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.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, November 5, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Weely Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 31st)
Hi Carson Ward Family,
A new month is shortly upon us. November is a time to be more grateful than usual. It is time to reflect on our gratitude for all we have been blessed with. I am so grateful for our church leaders who have given us the wonderful program of Provident Living, which will greatly bless our lives if we follow the plan and your general authorities.
Congratulations to Myra Albao for winning the October FREE Monthly Giveaway!She won a portable toilet with black trash bags, cat litter and Enzymes 300. This Emergency Preparedness item is a must for each family. This is how you prepare the portable toilet for use:
1. Place a black trash bag in the portable toilet. Best to use a double strength biodegradeable one.
2. Place about 2-3 inches of the cat litter in the bottom.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of the Enzymes 300 over the cat litter.
You can do this process several times before replacing the trash bag. If you are able to stay in your you can also use this proces for your home toilet if not usuable. In an Emergency situation you can bury the waste in the plastic trash bag. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards or wear surgerical gloves while handling the waste material.
The portable toilet (bucket and lid--on sale right now for $15, and comes with 2 Enzymes 300) and the Enzymes 300 ($.60 a package) at BePrepared.com (Emergency Essentials). Shipping is $6. The cat litter and trash bags can be purchased at any grocery store, Sam's Club or Costco. Major Survival & Discount Store in Gardening also sell the portable buckets and lids, not sure about the Enzymes 300. You will need several bags of cat litter and a large box of double strength black trash bags, biodegradeable one are best.
Quote:
"...when we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep you warm, and you cannot wear it." (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. - Church News, November 21, 1953, p.4.)
Weekley Assignment:
72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:
This week we are finishing up the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following items this week. One for each house hold memeber in your family, or 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit.
1. Roll of toilet paper
2. Fenine hygiene items as needed. (if babies in your family, diapers for 3 days)
3. Perscription medications and vitamins (If you take perscription medications or vitamins add enough for 3-4 days to your kit for each person in your house hold that uses them. Some doctors will perscribe extra for this.)
4. Sun screen (You will only need one bottle for the entire family. Put it in the family bag we will talk about later or go to the posting "72 Hour Emergency Kits" for more information. If you have a kit at work you should have one in your kit.)
Congratulations! We are done with the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits. You should have the following items in your kit. Place all the items below in a large zip lock plastic bag and put it in your backpack with your 72 Hour Food Kit.
1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type (great if water is limited)
5. small bar of soap in a small baggie or small bottle of liquid soap
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
9. deodorant (only for those that need it)
10. small container of baby wipes (found this at the 99 Cent Store)
11. respirator masks
12. emergency (reflecting) blanket
13. plastic rain poncho
14. roll of toilet paper
15. fenine hygiene items or diapers for the baby
15. perscription medications and/or vitamins
16. sun screen (only one per family in the family bag or one in your work 72 Hour Emergency Kit)
Next week we will start on the 72 Hour Stressor Kit. These kits do not have many items in them, only 7-8 items. This kit helps you and your family members to deal with the stress of an emergency situation.
Weekly Challlenge:
Review all your insurance policies (health, car, home/renters/earthquake, life) and with your insurance agent. Make sure everything is up to date, you understand your coverages and you have enough coverages to protect you, your family and your home. Make copies of your insurance policies and insurance cards, keep a copy or make a list of your policy numbers. Keep the copies or list in your purse/wallet, at work, with a family member outside of the area (may be seal in an envelope). We will also place a list in your 72 Hour Stressor Kit next week (only the adult ones), or you can put it in there now in a samll plastic zip lock bag, and then put that bag in a large plastic zip lock bag which we will add items too.
Emergency Preperations Progress Chart:
Thank you Myra Albao for letting us know about a great chart you can order online from the church distrubion center. It is a great chart that helps you chart your emergency preparedness items like food, water, shelter equipment, first-aid needs, etc. You can order the chart, 2 sizes (22"x 15" or 8.5" x 11") for $2.50 each. Go to their website: http://ldsposters.com/
Remember: Post your name and comment (if you want) at the end of this posting so your name can be put into the November Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing the end of November. Once again, it will be a great prize, something every house hold can use for Emergency Preparedness.
A new month is shortly upon us. November is a time to be more grateful than usual. It is time to reflect on our gratitude for all we have been blessed with. I am so grateful for our church leaders who have given us the wonderful program of Provident Living, which will greatly bless our lives if we follow the plan and your general authorities.
Congratulations to Myra Albao for winning the October FREE Monthly Giveaway!She won a portable toilet with black trash bags, cat litter and Enzymes 300. This Emergency Preparedness item is a must for each family. This is how you prepare the portable toilet for use:
1. Place a black trash bag in the portable toilet. Best to use a double strength biodegradeable one.
2. Place about 2-3 inches of the cat litter in the bottom.
3. Sprinkle a small amount of the Enzymes 300 over the cat litter.
You can do this process several times before replacing the trash bag. If you are able to stay in your you can also use this proces for your home toilet if not usuable. In an Emergency situation you can bury the waste in the plastic trash bag. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards or wear surgerical gloves while handling the waste material.
The portable toilet (bucket and lid--on sale right now for $15, and comes with 2 Enzymes 300) and the Enzymes 300 ($.60 a package) at BePrepared.com (Emergency Essentials). Shipping is $6. The cat litter and trash bags can be purchased at any grocery store, Sam's Club or Costco. Major Survival & Discount Store in Gardening also sell the portable buckets and lids, not sure about the Enzymes 300. You will need several bags of cat litter and a large box of double strength black trash bags, biodegradeable one are best.
Quote:
"...when we really get into hard times, where food is scarce or there is none at all, and so with clothing and shelter, money may be no good for there may be nothing to buy, and you cannot eat money, you cannot get enough of it together to burn to keep you warm, and you cannot wear it." (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. - Church News, November 21, 1953, p.4.)
Weekley Assignment:
72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:
This week we are finishing up the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following items this week. One for each house hold memeber in your family, or 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit.
1. Roll of toilet paper
2. Fenine hygiene items as needed. (if babies in your family, diapers for 3 days)
3. Perscription medications and vitamins (If you take perscription medications or vitamins add enough for 3-4 days to your kit for each person in your house hold that uses them. Some doctors will perscribe extra for this.)
4. Sun screen (You will only need one bottle for the entire family. Put it in the family bag we will talk about later or go to the posting "72 Hour Emergency Kits" for more information. If you have a kit at work you should have one in your kit.)
Congratulations! We are done with the 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits. You should have the following items in your kit. Place all the items below in a large zip lock plastic bag and put it in your backpack with your 72 Hour Food Kit.
1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type (great if water is limited)
5. small bar of soap in a small baggie or small bottle of liquid soap
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
9. deodorant (only for those that need it)
10. small container of baby wipes (found this at the 99 Cent Store)
11. respirator masks
12. emergency (reflecting) blanket
13. plastic rain poncho
14. roll of toilet paper
15. fenine hygiene items or diapers for the baby
15. perscription medications and/or vitamins
16. sun screen (only one per family in the family bag or one in your work 72 Hour Emergency Kit)
Next week we will start on the 72 Hour Stressor Kit. These kits do not have many items in them, only 7-8 items. This kit helps you and your family members to deal with the stress of an emergency situation.
Weekly Challlenge:
Review all your insurance policies (health, car, home/renters/earthquake, life) and with your insurance agent. Make sure everything is up to date, you understand your coverages and you have enough coverages to protect you, your family and your home. Make copies of your insurance policies and insurance cards, keep a copy or make a list of your policy numbers. Keep the copies or list in your purse/wallet, at work, with a family member outside of the area (may be seal in an envelope). We will also place a list in your 72 Hour Stressor Kit next week (only the adult ones), or you can put it in there now in a samll plastic zip lock bag, and then put that bag in a large plastic zip lock bag which we will add items too.
Emergency Preperations Progress Chart:
Thank you Myra Albao for letting us know about a great chart you can order online from the church distrubion center. It is a great chart that helps you chart your emergency preparedness items like food, water, shelter equipment, first-aid needs, etc. You can order the chart, 2 sizes (22"x 15" or 8.5" x 11") for $2.50 each. Go to their website: http://ldsposters.com/
Remember: Post your name and comment (if you want) at the end of this posting so your name can be put into the November Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing the end of November. Once again, it will be a great prize, something every house hold can use for Emergency Preparedness.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 24th)
Hi Carson Ward Family,
This is the last week to post your comment and name for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing for October, to be held this Thursday, October 28th at our Ward Halloween Party. How do you post your name?
Go the bottom of this Weekly Challenge and Assignment posting
Click on "Comments"
Go to the bottom of any already posted comments
Go to the white box, put in your name and comment (if you would like to leave one)
Click on the drop down arrow "Select Profile"
Click on "Anonymously"
Click on "Submit"
Your name and comment have been posted
The item for this month's drawing is something every family should have as part of their Emergency Preparedness items. You will be grateful you have this if an Emergency situation strikes.
Important: I have set up an easier way to get to each Emergency Preparedness posting in this blog. See the right hand side and scroll down until you see "Postings". If you click on the subject you need help with or want to learn more about, just click on it and it will take you directly to the posting. We will be continually adding new subjects and updating the postings as new or more information is discovered.
Quote:
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their . . . supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse:they have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food-free.” President Thomas S. Monson
Weekly Assignment:
We are continuing our 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following this week. One for each Personal Hygiene Kit.
1) Respirator Mask (I found really good ones on http://www.bepreapred.com/ "Emergency Essentials" 10 for $11.99. You will only need 1-2 per person. I think you can also get them at WalMart.)
2) Emergency (reflector) Blanket (I also found these at http://www.beprepared.com/ for $1.25 each.)
Note: The above items are on sale at the website mentioned. Great time to buy them. Their shipping is very reasonable. These are light weight items so the shipping should not be more than $6-$9 depending on how many you order. Their highest shipping amount no matter how much to buy or how heavy is $12.
3) Plastic rain poncho: If you order the above items from them you might want to include their plastic yellow or orange rain ponchos at the same time to save on shipping. They are $0.75 & $2.95 each.
So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one for each kit):
This is the last week to post your comment and name for our Monthly FREE Giveaway Drawing for October, to be held this Thursday, October 28th at our Ward Halloween Party. How do you post your name?
Go the bottom of this Weekly Challenge and Assignment posting
Click on "Comments"
Go to the bottom of any already posted comments
Go to the white box, put in your name and comment (if you would like to leave one)
Click on the drop down arrow "Select Profile"
Click on "Anonymously"
Click on "Submit"
Your name and comment have been posted
The item for this month's drawing is something every family should have as part of their Emergency Preparedness items. You will be grateful you have this if an Emergency situation strikes.
Important: I have set up an easier way to get to each Emergency Preparedness posting in this blog. See the right hand side and scroll down until you see "Postings". If you click on the subject you need help with or want to learn more about, just click on it and it will take you directly to the posting. We will be continually adding new subjects and updating the postings as new or more information is discovered.
Quote:
“Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their . . . supply of food . . . and were debt-free. Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse:they have at least a year’s supply of debt and are food-free.” President Thomas S. Monson
Weekly Assignment:
We are continuing our 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit. Please add the following this week. One for each Personal Hygiene Kit.
1) Respirator Mask (I found really good ones on http://www.bepreapred.com/ "Emergency Essentials" 10 for $11.99. You will only need 1-2 per person. I think you can also get them at WalMart.)
2) Emergency (reflector) Blanket (I also found these at http://www.beprepared.com/ for $1.25 each.)
Note: The above items are on sale at the website mentioned. Great time to buy them. Their shipping is very reasonable. These are light weight items so the shipping should not be more than $6-$9 depending on how many you order. Their highest shipping amount no matter how much to buy or how heavy is $12.
3) Plastic rain poncho: If you order the above items from them you might want to include their plastic yellow or orange rain ponchos at the same time to save on shipping. They are $0.75 & $2.95 each.
So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one for each kit):
1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type (great if water is limited)
5. small bar of soap or bottle of liquid soap
6. small bottle hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8 heavy work gloves
9. deodorant (only for those that need it)
10. small container of baby wipes
This week:
11. respirator masks
12. emergency (reflecting) blanket
13. plastic rain poncho
Only 3 more items to go next week.
Weekly Challenge:
This is the last week of Earthquake Preparedness Month:
Go to the posting "Before, During and After an Earthquake". Review the posting and make a list of things you and your family need to do to be as earthquake safe as possible. Discuss these with your family and make a plan to accomplish them. Have earthquake drills in your home once a month if there are young children, older children quarterly.
3 Month Food Supply:
Continue to add items each week, even if only one can or one package of food, to your 3 Month Food Supply. It does add up over the weeks!
It is so great to hear from each of you and how you are working on setting up your 72 Hour Emergency Kits, your home food storage and water and working on the weekly challenges. As long as you are trying, Heavenly Father will bless you with what you will need. Keep up the great work! If you have any questions you can post a comment below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. If I do not have your email please email it to me. Sister Nancy Cuppett
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Weekly Challenge and Assignment (Week of October 17th)
Hi Carson Ward Family,
How prepared is your family for an emergency? The most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is start, no matter how small, just start.
Quote:
“There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed…No one knows when emergencies will strike…Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wife and children and peace in your hearts. That’s all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable” Gordon B. Hinckley
Weekly Assignment:
72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one item per kit, adjust according to the age of your house hold members):
1) deodorant
2) baby wipes (in small container)
So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:
1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bar of soap or liquid soap
5. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
this week:
9. deodorant
10. baby wipes
Weekly Challenge:
Earthquake preparedness (October is Earthquake Emergency Preparedness Month):
How prepared is your family for an emergency? The most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is start, no matter how small, just start.
Quote:
“There is a portent of stormy weather ahead to which we had better give heed…No one knows when emergencies will strike…Set your houses in order. If you have paid your debts, if you have a reserve, even though it be small, then should storms howl about your head, you will have shelter for your wife and children and peace in your hearts. That’s all I have to say about it, but I wish to say it with all the emphasis of which I am capable” Gordon B. Hinckley
Weekly Assignment:
72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit (one item per kit, adjust according to the age of your house hold members):
1) deodorant
2) baby wipes (in small container)
So far you should have the following items in your 72 Hour Personal Hygiene Kit:
1. tooth brush
2. small tube of tooth paste
3. comb and/or brush
4. small bar of soap or liquid soap
5. small bottle of shampoo and rinse, or non-water type
6. small bottle of hand lotion
7. hand sanitizer
8. heavy work gloves
this week:
9. deodorant
10. baby wipes
Weekly Challenge:
Earthquake preparedness (October is Earthquake Emergency Preparedness Month):
This week continue to correct and secure things in your home to make it earthquake safe. Make sure all hazardous liquids are secure and will not fall and break open, causing danger to your family and the possibility of fires. See the "Before, During and After an Earthquake" posting for ideas.
Make sure everyone in your family has a contact number for out of state or the area. Put in wallets, purses, backpacks, at work, school, home and in your car. Instruct each family member when there is an emergency situation to call that contact number to report how they are and where they are. Also have this number in your children's school records.
3 Month Food Supply:
Continue to add items to your 3 Month Food Supply, even if it is just 1-2 cans of vegetables/fruit, a bag of rice or pasta. If you have not done the monthly chart to determine what your family eats in one month check out the 3 Month Food Supply posting to see how to do this.
Emergency Preparedness food and items:
I found a great company, Emergency Essentials at BePrepared.com, I really like. I have ordered #10 cans of dehydrated foods that keep for 25 years if stored properly and other emergency preparedness items. They have great sales items. Order their catalogue or go to their website. I find their prices are usually better than other companies and their shipping prices are low. Their shipping prices are either $6, $9 or $12, depending on how much you order. I order some things that came in 3 large boxes the total shipping was $12. Here are some great sales I found for the month of October:
Respirator Mask (box of 10)--$11.99 (regularly $12.95) (you need these for your 3 Hour Personal Hygiene Kits)
or, they have Particulate Respirator Mask (box of 20)--$14.95 (regularly $29.99)
Tote-able Toilet with 2 Enzyme Packets--$14.95 (regularly $19.99)
Emergency Gas Wrench (to turn off gas at your main meter)--$4.95 (regularly $10)
High Uinta Gear Multifunction Tool--$4.95 (regularly $9.99)
5-in-1 Survival Whistle--$1.50 (regularly $2.95) I bought several of these or our 72 Hour Kit, the Stressor Kit, I love them. Has a whistle, compass, flint fire starter, waterproof matches, and signal mirror.
Mylar Emergency Blanket--$1.25 (regularly $1.95) They also have other types. You need these for your 72 Hour Kits
Emergency Rain Poncho--$0.75 (regularly $0.99) You need these for your 72 Hour Kits.
Many varieties of dehydrated #10 cans of vegetables, fruit, milk, grains, meats, etc on sale. Check out their website.
Remember: Post your name at the end of this posting for our Monthly Free Giveaway Drawing that will be held at our Ward Halloween Party on Thursday, October 28th. The item for the drawing this month is something everyone will need in an emergency situation.
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