Tonya Givens in Racine, Wisconsin, tries to get some of her emails answered before any more storms come through her area.
Tues., June 8, 2005, 3:36 p.m., E.D.T.~
Dear Louie May~
I hope and pray you are okay over there in Nashville, Tennessee: Here we have had horrible weather; we have had storms (INCLUDING tornadoes!); and we have been living in our basement the past several days (and nights)! We did have some damage to some apple trees in our yard, but our place otherwise escaped the worst of the damage; there are places here that got hit pretty hard, and the power has just come back on after it went out a day-and-a-half ago! The weather has been tumultuous, and every time we hear the tornado sirens wail, here we are, going to the basement, to wait out the storms! We are a bunch of nervous wrecks!!
I hope and pray the weather is much nicer there; have heard that there are meteors scheduled, and I would hate to miss them! But I am afraid I will because the weather has NOT been at ALL nice here! It is the start of our severe weather season, and if there is ONE thing I DON'T like, it's STORMS!!
Thank you for telling me about Bill, Johnny, and Ronee'. Bill sounds like a very nice man, and Johnny and Ronee' sound like delightful children! I would love for you to tell me about your other kids! I also enjoyed reading about Roberto, but he sounds like quite the little handful! YIKES! LOL
No, Wynn didn't hurt himself when he fell, thank goodness, but he DID bump his head; that is why he was crying. But he is okay, thank God!! Brandon, Gabriel, Trevor, Ethan, and Tanner are all well, and they really enjoy playing with one another; and we are so grateful that we have given them a home they may not have otherwise had! It is fun watching them learning English and becoming "Americanized"; but things are still relatively new to the younger members, and it is a fun, neverending adventure for both us AND the boys!
I am also learning about special needs, thanks to the kids; they may all be disabled to the eye, but I am learning that even with their "problems", they are still typical little boys, and they are so fun! I love buying them new clothes and toys, and I love watching Gabe's interaction with his sons, and enjoying the laughter that rings out! Being a mother is so rewarding, especially when a little one wraps his arms around your neck and tells you in his sweet voice that he loves you! Such precious moments are enough to cause my eyes to tear up, each and every time!!
I heard from Kendra in California; she says she writes to you, and that she has met you. She told me that she adopted a little girl, Chelsea, who has cerebral palsy, and that they are adding another child from Sri Lanka to the family. She seems very nice! She also told me that you are in the process of adopting a little girl from Romania into your family! Is this true , or is this just a rumor? I am all ears; please let me know!! How exciting!! What is the name of your child to be, and how old is she? Is she healthy, or she disabled? I hope you get the little girl into your family; that would be SUPER!!
Well, I know you are busy with YOUR village LOL, so I will let you go. Take care, Louie, and write back as soon as you can!! I am DYING to hear about the little Romanian child!! God bless you too!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Racine, Wisconsin, Tonya Michelle. :)
Karen every time you write one of these stories it bring tears to my eyes. It is so wonderful that you can write about love and acceptance for children who are disabled and different. I am very different, and even though I have the use of all of my limbs, and my mind, as a child I was hated, thrown away, unaccepted, beaten up, called very nasty names. I lost my faith for many years because I thought that this was God's way of punishing me, for being different. It has only been in the last few years that I have regained my faith in God and the wodnerful things he can do. Now I have acceptence, I have love (I think), and to some degree I guess, I have understanding. But all of my friends, both here and in person, are very important to me. My family is very important to me. I have passed my stress test, and I am going back to work...so my life's dream; my life's goal, is in sight, and it terrifies me. But this letter is very beautiful, even tho I cried because I didn't have what the children in this story have at their age. May the Lord Jesus bless you, and those whom you love, and be with you always, and at your side constantly. With much love in my heart, stubborn to a fault, joy to the world, peace on earth,& ((((((((((MANY WONDERFUL SISTERLY HUGGGGSSSS)))))))))), your little terrified sister, Barbie
"If I have to be this girl in me, Then I may as well be."
At least they HAVE basements they can go to, day and night...wish we did!!
I love the way you write these letters. News from all parts of the globe, with characters of all ages and abilities, that worm their way into the heart...poor Louie is NEVER going to get caught up! LOL
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Tues., June 8, 2005, 3:36 p.m., E.D.T.~
