inspiration for all mothers and moms-to-be.

Salty KissesChristy & Todd: The Baby Years. Book #2 of 3. Robin Jones Gunn Christy is elated when her best friend and favorite redhead arrives in Newport Beach. The reason for Katie's journey from Kenya is complicated, but that doesn't stop the two Peculiar Treasures from hoping for lots of memorable catch-up time. Their plans keep getting altered, and Christy can tell something is wrong. Katie isn't herself. Add to that the ongoing demands Christy feels as the mother of a toddler, along with her husband's determination not to cancel their vacation plans. Nothing seems to be as it should. The circumstances shift. Katie's husband, Eli, arrives, and the Surfin' Safari plans are back on. Gussie the Bussie is ready for the trek up the coast to Glenbrooke, Oregon, with a stop along the way to see Sierra and her husband, Jordan. The reunions continue as they spend sun-filled days with Doug and Tracy, Alissa, and Christy's brother, David. Why is it that Christy's heart feels so unsettled? It's not because of the challenges of traveling and camping with a little one. It's not because they left Eli and Katie in Newport Beach awaiting their return. It's the realization that everyone she knows has changed. What does friendship mean in this season of life? Christy finds out as she celebrates her twenty-ninth birthday with her true friend, followed by a string of hellos, good-byes, and many God-blessed salty kisses.

Sandy ToesChristy & Todd: The Baby Years #1 of 3. A new season begins for Christy and Todd with a pregnancy test and a disillusioning visit to the doctor. As they try to catch their balance, Todd's job swerves in a new direction; Aunt Marti overdoes her self-assigned role of preparing for the family's addition-to-come; and Christy's parents face surprising changes that might take them back to Wisconsin. Christy misses Katie more than ever, and just when she thinks life will slow down, Alissa's daughter, Shawna, comes to visit and brings all her pre-teen charms and challenges with her. A mixture of excitement and anxiety carries Christy through all the baby-bumps. Her hopes and dreams are as many as the grains of sand that cover her sandy toes after sunset walks on the beach with Todd. Christy knows that everything is about to change when she steps into one of the great mysteries of life - motherhood.

Christy and Todd begin discovering all the differences between them as their relationship leads them to the day when they'll exchange vows. Todd's breezy view of life clashes with Christy's desire to have a plan that allows time for all the details that will make their special day unforgettable. Even with the help of her often-controlling and ever-efficient Aunt Marti, Christy finds that her dreams are much bigger than her budget. As the date draws closer, the demands of Christy's final semester of college squeeze every last bit of her energy and free time. She knows she's taken on too much, but she's not willing to hold back now. Will she and Todd make it down the aisle? Will they finally look each other in the eye and say the long-hoped-for words, "I promise"?

Christy returns to Rancho Corona University for her junior year with lots of hopes and dreams for the days ahead. What could be better than having Katie, her best friend, as her roommate and seeing Todd, her boyfriend, on campus every day. Then, in the middle of the fun with her friends and the late-night studying, Christy's life is filled with complicated feelings and misunderstandings in her most important relationships. But even more unexpected is how her world stops spinning and "forever" takes on a deeper meaning when she finds herself in the quiet corner of a hospital room praying like she's never prayed before. Through it all, she discovers that she is ready for whatever comes, concluding each of her prayers with "as You wish."

When Christy Miller met Todd Spencer she only dreamed that theirs would be a forever love. After nearly a year in a university program in Switzerland, Christy is excited to see Katie and Todd who are coming from California to visit her. The three of them have a whirlwind tour of Europe planned, complete with train passes, friends to see, and unforgettable locations they want to visit. An unexpected camping trip sets an off-kilter tone at the beginning of the grand reunion, and Christy finds it difficult to interpret some of Todd's comments and actions. Has their friendship remained steady after such a long time of being separated? As much as Christy wants her relationship with Todd to be clearly established, she realizes they are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Why not enjoy every minute of it while they can? Plans for her future with Todd can wait until tomorrow.

A year-and-a-half ago, Anna flew from Minnesota to Carlton Heath to attend the wedding of her cousin, Ian, to an American woman named Miranda. The beautiful event ended with Anna receiving an unexpected, unforgettable kiss from groomsman Peter. Now Anna is delighted to be invited back for Christmas with her family, dreams of romance dancing in her head. But when she finally sees him again, Peter insists his only interest in Anna is as a friend. Anna is hurt, and becomes even more confused when Peter takes her on a romantic tour of London. Is Anna's heart misleading her, or is there a reason Peter is denying what he feels?

In FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS, Miranda Carson's search for her father leads her to London where she's welcomed into his family as a stranger to them. She quickly grows to love them but wonders if revealing the truth about her father will threaten the bonds they've built. Certainly, this London Christmas will change the future for both herself and the family forever. In ENGAGING FATHER CHRISTMAS Miranda Carson spends an English Christmas with her boyfriend, Ian, certain she'll find herself in an engagement and soon Carlton Heath will be her forever home. But Miranda's true identity soon threatens all of her relationships. And yet . . . maybe Father Christmas has a redeeming gift in store after all.

Agora que est o casados h quase dois anos, Cris e Ted est o enfrentado desafios que nenhum dos dois esperava. Tudo que parecia familiar em seu relacionamento est sendo abalado. Tudo o que haviam sonhado para o seu futuro juntos est prestes a mudar. Quando Cris conta a Ted uma not cia capaz de mudar a vida deles, o marido n o reage da forma alegre e entusiasmada que ela esperava. Al m disso, Tia Marta entra com suas opini es fortes sobre como o jovem casal deve enfrentar a dif cil temporada que est o vivendo. E quando o pai de Ted pede ao filho que o ajude a reformar sua casa de praia em Newport, fica claro para Cris que a vida deles nunca mais ser como antes. Com a chegada de todas essas mudan as, o que acontecer com o relacionamento de Ted e Cris? O casal continuar se afastando? Ou conseguir atravessar todas as grandes mudan as de vida com um amor muito mais profundo um pelo outro e por Aquele que os uniu?

Say Yes to the Love Story of Your Life A great romance was set in motion before you were born. A relentless Lover is pursuing you, and He has made His intentions clear. He wants you to be His forever. How will you respond to the One who longs for you to be His with your whole heart? In Spoken For, Robin Jones Gunn and Alyssa Joy Bethke speak to your heart about what it means for you to belong to Christ, who you are because of His love, and how that affects the way you live. Drawing on biblical promises and their personal experiences, these two friends share what it's like to live out God's unfolding love story. You are not up for grabs. You are spoken for. Includes questions for group discussion and personal reflection.

Robin Jones Gunn reveals poignant truths from her life as well as from the lives of women in the Bible as she flips the notion that we are at the mercy of circumstances. She asks, what if God has dreams for you? What if he is accomplishing those dreams in the midst of shattered hopes? When life doesn’t go as expected, it’s easy to feel like a victim. We look at the events that have gone wrong and view our lives as impaired. What if we could see our future as God sees it? Would our view radically change if we understood we are indeed victims rather than of happenstance? God, the Relentless Lover, has vigorously sought you. He has instilled dreams in your heart that are grander than you can imagine. But the route to their fulfillment often is through a path you wouldn't seek. What if God wants to take the hopes that tug at your heart and enliven them? Are you ready to live inside the mysterious joy of being a victim of grace?

From bestselling and award-winning author Robin Jones Gunn—a poignant novel about a woman who must care for her ill and elderly father, hoping to mend both his health and their relationship. A daughter’s gift of time, a father’s silent wish. Erin Bryce and her best friend, Sharlene, count the day they start their wedding planning business as a very happy day. So much so that they name their company The Happiest Day to reflect the fulfillment of their long-held dream as well as their clients’ longing for a wedding celebration to match the exhilaration of being in love. As a bonus, the two women utilize their business to help Erin’s son Jordan and his fiancée, Sierra, plan a grand wedding. But the two friends aren’t prepared for the cloud moving in to cover the sunny, successful start of their business. Erin’s father, who lives in a small coastal Oregon community with his brusque, downright odd second wife, Delores, develops a medical problem that puts him in the hospital. Erin responds by rushing from Southern California to her father’s—and oh, yeah, Delores’s—cottage by the sea. What greets Erin when she arrives sends her tumbling down a bewildering path to a different kind of happiest day. Her journey tosses her through highs and lows of hurt and healing, betrayal and renewal, wrong assumptions righted, and the brightest future one could ever hope for. All just around the corner, at the cottage by the sea.

When Carolyn’s grown daughter tells her she needs to “get a life,” Carolyn decides it’s time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother’s home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn’s mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn’s visit makes for a perfect surprise. The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It’s been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan’s intense blue-gray eyes. Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night? Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?

Have you ever thought about praying for your future husband? Will it make a difference? There's only one way to find out... From when we were small girls, most of us dream of "The One", our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we'll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband! Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn (Christy Miller series) and Tricia Goyer (author and former teen mum) believe God answers women's prayers for husbands - even husbands they may not meet for years. They invite young women to pray boldly for their future mate ...while also asking God to prepare their own hearts. In Praying for Your Future Husband, Robin and Tricia share their two vastly different experiences, including the things they did right and the mistakes they made on the path to meeting and marrying their husbands. Each chapter includes helpful Bible verses, prayers, and practical application, along with true stories of women who prayed for a husband and how God answered in remarkable ways. God has a beautiful romance prepared for you. Prayer is the key to unlocking the love story ...with your future husband and with God, the lover of your soul.

Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen cross paths on their way to summer vacations that reveal what a gift it is to have a true Forever Friend. Now Boarding at Gate 10 After her high school graduation, still aching from Todd's departure, Christy joins her family on a trip to Wisconsin to visit relatives. While there, she reunites with Matthew, an old friend from junior high. When Matthew starts to show a romantic interest in Christy, she realizes this summer vacation could change everything she thought her future would be. In the Event of a Water Landing Fifteen-year-old Sierra Jensen can't wait to spend her summer vacation with her friend Jana at a pristine lake in Montana. But when they arrive, it becomes clear that Jana's only interest is acquiring a boyfriend. Sierra just wants to hang out with the guys as friends, but Jana turns every encounter into a possible romantic relationship. As their friendship begins to suffer, Sierra wonders if it's possible to find a Forever Friend who will listen to you, laugh with you, and keep your confidences.

Carissa doesn’t know who she is anymore. She and her husband, Richard, are recent empty nesters; Richard is spending more and more time at work counseling his volatile clients and less time at home with his wife; his clients are starting to show up at the house at night causing Carissa to feel scared in her own home; and to top it all off, Carissa’s boss informs her that she’s been “let go.” She wonders where God is in all of this since He doesn’t seem to be around to protect her—and she’s already stopped trusting her husband. In the midst of her world tilting off center, she’s offered time at a hideaway on Maui. Hiding seems like the best way to respond to life’s overload, and the thought of being alone sounds like just the right balm to soothe her wounded heart. The languid Hawaiian sun, white beaches, and warm-hearted people bring respite, but meeting handsome Kai causes Carissa to toy with the idea of being romantically involved with him. Then, under a Maui moon, she looks to God for guidance and hope for the future. That’s when she discovers His hand still is on her life, and that love is closer than she ever realized.

Finally & Forever. Katie Weldon Series. Book #4 of 4. Katie has fallen for two new loves. Even before Katie exits the plane in Nairobi she wonders if she was crazy to spontaneously fly off to Africa with Eli. This is his world. He has no trouble falling in sync with the rhythm of life in the beautiful Kenyan highlands. He also seems to have no hesitation in letting Katie know how he feels about her. Katie is captivated by it all, but she needs time. Fortunately, Eli and Africa are both patient as well as irresistible. All Katie really needs is a welcoming hug from Eli's mom, a morning walk in the vast, green tea fields, a place to serve, a giraffe who eats out of her hand, and an extended visit to a village that has been waiting for the gift of clean water. Will Katie realize she's ready to confess her love for Eli and this new place they'll call home? An encounter in the village followed by a big change of plans prompts Katie to doubt. Why can't she finally and forever understand where God is leading her? It takes a circle of new friends and several dozen lanterns to spell it out under a night sky filled with stars.

On A Whim. Katie Weldon Series. Book #2 of 4. What's next? Ever since high school, Katie Weldon has wondered what it would be like to be Rick Doyle's girlfriend. As a college senior she's about to find out. In the swirl of Katie's upgraded dating life, she receives an unexplained bouquet, an unexpected call from her mother, an unprecedented girls' night out with Christy, and an unhappy moment when her beloved car, Baby Hummer, takes its last wheeze. Rick's new roommate, Eli, complicates things by inviting Katie on a midnight jaunt to see a meteor shower. Under a canopy of stars Katie grasps a new view of the universe―out there as well as up close. As if she had nothing else to do, on a whim she singlehandedly starts a fund-raising campaign for clean water for Africa. With Rick caught up in making plans for the future, how will Katie navigate her way through the remainder of her college career with no money, no transportation, no spare time, and no idea what God is up to?