Chronological order of books.

Here is a list of books in chronological order. These books can be read in three book volumes or single titles.

Christy Miller Series

Vol 1

Summer Promise

A Whisper and a Wish

Yours Forever

Vol 2

Surprise Endings

Island Dreamer

A Heart Full of Hope

Vol 3

True Friends

Starry Night

Seventeen Wishes

Vol 4

A Time to Cherish

Sweet Dreams

A Promise is Forever

Sierra Jensen Series

Vol 1

Only You, Sierra

In Your Dreams

Don’t You Wish

Vol 2

Close Your Eyes

Without a Doubt

With this Ring

Vol 3

Open Your Heart

{Read the first book of Christy and Todd: The College Years here. Until Tomorrow)

Time will Tell

Now Picture This

Vol 4

Hold On Tight

Closer Than Ever

Take My Hand

Christy and Todd: The College Years

(Read books 2&3 now)

As You Wish

I Promise

Katie Weldon Series

Peculiar Treasures

On A Whim

Coming Attractions

Finally and Forever

Christy and Todd: The Married Years
Forever With You

Stand Alone Books

Love Finds You in Sunset Beach (Sierra)

Cottage By the Sea (Sierra has a cameo appearance)

Canary Island Song (Todd’s dad) *Actually takes place about the same time as Finally and Forever and  and probably best read before that book, but this book does not need to be read to read Katie. Also coincides with Forever With You.

You might also want to read

Departures (Anytime after Christy Book 11)

 and

Christy Miller’s Diary (After the College Years & Katie books)

Several of the characters make appearances in the Glenbrooke series. The Sisterchick books also have familiar faces pop up. You never know who will show up in one of Robin's books!

Discussion Questions for A Heart Full of Hope

Why did Christy want a boyfriend so much? What was she looking for in a boyfriend?

Was Rick able to give Christy what she was looking for?

What were Alyssa’s concerns about Christy going steady?

Why is it important for God to be our first love?

Did you agree with Alyssa’s concerns and advice?

What do you think Christy’s father was concerned about when he said that he didn’t want her to “toss away her virtue too easily”?

Did Rick treat Christy with love and respect?

How did he treat her well?

What are some things he did that did not show honor and respect?

Why do you think Todd acted the way he did when he discovered that Christy was dating Rick?

Whey do you think Christy got a funny feeling in her stomach when with Rick?

Do you have any ideas about what a dream date would look like for you?

Why did Christy cry when Rick tossed the kites? What message was Robin trying to tell with the imagery of the tangled kites?

Why do you think Rick behaved the way he did with Christy and her family?

Why do you think Robin chose to include the two poems that she did? What do you think they were teaching us?

If you could give advice to the characters in this book, what would you say?

What were your favorite and least favorite parts of this book?

What lessons did you learn from this book?

Thriving Family Questions for this book.

Peculiar Treasures meet Robin

Some of us were able to travel to Southwest Baptist University on April 29 to hear Robin speak. It was delightful to hear her tell her story of her dream that wouldn't go away. We were able to talk with Robin, get pictures and have her sign books.

SBU Newsroom Article on Robin's Visit

 

May Meeting

Next Meeting:

May 20, 2013

7:00PM

We will be discussing

A Heart Full of Hope

Book 6 of the Christy Miller series
Also found in Volume 2:  Book 3

Skype Chat With Robin Jones Gunn

Thanks so much to Robin Jones Gunn for meeting with our book club tonight through the technology of Skype! We had a lovely chat with her.

Discussion Questions for Island Dreamer

1. What happened on the trip to Hawaii? Do you think Christy handled the situation well? What would you have done in that situation? Does the fact that "it all worked out in the end" justify the lies that Paula told? How might her lies have affected other people?
2. Todd’s dad said that his life would be full of bridges and each bridge would come with a choice. He wanted Todd to always make his own decisions and then follow through on them, not because others influenced or persuaded him to make the choice. What were some of the “bridges” that any of the characters had to “cross” in this book? What are some examples of “bridges” that Todd allowed Christy to cross in this book or others in the series, without trying to influence her decisions. Can you think of any “bridges” in your life like this? Why is it important to make these decisions ourselves?
3. Christy and Paula are best friends, but their friendship has changed and come upon some challenges since Christy moved away. Why is this? Have you ever grown apart from a friend like this either through distance of different life experiences? What was that like? Were you able to continue the friendship?
4. Christy is eager for her friends to become Christians like she has. What did she learn about trying to help others become Christians? What is the best thing we can do for our friends as we wait for them to choose the free gift of Salvation that Christ offers us?
5. What lessons can we learn from the missionaries that never gave up in the face of difficulties in Hawaii?
6. Christy and Paula got to experience a lot of new things on this trip. They were faced with new foods, traditions and challenges. How did they handle these new adventures? Do you like to try new foods and go on adventures? What do you think of Christy’s decision to always eat whatever it says over the restaurant door.
7. Have you ever thought about your future husband? Do you pray for him? Have you ever written a letter to him? How are you preparing yourself to be the best wedding gift for your husband? How do you think Christy’s letter helps her in her relationships with guys?
8. Todd tells Paula to hold out for a hero. What does he mean? What did Christy and Paula learn about the best way to attract a guy? How does it affect boys when we flirt and tease them with actions or dress? What does that tell them?
9. As Todd gazed at the lights of Molokai,  he realized that the closer he got to them the easier it would be to tell which one he wanted to end up at. He used this analogy to help him in making a big decision. What did he mean by this? Have you ever had a big decision that you needed more details and clarity to decide on? What kinds of things might help you make those kinds of decisions?
10. Do you believe in "God Things"? What are somethings that happened in this book that might have been "God Things"? 
11. Who did you relate to most in this book?
12. What were your favorite and least favorite parts of this story?
13. What is the most important lesson that you learned from reading this book? 

Thriving Family's Questions

Ministry Opportunties

Please visit these sites, look over their information and prepare to vote on which ministry we will support this year.We will be voting on a ministry at our meeting Monday, so please choose one that you would like to vote for.

Blood Water Mission http://www.bloodwatermission.com/
(This is a ministry listed at the back of On a Whim, the book where Katie and Eli fund the African water projects.)

Living Water International http://www.water.cc/
Also listed in On A Whim

Compassion International http://www.compassion.com/default.htm
While the actual organization that the God Lovers sponsor children through is not named, Compassion is a good one. We would not need to sponsor a child, but could donate in other ways (provide birthday or Christmas gifts for children or add to the unsponsored children's fund for example)

Our Lady's Inn http://www.ourladysinn.org/
A local Maternity home

Christian Surfers International http://christiansurfers.net/AboutUs.aspx