Karen Kingsbury - Sunrise

grieve my mothers death in a whole new light . I have recommended the series to everyone I come across. -Peggy

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 Mothers Day, and I read it to everyone and each person cries as I read the words. I now buy it for 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!

Cant 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 goes crazy trying to read it first! -Roxanne

Recently I made an effort to find GOOD Christian writers, and Ive hit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury! -Linda

Karen

KINGSBURY

TYNDALE HOUSe pUBLISHERS, INC. Carol stream, Illinois 2

Visit Tyndales exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com Visit Karen Kingsburys Web site and learn more about her Life-Changing Fiction at www.KarenKingsburycom

TYNDALE and Tyndales quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Sunrise

Copyright 0 2007 by Karen Kingsbury All rights reserved.

Logo illustration copyright 2003 by David Henderson. All rights reserved.

Cover photograph of bride copyright 0 2006 by Gina DeConti. All rights reserved.

Cover background photograph of lake copyright 2006 by Ame Pastoor/Jupiter Images. All rights reserved.

Designed by Jennifer Ghionzoli Edited by Lone Popp Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc.

7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

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

NIV. Copyright 0 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

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

Sunrise Karen Kingsbury.p>

p. cm. - (Sunrise ; #1)

ISBN-13: 978-0-8423-8747-7 (sc) ISBN-10: 0-8423-8747-1 (Sc) I. Title.

PS3561.14873S86 2007

813.54-dc22

2007004143

Printed in the United States of America

13 12 11 10 09 08 07

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Donald, my prince charming

I look at all weve been through, and Im amazed. Amazed at the faithfulness of our God and amazed at the way we grow closer, more in love with every passing season. You continue to be my strength, my rock, the leader of our home. We marvel together over the blessings and weep together over the losses. I am, my love, forever yours. Now and always. God has given us the most beautiful sunrise. Now I pray that He might grant us the privilege of walking hand in hand through the journey of parenting and into the sunset beyond. Thanks for dancing with me. I love you forever.

Kelsey, my precious daughter

You are very nearly eighteen, a young woman all grown up. Gone are the pigtails and braces, the middle school moments and high school heartaches. College life beckons, just as we always dreamed it would, and Im breathless from the ride, from the speed of it. But Ive learned this, my beloved daughter: When I look at you, I see more than the beautiful, godly, grownup girl youve become, more than the one-in-a-million we always knew you to be. I see the three-year-old blonde, blue-eyed pixie who couldnt say her w, jumping up onto my lap on a freezing cold day at the park and telling me, Mommy with you Im warm. I see, too, the kindergartner all girly with pink ribbons and puffy bangs and the eight-year-old with tears on her cheeks asking Jesus to forgive her for lying and making a promise to love Him forever and always. Your childhood years have brought me millions of moments of joy and laughter, Kelsey I can only imagine how

many more well share in the years ahead. Keep dancing for Jesus, and if you ever get lost, check back with the little girl inside, the one who has always known right from wrong. I believe in you, honey I love you so much!

Tyler, my beautiful song Somewhere along the way we switched places. Once upon a yesterday you could run to me and jump into my arms. Now you are a six-foot-two teenager, and when we watch a family movie, I can rest my head on your shoulder.

Just thinking about that makes me smile through teary eyes, because I love this; I absolutely do. I love the confident young man of God youre becoming, Ty. And I love that somewhere inside that grownup-looking body is the heartbeat of a wide-eyed, happy kid, a boy who still bursts into song as he walks through the house. One of so many things I love best about you is that youre so kind and loving, that you care about the Lord and others. And of course I love how you are with Kelsey. Could a brother and sister be better friends? When I thank God for all Hes given me, that special laughter and 4

like-mindedness you share with Kelsey is high on my list. The sound of you two dancing and singing to Friendship will stay with me forever. Keep using your gifts to glorify Jesus, Ty I love you, precious oldest son. Always.

Sean, my wonder boy

At the end of a day of writing or when life has sometimes thrown me something I wasnt expecting, I can always count on your hug to lift my cares. Years from now when I look back at our short season of raising children, the picture of you will always be one of your arms outstretched, a smile stretched across your face as you come to me for one of our hugs. God knew you belonged in our family, and I will be grateful forever. Its that way on the soccer field, too-you leading the way in kindness and team unity Strange, one parent said at our team party last week. This team has been more closely bonded than any my son has been on. I wanted to wave my hands and say that I knew why Its because of that special something you bring to the group. I saw that during the state cup tournament when you gathered the guys-a bunch of twelve-yearolds-in the middle of the field to pray before the game. Afterwards, when your team lost 8-1, you found me and gave me that big, wholehearted smile.

Mom! Did you see that? Everyone on the team wanted to pray with me!

Keep that, Sean, and youll always find your way I love you so, dear child.

Josh, my tender tough guy

Ive watched you shoot up this past year, and I smile at the glimpse of tomorrow youre giving me. I love your easy smile, the way you are by nature a leader and a peacemaker and the picture of quiet confidence all at the same time. For a boy who IS good at everything he does, you are remarkably easy to get along with, kind, and compassionate. Hold on to that, Josh. When I peek ahead at the things God may have for your future both in sports and in academics, Im convinced youll need humility and a dependence on Christ above all things. Im so grateful God brought you to us and that He knew which little boys from that Haitian orphanage belonged here with us. I love you and I cherish the way our relationship is growing closer as the seasons pass. The hugs and smiles, the connection between us is one that will take us into the next chapter of your life and the next after that. Im so proud of you, Josh. I love you always!