Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of May 19th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

How will you weather the storms in your life?

“Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earth quake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they will somehow be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion.” (Ezra Taft Benson - October Conference, 1980 Ensign, Nov 1980:32-33

“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” (CR, Gordon B. Hinckley, Oct. 1998, 70-72; Ensign, Nov. 1998, 53-54).

So many of us procrastinate until the storm is upon us. In Noah's day the people laughed at him and mocked him while he built the ark, which took many many years. He warned the people to prepare, they did not heed his warnings. There was no rain and the skies were clear when Noah built the ark, but when the rains came and flooded the earth the people who did not heed his warnings were pounding on the door to get in, but it was too late.

Same as for us today. We are continually admonished by our church leader and local and federal governments to be prepared for what ever storms may come our way. But how many of us heed the warnings? We think there is plenty of time, but we never know when the storm may come. How many of us rush to the stores when the storm is upon us to purchase water, food and supplies to discovery we are too late? Then we complain we cannot find the things we need and blame everyone else on our circumstances.

Preparation brings peace of mind. I have said this before, I would rather have water, food and emergency supplies and not need them, than need them and not have them. How much do you love your family?

Do not procrastinate until it is too late. Always have extra drinking water, food, emergency supplies and cash in small bills and change on hand for the storms that may come your way.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Personal Hygiene Kits

This week add the following:

Heavy work gloves for each family members 72 Hour Individual Personal Hygiene Kit. You can purchase these at most discount stores like the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Tree, etc. Place this item in the large plastic zip lock bag for each household family member along with the other items we have already added: tooth brush, a small tube of tooth paste, a bottle of "no rinse" shampoo (one per every two people in the family), a small bar of bath soap with a wash cloth, baby wipes and hand sanitizer.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

"Today is the day before, are you ready for tomorrow?" (FEMA)

Think about the quote above, how ready is your family? Do not procrastinate anymore. Make a plan and start preparing.

A great website with emergency preparedness ideas is ready.gov through FEMA.

Another one with great emergency preparedness tips is ICF International. Learn how to "ICE" (In Case of an Emergency) your cell phone. It allows first responders to notify the right people in an emergency.

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