Rhonda Stoppe - Real-Life Romance: Inspiring Stories to Help You Believe in True Love

Ever wonder if a Christ-centered romance is possible? This book is filled with real-life stories that will rekindle your hope and remind you how good God is at writing the best love stories!

~Renee Swope, bestselling author of A Confident Heart

Everyone loves love. And even more so, we love a great love story! In Real-Life Romance, we hear and see how God weaves hearts and lives together to create something amazing! If you are wondering whats next in life or in love, turn the pages of this book, and let the love God has for you infuse love into your relationship.

~Pam Farrel, author of 45 books including Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti and Red Hot Monogamy

How do men and women fall in love? Their stories are as unique as the couples themselves, yet as we see in Real-Life Romance true love not only brings couples together, but also can guide them to true satisfaction in God. If youve been heartbroken by marriages that dont last, be encouraged by this book. True love is possible, even for fallible humans. Its inspiring to read about how God still works in real lives, real marriages!

~Tricia Goyer, author of 70 books, including Walk It Out

You will laugh, cry, and be challenged by this wonderful book. In a masterful way, Rhonda shares the real-life stories of many different couples. She lets us look inside each relationship at the life-changing challenges they face. Each story is filled with hope, as we see God act in amazing ways. Throughout the book, it is clear that the greatest romance of all is His amazing love for us.

~Kim Kimberling, PhD, Founder of the Awesome Marriage Movement and author of 7 Secrets to an Awesome Marriage

Real-Life Romance feels like a coffee date with Rhonda. This isnt just another book about marriage; instead, Rhondas girlfriend-like voice makes her writing feel as though shes talking straight to you, offering the hope that Jesus brings when you trust Him with your love life.

~Melissa Hightower, International Moms Ministry Community Coach

Real-Life Romance is a breath of fresh air. Rhondas uplifting real-life stories remind us that we each have our own story. Every marriage starts with a love story, although we tend to forget it and get swept away with the mundane of life after I do. Rhonda masterfully turns our focus and attention back to the One who created marriage and to His Word. This book is a must-read for those needing encouragement in their marriage.

~Kristi Clover, author, speaker, host of the Simply Joyful Podcast

Real-Life Romance is an easy-to-read book for the mom on the go. Within minutes of reading, this book will captivate your heart, and you will want to find more time to read and connect with this truly amazing author. Through the love stories she shares, you will find yourself falling in love again and again, one story at a time!

~Yesenia Jamison, Financial Coordinator & MOPs Kids Coordinator, Big Valley Grace Community Church, Modesto, CA

I loved reading Real-Life Romance ! It showed me that every love story is uniquely fashioned by God. I especially enjoyed where Rhonda, from a moms perspective, shares the love stories of her own children. Rhonda inspires me to be a mentor to young married and single woman using Real-Life Romance as a resource. This book will help you put Christ first in your romance, rediscover passion in your marriage, and record your love story for the next generation.

~Becca Mundt, Engaging Story podcast host

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Verses marked ASV are taken from the American Standard Version of the Bible.

Author photo by Jacqueline Plaza Photography

Cover by Juicebox Designs

Cover photo Alice DallAgnol / Getty

All the incidents described in this book are true. Where individuals may be identifiable, they have granted the author and the publisher the right to use their names, stories, and/or facts of their lives in all manners, including composite or altered representations. In all other cases, names, circumstances, descriptions, and details have been changed to render individuals unidentifiable.

REAL-LIFE ROMANCE

Copyright 2018 Rhonda Stoppe

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97408

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-7141-6 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-7142-3 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Stoppe, Rhonda, 1961- author.

Title: Real-life romance / Rhonda Stoppe.

Description: Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, [2018] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017023230 (print) | LCCN 2017039980 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736971423 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736971416 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: LoveReligious aspects--Christianity. | Man-woman relationshipsReligious aspectsChristianity.

Classification: LCC BV4639 (ebook) | LCC BV4639 .S76 2018 (print) | DDC 241/.4dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017023230

All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.

To Steve Stoppethe love of my life

The mystery of lifelong lovethe treasure that we share

To walk lifes path in the shadows of your kind and tender care

How good is God to give me you so many years ago

The depth and width of our love that only He could grow

Who could have dreamt this height of love that we could eer achieve

Yet not our strength but His alone has caused us to believe

The story of usmy favorite tale of a love so true

Oh for a thousand lifetimes to be in love with you

Soli Deo Gloria

Contents

I love watching two people fall in lovedont you? Looking back over Steves and my love story and recalling all the sweet details of watching my own children fall in love will forever be some of the greatest treasures I keep in the recesses of my mind.

Why do love stories draw us in? I think its because we each long for our own happily ever after, and if youre a mom you pray for your children to find lifelong love. Love stories give us hope and inspire us to believe that true loveforever lovenot only exists but is alive and well in average couples whose depth of love makes them anything but average.

The pages of this book are filled with accounts of how God providentially brought together two hearts to intertwine so completely that their love stands firm. Youll see how, from the highest heights to the deepest sorrows, true love shines brightly in lifelong love. And youll discover how Gods plan is for couples to love each other so deeply with His love that their marriage becomes a light He can use to draw others to know Him.