To start, I loved President Nelson's message of hope!! when he talked about social media, the first thing I said out loud was "another social media fast I guess," but nope! President Nelson's challenge of using #givethanks and posting what we are all thankful for was a really cool and different message from our prophet. i went through the week trying to figure out what i was most thankful for in my life and posted it on instagram. After about 3 days, I was having a hard time consistently thinking of things I am thankful for and was distracted by what others were posting and I felt like I wasn't doing a good job compared to the other people's posts.
I felt quite dumb for comparing myself to others and was quickly corrected. I thought in that moment that to be happy I had to post all of these amazing things. when in reality what i needed to do was to not compare, but combine. What I mean by that is that not one person can change the world, it takes a lot of people behind someone to change the world. President Nelson had challenged us All to participate in this, not just members of the church.
I know that our prophet, President Russell M. Nelson is a true prophet of God. under the direction of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, he leads and guides this church. And I know that when we as members follow his direction that we can influence all to come unto Christ, through missionary work, service, even just by the most simple act of kindness. a smile, holding the door open for someone, texting someone a kind message. These simple things can have a big impact on someone and can snowball into something more.
Another thing I want to share is that even though the seminary has been quarantined I have found some fun services to do, and have had a lot of time to think and ponder about things.
A couple things I have been thinking about are the people I have known and lost in my lifetime. I will give 2 examples...
When I lost my Great Grandma "Duke." I was so sad!! I had lost my best friend as a young child. Growing up with my family living with my great grandma was such a blessing for me. We helped her cause she was in a wheelchair so we pretty much took care and helped with everything she couldn't do herself. When I look back at the greatest memories I have of my Great Gma, I don't feel such sadness anymore, instead I feel the spirit testify to me that she is watching over me and is still "babysitting" me even though she has passed away.
I also miss my cousin Andrew. He spent many summers with us because he went to basketball camps here in Utah. His family lives outside of Utah so we would party when was here lol. One of the memories I have of him was when he bought our dog charlie a duck toy and we told him, "Charlie will have the stuffing out of that in less than 3 minutes," Andrew was adamant that it wasnt gonna happen because someone he knew had 2 yorkies with the same toy and it hasn't ripped yet. and he was shocked to see that when charles got a hold of that toy it was done for, in about 45 seconds the stuffing was already flying out, and he was so surprised that he couldn't do anything but stand there and laugh, haha. When he passed away it hit me like a brick to the face. I was so devastated and I still am, but I know that we as a family will see Andrew again one day. Because of the atonement we can all repent and see our loved one and ultimately live with Him again someday.
I love you all, happy thanksgiving!! Stay safe!!
- Elder Munk
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