A Love-Stretched Life

Stories on Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected, and Discovering the Meaning of Family

By: Jillana Goble

Narrated by: Jillana Goble

This life is real and complicated, messy, colorful, good, exhausting, and exhilarating—often simultaneously.

It’s easy to feel overburdened by life’s demands. Looking out into the world as well as under the roof of our home may cause us to question, “How did we get here? And how will we get through?”

Jillana Goble has been there. With honesty, faith, and a dose of humor, her debut memoir, A Love-Stretched Life, chronicles what she's continually learning on the suspension bridge between reality and hope. A mom via foster care, birth, and adoption—in that order—for nearly two decades, Jillana has experienced life’s curveballs. Her come-as-you-are posture amidst a daily reality far different than she ever imagined reassures you that you’re not alone if your life isn’t tidily wrapped in a bow.

These stories will stay with you as you strive to love and to love well, even when—and especially when—it’s hard. Whether you are widening your family circle or just trying to get through the day, Jillana welcomes you to her table, offering you an anchor of hope to hang on to as you navigate your own love-stretched life.

©2022 Jillana Goble (P)2022 One Audiobooks

couldn't put it down

This book touched my foster mom heart. the encouragement was felt by every story. My heart swelled several times about Royal, as I hope to reconnect with my "royal" one day. highly recommended.

Comforting

I have fostered, and I have adopted. We have had a lot of trials and life can be overwhelming. It felt comforting to know that someone else felt how I feel sometimes, and that it’s okay. This can be a lonely walk, I don’t have anyone close that’s also in foster care. It was nicer to take a peek through the window of someone else’s blended home.

Amazing Book

I loved this book. There were so many stories of triumphs and failures that were underpinned with the theme that grace, love, perseverance, and faith are cornerstones to so many of our daily challenges. This book is a must read for anyone who is looking to be encouraged through stories of how God is working today through Jillana, her Church, and the Embrace Oregon Foundation.

Just the right words at the right time!

A dear friend and fellow foster mom sent this book to me! I listened to it in just a few days! The stories were knit together so thoughtfully and authentic. I appreciated the encouragement and the hope! Highly recommend this book!

Such an inspiring and encouraging book

I really loved this book! I am a new foster mom and we have a nine week old baby that we took in at two weeks old. And listening to her story of all of her children and her ups and downs, I was touched by her willingness to be so real and so raw. I think her writing is fantastic, it’s very conversational. I felt like I was talking with a friend over tea and really getting a good glimpse of her life. It’s amazing to me that there are people in the world that truly give themselves for others and answer the call when many people would rather sit on the sidelines. Being a parent, whether it’s fostering, adoption or with your biological children, is truly a selfless thing to do and is completely pouring yourself out for others. I loved hearing how she has completely dedicated herself to her family and the lives of strangers. We need more foster families. Love does hard things.

Just what I needed!

Wow! So perfectly written and delivered! I am a fellow foster parent residing in the Portland area and I have a child with Neuro behavioral differences. This was a such an inspiration! It perfectly captures all of the complexity and heart ache along with the beauty and transformation that comes with raising kids from foster care and connection with first families. Thank you for such a timely and eloquent book!

Very helpful as a new foster parent

We recently received our first foster placement and listening to her story helped process some of the emotions I've had about his family and where we fit in with his story. She put words to what I felt but couldn't verbalize. She writes in a clear and honest way that is very relatable.

A must listen to audiobook!

This is a must listen to audiobook for all foster/adoptive parents! The author’s way of telling her foster/adoption journey is relatable on so many levels. This was great for ongoing foster training requirements within a book club.

Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow!

This is one of the most hopeful books I have read in a long time. Love is not black and white. It’s not always easy.
I’m so thankful that Jillana has given us the example of a brave path to walk when love is truly the highest goal!

Loved hearing in authors voice

Would highly recommend to those on the foster care or adoption journey.i particularly was moved by relationships she described with birth family and the difficult and 'worth it" journey.