Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of May 5th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Spiritual Preparedness

Why do we need spiritual preparedness to get us through the trials, challenges and disasters of our life? Why? Even though you may be temporally prepared having food storage, emergency supplies and each family member having a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack kit, without spiritual preparedness, it will be very difficult to get through the challenges of each day. Being spiritually prepared will bring you peace and comfort in the most terrible of days and coming events. Having faith and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ, will bring us peace and joy in knowing that the days ahead will get better.

Below are some of the quotes from the last session of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 183rd Annual General Conference given on Sunday April 7th in the afternoon. I hope they help bring you peace and hope during the difficult times of your life.

"'All things are possible if you believeth.' (Mark 19:26) 1. When facing challenges of faith...father access his own first....When moments come, hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until help comes....Have the faith of a mustard seed....Size or knowledge of faith do not matter, integrity matters....2. When problems come, be true to the faith you do have, be as candid about your questions as you need....You have more faith than you think you do....There is a divine work in process, manifestations in all directions....Problems do and will be resolved....Walk by faith, be king regarding human frailty. Be patient, kind and forgiving....3. When doubt or difficulty comes do not be afraid to ask for help....Help comes from behind the veil too....Be not afraid, only believe....Believeth first conviction of faith....This work is God's very truth, hope on, journey on, fan the flame of your faith, all things are possible to those who believe."
(Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

"Matthew, Mark. Luke and John testify of Jesus Christ....How we qualify as followers of Jesus Christ is by baptism, repentance, keeping the commandments.....Be not of the world, nor bound to traditions of man. ...Some love the praise of man more than God....Jesus teaches to be acted upon, liken unto to a wise man....Those who love him will keep his commandments and be obedient all times and in all places....The Sacrament commits followers to take the emblems in remembrance of him....Jesus taught men ought always to pray....Jesus taught that God created man and female and should leave his parents to cleave unto his wife....We need to rescue others, love thy neighbor as thy self, love thy enemies, love one another....When wronged by persons, forgive them....Jesus taught give to the poor and the needy....LDS members excel through fast offerings, humanitarian donations to all around the world....Jesus taught take his teachings to ever nation....Jesus taught, 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father is perfect' (Matthew 5:48)....Strive for perfection....'No man cometh unto the father but by me.' (John 14:6)" (Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

"Savior prayed to the Father....Heart of the gospel of Jesus gives correct understanding of the Father and the Son....Joseph Smith saw two personages, 'This is my beloved son, hear him.' (Joseph Smith History, 1:17)....Shows God actually exist, two separate beings, created in the image of God....The New Testament, 'Behold I see the heavens open and see the son of man standing at the right hand of God.' (Acts 7:56)....Jesus Christ is the Great Jehovah, our Savior and Redeemer of the World...Father and Son are two separate beings, but the same power and purpose....The Holy Ghost witnesses of the Father and the Son....Full measure of the Holy Ghost comes from a contrite spirit, baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost only by the power of the Priesthood....The Priesthood holds the mysteries of heaven....Doctrine of the Father and the Son is the Doctrine of the Eternal Family....We are children of our Heavenly Father." (Christoffel Golden, Jr., Of the Seventy)

"Regarding marriage and family---1. Set goal to marry in the Temple....2. Live a Celestial life....3. Teach children to sing the hymns and children's Primary songs. A child who sings lives a happy life....4. Send a message of love and gratitude....Need to hug each other....Heavenly Father a perfect example of expressing love, 'This is my beloved Son, hear him.' (Mark 9:7)....5. Search the scriptures, eternal life....6. Not enough to know the scriptures, need to live them....Need to build our house on a rock...." (Enrique R. Falabell, Of the Seventy)

"My father taught me to work...Father taught me how to do things with patience....Even when messed up felt his love, confidence in him....Being accepted by someone we love motivates us....Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ accept us fro what we are and are striving to become....They will always love us and accept us....Pattern of acceptance of the Lord: 1. Know that our heart is honest and broken, self reflection, we know our motives and desires, broken heart, open, soft and receptive heart, taught by the Holy Ghost. 2. Contrite spirits, feeling or expressing emotion, one has done wrong, willing to listen to the Spirit, our determination to act or change. 3. Conscious decision of our covenant to sacrifice, take upon us the name of Son and keep his commandments, Holy Ghost our constant companion, silent service to others, standing firm when life is raging around us....When in tune with the Lord and feel his acceptance, will bring forth much, lead to knowledge we are accepted by him....Seek the Lord's acceptance and receive his promised blessings, motivate us, be successful, prosper and feel His peace." (Erich W. Kopischke, Of the Seventy)

"If they had known what it meant in the upper room at the Last Supper that would have wept....We live in a world of turbulence and wickedness....But cause of joy, waiting for return of his Son....Do not fear the future, God is with us....Church stands as safety for the church....Armed with righteousness, power of God as a defence, humbly, quietly trust in the Lord, will give us guidance, deep inner peace.....Even in a darkening world, can sing a beautiful morning will dawn....Each morning rise up and say, 'Oh, What a Beautiful Morning'." (Bruce D. Porter, Of the Seventy)

"Our hearts have been touched, testimonies strengthened....Study the conference talks in the Ensign....Remember the words spoken at this conference....We are a world wide church....Reach to others....Be tolerant, as well as kind and loving to those who do not share our beliefs, reach to the needs of others, those lonely, widows, widowers, those suffering....Extend to them a helping hand and loving heart....Many reasons for rejoicing....Put trust in the Lord, he will help us through our difficulties....'Joy cometh in the morning.'...The gospel is the key to our happiness....I pray God will bless our lives....God hears the prayers of our humble hearts....Our Savior stands at the door and knocks, open and he will enter in....May your homes be reflected with peace, harmony, resist the buffetings of Satan, promised peace be with you always and more." (Thomas S. Monson, President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

May we all find peace in the turbulence's of life by being spiritually prepared for the trials and challenges of our day!

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Personal Hygiene Kit:

This week add the following...

Small bar of bath soap with a wash cloth in a small plastic zip lock bag.  You can use a small bottle of liquid soap if you desire. The bar of soap takes up less room. Use an old wash cloth you have around the

house. You can find these at most discount stores like the 99 Cent store, The Dollar Tree and The Dollar General. Each family member should now have a tooth brush, a small tube of tooth paste, a bottle of "no rinse" shampoo (one per every two people in the family) and a small bar of bath soap with a wash cloth. Place the baby wipes in the large plastic zip lock bag along with the other items.

Emergency Preparedness:

Everyone should carry an EDC (Every Day Carry) Kit with them. You can carry this in your purse, brief case, or backpack. Why should you? Let me share a personal story from a friend.

Personal Story: When the Northridge earthquake hit we had a friend who was in an office building at work. Before she could drop down under her desk a piece of the ceiling feel on her head injuring her. Once she was under her desk and the shaking had stopped all the lights were out, it was pitch black. There was also all sorts of debris on the floor. She could not see anything or where she was going. She crawled out on her knees feeling along the way. She had many cuts and bruises from the debris. She learned a lot from this experience as did I. We all should carry some items with us at all time to protect ourselves. If she had had some of these items she would have been in a lot better circumstances.

Here is what you should carry in your EDC Kit: Place everything in a small plastic zip lock bag to keep it together...

1) Small pocket knife (unless you have to go through a metal detector at work, a government building or at the airport.
2) USB Drive with your vital information on it, insurance information, emergency contact information, etc., cost about $8-$12.
3) Cell phone, preferable with texting
4) Small LED flashlight, check the batteries often to make sure they are still working, cost about $1-$5
4) Cash, small bills and change, about $10-$20.
5) Small first-aid kit

These are all items that are part of your EDC Kit. Here is a list of other items you might add to your EDC Kit:

Paracord made into a wrist ban, cost about $5-$6
Sunglasses
Pen and small tablet to leave a note where you are
Watch
Lighter

You never know when you may need something. The idea is to be prepared at all times. You do not want your EDC to be so big and bulky it's difficult to carry.

Look around the house to see what you already have. Purchase those items you are missing. Start carrying items that could help you in an emergency situation.

The most important thing in any emergency situation---Stay calm!

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments.