Alright ya’ll (I know I’m not southern, but I was just in Texas so it may come out a bit more), I know I have not blogged in F.O.R.E.V.E.R. Part of the reason, is because I’ve been busy typing away at my first book! (Whoo hoo!) It’s almost completed, so I’m hoping I can now jump back into blogging.
But since I’ve been holding this secret in for so long, I’m dying to tell you about it. I co-authored a book with my good friend and mentor, Robin Jones Gunn, called Spoken For. I read Robin’s first book series, The Christy Miller Series, when I was 15, and from there really started to walk with the Lord. 8 years later, Robin and her husband moved to Maui, and started to attend the same church I was interning at. We hit it right off, and immediately became close. I deeply value Robin’s wisdom, and her love for the Lord.
Last December she called me wondering if I’d like to write a book with her. (Um, YES!) And so here we are, almost a year later, finishing up the last touches. Spoken For is a letter from our hearts to young women regarding their deepest longing. Knowing myself, and many other friends and girls I’ve met throughout the years, I believe every girl and woman longs to be loved, to be cherished, to be pursued. Regardless if you play the tough guy or the girly girl, I believe the Lord put that longing into each of our hearts from our very beginning. It’s a beautiful longing. A good longing. But a longing that is fully and wholly fulfilled in Jesus. Yes, your parents will love you and your boyfriend pursues you (girl, he best be pursuing you!), and your husband will cherish you, but nothing compares to Jesus’ love, affection and care for you and your heart. Nothing you’ve done, do, or will do will every change His love for you. He desires you. Wants you. Is for you.
Robin and I sit down and open our hearts up to you as we relay our personal stories- the good, the bad and the ugly, and how God shone true through it all.
I am so excited for this little baby to come out! April 2014. But until then, we really need your help with deciding on which cover to go with. We have two options. Please click on which one you like best by October 8th. The cover with the most votes will be it!
Thanks for helping ya’ll! (last time, I promise) Cheers!
To check out Robin’s books, visit her shop here.
I like the first one(more with orange) better, I’m very happy for you and can’t wait to read your book! Your an amazing writer. God bless you!
Alyssa, I stumbled across your site from seeing your name on a tweet by Rebekah Lyons. She mentioned how she loves your heart for millenials and I had to know more. My heart is for young women. Those teenage girls who are in church every Sunday, at each youth event, but floating in that space between real belief and relationship and thinking the Bible is just an inspiring story. They are not intentionally disobedient, they just do not grasp the enormity of what salvation truly means. My heart races for those 20 somethings who are spinning around in this world knowing there is more for them but no one has stopped long enough to see their need and desire for more. They want Jesus, but often have no idea that is the absolute root of their longing.
God has just called me back to ministry and I am wrestling right now with what that means. My head is filled with thoughts and inspiration. I am asking each day for a new rock to step on. Jennie Allen gave the most beautiful metaphor at IF on Friday and I feel like I am out on the water now. My foot is lifted for the next step and I trust that God will lift the rock each step of the way.
I just wanted to say hello, let you know that your words were a bit of inspiration for my soul this morning and to cheer you on. I think back to my early 20’s and wonder what I could have done if I had been chasing God’s will for me. I know we can make a difference in the lives of the next generation so that in 20 years we don’t need another IF:Gathering. They will already be on fire, following His heart for them, and changing the world for the better.