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  What Readers Are Saying about Karen Kingsbury’s Books

  “If you had an official fan club I’d love to be the president! . . . I am so hooked on your books. My goal is to collect them all and share them with my friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers!”

  —Peggy

  “I can’t find the words to describe the emotions I went through reading the entire Redemption series. God bless you, Karen, for letting Him use your pen and hand and of course your heart to put words of such magnitude on paper to bless us all so much!”

  —Darlene

  “You are the best writer ever. I get so excited when I walk into a Christian bookstore and see one of your new books sitting there.”

  —Jessica

  “Thank you for your beautifully written books. They make me laugh, they make me cry, and they fill my heart with a love that can only be God once again touching my heart and my soul.”

  —Natalie

  “Okay, where’s the next one? I know it’s sitting in a warehouse somewhere and you are making us wait! (Just kidding!) Karen, there isn’t a person I know who doesn’t read your books and hold you and your family in their prayers!”

  —Rachel

  “Life-changing books! I haven’t been much of a reader until now! I have fallen in love with all of the Baxters. Thank you for letting me grieve my mother’s death in a whole new light. . . . I have recommended the series to everyone I come across.”

  —Peggy

  “I have fallen away from the almighty God many times. But always reading one of your books reminds me as to why I desperately need Him in my life. Thank you!”

  —Nichole

  “I loved the Redemption series and have shared it with various women in my church. Everyone has the same answer: ‘I loved it!’ We ALL laughed and cried. Your writing is an inspiration to all!”

  —Rachel

  “Let Me Hold You Longer is breathtaking! My friend read this story to me—the first night we both left our new babies overnight. And by the end, the two of us were bawling. She bought me my own copy for Mother’s Day, and I read it to everyone . . . and each person cries as I read the words. I now buy it for every baby shower I go to. I think every parent should own or read this book. I read it as often as I can.”

  —Shannon

  “My husband is equally hooked on your books. It is a family affair for us now! Can’t wait for the next one.”

  —Angie

  “The words God gives you in your stories have such power to reach my emotions. No other author has been able to do that!”

  —Diane

  “Every time our school buys your next new book, everybody goes crazy trying to read it first!”

  —Roxanne

  “Recently I made an effort to find GOOD Christian writers, and I’ve hit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury!”

  —Linda

  Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com

  Visit Karen Kingsbury’s Web site and learn more about her Life-Changing Fiction

  at www.KarenKingsbury.com

  TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

  BAXTER FAMILY DRAMA is a trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

  Sunrise

  Copyright © 2007 by Karen Kingsbury. All rights reserved.

  Logo illustration copyright © 2003 by David Henderson. All rights reserved.

  Cover photograph of bride copyright © 2006 by Gina DeConti. All rights reserved.

  Cover background photograph of lake copyright ©2006 by Ame Pastoor/Jupiter Images. All rights reserved.

  Designed by Jennifer Ghionzoli

  Edited by Lorie Popp

  Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Kingsbury, Karen.

  Sunrise / Karen Kingsbury.

  p. cm. — (Sunrise ; #1)

  ISBN 978-0-8423-8747-7 (sc)

  I. Title.

  PS3561.I4873S86 2007

  813′.54—dc22 2007004143

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  A Word from Karen Kingsbury

  Discussion Questions

  Chapter One

  Donald, my prince charming

  I look at all we’ve been through, and I’m amazed. Amazed at the faithfulness of our God and amazed at the way we grow closer, more in love with every passing season. You continue to be my strength, my rock, the leader of our home. We marvel together over the blessings and weep together over the losses. I am, my love, forever yours. Now and always. God has given us the most beautiful sunrise. Now I pray that He might grant us the privilege of walking hand in hand through the journey of parenting and into the sunset beyond. Thanks for dancing with me. I love you forever.

  Kelsey, my precious daughter

  You are very nearly eighteen, a young woman all grown up. Gone are the pigtails and braces, the middle school moments and high school heartaches. College life beckons, just as we always dreamed it would, and I’m breathless from the ride, from the speed of it. But I’ve learned this, my beloved daughter: When I look at you, I see more than the beautiful, godly, grown-up girl you’ve become, more than the one-in-a-million we always knew you to be. I see the three-year-old blonde, blue-eyed pixie who couldn’t say her w’s, jumping up onto my lap on a freezing cold day at the park and telling me, “Mommy, with you I’m warm.” I see, too, the kindergartner all girly with pink ribbons and puffy bangs and the eight-year-old with tears on her cheeks asking Jesus to forgive her for lying and making a promise to love Him forever and always. Your childhood years have brought me millions of moments of joy and laughter, Kelsey. I can only imagine how many more we’ll share in the years ahead. Keep dancing for Jesus, and if you ever get lost, check back with the little girl inside, the one who has always known right from wrong. I believe in you, honey. I love you so much!

  Tyler, my beautiful song

  Somewhere along the way we switched places. Once upon a yesterday you could run to me and jump into my arms. Now you are a six-foot-two teenager, and when we watch a family movie, I can rest my head on your shoulder. Just thinking about that makes me smile through teary eyes, because I love this; I absolutely do. I love the confident young man of God you’re becoming, Ty. And I love that somewhere inside that grown-up-looking body
is the heartbeat of a wide-eyed, happy kid, a boy who still bursts into song as he walks through the house. One of so many things I love best about you is that you’re so kind and loving, that you care about the Lord and others. And of course I love how you are with Kelsey. Could a brother and sister be better friends? When I thank God for all He’s given me, that special laughter and like-mindedness you share with Kelsey is high on my list. The sound of you two dancing and singing to “Friendship” will stay with me forever. Keep using your gifts to glorify Jesus, Ty. I love you, precious oldest son. Always.

  Sean, my wonder boy

  At the end of a day of writing or when life has sometimes thrown me something I wasn’t expecting, I can always count on your hug to lift my cares. Years from now when I look back at our short season of raising children, the picture of you will always be one of your arms outstretched, a smile stretched across your face as you come to me for one of our hugs. God knew you belonged in our family, and I will be grateful forever. It’s that way on the soccer field, too—you leading the way in kindness and team unity. “Strange,” one parent said at our team party last week. “This team has been more closely bonded than any my son has been on.” I wanted to wave my hands and say that I knew why. It’s because of that special something you bring to the group. I saw that during the state cup tournament when you gathered the guys—a bunch of twelve-year-olds—in the middle of the field to pray before the game. Afterwards, when your team lost 8-1, you found me and gave me that big, wholehearted smile. “Mom! Did you see that? Everyone on the team wanted to pray with me!” Keep that, Sean, and you’ll always find your way. I love you so, dear child.

  Josh, my tender tough guy

  I’ve watched you shoot up this past year, and I smile at the glimpse of tomorrow you’re giving me. I love your easy smile, the way you are by nature a leader and a peacemaker and the picture of quiet confidence all at the same time. For a boy who’s good at everything he does, you are remarkably easy to get along with, kind, and compassionate. Hold on to that, Josh. When I peek ahead at the things God may have for your future both in sports and in academics, I’m convinced you’ll need humility and a dependence on Christ above all things. I’m so grateful God brought you to us and that He knew which little boys from that Haitian orphanage belonged here with us. I love you and I cherish the way our relationship is growing closer as the seasons pass. The hugs and smiles, the connection between us is one that will take us into the next chapter of your life and the next after that. I’m so proud of you, Josh. I love you always!

  EJ, my chosen one

  What amazing changes in you these past months! Dad asks me which of our sons I think might’ve aced his math test and the answer—more often lately—is you! You who struggled with learning when you arrived in our home now excel at it! Isn’t God so great? But beyond your academic successes, I’m grateful for your kind and servant heart, EJ. You offer to help on a daily basis, and often you’re the one handling a task before Dad or I know that it needs doing. You have a quiet way of showing that heart for God you’ve been given, and I’m so glad. Your sense of humor is also at the center of our unforgettable moments. Don’t ever lose that ability to make people laugh, because we all need to spend a little more time laughing. I thank God for you, EJ, for leading us to you at the very beginning of our adoption journey. You are my child through and through, no question. I love you forever.

  Austin, my miracle child

  Last year when you celebrated that ninth birthday, I rested assured that I still had another year, another set of seasons before I needed to say good-bye to single digits. But here we are on the brink of your tenth birthday, and I feel dizzy at the thought. Dizzy and grateful in a way that cannot be defined by mere words. I remember how it felt when Daddy and I held you in that small, curtained-off area at Children’s Hospital, how it felt to have just a few minutes to say good-bye—maybe forever this side of heaven. I remember placing you into the arms of the heart surgeon and seeing that he, too, had tears on his face. Five hours later God gave you to us a second time, and I’ve been mindful of that fact ever since. We were given a miracle that day, and with each month and year that pass, I smile to see the zest for life that makes up that special heart of yours. You try hard at all you do, and I can see the gift of learning you’ve been given. Somewhere down the road I’ll know more about the reasons God saved you that long-ago day. But for now I cherish every moment, knowing that none of them would’ve happened if not for the grace of our Savior. They had to sew your IV into your wrist in the days after your infant heart surgery, and even now the scar remains—a scar on the inside of your wrist in the shape of a cross. Never forget what it stands for, Austin. I love you always.

  And to God Almighty, the Author of life,

  who has—for now—blessed me with these.

  Acknowledgments

  This book couldn’t have come together without the help of many people. First, a special thanks to my friends at Tyndale, who have believed in the Baxter family books and worked with me to get this book to my readers sooner than any of us dreamed possible. Thank you!

  Also thanks to my amazing agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. I am amazed more as every day passes at your sincere integrity, your brilliant talent, and your commitment to the Lord and to getting my Life-Changing Fiction out to readers all over the world. You are a strong man of God, Rick. You care for my career as if you were personally responsible for the souls God touches through these books. Thank you for looking out for my personal time—the hours I have with my husband and kids most of all. I couldn’t do this without you.

  As always, this book wouldn’t be possible without the help of my husband and kids, who will eat just about anything when I’m on deadline and who understand and love me anyway. I thank God that I’m still able to spend more time with you than with my pretend people, as Austin calls them. Thanks for understanding the sometimes crazy life I lead and for always being my greatest support.

  Thanks to my mother and assistant, Anne Kingsbury, for her great sensitivity and love for my readers. You are a reflection of my own heart, Mom, or maybe I’m a reflection of yours. Either way we are a great team, and I appreciate you more than you know. I’m grateful also for my dad, Ted Kingsbury, who is and always has been my greatest encourager. I remember when I was a little girl, Dad, and you would say, “One day, honey, everyone will read your books and know what a wonderful writer you are.” Thank you for believing in me long before anyone else ever did. Thanks also to my sisters Tricia and Susan and Lynne, who help out with my business when the workload is too large to see around. I appreciate you!

  And to Olga Kalachik, whose hard work helping me prepare for events allows me to operate a significant part of my business from home. The personal touch you bring to my ministry is precious to me, priceless to me. . . . Thank you with all my heart.

  And thanks to my friends and family, who continue to surround me with love and prayer and support. I could list you by name, but you know who you are. Thank you for believing in me and for seeing who I really am. A true friend stands by through the changing seasons of life and cheers you on not for your successes but for staying true to what matters most. You are the ones who know me that way, and I’m grateful for every one of you.

  Of course, the greatest thanks go to God Almighty, the most wonderful Author of all—the Author of life. The gift is Yours. I pray I might have the incredible opportunity and responsibility to use it for You all the days of my life.

  Forever in Fiction

  A special thanks to Sandra L. Agueda, who won the Forever in Fiction auction at the Canyonside Christian School auction in Jerome, Idaho. Sandra chose to honor her husband, Joe Edgar Agueda, forty-three, by naming him Forever in Fiction.

  Joe Agueda has been married to his high school sweetheart, Sandra, for twenty years. They have three children—Sarah, eleven; Greg, nine; and Lori, six. Joe is the oldest of three siblings. In his spare time, Joe loves fishing or pla
ying games with his kids and attending football games.

  Joe also enjoys vacationing in Santa Cruz, California, and going to professional Portuguese bullfights in Stevinson, California, each summer. He likes all Portuguese festivals and attends them throughout the year in Wendell and Jerome, Idaho. He cherishes his time with his family and drives his kids to school every day. Joe finds great pleasure in working on his dairy farm, rolling up his sleeves alongside the other employees. He speaks three languages—Portuguese, English, and Spanish.

  Joe’s friends know him for being loyal, honest, bighearted, and a devoted Christian family man. He’s a big guy with big hands and a big love for the people in his life. He has a great sense of humor. Joe came to the United States in 1974 at age eleven from São Jorge, Azores Islands, Portugal, where he was born. He moved to Jerome, Idaho, with his wife in 1989 to realize his dream of starting a dairy farm. He considers the births of his children among the most significant events in his life.

  You’ll notice that Joe Agueda’s character in Sunrise is a retired police officer who volunteers to work the sidelines of the Clear Creek High School football games. His character is influential in helping the football players realize the dangers of underage drinking and drunk driving. I chose to name this character after Joe because my fictitious retired police officer seemed much like Joe in his love for football and kids and family and faith. I have a feeling if Joe were asked to run security at his town’s local football games in Idaho, he would do it, and along the way he would offer whatever advice he could to the young players.

  Sandra Agueda, I pray that your husband, Joe, is honored by your gift and by his placement in Sunrise and that you will always see a bit of Joe when you read his name in the pages of this novel, where he will be Forever in Fiction.