"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. . . . I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3).

laughed when she reminded me, "A lot of water has passed under this bridge." I giggled at her hand-drawn smiley faces and sad faces. Her youthful spirit and sense of humor gave us a special kind of camaraderie from the start, even though she was 91 years young and I was a mere child at 41.

Then, after a while, I received a letter that began this way: "Dear Brother Timothy, I pray this letter finds you doing well. I have sad news, our Sister Estel passed away . . . January 17, 2000."

* * * * *

This story began more than two years ago. Sister Estel responded to my note in the Adventist Review for Adventists to write to me in prison. From the start a special kind of camaraderie formed between us. What made it so special? She was 91 years old; I, on the other hand, was 41. Fifty years separated us; however, I saw much youth in her letters, and many times while reading them I would laugh and giggle to myself, especially at her pictures.

There was a very low point in Sister Estel's life when her husband passed away in 1998. I thought for sure she would not recuperate; however, she recovered very quickly. And although it was a difficult time for her, she kept writing.

Then in May of 1999, I received a letter from "Ella" (Sister Estel's helper, and friend). Sister Estel was admitted to the hospital a few times. "Estel is not up to writing much. I read the letters to her, and she tells me what to write." Well, along with Ella's letter was a letter written by Sister Estel. She kept writing.

From this point forward I began to be very concerned about Sister Estel. And not only her, other Adventists I write to as well. See, when I was out in the world I really didn't care much about anyone and I had no close relationships, especially with elderly relatives. It's strange how God works, and brings people into our lives. The majority of Adventists who write to me now are 65 and older. There's a lesson to be learned here.

While growing up I remember my grandfather who came to visit every summer. When he died in 1983 there were no other relatives except for his two sisters who lived in North Carolina. So, I haven't had the opportunity to get close and personal with the elderly. Not until a few years ago when letters began to come through the mail did I finally experience something I had not experienced before: close, personal friendships based on God's love. That meant taking risks, on my part, and on the part of those who chose to respond to my note. Sister Estel was not concerned about why I was in prison; she was concerned about how I was living in prison, spiritually.

With Christmas fast approaching, the month of December was somewhat bleak. Every letter I received from Sister Estel was written by Ella. She was unable to write anymore. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, and the pain was too much for her. "She wants to fall asleep, and not wake up," is what Ella shared with me. In my heart, I did not want Sister Estel to fall asleep. I wanted her to recover just like she had done before. A month passed by before I received the sad news. And in my heart I already felt the loss. No more letters! Yes, I'm somewhat selfish. In every letter Sister Estel wrote to me I received care, encouragement, wisdom, experience, and most importantly, God's love. And, an abundance of Scriptures to look up. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).

Finally the dreaded news came from Ella. "Dear Brother Timothy, . . . I have sad news. Our Sister Estel passed away."

* * * * *

Recently, I received a letter. Guess from who? Sister Estel. Yes, I was very confused until I read Ella's letter: "I thought you would like this letter. I am handling Sister Estel's estate, and I came upon some letters Estel wrote to you; however, she never mailed them."

What a blessing. She kept writing. I plan on meeting Sister Estel one day. Christ will introduce us. What a glorious day that will be.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Rev. 14:13).

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Timothy A. Booth, writes from Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, where he is incarcerated.