a miracle and a broken chair

Dear Family,

I always seem to be running out of time when I'm on the internet. I've got 12 minutes left, so I'll see what I can churn out in that time.

We had a miracle this week. On Tuesday, we taught a woman named Veronica. Her husband is a member, but he's less-active and recovering from some alcohol/drug problems - at least he's on the upward turn. It was the third visit that we've had with her. Last weekend was a spiritual feast, and we made an effort to teach by the Spirit and let Him work through us. As we answered her questions about the Book of Mormon, we began to teach and testify about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. We had talked about baptism before - and she had expressed doubts about being baptized before, when she was little. But this time, the feeling was different. After sharing our testimonies, we invited her to be baptized on August 9th. She said "yes," but asked if she would have to get baptized with other people, too (we had expressed that we were planning a baptismal service for that date for a couple of other people as well). My companion said that she could be baptized alone if she wanted to, and we invited her to do it this Saturday, August 2nd. She accepted. On Friday she came to her interview and was baptized on Saturday. When she came up out of the water, she cried, saying that now she understood just what we were talking about when we had taught her about baptism. My companion and I were reflecting on the experience afterward, wondering just how it all happened. We're starting to understand a little better just how important the Spirit is in the conversion process. A heart was changed 180 degrees. It was amazing.

Saturday morning, we had a training meeting with the district leaders in our zone, and we went out to eat together afterwards at a Chinese restaurant. In the middle of the meal, I was trying to reach behind my chair and get my water bottle out of my backpack when the staples holding my chair together came undone. The whole thing collapsed. It was quite embarrassing. Time to lay back on the Choko-Soda crackers, I think.

Alright, the internet man says it's time to go, though my watch says I have three minutes left. Thanks for your letters and your prayers!

Love,
Elder Withers