Forever

i A DREAM COME TRUE

Katy Is thrilled about her future \ ith I lollywood’s ):1\h \IAIII1C\ s.Ihit as she plans a wedding and looks

a house on the shores of Lake Monroe, she receives I ag’, news. Now everything about the luturc they planned together is hanging 011 the brink. OnlY a miracle ii 11(.11) them find their way through.

o 1\,ik ;Ind MO of the flaxters travel to 1.os Angeles .111,1,.011 through their options. \lid(‘ paparazzi open fire .01 1H 1.151c1 larnilv, Luke helps field requests from the

III(‘ ‘,Mlle time, he must wrestle with feelings !ILI! iimibled him for nearly a year.

A FAMILY’S UNDYING LOVE

1\ the haxter family must pull together one last .1, Ill ol service, a labor of love to help Katy and .II \ hat they’ve always longed for–a chance III ,uiviving tough times, about

I/ NINI hope luom family and deep l’ai(1-1

ii . 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 ,,omewhere 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 1k-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 ieve my mother’s death in a whole new light… . I have It-commended the series to everyone I come across.”-Peggy

iii

iv “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 lor 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 goc, crazy trying to read it first!”-Roxanne

Recently I made an effort to find GOOD Christian writers, and iit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury!”

v

TYNDALE HOUSE PUBLISHERS, INC Carol Stream, Illinois Karen

Kr]

vi

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

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

Logo illustration copyright OD 2003 by David Ilenderson. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of people copyright 0 2005 by hi i.111 MacDonald. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of cabin copyright 0 by Brad Sinimons/Beateworks/Corbis. All rights reserved.

Published in association with the literary agency )1 Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International VersionŽ.

NIVŽ. Copyright 0 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Ilsed by permission of Zondervan. All rights

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are ii.sed fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,

or anizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

This novel is a work of fiction. Is the author’s ima ination or are I or anizanons, or persons, living the author or publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Kingsbury, Karen.

Forever
Karen Kingsbury.p>

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-0764-0 (pbk.

: alk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-4143-0764-0 (phk. alk. paper) I. Title

PS:3561.14873Hin 2007

813’.54-dc222006035170

Library of Congress Cataloging

Kingsbury, Karen.

Forever
Karen Kingsbury. p. cm.p>

Includes bibliographica I re len ISBN-13: 978-1-4143-0764-0 ISBN-10: 1-4143-0764-0 (phk 1. Title

PS:3561.14873Hin 2007

8 13’.54-dc22

Printed in the United States of America Printed in the United States of A Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com www.KarenKingsbury.com

Forever

Copyright Š2007 by Karen Kingsbury. All rights reserved Designed by Jennifer Ghionzoli Ldited by Cork.. Popp Street, t, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Co 80920.

reserved.

Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site Visit Karen Kingsbury’s W b site www.KarenKingsbury.com

-TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill lo Forever

Copyright e 2007 by Karen Kin; Logo illustration copyright 20 Cover photograph of people cop Cover photograph of cabin copy Designed by J nnifer Ghionzoli Ldited by Citric Popp

Published in association with thi Sire t, Suite 200, Colorado Sprir scripture quotations are taken fr

0 1973, 1978, 1984 by Internati reserved.

II 12 1110 09 08 07

7654321

vii Donald, my prince charming

We’ve reached a new year, another season in life, and still I cannot imagine this ride without you. Our kids are flourishing, and so much of that is because of you, because of your commitment to me and to them. You are the spiritual leader, the man of my dreams who makes this whole crazy, wonderful adventure possible. I thank God for you every day. I am amazed at the way you blend love and laughter, tenderness and tough standards to bring out the best in our boys.

Thanks for loving me, for being my best friend, and for finding “date moments”

amid even the most maniacal or mundane times. My favorite times are with you by my side. I love you always, forever.

Kelsey, my precious daughter You are seventeen, and somehow that sounds more serious than the other ages. As if we jumped four years over the past twelve months. Seventeen brings with it the screeching of brakes on a childhood that has gone along full speed until now. Seventeen? Seventeen years since I held you in the nursery, feeling a sort of love I’d never felt before. Seventeen sounds like bunches of lasts all lined up ready to take the stage and college counselors making plans to take my little girl from here and home into a brand-new big world. Seventeen tells me it won’t be much longer. Especially as you near the end of your junior year. Sometimes I find myself barely able to exhale. The ride is so fast at this point that I can only try not to blink so I Won’t miss a minute of it. Like the most beautiful springtime flower, I see you growing and unfolding, becoming interested in current events and formulating godly viewpoints that are yours alone. The same is true in dance, where you are simply breathtaking onstage. I believe in you, honey. Keep your eyes on Jesus and the path will be easy to follow. Don’t ever stop dancing. I love you.

Tyler, my beautiful song Can it be that you are fourteen and helping me hring down the dishes from the top shelf? Just yesterday people would call and confuse you with Kelsey. Now they confuse you with your dad-in more ways than one. You are on the bridge, dear son, making the transition between Neverland and Tomorrowland and becoming a strong, godly young man in the process. Keep giving Jesus your very best, and always remember that you’re in a battle. In today’s world, Ty, you need His armor every day, every minute. Don’t forget … when you’re up there onstage, no matter how bright the lights, I’ll be watching from the front row, cheering you on. I love you.

viii Sean, my wonder boy

Your sweet nature continues to be a bright light in our home. It seems a lifetime ago that we first brought you-our precious son-home from Haiti. Its been my great joy to watch you grow and develop this past year, learning more about reading and writing and, of course, animals. You’re a walking encyclopedia of animal facts, and that, too, brings a smile to my face. Recently a cold passed through the family, and you handled it better than any of us. Smiting through your fever, eyes shining even when you felt your worst. Sometimes I try to imagine if everyone everywhere had your outlook-what a sunny place the world would be. Your hugs are something I look forward to, Sean. Keep close to Jesus.

I love you.

Josh, my tender tough guy

You continue to excel at everything you do, but my favorite time is late at night when I poke my head into your room and see thatonce again-your nose is buried in your Bible. You really get it, Josh. I loved hearing you talk about baptism the other day, how you feel ready to make that decision, that commitment to Jesus. At almost twelve, I can only say that every choice you make for Christ will take you closer to the plans He has for your life. That by being strong in the Lord, first and foremost, you’ll be strong at everything else. Keep winning for Him, dear son. You make me so proud. I love you.

EL my chosen one

You amaze me, Emmanuel Jean! The other day you told me that you pray often, and I asked you what about. “I thank God a lot,” you told me. “I thank Him for my health and my life and my home.” Your normally dancing eyes grew serious. “And for letting me be adopted into the right family.” I still feel the sting of tears when I imagine you praying that way. I’m glad God let you be adopted into the right family too. One of my secret pleasures is watching you and Daddy becoming so close. I’ll glance over at the family room during a play-off basketball game on TV, and there you’ll he, snuggled up close to him, his arm around your shoulders As long as Daddy’s your hero you have nothing to worry about. You couldn’t have a better role model. I know that Jesus is leading the way and that you are excited to learn the plans He has for you. But for you, this year will always stand out as a turning point. Congratulations, honey! I love you.

ix Austin, my miracle child

Can my little boy be nine years old? Even when you’re twenty-nine you’ll be my youngest, my baby. I guess that’s how it is with the last child, but there’s no denying what my eyes tell me. You’re not little anymore. Even so, I love thatonce in a while-you wake up and scurry down the hall to our room so you can sleep in the middle. Sound asleep I still see the blond-haired infant who lay in intensive care, barely breathing, awaiting emergency heart surgery. I’m grateful for your health, precious son, grateful God gave you back to us at the end of that long-ago day. Your heart remains the most amazing part of you, not only physically, miraculously, but because you have such kindness and compassion for people. One minute tough boy hunting frogs and snakes out back, pretending you’re an Army Ranger, then getting teary eyed when Horton the Elephant nearly loses his dust speck full of little Who people. Be safe, baby boy. I love you.

And to God Almighty, the Author of life,

who has-for now-blessed me with these.

x

xi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book couldn’t have come together without the help of many people. First, a special thanks to my friends at Tyndall, who have believed in this series and worked with me to get this fifth 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.