Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Prepapredness (Week of October 27th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Storm Homes...

 

Recently at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 183rd Semi-Annual General Conference and our Stake Conference I have heard the terms "fiery dogs of the world" (storms) and "Storm Homes" mentioned.  Each of us needs to prepare our homes from storms that may arise temporally and spiritually. 

In General Conference Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "the world is moving away from the Lord.... We need to stand strong against the "fiery dogs of the world". Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "we live in very precarious times".

At our Stake Conference last week, Elder Allen D. Haynie, of the Seventy, spoke. He spoke about "Storm Homes". Let me share a story he told...

In Michigan USA there was a town where many of the children took a school bus home. Some times the storms were so bad the bus driver had to pull over the bus and wait out the storm. This left the children stranded, scared and in danger. The school board wanted to resolve this problem. They came up with an idea that each child who lived out of town would be assigned a "Storm Home" in which to go, be safe and wait out the storm. One young man had been assigned to a home with an older couple with no children at home. That particular winter was not as bad and none of the children had to stay at their assigned "Storm Home". Each day the young man would get on the bus and think about his "Storm Home". One day the young man decided to stop by to meet his storm family. The couple anxiously hoped he would stop by someday. They welcomed him in and gave him some hot chocolate. As they talked they offered some great advise to the young man. They told him their home was always open to him no matter what the situation. They became great friends and their home became his "Storm Home" against the storms in his life. 

  

Being Spiritually Prepared From the Storms..

Elder Hales stated "the only safety we have is to give heed to our church leaders and their inspiration, listen as if it came from the Lord himself....If we listen and obey we will be strengthened....We will receive comfort and guidance...." Elder Packer stated, "We need to have a gospel centered home....Be watchful and be diligent....The scriptures hold keys to spiritual protection, where to go, what to do and give hope....We can find hope and peace for our family during perilous times."

Elder Haynie stated, "our homes need to be like the temple....To build a temple it takes sacrifice, it needs to be beautiful, it needs to be dedicated, it needs to be accepted by the Lord, and we need to make sure no unclean thing can enter....So it is with our homes....We need to sacrifice by taking time to kneel down and have family prayer and scripture reading and Family Home Evening. We need to give up things that do not allow the spirit to enter into our homes (like violent and immoral video games, moves and television programs).... We need to beautiful and clean up our homes. (We do not need to spend a lot of money or go into debt for it.)...We need to have our homes dedicated by a Priesthood holder and dedicated to the Lord....Once our homes are accepted by the Lord we need to not let the adversary in....We need to make our homes a safe place."

Being Temporally Prepared From the Storms...

We need to have a Food Storage plan and work towards our goal of 3 months, 6 months or a year supply of
food. We need to store water. We need to have medical emergency supplies on hand. We need to have our 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks for each family member. We need a way to have shelter and sanitation if we cannot stay in our home. We need to have an evacuation plan. We need to be aware of our surroundings, listen to the spirit and act on the best way to protect our family. (Note: Only store food and water if your country allows it.)

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

Why a 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag? There are some things your family will need in you have to evacuate or are away from home that cannot fit into the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks.

Last week I assigned you to get a bag, like a sports bag or backpack, ready. You can use one you have around the house, purchase a new one or one at the local thrift store.

This week add the following...

1) A regular portable radio, with extra batteries, or solar radio   

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Would you be able to handle a long-term large-scale disaster in your area? How prepared are you? Will you and your family be able to survive on your own for more than two weeks; food, water, medical supplies, emergency supplies, etc.?

I want you to imagine you live in the Los Angeles County in Southern California USA where resides about 3.8+ million people, which does not include Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, Santa Barbara County or San Bernardino County. A mega earthquake hits the area, causing devastation up and down the coast of California and inland. Everyone is effected, including the emergency rescue teams. Buildings will be down, infrastructures will be destroyed, roads will be blocked, no electricity, no clean running water, no food, no medical supplies. Would you be able to take care of you and your family? Do you think the local or federal government will be there to help right away? Look what happened with the Katrina and Sandie Hurricanes! How long did it take FEMA to help? Will they be equipped to help 3.8+ million people?

We need to be prepared to take care of our own family in a long-term large-scale disaster! Many are complacent and say it will not happen to me or here. I have lots of time to prepare. In one second, things can change drastically!

If you are not prepared to take care of your family, then you need to make a plan, set goals and work toward being prepared as quickly as you can. Yes, preparing can be inconvenient, it takes our time and money. But I would rather take time to start preparing now, set goals and start working on them now!

Let's all strive to be the "Five Wise Virgins" and not end up like the "Five Foolish Virgins".

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

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of October 20th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

I am back! We have been in the process of redecorating our house and things have been a little upside down the past few weeks. I was not able to get to my computer.

October--Earthquake Preparedness Month 

Throughout the world some countries face earthquakes, some small, some mega. They cause devastating loss of life and damage. In California USA they continually admonish us to prepare for the "big one", 10.0+. 

Please check out the posting under "Postings" on the right side of this blogs, "What to do before, during and after an earthquake". There are many ideas to help you, your family, your pets and how to protect your home. Each family should have an earthquake survival kit which should included the following: 1) Good walking shoes, 2) 5-7 days of canned food (pop top or with a can opener) and water, 3) Whistle, 4)  First-aid Kit, 5) A breathing mask for each family member, 6) Regular or Solar Flashlight (with batteries) or light stick, 7) Medications, 8) Pocket Knife and Duct Tape, 9) Cash (small bills and change), 10) Pet Supplies, 11) An ax, 12) Toiletries.

October 17th, throughout the world, many countries had a "Shake Out" to help individuals, schools, businesses and rescue teams prepare for a major earthquake. If you would like more information and other great ideas on how to prepared for an earthquake go to GetPreparedCalifornia.org. There is a list of 7 things you need to do to be prepared.

Did you know your Homeowners, Homeowner-Condo, Renters and Business insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage or any land movement? If you live in California the website above will take you to "California Earthquake Authority" where you can get a quote for earthquake insurance, or call your insurance agent. Yes, the premium can be little high, with a 10%-15% deductible of your Coverage A Dwelling Replacement, but I would rather pay the deductible than have to replace my whole house without insurance coverage.

Spiritual Preparedness, Why is it Important and How is it a Part of Emergency Preparedness?

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints this is the time of year when we learn about the importance of spiritual preparedness and how it can bless our lives. October 5th and 6th was our Semi-annual General Conference. You can listen to and read all the talks on lds.org, or in the November 2013 Ensign magazine. Even if you are not a member of the church I encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to listen to and read the messages and prepare yourselves spiritually. 

As the Latter-days Saints (also known as Mormons) prepared for the trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah USA, President Brigham Young shared "the word and will of the Lord" regarding this matter. In Doctrine and Covenants Section 136 you can read about the council that was given to the Saints as they prepared for the westward journey. This great advise can be applied to us today. We each need to prepare our households for what may come our way. Let me share a verse from Section 136 that we can apply to our emergency preparedness...

"Let each company provide themselves with all the teams, wagons, provisions, clothing, other necessities for the journey, that they can. (v. 5)

"Each company" can apply to our own household. The items listed are our own food and water storage and emergency supplies. If there is a disaster or emergency situation we will be on our own journey, we need to be prepared!

Also, in Section 42:32 we read, "..., every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received..."

We each receive blessings from Heavenly Father, both temporally and spiritually. We are responsible (accountable ) for those blessings. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and our own family. 

(Note: If you are not a member of the church and do not have a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants you can access these scriptures and council given by clicking on Doctrine and Covenants 136.) 

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks

Assignment: Continue to put together a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack for each family member in your household. Please see the last two postings regarding this matter.If you have not been following along this year, go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow along until you complete each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack.

Infant and Toddler 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks: Of course, this will be very different from other household members. You will need to adjust their food for their age. Also, the Hygiene and Stressor Kits will need to be adjusted to their needs. One of the parents or teenage children will need to carry their backpack.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

Weekly Assignment: This week acquire some type of bag, a sports bag or backpack in which to carry the family emergency items. Next week we will start adding the items one at a time.Check out your local theft stores to save money. You can keep this Family Bag in the closest at home with each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks or in the car. If you have to evacuate this bag should go with you too.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas and Tips:

 

Stock Up Sales: Some grocery stores this time of year have what they call "Stock Up Sales", like Ablertons, and in Utah, Case Lot Sales. This is a great time to stock up on food storage, both canned and packaged foods. Also, this time of year is baking season, a great time to stock up on baking items that are on sale, like oils and fats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, etc. Remember: Oils and fats need to be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.





 

Disaster Cleanup Kit: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has a great video showing how to put together a disaster cleanup kit, great idea. Everything fits into a 5 gallon plastic bucket. This one you can keep in your garage or storage shed.

 

 

 

 Quote:

 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

 

I read this the other day and testify it is so very true. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are always with us. They will give us the strength to overcome anything if we have faith in them, allow them to guide us  and if we strive to live righteously.  

 

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