Colliding with the Call: When Following God Takes You to the Wilderness Paperback – March 20, 2020

If you are "hungry" for a closer relationship with God, try this book. This author is very transparent about her feelings and her "discussions" with God as He helped her work through disappointments and her struggle toward an undivided heart. This book is not about being a missionary--although their adventures with wolves in the Alaska wilderness, etc. make for exciting reading. This book is about one person's adventure in discovering a deeper relationship with God.One paragraph near the end of the book, on p.231, gives you the flavor of her story: Corella Roberts writes, "We cannot find our purpose in serving. We can not find our wholeness in human relationships. We cannot find real rest in media indulgence. We cannot find lasting joy in numbers of converts. We cannot find security through a fat bank account. We cannot find success in whether our children follow the Lord. We cannot ease our longings with momentary sexual gratification. We cannot find comfort in a perfect suburban life. We cannot find the true expression of ourselves in art. We cannot find satisfaction in food."

When they were still in high school, not yet married, Troy and Cora stood at the front of my church on Missions night for Awana (an international children's ministry) passionately talking about their desire to follow God as teaching missionaries. Some years later they again stood before us seeking support and prayer partners as they headed for a remote village in Alaska. I can't tell you what a blessing this book was for me as I read Cora's story. Raw, honest, Cora invites the reader to come along with her as she shares what it means to follow Jesus Christ wherever He may lead. I especially loved how Cora incorporated scripture in each aspect of her story allowing God's word to define her circumstances, reflect on her emotions, and provide divine wisdom throughout her recollections of His personal, sovereign provision for her in all her trials and triumphs. I highly recommend this book!

I had the privilege of knowing Troy and Cora and their family when they were missionaries in AK and we continue to follow them by newsletters as they serve in Thailand. I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the insights Cora shared as well as how well she related life lessons to scripture. It showed the high expectations most missionaries go into their first field with and the reality of being a sinner on the field. I love how she shows God’s faithfulness to take her through the hard times and she points out the things that made a difference for her. Everyone heading to full time ministry would learn a lot from this book!! Well done Cora!!

I can’t wait to read this book a second time! Corella masterfully weaves her compelling story of the call to and life in Alaska and beyond, with deep teaching of God’s truth, convicting exhortation and encouragement. Her use of Old Testament narrative and New Testament parables with her own tongue-in-cheek, subtle humor and bare-it-all vulnerability is unlike any style I’ve read before. For me to A) want to finish a book B) actually finish it quickly and C) plan to read it again with journal and pen by my side?! Well, that tells you this one is worth your time.

I think we can all identify with Corella as she weaves her story of answering God's call with excitement, vision and passion to find herself encountering despair, discouragement and dismay when the narrative does not unfold as she imagined it. Corella uses scripture, end of chapter questions and descriptive language to engage the reader's own journey with Jesus. Vulnerable, authentic and identifiable, this book will encourage you to intimately encounter Jesus whether you are in the starting blocks, the wilderness or on the mountain top. Order it today!

She writes from the heart about every day struggles. I found the book entertaining, relatable and humorous at times. She brings light to the everyday struggles by validating emotions.

I loved reading Corella's story of God's tender care for her in the wilderness. Her story was an encouragement to me as I walk through my own wilderness journey. Her captivating story kept me wanting "just one more chapter". It was hard to put down and I read it in just a few days. I highly recommend this book! It is a tool of hope and encouragement in the hands of a tender God who is calling us to His heart.

I really enjoyed Corella's stories of her time in Alaska...the isolation felt in such a small remote community is very relatable during the Covid quarantine. Her insights on the toll of the busyness during full time service work apply not only to missionaries and teachers, but to any of us who have a task oriented personality. It is so good to be reminded that the reason we are loved has nothing to do with how much we serve.

I really enjoyed this book. It was exactly what I needed to read in this season of my life dealing with unmet expectations, unanswered questions, and the struggles in life that we face, even when we know we are doing what God wants us to do. It is a fairly "easy" read but the questions that Corella chooses leaves with you at the end of each chapter causes you to think deeply about the topics addressed. Corella uses interesting stories from her time in Alaska (and some from Thailand), to share about her own struggles and her wrestling with God about unmet expectations and unanswered questions. I believe that this provides simple and yet profound messages for all those who read it. I strongly recommend it. I definitely want to read it again.

This is book is a great read. It's moving, challenging yet encouraging

If you are looking for an unvarnished reflection of a surrendered life, Corella generously opens her story to you!Read of her passionate willingness to serve and love — despite the harshest environment — and seemingly desolate 'harvest.'A beautifully written exploration for purpose amidst pain and frustration.I thoroughly enjoyed 'Colliding With The Call' — a heart massage that left me deeply embedded in the faithfulness of our compassionate Father.“The more I wrote, the more convinced I became that every aspect of my life had His faithful fingerprints all over it. I put words to some of my most difficult memories, asking Him to show me how He saw them, and suddenly they became a testimony of hope and purpose. The victories I’d thought I’d won, the battles I’d thought I’d lost, they all looked different now. They held the sheen of grace, His undeserved, perfect gift to me. Each page became a paver stone on the path toward true intimacy with my Father. How could I have gotten here without them?” — Corella Roberts