1 Week After

Hey folks!

This is the much anticipated reflection of my fast. I'm excited to write this because there were things that I learned after I stopped fasting. I considered keeping my journal for a longer period of time, but I didn't. I had really enjoyed journalizing, too!

This last week has been super. I've been really blessed and feeling strong. It's taken several days to regain my strength, though.

I'm assuming that because I had abstained from so many essential nutrients and minerals, that it took nearly a week to get them all. I eat well and I eat a good variety of foods, too. I'm taking my solid vitamins (opposed to the liquid ones I had to drink while fasting) and enjoying them.

Contrary to popular opinion, I didn't regain all the weight I lost while fasting. I may have gained a pound or two, though. I actually lost nearly a pound while I broke the fast!

My appetite was severely impaired for awhile. I could only eat a baked potato when I first consumed solid food. On the 41^st day, I broke the fast with one chicken taco and a couple french fries! In the past, I would have eaten both tacos, a ton of fries and maybe some ice cream.

My appetite has returned, now. I remember the first day I overate. I wasn't too happy about it, but realized I was very thin and it was all right. Since then, I've tried to eat the right amounts.

I remember my first trip to Costco and the grocery store! It was amazing. I spent over an hour, just at the grocery store, reading labels and looking at all the food! For some reason, I was terribly deterred from junk food! I couldn't bear buying anything that wasn't at least a little healthy.

These are the things I bought: raisin bagels, fat free cream cheese, nonfat milk, very low fat yogurt, very low fat chicken, sheepherder's bread, beans, corn and potato chips, water, pineapple juice, orange juice, strawberries, bananas, popcorn, diet caffeine free sodas, etc.

If you read my journals, you'd know that I was praying for my finger to be healed. On the last couple days of the fast and the first couple days of eating, I noticed that it was healing! Now, another person couldn't even tell that it was injured! Praise the Lord. This skin problem had been present for many months and God made it go away.

My back pain comes and goes, though. I moved a bunch of heavy things, yesterday, and it hurts today. When I pray and/or stretch, the pain is eased. I've learned to pray for it, immediately, and not act like I don't need God to help.

I suppose something that I can't omit or ignore is the presidential election coverage. Haha. If you've read my journals, you'll remember that my prayers for Bush to win and Gore to lose are a common thread through my writing. Although I know Bush isn't Jesus, I've never prayed for something so fervently!

As I'm typing this, several people are arguing about the election on MSNBC. This station has really impressed and entertained me! They've had tons of live election coverage.

To summarize and make a long story short, Bush was certified the winner of Florida, tonight! He won the state's election by 537 votes. Gore will be contesting the election in court. It looks very good for Bush. Praise the Lord.

Tomorrow, Gore is speaking to the nation. He should either be saying, "I've lost and Bush won" or "It's not over, yet." We'll see how convincing he is. The majority thinks that Gore could lose respect and look like a sore looser if he keeps protesting and contesting this election. One of my favorite signs is the pun on the "Gore/Lieberman" sign. It says "Sore/Loserman". Hahaha.

Towards the end of my fast, I noticed that I was looking very thin, my eyes were a little sunken in and I had some dark circles around my eyes. I didn't look really bad, but I didn't look extremely healthy. These side effects have gone away! My face is more defined, but I don't look undernourished.

Protein from dairy is one thing I didn't have for 40 days. My body really enjoyed consuming these things in milk and yogurt! I felt rejuvenated.

The first few things I ate, like the vegetables on the 39^th and 40^th days, gave me interesting sensations. If you've ever been sensitive to the feeling of medicine healing a wound, you'll know how I felt. Consuming those things was invigorating! I felt a little dizzy and my vision was slightly fuzzy, then very clear. It was awesome to feel the sensation of nutrition entering my body again.

When my fast was finished, people asked me how it was. If you go on an extended fast, I suggest being honest and not bragging. I remained humble and told them that it wasn't impossible. Too many people hate fasting or are afraid of doing it. Lies and deception are the main reasons people are confused about fasting.

Besides the books I read, I received discouragement from several pastors, mentors and family members that I look up to. If you receive this same discouragement, do exactly what God wants you to do and do it with all your heart. When God tells you to do something, it doesn't matter what anybody else says.

Some people will be skeptical, but when you're finished, they will see that you did a great thing and did what you were supposed to do. If you fail or cheat, come clean with God and others. I'm very thankful that I was completely faithful with my fast - I did not cheat or change the rules. However, failing was possible and people will understand that you are only human.

Although my trials did not seem to be intensified or multiplied, I still experienced them. Retrospectively, there were a couple times that life was very difficult. I think the last 40 days represented many 40 day chunks of my life. There were ups and downs, highs and lows. There were unexplainable things, answers to prayers, surprises, huge blessings, tremendous growth, times of exhaustion and service, etc.

Fasting may not change all your circumstances, but you will be more sensitive to God's presence and your need for God's presence while you are in your circumstances. God will be faithful. We must be faithful to Him. If we are not, our life will be full of troubles and despair. If we are faithful to Him, we will be successful.