On Every Side

by Karen Kingsbury

  Then God led us to a wonderful Christian orphanage in Haiti called Heart of God Ministries. We found our little boys on a photolisting on their Web site www.hgm.org and prayed for God to open the door for us to adopt them if it was His will. Let's just say God has blessed us indeed, opening the door so wide it came off the hinges!Our three birth children are thrilled about the arrival of their new brothers and have talked about them for nine months as though they're already here.

  A few days ago, three-year-old Austin said, “Mommy will you pick up E. J. and Sean and Joshua from their house?”

  I said, “No, honey They don't have a house.”

  He blinked. “Do they have a castle?”

  I smiled at him and smoothed a finger over his cheek. “No, buddy. They don't have anything. Not even a mommy and daddy”

  With that, baby tears filled his eyes, and this normally rough-and-tumble child said, “Can we be their mommy and daddy?”

  Yes, I believe God has all our hearts ready We anticipate a God-directed transition, safe travel, and a closer walk with Him because of the privilege of caring for these three in addition to our three birth children. Still, there are bound to be speed bumps along the way (for instance, they speak Creole and we don't). Because of that, please pray for us. I'll give you another update at the end of my next book. Until then, blessings to you and yours, humbly in Christ.

  Karen Kingsbury PS. As always, I'd love to hear from you. Write me at my e-mail address: rtnbykk@aol.com

  BOOK CLUB OR BIBLE STUDY GUIDE

  Have you ever prayed for something or someone and felt as though God didn't hear your prayers? How did it make you feel? How do you feel now?

  Did it surprise you to learn that there really was a Jesus statue case? Why or why not? Where do you think our country stands today in terms of religious freedom issues?

  How are you or your family and friends affected by restrictions on religious freedom in the United States?

  To which character in the book can you most relate? Why?

  Consider the main characters. How did they change over the course of the story? In what way is God trying to change or grow you at this stage in your life?

  Read Joshua 5:13-6:20. What are the parallels between that story and the story in this book?

  Jordan lost much as a young teen. What losses have you dealt with and how have you responded to them?

  Have you ever been angry at God because of those losses? Have you ever walked away from God? If so, how are things now between you and God? Why are they that way?

  Read Romans 8:28. God always has our situation under control. His control, not ours. Has there been a time in your life when all seemed lost, but God—in His timing— worked things out for your good? What was that like? How did you feel about God during that time?

  Why did the letter from Jordan's mother change his life? Has anyone ever written you a letter that changed your life? Describe that situation.

  THE

  FOREVER FAITHFUL SERIES

  Waiting for Morning-Book One

  A drunk driver…a deadly accident…a dream destroyed. When Hannah Ryan loses her hus-band and oldest daughter to a drunk driver, she is consumed with hate and revenge. Ultimately, it is a kind prosecutor, a wise widow, and her hus-bands dying words that bring her the peace that will set her free and let her live again.

  A Moment of Weakness—Book Two

  When childhood friends Jade and Tanner reunite as adults, they share their hearts, souls, and dreams of forever—until a fateful decision tears them apart. Now, nearly a decade later, Jade's unfaithful husband wants to destroy her in a cus-tody battle that is about to send shock waves across the United States. Only one man can help Jade in her darkest hour. And only one old woman knows the truth that can set them all free.

  Halfway to Forever—Book Three

  Matt and Hannah…Jade and Tanner—after already surviving much, these couples now face the greatest struggles of their lives: Parental losses and life-threatening illness threaten to derail their faith and sideline their futures. Can Hannah sur-vive the loss of an adopted daughter? Will Tanner come through decades of loneliness only to face losing Jade one final time?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

  Karen Kingsbury is an award-winning author and former reporter for the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News. She is also a recognized author with the Women of Faith Fiction Club. Kingsbuiy lives with her husband and six children in Washington.

  OTHER NOVELS BY

  KAREN KINGSBURY

  WHERE YESTERDAY LIVES

  In the wake of her father's sudden death, Ellen Barrett must journey back to the small town where she grew up and spend a week with antagonistic siblings. In the process, she must reckon with a man who once meant everything to her.

  WHEN JOY CAME TO STAY

  Maggie Stovall is trapped inside a person she's spent years carefully crafting. Now the truth about who she is—and what she's done—is revealed, sending Maggie into a spiral of despair. Will Maggie walk away from her marriage and her foster child in her desperation to escape the mantle of depression cloaking her? Or will she allow God to take her to a place of ultimate honesty before it's too late?

  ON EVERY SIDE

  Jordan Riley, an embittered lawyer, sues his hometown to have a public statue of Jesus removed. The conflict causes him to cross paths with a spirited young newscaster named Faith, who opposes Jordan's suit in surprising ways. Perhaps most amazing of all is how Faith begins to disassemble the walls around Jordan's heart. Will love be enough when the battle rages on every side?

  KAREN KINGSBURY

  AND PRISM COFOUNDER TONI VOGT

  THE PRISM WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM

  The PRISM® Weight Loss Program, founded in 1990, has helped more than 60,000 people transform their eating behaviors with a sensible, lifestyle-change approach. Now available in The Prism Weight Loss Program by bestselling author Karen Kingsbury and PRISM cofounder Toni Vogt, the book shows readers how to not just “tame the monster” of food addiction, but destroy it through simple eating strategies and biblical principles. It includes testimoni-als, descriptions of the authors’ personal struggles with food addiction, details of the program, and a fabulous recipe section that will help readers become the fit people God created them to be.

  Shocking Murder Destroys Deputy's Sense of Justice

  Shattered Justice by bestselling author

  KAREN BALL

  When Sheriff's deputy Dan Justice is called to the scene of a shooting, he feels like he's in a nightmare. He turns over the bodies and discovers a horrifying truth: two of the victims are those dearest to him. Dans world falls apart. How can God be just in light of this crime? Can his sisters and small-town community—especially one woman who loves him—help Dan overcome this tragedy? Or will bitterness and anger shat-ter his entire soul?

  ISBN 978-1-59052-413-8

  WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT

  KAREN KINGSBURY FICTION…

  From Store owners and managers:

  “You are my very favorite fiction author.” —Orchards, WA

  “I highly recommend Karen Kingsbury's fiction.” —Denton, MD

  “I will recommend your books to everyone.” —Medina OH

  “The problem is, that Karen Kingsbury doesn't write fast enough! “—Wheaton, IL

  “When Joy Came to Stay…One of the best books I've read…. I would definitely recommend this book to my customers, because it will bring a smile to their face, a tear in their eye, and deeper understanding of God's grace.—Winston-Salem, NC

  “What a heart stopper! Stayed up till 2 A.M. just to see what hap-pens next. Truly brings the power of our loving, forgiving, God to light. I have already, SEVERAL times suggested your books to my customers! “—Canton, OH

  “When I received this book by Karen Kingsbury I was excited. I've read other books by her and loved them. The advertisement of needing Kleenex when you read her books is true. By all means I will be recommending this book to
my customers.” — Auburn AL

  “Another magnificent book. You can be sure we will make this book a bestseller at our Christian bookstore.” — Birmingham, AL

  From Readers:

  “You are unbelievably gifted. In my mind, you are to inspirational fiction what Charlie Parker was to the saxophone, what Mark McGwire is to the home run, what Michael Jordan is to basket-ball, what Tiger Woods is to golf. You are that good.” —M.A.

  “Best book I have read in months.”

  “I just wish you could write as fast as I can read! “—T.W

  “Time to Dance…I wish this book could be mandatory before a couple could get a marriage license in any state in the U.S.” —E.L.

  “You are the best of all writers.” —S.C.

  “I am the librarian at our church. We are encouraging all our regu-lar readers to get started reading your books.” —M.M.

  “Your well-written words really made a HUGE difference in my life.” —J.P

  “You are a great story teller! God has truly blessed you and in turn you are blessing others by using that talent.” —D.D.

  “God has given you an awesome ability to capture all the pain and emotions in word form that a person can feel in each situation and draw the reader in. I have to keep tissues handy! “—R.B.

  “I have recently discovered your books and I love them! “—M.G.

  “A Time To Dance…I absolutely couldn't put it down. It touched me so deeply. Thank you for your Godly wisdom.” —D.M.

  “In the past two weeks I have read: Where Yesterday Lives, Waiting far Morning, and A Moment of Weakness. All I can say is, WOW! God has given'you a tremendous gift of storytelling. These char-acters are so believable.” —-J.P

  “After reading your last book I was thrilled to that you had writ-ten another! I was not disappointed! The tears are still fresh on my face as I write you this email.” —PE

  “I must tell you how I loved your book, A Moment of Weakness! You are an incredible author.” —K.C.

  “I read your book in one day I couldn't put it down. I wanted to thank you for writing such a powerful novel. It really ministered to me.”

  “The chores went ignored and the kids ran wild, but I had to fin-ish your book.”

  “Kingsbury took us into the main character's world so well that I could feel the depression and hopelessness. That's what I call a good writer. I will recommend this book to other readers.” —VE

  “Thank you for taking a stand against moral impurity.”

  “I can't wait until your next book—then the next one—then the next one….” —R.H.

  “You are a very talented writer and your books have such an impact on me.” —J.B.

  “I can use your novels to give to non-Christian friends when they won't read the Bible.” —PS.

  “I am recommending your books to friends and pray that the Master will keep more coming!”

  “Thank you so much for sharing your talent with the rest of us.” —J.W

  “I just finished A Time To Dance and it was soooooooo gooooooooooddddd! I didn't want the story to end. Now I'm left wondering what in the world to read next.” —M.L.

  “Thank you so much for writing such wonderful books…. They are hazardous to my housework! “—L.B.

  “You have a gift.” —A.R.

  “You have a new fan! “—D.H.

  “I have enjoyed reading your books! I am an avid reader of Christian fiction and serve as the librarian at my church. I can't wait to share the three I have with the ladies in my church! “—S.A.

  “I have read every one of your books and I am blessed and inspired by every story You have a wonderful way of spinning words. I recommend them to everyone.” —J.L.

  “When I think you can't top your last book, you go and do it again.” —D.R.

  “Your book caused me to reflect on my own choices and believe that God still has a plan for me to give me a hope and a future.” —K.D.

  “I want to collect them all! “—L.H.

  “A Moment of Weakness… is the best book I have ever read.”

  “Karen Kingsbury never ceases to amaze me with what she comes up with! “—J.E

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ON EVERY SIDE

  published by Multnomah Books

  A division of Random House, Ine

  © 2001 by Karen Kingsbury

  Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc.,

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

  Scripture quotations are taken from

  The Holy Bible, New International Version © 1973, 1984 by International Bible

  Society, used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House

  Excerpts from the hymn GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS by Thomas O. Chisholm © 1923, Ren. 1951 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

  Multnomah and its mountain colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior wntten permission.

  For information:

  Multnomah Books

  12265 Oracle Boulevard, Suite 200 • Colorado Spnngs, CO 80921

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

  On every side / by Karen Kingsbury.

  p. cm.

  eISBN: 978-0-307-56231-9 I. Title.

  1-59052-752-6(pbk.)

  PS3561.I4873 052 2001 813’.54—dc21 2001001643

  v3.0

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Copyright