Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of January 9th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

A new year usually means new personal and family goals. I hope this year you and your family have set a goal by becoming more self-reliant by setting up each family members 72 Hour Emergency Kits, working on your 3 Months and Year's Supply of Food and other emergency items, water storage, making your home and family safe in case of a natural disaster or emergency situation, and planting a garden (or a container garden if possible).

This year's Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness Goals:

1) help each family become more prepared for an emergency situation
2) having first-aid and CPR classes
3) having an Emergency Preparedness Fair/Workshop
4) classes on how to cook with your Food Storage (especially the long storage items like wheat, dehydrated/freeze dried foods)
5) setting up a Ward Emergency Preparedness Plan along with the Stake Emergency Preparedness Plan
6) setting up a Ward Emergency Preparedness Committee
7) putting together a Ward Emergency Preparedness book that will show all Ward family members readiness, needs and talents
8) helping those who need help to plant a vegetable garden
9) how to can and freeze vegetables from your garden
10) if room plant a fruit tree (orange, lemon, etc)

I hope we will all work together to make our Ward and each Ward Family member prepared for any emergency situation we might face.

Quote:

"Recent surveys of Church members have shown a serious erosion in the number of families who have a year's supply of life's necessities. Most members plan to do it. Too few have begun.... It is our scared duty to care for our families, including our extended families." Thomas S. Monson (Ensign, September 1986, page 4)

"Those families will be fortunate who, in the last days, have an adequate supply of food because of their foresight and ability to produce their own." Ezra Taft Benson (October Conference Talk, Ensign, November 1980, page 33)

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Emergency Family Pack/Bag:

This week add the following:

1) Portable Regular or Solar Radio with extra batteries (do not store the radio with the batteries inside the radio, keep in a zip lock bag). You may want to consider a hand crank solar powered portable radio, but also store batteries with it.

2) can opener (if you have cans in your 72 Hour Emergency Food Kits that need opening with a can opener.)

You should have the following items now:

1) duffel bag or similar type of bag to store items in

2) first-aid kit and first-aid manual (book)

3) portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries

4) can opener

Weekly Challenge:

If you have not already made Emergency Preparedness Plan a part of this year's goals, please take some time to do so. Involve the family and set goals for your 72 Hour Emergency Kits, 3 Months Food Supply, Year's Supply and Water Storage. If you have room plan and plant a vegetable garden, involve the whole family. Family Home Evening is a great time to do this or getting the family together on Sunday to make a plan. Set goals to meet each item you want to work on.

The postings on this website will help you. Also, go back to August 1st Weekly Assignment and Challenge if you have not started on your 72 Hour Emergency Kits. It will take you through it week by week.

If you need help setting up your plan and goals please feel free to email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com or call me at 310-835-0902. I am also happy to help you plan and plant a vegetable garden. A few of you have already done this and I am so excited to work with you on your garden. The best time to start your vegetable garden is in March.

Remember: Do not forget to post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of the posting to have your name entered into the January Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing. If you having problems logging on to the website or posting your name please do the following:

Go to Google, on the top bar where is says http://www.google.com/, highlight and replace with "thearkcarsonward.blogspot.com", then click on the double green arrows or hit enter.

Scroll down to the bottom of each posting and click on "comments" at the bottom. When the comment section comes up scroll past any comments, see "Post a Comment" (add your name and comment in the white box area. Then click on "Comment as:", hit the drop down arrow, click on Anonymous, then click on "Post Comment". This will post your name and comment. Please call me at 310-835-0902 if you have any problems. Sister Nancy Cuppett

Save as a favorite "thearkcarsonward.blogspot.com on your computer to easily access the website each time.

Weekly Challenage and Assignment (Week of January 2nd)

Hi Carson Ward,

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their family and friends. May you, this new year, plan, prepare and organize your year's supply of food, clothing and other necessities. Make it a part of your 2011 Goals. The next few weeks we will be working on putting together the 72 Hour Family Emergency Pack/Bag.

Congratulations to the Cummings Family! They won the Butane Portable One Burner Stove with two Butane cans of fuel.

Quote:

"As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year's supply of necessities.... I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With the events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness.... Create a plan if you don't already have one, or update your present plan... We are not in a situation that requires panic buying, but we do need to be careful in purchasing and rotating the storage that we're putting away." (Elder L. Tom Perry, in Conference Report, October 1995 or Ensign, November 1995, page 36.)

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Family Emergency Pack/Bag: (You will need one for home and one for your car, in case your are away from home during an emergency situation. You should have a small one at work too.)

This week add the following:

1. Purchase a small duffel bag or gym type bag

2. First-aid kit and First-aid book (If you all ready have one put it into your home/car/work 72 Hour Family Emergency Pack/Bag.)

Weekly Challenge:

Are you safe in your car? Is you child safe in the car? Parents, grandparents and anyone who drives with a child in the car, please read the following:

Working in the insurance business, one of my greatest concerns and that I am adamant about, is children being safe while their parents and others are driving. I have take several accident reports where children were injured due to unsafe car seats or restraints, one was very bad.

The mother was driving a Suburban in the diamond lane on the freeway. Her 7 year old daughter was in the back seat behind her restrained by the adult car seat belt. A car next to her lost control, spun around and hit her head on, they were both traveling about 65 miles an hour. The impact of the car hitting her, threw the mother against the steering wheel and her head hit the windshield. She reached behind her and called her daughter's name, there was no response and she could not feel her daughter's legs. She panicked and called for her again. One of the other cars who had stopped to help told her there was no one in the seat behind her. Her daughter had been thrown from the adult car seat belt, through the front windshield, over the car that hit them head on several feet down the freeway. Her daughter spent several weeks in a coma with a fractured skull and several months recovering in the hospital. Her daughter has permanent brain damage and will never be able to do the things a 7 year or other little girls do.

We often think our children are safe in the adult seat belt. The adult seat belt does not fit them correctly and will not hold them in the seat. The California law regarding children in the car is as follows:

A parent or legal guardian or any driver may not permit his or their child or ward or any child to be transported upon a highway in a motor vehicle without properly securing the child or ward in a rear seat in a child passenger restraint system meeting applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards, unless the child or ward is one of the following:

1. Six years of age or older.
2. Sixty pounds of more.

(I find this may not be enough either, look what happened to the little girl in the story above. A child booster seat would be better.)

VC Section 27360 & 27315

A child or ward may not ride in the front seat of a motor vehicle with an active passenger airbag if the child or ward is one of the following:

1. Under one year of age.
2. Less than 20 pounds.
3. Riding in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system.

I strong feel they should not be in the front seat at all, there is not enough protection for them.

Children under 12 years of age:

No child should sit in the front seat of a car, even if the airbag is turned off, if they are under 12 years old and at least 100 pounds, the adult seat belt will not hold them in and protect them from hitting the dashboard. They need to sit in the back seat in the middle if possible. Check the sun visor on the passenger side in your car for instructions.

The best type of child restraint systems and safety:

1. A 5-star lock child car seat gives a child the best protection. Check to make sure there has not been a recall of the type you are buying. Please make sure the car seat or booster seat is secure in the seat, does not move around easily. Check the instructions on how to properly install the car seat and booster seat. You can also go online for help in how to properly install a child car seat or booster seat.
2. Booster seats should have the same type of 5-star restraint.
3. Never buy a used child car seat or booster seat, you do not know if it has been in an accident.
4. If the child car seat or booster seat has been in an accident do not use it, destroy it and then throw it away, do not sell it or give to DI or a thrift store. Most insurance companies will give you the money to replace the child car seat or booster seat.
5. Make sure you properly install the child car seat or buster seat. There are several websites that will help you with this. I found a great one at http://kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/travel/auto.html#

Adult safety while driving:

1. Before you get into your, walk all around your car to make sure no one is hiding inside.

2. If you are at a hospital late at night and by yourself, have the security guard walk with you to your car.

3. Be aware of who is around you while getting gas, going to your car. If someone approaches you to sell you something tell them no thank you and quickly get into your car and lock the doors.

4. Always have your keys out and ready before getting to your car.

5. Try to park in a well lighted area.

6. Keep your doors locked. If you sit in your car to review a sales receipt or use your cell phone, lock your doors.

7. Always wear your seat belt.

8. Do not talk on your cell phone or text while driving.

9. Keep a small flash light on your key chain or in your purse or pocket.

Please be safe and keep your child safe while driving!

Remember: Post your name and a comment, if you wish, at the end of this blog for our January monthly FREE giveaway drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of December 5th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Quote:

"For over forty years, in a spirit of love, members of the Church have been counseled to be thrifty and self-reliant; to avoid debt; pay tithes and a generous fast offering; be industrious; and have sufficient food, clothing, and fuel on hand to last a least one year. Today there are compelling reasons to reemphasize this counsel. " Ezra Taft Benson, October Conference 1980

Brothers and Sisters, this counsel is as important now as it was when given in 1980, may be even more so now. All I ask, is that you just start somewhere, if you have not already done so, to prepare for whatever lies ahead, it may be around the corner. If you need help, please ask me and I would be happy to help you make a plan for your family. The 72 Hour Emergency Kit is the best way to start, while working on your 3 Months Food Supply at the same time (just a couple of extra cans of food a week).

Weekly Assignment (72 Stressor Kit--one for each family member)

This week we will add the last item:

1) $3-$5 in change (coins) for each kit (You need change in coins because if you only have a $5 bill and you need food or water, the person may say it cost $5, they will say they do not have change.) Put the money in a small zip lock bag.

You should have the following items in your 72 Hour Stressor Kit:

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
7. favorite reading book (soft cover for adult books)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family member kit so you have different ones to play)
9. Book of Mormon (soft cover, about $4 on church catalog website)
Added this week:
10. $3-$5 in coin change in small zip lock bag

Put all the above items in a large zip lock bag and put in your 72 Hour Emergency backpack for each family member in your household.

Congratulations! If you have been following along the past 19 weeks you have finished the 72 Hour Food/Water Kit, the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit and the 72 Hour Stressor Kit for each family member in your household.

The next step is to put all these 3 kits into a backpack for each family member in your house hold. Over the month of December I want you to add the following to complete your 72 Hour Emergency Backpack kit:

1) change of clothing (shirt, pants, underware/garments, socks) (remember to chage these as your children grow)
2) a sweater (if you do not have extra ones, then get one from a discount center like the Discount Center on Avalon and Sepulveda or the Good Will)
3) a hat
4) if you want, a sturdy pair of shoes (change as your children grow)

Once you have completed the kits, put in a place that will be easily accessable in the house or your car. You should also have one at your work place under your desk. We keep kits in the house and kits in the car. Reason for this: You may be in an earthquake while in the house and not able to get them out of the car. If away from home and you keep them at home, you will need them if you cannot get back home. Or, you can keep one family size one in the car with food, water, first-aid kit, some hygiene items like diapers (see the list what you would want to have), activity books/games/scriptures.

If you have not started your 72 Emergency Kit then go back to the "Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of August 1st)" and start there. It is great to have the complete list of items because you can buy them while on sale, try to buy 1-2 items, or more, each week.

Due to the holiday season we are going to take a break from the Weekly Assignments. Continue to put your 72 Hour Kit(s) together if you have not finished them. We will start the 72 Hour Family Kit in January. The 72 Hour Family Kit will enclude items like a hatchet, mess kits to cook with, items to heat food with, first-aid kit, etc. You will only need one of these kits for the house and one for the car (if you have 72 Hour kits in your car too.)

After the first of year we will also be setting up First-aid and CPR classes for those who want to attend. We will be setting up Emergency Preparedness Committes and Teams and have an Emergency Preparedness Workshop.

Weekly Challenge:

Continue to purchase extra cans of vegetables and fruit and other items your family eats in 3 months. Keep inventory as you go along. See the 3 Month Food Supply posting for help and ideas.

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of each December Weekly Challenge and Assignment for the December 28th Monthy FREE Giveaway Drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 28th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Congratulations to the Tim Holt family! They won our November Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing. They won a Seychelle Water Filtration System Bottle. The bottle removes 99.99% of contaminants. It will filter 100 gallons of water per filter. I have seen them filter out very durty contaminated water into crystal clear drinking water. The church has distributed thousands of these to our missionaries throughout the world where the drinking water is not safe.

You can purchase these bottles at the church catalog website "store.lds.org" or from the "Family Resources" catalog that comes with your Ensign magazine once a year. If you go to the church website you will need to set up an account. You may need your membership number to do so.

Here is the item, item number and prices:

Water Filtration 28 oz Bottle (from Seychelle--will not say the company name in the catalog or website)

Bottle with 1 filter (item # 08381951) $16.50 each
Bottle with 2 filters (item # 08381000) $22.00 each
Replacement Filter (item # 08381951) $9.00 each (website has same # as the Bottle with 1 filter)

These are great to have 2 or more in your Family 72 Hour Bag we will be start putting together in two weeks.
**************************************************************************

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with family and friends. How blessed we are to live in this country and share the freedoms which we enjoy daily. In many countries they are not allowed to store food, or are limited in what they can store. In the United States we are blessed to store as much as we want along with water and fuel (where possible).

Quote:

"As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son." (Gordon B. Hinckley, in Conference Report, October 2001, page 89 or Ensign, November 2001, page 73.)

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one for each family member's 72 Hour Backpack)

1) Book of Mormon (soft cover, the one the Missionaries hand out)

So far you should have the following in your 72 Hour Stessor Kit:

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
7. favorite reading book (soft cover for adult books)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards (different one for each family kit so have different ones to play)
Added this week:
9. Book of Mormon (soft cover)

Next week we will finish up the 72 Hour Stressor Kit. Only one more item to go.

Weekly Challenge:

Add 5 cans of vegetables and 5 cans of fruit to your 3 Month Food Supply.

Inventory your 3 Months Food Supply to see how you are doing following the chart you created in the 3 Months Food Supply posting (see right hand side under Postings and click on it if you need help with the chart.)

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you wish) at the end of the this posting for the December Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 21st)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Last week to post you name for the Sunday, November 28th Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing. Post you name by Friday, November 26th.

Quote:

"You do not need to go into debt to obtain a year's supply. Plan to build up your food storage just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget. Store seeds and have sufficient tools on hand to do the job. If you are saving and planning for a second car or a television set or some item which merely adds to your comfort or pleasure, you may need to change your priorities. We urge you to do this prayerfully and do it now. I speak with a feeling of great urgency." (Conference Report October 1980, Ensign November 1980, page 10)

Brothers and Sisters, As I read this quote from the 1980 General Conference I wonder how long do we have to be warned and counseled by our General Authorities to be prepared for whatever might come our way, natural disasters, financial hardships, loss of a job, and an accident or illness of the head of the house who provides financially for our family, before we heed their words. Many LDS families are already facing financial hardships and loss of a job. Wouldn't a years supply of food (even three to six months) help in that situation and ease the burden of how to pay bills and provide for the family?

So far we have been blessed not to have had a major earthquake hit this area which would cause great devastation, injury to others, and loss of resources. Look at the Katrina Hurricane, Hattie and other countries who have suffered major natural disasters. It took not just days, but weeks to get fresh water, food and medical help to those people. Even our local community government is telling us to be prepared to take care of ourselves for at least two weeks (food and water and may be even medical help). Our Bishops Store house in Los Angeles only can store so much food. Even though the Church is very well organized and can bring food, fresh water and medical supplies to the area, it may be impossible for trucks to get into the area to deliver those items due to damages, just like with Katrina. We must be prepared and be able to take care of our own family for at least two weeks, I think better for a month.

Let's all make some plans, change our priorities, and if we have not already, start purchasing food and water for storage. Just start somewhere!

Weekly Challenge: (See the Weekly Assignment, the 72 Hour Stressor Kit, after this.)

My Weekly Challenge this week is to consider not buying your children or family members those expensive Christmas gifts this year, but put that money into Food, Water Storage and Emergency Preparedness. Yes, buy them gifts for Christmas, but cut back on the expensive ones. May be buy everyone a sleeping bag, if they do not already have one. You can get them at a very resonable price at Big 5 ($20 or so). Do not forget the gifts from Santa, just explain even Santa is on a budget this year and working on his Years Food Supply!

One year when money was very tight due to some unexpected medical and other bills, we decided to have a Home Made Christmas. Knowing of our circumstances the children came up with the idea and presented it to us. We were so proud of them. We determined how much we had to spare for Christmas gifts and determined each family member would get $25 to spend on each family member. As you know their are eight in our family, so each person had $25 to spend on seven people. As a family we decided to make our gifts. The older children helped the younger ones. Each one made a plan as to what they were going to make and the supplies they would need (Michael's craft store is a great place for some items). The excitement in the house was wonderful! Wonderful things were going on behind closed doors. When Christmas morning came everyone was so excited to share their Home Made Christmas Gift with each family member. Their imaginations and thoughtfulness of each family member about the things they liked was unbelievable. One daughter made hand painted T-shirts for everyone. Each T-shirt represented something that person liked, they were beautiful. Heidi painted a wooden box for her Dad to keep his keys, wallet and change in at the end of the day (he still has it and uses it). One of the children made cookies with Certificate Booklets for each person offering their services throughout the year for back rubs, shoes shines, clean their room for them, etc. Many of gifts are gone now, some are still around, but the memories of that Christmas are with us forever. When you ask our family their favorite Christmas, it will usually be that one. Of course, we managed to have a small gift from Santa and a Christmas stocking filled with candies, fruit, nuts and some small inexpensive things.

I know of one Ward member who is putting together 72 Hour Food Kits for her family members this year. I also know of another family, who one year only bought Emergency Preparedness items for each other (they have older children and they all agreed to ). The items were then organized into their Emergency Preparedness shelves. What great ideas!

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit: (one for each family member)

As you purchase the 72 Hour Stressor Kit items put them into a large zip lock plastic bag.

This week add the following:

1) A copy of your or your child's favorite reading book (Adult books, soft cover if possible to cut down on the weight.) Not the Book of Mormon, we will be added that next week.

2) A small travel size board game like checkers or playing cards like Fish or Old Maid. (Put a different kind in each kit, that way you will have several different ones for your family to play if you are all together.) You can find these at the 99 Cent Store, the Dollar Tree, the $1 bins at Target, any department store like Target, WalMart, CVS, Walgreen. Watch for great sales right now due to the Christmas holiday.


So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hours Stressor Kit (see the previous blog postings for these items):

1. paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 survival whistle
3. copies of insurance
4. family photo(s)
5. activity book
6. list of family contact names and phone numbers
Added this week:
7. favorite reading book (not the Book of Mormon, will be adding that later)
8. small travel size board game or playing cards

Remeber: Post your name and a comment, if you wish, at the end of this blog posting (and on each November weekly posting, the more chances to win) for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing, which will be held next week on Sunday, the 28th.

Notice: If you are not receiving my emails about Emergency Preparedness sale items and other Emergency Preparedness important information, please email me your email address at theark.carsonward@gmail.com and I will make sure you get them too.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 14th)

Hi Carson Ward Family,

Quote:

"More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstance. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared. For this reason the Brethren have repeatedly stressed a "back to basics" program for temporal and spiritual welfare." Ezra Taft Benson, "Prepare for the Days of Tribulation," Ensign, Nov. 1980, page 32

Personal Experience:

Several years ago my husband Robert was hit by another driver while in his work truck. He had just pulled away from his last job and had not put on his seat belt yet. The fellow hit him on the driver side pretty hard, causing Robert to be thrown against the other side of the truck, hitting the door. He spent the next three months recovering from his injuries at home on Medical Disability from work. Many of you know, when you receive Disability from your job, the money is only a small portion of your regular income. I was a stay at home mom with small children. Our only income at the time was Robert's. Because we had listened to the counsel of our Church Leaders we had about 4-6 weeks of Food Storage on hand. Because of this we were able to handle the rest of our temporal needs and not ask the Bishop for Food Orders from the Church. We never know when our Food Storage and Savings will be needed to sustain our family. Great blessings and peace come from following the Leaders of our Church!

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one kit per family member);

1. Paper pad and pen
2. 5-in-1 Survival Whistle (I found these at BePrepared.com (Emergency Essentials) for $1.50. They are great!--whistle, compass, flint fire started, waterproof matches and signal mirror. You may also check with Major Survival Surplus Store in Gardnea, or other department/sporting goods stores.)
3. Copies of your insurance or name of the insurance companies with a list of the policy numbers and contact phone numbers, copies of medical insurance cards (back and front) and list of medications that person takes. You may only want this in the adult kit with at least a copy of the child's medical insurance card and medications they take in theirs.

Weekly Challenge:

While at our Relief Society Meeting Tuesday night some of the sisters and I were discussing Emergency Preparedness and how prepared our children's schools are. I know at our daughter's son's grade school in Torrance they are prepared for an emergency situation. Outside each class room there is a large trash can on wheels full of each child in the classroom a 72 Hour Emergency Kit . Each kit, with their name on the front in permanent marker, has food, water, a change of underwear and socks, and stressor things (book, family photo, small toy like a small Lego kit) for that child. I would also include a copy of their medical insurance card and any medications they are on and allergies in a small zip lock bag. These are provided by the parents since the parents know what their child will eat and is allergic t0. At the end of the school year they take them home and the parents bring a new 72 Hour Kit back the first day of the new school year and place it in the trash can outside the classroom.

Some schools have large metal containers somewhere on the school grounds with food and water. I have concern about these ones. Who knows how long the food and water has been stored there in the heat. The heat hitting that metal container may raise the temperature inside to an unsafe level, causing the food and water inside to deteriorate quicker than stored in a cool dry place. Plus, will your child eat the food that is stored? It is a proven fact, even when children are hunger, they will usually not each something they do not like or have not eaten before.

After speaking with a guest who came with one of our sister Tuesday night, she being a grade school teacher, we found out how unprepared some of our schools are for an emergency situation, this is frightening to think our children will not be provided for if this happens.

My challenge this week is to check with your children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews schools to see what emergency preparations they have made for your children. Tell your assigned visiting teaching sisters to also check. Talk to their school, especially the PTA, they are usually the ones involved with this. The PTA is a great source for making sure our children are protected while at school in case of an emergency situation. Find out what you can do to help make sure they are protected and provided for.

I really like the trash can idea since each 72 Hour Kit is provided by the parents who know their child. Of course, something like the containers is better than nothing, but how old is the food and water in them? The food and water should be replaced at every year or at the least every two years, depending on the temperature inside the metal containers.

As members of the church we are asked to be involved in our community, what a better way than to make sure our children are protected while at school.

Remember: Post your name and comment (if you want) at the end of each Weekly Challenge and Assignment for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing at the end of November, the 28th.

Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of November 7th)

Hi Carson Ward,

I am so excited to here how many of you are getting excited about Emergency Preparedness, evaluating and setting up your home Food/Water Storage and Emergency Preparedness items, getting your 72 Hour Kits updated or started, that the Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness blog/website is helping you to accomplish your goals, that you are following the counsel of our General Authorities and Leaders of our Church, and you on your way to self-reliance and Provident Living.

If there is anything I can do to help you get started please just ask me, or if you have any questions. If you would like, I would love to sit down with you or your family to help you make a plan and get started towards becoming self-reliant. It brings such peace of mind in knowing that you are working towards a goal and seeing your Food Storage and Emergency Predparedness items growing. The most important thing you can do, is "just start", even if it is one can at a time. There is a Latin Proverbwhich says: "While we consider when to begin, it becomes too late!"

When it gets close to Spring next year and you are interested in planting a garden (even a container garden) I would be excited to help you plan your garden and plant it. It is such a satisfying experience to get the whole family involved in planting a garden and then freezing and/or canning your rewards!

Quote:

“Life is made up of small daily acts. Savings in food budgets come by pennies, not only by dollars. Clothing budgets are cut by mending stitch by stitch, seam by seam. Houses are kept in good repair nail by nail. Provident homes come not by decree or by broad brushstroke. Provident homes come from small acts performed well day after day. When we see in our minds the great vision, then we discipline ourselves by steady, small steps that make it happen.” (Barbara B. Smith, former Relief Society general president - Ensign, Nov. 1980, p. 86.)

After the first of the year I plan to set up Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness workshops and First-aid and CPR classes. We may set up the First-aid and CPR classes before the holidays.

Weekly Assignment:

72 Hour Stressor Kit (one per family member):

What is a 72 Hour Stressor Kit? It helps your family deal with the stresses of a natural disaster or emergency situation. It provides items in the kit to help occupy them with things to do, like reading the Book of Mormon or a favorite book, playing small car board games, card games like "Go Fish" or working in an activity book or even just looking at a family photo.

This week we are starting this kit. There are only 7-8 items in this kit. This week please add the following for each family kit:

1. Family photo
2. Activity book (I found these at the 99 Cent Store and Dollar Tree, they are Cross Word Puzzle books, Word Search books, or activities books for children.)
3. List of contact names and phone numbers (Family and friends in state and out of state, doctors names, addresses and phone numbers. Make sure your children understand what they are and they can call them if they cannot locate you. Teach them how to call them.)

Weekly Challenge:

Teach your children, grandchildren, neices and nephews how to call 911

Our daughter Heidi did a wonderful thing a few weeks ago to help their boys learn how to call 911 if one of their parents or grandparents were hurt where they could not get to the phone or were unable to talk to them. They wanted them to know that if they could not get them to wake up they could call for help and help would come.

First Heidi called 911 and explained she wanted to teach her boys how to call 911 and make sure it was ok if she did a test with them so they would know their was someone to call and they would be able to help them.

Then she pretended to be unconsious on the floor. She had Bradley call 911. She first had him tell the 911 Dispature that he was practicing with his mother on how to call 911 and that she was pretending to be unconsious. The Dispature was more than willing to help him practice. They took their time with him and asked him their normal questions.

1. Who is calling?
2. Why are they calling, was someone hurt?
3. That help was on their way, to wait and he would keep talking with him until someone got there.
4. When they came to the door, to ask who they were if they could not see them, and it would be ok to open the door for them.

911 can bring up the address while talking with someone. But it is a good idea to teach your children their full name, parents names (they are not just Daddy and Mommy), address and phone number just in case.

Bradley told the Dispacture thank you and hung up. He was so excited that someone was on the other end of the phone to talk with him and help him get help for his mother.

Of course, we need to explain to our children this is only for emergency purposes and not to call just for the fun of it or pretend to see if they really do come to the house.

Remember, post your name at the end of each weeks posting for the month so your name can be entered in our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing the end of November.