It was 8:45. Our appointment fell through so we decided to do street contacting. As we neared an intersection, we saw to the left dark, neighborhood streets, to the right we saw a lit up area with stores and shops. We felt we needed to go left and we walked into the darkness. Soon we were walking towards a car that was blasting the most awful, filthy music. The car door was open and as we approached I yelled “HELLO!” Over the music. Nick looked up and was all like “Ayeeee, how you doin?” Jumping out of the car towards us. We stepped back and I was honestly a bit freaked out. But when we told him we were missionaries, he straightened up and was way nice and respectful. I initially judged him and almost made the mistake of thinking it was a waste of time talking to this buzzed, high kid. Then I thought of the times in the bible when Christ went among the so-called ‘sinners’ and ministered to them, lifting them from darkness to light. I prayed in my heart, asking for forgiveness and pleading with God to give me His eyes to see Nick the way He did. I felt this rush of love and I saw Nick as the incredible son of God he was! He quickly gave us his address and told us he’d love to learn more and read the Book of Mormon. He told us he was lost and needed God back in his life. As he said that, the street light hit his eyes perfectly and I knew he was being completely genuine.

Fast forward a few days, I was on exchange and sister Thompson and I picked a random street in Watervliet to go tract. Just before we got out of the car, the Spirit reminded me of NICK! I quickly typed in his address and he was ONE STREET OVER. We walked over and he was home… home and sober! He brought us to his backyard and we taught him and he just soaked it all up! He told us he is terrified to open his eyes in the mornuing because he doesn’t want to face this world. Face himself. At the end of the lesson, he told us that he knew God had guided us to him because he had been planning to O.D. on heroin this Friday to end his life. When he told us that, he couldn’t even say it. He choked on his words and with tears in his eyes he said, “I was planning to… you know… ” He hadn’t told anyone else what he was going through. He has just been smoking and drinking with his friends to numb the pain and feel like himself again. We were able to bring an awesome 20 yr old RM to a lesson with him and then he brought him to church! It was so wonderful to see Nicolas at all 3 hours of church and he just loved it and wants to come every week. He wants to change. He wants to have the Savior in his life. He wants to be happy. We all do! I know that through Christ, all wrongs will be made right. I know we can all find peace NOW and forever. I have already seen an incredible change in Nick and so many others this week! I love this gospel and I love my Savior! I am forever grateful for the blessing of serving as a full-time missionary on the Lords errand! We are Gods hands. Let us submit our will to His to lift and serve those around us!