fasting

Sarah Brewster knew her dad was sick.

In the Christian world, Lent is a period of time observed by Christians that prepares penitent believers for Easter, reflecting Christ's 40 day fast in the wilderness. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating in the Holy Week, believers prepare through prayer, penance, sacrifice and alms-giving, allowing for reflection on what they ares doing to make their lives better.

Today is Ash Wednesday. Most LDS students who grew up outside of Utah in high school, might remember the day because it was the one day a year they weren't alone in waking up early for something spiritual. On this day, friends also woke early to go to stand in a line at their local church (some, for hours) to symbolically and literally give up sin for 40 days. The ashes put on foreheads during this special ceremony symbolized the potential dedication and sacrifices to take place during Lent.