A C K NO W L E DGME N T S Perhaps you’ve heard the story about the proud woodpecker who was tapping away at a dead tree when a storm moved in, the sky turned black, and the thunder began to roll. Undaunted, the woodpecker kept right on working. Suddenly a bolt of lightning struck the old tree, splintering it into hundreds of pieces. Startled but unhurt, the haughty bird flew off, screeching to his feathered friends, “Hey, everyone, look what I did! Look what I did!” I’d live each day with the fear of being struck by lightning if I ever said anything to suggest that I could have written and delivered this book all by myself. This book is the result of the influence, encouragement, support, love, investment, generosity, flexibility, and talent of a myriad of beautiful people. Rhonda, my wife, I cherish and adore you. My life would be a joke without you. You are an extraordinary woman who makes life in our home but an earlier Heaven. No one knows the sacrifices you make each time I embark on a project like this—but I do, and I’m so very grateful. I love you, babe. Ashton, Levi, Sylas, and Payton, I wouldn’t trade you for all the money in the world. Have fun storming the castle! Linda Chambers, my mom, you are the strongest and most Christlike woman I know. I am who I am because you are who you are. I love you. John and Mary Smith, my in-laws, you are amazing. I’m so grateful for the way you love my family. I’m holding you to your promise about the lava lamp! My siblings, their spouses, and children are thoroughbreds all. Leigh-Angela, Jeff, and Hunter Holbrook; Leslie, Shan, Taylor, Connor, and Kendall Wood; Adam, Patricia, and Elias Chambers—It’s impossible for you to know how much I love you.
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