Letters of Trust: Friendship Letters Series--Book 1


 
 
 © 2023 by Wanda E. Brunstetter
 ISBN 978-1-63609-334-5Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-63609-335-2
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Reproduced text may not be used on the World Wide Web.
 All scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
 All German-Dutch words are taken from the Revised Pennsylvania German Dictionary found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
 This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
 For more information about Wanda E. Brunstetter, please access the author’s website at the following internet address: www.wandabrunstetter.com
 Cover Model Photography: Richard Brunstetter III
 Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., 1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683, www.barbourbooks.com
 Our mission is to inspire the world with the life-changing message of the Bible.
 
 Printed in the United States of America.
 
 Dedication
 To each of my dear Amish friends who keep in touch with me often, even though we live miles apart.
 I appreciate each of you, and the wisdom and prayers you have offered when needed.
 
 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
 PSALM 46:1
 Table of Contents
 Prologue
 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Chapter 7
 Chapter 8
 Chapter 9
 Chapter 10
 Chapter 11
 Chapter 12
 Chapter 13
 Chapter 14
 Chapter 15
 Chapter 16
 Chapter 17
 Chapter 18
 Chapter 19
 Chapter 20
 Chapter 21
 Chapter 22
 Chapter 23
 Chapter 24
 Chapter 25
 Chapter 26
 Chapter 27
 Chapter 28
 Chapter 29
 Chapter 30
 Chapter 31
 Chapter 32
 Chapter 33
 Chapter 34
 Chapter 35
 Chapter 36
 Chapter 37
 Epilogue
 Prologue
 Grabill, Indiana
 “I can’t believe that Vic and I will be moving to Pennsylvania in the morning.” Eleanor Lapp choked back tears as she stood in the Schwartz family’s yard and gave her friend Doretta a hug. “You and I have been good friends for such a long time, and I’m going to miss our special times together.”
 Doretta teared up. “Oh, my dear friend, I shall miss you too, but a new adventure awaits you and Vic in what I’ve heard is the beautiful state of Pennsylvania.” She paused to wipe the moisture on her cheeks. “Our friendship will remain strong, because we’ll keep in touch through lots of letters and some phone calls. I’ll write to you often, I promise.”
 “I will send you letters as well, but it won’t be the same as getting together for long chats and doing fun things together, the way we have since we were kinner.” Eleanor glanced toward the barn, where her husband of one week had gone to say goodbye to Doretta’s brother, Glen.
 Days prior, Vic and Eleanor had packed up all their belongings with some help from her family. With the exception of their wedding gifts and Eleanor’s personal things, the newly married couple didn’t have a lot of items to bring along on their move. But maybe that was a good thing, since it would make moving easier and a little less stressful. Soon after Eleanor accepted his marriage proposal, Vic had purchased a home for them in Paradise, Pennsylvania, and he’d recently bought a few pieces of furniture, so that Chapter 1
 Paradise, PennsylvaniaThree months later
 Colorful red, gold, and pale green autumn leaves crackled beneath Eleanor’s feet as she made her way down the driveway to the mailbox in front of her and Vic’s new home. Although it had two stories and four bedrooms, the house was smaller than many other Amish homes in their area, where couples with large families lived. Someday when children came, Vic would no doubt want to add an extension out the side or back of their house that would include more rooms.
 How quickly the time had gone since Eleanor and her husband stood in the presence of their families and friends and responded to Bishop John’s questions. Eleanor still got choked up when she thought about the sincerity behind their wedding vows. She loved her husband with all her heart and wanted to be the kind of wife he needed. Eleanor looked forward to the years ahead, and hopefully to raising a family here together. It wouldn’t matter whether they had one child or ten. The bishop had reminded Eleanor and Vic during the wedding service that as long as they put God first in their marriage, their family unit would be strong. He also stated that whatever happened in the years ahead—the good or the bad—with the Lord’s help, they would be able to face it together.
 Redirecting her thoughts, Eleanor stopped in front of the mailbox and opened the flap. While pulling the mail out, a gust of late September wind came up, causing the top envelope to blow off the stack of letters, magazines,