In Fasting We Approach Thee

I haven't written about spiritual matters for a little while, so I felt like doing that today. I have a very strong testimony of fasting and prayer. The Lord has worked miracles in my life because of the combination of these two.

What has stuck out to me lately is how taking the time to fast helps me to reflect on what the Lord wants of me. As I sincerely think about what I should fast for, I become more in tune with Heavenly Father. He is better able to guide me--not only with the thing I am fasting for--but with all things in my life. It's amazing how that works. We learn in Helaman 3:35 that the Lord taught the people to "fast and pray oft." This helps them to become pure and sanctified because they are learning to "[yield] their hearts unto God." Learning to put the will of the Lord before our own desires.

Les Misérables

Today I finished reading one of the greatest stories ever written. It took me over half a year to do (including 5 1/2 months during school when I didn't even pick it up). But when I picked it back up I could easily remember what I had already read.

Why was Les Miserables so great? The characters, especially that of Jean Valjean, are so intricate. He goes through an amazing transformation because of the charitable, hope-filled act of one kind soul. This changes his whole attitude and perspective on life. But he still has many choices to make, and things never come easy. There were times when I hoped, but didn't know what he would do. Then there is the determined Javert that seems the embodiment of the letter of the law.

If you have not read this book, read it! I did shed a few tears near the end. I'm not afraid to admit it. I don't know if I've ever had a book draw me in like this. I'll share two of my favorite lines from the last part:

"God knows better than we do what we need."

"It is nothing to die; it is frightful not to live."

Numerous blessings

Monday morning I woke up early to work on homework before my 8am class. After a go at it I decided to distract myself by looking at the latest news on drudgereport.com. Two major headlines hit me hard. The first one I saw referred to the earthquake in China and said "Death toll to 9,000. " The second referred to the cyclones of last week, "Burma deaths 'could top a million.'" The worst part for me wasn't the natural disasters, but that the Burmese government wasn't allowing a lot of aid into the country. The majority of the deaths could have been prevented with aid, but the government's slow reaction insured disease would take a stronger toll on those within the cyclone's destructive path.

Upon seeing these headlines tears unexpectedly welled up in my eyes and I quickly got down on my knees to thank the Lord for the countless blessings I have. (My calculus exam I had been stressing about suddenly seemed so insignificant). I also prayed with more fervor than I remember ever doing that those who may be suffering may be comforted and helped.

I hope that I can maintain with me the perspective that I gained that morning. I know that I have more blessings than I deserve. I should always be grateful for them and do whatever I can, through prayer and through actions, to help those in need.

"Perilous times? Yes. These are perilous times. But the human race has lived in peril from the time before the earth was created. Somehow, through all of the darkness, there has been a faint but beautiful light. And now with added luster it shines upon the world. It carries with it God’s plan of happiness for His children. It carries with it the great and unfathomable wonders of the Atonement of the Redeemer."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

Also look at Elder Ballard's talk, "The Joy of Hope Fulfilled."