Friday, January 30, 2009

An Announcement

In Biblical times, disciples of Christ gave themselves over to "much fasting and prayer." In our time, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which we believe is Christ's original church restored) preaches the same thing.

The first Sunday of every month is fast Sunday. We refrain from eating and drinking for 24 hours - praying and studying the whole time. ("Fasting without prayer is just a diet.") We fast with purpose - some for more faith, some for an answer to a prayer, some for strength and some for miracles. It is a personal and sacred experience. Money that would have been used for those meals is donated to the church's fund for the needy.

I have not been able to do a "real fast" in a long time. For obvious reasons, pregnant and nursing mothers cannot go 24 hours without eating. And I've been pregnant or nursing for ... well, five years. (HOLY. CRAP.)

Instead, I choose to refrain from other things - usually sugar or books. (Those are both really, really hard for me.) I generally go longer than 24 hours to really feel the sacrifice.

This time I will be fasting from blogging - starting right now til Monday. It will be hard, since I'm rawther addicted. Ahem.

But I need the Lord's help to make a very important decision for our family's future. I need the extra strength, and every time I get the urge to click the enticing "blogger.com," I will kneel down and plead for direction. (I'll probably get that urge often. It'll be a good reminder.)

Any prayers would be appreciated.

See ya Monday -

16 comments:

Deb said...

This is a great goal. I know you won't read this until Monday, so congratulations on making it through.

Stephanie said...

great idea. Best wishes for clarity and inspiration.

Brooke said...

This is a great idea. Good luck!

Randi said...

Good Luck! See you soon!

Erin said...

Good for you! It will be a somewhat difficult weekend, but it will be worth it.

Lara Neves said...

We'll miss you! But I think it's wonderful.

I do the same thing when I'm pregnant/nursing...fast from the internet.

The Farmer's Wife said...

You are brave...I will pray for you! You can do it! Thanks for your wonderful heartfelt letter...I am out of town...but am planning a long reply when I get back home. Oh and the possom story...amazing and so very heart wrenching...I hate it when animals suffer...what an experience for you!

Kim L. said...

Such a good idea. I am gonna have to steal it. I'm in the same boat....I think I have only been able to fast like 3 times in the last 5 1/2 years. CRAZY. I do the same... with sugar etc....I will totally have to do the internet fast. LOVE IT...devoting the time you would "normally" be blogging/facebook/emailing to the Lord... what a terrific way to "fast".

Kathy P said...

I admire you for doing a "nursing" fast. I never was very good at those, even though I thought about it a lot. Best of luck to you!!

Wonder Woman said...

This is very honorable of you. (That sounds like I'm mocking but I'm not. I'm very impressed.)

Good luck. Prayers work. I hope you get a clear answer and proceed with faith. See you Monday!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

You are making the ultimate sacrifice, friend, but I believe in your inner strength. Be strong and resist temptation.

If it helps, know that most weekend posts are somewhat lame and real blogging only happens on weekdays. (OK, I kind of made that up, but if it helps, go with it!)

-Francesca

Debbie said...

I will pray for you. I hope you get the answers you need.

Rachel Sue said...

What a good idea. This nursing mother needs to follow your example. For me, nursing/pregnancy has been a get out of jail free card. I think it's time to change my attitude. . .

nikkicrumpet said...

I hope you get the inspiration and direction you are seeking. It is so wonderful to know that we can turn to our Heavenly Father for guidance when we have to make important decisions. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Barbaloot said...

Good for you! My mom mentioned she would go without something she loved for fast Sunday during the times she was pregnant/nursing. I like that idea a lot.

janae said...

Will you even get this comment?? Well, I just had to tell you that I already started writing a post that, um, pretty much mirrors what you just said. Except I didn't copy you on any counts. I just came up with the whole thing all by myself. And when I was skimming through your previous posts, I was shocked to see this. So when I eventually put up my post, I don't want you to think I'm a big fat copycat. We're just equally brilliant. :)