starving in seattle

so, this one is going to be something quite personal, that I probably normally would not share on a blog, but I feel I should.
So earlier this week I decided I needed to do a special fast, and that I ought to actually do a full twenty four hour fast. I'll be honest, i don't think I have actually made it a full twenty four hours of fasting since my mission- over five years ago, but i wanted to show God that the issue at hand was indeed important to me, and also that I would put my faith and trust in him do the matter. I'll be honest, at times I barely made it through not caving in. I had FHE treats, i had grocery shopping to do, i had to pre-cook dessert for my date, and lunch for work when i would end my fast the next afternoon at one, and all sorts of temptations.
I listened to elder oaks talk on desire, from this last general conference. That gave me some strength and answers. the next day continuing was much easier in the morning. I was so happy i was going to do it. I had will power enough to sacrifice for something i really wanted. I lost that for a few years, it felt good to have that back. With one hour to go I headed out to use most of my lunch break for shopping for some new work clothes.
That is when God taught me a very important lesson on compassion. You see working in down town Seattle, everyday on my way too and from work, on my lunch break, I pass about fifty homeless, jobless beggars every day. I see a lot of them over and over again. And yesterday I learned Seattle is the last place I would want to be if I were hungry- even if its intentionally. As soon as i set out on my walk I was overwhelmed with the most amazingly wonderful food smells everywhere. You can ask my old mission companions, but when I am hungry I get mean. At one point I almost lost focus and was going to deck someone and steal their sandwich and run for it. But thankfully I did not. I made it the twenty four hours, then ate my lunch, and a bit more.
I loved the experience. I learned s much from it. In the doctrine and covenants it says 'verily,verily, I say unto you this is fasting and prayer, or rejoicing and prayer'. For me that fast truly became a day of rejoicing, for my original purpose as well as my gratitude for the food I have to eat daily.