Acknowledgements

Somehow my jumble of notes and roughed-out scenes morphed into a book. I’m well aware that this wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for the many friends, family, and experts who worked with me, cheered me on, and prayed for me. Thank you all for offering me your time and skill.

Christine Lindsay, my first-class critique partner and dearest friend, helped shape the story with her keen sense of plot and character, and prayed me through the writing.

Rebecca Middleton, my mother, always believed I’d publish a novel someday. She read through more than one draft with me, and I’m ever grateful for her honest feedback.

My sister, Melanie Miller, read and cheered on my book, as well as double-checked my photography details.

My family endured a few burned dinners and more than a few dust bunnies while I talked to my “imaginary friends.” Their patience means the world to me. And as my youngest daughter has enthusiastically waited for the day she could find the book in the library, I’ve found a new reason to keep writing.

Alice Crider and the WordServe Literary Agency took me on as an unpublished author and supported my book from submission to publication.

The David C Cook team made the publishing process a breeze, and I particularly want to thank editors Tonya Osterhouse and Jean Bloom. Their eye for detail blew me away.

American Christian Fiction Writers mentored me and gave me the tools to write a novel.

My relatives Joyce Bell, Jean Carwile, Elizabeth and Jill Myers, and Kristen Phifer will probably never know how much their encouragement meant to me.

Patricia Abraham kindly acted as a first reader and corrected my Spanish.

Lidiana Burca read an early draft and provided me with a wealth of information on all things Romanian.

Dr. Matt Koepplinger provided me with information on catastrophic hand injuries.

Fr. Cassian Sibley of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia brainstormed with me on the kinds of things a Romanian Orthodox priest in prison might say (or might not say) and directed me to resources on persecution in communist Romania.

Debbie and Jerry Staton worked with me on flood rescues.

My apologies to all if I still got it wrong.

In addition to those who helped with the book’s details, I’d like to thank those who helped me work out its themes. Chris and Karla Carroll and Charles and Leslie Smith of Sienna Family Fellowship influenced my thinking about loving our neighbors as Jesus does. Also, as I wrote The Language of Sparrows, I read and reread Pete Greig’s God on Mute: Engaging the Silence of Unanswered Prayer and Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts for their visions of the unexpected ways God brings us healing. These beautiful books influenced both my story and my life.