Lessons in my youth

I've been encouraged, by one form or another, to remember the lessons of my youth. I don't remember a whole lot, but one certain event has been recovered from my broken memory.

     In the year of maybe 2005 or 2006 or so, we (the young men of the ward) had a brother become sick with something. I can't entirely remember what it was, it could have been just some surgery of some sort, but it hospitalized him either way. As service, we decided to write him get well cards for priesthood. As I sat there, I wondered how you tell someone that you 'hope they get better' without saying just that. In about a minute, one of our others leaders had already finished his card and it stood to as an example to me. His card read on the front cover, "I hear the hospital is full of a bunch of sick people..." then on the inside, "so don't die." (or something to that effect).
     This simple crack of sarcasm and hilarity got the crowd of under-15-year-old boys laughing up a storm, and with renewed enjoyment of our task at hand, we got back to work. I had thought of this leader's lightheartedness and desire to help our brother's infirmities through the power of laughter, bringing him a little bit of joy and reaffirmation that we were thinking of him. With this in mind I looked to my leader's example and thought of something I could use. Remembering that this brother of ours had been playing World of Warcraft with me at the time (yes, I was once a wow nerd for a time haha), I had the idea to make a gaming reference.
     I went through the game, from armor to weapons; anything I could use even as a lame pun. I then thought of an item that everyone knew, even outside of wow users. Being in the hospital, I thought of how useful health potions would be (I think I had even thought of the [sensu?] beans in DBZ haha).
     So I had my idea. On the front, I put something to the effects of: "Your health is low..." then inside: "so drink plenty of health potions!" and I drew a bubbling red potion. It wasn't much, but it was a fun reference I thought.
     A few weeks later, he was better and came back to church. He thanked everyone for the cards, and laughed at our leader's "don't die" card. I then talked to him later on in the day after church and he told me that the nurse was in the room when he was reading my card. He mentioned how she played W.o.W and had got a good laugh out of my card.
     This then got me to thinking, especially as of late, now that it's been years since then. I thought of how here was this nurse, and even though it was indirectly (as far as U know), she was exposed to the gospel. I'm sure everyone in the hospital gets cards and stuff, but the fact that my card made at least some kind of impression on her.
     The more I think about it, the more it strengthens my testimony on service. It might not have been such a big thing, and for all I know it might not even turn out to be anything at all. However, maybe they did have an opportunity to talk about the church to some degree, and if so, something as simple as a get well card has planted that seed of faith, and has made an impression on this nurse.
     I know that as we serve others and represent Christ to the fullest of our extent, they will want to know why we are so willing to serve. This will open up opportunity for telling others of why we are happy to help and what we believe. As we go about our day, may we look for more ways to serve and be Christlike, that we may bring others unto the fold.

 "He who gives money gives some, he who gives time gives more, and he who gives of himself gives all." -Thomas S. Monson

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