Coming Home Read online

  KAREN

  KINGSBURY

  NEW YORK TIMES

  BESTSELLING AUTHOR

  THE BAXTER FAMILY

  Coming Home

  A Story of Undying Hope

  DEDICATION

  To Donald, my Prince Charming …

  ANOTHER YEAR BEHIND US, AND ALREADY Tyler has finished his first year at Liberty University, while Kelsey is now a married woman. I’ll never forget watching you walk our sweet girl down the aisle. Hard to believe that precious wedding-planning season has come and gone. Isn’t our Lord so faithful? Not just with our kids, but in leading our family where He wants us to be. Closing in on a year in Nashville, and it’s so very clear that God wanted us here. Not just for my writing and to be near Christian movies and music — but for our kids, and even for us. I love how you’ve taken to this new season of being more active in my ministry, and helping our boys bridge the gap between being teenagers and becoming young men. And now that you’re teaching again we are both right where God wants us. Thank you for being steady and strong and good and kind. Hold my hand and walk with me through the coming seasons — the graduations and growing up and getting older. All of it’s possible with you by my side. Let’s play and laugh and sing and dance. And together we’ll watch our children take wing. The ride is breathtakingly wondrous. I pray it lasts far into our twilight years. Until then, I’ll enjoy not always knowing where I end and you begin. I love you always and forever.

  To Kyle, my newest son …

  KYLE, YOU AND KELSEY ARE MARRIED now, and forevermore we will see you as our son, as the young man God planned for our daughter, the one we prayed for and talked to God about and hoped for. Your heart is beautiful in every way, Kyle. How you cherish simple moments and the way you are kind beyond words. You see the good in people and situations and you find a way to give God the glory always. I will never forget your coming to me and Donald at different times and telling us that you wanted to support Kelsey and keep her safe — and ultimately that you wanted to love her all the days of your life. All of it is summed up in the way you do one simple action: The way you look at our precious Kelsey. It’s a picture that will hang forever on the wall of my heart. You look at Kelsey as if nothing and no one else in all the world exists except her. In your eyes at that moment is the picture of what love looks like. Kyle, as God takes you from one stage to another — using that beautiful voice of yours to glorify Him and lead others to love Jesus — I pray that you always look at Kelsey the way you do today. We thank God for you, and we look forward to the beautiful seasons ahead. Love you always!

  To Kelsey, my precious daughter …

  MY PRECIOUS DAUGHTER, YOU ARE MARRIED now. I think of the dozens of books where I’ve written about you in these front pages, how you have literally grown up in dedications. The days when you were in middle school and high school, college and engaged. All of it has been detailed in the dedications of my books. And now you are Kelsey Kupecky. Your wedding was the most beautiful day, a moment in time destined from the first thought of you and Kyle in the heart of God. Kyle is the guy we’ve prayed for since you were born. God created him to love you, Kelsey — and you to love him. He is perfect for you, an amazing man of God whose walk of faith is marked by kindness, integrity, determination, and passion. We love him as if we’ve known him forever. Now, as you two move into the future God has for you, as you seek to follow your dreams and shine brightly for Him in all you do, we will be here for you both. We will pray for you, believe in you, and support you however we best can. With Kyle’s ministry of music and yours in acting, there are no limits to how God will use you both. I rejoice in what He is doing in your life, Kelsey. He has used your years of struggle to make you into the deeply rooted, faithful young woman you are today. Keep trusting God, keep putting Him first. I always knew this season would come — and now it is here. Enjoy every minute, sweetheart. You will always be the light of our family, the laughter in our hearts, the one-in-a-million girl who inspired an entire series. My precious Kelsey, I pray that God will bless you mightily in the years to come, and that you will always know how He used this time in your life to draw you close to Him and to prepare you for what’s ahead. In the meantime, you’ll be in my heart every moment. I love you, sweetheart.

  To Tyler, my lasting song …

  IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE YOU’RE ALREADY finished with your first year of college, ready for the next season of challenges and adventures. I love that it’s summer now, and once again you are home. Especially when having a home in Nashville is something new to you. Considering how quickly we made the move to the south, it’s amazing you have any sense of home at all. But that will come, and you’ve handled the changes so well. Along the way you have grown into an amazing godly young man. Your blog, Ty’s Take, is being followed by so many of my readers longing to know how God is working in your life while you’re at college. What’s incredible is how you have become such a great writer in the process. I know you are planning to make a ministry-related career out of singing for Jesus on stages from sea to sea. But don’t be surprised if God also puts you at a computer keyboard where you’ll write books for Him, too. Oh, and let’s not forget your gift of directing. So many exciting times ahead, Ty. I can barely take it all in. I still believe with all my heart that God has you right where He wants you. Learning so much — about performing for Him and becoming the man He wants you to be. You are that rare guy with a most beautiful heart for God and others. Your dad and I are so proud of you, Ty. We’re proud of your talent and your compassion for people and your place in our family. And we’re proud you earned a scholarship to Liberty University. However your dreams unfold, we’ll be in the front row cheering loudest as we watch them happen. Hold on to Jesus, son. Keep shining for Him! I love you.

  To Sean, my happy sunshine …

  IT’S SUMMER, AND FOR THE FIRST time you get a whole off-season just to focus on basketball! That’s a wonderful thing, but even more wonderful is the way you’ve improved as a student, Sean. You are growing up and listening to God’s lead, and in the process you are taking your studies and your homework so much more seriously. God will bless you for how you’re being faithful in the little things. He has such great plans for you, despite the fact that the move to Nashville wasn’t altogether easy on you. We all left great friends behind in Washington, perhaps you more than the others. But you are open to communicating about your feelings, and you believe with us that the opportunities here are worth pursuing. You’ve always had the best attitude, and now — even when there are hard days — you’ve kept that great attitude. Be joyful, God tells us. And so in our family you give us a little better picture of how that looks. On top of that, I love how you’ve gotten more comfortable talking with me and Dad and Kelsey about your life. Stay that close to us, Sean. Remember, home is where your heart is always safe. Your dream of playing college sports — soccer or basketball — is alive and real. Keep working, keep pushing, keep believing. Go to bed every night knowing you did all you could to prepare yourself for the doors God will open in the days ahead. I pray that as you soar for the Lord, He will allow you to be a very bright light indeed. You’re a precious gift, son. I love you. Keep smiling and keep seeking God’s best.

  To Josh, my tenderhearted perfectionist …

  SOCCER WAS WHERE YOU STARTED WHEN you first came home from Haiti, and soccer is the game that God seems to be opening up for you — both when we were in Washington and here in Nashville. We prayed about what was next, whether you might continue to shine on the football field and the soccer field, or whether God might narrow your options to show you where He is leading. Now we all need to pray that as you continue to follow the Lord in your sports options, He will continue to lead you so that your steps are in keeping with His.
This we know — there remains for you a very real possibility that you’ll play competitive sports at the next level. But even with all your athleticism, I’m most proud of your spiritual and social growth this past year. You’ve grown in heart, maturity, kindness, quiet strength, and the realization that time at home is short. God is going to use you for great things, and I believe He will put you on a public platform to do it. Stay strong in Him, and listen to His quiet whispers so you’ll know which direction to turn. I’m so proud of you, son. I’ll forever be cheering on the sidelines. Keep God first in your life. I love you always.

  To EJ, my chosen one …

  EJ, I’M SO GLAD YOU KNOW just how much we love you and how deeply we believe in the great plans God has for you. With new opportunities spread out before you, I know you are a bit uncertain. But I see glimpses of determination and effort that tell me with Christ you can do anything, son. One day not too far off from here, you’ll be applying to colleges, thinking about the career choices ahead of you and the path God might be leading you down. Wherever that path takes you, keep your eyes on Jesus and you’ll always be as full of possibility as you are today. I expect great things from you, EJ, and I know the Lord expects that, too. I’m so glad you’re in our family — always and forever. I’m praying you’ll have a strong passion to use your gifts for God as you head into your junior year. Thanks for your giving heart, EJ. I love you more than you know.

  To Austin, my miracle boy …

  AUSTIN, I CAN ONLY SAY I’M blown away by your effort this past school year. Leaving Washington and all your friends was not easy—especially for you, since you were our most social student at King’s Way Christian. But rather than grumble and complain or waste time looking back, you simply moved ahead. From that first day when you stepped onto the football field, you have given one-hundred percent of your special heart to everything related to your new school. Of course in the process you’ve made friends and memories because you were willing to pour into this new experience. All of you boys have handled the move so well, but I see you seriously embracing it. Along the way you are becoming such a godly leader, determined to succeed for Him, standing taller — and not just because you’ve grown several inches lately. Austin, I love that you care enough to be and to do your best. It shows in your straight As and it shows in the way you treat your classmates. Of course it absolutely shows when you play any sport. Always remember what I’ve told you about that determination. Let it push you to be better, but never, ever let it discourage you. You’re so good at life, Austin. Keep the passion and keep that beautiful faith of yours. Every single one of your dreams is within reach. Keep your eyes on Him, and we’ll keep our eyes on you, our youngest son. There is nothing sweeter than cheering you boys on — and for you that happened from the time you were born, through your heart surgery until now. I thank God for you, for the miracle of your life. I love you, Austin.

  And to God Almighty, the Author of Life, who has — for now — blessed me with these.

  CONTENTS

  Cover

  Title Page

  FOREVER IN FICTION

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  FROM THE AUTHOR

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  About the Author

  Praise

  Other Life-Changing Fiction™ by Karen Kingsbury

  Copyright

  About the Publisher

  Share Your Thoughts

  FOREVER IN FICTION

  FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW, I’VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF offering Forever in Fiction™ as an auction item at fund-raisers across the country. Many of my more recent books have had Forever in Fiction™ characters, characters inspired by real-life people.

  In Coming Home, I bring you two Forever in Fiction™ characters. The first winners are Albert and Caroline Keck and their family, who won the Desert Christian Academy auction and chose to name their longtime friend Elizabeth Larsen to be Forever in Fiction™. The Keck family and Elizabeth Larsen have been friends for the past thirty-eight years.

  Elizabeth is a beautiful seventy-six-year-old pastor’s wife with blue eyes, blonde hair, and a tall, slender build. She has a love for people. Elizabeth is known throughout her community for her warm personality, hunger for God’s Word, and her ability as an accomplished speaker.

  Elizabeth has been married to Paul, a retired pastor, for forty-five years and together they raised two daughters — Kristi and her sister, Kathy, who at age twenty-seven was called to heaven. They have one granddaughter, Cassidy, who they love spending time with, and they love to vacation at Big Bear Lake and in Hawaii. Elizabeth also enjoys reading, watching sports, listening to music and keeping in touch with friends around the world. Elizabeth is a special visitor in the hospital waiting room in Coming Home. Her kind words of encouragement and compassion make a difference for the Baxter family.

  Keck Family, I hope I’ve captured a glimpse of your amazing friend, Elizabeth, and that you smile when you see her here in the story of Coming Home, where she will always be forever in fiction.

  My second winners are Jules and Lori Griggs, who won Forever in Fiction™ at the Grace Brethren Booster Club Auction in Thousand Oaks. Jules and Lori chose to name their eleven-year-old son, Joey Griggs, as a character in Coming Home. Joey is a rough-and-tumble boy who loves riding quads, playing soccer, baseball, and basketball and never stops moving. Joey is an only child, but he loves spending time with his family in Hawaii or on RV trips. He is kind and compassionate, polite, and funny. In addition to sports, he recently found a love of performing, when he played the trumpet in his school’s Christmas program. In Coming Home, Joey plays the friend of Devin Blake.

  Jules and Lori, I hope you smile when you see your wonderful son in the pages of Coming Home, where he will be forever in fiction.

  A special thanks to both of my auction winners for supporting your various ministries and for your belief in the power of story. I pray that the donations you made to your respective charities will go on to change lives, just as I pray lives will be changed by the impact of the message in Coming Home. May God bless you for your love and generosity.

  For those of you who are not familiar with Forever in Fiction™, it is my way of involving you, the readers, in my stories, while raising money for charities. The winning bidder of a Forever in Fiction™ package has the right to have his or her name, or the name of a loved one, written into one of my novels.

  To date, Forever in Fiction™ has raised more than $200,000 at charity auctions. Obviously, I am able to donate only a limited number of these each year. For that reason, I have set a fairly high minimum bid on this package so that the maximum funds are raised for charities. All money goes to the charity events. If you are interested in receiving a Forever in Fiction™ package for your auction, e-mail your request to [email protected] with the words Forever in Fiction in the subject line.

  In His Light,

  Karen Kingsbury

  One

  WHERE HAD THE YEARS GONE?

  If Ashley Baxter Blake asked herself one question as she set about planning her father’s surprise seventieth birthday it was that one. Where in the world had the years gone? Wasn’t it just yesterday that she was flying off to Paris, determined to outrun the reach of her family, the bond of shared faith? Yesterday when she thought Landon Blake too safe and real love too predictable?

  She walked
across the kitchen of the old farmhouse, the one with the wraparound porch and half a dozen bedrooms framed by old country walls and surrounded by sprawling Indiana acreage. The home where she’d grown up. The Baxter house. Ashley pulled a mug from the cupboard and poured herself a cup of coffee. The comfortable smell of fresh-ground espresso beans and sweet cinnamon filled the air, surrounding her with a million memories.

  It was the first Saturday in June, and she’d promised her son Cole she’d make cinnamon rolls to mark the finish of his sophomore year at Clear Creek High School. And of course to celebrate the mostly As he’d gotten on his finals. But for now the kids were still asleep and Landon was out back working on the rose garden. The one her mother had planted and cared for so well before her death.

  Ashley looked out the window and surveyed the yard and the trees at the edge of their property. Like old friends from a thousand wonderful moments, the memories gathered. The way they were bound to gather as the details of her father’s birthday party came together. Her parents had lived in this very house, after all. The laughter and voices of the five siblings still rang in the walls and from the windows. She took a sip of her coffee and she could see them again. Brooke and Kari and herself … Erin and Luke. Running across the property or fishing at the pond with their father.

  The surprise of their lives was that there weren’t just five Baxter kids. There were six. Pictures of Dayne joined the others in her mind, the times when he first found their family and his place among them. A sigh came from the recesses of Ashley’s heart. How faithful God had been over the years, how full of provision and beauty. And redemption.

  Redemption above all.

  Another sip of her coffee and Ashley couldn’t help but smile. How many times had they prayed as a family in this very kitchen? How often had their father pulled out his old Bible to lend wisdom when all the world felt like it was falling apart, or when decisions seemed too difficult to make? Yes, theirs had been a beautiful life and always at the center there had been her father.