Merry CHRISTmas !

I just wanted to wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas!

I hope that the Real reason that we celebrate is at the forefront of our thoughts as we celebrate this time of year. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ came, the first time, as a tiny perfect baby. He will come again in his Resurrected Glory to rule and reign here on the earth... We are preparing for the prophesied calamities that will surely come before that time. We know that these things will be difficult to endure, but I take comfort in knowing that each one brings us closer to the Peace that He will bring.

Take a minute and view some great Christmas videos. (Be sure to pause the "Playlist" music first)

http://www.joytoeveryone.com/

Got Food Storage?

Do you know how to use it?

We follow the Prophet and get our food storage, but it seems that so many of us stop there, (I'm guilty too, but getting better). If you don't have your longer term supply, continue to work on that. If you do have your supply, even if it's just a start, your next task is to figure out how to use it.

There is a link on the right side of the page in 'links' that will help you out. http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net/ is my favorite site that really shows you how to use all that food and how to incorporate it into your every day meals.

This does several things; it gets you used to using your food storage so that the food is not foreign and in a crisis you won't have added stress, it helps you with your rotation plan (you have one right?), it saves you money by using what you have stored and didn't have to run to the store for, Your body needs to adjust to 'food storage' type foods if you aren't using them regularly, and when you learn how to use your storage, you can then go and teach others.

I am an 'Everydayfoodstorage FANATIC' and check for new stuff on a daily basis, I suggest you take some time and take a look around this fabulous site.

Got Flu?

It's that time again, Flu season is upon us....and more importantly, we are preparing for the big nasty.....a flu (or other) pandemic. This can be a very scary and overwhelming thing IF you are not prepared for it. Remember "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear". So let's get ready for this, the Church is getting ready and so should we. The following are great step-by-step instuctions on how to deal with and treat your loved ones who are infected. Of course avoiding a pandemic, by following a strict SIRQ (self-imposed reverse quarantine) is the best way to deal with it, but chances are you may need to care for someone who was unable to avoid being exposed.

Please take the time to:

1. Print-out these documents (click on the words that are highlighted above) and add them to your preparedness binder, so that they'll be accessible when needed.

2. Take an inventory, and then make a list of the 'FTK' (flu treatment kit) items that you are missing.

3. Take the list to the store and get it done. If you can't get it all now, add several items to your grocery list each week and buy these items instead of frozen dinners or oreos.

4. The most important thing, that is not included on the list, to have in your FTK is a vial of consecrated oil, and a worthy priesthood holder at the ready. If you don't have one in your home, find one who will come when called.

Please don't put this important stuff off for later. Do it now!

Wendy Dewitt presentation....

WOW! We had over 600 people show up for the Food Storage Class. I was so impressed. She did a fantastic job in making food storage so doable. With her permission, we did record the event. So watch for that in the coming days. We'll figure out how to make it available to as many as want to see it. In the mean time, take a look at Sister Dewitt's blog here.

Got Shivers?

Think of a time that you were really cold...Come on, play along. Maybe you were sledding as a child and your feet got wet and started to burn because of the cold., maybe you were unprepared for winterstorm in October and you were caught with no coat and you shivered uncontrollably until the heat in the car finally kick in, maybe you came home from vacation in a snowstorm and the furnace wasn't working and it's not just the pilot light (personal experience here)...not a good memory was it? All you could think about was finding a way to get warm right? Now think about your children being in the same situation and not having a way to change it. Imagine it's the middle of winter and the power is out in your home for a couple of days, maybe a week, what if it was several weeks. Do you have a plan for this?

What would you do to keep your family warm. Here is some wonderful information to get you thinking about alternative ways to Heat, and Light your home when you don't have any power. Like the water info, this is lots of information to digest. Just do what you can NOW and then work to add to it. Start with the basics and go from there.

An easy start is to make sure that you have warm clothes and enough blankets for every member of your family, and maybe even extras for those who might come to you for help. Again, thrift stores are great for this, these clothes do not have to be pretty just functional.

It seems winter is upon us, at least for a little while.

Your assignment for this weekend is to prepare yourselves to be stuck in the car, in the cold, with all your kids for several hours. Now, I hope that this never happens to anyone but, reality is, that it does. Do you remember the story that Elder Cook shared during his conference talk? http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-947-32,00.html I want you to add blankets, extra coats, warm clothing, food and water, diapers, a light/heat source etc. Walmart has their school back packs for about $3, this would be a great thing to put this kind of stuff in. You might also want an extra pair of walking shoes if you wear dress shoes typically.

A quick trip to DI or Savers can provide most of the stuff for this assignment.

Stay warm and safe!

General Conference...

What a wonderful rest conference weekend is. Well not actually the weekend but the conference itself. I so need this every six months. It buoys me up and propels me on for another six months. To see the proceedings of this October conference just click here, sit back and take it all in.

In addition to having the opportunity for personal revelation, we are promised additional blessings if we are willing to apply the teachings after conference weekend is over. Elder Paul V. Johnson said, “Decide now to make general conference a priority in your life. Decide to listen carefully and follow the teachings that are given. Listen to or read the talks more than once to better understand and follow the counsel. By doing these things, the gates of hell will not prevail against you, the powers of darkness will be dispersed from before you, and the heavens will shake for your good. The Blessings of General Conference, CR October 2005

Mom, I'm Thirsty......!

During our everyday lives, hearing these words is no big deal...you get a cup, fill it up, and give them a drink. But during a disaster situation when you turn the tap and nothing comes out..that's a problem. Click Here to find out all the information you every wanted to know about storing water for a crisis.

After you read the info, make a plan to get your water stored and practice it, your thirsty children will thank you.

Got FHE?

Guess what? Tomorrow is Monday....AGAIN. Gosh it's been coming every week for a while now, I guess it's gonna keep on coming and I should get in gear and plan my FHE for this week...Here's some help for you in case you have a Monday tomorrow too.

Family Night Lessons dealing with preparedness. Love it!

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.