My Testimony About Fasting

Fasting, for many people, is a difficult and arduous thing. Fast Sunday...a day to "get through".

I beg to differ however and this is why...

After I went through the temple, and Todd was having such a hard time with my decision, I decided I would fast every single Sunday until things changed. And I did. I fasted every Sunday for about 7 months. At first it was difficult. I would dread them and barely get through. But as time went on, I learned much about my own spirituality, my tolerance and the power of fasting.

Each time I would fast, I swear something monumental would happen. Something that could not be explained just by coincidence or by the passage of time. Todd and I would have an enlightening conversation...he would confess he believed...he forgave me...our fights became discussions...love returned more quickly than anticipated... and all of these things may sound trite and inconsequential but they're not. If you were living my life, you'd understand that each and every occurrence was a miracle for me. And my testimony and spirituality grew leaps and bounds in those months. I felt so close to the Lord and his Will. It's as if it flowed through me and I walked on air.

About a year later, I happened to stop by a girlfriend's house who evidently was having a bad day. She was very frustrated about her child and his behaviors and didn't know what to do. I recommended that she spend a day and fast about the resolution. I told her how I felt about fasting and she said it was really hard for her but she might do it anyway. And she did. Later, she told me that she received an answer to her prayers from the fast and she was going to visit her pediatrician, which she did. Her pediatrician told her that she needed to be referred to an occupational therapist. And so she called me...because that's what I am! I saw her son, developed a treatment plan for him which she complied with very carefully and she reported back a few months later that he was doing great. This was the answer to her fast. I felt very humbled because not only did I counsel her to fast, I was able to help her in another way too.

I believe fasting can bring about miracles. I believe it can expedite the answers you need from your prayers. I believe that fasting can help you become closer to the Lord than you ever hoped to be. I believe it is one of the most wonderful tools that He has given to us.

I wrote this tonight because I had forgotten how much I loved it and I haven't been able to fast since I was pregnant and then nursing. But I'm finished nursing now and now can fast again. I am very excited because I have much to fast for.

If you are needing answers in a big way and feel that some extra effort is needed on your part, fast. Fast with your soul. Fast for 24 hours. Start and end with a prayer. Have a purpose to your fast and state it to the Lord. Pray often during your fast especially when you can't stop thinking about food. Read your scriptures and church magazines. These are the guidelines for fasting. He will respond...he covenanted with us that he would.

An Inspiration

I haven't blogged here for a long time although I've thought of it many times. So many inspirational moments happen but I get distracted...you know.

But I wanted to document something that happened yesterday so I'd not ever forget.

I'd had a hard Saturday. Fight with hubby and then just a rather emotional rest of the day of which I won't go into here. So I decided to fast on Sunday for some extra help through what I was dealing with.

Turns out, because Ward conference is this coming week, Fast Sunday was moved up a week so I ended up fasting...on Fast Sunday. Imagine that! I didn't know that previously because it had been a couple of weeks since I'd been able to come.

Now we all know how much I love fasting (I really do!) and so it was no biggie but I was really in need of the Spirit that day and was desperate for my tank to be filled.

My daughter and I sat in the pulpit as people went up and bore their testimonies. It was pretty typical of any other Fast Sunday. I have to add that I bore my testimony last month and perhaps that may be part of what piqued my daughter's curiosity but a couple kids went up and spoke and that always catches another kid's attention. She told me she wanted to go up there.

At first, I brushed her off, trying to discourage her because it meant I'd have to go up there too, and I just really wasn't feeling up to it. But as I sat there, I realized that to discourage her first request to do something so great would be to sabotage her. So I asked her if she really wanted to go up, and she said yes! We waited until the man that was up there was finished and she ran up there, very excited.

She's only about 3' tall so the podium had to come ALL the way down and then she still couldn't see over it. I leaned over and said in her ear,

"I'd like to bear my testimony." She repeated it. I leaned up to say something else, and she leaned down and kissed me again and again in front of everyone. I was trying to talk in her ear and she kept kissing me. It was so sweet.

I finally got to say the next thing,
"I love Jesus," and then,
"I love my Mom and Dad."

I had thought of a few more things to say but by this time, I was having a hard time not crying because I was so overwhelmed with the Spirit that I couldn't go on. I said,

"In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." As we walked off the stage, my eyes were tearing up.

My daughter is 3.

My Testimony

I've gone on and on on this blog about my experiences; I've shared a lot of how I feel, what's come about in my life and I've gone into detail about various aspects of living as a mormon, and the blessings I receive as I try to live the way God has asked us to.

But I've never shared my testimony. Here. And now I think it's time.

I don't know who will read this but I hope that whoever does, it will touch and you will understand that what I have is holy. What I have is something I have worked hard to get. It was not free. I do not take it for granted. It is not a cheap possession. It is valued more than any other thing I have because without it, I literally would have nothing - and that is literal.

I believe in God. He is a sweet man who has a hug that feels like your insides will fly apart out of sheer joy. I believe he wept when he told his son that a sacrifice was necessary. I believe in Jesus. I believe that in Gethsemane he endured every single temptation we have ever bore. And he withstood them. And for that I can't even express my gratitude. Because if he had succumbed, the balance would have tipped and we would have fallen off the scale.

I believe in fasting. Fasting, for me, is one of the greatest blessings ever given to us. I have received so many miracles, yes miracles, from fasting that I can't even begin to describe how wonderful it feels to fast. I love it. I love how close I feel to Him, and I can feel him comforting me. I can. I promise. I have fasted a lot and it's where my strongest testimony lies. If I'm ever in need, ever in doubt...if I ever need more...I fast and I receive. It's that simple.

I believe in The Promise. There's something awesome waiting for us. He's asked some hard things from us, yes. But if I can receive all I do from just not eating for 24 hours, then what am I going to receive from doing all he asks for my whole life? It's inconceiveable. I believe it. I want it, whatever it is. I have a feeling of surety inside of me that can't be torn down. No one can convince me - I would live in hell for my whole life to have what I know is waiting. I'm that sure.

I can't be swayed. The most important person in my life tries to sway me everyday and can't. That should tell you something. I know where I'm headed. I have eyes set forward, my feet are on the road and a steady hand guides my every move. I know where I'm headed. Do you?