Food Storage, Emergency Preparedness and Weekly Assignment (Week of December 1st)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

 

Obedience, a Part of Emergency Preparedness...

What do you do when everything is blown away? What is the point of having it (food storage) anyway? I would like to address some more things about this question again this week.

Many times people say to me, "Why have food storage and emergency supplies when they can be lost or destroyed? Why? Because you are being obedient to our prophet and church leaders. In Doctrine and Covenants 21:1,4-7 the Lord promises great blessings to those who follow the prophet. In the LDS Primary song chorus "Follow the Prophet" we read,

"Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; don't go astray.
Follow the prophet, follow the prophet,
Follow the prophet; he knows the way."

At our recent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints183rd Semiannual General Conference Elder Robert D. Hales, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared a quote from President Harold B. Lee, "The only safety we have as members of this church (and I believe all people) is to...give heed to the words and commandments that the Lord shall give through His prophets." Elder Hales went on to say, "I testify that those who put their trust in the Lord and heed this council in faith will gain great strength to bless themselves and their families for generations to come."

A sister in my Ward shared this experience about how being obedient will bless you in times of trails...  "A friend of mine has a brother living in Sugar City, Idaho.  When the Teton dam broke his garage (an unattached garage, separate from his house) was washed downstream along with his year supply of food. When he was asked how he felt about loosing his food storage, he said that he believed the Lord had spared his house and his family because he had been obedient.  So, his efforts were not wasted after all."

So the bottom line, strive to be as obedient as you can by keep God's commandments, and teach your family and others. If you are obedient the Lord will watch over you and bless you. Not always in the way you think he should, but in the way He knows is best for you and your family.

Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Bag:

A few weeks ago we started working on our Family Emergency Bag. This bag, either a sports bag or backpack, is kept in your car(s).  If  you need to evacuate it needs to be taken along with your family's 72
Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we worked on this year. If you have not completed one for each family member go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow through until you have complete a backpack for each family member in your household. You only need one Family Emergency Bag, possibly one for each family car in case you are not together when an emergency situation arises.


This week add the following: 


1) Sun block



2) Insect repellent

Note: You can purchase these items at discount stores like the 99 Cent Store, the Dollar General, Dollar Tree. If a small family you will probably only need 1-2 tubes/cans of each. If a larger family you may need more. Remember: these items may have expiration dates and need to be replaced from time to time. 

So far you should have the following in your Family Emergency Bag: Portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries, street maps of local areas/cities, emergency flares and candles, water proof matches, 2 heat cells, flat fuel folding stove, a first-aid kit with a first-aid book, sun block and insect repellent. See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them.  
  
Emergency Preparedness Ideas...Christmas and other celebration/holiday gift ideas

 

Why not give emergency preparedness items as gifts for Christmas, other celebrations/holidays and birthdays. Personally, I would rather have something that may protect my life and my family's someday than something that I will either not use, return for something else (we do it sometimes), or give away later on. Here are some great ideas...

1) Family Emergency Bag (We are currently working on this. Here is the list--sports bag or backpack to keep items in, first-aid kit and first-aid book, portable radio (with batteries or solar), hand can opener, extra large waterproof tarp, 50 feet of nylon rope or paracord or paracord bracelet, roll of duct tape, heat cell fuel (emergencyessentials.com), flat fuel folding stove (emergencyessentials.com), water proof matches, 2 Mess kits (emergencyessentials.com or any camping department store section), street maps of local areas (make copies from Thomas Guide or other resources), utility knife (12 function Army/Survival with scissors), hatchet (with crowbar, hammer and hatches--emergencyessentials.com), fold up shovel (emergencyessentials.com), small tool set (flat head and Philips screw drivers, pliers, wrench), wet stone, basic chow set (spoon, fork, knife, one for each family member, or keep in 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks), emergency flares and candles, small sewing kit, small hand mirror (for signalling), compass, sun block, inspect repellent, good set of Walkie Talkies with extra batteries. Note: Click on the link to see the items on the emergencyessentials.com website.

2) Chain Saw--to cut down tress on cars, houses, etc.  

3) Butane Stove with extra Butane fuel

4) Lantern--Coleman Lantern, LED lantern with extra batteries, solar lantern
5) Solar Oven for cooking (emergencyessentials.com, $200)

6) 72 Hour Individual Emergency Kits (Food, Hygiene and Stressor Kits, see all the posts starting on December 30, 2012 and follow until completed.)
7. Disaster Cleanup Kit--See posting week of October 20th or UMCOR
8. Seychelle Filtration System--water bottles (store.lds.org for $16-$22 or Seychelle website), water pump for water barrels, pitcher.
9) Solar phone charger
10) Wheat grinder (hand one in case no electricity, emergencyessentials.com)
11) #10 Cans of dehydrated or freeze-dried foods (emergencyessentials.com, Thrive.com, LDS ProvidentLiving.org, Self-Reliance.com)

10 Survival Tips and Tricks While in the Outdoors (click on the link, great ideas. 
 

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 Ideas (Week of November 24th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good: his LOVE endures FOREVER. (Psalm 107:1) 

My Hat is off to You!

I am so happy when I hear people say they are striving and preparing by completing a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack for each family member in their household and increasing their food storage, water storage, medical supplies and other emergency supplies. I also love hearing when you comment to me about the week's blog posting, it tells me you are reading it. I salute you! Because you are striving to be better prepared you will have peace of mind and you will save lives! Great job!

Much to say this week, so much happening! Read all the information below.

Where do you go and what do you do when everything is blown away? 

On Sunday I had a sister in our Ward ask me, "Where do you go and what do you do when everything is blown away?".

There has been so much devastation and loss of life the last few days, the Philippians Typhoon Haiyan,  Illinois and other North Mid Western States USA tornadoes and flooding in France. I thought about her concerns and here are some of the answers to her questions...It is all about survival until help can arrive!

1) First, if you know danger is on the way, grab your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack (or as some call it, your Bug Out Bag)  and Emergency Preparedness Family Bag and evacuate if told to do so or you feel you are in danger. Even if you feel the slightest concern, evacuate. It is better to be safe than sorry later on. If you are close to the Spirit, the Holy Ghost will guide you and protect you.

2) Next, once it is over, kneel down and pray to your Heavenly Father for gratitude you are alive and for those of your family are alive. Pray for peace, comfort, understand, protection and guidance. Just like the 10 LDS Sister Missionaries in the Philippians did in the story below. If you are in the middle of it, pray for safety and guidance.

3) Assess the injured and attend to the worst injures first, down until you have checked everyone. Infection is your worst enemy! Keep the wound as clean and dry as possible. We need to learn and know basic first-aid skills.

4) If someone is buried or trapped, DO NOT attempt to remove them unless you can do it safely without further injuring them, yourself or others.

5) Next, find shelter or a way to construct some type of shelter from the debris lying around to protect you from the elements. If  it is not impossible to stay where you are, evacuate to some place where you can get or build shelter.

6) Next, find a source of safe clean drinking water. You can live without food for 30+ days, but you can only live without water for a couple of days.

7) Next, if possible, find a source for food. Either you can fish, if possible, or seek help from others and the local government, which could take days as we have witnessed. Learn how to make a fish line and pole from scrapes.

8) Help others that may need assistance.

9) Stay as calm as possible and wait for help.

10) Try to keep spirits high by praying, singing, and playing games, especially for the children.

As now we praise thy name with song, The blessings of this day
Will linger in our thankful hearts, And silently we pray
For courage to accept they will, To listen and obey.

We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We'll walk they chosen way."

(LDS Hymn Book, "As Now We Take the Sacrament", #169) 

Why prepare when it could all be blown away?

Because you are being obedient to God's commandments and he will bless you! He just saved your life!
 

Many of us have parents and grandparents that were a part of the worldwide economic depression called "The Great Depression" during the 1930's to the mid 1940's. They learned to be very frugal and self-reliant. There was no work, very little food and other items. I often heard my parents and grandparents speak of The Great Depression and what it was like. Due my parents and grandparents experiences they were very frugal with everything, they never went into debt unless it was an absolute emergency, paid cash for everything, and did not waste anything.

My grandparents lived in a small country town in Missouri USA, just outside of town. My grandfather would find odd jobs to help support them with what they could not do for themselves. They had chickens for eggs and to eat, they had a goat for goat's milk, my grandfather fished in the creek just down the road, they made things work to provide for their family. If they could not afford it, they did without until they could afford it. 

You know the little bits of bar soap that are left over we today usually through away? My mother would shave or grate them and save the shavings in a jar. She would use them to do laundry and for other purposes. She always had a vegetable garden and made all our food from scratch, no prepackaged foods. She used her talent of sewing and cooking to earn extra money for the family by sewing for others and selling her homemade brake bread and other goodies. She made all our clothes and used her old clothes to make us play clothes and quilts. If something needed fixed on the car or around the house, my Dad would do it. They wasted nothing! There is an old phrase from "The Great Depression", "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." (Click on the link for 12 great ideas) We can learn much from them!

Many say they do not have enough money to purchase extra food and water for their food storage. What if you went without drinks (sodas, etc.), drank water instead, when you went to a fast food place or out to dinner? Take that money and put into a food storage saving jar. You will be surprised how fast it will build up. Once you have enough money, purchase some times for your food storage. Find other ways you can save to purchase food storage and emergency preparedness items. If we follow "The Greatest Generation" (from the Depression Era) we will have enough, and peace of mind! We need to prioritize our needs and wants!

Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Bag:

A few weeks ago we started working on our Family Emergency Bag. This bag, either a sports bag or backpack, is kept in your car(s).  If  you need to evacuate it needs to be taken along with your family's 72
Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we worked on this year. If you have not completed one for each family member go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow through until you have complete a backpack for each family member in your household. You only need one Family Emergency Bag, possibly one for each family car in case you are not together when an emergency situation arises.


This week add the following: 

1) 50 foot nylon rope/cord or para-cord. You can purchase a para-cord bracelet for about $5-$6. Great stocking stuffer for each family member. Then they can put them in their 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. I found it interesting in the story about the 10 LDS Sister Missionaries that their mission president felt inspired and advised them to have some rope with them and their 72 Hour Kits. The rope helped save their lives. 

So far you should have the following in your Family Emergency Bag: Portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries, street maps of local areas/cities, emergency flares and candles, water proof matches, 2 heat cells, flat fuel folding stove, and a first-aid kit with a first-aid book. See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them.  

Deseret News: 10 LDS sister missionaries survived along with hundreds of other LDS missionaries. Click on the links below to read and hear about their experience and what a television interview.

Surviving the typhoon: Fear, faith and miracles for 10 LDS sister missionaries trapped in the Philippines

Another video regarding the Philippines LDS Missionaries

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Non-food Survival Supermarket Items...

"There are more than enough other survival items in a supermarket that will help you survive, especially if you’re not near your prep or if something happened to it. Check out the most important supermarket survival items that aren’t food below. Most people will pass these over, giving you a chance to get a few extra supplies and GOOD while the geting’s good!" (SurvivalBase.com)

Click on this link to see what they are: Important Supermarket Survival Items That Aren't Food

 
Basic Baking Items: This is a great time of the year to add basic baking items like flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, brown sugar, salt, etc. to your food storage. Remember a great way to preserve them
for long storage (20+ years), except sugars, is to "Oven Bake" them in Mason canning jar. See last week's blog posting for information on how to do this. Easy and less expensive than the #10 dehydrated or freeze-dried you can purchase from food storage companies.


  
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 Ideas (Week of November 17th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

 

Becoming self-reliant...

"As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities" and are "better able to care for others in need."     (Church Handbook of Instructions, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

"We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being." (Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President)

Last Sunday in our Sacrament Meeting our High Council speaker spoke on self-reliance. We all need to become self-reliant! It does not happen overnight, it takes time. But as long as we are striving for self-reliance we will be blessed and have peace of mind. Emergency preparedness is a part of self-reliance. If we seek the Lord's help He will guide us. Self-reliance cannot be given to us, we each need to earn it and work towards it daily. As we search the scriptures, pray and pond and follow our living prophet we will be guided as to what each of us needs to do to become self-reliant. We need to be an agent unto ourselves!

As I watch natural disasters and devastation unfold around the world, I see how it effects those who are self-reliant and those who are not. Those who are self-reliant are spiritually at peace even those things around them are not. Those who are self-reliant can take care of themselves and others around them before help can arrive, which can take days and weeks.

When our son was serving a mission for our church in Honduras I remember reading his mission president had felt for sometime before Hurricane Mitch hit the area that he needed to prepare for his missionaries by having food, water and medical supplies on hand. He stocked the mission home with needed supplies. When Hurricane Mitch hit he was able to take care of his missionaries and others around them.

Before Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippians, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 21 mission presidents distributed 72 Hour-Kits to each missionary. (See Deseret News)

We are very blessed as members of the church to have the guidance of our church leaders to warn us, and the world, to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. Are we in a position to care for our family and our neighbors? What steps are we taking on a daily basis? How do we deal with spiritual and temporal matters?

Our thoughts, hearts and prayers go out to the people of the Philippians and what they are enduring. If you would like to donate to the Humanitarian Aid Fund , go to this link.

Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Bag

A few weeks ago we started working on our Family Emergency Bag. This bag, either a sports bag or backpack, is kept in your car(s).  If  you need to evacuate it needs to be taken along with your family's 72
Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we worked on this year. If you have not completed one for each family member go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow through until you have complete a backpack for each family member in your household. You only need one Family Emergency Bag, possibly one for each family car in case you are not together when an emergency situation arises.


This week add the following:

1) A good First-aid Kit with a First-aid book. You can purchase one or putting one together yourself. Discount stores like the Dollar General or the 99 Cent Store will have some items.      





So far you should have the following in your Family Emergency Bag: Portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries, street maps of local areas/cities, emergency flares and candles, water proof matches, 2 heat cells, flat fuel folding stove, and a first-aid kit with a first-aid book. See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them. 

Great Home PDF Inventory Sheet: 

Go to www.iinc.org. We should all have inventory of our personal things in case of a fire, disaster, theft or other situations. Keep a copy at home and with another family member out of state, at work. You should take photos and videos too. Open all drawers and closets and take photos. Do not forget your garage, storage sheds and storage units.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

What I have observed on CNN and other news cast shows this week regarding the devastation in the Philippians:

1) 800,000+ displaced
2) 2 million without food and water
3) No medical supplies
4) No electricity
5) No shelter, except those that they have built from scraps
6) Roads blocked due to devastation
7) No emergency aid, cannot get through
8) Emergency personal, search and rescue are victims too
9) Dead bodies lying around
10) So overwhelmed the government cannot handle the effects of the typhoon
11) Despair
12) People wondering around, not knowing what to do or where to go
13) No infrastructure
14) Armed gangs and others looting
15) Government cannot guarantee food and water
16) It will take days, maybe even weeks before help can arrive to all areas

What can we learn from this?

1) You will probably be on your own
2) Need to keep food and water stored
3) Need to keep medical supplies stored
4) Need to keep emergency supplies stored
5) Need to have 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks/Kits for each family member
6) Need to be spiritually strong
7) Need to be self-reliant
8) Need to be aware and what to do in an emergency situation

WHAT WOULD IT HURT TO BE PREPARED? It could save your life and others!
 
Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments. 

Weekly Assingment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of November 3rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Small and Simple Things....
                         Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness

Last week in Sunday School we discussed two things, we each need a spiritual reservoir and out of small and simple things great things come.

Small and Simple Things...

In Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 we read, "..., out of small things proceedeth that which is great." And in Alma 37:6-8 we read, "..., that by small things great things are brought to pass;...." 

So many people are overwhelmed by even the thought of starting their food storage and emergency supplies. It is as simple as taking the first step, just start by adding a few extra cans and packages of food your family eats every time you go grocery shopping, or you see something on sale your family eats. 

A few years ago the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints realized it was overwhelming for members and non-members to think about putting aside a years supply of food. So now they advise us to work towards a 3-Month Supply of the regular canned and packaged foods our family will eat, then continue until we have 6 months, 9 months and then a year. Add long-term food items such as dehydrated and freeze-dried once you have your 3-Months Supply of Food. But remember, those types of food require water to rehydrate them. Add food items slowly, do not go into debt. The important thing to remember about short term food storage, like canned and packaged foods, they need to be rotated. Letting food items expire is expensive! Once you use a stored item replace it immediately! Set goals and make a plan!

Many ask what should I store? Store only what your family will eat, canned, jarred and packaged foods. Also, store water. If you store items your family will not eat, they will probably not eat them, even in time of a disaster or need.

Once you start the small and simple things by starting to add food items slowly, before you know it, it will become great because you have stored up a 3-Month Supply of Food or more.

PreparedLDSFamily is another great emergency preparedness blog I like to read. She has some great ideas. This week we are both in tune with the same idea, of not being afraid to start your food store plan and just get started now! Her October 29, 2013 has some great ideas about starting and setting goals for your food storage. 

Let me quote a quote she quotes from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to be perfect to experience the blessings and gifts of our Heavenly Father? We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. In fact, the heavens begin to part and the blessings of heaven begin to distill upon us with the very first steps we take toward the light. The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now. It doesn't matter how unqualified you may think you are or how far behind others you may feel. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come."

Spiritual Reservoir...  

Not only is storing food and water important, but having a spiritual reservoir is as well important. Many times when I hear interviews on television and the radio from people who experienced a devastating disaster they often speak about how their faith in Heavenly Father and their Savior Jesus Christ helped them get through the horrible experience, devastation and loss. The quote above from President Uchtdorf can also apply to our spiritual strength. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14 we read, "To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." These gifts are also mentioned in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 12. 

How do we gain a spiritual reservoir? By reading the scriptures daily, by praying daily and by striving to keep the commandment of God. We all need the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with us constantly to be guided and protected. The strength we receive from doing these things will fill our spiritual reservoir and help us in times of despair. 

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

The 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag is not only for a 72 hour emergency but should be kept in your car at all times. It will provide items that will help you get through an emergency situation. If you need to evacuate your home and you cannot take your car, then make sure you take it along with the family's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. Try to keep this emergency family bag in each vehicle.

This week add the following:

 

1)  Street map of local areas. I took our Thomas Guide and made copies of our local area and cities so if
we had to evacuate we would know our way around areas were were not familiar with and alternate routes to take.


 
 


2) Water proof matches. Your can purchase these at most camping, sports and emergency supply places.





 

 


3) Emergency flares and candles.






So far you should have the following: A sports bag or backpack to place the items we will be adding each week, a portable regular radio (with extra batteries) or a solar radio, and the items listed above.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Have you ever thought about how you would store produce without refrigeration? How did the pioneers do it? Some of us who plant vegetable gardens usually either can, freeze or dehydrate our produce at harvest. Fresh produce needs to be stored in a cool, dry environment. In modern times we store our produce in our refrigerator. But what if you had no refrigeration? The pioneers used cellars or a hole in the ground to accomplish this issue.

"When using a cellar it is important to remember that only certain types of root vegetables and fruits are ideal for storing in a root cellar; potatoes, yams, turnips, beets, radish, carrots, leaks and onions. If you use this method do not wash the produce before storing it but gently remove the excess dirt. Place the produce carefully in boxes and bins. Make sure the vegetables and fruits are not bruised before storing.


Another method for storing produce without a refrigerator is to dig a large hole in the ground and place the vegetables and fruits in some kind of a container. Plastic drums or chest freezers are standard containers. The ground acts as an ideal environment because healthy soils provide the same sort of conditions the vegetables are grown in. The ground provides cool, consistent temperatures, high humidity, darkness, and ventilation. Some people add sand or sawdust to act as insulation." (SurvivalBased.com)

 Mother Earth News has some great ideas on storing fresh produce.

Christmas is just around the corner!

What to give them this year? What about 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks or individual kits (Food, Personal Hygiene, Stressor Kits) to place in their Backpack, dehydrated or freeze-dries food, emergency equipment like a Butane Stove with fuel or a tent. Why waste money on things they will throw away or give away later on? Why not give them something that might protect and help them in a disaster? Be creative!

LDS Dry Pack Canneries

Just a reminder, effective November 1, 2013 most LDS Dry Pack Canneries will no longer allow members and non-members to come to their canneries to can. You can still purchase some items there. Check with your local LDS Dry Pack Cannery to see what is available.

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