First . . . Our hearts go out to the people in Texas and Louisiana who are currently facing the many difficulties of Hurricane Harvey. Our prayers and support are with you all. May Heavenly Father watch over you, your loved ones and your homes. May you find peace and comfort at this very difficult time. Thank you to all the first responders and volunteers who are risking their lives to rescue and save the lives of others. You are our heroes!
Lots to say this month . . .
Your Own First Responder . . .
About ago week the Spirit said to me, "You will be your own first responder in a disaster situation". I have been pondering on this message for several days. Little did I know at the time that the hurricane in Houston, Texas and Louisiana would prove this message. As I have watched the hurricane events unfold on the TV news stations I can see how this message is true. It may take hours, days, weeks before first responsers or help can arrive, especially if roads are blocked.
One story I listened to was a man, not a first responder as we think of, out in his boat, as many have been doing, to see who he could help. He saw a woman on her front porch with the water up to the porch. He asked if she needed rescued. Her response, "I have called 911 and am waiting for them". His responded back to her, "They are not coming, I am it. Do you want to come with me?"
In disaster situations like this we will be "our own first responders" and our neighbors. We will probably be alone and need to handle things ourselves and help our neighbors the best we can. There will be no first responders, no firemen, no police officers and no medical help. We will most likely be on our own. How well will you be able to take care of yourself, your family and help your neighbors? How prepared are you?
In another report I heard the news caster say there is no electricity, very little communication, no sanitation, no drinking water, no food, no shelter for many and no one on the way to help. You are on your own!
We individually need to be prepared for what every disaster or emergency situation may come our way. We need to be prepared to be our own first responders.
Helping children cope with disasters . . .
As parents we try to protect our children from witnessing terrible things. I love how the beloved Mr. Rogers' mother helped him. Such a good idea . . .
New School Year . . . New Beginning
Each new school year for our children and grandchildren is a new beginning. A new time to prepared and learn. We are like these children, it is a time for us to prepare and learn. We need to be prepared for all the types of disasters that can effect us where we live. We need to store food, drinking water, emergency electricity in the way of flashlights and lanterns, etc., a way for sanitation, some type of shelter to protect us from the elements. This is a new school year, a new beginning. This is a new beginning for us, a time to prepare. Why not start now?
Come, Come Ye Saints
The Mormon Pioneers sang this beloved hymn as they where forced from their homes and crossed the plains to Utah. Our world is in turmoil. I find great comfort and peace in these words . . .
Come, come ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
"Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive:
Do this, and joy your heart's will swell--
All is well! All is well!
Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?
"Tis not so; all is right.
Why should we think to earn a great reward
If we now shun the fight?
Gird up your loins: fresh courage take.
Our God will never us forsake;
And soon we'll have this tale to tell--
All is well! All is well!
We'll find the place which God for us prepared,
Far away in the West,
Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid,
There the Saints will be blessed.
We'll make the air with music ring,
Shout praises to our God and King;
Above the rest these words we'll tell--
All is well! All is well!
And should we die before our journey's through,
Happy day! All is well!
We then are free from toil and sorrow, too,
With the just we shall dwell!
But if our lives are spared again
To see the Saints their rest to obtain,
Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell--
All is well! All is well!
Text by William Clayton
September Monthly Assignments
Emergency Preparedness . . .
72 Hour Individual Emergency
Preparedness
Backpack . . .
The Stressor Kit
Updates . . .
Backpacks: Several people have
asked me where I got my backpack from. I found that the ones from
emergencyessentials.com are really good. They have 3 different size,
small, medium and large. I purchased the medium size one. It is great
and has enough room for your 3 kits (food kit, hygiene kit and stressor
kit), extra clothing and other needed items I will list after we
complete the 3 kits. There backpacks are now black. Click here to see them.
What is a Stressor Kit?
The Stressor Kit contains items that will help you and your household
family member better handle the stressful situation of a disaster or
emergency situation. For the next few weeks will be adding 4 items, one
each week for 4 weeks. You can purchase most of these items at the 99
Cent Store, The Dollar Tree, The Dollar General, Big Lots or other
discount stores. A few items may need to be purchased at a regular store
like Target or WalMart. Some you may have around your house. There are
only 10 items in this kit. The complete list is below for those who want
to complete this kit faster.
Remember: You will need one Stressor Kit per household member.
Place each item as we add them into a large zip lock plastic bag, write
each family members name on their Stressor Kit and put it into their 72
Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack.
Let's get started . . .
This month add the following . . .
1st Week: Copies of all your insurances (health, auto, homeowners, etc.) and ID's (driver's license, state ID, social security card, etc.) (shrink the insurance down so everything can fit on one page or write down the policy numbers and name of insurance)
2nd Week: A list of family name and phone numbers in each Stressor Kit.
3rd Week: Favorite reading book (soft cover, age appropriate, not the scriptures, adding them later)
4th Week: Small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family member's kit so you have a variety to play)
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
Important Warnings . . .
When ever there is a disaster I listen to the news reports on CNN and Fox News for information that might help me help you when and if a disaster hits you. It may be a different type of disaster like an earthquake, tsunami, flooding, hurricane, tornado, etc.. But the warnings are basically the same.
1) Evacuate: When officials, be it local or federal, say "EVACUATE", EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY! When you do not you are likely to put yourself, your family and the rescuers in harms way. Be smart! No material things are worth your life or the life of others. It is important to have 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpacks for each family house hold member ready at all times. Also to keep important papers and documents together. It is a good idea to make copies of all insurance and important papers/documents you might need and put them in your 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. Also, have a map, or maps of your local street areas. You many need to find alternate routes to be to a safe place.
2) Standing Water: When you see standing water, DO NOT CROSS IT! You do not know the depth of the water, the condition under neath the water, if there are live electrical wires somewhere electrocuting the water, or other dangers. Water is powerful and can have strong under currents you cannot see. Stay safe and keep others safe. Do not take the risk!
3) Lighting: Every house hold should have good working flashlights with extra batteries at all times. You never know when you might need them. I heard many people in the Texas Hurricane Harvey say they had no flashlights, they could not see the rising water and the dangers they were in during the night.
4) Insurance Coverage: Know what your homeowners, renters and auto insurance cover. Homeowners and renters do not cover flooding, a separate policy. Earthquake is also a separate insurance policy.
5) Food and Drinking Water: Good to keep extra cans and packaged food items on hand. A friend of mine's son is trapped on the second floor of his apartment in Louisiana with no food. You also may need a way to cook it or eat it cold.
6) The Holy Ghost: Pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and follow them immediately. It could save your life and others.
7) Car Gas Tank: Always keep your car gas tanks at least half full. It will probably give you enough gas to evacuate to a safe place.
8) Cars after flooded: Never, never, never drive a car that has been under water. It damages the electrically system and could cause a fire if you started it or tried to drive it.
Be Smart, Be Safe, Be Prepared Ahead of Time, Do Not Take Risks,
Listen to the Promptings of the Spirit!
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