A woman from Alaska writes her new friend a letter and tells her more about her family. She met Louisiana Sandusky at a picnic for adoptive families, which was held in Nashville, Tennessee, where Louisiana lives.
Weds., September 1, 2004~
Dear Louisiana:
I was happy to have gotten to meet so many wonderful families at the AASK picnic which was held in Tennesee this past Sunday; what a wonderful get together, and what a great way to meet so many new friends! It was especially my pleasure to have gotten to meet you and your (slightly large) family!
To tell you more about myself, Louisiana, my name is Anna Arnette King, and Bob (he's my husband) and myself adopted 11 children, most from Alaska (Leena Grace--17, Adam Howell--15, Sikik Lauren--13, Aqsuk Paul--11, Igri Daniel--9, Kai Ingrid--7, Sitka Thomas--6, Naiomi Paulene--6, Piper Michelle--5, Tyorek Skye--3, and the baby, Victoria--Tori--Grace, who is now nine and a half months old). Of our children, only Leena, and Adam are non-Alaskan, and they are our only foreign-born children. Leena came to us from an orphanage in India, and Adam came to us from Vietnam. Both came to us when they were really small; so we have had them both a very long time. They have grown into such beautiful teenagers, and they have blessed our lives tenfold! I am a homeschool teacher, and my husband works for the oil company Exxon; and we never have had to worry about money. When things got tight, God always provided, and He still does! God is very important in our lives; and we go to a nondenominational church here in Anchorage, where we live.
As you saw, all of our kids are disabled, and most have Down's; but Leena was born with a twisted spine which left her paralyzed and depending on a wheelchair (or a wheeled walker for short trips), and Adam was born a little person; so he looks more like four or five than a boy of 11; but despite his lack of size, he has a gigantic personality, and nothing, not even spills, slows him down! Also Piper has JRA and uses forearm crutches and wears leg braces, just like your daughter, Ronee'; and the three-year-old (that's Tyorek, or Ty for short) has muscular dystrophy like your son, Johnathon, and like Johnny, he has Duchenne's, which about devastated us; but he has such a good spirit and outlook about us, and he is always doing his best to cheer us up whenever we are feeling sad about his disability and uncertain future. Always has a smile on his face, our Ty; he is such a charmer, and we are so happy that he is ours!
Now you know more about us. Please do tell us more about you and your beautiful family! It was such a joy getting to meet you at the AASK picnic on Sunday, and we can't wait to see or meet you again! You gave us hope, and you gave us encouragement; and for that we are eternally grateful! Thanks for lifting our spirits, and thanks for the hugs and prayers! And thank you, too, Louisiana, for the copy of your book, "A Family Made Out Of Rainbows and Miracles: The Sandusky Family Story--A True Story of International Adoption"; we shall look forward to reading it and getting to know more about you and your International Family! What a testimony you have; we have never met any family quite like yours, and we will never forget you as long as we shall live!
I do hope that we can pass by each other's way again; you were such a delight to talk to, and you made us feel so welcome! Thank you again for all you have done in the brief time that we got to visit! I hope to hear from you soon!
Until I hear from you, Louisiana, you take care of that beautiful bunch of Miracle Children, and God bless each and every one of you mightily!
(((HUGS))) and much love from Alaska, your new friend, Anna Arnette King.
Want to review or comment on this short story?
Need a FREE Reader Membership?
Reviewed by Norma OGrady
9/2/2004
you have done it again!
another great write
Yeshua bless
I still haven't gotten all of your other characters straight, and you are bring more into your world!!! You are braver than I am!!! This is a promising new series and I look forward to reading much more!
Reviewed by Susan Barton
9/1/2004
I'm with Karla! You must have a nud like a steel trap to keep up with it all.
more characters! i'm still trying to figure out the sandusky clan! LOL how you keep them straight is beyond me--that takes massive amounts of talent--and you've got it in spades, let me tell you! *APPLAUSE* BRAVA! well done!
The familiar lament of dual-career parents raising children is, "I just can't do it all." The Libra Solution provides an alternative - a more satisfying and sustainable work and life approach - to the overwrought modern day norm.
Let this coming of age story of a boy named Bean take you back to a simple time. Set in a small southern town in the 1960's, encircled by a river and gleaming white cotton fields.
It's almost Christmas. Lynn Basil is writing her last book about a secret entrance into the magical doll land of Sha Bebe that she loves so much. Bagannos have taken over the world! Lynn finally meets her dolls in real life. Can she write in a Secret
Weds., September 1, 2004~
