Weekly Wisdom #9

WEEKLY WISDOM #9

Motivational Mondy – Be thankful and grateful for your freedom of religion. Be thankful we have a living prophet to guide us through these days. Be thankful that our prophets have warned us and guided us to be prepared. "Be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked." D&C 29:8

Timely Tuesday – How can I prepare for a blackout? Have some of these basic supplies on hand: candles, matches, lighters, lanterns, fuel for lanterns, batteries, and alternate cooking source, like full propane tank for your barbecue.

What do I do during a blackout? Turn off any appliances or electronics you were using, to avoid spikes or surges damaging equipment when the power comes back on. Leave one light turned on so you will know when the power comes back on. Leave your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible to keep things cold. Use the phone for emergency only. Eliminate unnecessary travel because signal lights will not be working traffic congestion will happen. Remember to provide for your pets in blackouts. Put on layers of clothing. Never burn charcoal indoors. Have your supplies all ready, easily accessible.

Workin' Wednesday – Add today to your 72 hour kit a list. This list is a "DON'T FORGET" list. Include all items that you need to remember to take with you but are using each day so they can't be put into your kits. Tape it to the side of your kit securely so that it doesn't peel off. The list should include things like keys, wallet, medications, special needs, recipe book, tent, sleeping bags, etc. Write down beside each item where you can find it. In an emergency it is easy to forget even the simplest things. Also if there is someone else helping you evacuate, they can easily find what they need by looking on your kit. Since your kits will already be by your door, ready to go, you should have a few minutes to quickly gather these items, especially if you have your list ready.

Thrifty Thursday – "There is an old wise saying: Eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without. Thrift is a practice of not wasting anything. Some people are able to get by because of the absence of expense. They have their shoes resoled, they patch, they mend, they sew, and they save money. They avoid installment buying, and make purchases only after saving enough to pay cash, thus avoiding interst charges. Furgality means to practice careful economy." James E. Faust

As we are thinking of Christmas this year, let's not be wasteful on our purchases. Let us have a new way of helping those we love. How many times do we waste money on things that are just that, "things" that have no real value. Give gifts this year that will make a difference in the lives of those you know. Here are a few small ideas.

• A small lantern and fuel for it
• Wind up flashlight / radio
• Grain mill and a few bags of wheat
• 72 hour kit
• Emergency Car Kit
• Good sleeping bag
• Warm outdoor clothing
• Cookbooks for food storage

Food Storage Friday – Price recognition is important in food storage. Before you can take advantage of good deals, you need to be able to recognize them. Create a worksheet or list of items you are looking for, or commonly use. Begin to watch the flyers and check around to various places and start to track the prices and soon you will be able to pick out the good ones. And then when you learn to pick out the good deals, learn to buy them in bulk to stock up on items regularly used in your food storage. Soon you will find that you "FOOD STORAGE SHOP" not "grocery shop". Then you start to see some real results in your home preparedness and it gets exciting.

Sopapillas (These will keep for weeks without refrigeration, and can also be frozen for longer term.)

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 tablespoon sugar

1/3 cup dry milk

3 tablespoons shortening

3/4 cup cool water

Optional cinnamon-sugar coating:

1/3 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Mix together the dry ingredients. Cut in the shortening. At this point, you have a mix. Store the mix for no longer than thirty days in the pantry, six months in the refrigerator, or two years in the freezer.

2. To use the mix, place the ingredients in a medium bowl. Form a depression in the middle and pour in the water.

3. Cut the water into the mix. The dough will be crumbly and dry. Remove to a clean surface and knead for two minutes. You will have a stiff dough.

4. Form the dough into balls the size of golf balls. Smash the balls flat with the heel of your hand until they are no more than 1/4-inch thick.

5. Heat cooking oil in a heavy fry pan or Dutch oven. The oil should be 3/8- inch deep and hot enough that there is a slight sizzle when the dough is placed in the oil.

6. Fry each side until brown. You can then slit open one side and fill with taco meat, chili, tuna salad, or whatever your family likes. Or you can dip in cinnamon and sugar.

These will turn into a family favorite and are so easy to make.

Makes about 36

Weekly Wisdom #8

Weekly Wisdom #8

Motivational Monday - "The greatest events that have been spoken of by all of the Holy Prophets will come along so naturally as the consequences of certain causes, that unless our eyes are enlightened by the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of Revelation rests upon us, we will fail to see that these are the events predicted by the Holy Prophets." George Q. Canon

Elder L Tom Perry, 1995 "I believe it is time, and perhaps with some urgency, to review the counsel we have received in dealing with our personal and family preparedness….We have been instructed to follow at least four requirements in preparing for that which is to come. Gain an adequate education. Live within your income. Avoid unnecessary debt, and store a reserve of food and supplies…..As long as I can remember, we have been taught to prepare for the future and to obtain a year supply of necessities. I would guess that the years of plenty have almost universally caused us to set aside this counsel. I believe the time to disregard this counsel is over. With events in the world today, it must be considered with all seriousness."

Timely Tuesday – Today is a day to think and make a list. What I am going to do today is write a list of all of the skills I believe my children will need in the future. And then attempt to check off that list as I teach them. I believe that our days of "normal" education are no longer adequate for the lives our children will live. They need to have real life skills, survival skills, back to basic type skills, as well as education, high tech skills, and low tech skills. Skills to deal with economic trials, and leadership skills. I do not like to knock the public school systems, but the reality is, they don't teach all of these kinds of things to our children, and we as parents have that responsibility to do so. So today make that list, think into the future of your kids / grandchildren and try to imagine what they may need to know, (I know that is a tough one) and then get to work teaching. Make use of those family home evenings, and any teaching moment. Teaching something is also the best way to really learn it.

Workin' Wednesday – Today check your 72 hour kits for comfort foods and entertainment. Comfort foods are not life saving items, but in an emergency they may very well be. It is so important that we have familiar items in our kits, not only for our children but ourselves. Something that will help to take our mind off of the emergency situation and relieve stress. Comfort foods and entertainment will help to do this. Your comfort foods may include some form of chocolate, salty snacks, gum, hard candy, something that has a decent shelf life to sit in your kit and not spoil. Entertainment could include coloring books and crayons, card games, puzzle books, magazines, or anything that the person using the kit really likes. Remember to keep the foods and entertainment light weight, but remember to get them in there!

Thrifty Thursday – Learning how to make food from scratch, or from your food storage has several benefits:

1. It is definitely healthier for you, no preservatives

2. It will save you lots of money, you can make something for pennies, or buy it for dollars!

3. It will cause you to rotate your food storage

4. You and your family will learn before a crisis hits, how to use your storage and actually enjoy it. Then when the time comes to use it, your bodies won't suffer from the switch over.

Today make something from scratch, like flour tortillas. The biggest thrifty, money saver for most people is learning to cook at home, rather than eating out. So look through those thrifty recipes and make something from food storage items today. And then come to the Wonderful Wheat class tonight!

Food Storage Friday – President Kimball has said, "Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden spectacular program."

Did you know that included in our food storage should be bedding, clothing, medical supplies, garden seeds, lighting sources, and fuel sources, to name a few.

Today is the day to check your alternate fuel sources. Your utilities could easily be interrupted during a natural disaster, but food must still be cooked, dishes must be washed, people must be bathed and kept warm. The families that have sources of fuel in their "food storage" will be much better prepared than those who ignore this counsel. Today would be a good day to check your fuel sources and see what needs updating. How about making sure your propane tanks are all full for the winter, that way you could use your barbecues. Think of ways you could cook, clean and stay warm if electricity was unavailable, and get them organized today. Winter is here! Don't be caught off guard.

Some ideas, candles, matches, lighters, light sticks, small cook / heat stoves, kerosene and lanterns, flashlights, hand/feet/body warmers, propane, generators (stored fuel), fuel for any alternate sources you have,

Weekly Wisdom #6

Motivational Monday – Tonight for home evening – Try your "Lights out" home evening. Do everything as if there were no power. Make a whole evening of it. Then when done, take some time to talk with your kids about it, and what you need to have extra in your home to prepare for it. Scripture you could relate to this.....

"Wherefore," the Savior tells us, "be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom – For behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, that I come quickly." D&C 33:17 - 18

Timely Tuesday – A disaster may, and likely will, disrupt power. Stash some Cash!!! Find all your toonies and loonies and add a couple of $5 bills to your 72 hr kits today. Remember when life falls apart, and you need cash, small bills are what you need. So make it a habit to stash these away and start today by adding some to each 72 hr kit. You will also need small change to make phone calls, or a prepaid calling card.

Workin' Wednesday – Find all of your empty two-liter pop bottles. Wash them out and then fill them with water. Put them out of the way in a closet, or in the back of a cupboard, or on a shelf somewhere. Or if you don't have any empty pop bottles, go to somewhere and buy a case of water bottles, or Costco for example, and buy a large bottle of water for $5, and tuck it away. Now you have added to your water storage a bit more.

Thrifty Thursday – Today is the day to get educated!!! Become prepared!!!! Have peace of mind!!!! Go to the Pandemic Preparedness Evening at the church! It is not a matter of IF it will come, IT IS A MATTER OF WHEN! We should be prepared to isolate ourselves in our homes for 3 months or longer – and we need to start preparing NOW!

Food Storage Friday – Research has shown that the average American household has less than a week's supply of food on hand. This is also shown to be the case with the average supermarket. Food storage becomes more than good insurance if you practice storing what you use and using what you store. It is a wise investment! Learn how to use the recommended long term storage foods in with your daily diet. It will not only have some great health benefits, but will save you money and give you a feeling of great security.

Wheat Hamburger Casserole

1 cup cooked wheat

1 can corn, drained

1 finely chopped onion (substitute dehydrated)

1 finely chopped green pepper (substitute dehydrated)

1 lb hamburger (substitute TVP)

2 cans tomato sauce (substitute bottled tomatoes)

¾ cup water

grated cheese

Put wheat on the bottom of a casserole pan. Layer half of corn, onion, pepper, beef and sauce. Repeat layers. Pour water over top. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour. Top with grated cheese. Serves 8.

Today While The Sun Shines
Medicine Hat 1st Ward
November 2008

What can I do with WHEAT? People often ask, "What would I do with my wheat if I needed it to sustain the life of my family – What could I make with it?" Many things can be done with wheat. It can be ground into 100% whole wheat flour using an electric or manual grain grinder. The whole wheat flour can be made into baked goods such as bread, cakes, pastries, muffins, cookies and crackers. It can also be made into pasta noodles. Wheat can be ground more coarsely to make a very wholesome hot cereal similar to "Red River". Wheat gluten which is derived from the whole wheat kernel can be made into a meat substitute that is surprisingly delicious. It can be made into burgers, used in any recipe calling for hamburger, such as lasagna or chili, stir fries,vegetarian meatloaf and pilaf. Wheat and most other grains and legumes can be sprouted. The sprouts are similar to those we've enjoyed in sandwiches. Sprouting can add greens to your diet when none may be available. Sprouts can be added to salads, soups and stir fries and are ready to eat after a few days of growth. They are full of nutrients, quick to grow and don't have any pesticide residue. Sprouted grains and legumes can be used as a substitute for vitamin supplements. The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat. President Brigham Young But What About Protein? Protein is required by the body for growing, repair and maintenance. Our bodies get 5/6 of all the protein needed through the recycling of old body tissue. The 1/6 that we need comes from essential amino acids consumed through diet. North Americans often believe that they must get their protein from meat and dairy products. There are many people living throughout the world who get enough calories in their diets and eat little or no meat, yet are in excellent health by eating only plant protein.This is wonderful news for our food storage plan. Grains and legumes are easier to store than meat and dairy products, have a longer shelf life, and are less expensive. Recipe of the Month Whole Wheat Potato Bread 8 cups of whole wheat flour 1 tbsp salt 4 tbsp sugar, honey, or molasses 4 tbsp melted shortening or oil 2 tbsp yeast dissolved in ½ cup warm water 1 medium potato (about 1 cup) cooked until soft in 2 cups water. Mash or beat potato – water mixture until smooth. Cool. Add 1 ¾ cups water to potato water. Add yeast and shortening. Pour this mixture gradually into flour. Mix 7 minutes with electric mixer or by hand until dough is smooth and stretchy. Dough will be soft. Let rest 10 – 15 minutes on greased surface. Knead and fill bread pans half full. Let double in size. Bake at 400 for 45 minutes. This will make 6 small (can loaves) or 4 medium pan loaves. This delicious bread is much finer and lighter in texture than ordinary wheat bread. Ponder This The power is out, the banks are closed, no checks are accepted, no credit is taken, debit machines are down, (no power, no machines). Do you have cash on hand? Keep cash on hand in small denominations such as $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20. Stores are not likely going to have a lot of change, and maybe cannot make change at all. You do not want to have to pay $20 for some small item that would normally cost $2. Family Home Evening Idea What do I do if the Lights go Out? Pretend your lights have gone out. Have the complete Family Home Evening with no lights. Get out the candles and warm clothing, and prepare dinner or your snack without electricity. Have children practice lighting candles, oil lamps, replacing wicks, and teach them all of the safety regarding these tools. What does your family need to do to be better prepared in the event of an electrical power failure that would last for more than a day? Ezra Taft Benson said: The Lord has warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to the Prophet and stored at least a year's supply of survival food. Emergency Preparedness Add these items to your 72 hour kit: soap toothbrush toothpaste shaving supplies infant needs disinfectant aluminum foil Spiritual Goal Have personal prayer and personal scripture study every day Provident Living Review your will if you have one. Make any needed changes. If you do not have one, make arrangements to get one. EVERY adult should have a will. The Importance Of Vegetable Oil in Food Storage Since my conversion and because of my World War II experiences, I now have a deep appreciation for the revealed plan of a year's supply for each member. FrequentlyI am asked, "What were the most valuable items in the days of starvation in Germany?" As for what we needed, the food item we relied on most was vegetable oil. With a bottle of vegetable oil, one could acquire nearly every other desirable item. It had such value that with a quart of vegetable oil one could probably trade for three bushels of apples or three hundred pounds of potatoes. Vegetable oil has a high calorie content, is easy to transport, and in cooking can give a tasty flavor to all kinds of food items that one would not normally consider as food wild flowers, wild plants, and roots from shrubs and trees. For me and my family, a high-quality vegetable oil has the highest priority in our food storage, both in times of daily use and for emergency usage. When vegetable oil is well-packed and stored appropriately, it has a long storage life without the necessity of refrigeration. We found ours to be in very good condition after twenty years of storage, but circumstances may vary in different countries and with different supplies. Elder F. Enzio Busche, "How Beautiful to Live in These Times and Be Prepared!" Ensign, June 1982.

WEEKLY WISDOM

#4

For all of you reading this that are not in our ward or stake, we have had a "Trucker's Strike" (mock) this week and we are to refrain from doing any shopping for food or supplies this week, if at all possible, and see if we can live off of our food storage. Thus I am refering to this in my thoughts this week.

Motivational Monday - We never know what emergency may befall us during which we may not be able to obtain food (such as a "trucker's strike"). Natural catastrophe such as flood, earthquake or storms may result in temporary inability to distribute food to supermarkets. Under these conditions even having money to purchase food does not mean it can be obtained.

A food storage program is essential to provide for ourselves and our family members in an emergency. The biggest motivator most adults have is to avoid hearing a hungry child cry. Even the most "macho" man is distraught if he cannot provide food to prevent a child from suffering.

Ouote from Harold B. Lee, "There is no person who knows the real purpose for which this welfare program is being instituted but hardly before sufficient preparation has been made the real purpose will be revealed and when that time comes it will challenge every resource of the church to meet it." The responsibility lies with each family to do what we can.

Timely Tuesday – This is a great time to sit down with your family – remember it should always include the family – and decide what you could do with the money you saved from not shopping at the store this week. There should be a bit extra, what about that extra movie we really don't need, or that extra game we might rent, or the magazine at the check out stand. I think you get the picture. There are ways to find extra money. And what do you do with this extra money. GET PREPARED! Perhaps you can plan to invest a little in the wheat order coming up, or plan for your 3 month supply. " The time will come that gold will hold no comparison in value to a bushel of wheat." President Brigham Young

Workin' Wednesday – In the back of your brain you know about 72 hour kits and 3 month food storage. We can't add to our kits today, so get planning and thinking, what if you had to "shelter in" because of a pandemic, it could be alot longer than one week, it could be 3 months. Are you ready? If you are great! If not, what are you doing about it? This is all about prayerfully inspired priorities and choices.

Thrifty Thursday – Take time today to show your family where your emergency shut off's are in your house. Where do you turn off your electrical if you need to? Where is your gas valve, and your water intake? If the water is contaminated, you can quickly shut off the main valve coming into your house and use up the good stuff that is in your tanks and lines. If you have a gas leak, you need to know how to shut off the main valve, remembering that you need to contact the city to have them help you turn it back on. If you have a generator make sure your family knows how to use it.

Food Storage Friday – My kids absolutely love these. You can buy them at Safeway and other locations for quite expensive for what it really costs to make them....pennies! My kids have taken them to school as snacks and all of the other kids can't keep their hands off them. They are Talia's favorite! Also watch for our class in November on cooking with Wheat! I will let you know when.

Roasted Wheat Kernals1/4 cup wheat berries (whole kernels of wheat)
1/2 tablespoon oil
1/8 teaspoon salt
Method One: Soak kernels for 6 – 8 hours, drain well, and deep fry in oil until crispie snack. Sprinkle with salt while hot, or popcorn seasoning. Note, you may want to do more than the above amount, your family will like them.

Method Two: Heat a small amount of oil in a skillet. Add wheat berries and pop like popcorn. They won't puff quite as much as popcorn, but they will pop. Swirl around in the pan they will burn easy. Sprinkle with salt while hot.
Makes 1/3 cup.

weekly wisdom #3

WEEKLY WISDOM

#3

Motivational Monday – President Harold B. Lee said in 1966, regarding food storage, "Perhaps if we think not in terms of a year's supply of what we ordinarily would use, and think more in terms of what it would take to keep us alive in case we didn't have anything to eat, that last would be very easy to put in storage for a year....just enough to keep us alive if we didn't have anything else to eat. We wouldn't get fat on it, but we would live; and if you think in terms of that kind of annual storage rather than a whole year's supply of everything that you are accustomed to eat which, in most cases, is utterly impossible for the average family, I think we will come nearer to what President J. Reuben Clark advised us way back in 1937."

Timely Tuesday- We should ask ourselves today (and everyday), "What would the Lord have me do today?" Or even better yet, in the book written by Neal H. Leash, titled Prophetic Statements on Food Storage for the Latter Days, he says "Perhaps we could ask more specifically, 'Today, or during this week's activities, what would the Lord have me do about obtaining essential foods for storage?' How we answer these questions will ultimately determine our response to the Lord's counsel to be prepared." So throughout this week and each week following, ask yourself what it is that the Lord would have you do to get prepared, and you will find amazing opportunities and blessings.

Workin' Wednesday – Add a little bit of cash to your emergency kit this week. After a disaster, the power is often out and our debit machines are down and we won't be able to use debit or credit cards. This means that most cash registers will be down also and stores will only accept cash. Most of these stores will not be able to make change easily, so you need to have small bills, like $1, $2, and $5 amounts. Keeping coins on hand are also important, for if your cell phones or home phones are not working, pay phones might be up and running sooner than these other services.

Thrifty Thursday – How is your car emergency kit? Are you ready for the winter cold months? Do you have extra blankets that you carry in your car? Do you have a 72 hour kit in your car? Think about what you might need for you family, to carry in you car in case of a winter storm, and prepare accordingly. Plan first and then we don't have to be caught unprepared.

Food Storage Friday – We have been working on planning a 3 month supply of our favorite foods our families like. Following is one idea to help figure out your list, if You choose your families 7 favorite meals, (which you should have already done), and then make a list of ingredients to make each meal, then take each ingredient on your list and multiply it by 12 to give you 3 months worth of supplies. Make sure you have added your families two week supply of water, and purification ideas, and personal items such as medication, femine hygiene, laundry soaps, dish soaps, and so forth. Keep working on it on a regular basis until you have completely gathered in your 3 month supply. Next week we will start working on some long term storage and recipe ideas.

72 hour kits

*** 72 Hour Kit Info You Need To Know ***
This is information coming from the Homeland Security Page on 72 hr kits.

There are many types of disasters and emergencies: floods, fires, earthquakes,hurricanes and tornadoes. in many cases, a 72 hour kit could mean the difference between life and death. It is estimated that after a major disaster, it may take up to three days for relief workers to reach some areas. It would be wise to consider a 72 hour kit that you could live on for 7-10 days. In such a case, If you live in a disaster prone area a 72-hour kit is the minimum you should have available. Plan your 72 hour kit according to your familys’ size.

1) Your 72 hour kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or even, sheltered in your backyard.
2) Each family member should have their own 72 hour kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.
3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.
4) Keep a light source in the top of your 72 hour kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.
5) Personalize your 72 hour kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.
6) Inspect your 72 hour kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don't forget to check your medications. Check children's clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.
7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs when building your 72 hour kit. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies.

Weekly Wisdom

#2

Motivational Monday – President Benson said, "For over 100 years we have been admonished to store up grain. 'Remember the counsel that is given,' said Elder Orson Hyde, 'Store up all your grain, and take care of it!...And I tell you it is almost as necessary to have bread to sustain the body as it is to have food for the spirit.' (Journal of Discourses, Vol 5, p.17) And he also said: "There is more to salvation and security in wheat, than in all the political schemes of the world....." "From the standpoint of food production, storage, handling, and the Lord's counsel, wheat should have high priority. Water, of course, is essential. Other basics could include honey or sugar, legumes, milk products or substitutes, and salt or its equivalent. The revelation to store food may be as essential to our temporal salvation today as boarding the ark was to the people in the days of Noah." (October Conference, 1973).

Timely Tuesday – Go over your families medical coverage and insurances (medical, home, and car). Make sure you have what you need. Make sure you have all of your information in a place where you can find it easily if you need to. Make any changes or adjustments to fit the needs of your family and situation.

Workin' Wednesday – Today, check you sources of alternate lighting. Winter is fast approaching, and power outages could happen with winter storms. Make sure you have matches or a full lighter in the same place as your candles. Make sure you have them easily accessible if the power goes out. Also check your lanterns, for whatever kinds you may have, and make sure you have fuel stored properly and close by. There is nothing more frustrating than going to grab a candle in the dark, only to find that you don't have a match anywhere in the house. Buy a box of wooden ones and have them close.

Thrifty Thursday – Make a detailed list of everything that is in your 72 hour kits, and another list of everything you want to add to your kits. This way when things are on sale, it will be fresh on your mind because you have that list, and you will save money by being prepared. Find some small item that you could add to your kits, such as an emergency blanket. They are inexpensive, but a huge blessing in time of need.

Food Storage Friday – Hopefully you took time to choose some of your favorite meals last week with your family. This week, make a list of all of the items you would need to prepare each meal. This may take some time, but worth it when you are compiling a food storage list of your 3 month supply of familiar meals. Watch for the sales in the stores and if you find anything that is on your list, get more than one item, buy a few and put the extras on your storage shelf. Keep this mental list in your mind at all times, so you can watch for items on sale.

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?