“My New Buddy,” Friend, Feb. 2024, 39.
Children and Youth
My New Buddy
Last year, I made a goal for the Children and Youth program to make new friends. It was hard because I had already known everyone in my grade since kindergarten. But this year in fifth grade, I joined a program called “Peer Buddies.” In Peer Buddies, fifth graders work with younger kids who have learning disabilities or delays.
On the first day of Peer Buddies, I was paired with a little kid named Carter.* He didn’t talk much, but right away he wanted to play on the scooters. I got on one, and he started to chase me. I scooted away and then let him catch me every time. When it was time to go, all I wanted was to be back in that gym playing with Carter.
When it was time for Peer Buddies again, I walked to the gym. When Carter saw me he started jumping up and down. That moment meant a whole lot to me. It meant he was my friend just as much as I was his.
King Benjamin said in the Book of Mormon that when we serve others, we are serving our Savior. Mosiah 2:17 says, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
I feel really happy when I’m serving Carter. But it makes me feel even better when I think that every time I’m serving Carter, I am serving Jesus. I’m thankful the Children and Youth program helps us set and work on goals, and that we get blessings from doing those goals—like finding new friends!
Illustration by Miguel Sanchez