#6) Footprints

The first test I took as a college student did not go very well for me. I was overwhelmed by the "great and spacious building" otherwise known as the testing center. One of my friends, Kevin Wagstaff, decided to go with me as we took our first test. When I looked up on the computer screen at my first college test score, I was devistated. Although I had not failed my test, I didn't do as well as I would have hoped. After I looked at my score, Kevin walked over to me with a beeming smile; he had just aced it. I was so distraught it was hard not to think about the test. His positive attitude and kind words brought me comfort as we left the testing center. He offered to buy me ice cream in attempt to lift my spirits. I am so thankful that Kevin could have been there when I took my first test because his small act of kindness to me left an impact of charity on me. He reminded me that there are more important things in life than one bad test score.

In mission prep we had a lesson about making an influence on the lives of everyone we come in contact with. I decided to take the challenge and left class in positive spirits. When I was walking to my next class, I noticed a boy crying on the phone in the Wilk. I decided to walk up to this stranger and give him a hug. He hugged me back and got off the phone after which he told me how his girlfriend just left for the MTC. I told him everything would be alright and that she is in the best place. His sobs began to get lighter as I proceeded to tell him that he could be a member missionary here at BYU. By the time I was done calming the boy, he had stopped crying and had a huge smile on his face. My day went by so much better because I lifted this boy's spirits. Although I do not know if my words of comfort had that great of an effect on him, I know that they were important for me to hear. You aren't living until you have lived for someone else. It is easy getting caught up in a self centered world, especially as a college student, but it is important to remember to serve and befriend our fellow men. You never know of the great impact you have on others, even through small acts of kindness.