A Little Slow When It Comes to The Fast......

Yesterday my parents spoke in their new ward here in

Kaysville.  All of my siblings and their families were able

to attend sacrament meeting - minus my older brother Jason,

and Amy and Heather's (and of course my) husbands.

My mom has been "working on her talk" for weeks.

I should know, we have been here for weeks and I have heard her

say those very words numerous times.

She is like me, or rather I am like her when it comes to preparing

for a talk apparently.

I become obsessed and only focus on my topic

until it is at last given.

No outside books or other frivolous reading until the talk is done.

Talk about a great learning experience, as well as a mamouth

relief when it is over.

My parents were both asked to speak on Fasting.

I enjoyed both of their talks,

but I was able to lock in on a few key points from my mom's.

Things I had never thought of before concerning fasting,

see if it is the same for you.

I snuck her talk out of her little black folder earlier today to get a

quick recap.

Earlier in the week my mom and I were talking about fasting,

I was saying that I knew that I was not applying the blessing of fasting as much

as I could in my life.

I pretty much finished up by saying, well, I guess we just

haven't had anything that HUGE,

or a CRISIS (Lameo)

that has warrented a mega fast.

As if I am "saving up" for when we really need the extra power

from fasting.

That was my mentallity before my moms talk.

Here are my favorite parts :

President Kimball has said, that if we merely go with out food 

to pay our fast offerings we have satisfyed the letter of the law.

However, if we fast for real strength and include earnest prayer and if 

possible a time for meditation we will accomplish self-mastery and 

spirituality which will help us achieve the spirit of the law.

In Helaman 3:35 - "Never the less they did fast and pray oft, and 

did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and 

firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ,

unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation.....

When we fast we feel hunger.

And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position 

of the hungry and the needy.

As we do so, we have a greater understanding of the deprivations

they might feel.

(I had never considered this thought. To think about those

that might actually benifit from my fast,

and our offerings.

To put myself in their shoes for a short time.

What a differnet feeling it would bring if my focus

would turn

from myself and my own temporary discomfort,

to the real and lasting needs of others.

I am betting the ever present thought of wanting to -

"hurry up and finish this fast so I can get back to eating freely",

not forgetting to make up for going w/out.

would dissapate.)

As we teach our children to fast by our example we are arming them

with the power to resist temptations along their life's jouney.

The purpose of our fast may be a personal one.

Fasting can help us overcome personal flaws and sins.

It can help us overcome our weaknesses and help them become

strengths.  Fasting can help us become more humble, less

prideful, less selfish, and more concerned about the needs of others.

It can help us see more clearly our own mistakes and weaknesses and

help us be less prone to criticize others.

Or our fast may focus on a family challenge.

.....fasting can increase love and appreciation amoung family members.

.....strengthen marriage bonds.

....provide guidance in our callings.

....assist us with our home and visiting teaching stewardships.

Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer is powerful.

It can fill our minds with revelations of the spirit,

.....strengthen us against times of temptation.

.....it can help develop within us courage and confidence.

.....strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline.

Testimony grows.

......we mature spiritually and emotionally.

Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly

appetites and passions.

Fasting can help us develop a better attitude of gratefulness.

Fasting is a privilege.

I am grateful for my moms inspired preparation for her talk.

I get it.

I need and want all of these blessings in my

life very much.

I see that it does not take a painful crisis or emergency

to nessecitate a time for a serious fast.

Every month I have the opportunity to willingly

draw closer to my Father in Heaven by choosing to

fast purposfully.

Sweet!!

I loved being at church with my family!

It felt so good.

I did not want any of them to leave...

Please Stay.

Come go to priesthood,

come to sunday school, come to Relief Society.

Come and stay.

Keep feasting with me.

Get all you can get.

Fill your cup.

I will save it for another day....but during the last hour

Bishop Willis gave such a beautiful lesson on the Atonment.

I took notes so I could share it later.

I wish I could share the spirit that I felt so strongly in class.

That is really what I want to experience with you.

Sister in-law Melanie, Sister Amy, Keri, Mom, Me, Heather and Neice Josie

My dad and (single) brother Chuck.

P.S. - This Sunday (August 7th) is Fast Sunday!!!