Home Sweet Home: Fasting + Finding Our First Home

Our search for a home has finally ended! After 3 months of driving, tours, and online listings we found the one. It was a wild journey from almost putting an offer on a home with cracked bricks to being too little too late on several dreamy houses. We’d gotten to the point where we were waiting for the right thing to pop up. We were patient. We carefully looked at every house that came on the market. And we were getting to know the market really well.

I was at a church meeting when one woman commented, “You know you can fast for yourself, right?” At the time, I realized I had never fasted for myself. In fact, it had only been a couple years since I really got into fasting. When I first started fasting one day each month, it was a real pain. It wasn’t until my brother was sick and sleeping for 21 hours a day that I found meaning in fasting. Ever since then, I’ve always had loved ones to fast for.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is a commandment from the Lord. One Sabbath day each month is set aside for members of the Church to go without food and water for two consecutive meals in a 24-hour period and then contribute the money that would have been spent for that food to those in need. The Lord established the law of the fast to bless His people and provide a way for them to serve. Blessings associated with the law of the fast include closeness to the Lord, increased spiritual strength, temporal well-being, greater compassion, and a stronger desire to serve.

When I heard that comment at church, I realized I needed to fast to find our home. I waited several weeks and it still wasn’t Fast Sunday (the day each month all the members of our church ward fast). After a full Saturday, I thought, this could be a good Sunday to do a fast even though it wasn’t the official Fast Sunday.

And here’s the thing. I’d never fasted when it wasn’t Fast Sunday before either. I’d only done fasted when I was told to do it once a month. I told Garrett my prompting to fast the next day and he agreed. As I went to sleep that night I said a prayer to begin my fast and asked Heavenly Father to help us find the right home for us. I felt a peaceful feeling and the words came to my mind that Heavenly Father would help us find a home.

The next morning, Garrett and I woke up to find an email from our realtor. He told us that late last night he just happened to think of a house that might be what we’re looking for. He told us about a new development in an upcoming area with a special discount that ended today that would make the house in our budget. It was a good size, good commute, and great area.

I was shocked. I didn’t want to look too much into the timing of the house, but it seemed like a pretty clear answer to our fast. We arranged to see the house after church and did all kinds of research to make sure it would be a good deal. I told myself that this didn’t have to be the one, but it was worth looking at.

Once we got to see the home it felt right. When we’d look at homes before, I often felt anxious, wondering if it was the right one. But this time, it felt like home.

I asked our realtor about every question I could think of to make sure it was a good deal. I mean, I really grilled him. Garrett and I conferenced with our parents until we ultimately decided this was the one. We signed the contract that day and the home was ours.

We are so happy with our first home! It’s still being built, but should be completed in the next couple of months. I can’t wait to move in and have already been planning the decor. I never imagined I would have a brand new home, but I’m really happy we do. I’m even crazy about the street name. It sounds really close to a Sherlock Holmes character. 🙂

This experience with fasting reminded me that when I go out of my way to ask Heavenly Father for help, he answers. Showing our faith not just when we’re asked to, but when we want to is what leads to huge blessings and strengthened testimonies. While big spiritual experiences like this one aren’t the only reason I have faith, they are great reminders of Heavenly Father’s love and presence in my life.

Until the next adventure,

Rachel