
A Love-Stretched Life
Stories on Wrangling Hope, Embracing the Unexpected, and Discovering the Meaning of Family
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $17.16
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Jillana Goble
-
By:
-
Jillana Goble
About this listen
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 AudiobooksListeners also enjoyed...
-
Foster the Family
- Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster Parent
- By: Jamie C. Finn
- Narrated by: Jamie C. Finn
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With the compassion and insight of a fellow foster parent, Jamie C. Finn helps you see your struggles through the lens of the gospel, bringing biblical truths to bear on your unique everyday realities. In these short, accessible chapters, you'll find honest, personal stories and practical lessons that provide encouragement and direction from God's word as you walk the journey of foster parenting.
-
-
Wonderful book
- By Cara hughes on 04-01-22
By: Jamie C. Finn
-
No Sugar-Coating
- The Coffee Talk You Need About Foster Parenting
- By: Jillana Goble
- Narrated by: Jillana Goble
- Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No Sugar-Coating is a warm, straight-up guide to foster parenting that feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. It is filled with practical suggestions interwoven with a compelling narrative rooted in foster parenting experience. No Sugar-Coating offers valuable insight for those eager to learn more about foster parenting as well as an anchoring for those who have already welcomed vulnerable children through their front door.
-
-
Reality
- By Sam on 06-28-24
By: Jillana Goble
-
Fostered
- One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care
- By: Tori Hope Petersen
- Narrated by: Tori Hope Petersen
- Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you’re wondering if God can truly move in the life of someone with all the odds stacked against her, look no further than Tori Hope Petersen. Tori grew up in the foster care system, a bi-racial child in a confusing and volatile world. Growing up with a mentally ill mother and living in twelve different foster homes, nothing was in her favor. And yet, even with a miniscule chance of graduating college and a great risk of being homeless, jobless, and on drugs, Tori overcame every negative stereotype that attacked her. However, Tori will tell you she did not overcome. Christ did.
-
-
Amazing, honest, heartbreaking
- By Grace on 04-14-25
-
Counting the Cost
- By: Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard - contributor, Craig Borlase - contributor
- Narrated by: Jill Duggar
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn’t possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family’s way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle’s nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankle-length dresses with throat-high necklines.
-
-
A Naive Account from a Reality TV Personality
- By Lora Kyle on 09-12-23
By: Jill Duggar, and others
-
The Connected Child
- Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
- By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, Wendy Lyons Sunshine
- Narrated by: Anna Crowe
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family - and addressing their special needs - requires care, consideration, and compassion.
-
-
Incredibly helpful
- By Amazon Customer on 08-12-21
By: Karyn B. Purvis, and others
-
All My Knotted-Up Life
- A Memoir
- By: Beth Moore
- Narrated by: Beth Moore
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All My Knotted-Up Life is a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people’s full stories . . . we’d all walk around slack-jawed.
-
-
Finished in one day
- By nedmac mama on 02-22-23
By: Beth Moore
-
Foster the Family
- Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster Parent
- By: Jamie C. Finn
- Narrated by: Jamie C. Finn
- Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With the compassion and insight of a fellow foster parent, Jamie C. Finn helps you see your struggles through the lens of the gospel, bringing biblical truths to bear on your unique everyday realities. In these short, accessible chapters, you'll find honest, personal stories and practical lessons that provide encouragement and direction from God's word as you walk the journey of foster parenting.
-
-
Wonderful book
- By Cara hughes on 04-01-22
By: Jamie C. Finn
-
No Sugar-Coating
- The Coffee Talk You Need About Foster Parenting
- By: Jillana Goble
- Narrated by: Jillana Goble
- Length: 2 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No Sugar-Coating is a warm, straight-up guide to foster parenting that feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend. It is filled with practical suggestions interwoven with a compelling narrative rooted in foster parenting experience. No Sugar-Coating offers valuable insight for those eager to learn more about foster parenting as well as an anchoring for those who have already welcomed vulnerable children through their front door.
-
-
Reality
- By Sam on 06-28-24
By: Jillana Goble
-
Fostered
- One Woman’s Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family Through Foster Care
- By: Tori Hope Petersen
- Narrated by: Tori Hope Petersen
- Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you’re wondering if God can truly move in the life of someone with all the odds stacked against her, look no further than Tori Hope Petersen. Tori grew up in the foster care system, a bi-racial child in a confusing and volatile world. Growing up with a mentally ill mother and living in twelve different foster homes, nothing was in her favor. And yet, even with a miniscule chance of graduating college and a great risk of being homeless, jobless, and on drugs, Tori overcame every negative stereotype that attacked her. However, Tori will tell you she did not overcome. Christ did.
-
-
Amazing, honest, heartbreaking
- By Grace on 04-14-25
-
Counting the Cost
- By: Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard - contributor, Craig Borlase - contributor
- Narrated by: Jill Duggar
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn’t possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family’s way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle’s nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankle-length dresses with throat-high necklines.
-
-
A Naive Account from a Reality TV Personality
- By Lora Kyle on 09-12-23
By: Jill Duggar, and others
-
The Connected Child
- Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family
- By: Karyn B. Purvis, David R. Cross, Wendy Lyons Sunshine
- Narrated by: Anna Crowe
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The adoption of a child is always a joyous moment in the life of a family. Some adoptions, though, present unique challenges. Welcoming these children into your family - and addressing their special needs - requires care, consideration, and compassion.
-
-
Incredibly helpful
- By Amazon Customer on 08-12-21
By: Karyn B. Purvis, and others
-
All My Knotted-Up Life
- A Memoir
- By: Beth Moore
- Narrated by: Beth Moore
- Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All My Knotted-Up Life is a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people’s full stories . . . we’d all walk around slack-jawed.
-
-
Finished in one day
- By nedmac mama on 02-22-23
By: Beth Moore
-
Gentle and Lowly
- The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
- By: Dane Ortlund
- Narrated by: Dane Ortlund
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Christians know what Jesus Christ has done — but who is he? What is his deepest heart for his people, weary and faltering on their journey toward heaven? Jesus said he is "gentle and lowly in heart." This audiobook reflects on these words, opening up a neglected yet central truth about who he is for sinners and sufferers today.
-
-
Disappointment.
- By Fossilized Tree Sap on 12-27-21
By: Dane Ortlund
-
Safe All Along
- Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace
- By: Katie Davis Majors
- Narrated by: Katie Davis Majors
- Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a missionary, wife, and mom of fifteen, Katie Davis Majors knows how hard it can be to receive God’s peace instead of giving in to fear and worry. Family emergencies, unexpected life-shifting events, and the busy rhythms of family life have at times left her reeling.
-
-
So thoughtfully written
- By David on 01-03-25
-
Habits of the Household
- Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
- By: Justin Whitmel Earley
- Narrated by: Justin Earley, Troy Simons, Ruth Simons
- Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover simple habits and easy-to-implement daily rhythms that will help you find meaning beyond the chaos of family life as you create a home where kids and parents alike practice how to love God and each other. You long for tender moments with your children - but do you ever find yourself too busy to stop, make eye contact, and say something you really mean?
-
-
Phenomenal
- By Ashley E Martin on 07-13-23
-
Keep the Doors Open
- Lessons Learned from a Year of Foster Parenting
- By: Kristin Berry
- Narrated by: Sarah Zimmerman
- Length: 6 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a teenager, Kristin Berry had heard all the horror stories surrounding foster care and adoption - abuse, neglect, rejection, anger, and misunderstandings. But instead of closing her heart, God opened it wide. This is Kristin's honest, unvarnished story of some of her experiences as a foster parent of 23 children over the course of nine years. What she learned is that living in a foster home is like living with a revolving door. You never know who will arrive or who you will have to say goodbye to. Leaving the door open means there will be heartache and pain, but also adventure and unexpected joy.
-
-
A Intimate Looking into true grace and foster-care...
- By Peter on 03-09-20
By: Kristin Berry
-
Becoming Free Indeed
- My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear
- By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Corey Williams
- Narrated by: Jinger Duggar Vuolo
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jinger, along with three of her sisters, wrote a New York Times bestseller about their religious convictions. She believed this level of commitment would guarantee God's blessing, even though in private she felt constant fear that she wasn't measuring up to the high standards demanded of her.
-
-
So close and missed the mark
- By Jim on 02-01-23
By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and others
-
Now I Am Known
- How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and True Worth
- By: Peter Mutabazi, Mark Tabb
- Narrated by: E. Kojo Andrews
- Length: 6 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The true story of a man, who at age 10, ran away from home and for five years, he survived on the streets of Kampala, Uganda, a city of 1.5 million. One man saw potential in him, supported Peter through school, and forever altered Peter's outlook in every possible way. Since then, Peter's turn-around story only becomes more remarkable. In Now I Am Known, Peter reveals the transformational power of taking risks, learning to forgive, overcoming self-doubt, and believing in a better future marked by optimism and purpose.
-
-
best personal therapy I've ever been thru!!!
- By Amazon Customer on 09-20-22
By: Peter Mutabazi, and others
-
I Guess I Haven't Learned That Yet
- Discovering New Ways of Living When the Old Ways Stop Working
- By: Shauna Niequist
- Narrated by: Shauna Niequist
- Length: 6 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Just after her fortieth birthday, author Shauna Niequist found herself in a season of chaos, change, and loss unlike anything she'd ever faced. She discovered that many of the beliefs and practices that she usually turned to were no longer serving her.
-
-
It’s ok but feels unfinished
- By andern on 05-05-22
By: Shauna Niequist
-
But, He Spit in My Coffee
- A Reads-Like-Fiction Memoir About Adopting a Child with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- By: Keri Williams
- Narrated by: Cindy Piller
- Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A desperate mother must grapple with impossible choices as her young son becomes too dangerous to live at home, but is only growing bigger, stronger, and more violent while in treatment. When Keri and her husband adopt Devon, he has concerning behaviors, but she's confident all he needs is the love of a forever family.
-
-
Honest and helpful
- By Michael Siegert on 01-07-23
By: Keri Williams
-
Live in Love
- Growing Together Through Life's Changes
- By: Lauren Akins, Mark Dagostino
- Narrated by: Lauren Akins, Thomas Rhett
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Live in Love is a deeply personal memoir that offers inspiring guidance for anyone looking to keep romance alive, balance children and marriage, express true faith, and live a life of purpose.
-
-
AMAZING!!!
- By Kasha Ross on 08-28-20
By: Lauren Akins, and others
-
Hold On, But Don't Hold Still
- Hope and Humor from My Seriously Flawed Life
- By: Kristina Kuzmic
- Narrated by: Kristina Kuzmic
- Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kristina Kuzmic has made herself a household name, speaking directly to mothers from the trenches of parenthood via her viral videos and social media presence. She is now bringing her message of self-acceptance, resilience, and joy to audiobook listeners. With a refreshingly unpretentious, funny, and galvanizing voice, Kuzmic goes behind the scenes to reveal how she went from broke and defeated to unshakably grounded and brimming with thankfulness.
-
-
Girl, This is It
- By K.C. on 05-04-20
By: Kristina Kuzmic
-
The Connected Parent
- Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment
- By: Lisa Qualls, Karyn Purvis PhD
- Narrated by: Lisa Qualls
- Length: 4 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Renowned child-development expert Dr. Karyn Purvis gives you practical advice and powerful tools you can use to encourage secure attachment in your family. You will benefit from Karyn’s decades of clinical research and real-world experience. Coauthor Lisa Qualls demonstrates how you can successfully implement these strategies in your home, just as she did in hers. You will learn how to simplify your approach using scripts, nurture your child, combat chronic fear, teach respect, and develop other valuable tools to facilitate a healing connection with your child.
-
-
An holistic approach to relational health
- By K & J on 02-11-23
By: Lisa Qualls, and others
-
The Whole-Brain Child
- 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind
- By: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., Tina Payne Bryson
- Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.
-
-
Several comments on the brain were incorrect.
- By Abelle on 04-18-23
By: Daniel J. Siegel M.D., and others
What listeners say about A Love-Stretched Life
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stephanie McElmurray
- 12-03-22
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 10-03-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- T. Harris
- 11-15-22
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kori Heuvel
- 06-09-23
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bluebird
- 06-16-22
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Adrienne Peters
- 07-23-22
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- EH
- 01-22-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jen
- 03-15-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SPV
- 06-17-22
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!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Joshua Hawes
- 02-07-23
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!