Imperial Academy Submission: Post-Feast Fever
November 4th, 2008
By Katherine Harmon
In the fall, when the air turns crisp and nips at your nose, and the leaves begin to change from a vibrant green to burnt reds and yellows, we in the Church get something known as Feast fever.
It is highly contagious and it spreads throughout the masses of those in the Church. The symptoms of Feast fever are extreme happiness, excitement, and hearts and minds eagerly awaiting instruction and fellowship. Feast fever is quite well-known in the PCG, but people often talk of post-Feast letdown too. But that was not the case for me this year. This year, my school experienced a healthy epidemic of post-Feast fever.
Post-Feast fever spread like wildfire at Imperial Academy, my school, our first day back from fall break. Monday morning, as I began to organize my books in my locker, Grant burst through the door. Then he saw Malachi. “Malachi! My buddy! I missed you!” he exclaimed, “Give me a hug!” He then absolutely smothered Malachi with a hug. Then he turned to some other guy and said, “Give me a hug!” Before he continued on his hugging rampage, I teasingly told him, “Don’t even think about giving me a hug!” Then his sister Paris turned around from her locker and wrapped me up with a big bear-hug. The whole passing period between classes was filled with tons of laughter and hyperness as we all shared our Feast experiences together. Lunch, with all of the middle and high school students, was just full of fun and laughter. We were all just filled with extreme joy, the number-one symptom of this new post-Feast fever.
Spread some post-Feast fever in your area! That’s why we have the Feast, if you think about it. In your congregation, express excitement to see everyone again, and keep in touch with people you met as well, to keep the fever going!
November 4th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Toward the end of the Feast this year in Edmond, Oklahoma, my friends and I were so used to seeing all the young people with smiles and happy faces that it was striking to us when we were at a restaurant and one young man who was our waiter seemed to be so down in the mouth. Usually my friend’s husband who is a big kidder with the waiters and waitresses can always bring a smile. But with this young man it just didn’t work. He seemed such a contrast to the young people we had been seeing during the Feast on the Campus. He deserved a very small tip for the abrupt way he was serving us. However, I left him a full 20% tip and my friend left him the same plus a ten dollar extra tip on purpose and his huge smile warmed up his face so much that it was worth it to see that. Who knows what was happening in his life at that moment? It was amazing how much better he looked with that smile. We look forward to the time that the Feast pictures when smiles will be so common that frowns and bad attitudes will stand out like a sore thumb as it did on that young man. What a difference in your day a stranger’s smile or frown can make.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:50 am
That was an amazing arcticle Katherine! It made me want to go hug everyone!
November 5th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hey Katherine,
Great article. I remember the first day back after the Feast - post-Feast fever was certainly in the air. I don’t think anyone stopped smiling! For me, the Feast is 8 days of total rejuvenation and I go home with a buzz. Long live the healthy epidemic of post-Feast fever!
November 5th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Hey Katherine!!!
For some reason I absolutely LOVE this article!!! I give great hugs huh?
November 7th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Hi Katherine,
Thanks for such a wonderful, cheerful, uplifting article! Each sentence just exuded enthusiasm, joy and excitement. You picked a great subject and really brought a smile to my face.
It was wonderful to see you in Edmond after the feast and I’m so delighted that you have the chance to attend Imperial Acadamy as a senior. What a blessing–take full advantage of each and every day and learn all you can so you can.
All the best!
November 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Hey Katherine,
Logged on to see what was worth freaking out about so much :-D. Great article! You write really well, and it brought a smile to my face as it reminded me of the AC post-Feast fever.
November 8th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Aww I wish I could just go hug everybody at my school.
I love the feast and this year there was no letdown because all of the brethren and my family grew so close this year.
This really cheers you, makes the fever linger!
November 11th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I felt the same way at the college. Thanks for the reminder of how joyful it was coming back from the Feast. I’m really going to try to keep it up this week too!
November 12th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Hello! Thanks for the great and uplifting article! This year’s post-Feast fever was higher (and more positive!) than previous years, that I am certain. Bringing home the messages we received all those 8 days inspires us more to work harder to bond together as one family. We may have temporarily parted ways and we’re sure to see each other again so soon…:) Let the fever for next year’s Feast begin!;)
November 12th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Awwwww! I love it!
Thank you soooo much for sharing that Katherine!!!
November 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Hello
Thanks for the article, the feast is the best moment in the year.
The feast this year in Colombia was better than last year, I wait the feast of the next year.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Katherine this article is amazing!! I love it! Here is a BIG HUG! I hope everyone had a great feast!