Acknowledgments

TO SAY I ACKNOWLEDGE GOD may be stating the obvious, but this is my rooftop, and I’m shouting His name from it. He is my inspiration and the fulfillment of it.

I couldn’t have typed The End without my beginning, my dearest husband, Eddie, and my middle, our precious children. There’s nobody like my crew. God led me to “write the vision,” but they were the ones who helped me “run with it.” They filled my coffee cup; prayed with and for me; listened to me rant, rave, and read; kept the laundry flowing; loved on me and cheered for me; made me laugh; became amateur social media specialists, publicists, and personal assistants; and sat dusty in the corner while I holed myself away. I may have been responsible for homeschooling them, but they taught me more than any textbook or literature anthology. While I didn’t get it at first, they made the children’s book I’ll Love You Forever my over-the-top personal testimony. Eddie, thank you for being my safe place. Nick, Kate, Benjamin, Faith, Hillary Grace, Hallie, August . . . my quiver and my heart are full.

But this story wouldn’t have blossomed without strong roots to grow it and anchor it. My parents made sure my sisters and I spent lots of time with our grandmothers, who taught me to hold faith and family dear, no matter how hard it got. My parents always supported me as their daughter, and they never stopped believing in me, the writer, even when my hands were buried deep in a sink full of dirty dishes or cradling one sweet, sleepless baby after another. My sisters and I wouldn’t be who we are—to each other and to our own families—without them. Of course, I wouldn’t have my own peeps without my father- and mother-in-love who produced this amazing man I get to call my husband. They welcomed me as a second daughter and made our children theirs. These two are always there in a pinch and will even pinch us back if we need it. I love them all from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

Of course my family includes those people who also call me friend, across the country and at my church. No way am I as funny or as faithful as they make me think I am, but I always know they’re laughing with me and not at me. They’ve served as trusted resources and early readers, provided comforting shoulders and comfort food, and prayed for, with, and over me. They’ve waited for me to call, and they didn’t hang up when I finally did. When we text, we can use proper punctuation because we get that a period doesn’t mean we’re angry; it’s just the end of a sentence, not the friendship. They know who they are, and what makes it better, we all know whose we are. That makes it so much sweeter.

Since I’m talking about punctuation, here’s an exclamation point for Cynthia Ruchti, my fearless and faithful agent! She and Books & Such Literary took a chance on me and Granny B when other agents were afraid to dip a toe in these unknown waters. She has gripped my hand and patiently led me along, and not just leading but walking alongside, even dragging me when necessary. I appreciate her prayerful intercession and skillful mediation. She is my friend, confidante, and warrior, even if she does put syrup on her grits and voluntarily eats beets. She always knows what to say and when to say it, wisdom and discretion at work. And of course, I must thank her for connecting me with my Tyndale team . . .

Jan Stob is a dream. She made sure what happened in North Carolina didn’t stay there by welcoming me to her Tyndale House family. This project has been a long time comin’, but working with her made it worth the wait. She really listened and then put hands and feet to all she read and heard. I count her as a friend and an unanticipated blessing—the best kind. Caleb Sjogren, my editor, is truly next level. He has sharpened my thoughts and my words, ensuring they were fit for flight as arrows soaring to their designated target. If he has any new wrinkles, he should consider them smile lines that spell my name. And Eva Winters . . . that cover! Just like Granny B, her behind-the-scenes work made such an impact, right there front and center. She was gifted with a beautiful eye for design that totally nailed it.

While I can’t capture it all, I praise God, who can.