Devotedly

The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot

By: Valerie Elliot Shepard

Narrated by: Nan McNamara

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Their paths to God’s purpose led them together.

Many know the heroic story of Jim Elliot’s violent death in 1956, killed along with four other missionaries by a primitive Ecuadorian tribe they were seeking to reach. Many also know the prolific legacy of Elisabeth Elliot, whose inspiring influence on generations of believers through print, broadcast, and personal testimony continues to resonate, even after her own death in 2015.

What many don’t know is the remarkable story of how these two stalwart personalities - single-mindedly devoted to pursuing God’s will for their young lives, certain their future callings would require them to sacrifice forever the blessings of marriage - found their hearts intertwined. Their paths to God’s purpose led them together.

Now, for the first time, their only child - daughter Valerie Elliot Shepard - unseals never-before-published letters and private journals that capture in first-person intimacy the attraction, struggle, drama, and devotion that became a most unlikely love story.

Riveting for old and young alike, this moving account of their personal lives shines as a gold mine of lived-out truth, hard-fought purity, and an insider’s view on two beloved Christian figures.

©2019 eChristian (P)2019 eChristian

Great read

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Several great quotes and an encouragement to singles. Loved it.

Fully Abandoned to God’s Will

This is an account of Betty Howard’s and Jim Elliott’s increasing affection for one another. Growing over years into a romantic love leading them to marry. Though their growing romance and desire for one another is a beautiful and compelling story, it was their mutual encouragement to one another to submit their love for each other to God, prompted by love for and trust in Hm, even if that meant they never marry. Their growing love for each other was fueled by each other’s absolute abandonment to God’s will, rather than their own.
In weaving together the love story of her parents, Valerie Elliott Shepard has given to me a hunger for the kind of abandonment to God that was exemplified by her parents, and that when they were in their early and mid-twenties! I am persuaded that, like it did for me, Devotedly will inspire your love for and trust in God.

Such a beautiful story!

The way this book was written is beautiful because Valerie includes journal entries and letters from her parents. It is so authentic and pure. I pray anyone that listens to this book is blessed by it! I know I have been!

Exceptional and inspiring

I’ve been inspired by Jim and Elizabeth’s writing for over 40 years. What a delight to have access to more now. Drew me closer to God by witnessing their honest and faithful and human daily walks. What a treasure Valerie, thank you. Glad that storage trunk was saved!

Dedication and Commitment

I was very glad to learn more about Jim and Elizabeth Elliot's relationship and how their love for each other developed and grew. Their commitment to God is a challenge to believers. At time, the book was hard to listen to because of the format of being a journal rather than a narrative. After finishing the book, I feel both of them are more real to me as people.

Beautiful, and so spiritually helpful!

I love anything and everything by and about Elisabeth and Jim Elliot. For me, it is always like reading a devotional. I am so spiritually stirred and blessed. I am so thankful to the Lord for their precious lives and examples. I pray that I, by God's grace, will follow them in their total devotion to Christ. So thankful that because of our mutual salvation in Jesus Christ alone, I will get to meet and know them in our Father's Kingdom of Heaven.❤🙌🙌🙌Also, thank you,
Valerie Elliot Shepherd for sharing your parents letters and story with us. ❤

Beautiful, inspiring story of love

Does not disappoint. I was already familiar with their story and hearing how their love for God and each other grew over time was incredibly inspiring. It encouraged me to stay faithful in my own seasons of waiting.

Challenging & encouraging testimony

The beauty of Jim & Elisabeth Elliot's story isn't that they did everything perfectly; it's the Good Shepherd who faithfully led two people who were committed to love and obey Him above all else. Every couple's story will look a little differently, but that's okay! We trust our God, not a 3-step formula for a good marriage. The Elliot's testimony shows basic principles that lead to joy & peace for every believer, whether married or single.
I enjoyed learning a little more about Elisabeth's life following college and the lessons God was teaching her through both singleness and love.
Narration is a little uneven/hard to hear sometimes.

Beautiful Love Story!

This is a beautiful story of two people who loved God and kept Him first through trials, tribulations, uncertainty, and much waiting.

Though there are parts I wish were different (physical contact before marriage) and some of the details of their letters, especially after their engagement, the couple wanted to follow Christ.

In acceptance lies peace!

This book encourages us to trust and obey our sovereign and good God, His will be done!