Christie Purifoy - Roots and Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons

I imagined writing a book would be a solitary project, but now, at the end of it all, I remember with gratitude all those whose wisdom, encouragement, and love helped transform my black-and-white dream into a full-color reality. Thank you.

To everyone at Revell, especially my editor Andrea Doering.

To Lisa-Jo Baker, because word-loving friends are rare and precious. Thank you for seeing the book in the book proposal and for introducing me and my idea to Bill Jensen.

To my agent, Bill, for your enthusiasm, your experience, and your eagerness to talk books, music, and gardens.

To Allison Duncan who read drafts and gave me the books that would shape my own, and to Amy Knorr who prayed with me, studied Scripture with me, and gave me the gift of fruitful conversation.

To the writers who shared generously of their editorial skill, their professional contacts, and their publication experience, especially Amy Peterson, Shawn Smucker, and Ed Cyzewski.

To those who first made room for my stories at the table, including Lisa Velthouse, Shelly Miller, and Sarah Bessey and those who continue to do so, including Kris Camealy and Jenni Simmons.

To the inspiring writers who have also become friends, especially Laura Brown, Summer Gross, and Kimberley Coyle.

To Chelsea Hudson, for the gifts of friendship and photography. To Julie Collins, for reading endless books with Elsa so that I could slip away and write.

To Courtenay Bowser, for bringing me cool water while I walked in the wilderness.

To Jessica Suk, Aimee Tucker, and Melissa Baird. How poor I would be without your friendship. To Kelli Campbell and Lisa Ulrich, my sisters and my first readers.

To my parents, Mark and Lexie Day and Tom and Myrna Purifoy, for everything, but especially for showing your children The Way.

To my children, Lillian, Thaddeus, Beau, and Elsa. Without you Maplehurst would be only a house, never a home.

To Jonathan, for making my dreams come true with love, hard work, and a table saw.

And, finally, thank you to the Maker of this wild, beautiful world. Thank you for giving me the one thing I desired most: a song to sing.