Robert A. Russell V35292
CSP SQ 3-N-17 Low
San Quentin, CA 94974

C͟o͟v͟i͟d͟-͟1͟9͟ ͟i͟n͟v͟a͟d͟e͟s͟ ͟t͟h͟e͟ ͟Q͟!͟!͟

About five weeks ago, it was discovered that 15 inmates just transferred into San Quentin from Chino had COVID-19. We now have well over 1,600 cases, I being one of them. I was tested in mid-June and discovered on July 5th that I was in fact positive for COVID-19. I have little to no symptoms and was "declared" to be COVID free a few days ago. Today is July 1th by the way. I do not know how I was declared with no new test, but Praise God anyhow because the entire institution is on a full slam quarantine lockdown so I could not infect anyone anyway.

Most of the staff of this prison are out and as a result, we were on box lunches for about a week, no fruit, no veggies, it was bleak. We are not being fed by an outside private vendor and it is by far the best food I have had in almost 17 years. My cellie is still gone after being removed for COVID so I am milking the time alone with God to dig a bit deeper and get some of those roots I missed over the years. I feel as though the healing He has lead me to is of a whole newer level. What He lead me to do was bring up those few remaining memories that caused me such pain. A few of them were all about the things I suffered, but most were about the suffering I caused. To bring them up, draw up the pain, and finally to step out of it, healed and whole. I found it to be a very real exercise of compassion. Life is good and God is even better.

I was also lead to address the last little area of compromise I had been allowing for years. It was around the area of financial support. I got transparent with those who offer support about all support I receive, and decided I could no longer live like I have been, enjoying "stuff". So I drastically reduced budget and have begun to save all the support I get in, after informing the three individuals that are I am doing. I have been feeling unsettled over this issue for years, now I fee I have peace. I do still need to have a convo with my aunt though. Well. God bless and keep us all. smile, God is Good!

In Jesus,
Russ