Saturday, February 12, 2011

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of February 13th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Quote:

"...If we are to be saved in an ark, as Noah and his family were, it will be because we built it.... 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 fruits of the earth, to make habitations, to produce 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." (Marion G. Romney, Quoting Brigham Young, April Conference, 1976)

Recently I received an email, and some of you may have also received it, stating food prices will rise significantly and some foods/crops may become short handled and/or unavailable due to the recent weather related disasters throughout the world. I am not sure of the source of this email article and how accurate it is. But let's say it is accurate, how prepared are we for these types of events that will affect our food sources?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made this statement:

"Every year natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes, challenge agricultural production. Because agriculture relies on the weather, climate, and water availability to thrive, it is easily impacted by natural events and disasters. Agricultural impacts from natural events and disasters most commonly include: contamination of water bodies, loss of harvest or livestock, increased susceptibility to disease, and destruction of irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure. These impacts can have long lasting effects on agricultural production including, crops, forest growth, and arable lands, which require time to mature."

Brothers and Sisters, times are going to get tough and we need to be ready to provide for ourselves and our family. The Prophets and General Authorities have been counseling us for years to have Food Storage and Water. What are we waiting for? Later will be to late!

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Emergency Family Pack/Bag:

This week please add the following:

1) fold up shovel ($8.95 on emergencyessentials.com)

2) small hand mirror (for signally)

3) emergency flares and candles

You should have the following items in your 72 Hour Emergency Family Pack/Bag:

1) duffel bag to put the items in
2) first-aid kit with a First-aid book
3) portable radio with extra batteries (or solar radio with extra batteries)
4) hand can opener if you have cans that will need opening
5) large waterproof tarp
6) 50 foot nylon rope/cord
7) roll of masking tape
8) heat cell fuel
9) flat fuel folding stove
10) water proof matches)
11) 2 Mess kits
12) street map of local areas
13) utility knife with multi-functions
14) wet stone to sharpen your knife & hatchet
15) small sewing kit
16) fold up shovel
17) small hand mirror for signally
18) emergency flares and candles

Weekly Challenge:

7-14 day Menu Plan Food Storage System--I hope everyone has set this system up and is working on storing 3 Months Food Supply. After the 3 months, work on 6 months and then 9 months and then a Years' Food Supply. Before you know it, using this system, you will be way on your way to storing your Years' Food Supply. Remember the scripture in Isaiah 28:10--"..., precept upon precept; line upon line; here a little, and there a little", in other words, one item at at time and you will meet your goal.

This week's Challenge:

I am so excited, Spring is almost upon us! March is the time to plant your vegetable garden. Now is the time to work on setting a goal to have a vegetable garden and/or vegetable container garden. If you do not have room where you live, see if you can get together with another ward member to see if you can plant a vegetable garden with them. If you are a family ask one of the single members or a family to plant a garden with you. They are so much fun, work yes, but the blessings that come from your own vegetable garden are so rewarding! I loved this past summer, being able to go out to our vegetable garden and get fresh vegetables when I needed them, and how much money we saved in the process. We had so much I was able to freeze the vegetables we could not eat. We are still using them. This year I am going to learn how to can them. I even had enough to share with my family, friends and neighbors. It was amazing how much we harvested from the small amount of land we planted.

See the Vegetable Garden Posting regarding vegetables gardens:

My Challenge to you this week:

1) locate a place where you want to plant your garden and map it out, if you are doing container gardening, then decide how many containers you will need and where to put them, you need at least 8 hours of sun a day, purchase the containers

2) start getting the area dug up, pull out all the grass and weeds, if a container garden purchase the vegetable garden soil at your local garden shop. I will give you two weeks to accomplish this goal.

3) make a plan as to what you want to grow

ONLY PLANT WHAT YOUR FAMILY WILL EAT!!!



If you need help, please do not hesitate to ask me. I would love to help you plan and prepare your garden. If you are not physically able to dig up the area, ask the Scouts or Elders Quorum to help you.

NOTE: You feel you do not have enough room, even a small garden is better than nothing!

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of this posting for the Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing to be held Sunday, February 27th. It is two items for your 72 Hour Emergency Family Pack/Bag.

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