Deja vu 10/8/12

Dear Family and Friends, This week was Elder Thornocks birthday. So at midnight we put a bunch of balloons in his room, lit some heavy duty man sparklers, and shot glitter through a couple different fans aimed right at him. It was great. He said that he was so confused, and he thought the room was on fire. When the glitter hit him he thought it was sparks. We got the whole thing on film and pictures. After scaring him to death we through him a snickers bar and cleaned up the mess. In other news, I hoped you all enjoyed conference. I sure did. We posted up in the secretary´s office with the sofa from the foyer and tons of snacks so we could watch comfortably in english. It was great. Saturday was great and I took lots of notes, but the magic happened for me on Sunday. In order to fully explain I include a quote from my blog in August 2011 entitled ¨Going to work in Santo Domingo¨: ¨I've had quite a few interesting spiritual experiences as well. For instance, we watched a video of Elder Holland speaking to the Provo missionaries about a year ago. At the end he talked about the last chapter of John, in which the Savior has died, and the apostles (I literally just typed apóstales and had to delete) went back to the only thing they really new how to do, which was fish. The whole night they don't catch a single thing, and then the Savior comes on the shore (but they don't know its him) and tells them to cast their net on the other side of the boat. They catch so many fish that they can't haul in the net, and John immediately says "it's him" and Peter just jumps overboard. Eventually after they eat and what not Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him, and if so, then to feed His sheep. Elder Holland put it this way "I've already asked you to cast down your nets and follow me once, and now I'm doing it again. Don't make me do it a third time. If you TRULY love me then feed my sheep. You can't turn around and go back to life the way it was before" When I heard these words I swear it felt like Elder Holland was right there in the room speaking as if it was just a Personal Priesthood Interview with him and I. Those words went straight to my heart and I was flooded with the spirit. I have been praying every night as hard and intent as I can, telling the Lord I love him right before I close. So when he said that I just knew it was meant for me. Not to mention that my bishop had in a sense already told me to "cast down my nets" a few months ago, and I kind of gave up, a bit like Peter and the apostles. Hearing Elder Holland was a bit like a chastisement from the Lord, and reminded me of my duty. My nets are gone forever. I can't turn back.¨ So if you were paying attention in conference you will know that sunday morning Elder Holland gave almost the exact same talk. Why is that such a big deal to me? Because that talk changed my life. The spirit was electrifying. The Lord Jesus Christ is ever aware of me, my needs, and my prayers. He inspired Elder Holland to give that same talk again because he knew that it would mean something to me. How do I know? Because of the way I felt. I wasn´t thinking ¨Hey! I´ve heard this talk before. Guess I can take a break from my notes and get a snack¨ Nope. Not at all. I was locked in. It was like the spirit had me in a vice grip. Especially when he said ¨Why are we having this discussion again?¨ That hit me hard. Now I realize that this might not mean much to many of you, but I want you to know that it meant something to me. The Lord knows how much I love Elder Holland and his passionate speaking. He knew I would be watching closely and listening to the spirit. He knew how much that talk meant to me the first time I heard it. He knew I needed it again. I testify to you my beloved friends and family that Jesus Christ lives, and He knows us. He goes after the one lost sheep, wherever it may be, to the rescue. For all I know the Lord could have inspired that talk simply for me and nobody else. It wouldn´t surprise me. I prayed in faith for the guidance I would need this conference, and I received a miracle. I don´t know what the Lord has planned for me after the mission, but He has seen fit to powerfully remind me that this mission is just the training ground for the rest of my life. That the missionary commission is for life, and is supposed to change my very being. I am supposed to BE a missionary, not just serve a mission. The Lord expects me to show my love through my loyalty to Him at all stages that follow in my life. I declare just as boldy as Elder Holland, that I love the Lord, and I know He loves me. With my hand to the plow, I will not look back. Elder Jared C. Nichols