Got Fun?...Morale boosters for Evacuation Kits

Morale Boosters for Your 72 Hour Kit
Author - Terrie Lynn Bittner

When we put together our 72 hour kits and prepare for even longer stretches of need, we often think so much of the body that we forget the spirit. In hard times, the spirit needs even more than the body. Here are some items you can include in your emergency preparedness that will nourish the spirit. You might want to put a few of them in the backpacks you put together for 72 hour kits.

1. Scriptures. In an emergency evacuation, you may not have time or even remember to find the scriptures. Put an inexpensive copy of the scriptures in each pack, along with a red pencil, a pen for underlining, and a plasticized bookmark for underlining and marking scriptures. Since they will be unmarked, you can entertain yourself by finding all your favorite scriptures and marking them. You might prefer to pre-mark a few scriptures relating to comfort in advance. If you’re in a shelter, you can even offer it to someone as you leave.

2. Games. During an evacuation, you may have long empty hours to fill and entertaining children can be especially challenging. Carefully select a few games children can play alone, as well as some they can play with others. Many popular games come in travel sizes.

3. Creative activities. Keep the mind occupied with art projects, drawing paper, crayons, puzzles, and other creative activities. If you have a writer in the family, include paper.

4. A small journal. Let each person write what they experience, feel, and learn during this time, and also tell about the people they meet. It will make a powerful record for the future. Younger children can also draw in these.

5. Treats. There is nothing like a treat here and there in an emergency. Think about each person’s favorites, but make sure they will last.

6. Crazy socks, t-shirts, and hair things. If you’re packing clothing, make some of them nutty. They’re more fun and you’ll need cheering up.

7. Books that make you laugh. Make sure everyone has something fun to read, including joke books for younger children. The family can trade books if you choose them carefully.

8. Post cards and stamps. If there isn’t phone service, send these out at the first opportunity. Have them pre-addressed to anyone who will worry. This nourishes your soul because you won’t worry about who is worried.

9. A means for providing a small service to someone. In time of evacuation, you will meet many who have need, whether it’s a material need or an emotional need. Think of something each person could do to serve another’s emotional needs during this time. The ability to do so will cheer you up and make you feel you are doing something valuable.

Got Oil?

Preparedness isn't always about stuff, in fact, if you are not Spiritually prepared, the 'stuff' doesn't really matter. Watch this short video, feed your spirit and 'gather some oil'

Emergency! Do you know where your children are?

School is back in session, do your kids know what to do in an emergency if it happened during the school day?

● Do you know your schools emergency plans? Each school has a plan and you should know what it is.

● What happens in the event of an emergency, at what point will your kids be released to you?

● Do you have a plan for picking up your children, what will you do with your little ones in the chaos of a mass pick-up. You might want to make plans with a friend or neighbor to watch your little ones while you pick up your and your friends children. In this case, make sure that the school knows ahead of time that you are authorized to pick them up.

● Do your children know where to meet you when they are released?

● Do they have an emergency kit in their desk, backpack or locker?
A kit would contain things like:
• Compact emergency blanket
• Small Flashlight
• Food/Water
• small first-aid kit/essential medication
• Identification card
• Contact information, emergency plan/ Family photo
• A small game or book
A note of encouragement, to them from you, would be nice for some reassurance that you’ll reunite with them as soon as possible.

Talk to your children about this situation before it happens so they have input about what items they'd like in their kit. If they are prepared for disasters, wherever they are, they'll be much better able to cope with whatever comes their way, and also, they'll be able to help others who aren't so ready.

Just Do It!

Don't just read about it....
Do Something Today to Become Better Prepared

Fill or re-fill water bottles, read or watch preparedness material, gather together preparedness items, make a list, purchase something or make something. Do something today, and everyday to become better prepared.

This is a wonderful compilation of prophetic statements about the times we live in. Pay attention to the promises that are there for us. How grateful I am to be led by a living Prophet, especially in these last days.

Frustrated?

When the task of "preparing every needful thing" seems to overwhelm you to the point of not making any progress at all, remember that you are not alone.


God's Answer to Life's Frustrations. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say, "It's impossible."
God says: "All things are possible." (Luke 18:27)

You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28-20)

You say, "Nobody really loves me."
God says: "I love you". (John 3:16 - John 13:34)

You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)

You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things in Me." (Phil 4:13)

You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:2)

You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)

You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil 4:19)

You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (II Tim. 1:7)

You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME." (I Peter 5:7)

You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)

You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)

You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

Q. What do I do with all this stuff?

A. Use it, that's what. How many things do you think you can make with wheat? how about beans, what about oats? If you're answer to that is; wheat bread, bean soup, and oatmeal, then you need to think again and get yourself educated about 'back to basic' cooking.

The following link will get you off to a good start, you'll start to think differently about how to use your basics and hopefully have fun doing it.

I'd love to hear about your successes and do-overs as well. Take pictures, email them to me and I'll put them on the blog for all to see. We can certainly learn from one another.

The recipes above should be printed out and included in your RED emergency binder. (Remember that assignment)

Happy baking.

Power in Preparedness - July 2008

As promised, the much anticipated FHE lessons for July have arrived. Thanks again Teri, for sharing your talents with all of us. You are fantastic!

Download the Word file that contains all the information you need for 4 FHE Preparedness Lessons.

Lessons include:

Week 5 - Emergency Shelter and Clothing
Week 6 - Hygiene and Sanitation Storage
Week 7 - 72-Hour Kits
Week 8 - Vehicle Preparedness

Q. How can I eat this elephant??

A. One bite at a time...(just take the first bite, ...please)


Too much to do, not enough time, money, space, knowledge? (you pick the reason/excuse)

Do you ever feel like this food storage monster is too big to even bother with?

Are you frustrated because you think that you'll never have your 'years supply'?

Take comfort and realize that we are not alone in your efforts, Our Savior is very aware of our struggles and the intent of our hearts and is just waiting for us to walk through the door of obedience so that he can pour out His blessings upon us.

Do the very best you can with what you have and YOU WILL BE BLESSED!
Take a look at the video clip below...
Bishop McMullin video clip on Food Storage

Wheat Grinder Power usage test...

I have a friend who is a solar power whiz and very knowledgeable in various other forms of alternative energy. One of my concerns with using my food storage is how am I gonna grind all this wheat if I have no power for an extended period of time? WELL... this friend came over to test the actual power usage of my grinder (Wondermill) and 3 others to see how much power they would require and what kind of alternative power source would work for powering them. Below are the results of the test.....

We tested a total of 4 grinders using a product called kill-a watt, grinding 1 #10 can of wheat. They measured 13 cups per can against my original 12. I will remeasure on the next run on our grinder.

Here are the numbers (All are AC 120 volt grinders) :
*K-Tec*5.5 Amps / 650 watts operating consumption
14 minutes 17 seconds
130 watt-hours

*Nutrimill*5.4 amps / 625 watts operating consumption
10 minutes 1 second
100 watt-hours

*Wonder Mill*11 Amps / 1180 watts operating consumption
4 minutes 17 seconds
70 watt-hours

*Grain Country Mill - 35 years old and going strong*8.7 Amps / 700-850 watts operating consumption
4 Minutes 11 seconds
50 watt-hours

*Golden Grain Mill*8.7 Amps / 700 watts operating consumption
1 minute 50 seconds
20 watt-hours

The new Xantrex 1500 (this is a battery pack that has solar arrays to capture energy) has 51 amp-hrs of storage of which 25 amp-hours is usable.
25 amp-hours times 12 is 300 watt-hours of energy. Therefore, the Xantrex 1500 can grind the following number of #10 cans of wheat per charge of 300 watt-hours:

K-Tec (Loudest)*2.3* cans

Nutrimill *3* cans

Wonder Mill (quietest) *4.3 *cans

The Old Grain Country Mill (no longer made)*6* cans

The Golding Grain*15* cans *Recharge Time*

To recharge the battery will require over 300 watt-hours of solar panel time, say 330 watt-hours to make up for system losses.

In Utah, we could use the 5 hours of sun (averaged). 300 watt-hrs divided by 5 hours, gives a requirement of 60 watt panel. This will require a FULL day of FULL sun to recharge.

Cloudy days would double the time probably. More panels will work better, say 120 watts of panel will recharge in 1/2 the time, or 1/2 day of sun.

Adding the external battery will provide for more grinding if needed or power for other uses.

*Summary* The Xantrex 1500 is the *MINIMUM* size of power pack that I would recommend. Couple that with one 60 watt solar panel OR one 120 watt solar panel and a Morningstar SS-10, one could use any of the above grinders to grind your wheat safely. Obviously the more efficient ones will provide more wheat per watt-hour of energy.

(Andrea's Summary)While grinding wheat can certainly be accomplished by using a gas generator, those things are very loud. Couple that with the grinder noise and you might as well be hearing a jet engine, on take-off, in your garage...and also, we are talking extended power outage in this scenario, so.... how much fuel do you have stored to power your generator. My take on the whole thing is let the sun, that the Lord provided for us, charge those batteries and enjoy a little peace and quiet, (after the grinding of course.) Ladies, I think that it might even power that Bosch too. Never mind, we need some exercise anyway and the hand kneading will take care of those Relief Society upper arms. (I'm only speaking for myself of course )