Anna: Waiting for Redemption

By Gail K. Bell

Anna is born in a small Alabama town in 1955. Her father, William, goes north soon afterward in search of better work but never returns, leaving Anna and her mother, Jeanie, alone to fend for themselves.

In desperation, Jeanie calls upon her brother Henry for help with Anna’s care, having no idea what kind of impact this decision will have on Anna’s life. Her uncle’s abuse of her continues until her mother remarries and they move to South Carolina. But as Anna grows, she wonders why God has let the people she loves and trusts bring so much pain and darkness into her world. Through years of heartache, Anna faces many conflicts and troubles. Eventually, however, she makes it to college, where she meets Linda, a roommate who introduces her to Jesus. This pivotal event moves her heart and connects her to faith in a way she never thought possible.

In this narrative, a young woman dealing with childhood abandonment and trauma has an unexpected encounter with a blessing that changes her life forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781973676218

Gail K. Bell

Gail K. Bell is a singer/songwriter who loves to travel. She and her husband, Robert, have been married for thirty-three years and have one son, David, as well as three in heaven. She and her family live in western North Carolina.

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Copyright © 2019 Gail K. Bell.

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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-7620-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-7621-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019915757

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/15/2019

To my

husband, Robert, the love of my life; our son, David, my bundle of miracles; and Teresa, my lifelong friend, thanks for listening.

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1    Anna Is Born

Chapter 2    A Family Forsaken

Chapter 3    The Secret Place

Chapter 4    Anna’s Confusion

Chapter 5    The Abuse

Chapter 6    Moving Away

Chapter 7    Nightmares

Chapter 8    Blaming God

Chapter 9    The Abortion

Chapter 10    A Personal Savior

Chapter 11    Trouble with School

Chapter 12    Uncle Henry Is Dead

Chapter 13    The Confession

Chapter 14    Inner Struggles

Chapter 15    Church

Chapter 16    The Belly of the Whale

Chapter 17    Cindy’s Forgiveness

Chapter 18    Anna’s Redemption

Chapter 19    Peace and Love

Chapter 20    Gabriel

Chapter 21    A Girl Named Debbie

Chapter 22    The Decision

Chapter 23    Anna and John

Chapter 24    Love Begins

Chapter 25    The Proposal

Chapter 26    Adopting a Baby

Chapter 27    A Seed Is Planted

Chapter 28    Samuel David

Chapter 29    The Wedding

Afterthought

About the Author

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

—Psalm 27:10 (NIV)

He didn’t leave me in the darkness.

He came and stayed with me

Till the light came.

—Gail K. Bell

Foreword

I think everyone loves to read a story of real struggle. As you read about