Do Instead of Plan to Do - Month Ten

Here we are in the most beautiful season of the year, in my opinion. The season of color, change and drama. Of course being an artist, color is very much my passion. But what can we learn from autumn?

The list of things I learn from autumn is long. Here are just a few:

1. The season of color and change doesn’t last very long so enjoy it.
2. The trees and plants are not ready to endure winter without these changes. It is a preparatory season.
3. My home, deck, yard and garage aren’t ready for winter without the fall clean-up we do before winter.
4. The change of the seasons makes me anticipate and deeply enjoy each upcoming season all the more.

Of course, you can already see where I’m going with this line of thinking. There are parallels in nature with our lives. The Lord’s way was to teach from parables of nature and to observe nature for truths that apply to so much more than just the outdoors. What are the preparedness truths we find in the fall season?

1. The season to prepare doesn’t always last very long. When the signs of change are upon us and we are warned to begin, we must diligently and quickly prepare.
2. Our homes are not ready to endure major catastrophes or economic changes with-out this preparation.
3. Our homes, in regards to 72 hr. preparedness and home storage, often require cleaning up and getting rid of items to make room for them in our lives.
4. Getting ready “every needful thing” does make us able to enjoy the rest of our lives. It gives us a basis of feeling ready and peaceful despite the possibility of more turbulent times. And if the time ever comes when we are called upon to use these preparations, the experience will help us deeply appreciate the May seasons of our lives that have been filled with ease, prosperity and comfort.

October Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Scripture Power (Friend, October 1987, 10-11)

Thought: A possible fun thought with Halloween could be used. Have each member of the family make a list of scary things that they think of when they think about the fun holiday, Halloween. Their lists will more than likely include things like ghosts, witches, vampires and so forth. Explain to them that these are fun to decorate with and dress-up like etc., but in reality the last days are filled with real scary things that may happen. Don’t over sensationalize this part of the lesson but point out the recent events in the news that are impacting families everywhere on our earth. Mention that the Lord has such love for us that He has forewarned us and is trying to prepare us to be ready for things like, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and so forth. From the list of actual scary things that can happen, ask your family what they can do or what they have been doing to prepare for these times should they come. Guide them to a conclusion that a 72 hr. preparedness kit and a good home food storage system can give them a sense of peace and readiness.




List Ten-The Five Minute Pack List

(The purpose of this list is that you will have a written list to think for you if you should be caught off guard or be upset and unable to think clearly… I have even forgotten my own phone number at times of severe stress)

The children
The dog, cat or other pets (most shelters do not accept pets so make another plan if at all possible)
72 hr. kits
Shoes for each member of the family… worthy to work or walk in
Coats, hats and gloves if the season calls for it
Sleeping bags and possibly a pillow (not critical)
Current medications
Cell phones
Ax
Tent if you think you may need one
Keys to the house, car etc…… be sure to unplug major appliances, T.V., and computers
Lock up the home, cars and other sheds or out buildings
Water… this can be heavy, but load water bottles or water storage in the trunk or a kid’s wagon
Work shoes or boots for the adults… winter boots for children if weather calls for it
Purse, wallet, I.D. and some cash
Glasses or contacts
Maps if needed… with instructions on how to get to the nearest shelter
Get your radio and batteries out of the backpack and listen for ongoing directions and instructions
Shut off the water main, gas main, and electrical to your home (you should have become familiar with these before hand, see list seven)
Grab the CDs or DVDs of your household inventory, major keepsake photos etc., you should have collected and transferred these as outlined in list seven if that is something you want to do
If time permits…. Take very breakable and precious objects of art or other meaning to you and lay them on blankets in the floors of your closets… (This can sometimes protect them in case of earthquake or after-shocks that follow a major quake)

It is important to remember that you follow the instructions you receive at the time. Much life could have been saved if people had followed the advice they received to leave in the Hurricane Katrina ordeal. If you have 5-10 extra minutes to load the car or yourselves, that is great, if not, take the 72 hr. kit you have already prepared and grab your children and leave. This preparation alone will have you ready far and above what most of the others will be.

One other thing, our family always prays before we go on a trip. May I suggest that there will never be a better time to call your family together and whether you are asked to stay or leave, have a short heartfelt prayer. As you prepare in everyway, you will feel a peace that is priceless!

Do Instead of Plan to Do - Month Nine

I know a young woman who works in a medical facility. She sometimes tells of humorous situations that come up. One such situation, if you can call it humorous, was when a woman came in with a very sick little boy and demanded free medical care. When the doctor agreed to writing off everything but a co-pay, she was angry…. She just did not have the money for it.

Now if this had been entirely true, we could understand her concerns, but let me further paint a picture for you. The woman was wearing expensive clothing, her hair had been processed and triple processed and professionally done, her nails had been very expertly done as well and included decals and glitter, the works! She had a fancy car and a new I-Phone, get the picture. She had the money for the things she really wanted.

A lot of us really don’t have extra money. But most people have enough for the basic needs and more than a few spend a lot of money a month on anything and everything but needs. I look at families that not only have cell phones for every family member, but also cable TV, eat out often and have each kid in one or more lessons and sports. Where am I going with this? Much like the woman with the sick little boy, are we living like this on the one hand and saying that we don’t have money to begin a emergency preparedness or home food storage program on the other? We had better really get honest with ourselves today while we can. Let’s not be more concerned with supporting a life style and having fun than we are about our preparations to support life itself. We pretty much can buy what we want most to buy.

Of course there are times when this isn’t so. We lost our job some months ago and I understand what that means. But, actually even in this time of frugality, I have continued to keep my eyes open for adding even small things to my storage program.

My grandmother used to comment as she watched people come out of the local K-mart or Wal-Mart, “Yep, people are really having tough times. Their carts are so full they can barely push ‘em.” She was right, just because some really struggled with the recession, most continued living and spending the American way, to excess. Surely we still live in a blessed land of prosperity. We wish it would stay that way forever. And while our hearts truly go out to the ones who are without means to support their families, we as a nation are still among the richest in the world. The days may come when that will change and now, not another day, is the time to put some of our excess not into more recreation, but into the very basics that will sustain life. Let us be wise and fill the storage areas of our home even if that means under the beds, so that we will be ok when our pantries are bare.

September Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Keep The Commandments, Primary Song Book. Page 146

Thought: We have been asked over and over to lay aside some food, money and provisions for a day of want. Whether that day of want will come as a huge community wide disaster or a personal family one, is unknown to us at this time, and really unimportant. This command is just that, a command from the Lord. His commandments, when kept, always bring forth the blessings and protection of Heaven. “Keep the commandments, in this there is safety and peace.” Read the words of the song you just sang together and talk about the kind of peace and blessings that come to those who do not just rely on their own knowledge, but are obedient to the Lord’s directives.

Adam, after leaving the Garden of Eden, was commanded to offer sacrifice and so he did. He was asked why he was doing this thing and he responded that he didn’t know why, but was doing it because the Lord commanded it. What a perfect and beautiful example of being completely obedient.

We may know some of what lies ahead, but we do not know all. It isn’t necessary for us to know everything that will befall us in the years to come. It’s probably even for the best that we don’t know everything. But what we do know is what we have been asked to do. Let’s commit to simply do everything we are asked to do. Then can we sit still and calmly know that the Lord will be mindful of us and help us always.



List Nine

Find a small booklet on first aid

Water purification tablets or a purifying water bottle

Laxatives

Chap stick or other lip balm

Ipecac

Over the counter medication for diarrhea

Sun block

Electrolytes… sometimes you can find powdered Gatorade type drink mix

Kotex or other sanitary pads for female needs, also makes great bandages for large wounds

Stronger pain pills for pain if you have them

Have a 3-10 day supply of all the prescription meds.

Container of pet food (for those with a pet)

Pet I.D. and a plan for their care (for those with a pet)

Hair elastics and clips

Old towels and old wash cloths that can stay in the kit

Do Instead of Plan to Do - Month Eight

Last month we talked about spiritually preparing the family for whatever might come. I hope you took the time to really discuss this vital aspect of home preparedness with your family. This time I’d like to talk about physical preparedness. Aside from just having food, water, and emergency items in our homes in times of emergency, we need to think about our physical selves and the preparations that may be needed there.

I know several young kids who are taking medications for types of anxiety. Now, I want to say for the record, there are definitely times when real disorders exist, where medication is really needed. But by in large, I think we are way over-doing the "use medications for every little thing". I even know of a young mother who gives her children sleeping pills every time they can’t easily fall asleep. The U.S. Army goes to great trouble and expense to put each soldier through combat stress training and provide them with the chance to see how they will really do under extreme stress. I wish we too could do this for our families, but it isn’t really possible.


What we can do is to cut out any and all medications we do not absolutely need and teach our children to manage stress without these aids. Also, we can greatly minimize or do away with the use of stimulant drinks all together. Yes, I know that there are many of you that will be a bit offended by this idea. But think of it, if we are in the middle of a disaster and we can’t get those caffeinated drinks we drink each day, we are going to be frustrated, have severe head-aches and be shaky… does that sound like being physically prepared to you? None of us want to be in that spot. And there may be times ahead that a clear head, a steady hand and a calm strong body may be essential.


Further more, even health conditions that we can work on improving like weight loss, blood sugar control, cholesterol control, blood pressure control and even endurance, can and will make us a better tool and more likely to make it through whatever the future holds.

August Preparedness Family Home Evening


Opening Song: LDS Hymns, In Our Lovely Deseret, page no. 307


Thought: Please discuss the following and have each member of the family think about their own physical health and endurance levels.



1. What things am I doing that are preparing me to be a physically healthy and strong member of my family and community in a time of great stress?

2. What things can I do to strengthen my body?

3. What things can I give up that are doing me no good and in fact might impair me?

4. Am I addicted to anything? If so, what plans and real goals can I make to get this addiction out of my life?



List Eight

Coffee filters to filter real dirty water before boiling it



Jar of peanut butter… cannot be stored for years, must rotate and replace every year



Crackers (same as above)



Cereal bars like granola bars…. Several for each person in the family



Bag of dried fruit



Baby formula if you have a baby



Extra pkg. of diapers if you have a baby… choose bigger size so that they fit all year



Bag of raisins or nuts… also rotate once a year



Aluminum foil… good for cooking and eliminates need to wash pans



Butterfly bandages… excellent to pull together a cut and eliminate need for stitching very small cuts



Medical tape… paper variety



Nasal spray



100 percent wool blanket...excellent for keeping warm and puts out flames







It has been a very busy summer for my family and me. I am sure it has been for you too, but keep up your momentum on this preparedness goal. It will feel so great to be really prepared and will give your children such a sense of peace and security too. Good luck!

Do Instead of Plan to Do-Month Seven

Obviously there is a type of preparation that every family needs that cannot be put into a back pack or a bucket in the storage room. I saw this up close and personal as I observed a family over years of time.

It was your typical American family. The brothers had been raised on hard work, hunting, fishing and being together. As the family aged, one of the young men in this in-active L.D.S. home developed a testimony and a desire to serve a mission. When he returned and married, his value system now somewhat altered from his formulative years, he made up his mind to attend church every week.

As extended family trips came up, there were often times that he had to excuse himself and his new little family to return home for church. This didn’t always go over too well. Even his children were sad to leave cousins to return early so they could attend meetings. But the years came and went and the foundation that those firm commitments made on his family were now noticeable. The brothers had great family recreational memories, but some of their children floundered spiritually. There is today, regret and heartache in those families. All the fun fishing trips in the world doesn’t bring the opportunities that are now gone. There are no guarantees that going to church every week will keep your children from ever wandering, but constant steady spiritual food does give us the best chance of keeping them spiritually safe.

Spiritual preparation does not come all at once. The Lord uses the parable of the ten virgins and oil in their lamps for a reason. It takes time, real time. One drop at a time. Heavily studying the scriptures for a week or so does not fortify a family for a lifetime. But day by day and droplet by droplet we accumulate spiritual oil, we build a supply that can light our way and our children’s way in the decisions and challenges that come to every life.

July Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: LDS Hymns, More Holiness Give Me, no. 131

Thought: Please read and discuss the introduction to this article. Ask each member of the family to tell the ways that they think your family is adding “drops of oil” to the spiritual preparedness family lamp.

Discuss the following together:
1. How can our family do better with regards to spiritual preparedness?…. Prayer, scripture study, church attendance, paying of tithing etc.
2. How can we each individually do better?
3. How would this type of preparation really help us in times of want or crisis?

List Seven

This month is a bit different from past months in that you will be collecting information. Please use the notebook I asked you to get for one of the earlier months. Paper punch all the sheets or make copies of them and keep these in this notebook which will always be kept with your 72 hour emergency kit. Include everyone in the gathering of this information so they can be aware of what is in your kit and also so as not to lose the family momentum towards your goal. They will find a sense of peace in having this knowledge on hand.

There are so many different forms for the gathering of these facts that I am simply going to list the data you should be collecting. You may wish to find forms on the internet that are already done, or you may want to use this list and type up a custom one for your family.

For each vehicle, list: year, make, model, vin. #, license # and insurance policy number and company

For home, list: homeowner’s insurance policies, company and claims phone numbers, policy numbers, copy of mortgage papers

For family, list: all life insurance, annuities, investments, wills, trusts, checking and savings accounts, possible copies of driver’s licenses and social security cards, and any other important family papers.

For medical purposes, list: any current medications being taken by family members and where possible, a prescription number for meds. taken; a list of doctors and phone numbers; a list of major surgeries, diseases, allergies and medical conditions for each family member.

Now, here are some extra areas of concern to also go over with your family at family home evening:

1. Each family member should know where the water valve in the home is, how to shut it off and practice doing so.
2. Each family member should know where the water main in the street or outside of the home is and where to get a tool to shut it off and then practice doing so.
3. Each family member should know where the gas valve is on the outside of your home and how to turn it off. Many fires could be avoided after an earthquake if people would immediately go and turn off any gas coming into the home. After the damage is assessed by a qualified person and you are sure that no pipes have been broken, then the gas can be turned back on.

For the very most enthusiastic among you, here are yet additional ideas :

Recently I have been very concerned about my records and photos. Next to the safety of my family, I don’t think there is anything in my home more precious to me than my photos… they are obviously irreplaceable. Here is an idea that I am doing and it is working very well. I have a very tiny, 10 mega pixal digital camera. It is not an SLR, but it is a pretty good little point n’ shoot. I got an idea to take pictures of my best pictures with it, and it works! Surprisingly well too. Just hold steady and shoot. Don’t take everything you have ever photographed, but at least a variety of the best ones. Then download on a computer and burn an archive cd of this collection. Place one cd in your fireproof safe and one in a protective sleeve in your 72 hour kit. It may be worth it to you to even leave a copy with a family member or friend who doesn’t live in your home, that way, in the event of a fire or other disaster, you will have all your best photos. Be aware of copy rights.

Using this same technique, go from room to room and photo each room, inside each closet and drawer. This is a wonderful insurance archive in the case of loss. By the way, a very large photo archive will not fit on a regular cd and so I use a dvd to hold massive amounts of information. Anything you wish to archive can be done this way. Even close-ups of your papers could be done if you do it right. Enjoy this idea and play with it.

Doesn’t being prepared feel great? You are more than half way done with this year’s 72 hour kit project. If you are now just joining us, take heart, print off the last 6 month’s lists as well and get going. There isn’t anything that will make you feel more peace and satisfaction than simply being ready.

You can do this.

Just Do Instead Of Plan To Do!

Do Instead of Plan to Do - Month Six

My grandmother Mary Jane and my grandfather Carl were, and still are, two of my very favorite people. Both of them had only an 8th grade formal education and yet, I think of them as two of the very smartest people I have ever known. Mostly, they were common sense smart. I respect their ideas so much that you may see me refer to them in more than one article. What I want to share with you today is one insightful little morsel of wisdom they taught me. I think it applies very much to 72 hour preparedness and food storage.


In the great depression, which so many of our ancestors and grandparents lived through, my grandparents grew onions and every other thing they could fit in-between the flowers in their garden beds. They also kept baby chicks warm in the kitchen. Grandmother would tell me these stories and about these times and chuckle a little. She would always tell me that you can find room and creative solutions when you need to do something bad enough. Grandpa would take the produce they grew and whatever else they could raise and sell it door-to-door. People loved the produce and my grandparents loved every dime it provided their little family.


Recently, I was talking to a young man who lives in a small apartment. I was telling him quite plainly that even he needed to store a bit in his small living space and have a 72 hour emergency supply backpack for the things that might come along. He assured me that I just didn't understand. He told me he had absolutely no room. We explored the idea for a few minutes and I suggested various places including under the bed, inside of covered barrels or end tables, etc. Then I remembered grandmother's words, "When you really want and need to do something there is room". This young man, like so many of us, needs to think of creative ways to "grow onions" in-between our flowers sort of speak.



It is my strong belief that when there is faith and effort, our Father in Heaven will inspire us with amazingly creative answers to our storage problem questions. He will not only help us find the peace, but also the means and the time.

June Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Nephi's Courage, Primary Song Book, Page 120

Thought: Let's think beyond the immediate family and our extended families. We must realize that some of our friends, our neighbors and strangers may come to us during hard times and they will be hungry; they will need shelter and may need to be nurtured back to normal health. If we are to have the capability to be Christ-like and to help meet their needs, we must be prepared. Henry D. Moyle

List Six

Space blanket

Buddy burners or something else to cook on

Mess kits

Canned meats like tuna...2 per person

Tang or other powdered drink mix which provides Vitamin C

Can opener

Beef or chicken bouillon cubes

Big bag of beef jerky

Book 0r magazines

Small soft brush for scrubbing wounds

Bulb syringe

One white flat bed sheet to cut up for long bandages or slings

One white bath towel to cut up for bandages...very good to absorb like gauze compresses

Wash the sheet and the towel with laundry soap and bleach. Tear into strips and large triangles that can be used for slings. Then package these sterile bandages into zip-lock bags and place in your kit.

Do Instead Of Plan To Do-Month Five

Recently our ward had a fireside of instruction to the parents about the hazards our children are facing as they use the internet. It was very informative. Immediately I sat my children down and had a family home evening on the subject. I explained all the different ways that I know about, where they could be at risk. In so doing, I explained that pornography could pop up at any time, and how to deal with that. My ten year old listened to every word. When I asked him what pornography was, he answered, I have no idea. For several years I had taught the children about the evil of it and hadn’t even thought to give it a full definition. Anyway, the next day this son was at the neighbor’s home playing an on line video game and the very moment I had warned him about happened. Pornography did come onto the screen.

Immediately my son covered the screen and didn’t waste time trying to close out the image. He ran for the father of the home to solve the problem and everything worked out fine. I have since thought and thought on this scenario. First of all a warning was issued. Second, definition and explanation was given to the day and times we live in. Then there was a listening ear that heeded the warning. The trouble did come and the power to handle it was in place. I will tell you, my son came running into the house right after this episode and said, “I did it mom, I knew what to do and I handled the situation” He felt great and the family involved thanked me for having prepared him to handle just such a moment.

Heavenly Father wants our success in the dark days that will be a part of the last days. He loves us and it is through His prophets that He has thoroughly warned us and had the important “family home evening” with us. Are we as eager and trusting as my little boy, to prepare as asked and be ready for the times we are in? Think of how we might also be able to run home (pray), and express how good it felt to be able to handle the “situation” and know what to do, if we too are prepared. That is what Heavenly Father wants for us. Let’s be quick to obey and be as ready as we have been instructed to be.

May Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: Thanks To Our Father

Thought: “There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places…. “ Matthew, Joseph Smith 1:29)

List Five

Pocket knife or hunting knife, sharpened and possibly a small wet stone

Plastic cups, cutlery, and paper plates

Rain poncho (often they have these at the dollar stores)… one for each person

Tarp to cover things or to place on the ground

Whistle

Needle-nosed pliers

2 screw drivers, one regular and one Phillips

Clothes pins… 10 or so

Extra socks for each person

Extra work shoes… suitable for walking

Waterproof boots

Extra underwear for each person

Jogging suits or other change of clothing for each person

Suture kit if you have anyone who can get one of these for you, and only if you would like one

Summer months are almost upon us. What a great time to gather up the items on these lists and gather our children around us and make them a part of the fun of preparing. It is going to feel so good to be ready and to feel as secure as we can in times that are anything but secure. As you are faithful you will be blessed. Just a reminder, keep up your home food storage plans as well. You don’t have to spend thousands to do it. Just double buy on those items that are on sale and that you are purchasing already. Don’t run faster than you have strength but be diligent! It will all come together if your heart stays focused on it and as you slowly but surely move forward.

Do Instead of Plan to Do - Month Four

We are seeing flowers and smelling that magical smell of spring. We are finishing up another school year and making the big plans for summer vacations ahead.

Don't let spring fool you. Let's not lose momentum on getting our ship in shape for the storms to come. The times ahead aren’t as sweet smelling as the spring season. You have done so much already, if you have been with us since January. And if you are just now joining us, that’s fine! We are taking it at such a relaxed pace that you can easily print off the last few months’ lists and catch right up. It is such a good feeling to be getting prepared the way we know we should.

A reminder here, always check the dollar stores for items first. They offer such a savings over the regular department store and the products are almost always just as good.

It’s time to show the family what you have been doing and get them on board with you in this very important and exciting adventure. Let them see just what items you have been collecting and maybe even choose something off of this month’s list and have them personally get that item. That will make them feel that they are truly a part of preparing and “saving” the family too.

Let them also get excited about planting a garden, no matter how small it might be for your particular home or apartment. Let them daily water, hoe, weed and see the magic unfold. There is such a great feeling that each family member gets as they feel they are growing food that is healthy for the whole family. Think about buying 2 times the amount of seed you need for your garden, divide and store in airtight jars and label. Next year, if you can buy seed, great. Rotate the stored seed out and store again for the following year. Storing seed isn’t something we often think about, but might truly be a great way to store food for the future needs of your family.

April Preparedness Family Home Evening

Opening Song: The Prophet Said To Plant a Garden

(Children’s Songbook page 237)

Thought: “As I listened to their addresses, I kept thinking over and over of something the Savior said, “Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It rolled over and over and over in my mind… There are many people in the Church today who have failed to do, and continue to argue against doing, the things that are requested and suggested by this great organization. The Lord also said, “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.”

Spencer W. Kimball, Ensign, May 1976

List Four

Vaseline or other petroleum jelly

Baking soda and salt…. Great for sores, soaks, healing in general, cleaning, tooth brushing in an emergency

Boric acid… great eye wash for tired or infected eyes…. Make a solution of warm sterile water, qt. to ½ tsp. of boric acid powder, dissolve and wash the eye (held open) over and over until solution is gone, pat dry

Lotion or cream

String

Rope (25 feet at least)

q-tips or other brand cotton tipped applicators

Cotton balls and tongue depressors

Crank lantern or propane lantern with several propane replacement cylinders

Candles/ matches

2 rolls of paper towels

Small container of liquid dish soap

Dish pan (dollar store)

10 pack of razors (dollar store)

I hope you are having fun seeing your awesome 72 hr. emergency kit come together. You will be blessed for having done it. Perhaps the biggest blessing of all is just the peace you feel inside that you can “sleep when the wind blows”.