TODAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES

October 2008 Medicine Hat 1^st Ward

Sleep When The Wind Blows

A farmer needed an extra hand to help on his farm. One young man came to interview for the job. "What are your qualifications?" the farmer asked. "I can sleep when the wind blows," the young man said. This simple reply confused the farmer, but he was desperate for help and the young man was hired.

The young man was a diligent worker through the harvest season, but the farmer still questioned his answer.

Autumn ended and the first cold storm of winter came late one night. The farmer panicked as the winds began to blow. Calling the young man for help, the farmer grabbed his coat and pulled heavy boots on his feet. He was disappointed to find the young man asleep in bed at a time like this. Grudgingly he ventured out alone planning to shuffle all of the animals in the barn and then fix that last hole in the roof. He mumbled about the young man sleeping and was sure all the farm equipment was left standing in the field, collecting rust from the snow.

However, when the farmer reached the barn all the animals were tucked safely inside. In fact, clean hay had already been set out for the new day. Not a single hole could be found in the roof, and the tractor was parked perfectly in the shed.

"Who could have done it?" the farmer wondered. And then, he realized what the young man's answer meant, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

By preparing ourselves and our families for any emergencies that may happen, we will have the confidence to handle the unexpected. We will be able to sleep when the wind blows outside our homes.

Becoming Self-Reliant

Providing in the Lord's Way is a welfare manual which states, "We are the children of a Heavenly Father, and we rely upon Him to sustain us in all that we do. All things on earth and in heaven belong to him, and He has given us everything we have – our talents and abilities as well as our material goods. He has given us a stewardship over the things with which he has blessed us. He never forsakes us, but He does not do for us what we can do for ourselves. He has commanded us to use the things we receive from Him to take care of our families and ourselves. When we do so, we are self-reliant."

Emergency Preparedness

Each family needs to be prepared to sustain themselves for a period of at least 72 hours in the event of a physical disaster. It may be at least 72 hours before help can arrive and resources will again be available. Stores may not be opened, or destroyed, and public services as well as utilities may be interrupted or simply not available after a disaster. We will be dependent on ourselves to care for our physical needs and the protection of individuals and property immediately following a disaster.

Here are some helpful hints for your 72 hour kits.

• Have it in a portable container close to an exit of your home
• don't overload your kit, you may have to carry it for some distance
• each family should have their own kit with food, clothing, and water
• distribute the heavy items between the kits
• it should contain a basic first aid kit, and manual

I will give you more information each newsletter and with your weekly tips on what kinds of things to store in your 72 hour kits.

For now you need to think of winterizing your kits, if you needed to use them for an emergency in the winter months, which are fast approaching.

Include extra warm socks, warm boots, water and wind proof coats, sleeping bags, gloves, scarves, hats, space blankets, and any other things you might think of that will help you to remain warm.

Remember it would be wise to have one of this kits in your car and keep it with you at all times in the winter months.

Home Storage

Our home storage should include a variety of things. Each month I will cover a specific topic, with weekly suggestions to go along with it.

Your home storage should include things like:

• a 3 month supply of food that will make regular meals for your family
• a minimum one year supply of life sustaining foods. The First Presidency recommends the five basic food groups in the category are: wheat and grains, legumes, sugars, oil, and powdered milk
• toiletries, such as: toilet paper, soaps, personal hygiene, etc.
• medical supplies, such as: first aid kits, medications, etc.
• pet supplies,
• light sources
• alternate cooking sources
• and much more, we will cover as we go along

Recipe

FOCACCIA BREAD

2 cups warm water, ¼ cup olive oil, 1 tbsp salt, 1 cup fine diced onion, ¼ cup oil, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp yeast, 6 cups flour 2 tbsp sugar, other spices or herbs as you desire.

Combine water and yeast; add oil, flour, salt, and sugar to the water and mix. Knead in the onion, garlic and other spices. Spread the dough on a cookie sheet, or in a dutch oven, and let rise. Brush dough with oil and seasonings.

Bake in oven at 350 for 30 minutes or until done. For dutch oven, bake with 8 – 10 coals under and 14 – 16 on top for 35 – 45 min.

During the last 5 min of the baking brush the top of the loaf with oil again. The bread should be golden brown and sound hollow to tap.

Ideas to live by

Spiritual – Read a book to strengthen your testimony.

Home Preparedness – go through your canning supplies and restock for next season

Family Time – simple and sweet go for a walk and enjoy fall.

Family Home Evening Ideas

Have a family home evening this month to discuss the possible emergency situations that could happen in our area. Talk about some of the things happening in the world today and how they affect us. Make some goals to review your 72 hour kits and your home storage so you can update and improve.

Read ensign articles on home preparedness and find quotes from the prophets through the years to support your goals.

For your treat make something from scratch using only what you have on your shelves without going to the store for anything.

Ponder This

You have 5 minutes to vacate your home. What do you take with you? Are you ready?