Since this is my first book, I feel like I have a lifetime of people to thank. But first, Jesus: Only you know the extent of what this book cost us, so to you I want to say from the depths of my being: You are worth it, and so much more. May this offering be sweet. Thank you for carrying and sustaining and teaching me, for comforting and encouraging me, for inspiring me, discipling me, and loving me at my darkest. My whole life has been changed by your goodness. I love you.
To Jenni Burke, my agent and friend: It’s impossible to imagine this book’s existence without your steady presence in my life. You saw something in me that I sometimes still have to squint to see. Thank you for your wisdom, expertise, and affirmation; your investment in my life and career; and—most of all—your beautiful, faithful friendship. Ti amo la sorella di mia anima.
To my publishing team at Baker Books: I’m so glad you saw the urgency for meeting this need. Thank you for taking a chance on me and for being a midwife to this message. I’m especially grateful to Rebekah Guzman for immediately grasping the vision for this project and for believing in me as an author when I was still getting used to the idea myself. I’m so grateful! To Patti Brinks for your intuition, inclusiveness, and creative direction, and to Mayuko Fujino for your spectacular art. Collaborating with the two of you to design this cover was one of the greatest joys of this project. To Nicci Jordan Hubert, your editorial input and affirmation have meant more to me than you’ll ever know. Thank you for putting wind in my sails when I needed it. Your first email to me after reading my manuscript might be pinned on my bulletin board forever and ever, amen. To Lindsey Spoolstra and the entire editorial team for seeing this through to completion—thank you.
To my Book Doula Girls for helping pray this book into existence and to the Booker Family Prayer Team, especially Sue, Sandi, Alicia, Marsha, Jess, Eleanor, Grandma Ola, and Grandma Mac: You—along with all the others who pray for us—are God’s generous gift to our family.
To Becca de Souza, Mia Giltinan, Erika Morrison, Alia Hagenbach, Bethany Bassett, Jessica Wolstenholm, Amber Haines, Jennifer Dukes Lee, Lisa Jacobsen, Tsh Oxenreider, and Maria Furlough: For every tear I’ve cried while writing this book, your encouragement surpasses it tenfold. You’ve kept me company over Voxer and held my hand as I poured my guts into the keyboard and became an author. Thank you. And to Amber in particular: I barely know how to thank you for your breathtaking foreword. It means the world to me—you mean the world to me. Thank you.
To Jim Stephens, Ken Helser, Bo Stern, Nancie Carmichael, Mrs. Hurley, Myquillan Smith, and Emily Freeman: Thank you for mentoring me, even when you didn’t realize you were. I love the way you offer your words and hearts to the world. To my Hope*Writers friends, especially my Shop Talk girls, Grief Circle girls, Brian, and Gary: Your feedback, solidarity, and cheerleading throughout my creative process (and my angst!) have been invaluable.
To Dania Watson, Tiffany Lausen, Jason Deutscher, and Ryan Cheney: Thank you for your creative talent and professional expertise, your investment of time, and for recognizing this as an extension of our family’s ministry. To our YWAM supporters: This book is yours too. Thank you for believing in us and standing by us when we needed you.
To our YWAM Australia family, whom we cherish: Thank you for befriending me, mentoring me, growing with me, and having so much fun these last seventeen years. You’ll always be my tribe. This, too, is part of our wave.
To Sister Maximilian for mothering me when I needed it most. To my Tuscany Writers’ Retreat comrades: Thank you for meeting me under the stairs and showing me Jesus among the olive groves. Gelato culture always, hallelujah. To the many precious people who supported us in our grief—too many to name: Thank you for showing up. You are beautiful.
To Mia and Dave, Misti and Randy: You and your littles are our people. My heart aches with gratitude for the gift you’ve been to our family. Love you fiercely, Happy People. To Pastors Steve and Suzanne, Pastors Ken and Linda, and Pastors Glenn and Gabby for continuing to believe in us throughout the many changes and growing pains in all of our lives and ministries. To Emma, Patrina, Sarah, Kris, Tania, JP, Slone, and Mel—your friendship is a gift.
To The Lovelies, the Love A Mama Collective, and my amazing community of readers: Thank you for your years of faithfulness. I want to hug each of you. Like, for reals. To the storytellers at Our Scarlett Stories and the countless women and men who have shared heartbreak and hope with me: Thank you for trusting me with your stories. May you meet with God again in these pages.
To my parents, Gwen and Scott, and my in-laws, Bob and Sylvia: You have given me the greatest gifts in life. How can I express my gratitude? I love you and Andy, Ben and Koz, and our whole wonderful family. You have my heart.
To Levi, Judah, and Micah: I never thought having sons could make a mama so proud. You’ve set my heart ablaze, and I’m so thankful to share life with you. I adore you. Thank you for all the ways you helped me write this book, and for ensuring my cup always runneth over. Together let’s always be brave, be kind, be curious, and know that we are loved, okay?
To Ryan, the love of my life: Thank you for all of the flat whites and flowers and green curries you set next to my keyboard without prompting. Thank you for talking me off the ledge one million times and for your relentless belief in me. The way you have loved me, served me, and championed me during our first decade of marriage is stunning—I see Jesus all over, and in, and through you. You have my gratitude, my admiration, and my deepest love.
To our little ones, Scarlett, Ollie, and Ruby: You are cherished. Our time together is coming.