Robin Jones Gunn - Christy Miller Collection

I started reading the Christy Miller series when I was fourteen. I read all of them in a matter of weeks, and they changed my life. I truly feel that your books have helped me through some of the hardest times of my life.

To me Christy is a friend. She is so real to me. I can really relate to herI feel that my relationship with God became so much stronger as I read the Christy Miller series.

After I read Summer Promise, I realized what a real Christian was, so I prayed along with Christy and now I know Im a real Christian.

My friend told me I should read your books. I had never really asked Jesus into my heart You showed me, through Christy, how to really be a Christian.

Last year I read the Christy Miller SeriesChrist is in me and is here to stay because of your books.

Christy Miller suddenly woke up. She kicked the heavy sleeping bag off her sweaty legs and squinted her eyes in the darkness, trying to remember where she was. Her bed seemed to tilt back and forth with a gentle roll.

Then Christy remembered. She was on a houseboatAunt Martis idea of a Farewell to Summer party over the Labor Day weekend.

She could hear her best friend, Katie, gently snoring across the cabin. Christy pulled on her sweats and placed her bare feet on the cool floor. Padding her way to the boats front deck, she closed the sliding glass door behind her and drew in a deep breath of fresh morning air.

The sky had not quite awakened but seemed to be slowly rising, rubbing the thin pink cloud sleepers from its eyes and checking its reflection in the still lake-mirror.

The day promised to be perfect. She could smell it in the sweet breeze rising off the water. Just then something splashed in the water. She quickly figured out it must be either Todd or Doug. The two of them had slept under the stars on the houseboats roof.

Soon Todds white-blond head popped up out of the water. He didnt notice Christy watching him and kept swimming with quiet, easy strokes. Turning to float on his back, he spoke into the dawn.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens!

Christy couldnt help but smile. That was so like Todd.

She moved closer to the railing, wondering if she should interrupt Todds conversation with God. On her last step. her foot tagged the corner of a folded-up beach chair, causing it to tip over and clatter loudly. Todd spun around in the water and began to swim back toward the houseboat.

Christy quickly smoothed back her nutmeg-brown hair and tried to tuck the wild ends into her loose braid. I probably look awful. Groggy, to say the least.

Then she realized that this was Todd, and he had never been the kind of guy to judge anyone by outward appearances. Hopefully he would keep that in mind when he saw her fresh from her sleeping bag.

Todd grabbed on to one of the ropes hanging from the front of the houseboat and pulled himself up the steps onto the deck.

Hi, Christy whispered shyly. Hows the water?

Todd smiled and reached for a beach towel on the railing. His silver-blue eyes met Christys, and he whispered back, You want to find out?

Not really.

Not even a little cold shower? Todd shook his hair in front of her like a dog.

Okay, okay. Christy giggled, holding up her hands in defense. You convinced me; its cold!

Refreshing, Todd corrected her, slipping a navy blue hooded sweatshirt over his head and sticking his hands in the front pocket. You the only one up?

Christy nodded. I think so.

It was a long ride here yesterday. Todd said. Theyll probably all sleep in. What got you up this early?

I was burning up in my sleeping bag. It must be designed for subzero temperatures.

I know the perfect way to cool you off. Lets go for a spin around the lake.

In what? Christy asked. If we start up the ski boat, well wake everyone.

Then well take the raft. Todd pulled the big, yellow inflated monster from the side of the houseboat and dropped it into the water. Ladies first.

Christy went through all her mental resistance in record time. Would they get in trouble for going out like this without telling anyone? No, Bob and Marti trusted Todd. What if she got her sweats wet? So what? She could change into something dry when they came back. Unable to think of a reason why she shouldnt go, Christy lowered herself into the wobbly raft.

Todd grabbed two paddles, put up the hood on his sweatshirt, and with the beach towel wrapped around his wet swim trunks, joined Christy. They silently paddled away from the cove and headed for the open part of the lake.

One look at Todds face and Christy knew he thought this was an adventure. Todd thrived on adventure. His lifelong ambition was to become a missionary and live in the jungle.

Christy liked adventure too. At least the little bit she had experienced in her seventeen years. But she wasnt sure how she felt about spending the rest of her life in the jungle. Maybe if she had one of those butane curling irons that didnt need to be plugged in.

Isnt it beautiful? Todd looked up at the awakening sky. He pointed to a trail of puffy white clouds stomping across the seamless blue. The clouds are the dust beneath His feet.