Some serious things to research and think about............

I want to point your attention to a few different things..........which to me are reasons to keep on preparing.  Sure I have a two to three year supply of most things, but the more I read........the more I listen........and the more I follow what is going on in the world today, the more I realize that what little bit I have............IS NOT ENOUGH!  Because as I realize that ssoooooooooo very many people around me have nothing, it makes me want to prepare even more.  Now many people think of me (and like minded me's) as fear mongers and a bit crazy............but over and over the prophets have told us to watch for the signs of the times, and be prepared so that we are not in the same situation as the 5 foolish virgins in the Parable of the Ten Virgins.  So my question to you is which side are you on????.......the five foolish or the five who were prepared with oil in their lamps?  I think I would rather go overboard on the preparedness end of it than be scrambling running and looking for the oil in my lamp when the time had already run out to get prepared.  So on that note, I want to point you in the direction of a few things that I find of interest.  Now take them for what they are worth and note that I don't point them to instill fear, but to instill the will to get prepared.

 

We have had the most crazy weather and seasons globally, this year.  Flooding and drought in the same countries at the same time.  Crops not being planted at unreal amounts of land.  Grasshopper problems, crop plagues, etc. etc.  All one has to do is to do a little research to find that we are on the brink of some serious stuff. 

 

http://www.marketskeptics.com/2009/12/2010-food-crisis-for-dummies.html

 

Now what about the grasshopper problem?

 

http://www.marketskeptics.com/2010/04/day-of-grasshopper-looms.html

 

More articles to follow in the next few days......

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.

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?