In This Moment (The Baxter Family #2)
Karen Kingsbury
To Donald: Well . . . we are into our second year as empty-nesters. I never liked that term. And I can tell you now with all my heart that there’s been nothing empty about our lives. It’s been full of beautiful walks and meaningful talks, nights when we randomly jump into the car and spend an evening with Kelsey and Kyle and little Hudson. We play tennis and Ping-Pong and hang out with friends. And yes, we miss having our family all together every day. But when they come home the celebrating never ends. Yes, I’ve loved raising our kids with you, but now I love this season, too. God has brought us through so many pages in our story. The Baxter family came to life while we were raising our kids. When they told stories around the family dinner table, we were doing the same. And when their kids auditioned for Christian theater, our kids were singing the same songs. Our family is—and always will be—inexorably linked with the Baxters. Thank you for creating a world where our love and life and family and faith were so beautiful that I could do nothing but write about it. So that some far-off day when we’re old and the voices of our many grandchildren fill the house, we can pull out books like this one and remember. Every single beautiful moment. I love you.
To Kyle:
You will always be the young man we prayed for, the one we believed God for when it came to our precious only daughter. You love Kelsey so well, Kyle. And you are such a great daddy to Hudson. You are a man of God and talented in so many ways. Thank you for bringing us so much joy. We pray that all the world will one day be changed for the better because of your music, your books, your love, and your life.
To Kelsey:
What an amazing season this has been, watching as you became the best mommy ever through all the firsts of Hudson’s life. Little Hudson is such a happy two-year-old, such a miracle. His laughter rings in my heart always. What a beautiful time for us all! Hudson is strong and kind and joyful, with a depth that defies his age. God is going to use him in powerful ways. And God will continue to use you, also, Kelsey. You and Kyle and Hudson—and whatever other kids God might bring your way. Your family is a very bright light in this world . . . and I know that one day this generation will look to you all as an example of how to love well. I treasure our time together. Every moment is another best day. Love you with all my heart, honey.
To Tyler:
Watching you take wing this past year has been another of life’s great joys. Long ago when I imagined you graduating from college and moving out on your own, I thought it would be with tears and sadness. The quiet in the front room where once the sound of you playing the piano filled our nights. The empty space where you once made your bedroom. But last year caught me by surprise. I was simply too happy for you to find time to be sad. You shine so brightly for Jesus—your songwriting, your singing, your screenwriting, your novel writing. The amazing group of godly friends the Lord has surrounded you with. All of it is wonderful! God has great things ahead, and as always I am most thankful for this front-row seat. Oh, and I’m also thankful for the occasional night when you stop by for dinner and a few songs on the piano. You are a very great blessing, Ty. Love you always.
To Sean:
I’m so glad you’re doing so well at Liberty University, working on your degree and growing in faith and strength as a man. You have come so far, Sean. Your dad and I are so proud of you! From the first day we held you, we knew your spirit was bright and that you were born with a beautiful kindness. You love God and people with a passion and joy that survived your first five years in Haiti. And you continue to use the heartache of those early days to lead people to Christ. Keep talking to us about your hopes and dreams. Keep asking us about romance. We are here for you always! I am convinced God has amazing plans ahead for you, Son. I love you forever.
To Josh:
Just yesterday you were that little six-year-old boy, staring up at me with those beautiful brown eyes, saying, “Hi, Mommy. I love you.” How the years have flown since then. Now you’re married and living in Florida with Makayla, the girl we have prayed for all these years. You’re grown up and on your own! Always remember that having a relationship with Jesus is the most important gift you will ever give your family. You belong to Him, Josh. You always have. As you lead your family in the years to come, as you walk out your faith together, just know how much we love you. We believe in you. We are here for you always!
To EJ:
What a tremendous time this is for you, EJ. You are doing so well at Liberty University, so excited about the career in filmmaking you have chosen. I love how God knew—even all those years ago when you first entered our family—that you would need to be with people who loved Him and who loved each other . . . but also people who loved the power of storytelling. I’m so excited about the future, and the ways God will use your gifts to intersect with the gifts of so many others in our family. Maybe we should start our own studio—making movies that will change the world for God. I love it! And I love you—always.
To Austin:
I knew you would blossom at Liberty University, and so you have. God has been faithful, speaking to you about your future, opening doors to your dreams. You are a leader and an example to your peers, and I am so proud of you. I’m grateful I can see you boys when I travel to Liberty University to teach, so many happy times together. So many beautiful breaks and special family times. But even as you are midway through your second year of college, I still miss you in the everydayness, Austin. You are still such a light in our home, our miracle boy. Our overcomer. You are my youngest, and no question the hardest one to let go. The quiet here is so . . . quiet. Even with your dad’s jokes and little Hudson’s visits. So . . . while you’re at Liberty, on still nights when you lie awake in your dorm, just know that we have cherished every moment of raising you. And we are still here. We always will be. Keep putting God first, and keep following the path He has for you. Love you forever, Aus.
And to God Almighty, the Author of Life, who has—for now—blessed me with these.
Those who stand for nothing . . . fall for anything.
—Alexander Hamilton
1
Wendell Quinn walked into his office that September morning with a plan. But he also had a problem.
Well, truth be told, he had a bushel of problems.
As principal of Hamilton High School, situated between Haughville and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on the rough side of the city, Wendell’s students were routinely killed in gang violence and regularly locked up for dealing drugs. They traded their futures for grand theft auto or attempted murder or a life of skipping school, and too many of them were left with the dead-end futures their choices created.
Test scores and graduation rates lay drowning in the gutter, respect for teachers was at an all-time low, teen pregnancy was epidemic and suicide was on the rise.
Wendell had tried every means possible to change the situation at Hamilton High.
Because of his efforts, the school used a positive incentive program, rewarding good behavior and high grades with exemption from final exams. Local businesses had donated goods and discount coupons for students on the honor roll.
He’d gotten creative with discipline, too.
Wendell had doubled suspensions and expulsions for bad behavior. Teachers used a demerit system to deter students causing the most trouble. On top of that, his team of guidance counselors had brought in a number of guest speakers.