Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of May 31/June 1st)

Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Hope and Faith in a Disaster . . .

Last Friday, May 22, 2015, was the 4 year anniversary of the devastating Joplin, Missouri USA category 5 tornado.158 lives were lost, some 1,150 were injured, there were damages amounting to $2.8 billion from homes, businesses, the local high school, hospital and churches being destroyed. Our daughter's family was not harmed by the tornado nor their property but the emotions of the devastation and loss of friends, homes, their community and their church sunk deep into their hearts and spirit.

Through all this the people of Joplin, Missouri USA held onto their strong hope and faith. Help came from many miles all around them with temporal needs and spiritual needs being meet at a very difficult time. People rolled up their selves to search for those missing, to help clear the debris, brought supplies of food, drinking water, medical supplies, clothing and bedding to help those in need. They held hands, hugged those in need of comfort and prayed together.

In tribute to the people of Joplin, Missouri USA please watch this wonderful video. It will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes when you see the resilience of the people of Joplin, Missouri USA and give us all hope and faith that we too can get through a disaster when it hits us.
 
Note: Make sure you go back to the beginning of the video. Our granddaughter Alicia is in the dance group on the right and in the group around 10:20 on the right with the long pony tail. The performance was done by 4,000 LDS  youth throughout Missouri USA.



I'd Rather Be Over Prepared . . .

Many people ask me why I am so over the top about emergency preparedness and food storage.

Why am I?

I know from past experiences that things can change in an instance! Yes, those things you have prepared for  may be lost, but you have been obedient following the prophet and our church leaders in being prepared with emergency supplies and extra food and water. Because you have heeded the warnings Heavenly Father will bless you with the things you need.

Blessings that come from being over prepared . . .

1) If you are over prepared with more food, drinking water and emergency supplies you will be able to barter with the extra supplies you have for the things you need or services you need help with.

2) We are told in the scriptures to help our brothers? Are we not our brothers keeper? If we have extra supplies we can help others in need. If we help them we will be blessed. Miracles will happen.

3) You will have peace of mind and not fear future events in your life. 


I testify to you if you will pray for guidance the Holy Ghost (Spirit) will guide you and protect you and your loved ones. It will tell you the things you need to do to protect you and them. In the Book of Mormon, Alma 34: 26-27 we read--"...; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you."




Will you personally be able to survive an EMP attack? 

We hear many rumors about the possibility of the United States being hit by an EMP. Do you know what it is and how it can affect you and your loved ones? Could it happen in the USA? I want everyone to be prepared for what could happen at any time. Be informed, be aware and be prepared!

An EMP is an electromagnetic pulse that can be launched from many miles away. If one was launched on the East Coast, the West Coast and the Gulf of Mexico it would effect the entire USA and possible Canada and parts of Central Amercia. Structures would not be destroyed, people would not be killed, except in some instances. All computers, all electronics, electricity, cars, planes, trains, trucks, pumps, the power grid would cease to work. It would not recover in just a few hours or days, it would take many many years. Ships and planes could not bring in supplies from other parts of the world. There would be on communication. Nothing that relies on computers and electricity would work, which is just about everything now. Old cars, trucks and equipment that do not rely on computers to run them may work as long as you can pump gas into them, but the gas pumps will not work. There would be no prescription medications, they would run out quickly. Food and water would go quickly. You would be on your own to survive. It is predicted that 95% of Americans would die within in one year or sooner due to no food, drinking water, medications, etc. People in the back country would survive longer because they are use to living off the land and off the grid without the modern conveniences we have today.

If you are prepared with needed supplies like food, drinking water, a way to filter water, emergency supplies and medical supplies and knew basic survival kills there is a very good chance you would survive. Do the reach about an EMP attack and how to build a Faraday Box to protect your electronics. Watch the video below on how to prepared for an EMP.

New June Monthly Assignments

Food Storage: Pastas

Pastas are another economical item to add to your food storage. There are so many varieties of pastas to store. Only store the varieties your family eats. Figure out how much pastas and the types you eat for the number of months you have set you goal, 1-Month, 3-Months, 6-Months, 1-Year. Watch for sales. I find sales and the store brands at regular grocery stores, big box stores like Costco and Sam's Club, and if you have Trader Joe's (Western USA) in your area are great on prices. Emergency supply companies that sell dehydrated/freeze-dried pastas tend to be more expensive, but they are great for long term storage.

Storage: Pastas are easy to store. Pastas are like rice and bean, they attract moths.When you bring them home from the store, regular package types, put them in your freezer for 24 hours to kill any larva and moths. Let them warm up to room temperature before storing them away. Remember the rule: Store all pastas, no matter what type of container, in a cool, dry and dark place. Storage containers: You can store them in their original packages for up to the expiration date which is usual 1+ years. Or, you can purchase them in #10 dehydrated/freeze-dried cans for 20-25 years. You can also use the Mason jar canning oven  method or the Mason jar canning FoodSaver method to store them for 3-5 years. (Go to YouTube for instructions. Whole Wheat pastas: You cannot store whole wheat pastas in #10 cans or using the Mason jar canning oven method or the FoodSaver method due to their high moisture content. Store them in their original packages up to the expiration date.

Emergency Preparedness: Water Storage

Water is the most important thing you should store. As I have said many times, "You can live without food for 40+ days, but you can only live without water for about 2-3 days". 

The rule is 1 gallon per day per person for drinking and cooking. Some say you only need to store water for 2-3 weeks. But I think you should have enough water for 2-3+ months. If you store dehydrated or freeze-dried products you will need extra water to rehydrate them. If you store rice, beans and pastas you will need extra water to allow cooking time. If you want to include bathing, most likely just sponge bathing, you will need extra water. 

There are several ways to store water. In 5, 10, 15, 30, and 50/55 gallon water storage containers or barrels, in16 ounce individual plastic bottles like Arrowhead water, 2 liter or gallon plastic bottles. Another idea I love is the Water Bricks. They stack like bricks and hold about 3-5 gallons of water. You can create tables with them and cover them with a table cloth. Water rain barrels are also another great source for collecting and storing water.

Water Filtration: Each household should have 1-2 ways to filter water in case you need to use other water resources like a lake, river or stream, or you are concerned about the safety of your stored water.

To see more ideas on Water Storage and Filtration click here to go to the posting on the right.

Clever Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Clothes Washing Kit: Great idea so you can do your laundry during an emergency situation. You will need a 5-6 gallon plastic bucket, cut a hole in the lid to allow the plunger handle to go up and down, a toilet plunger, laundry detergent, bleach, stain remover, clothes pins and clothes line. Place water and laundry soap (and bleach if needed) in the bucket, place the toilet plunger handle through the hole in the lid, put in your clothes, place the lid on the bucket and use the plunger to agitate the clothes. Rinse with clean water and hang out to dry using the clothes line and clothes pins. 

Ambient light: Place a headlamp around a gallon bottle of water, turn on the headlamp and you have ambient light for your camping area, tent, house or night light when the power is out. Remember to store extra batteries for the headlamp.

Easy Portable Solar Oven: So simple and it works. Click here for the instruction how to build one. It can cook beans just as good as on top of your home stove, bake bread and heat and cook other foods.

Comments/Questions: Please share your comments below. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. If you have any questions you can leave them below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will research your questions and answer it on the blog next time. Thank you for your comments.