Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of December 5th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Quote:

"For over forty years, in a spirit of love, members of the Church have been counseled to be thrifty and self-reliant; to avoid debt; pay tithes and a generous fast offering; be industrious; and have sufficient food, clothing, and fuel on hand to last a least one year. Today there are compelling reasons to reemphasize this counsel. " Ezra Taft Benson, October Conference 1980

Brothers and Sisters, this counsel is as important now as it was when given in 1980, may be even more so now. All I ask, is that you just start somewhere, if you have not already done so, to prepare for whatever lies ahead, it may be around the corner. If you need help, please ask me and I would be happy to help you make a plan for your family. The 72 Hour Emergency Kit is the best way to start, while working on your 3 Months Food Supply at the same time (just a couple of extra cans of food a week).

Weekly Assignment (72 Stressor Kit--one for each family member)

This week we will add the last item:

1) $3-$5 in change (coins) for each kit (You need change in coins because if you only have a $5 bill and you need food or water, the person may say it cost $5, they will say they do not have change.) Put the money in a small zip lock bag.

You should have the following items in your 72 Hour Stressor Kit:

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
7. favorite reading book (soft cover for adult books)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family member kit so you have different ones to play)
9. Book of Mormon (soft cover, about $4 on church catalog website)
Added this week:
10. $3-$5 in coin change in small zip lock bag

Put all the above items in a large zip lock bag and put in your 72 Hour Emergency backpack for each family member in your household.

Congratulations! If you have been following along the past 19 weeks you have finished the 72 Hour Food/Water Kit, the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit and the 72 Hour Stressor Kit for each family member in your household.

The next step is to put all these 3 kits into a backpack for each family member in your house hold. Over the month of December I want you to add the following to complete your 72 Hour Emergency Backpack kit:

1) change of clothing (shirt, pants, underware/garments, socks) (remember to chage these as your children grow)
2) a sweater (if you do not have extra ones, then get one from a discount center like the Discount Center on Avalon and Sepulveda or the Good Will)
3) a hat
4) if you want, a sturdy pair of shoes (change as your children grow)

Once you have completed the kits, put in a place that will be easily accessable in the house or your car. You should also have one at your work place under your desk. We keep kits in the house and kits in the car. Reason for this: You may be in an earthquake while in the house and not able to get them out of the car. If away from home and you keep them at home, you will need them if you cannot get back home. Or, you can keep one family size one in the car with food, water, first-aid kit, some hygiene items like diapers (see the list what you would want to have), activity books/games/scriptures.

If you have not started your 72 Emergency Kit then go back to the "Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 1st)" and start there. It is great to have the complete list of items because you can buy them while on sale, try to buy 1-2 items, or more, each week.

Due to the holiday season we are going to take a break from the Weekly Assignments. Continue to put your 72 Hour Kit(s) together if you have not finished them. We will start the 72 Hour Family Kit in January. The 72 Hour Family Kit will enclude items like a hatchet, mess kits to cook with, items to heat food with, first-aid kit, etc. You will only need one of these kits for the house and one for the car (if you have 72 Hour kits in your car too.)

After the first of year we will also be setting up First-aid and CPR classes for those who want to attend. We will be setting up Emergency Preparedness Committes and Teams and have an Emergency Preparedness Workshop.

Weekly Challenge:

Continue to purchase extra cans of vegetables and fruit and other items your family eats in 3 months. Keep inventory as you go along. See the 3 Month Food Supply posting for help and ideas.

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of each December Weekly Challenge and Assignment for the December 28th Monthy FREE Giveaway Drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 28th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Congratulations to the Tim Holt family! They won our November Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing. They won a Seychelle Water Filtration System Bottle. The bottle removes 99.99% of contaminants. It will filter 100 gallons of water per filter. I have seen them filter out very durty contaminated water into crystal clear drinking water. The church has distributed thousands of these to our missionaries throughout the world where the drinking water is not safe.

You can purchase these bottles at the church catalog website "store.lds.org" or from the "Family Resources" catalog that comes with your Ensign magazine once a year. If you go to the church website you will need to set up an account. You may need your membership number to do so.

Here is the item, item number and prices:

Water Filtration 28 oz Bottle (from Seychelle--will not say the company name in the catalog or website)

Bottle with 1 filter (item # 08381951) $16.50 each
Bottle with 2 filters (item # 08381000) $22.00 each
Replacement Filter (item # 08381951) $9.00 each (website has same # as the Bottle with 1 filter)

These are great to have 2 or more in your Family 72 Hour Bag we will be start putting together in two weeks.
**************************************************************************

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. How blessed we are to live in this country and share the freedoms which we enjoy daily. In many countries they are not allowed to store food, or are limited in what they can store. In the United States we are blessed to store as much as we want along with water and fuel (where possible).

Quote:

"As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son." (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, October 2001, page 89 or Ensign, November 2001, page 73.)

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one for each family member's 72 Hour Backpack)

1) Book of Mormon (soft cover, the one the Missionaries hand out)

So far you should have the following in your 72 Hour Stessor Kit:

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
7. favorite reading book (soft cover for adult books)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family kit so have different ones to play)
Added this week:
9. Book of Mormon (soft cover)

Next week we will finish up the 72 Hour Stressor Kit. Only one more item to go.

Weekly Challenge:

Add 5 cans of vegetables and 5 cans of fruit to your 3 Month Food Supply.

Inventory your 3 Months Food Supply to see how you are doing following the chart you created in the 3 Months Food Supply posting (see right hand side under Postings and click on it if you need help with the chart.)

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of the this posting for the December Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 21st)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Last week to post you name for the Sunday, November 28th Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing. Post you name by Friday, November 26th.

Quote:

"You do not need to go into debt to obtain a year's supply. Plan to build up your food storage just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a television set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. I speak with a feeling of great urgency." (Conference Report October 1980, Ensign November 1980, page 10)

Brothers and Sisters, As I read this quote from the 1980 General Conference I wonder how long do we have to be warned and counseled by our General Authorities to be prepared for whatever might come our way, natural disasters, financial hardships, loss of a job, and an accident or illness of the head of the house who provides financially for our family, before we heed their words. Many LDS families are already facing financial hardships and loss of a job. Wouldn't a years supply of food (even three to six months) help in that situation and ease the burden of how to pay bills and provide for the family?

So far we have been blessed not to have had a major earthquake hit this area which would cause great devastation, injury to others, and loss of resources. Look at the Katrina Hurricane, Hattie and other countries who have suffered major natural disasters. It took not just days, but weeks to get fresh water, food and medical help to those people. Even our local community government is telling us to be prepared to take care of ourselves for at least two weeks (food and water and may be even medical help). Our Bishops Store house in Los Angeles only can store so much food. Even though the Church is very well organized and can bring food, fresh water and medical supplies to the area, it may be impossible for trucks to get into the area to deliver those items due to damages, just like with Katrina. We must be prepared and be able to take care of our own family for at least two weeks, I think better for a month.

Let's all make some plans, change our priorities, and if we have not already, start purchasing food and water for storage. Just start somewhere!

Weekly Challenge: (See the Weekly Assignment, the 72 Hour Stressor Kit, after this.)

My Weekly Challenge this week is to consider not buying your children or family members those expensive Christmas gifts this year, but put that money into Food, Water Storage and Emergency Preparedness. Yes, buy them gifts for Christmas, but cut back on the expensive ones. May be buy everyone a sleeping bag, if they do not already have one. You can get them at a very resonable price at Big 5 ($20 or so). Do not forget the gifts from Santa, just explain even Santa is on a budget this year and working on his Years Food Supply!

One year when money was very tight due to some unexpected medical and other bills, we decided to have a Home Made Christmas. Knowing of our circumstances the children came up with the idea and presented it to us. We were so proud of them. We determined how much we had to spare for Christmas gifts and determined each family member would get $25 to spend on each family member. As you know their are eight in our family, so each person had $25 to spend on seven people. As a family we decided to make our gifts. The older children helped the younger ones. Each one made a plan as to what they were going to make and the supplies they would need (Michael's craft store is a great place for some items). The excitement in the house was wonderful! Wonderful things were going on behind closed doors. When Christmas morning came everyone was so excited to share their Home Made Christmas Gift with each family member. Their imaginations and thoughtfulness of each family member about the things they liked was unbelievable. One daughter made hand painted T-shirts for everyone. Each T-shirt represented something that person liked, they were beautiful. Heidi painted a wooden box for her Dad to keep his keys, wallet and change in at the end of the day (he still has it and uses it). One of the children made cookies with Certificate Booklets for each person offering their services throughout the year for back rubs, shoes shines, clean their room for them, etc. Many of gifts are gone now, some are still around, but the memories of that Christmas are with us forever. When you ask our family their favorite Christmas, it will usually be that one. Of course, we managed to have a small gift from Santa and a Christmas stocking filled with candies, fruit, nuts and some small inexpensive things.

I know of one Ward member who is putting together 72 Hour Food Kits for her family members this year. I also know of another family, who one year only bought Emergency Preparedness items for each other (they have older children and they all agreed to ). The items were then organized into their Emergency Preparedness shelves. What great ideas!

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit: (one for each family member)

As you purchase the 72 Hour Stressor Kit items put them into a large zip lock plastic bag.

This week add the following:

1) A copy of your or your child's favorite reading book (Adult books, soft cover if possible to cut down on the weight.) Not the Book of Mormon, we will be added that next week.

2) A small travel size board game like checkers or playing cards like Fish or Old Maid. (Put a different kind in each kit, that way you will have several different ones for your family to play if you are all together.) You can find these at the 99 Cent Store, the Dollar Tree, the $1 bins at Target, any department store like Target, WalMart, CVS, Walgreen. Watch for great sales right now due to the Christmas holiday.


So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hours Stressor Kit (see the previous blog postings for these items):

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
Added this week:
7. favorite reading book (not the Book of Mormon, will be adding that later)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards

Remeber: Post your name and a comment, if you wish, at the end of this blog posting (and on each November weekly posting, the more chances to win) for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing, which will be held next week on Sunday, the 28th.

Notice: If you are not receiving my emails about Emergency Preparedness sale items and other Emergency Preparedness important information, please email me your email address at theark.carsonward@gmail.com and I will make sure you get them too.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 14th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Quote:

"More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstance. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared. For this reason the Brethren have repeatedly stressed a "back to basics" program for temporal and spiritual welfare." Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare for the Days of Tribulation," Ensign, Nov. 1980, page 32

Personal Experience:

Several years ago my husband Robert was hit by another driver while in his work truck. He had just pulled away from his last job and had not put on his seat belt yet. The fellow hit him on the driver side pretty hard, causing Robert to be thrown against the other side of the truck, hitting the door. He spent the next three months recovering from his injuries at home on Medical Disability from work. Many of you know, when you receive Disability from your job, the money is only a small portion of your regular income. I was a stay at home mom with small children. Our only income at the time was Robert's. Because we had listened to the counsel of our Church Leaders we had about 4-6 weeks of Food Storage on hand. Because of this we were able to handle the rest of our temporal needs and not ask the Bishop for Food Orders from the Church. We never know when our Food Storage and Savings will be needed to sustain our family. Great blessings and peace come from following the Leaders of our Church!

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one kit per family member);

1. Paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 Survival Whistle (I found these at BePrepared.com (Emergency Essentials) for $1.50. They are great!--whistle, compass, flint fire started, waterproof matches and signal mirror. You may also check with Major Survival Surplus Store in Gardnea, or other department/sporting goods stores.)
3. Copies of your insurance or name of the insurance companies with a list of the policy numbers and contact phone numbers, copies of medical insurance cards (back and front) and list of medications that person takes. You may only want this in the adult kit with at least a copy of the child's medical insurance card and medications they take in theirs.

Weekly Challenge:

While at our Relief Society Meeting Tuesday night some of the sisters and I were discussing Emergency Preparedness and how prepared our children's schools are. I know at our daughter's son's grade school in Torrance they are prepared for an emergency situation. Outside each class room there is a large trash can on wheels full of each child in the classroom a 72 Hour Emergency Kit . Each kit, with their name on the front in permanent marker, has food, water, a change of underwear and socks, and stressor things (book, family photo, small toy like a small Lego kit) for that child. I would also include a copy of their medical insurance card and any medications they are on and allergies in a small zip lock bag. These are provided by the parents since the parents know what their child will eat and is allergic t0. At the end of the school year they take them home and the parents bring a new 72 Hour Kit back the first day of the new school year and place it in the trash can outside the classroom.

Some schools have large metal containers somewhere on the school grounds with food and water. I have concern about these ones. Who knows how long the food and water has been stored there in the heat. The heat hitting that metal container may raise the temperature inside to an unsafe level, causing the food and water inside to deteriorate quicker than stored in a cool dry place. Plus, will your child eat the food that is stored? It is a proven fact, even when children are hunger, they will usually not each something they do not like or have not eaten before.

After speaking with a guest who came with one of our sister Tuesday night, she being a grade school teacher, we found out how unprepared some of our schools are for an emergency situation, this is frightening to think our children will not be provided for if this happens.

My challenge this week is to check with your children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews schools to see what emergency preparations they have made for your children. Tell your assigned visiting teaching sisters to also check. Talk to their school, especially the PTA, they are usually the ones involved with this. The PTA is a great source for making sure our children are protected while at school in case of an emergency situation. Find out what you can do to help make sure they are protected and provided for.

I really like the trash can idea since each 72 Hour Kit is provided by the parents who know their child. Of course, something like the containers is better than nothing, but how old is the food and water in them? The food and water should be replaced at every year or at the least every two years, depending on the temperature inside the metal containers.

As members of the church we are asked to be involved in our community, what a better way than to make sure our children are protected while at school.

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you want) at the end of each Weekly Challenge and Assignment for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing at the end of November, the 28th.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 7th)

Hi Carson Ward,

I am so excited to here how many of you are getting excited about Emergency Preparedness, evaluating and setting up your home Food/Water Storage and Emergency Preparedness items, getting your 72 Hour Kits updated or started, that the Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness blog/website is helping you to accomplish your goals, that you are following the counsel of our General Authorities and Leaders of our Church, and you on your way to self-reliance and Provident Living.

If there is anything I can do to help you get started please just ask me, or if you have any questions. If you would like, I would love to sit down with you or your family to help you make a plan and get started towards becoming self-reliant. It brings such peace of mind in knowing that you are working towards a goal and seeing your Food Storage and Emergency Predparedness items growing. The most important thing you can do, is "just start", even if it is one can at a time. There is a Latin Proverbwhich says: "While we consider when to begin, it becomes too late!"

When it gets close to Spring next year and you are interested in planting a garden (even a container garden) I would be excited to help you plan your garden and plant it. It is such a satisfying experience to get the whole family involved in planting a garden and then freezing and/or canning your rewards!

Quote:

“Life is made up of small daily acts. Savings in food budgets come by pennies, not only by dollars. Clothing budgets are cut by mending stitch by stitch, seam by seam. Houses are kept in good repair nail by nail. Provident homes come not by decree or by broad brushstroke. Provident homes come from small acts performed well day after day. When we see in our minds the great vision, then we discipline ourselves by steady, small steps that make it happen.” (Barbara B. Smith, former Relief Society general president - Ensign, Nov. 1980, p. 86.)

After the first of the year I plan to set up Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness workshops and First-aid and CPR classes. We may set up the First-aid and CPR classes before the holidays.

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one per family member):

What is a 72 Hour Stressor Kit? It helps your family deal with the stresses of a natural disaster or emergency situation. It provides items in the kit to help occupy them with things to do, like reading the Book of Mormon or a favorite book, playing small car board games, card games like "Go Fish" or working in an activity book or even just looking at a family photo.

This week we are starting this kit. There are only 7-8 items in this kit. This week please add the following for each family kit:

1. Family photo
2. Activity book (I found these at the 99 Cent Store and Dollar Tree, they are Cross Word Puzzle books, Word Search books, or activities books for children.)
3. List of contact names and phone numbers (Family and friends in state and out of state, doctors names, addresses and phone numbers. Make sure your children understand what they are and they can call them if they cannot locate you. Teach them how to call them.)

Weekly Challenge:

Teach your children, grandchildren, neices and nephews how to call 911

Our daughter Heidi did a wonderful thing a few weeks ago to help their boys learn how to call 911 if one of their parents or grandparents were hurt where they could not get to the phone or were unable to talk to them. They wanted them to know that if they could not get them to wake up they could call for help and help would come.

First Heidi called 911 and explained she wanted to teach her boys how to call 911 and make sure it was ok if she did a test with them so they would know their was someone to call and they would be able to help them.

Then she pretended to be unconsious on the floor. She had Bradley call 911. She first had him tell the 911 Dispature that he was practicing with his mother on how to call 911 and that she was pretending to be unconsious. The Dispature was more than willing to help him practice. They took their time with him and asked him their normal questions.

1. Who is calling?
2. Why are they calling, was someone hurt?
3. That help was on their way, to wait and he would keep talking with him until someone got there.
4. When they came to the door, to ask who they were if they could not see them, and it would be ok to open the door for them.

911 can bring up the address while talking with someone. But it is a good idea to teach your children their full name, parents names (they are not just Daddy and Mommy), address and phone number just in case.

Bradley told the Dispacture thank you and hung up. He was so excited that someone was on the other end of the phone to talk with him and help him get help for his mother.

Of course, we need to explain to our children this is only for emergency purposes and not to call just for the fun of it or pretend to see if they really do come to the house.

Remember, post your name at the end of each weeks posting for the month so your name can be entered in our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing the end of November.

Weely Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 31st)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

A new month is shortly upon us. November is a time to be more grateful than usual. It is time to reflect on our gratitude for all we have been blessed with. I am so grateful for our church leaders who have given us the wonderful program of Provident Living, which will greatly bless our lives if we follow the plan and your general authorities.

Congratulations to Myra Albao for winning the October FREE Monthly Giveaway!She won a portable toilet with black trash bags, cat litter and Enzymes 300. This Emergency Preparedness item is a must for each family. This is how you prepare the portable toilet for use:

1. Place a black trash bag in the portable toilet. Best to use a double strength biodegradeable one.
2. Place about 2-3 inches of the cat litter in the bottom.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of the Enzymes 300 over the cat litter.

You can do this process several times before replacing the trash bag. If you are able to stay in your you can also use this proces for your home toilet if not usuable. In an Emergency situation you can bury the waste in the plastic trash bag. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards or wear surgerical gloves while handling the waste material.

The portable toilet (bucket and lid--on sale right now for $15, and comes with 2 Enzymes 300) and the Enzymes 300 ($.60 a package) at BePrepared.com (Emergency Essentials). Shipping is $6. The cat litter and trash bags can be purchased at any grocery store, Sam's Club or Costco. Major Survival & Discount Store in Gardening also sell the portable buckets and lids, not sure about the Enzymes 300. You will need several bags of cat litter and a large box of double strength black trash bags, biodegradeable one are best.

Quote:

"...when we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep you warm, and you cannot wear it." (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. - Church News, November 21, 1953, p.4.)

Weekley Assignment:

72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:

This week we are finishing up the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following items this week. One for each house hold memeber in your family, or 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit.

1. Roll of toilet paper
2. Fenine hygiene items as needed. (if babies in your family, diapers for 3 days)
3. Perscription medications and vitamins (If you take perscription medications or vitamins add enough for 3-4 days to your kit for each person in your house hold that uses them. Some doctors will perscribe extra for this.)
4. Sun screen (You will only need one bottle for the entire family. Put it in the family bag we will talk about later or go to the posting "72 Hour Emergency Kits" for more information. If you have a kit at work you should have one in your kit.)

Congratulations! We are done with the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits. You should have the following items in your kit. Place all the items below in a large zip lock plastic bag and put it in your backpack with your 72 Hour Food Kit.

1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type (great if water is limited)
5. small bar of soap in a small baggie or small bottle of liquid soap
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
9. deodorant (only for those that need it)
10. small container of baby wipes (found this at the 99 Cent Store)
11. respirator masks
12. emergency (reflecting) blanket
13. plastic rain poncho
14. roll of toilet paper
15. fenine hygiene items or diapers for the baby
15. perscription medications and/or vitamins
16. sun screen (only one per family in the family bag or one in your work 72 Hour Emergency Kit)

Next week we will start on the 72 Hour Stressor Kit. These kits do not have many items in them, only 7-8 items. This kit helps you and your family members to deal with the stress of an emergency situation.

Weekly Challlenge:

Review all your insurance policies (health, car, home/renters/earthquake, life) and with your insurance agent. Make sure everything is up to date, you understand your coverages and you have enough coverages to protect you, your family and your home. Make copies of your insurance policies and insurance cards, keep a copy or make a list of your policy numbers. Keep the copies or list in your purse/wallet, at work, with a family member outside of the area (may be seal in an envelope). We will also place a list in your 72 Hour Stressor Kit next week (only the adult ones), or you can put it in there now in a samll plastic zip lock bag, and then put that bag in a large plastic zip lock bag which we will add items too.

Emergency Preperations Progress Chart:

Thank you Myra Albao for letting us know about a great chart you can order online from the church distrubion center. It is a great chart that helps you chart your emergency preparedness items like food, water, shelter equipment, first-aid needs, etc. You can order the chart, 2 sizes (22"x 15" or 8.5" x 11") for $2.50 each. Go to their website: http://ldsposters.com/

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you want) at the end of this posting so your name can be put into the November Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing the end of November. Once again, it will be a great prize, something every house hold can use for Emergency Preparedness.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 24th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

This is the last week to post your comment and name for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing for October, to be held this Thursday, October 28th at our Ward Halloween Party. How do you post your name?

Go the bottom of this Weekly Challenge and Assignment posting
Click on "Comments"
Go to the bottom of any already posted comments
Go to the white box, put in your name and comment (if you would like to leave one)
Click on the drop down arrow "Select Profile"
Click on "Anonymously"
Click on "Submit"
Your name and comment have been posted

The item for this month's drawing is something every family should have as part of their Emergency Preparedness items. You will be grateful you have this if an Emergency situation strikes.

Important: I have set up an easier way to get to each Emergency Preparedness posting in this blog. See the right hand side and scroll down until you see "Postings". If you click on the subject you need help with or want to learn more about, just click on it and it will take you directly to the posting. We will be continually adding new subjects and updating the postings as new or more information is discovered.

Quote:

“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their . . . supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse:they have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food-free.” President Thomas S. Monson

Weekly Assignment:

We are continuing our 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following this week. One for each Personal Hygiene Kit.

1) Respirator Mask (I found really good ones on http://www.bepreapred.com/ "Emergency Essentials" 10 for $11.99. You will only need 1-2 per person. I think you can also get them at WalMart.)

2) Emergency (reflector) Blanket (I also found these at http://www.beprepared.com/ for $1.25 each.)

Note: The above items are on sale at the website mentioned. Great time to buy them. Their shipping is very reasonable. These are light weight items so the shipping should not be more than $6-$9 depending on how many you order. Their highest shipping amount no matter how much to buy or how heavy is $12.

3) Plastic rain poncho: If you order the above items from them you might want to include their plastic yellow or orange rain ponchos at the same time to save on shipping. They are $0.75 & $2.95 each.

So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one for each kit):

1. tooth brush

2. small tube of tooth paste

3. comb and/or brush

4. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type (great if water is limited)

5. small bar of soap or bottle of liquid soap

6. small bottle hand lotion

7. hand sanitizer

8 heavy work gloves

9. deodorant (only for those that need it)

10. small container of baby wipes

This week:

11. respirator masks

12. emergency (reflecting) blanket

13. plastic rain poncho

Only 3 more items to go next week.

Weekly Challenge:

This is the last week of Earthquake Preparedness Month:

Go to the posting "Before, During and After an Earthquake". Review the posting and make a list of things you and your family need to do to be as earthquake safe as possible. Discuss these with your family and make a plan to accomplish them. Have earthquake drills in your home once a month if there are young children, older children quarterly.

3 Month Food Supply:

Continue to add items each week, even if only one can or one package of food, to your 3 Month Food Supply. It does add up over the weeks!

It is so great to hear from each of you and how you are working on setting up your 72 Hour Emergency Kits, your home food storage and water and working on the weekly challenges. As long as you are trying, Heavenly Father will bless you with what you will need. Keep up the great work! If you have any questions you can post a comment below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. If I do not have your email please email it to me. Sister Nancy Cuppett

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 17th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

How prepared is your family for an emergency? The most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is start, no matter how small, just start.

Quote:

“There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed…No one knows when emergencies will strike…Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wife and children and peace in your hearts. That’s all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable” Gordon B. Hinckley

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one item per kit, adjust according to the age of your house hold members):

1) deodorant
2) baby wipes (in small container)

So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:

1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bar of soap or liquid soap
5. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
this week:
9. deodorant
10. baby wipes

Weekly Challenge:

Earthquake preparedness (October is Earthquake Emergency Preparedness Month):

This week continue to correct and secure things in your home to make it earthquake safe. Make sure all hazardous liquids are secure and will not fall and break open, causing danger to your family and the possibility of fires. See the "Before, During and After an Earthquake" posting for ideas.

Make sure everyone in your family has a contact number for out of state or the area. Put in wallets, purses, backpacks, at work, school, home and in your car. Instruct each family member when there is an emergency situation to call that contact number to report how they are and where they are. Also have this number in your children's school records.

3 Month Food Supply:

Continue to add items to your 3 Month Food Supply, even if it is just 1-2 cans of vegetables/fruit, a bag of rice or pasta. If you have not done the monthly chart to determine what your family eats in one month check out the 3 Month Food Supply posting to see how to do this.

Emergency Preparedness food and items:

I found a great company, Emergency Essentials at BePrepared.com, I really like. I have ordered #10 cans of dehydrated foods that keep for 25 years if stored properly and other emergency preparedness items. They have great sales items. Order their catalogue or go to their website. I find their prices are usually better than other companies and their shipping prices are low. Their shipping prices are either $6, $9 or $12, depending on how much you order. I order some things that came in 3 large boxes the total shipping was $12. Here are some great sales I found for the month of October:

Respirator Mask (box of 10)--$11.99 (regularly $12.95) (you need these for your 3 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits)

or, they have Particulate Respirator Mask (box of 20)--$14.95 (regularly $29.99)

Tote-able Toilet with 2 Enzyme Packets--$14.95 (regularly $19.99)

Emergency Gas Wrench (to turn off gas at your main meter)--$4.95 (regularly $10)

High Uinta Gear Multifunction Tool--$4.95 (regularly $9.99)

5-in-1 Survival Whistle--$1.50 (regularly $2.95) I bought several of these or our 72 Hour Kit, the Stressor Kit, I love them. Has a whistle, compass, flint fire starter, waterproof matches, and signal mirror.

Mylar Emergency Blanket--$1.25 (regularly $1.95) They also have other types. You need these for your 72 Hour Kits

Emergency Rain Poncho--$0.75 (regularly $0.99) You need these for your 72 Hour Kits.

Many varieties of dehydrated #10 cans of vegetables, fruit, milk, grains, meats, etc on sale. Check out their website.

Remember: Post your name at the end of this posting for our Monthly Free Giveaway Drawing that will be held at our Ward Halloween Party on Thursday, October 28th. The item for the drawing this month is something everyone will need in an emergency situation.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 10th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Hope everyone enjoyed General Conference. Wasn't it great?

Congratulations to the Levi and Marie Lei family--They won the September monthly Free Giveaway drawing today. They won 2 72 Hour Food Kits with water. We were a little late with the drawing due to conference.

Since this month is still Earthquake Preparedness Awareness Month our Challenge will be focused around what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Please check out the Blog Posting section. There are some really great ideas there that will help protect you and your family. See the challenge after this weeks Assignment.

Also, see the great find at the bottom!

Remember: Post your name in the comment section below for our October Free Monthly Giveaway drawing. This time we will have the drawing at our Ward Halloween Party. If you are not sure how to do this please all Nancy Cuppett (310-835-0902) and she will talk you through it. The next Free Monthly Giveaway item will be very important to you and your family in an emergency situation.

Quote:

“Maintain a year's supply. The Lord has urged that his people save for the rainy days, prepare for the difficult times, and put away for emergencies, a year's supply or more of bare necessities so that when comes the flood, the earthquake, the famine, the hurricane, the storms of life, our families can be sustained through the dark days. How many of us have complied with this? We strive with the Lord, finding many excuses: We do not have room for storage. The food spoils. We do not have the funds to do it. We do not like these common foods. It is not needed -- there will always be someone to help in trouble. The government will come to the rescue. And some intend to obey but procrastinate.” The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p.375

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:

This week add the following items per house hold kit:

1. Small bottle of hand sanitizer (I found these at Carson Target on Sepulveda for $.98 in the travel size bins along the wall . There are all kings of small personal hygiene items there for 98 cents. The 99 Cent and Dollar Tree may also have them.)

2. Heavy work gloves (These will protect your hands if you need to move objects. I found them at the 99 Cent store, get the gray ones, they are heavier. Even your children need them.)

So far you should have the following in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:

1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bar of soap (in a plastic zip lock bag, this may not be practical since water will limited, the small bottle of hand sanitizer may be better)
5. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type
6. small bottle of hand lotion
the week:
7. Hand sanitizer
8. Heavy work gloves

Note: Regarding the hand bar soap. Myra Alboa made a comment about this on this posting. It is really up to you which you want to use, bar hand soap or liquid soap. I am just concerned about rinsing it off since your water will be limited to drinking and preparing some of your food in the 72 Hour Food Kit. I would have both, the bar hand soap or liquid soap (which ever kind you prefer) and the hand sanitizer soap.

Weekly Challenge:

Go through your house to make it is earthquake safe. Make a list of items that need your attention and make a plan to correct them as soon as possible this month and check off the items you have completed. See the blog posting "What to do before, during and after an earthquake". See what things you need to do to make your home earthquake safe for you and your family. Get the whole family involved.

If you do not already have one, you can purchase an Earthquake Gas Value Shut-off tool to turn off your gas at the main line by Googling "Earthquake Survival Tool". Make sure you get the one that has the shut-off tool attached to a yellow cardboard and says "Earthquake Survival Tool" on it. This one handles both sizes of values. Go to:
Amazon.com has a Quake Hold Gas Shut-off Tool for $6.25. (Top right corner on their home page.)
safetycentra.com has one for $7.97.

**********Great find!************

Water Filtration Bottles (28 oz bottle):

I just found the ones that are offered through Seychelle, mentioned on the Water Storage blog posting, for a lot less money. Our church bought a lot of them and is offering them for the following price on the "store.lds.org" website. (Some of you may have received the Family Resources cataloge in the mail with your Ensign about the Temples this month, they are listed in there.) :

With one filter $16.50
With two filters $22.00

They filter out 99.99% of the bad things in the water, no matter how bad the water is, 100 gallons per filter.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 3rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

This month is Earthquake Awareness/Preparedness Month! Our October Weekly Challenges will be focused around this. Please see the Weekly Challenge after the Weekly Assignment.

Quote:

"The wise in heart shall be called prudent, . . . ." Proverbs 16:21

Are we planning for the future or are we excepting others to provide for our needs?

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:

This week add the following per house hold kit:

1. Small bottle of shampoo and rinse ( I found these at the 99 Cent Store and Dollar Tree. A great one to have is the type that does not require water. Water will be limited at this time.)
2. Small bottle of hand lotion

Many years ago a dam broke in Idaho flooding the area and homes. I read where one woman said she would have given anything for some shampoo and hand lotion.

If you have been following the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit you should have the following, one item of each for each family member's kit (remember to keep these items in a separate large zip lock bag from the 72 Hour Food Kit:

1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bar of soap (in pastic zip lock bag)
this week:
5. small bottle of shampoo and rise, or non-water type
6. small bottle of hand lotion

Weekly Challenge:

Get together with your family this coming week (either FHE or some other time) and discuss what to do during an earthquake. Check out the blog posting "What to do before, during and after an earthquake". Go to the section about what to do during an earthquake, discuss with your family, show them what to do and have an earthquake drill.

Google the California Shake Out and click on Drop, Cover and Hold On in the middle of the website. There is great information there.

Remember: This is the last week to post a comment for next Sunday, October 10th monthly Free Giveaway Emergency Preparedness drawing. If you post your name on all the September Weekly Challenge and Assignment postings you will have 4 changes to win. Call me if you do not know how to do this.

Sister Nancy Cuppett (310-835-0902)

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of September 26th

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Make sure you check out the weekly assignment and challenge below for this week. Remember to post your name in the comment section at the end of each weeks posting for the FREE GIVEAWAY drawing to be held October 10th, the week after General Conference next week. See last weeks posting to see how to do this if you do not know how or call Sister Cuppett (310-835-0902) to walk you through it.

Quote:

"Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

I love this quote from our dear Prophet President Hinckley. How true this is. We can apply this to Provident Living and Emergency Preparedness. Regarding Emergency Preparedness, it takes planning, setting up a budget to allow money to purchase food storage items, purchasing food storage items our family will eat plus the basic for survival (wheat, oats, rice, beans, sugar, honey, water), rotating what we have, and setting up areas in our home to store our food storage, water and emergency preparedness items. It takes hard work and diligence. Without this hard work we basically have "weeds", or in other words, nothing to provide for our family's needs in case of an emergency (unemployment, illness, disasters, etc.).

Brothers and Sisters, I have felt for some time now the urgency of how much we, if we have not already, need to start planning and setting up our Food Storage, water and emergency preparedness items. With all the things happening in our world, communities, state and government today, we need to be prepared for whatever is down the road. If we are prepared, we will have no need to fear. If we are striving to prepare the best we can, the Lord will bless us and we will have sufficient for our family's needs, not wants, but needs. If you have not started on this, now is the time. Review your budget with the family, see where you can cut back to provide money to purchase food storage items for your family. This may take scarifice for you and your family, but I promise you it will be well worth it, it will give you peace of mind. I think it is important to get the whole family involved. Maybe for Christmas gifts this year you could give each other Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness items. I know this sounds strange but I know one family in our Ward that did this one year for Christmas, it turned out great!

The important thing to do is start!

Share with your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors the importance of Emergency Preparedness and Food and Water Storage.


Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Personal Kit (purchase the follow items, 1 for each individual kit, the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Store are great for these items):

1. Comb and/or Brush
2. Small bar of soap (put in small zip lock bag so when you use it it does not get all over the other items)

Car Emergency Kit:

Add one item from the blog posting Car Emergency Kit list.

72 Hour Food Kits:

CAUTION: If you purchase food items for your 72 Hour Food Kits be careful. I find that sometimes the food items at the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Store expiration within just a month or so. You need them to be good for at least one-two years. You should check and update your 72 Hour Food kits each year, and rotate any food items that need replacing. Be careful in the regular grocery stores too, sometimes they expire in less than a year.

Weekly Challenge:

1. If you have not already done so, please complete your Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness Survey and give it to Sister Cuppett as soon as possible. We need these to complete the Ward Emergency Preparedness Plan.

2. Get together all insurance policy information (car, home, earthquake, life, health, etc), family health history, and emergency contact information together, print out and put in each family members 72 Hour backpacks or bags in a zip lock bag to protect from water damage.

Insurance information includes type of policy, policy number, copy of policy (shrink down to fit all on one page, front and back if necessary), agent name and phone number, company name.

Family health history includes name, phone number and address of family doctors, copy of health insurance cards (front and back), information about each family member, photo of each family member, medications take (name, amount, how often), allergies, family person's name, age, weight, height), and any health issues.

Emergency Contacts--put together a list of all family/friends emergency contact numbers, include Bishopric and RS President. Include names, phone numbers, addresses.

Remember: Post your name at the end of this posting in the comment section and each posting for September to have your name entered into the October 10th monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing!

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of September 19th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

We are excited to hear and see that moe and more of the Ward Members are visiting the Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness website, enjoying the postings and information, doing the challenges and assignments and leaving comments. It is great to hear about the things you are doing in your family and the challenges you are trying. Remember, do not forget to put your name in on the "comment section" below so your name can be put in the monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing. Next drawing Sunday, October 10th.

This is how you do it: 1) click on the "comments" at the end of the Weekly Challenge and Assignments, 2) put in your name and comment (if you want) in the "Post a Comment" white box, 3) In the Select profile drop down, choose "Anonymous", 4) click on "Post Comment" and your comment is posted.

Quote:

"We continue to encourage members to store sufficient food, clothing and where possible fuel for at least one year. We have not laid out an exact formula for what should be stored. However, we suggest that members concentrate on essential foods that sustain life, such as grains, legumes, sugar, salt, cooking oil, powdered milk, and water. Most families can achieve and maintain this basic level of preparedness. The decision to do more than this rests with the individual. We encourage you to follow this counsel with the assurance that a people preared through obedience to the commandments of God need not fear." The First Presidency

Weekly Assignements:

72 Hour Food Kit:

I forgot a couple of important items for your 72 Hour Food Kits. Purchase the following and add to your kit:

3 stryofoam cups (one for each day) (or one camping metal drinking cup)
3 spoons (one for each day) (or a metal camping utienls set)

If you have tried to put all the 72 Hour Food items in a large zip lock bag I know it is hard, but if you work at it, it all does fit. Make sure to double the large zip lock bag.

Note: Remember to put, if using the same menu for each day, a copy of the daily menu inside each 72 Hour Food Kit. The menu is on the 72 Hour Kit blog posting.

72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (This week we will start this kit, remember, you need one of each item for each kit):

Add the following:

Tooth brush (99 Cent Store or the Dollar Tree is a great place to purchase these)
Small traveling size tooth paste (Do not purchase at dollar stores, they usually come from other countries where they do not have the strick food and drug laws we have in the US, the they do not have fluorided water as in the US)

3 Month Food Supply:

Purchase some extra cans of fruit

Car Emergency Kit:

Add one item on the Car Emergency Kit list to your Kit.

Weekly Challenge:

Congratulations to the Boyer Family. Last week for Family Home Evening they learned how and taught their children how to turn off the main water and gas values and the electricity in case of an emergency. They also discussed "what if there was a fire in our home?" and had a fire drill. They even invited another family who also wanted to learn to their Family Home Evening. Great job Boyer Family!

So my challenge this week is to have a Family Home Evening with your family and discuss how to turn off the main water and gas valves and electricity. Also, to discuss how to handle a fire in your home and have a family fire drill. If you have young children in your home I would encourage you to have monthly fire drills, and if you have older children (teenagers) have a fire drill every 3-4 months. Check out the Week of August 1st posting that talks about fire drills and fire safety in our home.

Did you know? If you need to take off work and are not paid for the time off to take care of a loved oned or you just had a new baby, the State of California has benefits through the Paid Family Leave Act. For more information check out the blog posting at the end of all the posting.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of September 12th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

This week we will finish up our 72 Hour Kits if you have been following along the past several weeks. I heard this quote last Sunday in our Relief Society lesson and love it (thank you Sister Lawson).

Quote:

"To be prepared is one thing, to live prepared is another thing."
Elder James E. Talmage

72 Hour Kit Assignment:

Purchase the following this week. Remember, if you are following the same 3 day menu you will need 3 of each item for each family 72 Hour Kit you are putting together.

Snack--Beef Jerky (one package per kit, this is just an extra snack)
Fruit snacks (like Fruit Roll ups, dried fruits, this is just an extra snack)
Note: I put these items along with the hard candy and gum in a separate plastic zip lock bag.

If you have been following along you should have purchased 3 of each item below for each family 72 Hour Kit:

Granola bars
Juice Box Drink or Fruit Drink mix
Instant hot chocolate drink mix
Small box of raisins
Instant Oatmeal
Fruit Cups or Apple Sauce (or mix)
Trail Mix
Dry Soup Mix
Peanut Butter crackers
Water (either 2 Liter Bottle or 3 regular size drinking bottles, not the small ones)
Gum
Hard candy
Today's
Beef Jerky
Fruit snacks (like fruit roll ups or dried fruits)

A great place to get items for the 72 Hour Food, Hygiene, and Personal Kits is The Dollar Tree, The 99 Cent Store, and Big Lots. (Thank you Myra Albao for reminding me.)

Congratulations! You have just finished putting together your family's 72 Hour Food Kits. Now put everything together in zip lock bags (remember keep the gum and hard candy in a small bag so the food does not take on the taste) and put in your backpack for each family member. Next week we will start the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits.

I learned from one Sister in the Ward she is putting the 72 Hour Kits together as Christmas gifts for her family this year. What a great idea!

I have discovered a great water family pitcher and individual flip top bottle filtration system product. The church is purchasing thousands of these for our missionaries in the field throughout the world. Go to the Water Storage posting and get more information. It is at the end of the posting.

Car Emergency Preparedness Kit:

Add one item on the list on the Car Emergency Preparedness Kit posting that you have not already added.

3 Month Supply:

Purchase extra cans of an item you buy this week while grocery shopping for your storage.

Weekly Challenge:

Part of being prepared is not only being temporally prepared but also being spiritual prepared. The challenge this week, if you are not already doing it, is to read the Book of Mormon each day with your family. It can be just one verse or one chapter a day. The most important thing to do is just start. If you are already doing this, great job! I know it is really hard with small children and you feel they are not listen, but they are. As I witnessed my son doing this with his young family every night, I saw the struggle, but it paid off, now they are older and love reading with the family and some can even read themselves now. What a great blessing for our family!

Remember: Put your comment at the end of this posting and last weeks and your name goes into the monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing to held Sunday, October 10th. You will have 4 chances to win if you put a comment in each week's challenge and assignment.

Also, check out the new Recipe posting and all the Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness posting that will help you with your emergency preparedness and maybe give you some new ideas if you already have your years supply. I will be adding recipes and tips all along that will help you use and rotate your food storage.

The best thing you can do regarding Emergency Preparedness is just start, even if it is just one extra can of food, it is a start!

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of September 5th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Congratulations! The Romo Family won the first monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing. They won a Portable One Burner Butane Fuel Stove and 2 cans of Butane Fuel. They are great for cooking on in an emergency situation. I cooked on one for 3 months while our kitchen was being remodeled. It worked great! The drawing was held during Relief Society today. There werer 7 names in the drawing, ward members who posted a comment on the blog during the month of August. Sister Hurst drew the name.

September is National Preparedness Month!

I cannot express enough regarding the Parable of the 10 Virgins. Do we want to be the 5 Wise Virgins with oil in our lamps (food storage/emergency preparedness items), or do we want to be the 5 Foolish Virgins who thought they could borrow from others (they will need it for themselves and their family)? Many times do we say we do not have the money or time. Time is running out, the time is now! How many of us have money for going to the movies, golf game fees, paint bald, or other types of entertainment or a new outfit or shoes, but seem to never have money for the important things in life, like building up our Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness items. We need to reevaluate our lives and our budgets. The important thing is to just start, add a few items each week and you will be surprised how fast you can build up your Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness items.

Quote:

"We can rest assured that if we have done all in our power to prepare for whatever lies ahead, He will then help us with whatever else we need."
Apostle Bruce R. McConkie

72 Hour Kit Assignment:

If you have been adding the 72 Hour Kit items each week as assigned in the other Weekly Assignment postings you are on the home stretch. Look how easy this has been.

This week (if you are following the same menu for each day) add the follow (remember: you will need 3 of each item for each 72 Hour Kit in your family):

Peanut Butter Crackers (usually come 6 crackers in each package and 6-9 individual packages in each package. I found them at Food 4 Less, Albertson and most grocery stores. Costco and Sam's Club may also have them.)

Water (2 Liter bottle or 3 regular size drinking bottles. You will need this water for drinking and to add to dry mixes in the 72 Hour Kit. This water is not for washing)

Note for Trail Mix on previous posting: I found the individual Trail Mix packages at Target in the snack ailse for $1.29 a each, great deal. Last week they were on sale for $.99. They are from Archer Farmers, called Monster trail mix, weight 2.5 oz. They have different varieties. They also have some that come 5 in a box but I think the packages are to small for what you need.

Next week we add the last 2 food snack items.

Weekly Challenge:

FILL YOUR WATER BARRELS!!! FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS GIVEN WITH THE BARRELS OR CHECK OUT THE WATER STORAGE BLOG POSTING.

It has come to my attention that some of you have not filled your water barrels or changed the water in quite some time. What good are empty water barrels doing to do you or water that is to old? Just a couple of months ago we lost our water for most of the day due to something the city was doing at Harbor Lake near our home. You never know when you may not have water or it may be contaminated.

If you are storing water in the regular small drinking bottles the water only last for a short time. It is important to rotate them. My daughter-in-law found this out when she went to drink the water she had stored some time ago. Of course, you can boil it and use it for washing but not drinking. Caution: Never refill the plastic drinking bottles. The chemicals in the plastic bottles contaminates the water with gases when you do this.

Remember to post a comment below to have your name put in our monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing on October 10th. If you do this each week you will have 4 chances to win the end of September.

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 29th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Here is this week's Assignment and Challenge. Remember to put your name or family name on the comment below to have your name put into a monthly FREE Giveaway drawing. If you do this each week you will have 4 chances to win. The item will be something to help you with your Emergency Preparedness supplies.

Quote:

"The Lord will not translate one's good hopes and desires and intentions into works. Each of us must do that for himself." President Spencer W. Kimball

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Kits:

Add the following to your 72 Hour Kit (Remember: If you are doing the same menu for each day, you need to multiply the items by 3 (one for each day) and then by the number of 72 Hour Kits you are putting together):

1) Soup--Chicken Noodle (or any flavor you would like) dry mix (either in a package or Cup of Soup)

2) Hard candy (about 6-8 pieces per day x 3 days) (Important--if you buy mint flavored candy make sure you put it into a separate snap n' seal or zip lock baggie and store away from the food. The food will take on the mint flavor)


Car Emergency Kit:

Purchase or put together a First-aid Kit with a First-aid Manuel and put in your Car Kit.


Weekly Challenge & 3 Months Food Supply:

Take the "month food chart" you started keeping in Weekly Challenge & Assignment for August 1st and review your chart. You should have a whole month's idea of what your family eats in one month.

From the chart figure out what you will need for a month of food supplies for your family and multiply by 3. This will most likely give you what your family eats in a month since most families eat whatever they eat within a month. Now you can take one or two items (watch grocery store sales to save money) on the chart and buy extra towards your 3 Months Food Supply. Keep adding items each week and remember to rotate them. See the 3 Months Food Supply & Rotating blogs. Before you know it you will have a 3 Months Food Supply and then can work towards a Year's Food Supply.

If you have been following along each week you should have added the following items:

72 Hour Kit (Remember if following the same menu for each day that is 3 of each item times the number of kits):

Granola bars
Juice Box drinks
Instant hot chocolate drink
Small box of raisins
Instant Oatmeal
Fruit Cups
Trail Mix
Gum
Today's items:
Dry soup mix
Hard candy
We only have a few more items to add. We should be done by the next 1-2 weeks.

Good luck with all the weekly assignments and challenge. Email me at thearkcarsonward@gmail.com or call me at 310-835-0902 if you have any questions.


Remember to check out the other blog postings that will help you with your Emergency Preparedness.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 22nd)

Hi Carson Ward Members,

Here is this week's Assignment and Challenge. Remember to put your name or family name on the comment below to have your name put into a monthly free Giveaway drawing. If you do this each week you will have 4 chances to win. The item will be something to help you with your Emergency Preparedness supplies.

Quote:

"I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness.... Acquire and store a reserve of food and supplies that will sustain life. Obtain clothing and build a savings account on a sensible, well-planned basis that can serve well in times of emergency.... I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness." Elder L. Tom Perry

Weekly Assignment:

If you are doing the same menu for each day purchase the following this week:

72 Hour Kits:

1) Trail Mix (For the trail mix either buy 3 small bags or one large bag. If you buy the large bag put in 2 small snap n' seal baggies so once you open the large bag you can divide the other 2/3rds into the two baggies for the next 2 days.)

2) Gum (3-5 sticks for each day)

Remember to multiply this by 3 (for each menu day) and then by the number of 72 Hour Kits you need for your family (household).

Car Emergency Kit:

Purchase a Mylar blanket for each person in your family (household) and put it in your Car Emergency Kit in your car.

Weekly Challenge:

Go to byutv.org/livingessentials/ and check our their great website on Emergency Preparedness. There are great ideas that will help you and your family.

Elder Perry's comment above is so true. Will we be the 5 Virgins that are prepared or the 5 Virgins that are not. We need to fill our lamps with oil now so that we do not fear. Remember, never go into debt for your Emergency Preparedness supplies, add them gradually and the Lord will bless you.

Remember to add your name in the comment section below for the drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 15th)

Hi Carson Ward Members,

Here is this weeks Challenge and Assignment. Do not forget to post a comment at the end with your family name for the montly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing:

Weekly Challenge:

1. Review your home and car First-aid Kits, Medicine Cabinet and Medical Supplies:

• In your First-aid Kits check all expiraton dates and throw away any old medicines and replace as needed.
• Make a list of items missing and add at least one of them
• Check all medicines in your home medicine cabinet to make sure none of them have expired and replace as needed
• Make sure all medicines are out of the reach of children and have children safety caps
• Have extras of your prescribed medications on hand in case of an Emergency
• Buy a First-aid Manuel if you do not have one
• Teach you and your family 1-2 First-aid techniques

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Kit:

Purchase the following for each person's 72 Hour Kit in your home, car and work:

Instant Oatmeal and Fruit Cups

Remember: If you are doing the same menu for each day you will need 3 of each item above for each person's 72 Hour Kit.

Car Kit:

Portable Radio with extra batteries or a Portable Solar Radio (store in your car)

3 Month Food Supply:

Purchase 5 cans of canned fruit. Remember to only store what your family will eat!

Good luck with this weeks challenge and assignment. If you have not done the last two challenges then complete them as soon as possible. If you have any questions please email me at theartcarsonward@gmail.com or call me at 310-835-0902 (if not home please leave a message).

Please remember to post a comment with your family name below for our monthly FREE GIVEAWAY drawing! Post it anonymously.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 8th)

Hello Carson Ward Family,

Remember to post a comment below so your family name can be put in the Free Giveaway drawing for this month.

Quote:

"Obedience to the council of our General Authorities brings with it peace of mind and an assurance of well being to face the future calmly." Jocie B. Tenney

This weeks weekly Challenge and Assignment---

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Kit:

From the 72 Hour Kit Blog purchase the following 2 items for each person's 72 Hour Kit in your family. Remember, if you are following the same menu for each day you will need 3 hot chocolate and 3 small boxes of raisins per 72 Hour Kit. If you are following one of the other menus then purchase enough for that 3 day menu.

Hot chocolate instant drink
Small box of raisins

Car Emergency Kit:

$20 (or more) in small bills and change in a zip lock bag. (Important: If you use any of it remember to replace what you use.)

3 Month Supply:

Purchase extra rice for you family this week.

Weekly Challenge:

Discuss with and teach your family the information on the "What do to Before, During and After an Earthquake" blog. This would be a great Family Home Evening discussion.

***Remember to post a commet with your family name at the end of this blog for the drawing***

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 1st)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Remember to check out the other blog postings below that will help you with your Emergency Preparedness. Some blogs below are still a work in progress.

Weekly: Each week I will post a weekly challenge for you and your family, plus an assignment to add a couple of items to your 72 Hour Kit, Car Kit and 3 Month Emergency Food Supply. This will make it easier financially to complete these items. If you miss a week, we will repeat this list again once we are through the list, or you can add this weeks items to next weeks items.

Remember: Each week when you put a comment at the end of each week's challenge and assignment your name will be put into a drawing to possibly win something to help you and your family with your Emergency Preparedness. It might be food, non-food items, a water barrel pump or wrench, etc. Click on the comment below, just put in you read this blog and your name and post it anonymously.

Quote:

"The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the Ark was to the people in the days of Noah." Ezra Taft Benson

Weekly Challenge:

1. Set up an Emergency Fire Escape Plan for your home with several escape plans. You never know where the fire might be and which escape plan your family may need to follow. This also applies to someone who lives alone. In a panic you may loose your since of direction.

2. Draw out the Escape Plan and put a copy behind each bedroom door and other room doors in your home. Make sure you put it at a level so the younger children can see it.

3. Review and practice these escape plans with your family. Have a Family Home Evening about it.

4. Have Fire Drills monthly if you have young children and quarterly if older family members. The more they practice, the better they will handle a fire situation.

Personal Story: When our children were young we would call out fire, this is a practice drill, at different times and even had fire drills in the middle of the night (we usually picked a weekend night for this). This was just so they would know what to do in case of a fire. We would shout out where the fire was and what was blocked. Sometimes they had to go out their windows. If you have a 2 story house you might want to practice them using the window fire ladder. We taught them if it was a real fire and they cannot get the window open, it was alright to take something to break the window (and not use their hands), put a blanket over it and climb out, and how to take off the screen. We had children of various ages in the same room. The older children were in charge of making sure the younger ones got out if we could not get to them. Penny who was 11 was in charge of Heidi who was 1. If they had to go out the window, Tammy (10) would climb out first, then Penny would hand Heidi to Tammy and then Penny would climb out.

5. Decide on a meeting place outside, either a neighbors yard or a tree, etc. When you have your Fire Drill, meet there.

6. Teach them how to use a Fire Extinguisher and where it is kept. Teach them how to handle an oil fire on the stove. Teach them how to call 911.

7. Teach your family about "Stop, Drop and Roll".

8. If you have a 2 story house and do not have a Fire Escape Ladder, purchase one and make sure everyone in the house knows where it is keep and how to use it. It is a good idea to have one in each bedroom if possible.

9. Gather all your important papers (ID cards, insurance papers, Passports, computer backup discs, etc.) and put them in one place for easy access. Every family member should know where they are in case they are home alone. Also, put all family photos together in one place. Decide ahead of time what is important and you would like to try and save. Assign different family members to gather certain items, if time, so one person does not have to remember and get everything. Even in an evacuation you may only have a few minutes.

Remember: "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." Help your family to be prepared for a home fire.

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Kit Assignment:

1. Determine how many 72 Hours Kits you will need (one for each family member) and which menu plan you will follow on the blog below "72 Hour Kits". Take the items to buy this week and multiply it by the number you will need.

2. This week purchase Granola Bars and Juice Box drinks as needed. Example:

If you have 4 family members and Granola Bars down for 3 breakfast meals you will need 12 Granola Bars. Same for Juice Boxes.

Note: If you are setting up 72 Hour Kits for home, the car and work, make sure you purchase enough items for those kits too or just work on the home ones first.

3. Get a large zip lock bag, put each family member's name on one bag, put the purchased items inside to better keep track of the purchased items for each 72 Hour Kit.

4. Watch for sales, go to the 99 Cent Store, Costco or Sams Club.

Car Kit Assignment:

1. Check out the Emergency Car Kit blog below. Start one for each car or just work on one at a time if you have more than one car.

2. Purchase a flashlight with extra batteries for each car. Put it in your Car Kit storage container. Place the storage container in your trunk or car. Of course, you can add more items on the list if you would like.

3 Month Emergency Food Supply Assignment:

1. Set up a chart to keep track of the items you purchase in a month for your families meals. See the 3 Month Emergency Food Supply blog below for information about this.

2. Buy 5 extra cans of vegetables or some other canned item you purchase this week while doing your grocery shopping. Last week I found lentils and navy beans on sale for a $1 for a one pound bag. I bought 5 of each.

Great find: Go to TheFoodGuys.com and pull up their Food Storage Calculator. Put in the number of people in your family by ages as mentioned it will calculate how much you will need of those items listed for a year. It does not have everything but items most people use.

Good luck with all the challenges and assignments for this week. Email or call (310-835-0902)me if you need help. The blog email is thearkcarsonward.blogspot.com

"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."