52 Weeks to Preparedness

Sorry for missing the last couple of weeks, life has been a bit crazy! But here goes.....

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 6

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge of the Week:

Brethren, learn. You have learned a good deal, it is true; but learn more; learn to sustain yourselves; lay up grain and flour, and save it against a day of scarcity. Sisters, do not ask your husbands to sell the last bushel of grain you have to buy something for you out of the stores, but aid your husbands in storing it up against a day of want, and always have a year's, or two, provision on hand. (discourses of Brigham Young. p. 293)

Food Storage Purchase 8 Cans of Vegetables

Extra Item Purchase 30 lbs. Rice Health Benefits of Rice

72 Hour Kit Food for 72 hours: non-perishable and easy to prepare

Family Preparation Make sure your house number is large and visible for Emergency Responders to see easily.

Make sure all family members know their address and directions to get there.

Spiritual Preparedness Read Ether 12:6 and consider one area in life where you can increase your faith.

Educational Preparedness Statistics show that 1 in 5 adults cannot read fluently. Creating a study space in your home will actually help you remember better the things that you read and study. Create your study space wherever it makes the most sense, and equip it with the things you need to facilitate learning:books, pencils, paper, etc. Maybe reading in a window seat helps you remember more, or sitting in a porch swing. Do you need total silence? Or do you prefer a noisy center? Learning and studying can happen anywhere, but be creative to what you have available, and what works best for you.

Physical Preparedness One of the very best things that you can do for yourself, is to get healthy. Most of us could stand to lose a few pounds, and in so doing we would be much healthier. Spring is upon us and walking is free!! It is good for the body and the soul. It is GREAT for the heart both physically and emotionally. The Walking Site is a great place to get info on walking. Go for a walk, and make it a goal to walk at least three times a week. You will be amazed at how much healthier you will feel in no time at all. Heavenly Father needs us to be healthy, in all ways to be His hands.

Emotional Preparedness Stress.....we all feel it. We all have it. It affects all of us at some point. Here is a couple of great sites that have excellent information that we can all use.
Canadian Mental Health Association Kids H

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 5

David O. McKay "To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, moneymaking, and not to goodness and kindness, purity and love, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, is to deprive one's self of the real joy of living."

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 8 Cans of Fruit

Extra Item Purchase 8 Rolls of toilet paper (1 per week)

72 Hour Kit Outer gear- correct for the season. Winter coat, rain gear, hat and gloves per person.

Family Preparation Pick two meeting places: Have A Plan!

1. A place near your home in case of fire.

2. A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.

Choose an OUT OF AREA friend as a "Check in Contact" for everyone to call.

Spiritual Preparedness Prepare at least one family name for temple work.

Emotional Preparedness Hymn #142 "Sweet Hour of Prayer" I love the words of this hymn.

...Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care And bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known. In season of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter's snare By thy return sweet hour of prayer!

In our time of distress and grief, in the trials of life, let's not forget the power of prayer and our Father in Heaven who really cares!

Financial Preparedness We can all save a bit of money on our utility bills by being wise in a few things in our home. Unplugging electronics that are not being used can actually save a few dollars a month here and there and over the year even a few hundred dollars. Electronics that are not turned off and unplugged continue to use power without us even knowing it. Make use of natural lighting especially during the summer months. Use the sun to heat or light your house and use your blinds and curtains to keep your house cooler. Make use of a clothesline to hang dry your clothes during the nice weather. Just look around your home and think smart utility saving sense!

Physical Preparedness I think that too many of us relate this category with being the super sports star or being the super model. Really, it is all about being healthy. And of course with being healthy, we must start with baby steps. We can't expect to change all of our unhealthy habits over night. We all have unhealthy habits, so pick one and start working on it. This week, how about checking out our dental health. Do we and our children brush morning and night? Have we had a regular dental checkup within the last six months? Are we flossing daily? Dental health is an important part of our physical health. What would we be without our teeth? Well I think you get the picture - and it isn't a pretty one!

Educational Preparedness Gardening season is upon us. We should all be thinking of what we can do this year to help put a bit more surplus into our food storage, whether through freezing, canning, dehydrating, or even just eating fresh out of our own gardens to be more healthy and save money. And don't forget the value of teaching our families to be a bit more self reliant through gardening. There are so many sites out there that have amazing info on this subject, so I won't repeat, just point you in some of these directions. Learn, plan, and grow!

Square Foot Gardening

Container Gardening

Small Space Gardening

52 Weeks Week 4

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 4

"The foolish virgins were not averse to buying oil. They knew they

should have oil. They merely procrastinated, not knowing when the

bridegroom would come. The day of the marriage feast approaches.

The coming of the Lord is nigh. And there are many among us who are

not ready for the great and glorious event." Spencer W. Kimball

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 30 lbs. Wheat or other grain, such as pasta, flour, rice, etc

Extra Item Purchase 8 lbs. salt

72 Hour Kit Flashlight with extra batteries

Family Preparation Fire prevention: Test smoke detectors weekly. Change batteries every six months (for example General Conference time). Date batteries. Smoke detectors should be on each floor and outside a bedroom door.

Spiritual Preparedness Make a commitment to study the Gospel Doctrine lesson to prepare for Sunday School Class

Financial Preparedness President N. Eldon Tanner (1898–1982) taught: “Those who structure their standard of living to allow a little surplus, control their circumstances. Those who spend a little more than they earn are controlled by their circumstances. They are in bondage” (“Constancy amid Change,” Liahona, Feb. 1982, 46). We should make a plan to get ourselves out of debt, and the first step in this process is to pay an honest tithe and fast offerings. If our tithing is the first obligation met, our commitment to this important gospel principle will be strengthened and the likelihood of financial mismanagement will be reduced.

Educational Preparedness BYU offers many free online courses that will enrich our lives. Take a look here to see what they have to offer. There is no reason why each of us should not constantly be learning and improving something in our lives.

Physical Health Preparedness Sleep is so important for proper body and brain function. In fact studies show that a lack of proper sleep can lead to many other dis-functions and diseases in our bodies. Here is a link that gives us some sleep tips, so we can teach our bodies to get proper sleep.

Social and Emotional Preparedness I have listed a site here that is done by the LDS church to help people who are dealing with pornography or know someone who is struggling with it. This site also will be helpful for any kind of addiction, from prescription drugs, to financial, or what ever it may be. Addictions are something can be a part of our lives and we may not even know it. Check out the valuable information and learn what you can do to help a friend, and perhaps even see something in yourself that you can improve upon.

Week 3

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 3

"There is an old wise saying; Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Thrift is a practice of not wasting anything. Some people are able to get by because of the absence of expense. They have their shoes resoled, they patch, they mend, they sew, and they save money. They avoid installment buying, and make purchases only after saving enough to pay cash, thus avoiding interest charges. Frugality means to practice careful economy." - James E. Faust

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 20 lbs. White Sugar or Honey

Extra Item Purchase Enough dish soap to last 3 months

72 Hour Kit 1 change of clothing (pants, shirt, socks, underwear). Place in Zip Lock Bag

Family Preparation Obtain a family utility box- Action Packer, cooler with wheels, cardboard box, etc.

Spiritual Preparedness Read Elder Bednar's article in the September 2007 Ensign; Seek Learning by Faith

Social and Emotional Preparedness This link here takes you to a site that you can find a library of information that will help in any area of this kind of preparedness.

Educational Preparedness “As Latter-day Saints we believe in education, and we have a philosophy about how and why we should pursue it. Our religious faith teaches us that we should seek learning by the Spirit and that we have a stewardship to use our knowledge for the benefit of mankind.” —Dallin H. Oaks, “Learning and Latter-day Saints,” Liahona, Apr. 2009. An excellent article well worth reading. Some educational things that we could look into learning are some basic preparedness and survival skills. There are so many sites out there on the internet that can help us with these. I will start to go over some of them in the coming weeks. For now check out this site about self sufficient living.

Financial Preparedness Here is a pdf file One For The Money, put out by our church that talks about family finances. And here is some resources for online budget calculators.

52 Weeks to Preparedness

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 2

"Our emphasis on this subject is not grounds for crisis thinking or

panic. Quite the contrary, personal and family preparedness should be

a way of provident living, an orderly approach to using the resources,

gifts, and talents the Lord shares with us. So the first step is to teach

our people to be self-reliant and independent through proper

preparation for daily life." Victor L. Brown, Ensign, Nov 1976

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge of the Week:

Food Storage Purchase 8 cans of Cream of Chicken Soup

Extra Item Purchase Laundry Soap to last 2 months

72 Hour Kit Obtain a blanket (wool is preferred) or

sleeping bag per person. Also - sleeping mat

Family Preparation

By your night stand place a pair of gloves, flashlight and shoes in case

of an emergency in the middle of the night.

Spiritual Preparedness

Read John 5:39, Mosiah 1: 7, and Alma 17: 2

Have personal daily Scripture study

Social and Emotional Preparedness

“What is the great strength of this Church? ..... It is the emphasis which we place on families....Keep your families close together and love and honor your children.” President Gordon B. Hinckley Parenting is one of the greatest and most challenging aspects of adult life. Whether a father and mother are coping with responsibilities of a young family or a challenging teenager, they can gain insight and perspective from these articles found here Parenting Issues – One of the Ten Common Challenges Facing Families

Physical Health

Maintaining the best possible physical health has been a gospel ideal throughout the ages – from the strict dietary laws of ancient Israel, with the example of Daniel and his associates, to the Word of Wisdom in this dispensation and the counsel of today’s prophets and apostles. By maintaining good physical health, we become more self-reliant and are better prepared to progress personally, strengthen the family, and serve in the Church and community. Work this week to plan eating a variety of food groups regularly. Plan them into your weekly menu plans. Here is a great pdf file all about Nutrition and Diet

Education

When we have knowledge and wisdom, we are better able to discern truth from error and make good choices. Education is also a key to encouraging personal growth, preparing for suitable employment, building strong families, serving in the Church, and making a meaningful contribution to the society in which we live. One are we can become self-reliant in our education is to improve our communication with others. (providentliving.org) This week work on your communication skills. Even if it is just a simple “hello” to someone you normally would not speak to, or a visit to that neighbor you have been missing, take the opportunity to communicate to someone. It will help them as well as you.

Finances

Today is Fast Sunday. On fast day, we go without food and drink for two consecutive meals, if physically able, and then give to the Bishop a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food not eaten. If possible, we should be very generous and give more. The Bishop uses the fast offerings to care for the poor and needy. (Found on providentliving.org) Fast with a purpose and pay fast offerings with a generous purpose as well. The blessings received will astound you!

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 1

Here are suggestions for a 52 week plan to help us all achieve preparedness in many areas of life. Amounts given are for two people. Adjust the quantities you purchase for the number of family members in your home. I hope to cover the basics, in all areas, throughout the 52 weeks, if you have already done one thing, focus on another area. But do something! Take the challenge to become Prepared.

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge of the Week:

Food Storage Purchase - 8 cans of Tuna

Extra Item Purchase - 8 rolls Toilet Paper (1 roll per week for 2 months)

72 Hour Kit - Obtain a backpack or small suitcase with wheels for each family member

Family Preparation

Store enough water for 72 hours

Preferred water storage – 2 weeks – 14 gallons per person. Also store purifying agents.

Spiritual Preparedness

Read D&C: 137 and 138

Have Church magazines in your home and study the words of the modern day Prophets

Social and Emotional Preparedness

How can I help my children fulfill their divine potential? Do some pondering and help your child or children set one goal this week that will set them on their pathway to fulfilling their divine potential. If they are old enough to have their Patriarchal Blessing, do they? If they do, review it with them in your process of helping them set a goal. If they do not, perhaps offer to give them a Father's Blessing, these can help greatly with this planning process as well. Encourage them to prepare to receive their Patriarchal Blessing when they are old enough and ready.

Physical Health

“Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (D&C 88:124). Review this scripture and choose one area in your life that you need work on. Set one simple goal that you feel is realistic, and work hard to accomplish it.

Education

“We live in a world where knowledge is developing at an ever-accelerating rate. Drink deeply from this ever-springing well of wisdom and human experience.”
—Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley (1997), 171

One way to do this is to make use of the library. It is full of good books and it is free! The internet has vast resources available at the click of a mouse, and many of them are free also! Think of something that you have always wanted to learn, and do some research this week to find some resources available that will help you accomplish this goal.

Finances
“We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. … If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts” (All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances).

52 Weeks Starting Again

“Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.

“We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings.

“We ask that you be wise as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” www.providentliving.org

I will be starting again my 52 Weeks to Preparedness again. Some of the things will be the same, however, I will be changing it up a bit. Keep watch every Sunday for the the updates!

52 weeks to preparedness

I have had many requests for my 52 Weeks to Preparedness all in a zip file. I do have this available if anyone wants it. I must admit that I was passed these from someone else a few years ago, and changed and adapted them for my own ward use. I am willing to share. Email me if you would like me to send them to you.

djatwood@shaw.ca

52 Weeks, Week 52

Our ward preparedness blogs:

www.todaywhilethesunshines.blogspot.com

www.1stpreparedness.blogspot.com

We are finished our 52 weeks to preparedness.  I hope that it has been helpful for at least some of you to help build your storage through this last year of 2009.  During 2010 I will continue on with a weekly bulletin insert and a monthly newsletter.  It won't be quite the same thing, but will still give suggestions on preparation weekly and monthly.  Keep up the great work, preparedness never ends, it is an ongoing process!

Remember my motto for 2010 is D&C 88:118,119 - Prepare Every Needful Thing - Establishing a House of Order!

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 52

President Brigham Young "My faith does not lead me, to think the Lord will provide us with roast pigs, bread already buttered, etc.; He will give us the ability to raise the grain, to obtain the fruits of the earth, to make habitations, to procure a few boards to make a box, and when harvest comes, giving us the grain, it is for us to preserve it-to save the wheat until we have one, two, five, or seven years' provisions on hand, until there is enough of the staff of life saved by the people to bread themselves and those who will come here seeking for safety. Ye Latter-day Saints, learn to sustain yourselves."

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 5 Quarts of cooking oil in small containers

Extra Item Purchase 2 Quarts of Peanut Butter also in small containers

Family Prep: Have you thought about what your children might need in case of an emergency when your not around? If it's beginning to get dark, are the flashlights in an accessible location? Are fresh batteries with them? Did you check the light bulb and store a spare? Do you have snacks ready to grab for them? Do you have bedding in a location that can be used if the house is locked up? Have you discussed with the older children where emergency supplies: phone numbers, money (phone), and shut offs are in case they are home alone with the younger kids are? Do you have meeting place pre-picked to go to? If not, now is the time to get these things done. Don't put it off, knowledge now could save lives and heartache. It also helps eliminate fear, and give you peace of mind knowing that the kids are taken care of.

Spiritual Preparedness: Put your lives in order and all else seems to take it's proper order....D&C 88:118,119

A Houston Member's Experience With Hurricane Ike

....Just to let you know that we are doing well. We have a 6'x6' hole in our roof, no electricity, or running water, Trees down everywhere. However, because we listened to the counsel of our Prophet, we were prepared. In fact, it seems to me that it's only the members of the church who seem to be calm, prepared, and helping one another with trees on roofs, flooding, etc.

There is a Point of Distribution in Tomball, TX where we live (slightly northwest of Houston). There, you get water and ice IF you have enough fuel to wait in the 3-hour lines. We don't have to do that because we have 3 full water barrels, 75 juice bottles filled with water, and our pool, which is dirty but we use it to flush.

I am grateful that we have a generator. We run it 4 hours a day to keep our fridge running and to give us light. I am grateful that we have had fuel for it. You can't even buy gas containers as they are rationed. We can only buy bread once a week and are limited to 2 loaves at a time. Water is rationed by the case at the grocery store; 3 cases per family.

The ATM machines do not have power. For the past 6 months I had stashed small bills away because I have had such a feeling of foreboding. We have cash because of that. LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT! Get cash in small bills because the stores can't make change, and credit and debit cards often don't work. I had to pay 5 dollars more for an item because they couldn't make change for me, and . . . PHONES ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY.

Believe it or not...I have not had a bath in 4 days. Today was the first day I got to wash my hair with pool water. I haven't fixed my hair in a week!!! It just doesn't matter anymore. We

can not do laundry because we don't have water. So, we wear our clothes until they are literally disgusting. When we do finally get water, we will have to boil it since it is contaminated.

Please get your generators, 5 gas cans full of gas, canned goods, baby items, baby wipes to bathe, and all the water you can store...even if you have to trip on it in your home. Have your lanterns, crank flashlights, tarps, rope, etc., ready to go because you never know when it will be your turn to endure the test.

52 Weeks, Week 51

 www.1stpreparedness.blogspot.com

www.todaywhilethesunshines.blogspot.com

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 51

"Economic and social conditions appear most ominous worldwide today. With revelation and prophecy as our guide, I think it is not extreme for me to say that when all is written about our present generation, it may truly be said that we had hardly enough time to prepare to meet the impending crisis. I venture to say that all our spiritual and  emporal resources will be taxed to the very limit. The Lord has declared: If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." Ezra Taft Benson, "Ministering to Needs through the Lord's Storehouse System"

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase     8 Cans of Tomato Sauce

Extra Item Purchase         8 Rolls of Toilet Paper

Family Prep: It is important for every member of the family to know where important utility valves and shut-offs are located in the house. It is also important to know where important papers, emergency supplies and other important resources are stored. A simple floor plan of each floor of your home drawn on graph paper will be of great assistance. Include in the plan primary and alternate routes of evacuation from all locations in the house.

Spiritual Preparedness: Read - Helaman 5:12, Check your foundation and see where there may be cracks, and do what is necessary to repair and strengthen them.

Rice should be part of your family's long term storage. It falls in the grain category.

Store Times: White Long-Grain (20 yrs +) Parboiled (10 yrs) Brown Rice (3 yrs)

If your family are big rice eaters you will probably want to increase the amount you store. If you don't want to store pasta or barley you will double the amount you would store. Rice is cheap right now so store lots and get it soon.

Rice Facts:

- Rice is the staple that nourishes two-thirds of the world's population

- Rice is a complex carbohydrate source that is low in fat and calories

- Rice contributes over 15 essential nutrients to the diet, rich in B-vitamins, potassium, magnesium and iron

- Most white rice has been enriched – do not rinse it before cooking

- At 103-108 calories per ½ cup serving, rice is a low-calorie food

- Over 85% of rice's calories come from energy-providing complex carbohydrates

- Less than one percent of rice's calories come from fat

- Rice is naturally sodium and cholesterol free

- A ½ cup of brown rice counts as one serving of whole grains

- Research reveals that in Asia 132 pounds of rice is consumed per person each year (23 % of daily calories)

- Americans obtain only 1 percent of their daily calories from rice

- Approximately 90% of the rice consumed in the United States is grown in the United States

- Nearly half of the U.S. rice crop is exported to over 100 countries

- When paired with beans, can provide all essential amino-acids for a complete source of protein

• One cup rice yields about 3-4 cups cooked rice

52 Weeks, Week 50

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 50

"For the righteous the gospel provides a warning before a calamity, a program for the crises, a refuge for each disaster," said Elder Ezra Taft Benson . "The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets and stored at least a year's supply of survival food." ("Prepare Ye," Ensign, Jan. 1974, 69)

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 2 lbs. Bouillon Cubes

Extra Item Purchase 30 lbs. of Beans

Family Prep: To start the new year right it is probably time to recheck our BOB's (Bug Out Bags). If you use a backpack are the straps frayed? Seams tight and sealed against water infiltration? Are grommets tight and not frayed? If these items are not up to snuff maybe it's time to fix it or get something new if the pack can't be fixed. If you use a bucket, is the handle free of cracks, is the bucket sound and not fragile? If left in the sun buckets do break down and need to be replaced. What about the weight you are carrying? What is missing? What condition is your BOB in?

Spiritual Preparedness: Have personal prayer and scripture study each day for three weeks. It takes three weeks to start a new habit.

Milk Carton 72 Hour Kits

Large milk or juice cartons are cleverly used to store enough food that one could live on for 3 days. Each carton is washed with soapy water and dried. If you are making one for each person in your family you may want to save the cartons up and prepare them all at once. For every kit you make you will also need a 2 litre pop bottle filled with water to be used to prepare the food. Each carton once prepared has a shelf life of 2 years. For each kit you will need:

2 packages of gum, 14 pieces of hard candy, 2 fruit rolls, 3 packages of crackers, 1 can of nutritious soup, 2 instant soup packages, 2 packages of hot chocolate mix, 1 1/2 cups of trail mix, 2 sticks of beef jerky, 2 packages of apple cider mix, 1 small can of apple juice, 4 granola bars

Pack these items in the milk carton. Place large items in first and tuck smaller items in empty spaces. The fit is very tight. Once everything has been put into the kit, staple it shut. Tape the top with duck tape and tape the pop bottle filled with water to the kit. Label the kit with the date that you made it and the best before date. Also attach a list of the contents and a menu to each carton. Cover any label that needs to last with clear packing tape so the information is there when you need it even if the kit were to get wet. Replace the kit every 2 years so that the food stays flavorful and nutritious.

MENU: Day 1

Breakfast: 2 granola bars, one can of juice

Lunch: 1 package soup mix, 1 package soda crackers

Dinner: 1 stick beef jerky, 1 fruit roll

Snacks: 4 pieces candy, 3 sticks gum

MENU: Day 2

Breakfast: 1/2 the trail mix, hot chocolate

Lunch: 1 stick beef jerky, 1 apple cider mix

Dinner: canned soup, 1 package of soda crackers

Snacks: 5 pieces of candy, 4 sticks of gum

MENU: Day 3

Breakfast: 1/2 the trail mix, 1 apple cider mix

Lunch: 1 package soup mix, 1 package of soda crackers

Dinner: 2 granola bars, 1 fruit roll, 1 hot chocolate mix

Snacks: 4 pieces of candy, 3 sticks of gum

52 Weeks, Week 49

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 49

"When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power." ~ Ezra Ezra Taft Benson ~

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase Fruit Drink Mix to make 30 qts.

Extra Item Purchase 20 lbs. of Oats

Family Prep: Do you have your evacuation plan ready for your family? Have you reviewed it lately? Do you have your lists ready? What would you grab in 3 minutes? 10 minutes? 30 minutes? If you knew you would be back in a few days? If you knew it would be several weeks? If you didn't know if you would ever come back? Get a notebook and start doing some planning! Then put the plans into action.

Spiritual Preparedness: Read and study Mosiah 5:15, Ask yourself these questions:

• What does it mean to be steadfast and immovable?

• How can I become steadfast and immovable?

• What blessings are associated with being steadfast and immovable?

Hold a family home evening and discuss this as a family and what you can do, what goals you can make to be more steadfast and immovable as disciples of Christ.

Storage Notes for a Rainy Day

Phyllis Hooker, Ensign June 1977

My children woke the other morn "Dad! Mom! There's something wrong! There's no heat in the heaters and the TV won't go on. The bathroom light won't function. Is it just the bulb that's old? Nothing in this whole house works. It's drafty and it's cold!" I rose in semi-stupor. Stubbed my toe against a chair. "I ought to have a candle. I know there's one somewhere." "Fear not," I told my children. "We'll weather out the storm. Because we have a fireplace to keep us somewhat warm." "We're hungry, Mom. Where's breakfast? Could you make something hot?" We piled logs in the fireplace, and then...a sudden thought: When cooking in a fireplace, what things should I aquire? Just how long would my frypans last atop an open fire? Within the house a fired glowed, outside was cold and bleak. Our meager wood and coal supplies would last about a week. "Hooray! Hooray!" the children cried. "Oh, this is really neat!" I thought, "It's good we have our food. For a year, at least, we'll eat" The baby needed to be changed, and then the thought did strike: However would I launder clothes, to keep them clean and bright? Assuming I had water, a fire and a pan..... I'd hate to have to wash and wring those diapers out by hand. We've always stored some water in an emptied-out bleach jug. We opened up a gallon, poured it out to drink and....ugh!! I'd also filled some fruit jars with the water from the sink. It was processed in my canner and was easier to drink. "My mittens need repairing." "There's a button off this dress." I've stored buttons, thread, and needles, extra fabric, and I guess I could darn most things quite handily, from socks right up to suits. But suppose the broken item, was a pair of leather boots? I have lots of baking soda, for all its many uses. From toothpaste and a cleaner, to the cookies it produces. I've string and twine and medicines, and ammonia to help me cope With cleaning up the dirt and germs. But how did pioneers make soap? I must save my old newspapers. Might there be a paper ration? They're used for wrapping garbage and making good insulation. Soak the papers in detergent, roll them into logs, then dry. They will give a bright, warm fire, and almost free supply. I must have thought of everything. Oh, no. One thing can spoil it. I have the toilet paper, but what about the toilet? That night we piled into our beds. "It's cold! The wind! It blows! How nice hot water bottles would feel against our frozen toes." Next day I woke up early, and the crisis was long gone. Everything was back to normal – even the TV set was on. Water dripped into the sinks, the downstairs lights all burned. It was nice to have them on again after the lessons we'd learned. Though yesterday was trying, it's troubles had been shared. Our family had decided that we'd better get prepared .Some folks might think we're silly, like whistling in the dark. Still, we know it wasn't raining when Noah built his ark.

52 Weeks, Week 48

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 48

"Every father and mother are the family's storekeepers. They should store whatever their own family would like to have in the case of an emergency." (James E. Faust, Ensign May 1986)

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 8 Cans of Vegetables

Extra Item Purchase 30 lbs. Rice

Family Prep: Do you know where your 72-hour evacuation kit is? Can you get to it or are there things in the way. If you have it in a shed or garage can you get to it without tripping over something else? Maybe move the kits to a new location. If they are in the coat closet are coats and other items such as vacuums in the way. If you were in a hurry to get away these items may keep you or your family from retrieving them. This could cause much harm and fear. Move the kits to a better location. Items like sleeping bags and pads, water containers, cooking supplies, and lighting supplies should be kept in a central location. This should be in an easily accessible location away from the main house.

Spiritual Preparedness: My sincere counsel to you today is to recommit yourselves to these two basic practices that have been the source of so many blessings.... Never let a day go by without holding family prayer and family scripture study. Put this, the Lord's program, to the test and see if it does not bless your home with greater peace, hope, love, and faith. I promise you that daily family prayer and scripture study will build within the walls of your home a security and bonding that will enrich your lives and prepare your families to meet the challenges of today and the eternities to come. L. Tom Perry

"I Would if I Could, But..." by Jim Brinkerhoff

Dry Packing

I would if I could, but I don't like it.

I would if I could, but I haven't the time.

I would if I could, but my storage is limited.

Emergency Preparedness

I would if I could, but I will get ready next week.

I would if I could, but it's all in my attic.

I would if I could, but I am tired of preparing–this is the nineties.

Food Storage

I would if I could, but I have had it over the years, and it is all spoiled now.

I would if I could, but I have no room to store things as it is now.

I would if I could, but nothing will happen–this is modern days.

72-hour Preparations

I would if I could, but I already memorized the Holiday Inn's 800 number.

I would if I could, but I will just call my home teacher.

I would if I could, but nothing will happen that I can't handle.

Are you saying these same things?

I could add more that I have heard over the years..... it is time we re-evaluate our priorities.

This coming year many opportunities will arise to help ourselves and our families become better prepared. Lets make the effort to do so.

Then, when hard times fall upon us, as they most assuredly will, we shall not fear.

52 Weeks, Week 47

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52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 47

Elder Richard L. Evans, 1988 Church News – We must have faith in the future, regardless of the ultimate eventualities. There could be no greater calamity in this world than the calamity of sitting down and waiting for calamity. We must not let the things which we can't do keep us from doing the things that we can do! The future will always be better for those who are best prepared!

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 8 Cans of Fruit

Extra Item Purchase 8 rolls of Toilet Paper

Family Prep: Putting together a library of helpful books is very important. These may be things like survival manuals, gardening, first aid, food storage, cookbooks, and others that you may find helpful for in any emergency or alternate living situations. Start to put together your list of books, then start to gather them into one location.

Spiritual Preparedness: Captain Moroni did much to fortify the Nephites against their enemies. Read Alma 49 and discuss with your family the ways you can fortify yourselves, your family, and our brothers and sisters in the Gospel against the enemies who try to lead us away from living gospel principles.

Area's of Preparedness for any reason or season

1-One room living: Find one room that you have a heat source

in. Block off all hallways and exits with blankets. Set up camp

in this area.

2-Heating: Use whatever heat source you may have. Be sure

and ventilate if needed.

3-Cooking: You can make a buddy burner with a tuna can. Fold

newspaper into a fan. Roll and put into tuna can. Add wick.

Pour wax over it and let dry. You can also cook over an open

fire outside. Make sure and use heavy pans as your kitchen

pans will not handle the heat of open flame.

4-Showers: You can take spit baths with a bowl of warm water.

Poke a hole in a white storage bucket and put it on a ladder in

your bathtub. Put a container under it to catch any water that

falls. Stand in this container and have someone pour warm

water into the bucket. If you have a spigot and can drill a hole in the bottom part of the bucket you can turn it off and on.

5-Sanitation: Put a small bucket in your toilet. Put a grocery

plastic bag inside. Use this and then bury it outside away from

water lines.

6-Lighting: Flashlights will work different hours depending on

your brand of battery. Be very wise with your light. Make sure

your floors are picked up before it gets dark. Many accidents

happen after it gets dark and things are left on the floor.

7-Refrigeration: Freeze a block of ice in a plastic container

(outside) – do two if you have it. Put them in the freezer of your

fridge. This will act as an ice chest. Be careful not to have

many left overs, as we don't want food poisoning! You can

store your miracle whip and things like this in it.

8-Food: Use whatever food is in your freezer first. Make do with

whatever food you have in your home – get creative – If you

have a hand wheat grinder – start grinding wheat before you get

hungry! It is hard work!

9-Water: If water has things in it, strain. Boil all water 10 mins.

You can also add bleach to it if you have it @ 3 drops per liter

10-Washing Clothes. You need a white bucket with a lid. Poke

holes in the lid about the size of a pencil. Drill a hole in top and

put a plunger through it into the bucket. Close lid and lift the

plunger up and down.

52 Weeks, Week 46

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 46

"We are living in a very dangerous time. There has never been a time when it has been more important to listen to the counsel of the Leaders of the Church. It is all about Staying Out of Debt and Getting your Year Supply! I encourage your serious attention to this subject!" Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Richardson Texas Stake Conference, March 9, 2008

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 30 lbs. Wheat or Flour

Extra Item Purchase 11 lbs. Macaroni or Spaghetti

Family Prep: Preparation items for Christmas.

Spiritual Preparedness: Read 2 Nephi 4: 15-16 and ponder the ways you can expand your learning and knowledge of the scriptures and things of the world which will benefit you and your family

Often because of the hustle and bustle of the season we lose sight of the important things. It's time to take the time to bring the important things back. Following are a few ideas. As you ponder the real meaning and our busy lives you will come up with many more.

1. Find what brings peace and focus on it. I love to just watch the lights twinkle on my tree while the rest of the house is dark. It is a kind of peaceful time for me to ponder what is important to me.

2. Try to Simplify – what is really important to you. Get rid of all the fluff and stuff, we often forget the real meaning of Christmas because we hide it well in all the stuff.

3. Enlist the help of your family. This is a time of year when family members help more willingly. Many of the things are fun to do, like decorating and baking and delivering.

4. Build some fun family memories. We need to make these memories so that our families will have wonderful and special things to remember.

Following are some ideas of things to do together as a family.

- Make and frost sugar cookies together

- Deliver Christmas treats and goodies to friends and neighbors together

- Drive around and look at light displays

- Go caroling

- Share treats when you go caroling

- Draw names and do special things for the person's name that you draw

- Make Christmas decorations, popcorn and cranberry strings, popcorn balls, paper snowflakes, painted ceramic ornaments, Etc.

- Read Christmas stories

Bring the spirit of peace and love into your home as you enjoy the Christmas season and remember that Jesus Christ is the real reason that we celebrate.

52 Weeks, Week 45

 

52 Weeks to Family Preparedness for Two

Week 45

President Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign November 1980, Prepare for the days of Tribulation"Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own.

Food Storage and Preparedness Challenge Of The Week:

Food Storage Purchase 10 lbs. Non-Fat Dry Milk

Extra Item Purchase 1 lbs. Each of yeast, Baking Powder, Baking Soda

Family Prep: In light of the turmoil in our world maybe it is time to gift a family member with knitting, sewing, or quilting lessons. For some it maybe the best time to purchase the family some water barrels or portable water purifiers. Still others may want to buy sleeping bags, tents, camp stoves or lanterns or camping sleeping pads. Being prepared is all about knowledge and forethought. Keep these ideas in mind as the time to get prepared is running short.

Spiritual Preparedness: Jesus said: "Learn of me. … For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:29-30.) I should like to suggest that we follow that injunction given by the Son of God. With all of our learning, let us also learn of him. With all of our study, we need to seek knowledge of

the Master. That knowledge will give us character and a fullness to life that can come in no other way.

Stocking Stuffer & Gift Ideas

. travel size shampoo, conditioner

. stick lights

. new toothbrushes, paste and dental floss

. compass, whistle with neck tie, reflector

. soap and holder

. hard candy and gum

. crayons, colored pencils

. small sewing kit (you can make these yourselves)

. small first aid kits

. travel size camping utensils

. flashlight and batteries, extra light bulbs

. rain poncho

. hand lotion

. folding scissors

. fingernail clippers and other nail supplies

. knife and sharpener

. flint and steel for fire starting

. warm blankets - wool blankets are cheap at second hand stores

. sleeping bags and pads

. wool socks and cotton socks to wear next to the skin

. wool hat and scarf. Make them yourself for a great gift

. warm coat

. gloves and mittens

. warm boots big enough to wear heavy socks with

. snow shoes or make some skies for cross country treks

. slippers

. paper products for the family i.e. toilet, paper towels

. propane for use with the campstove or lantern

. water storage container

. folding camp shovel, ax, or hatchet