Lessons of the storm

                                   picture courtesy of Jill Bridges Bloomington 6th Ward


             Local churches cancel Sunday services, observing public safety warnings


Some who are accustom to this weather question the decision to cancel church or any other activity. They think we a bunch of wimps. The truth is that our city is not equipped to handle such a drastic change in our weather. Many life time residents have never seen such an event occur here.

I have noticed many Good people reaching out to help others. I truly believe this is our core value...to Be Good and to DO Good.

Yet it is extremely difficult to reach out and help when we ourselves are not properly prepared.

 

SO WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? 

 

 

1. When a weather advisory says that snow will start at 10:00 am and continue through the night and possible next day...take it serious. Maybe at 8 or 9 am you should assess your situation and take the needed steps then to get ready and hunker down.

 

The scriptures have warned of times to avoid and to prepare for. Prophets have advised us to be a prepared people, not to run out the last minute or during a crisis and create a panic situation.

 

 

2. Once you have decided to stay put at home, what is most important to you?

Warmth, food and security...?

 

 

Warmth...

Do you have the means to warm your house?

 Do you have fuel or firewood to enjoy the ambiance of the season?

What if we lost power and only had the means of a fireplace to warm ourselves?...Things to Ponder!

 



Food...

Need I say anything about this? Nothing will make your children or grandchildren...who am I kidding, OR You crankier then NO food! Or a way to prepare it!

Please, Just Do It! Maybe consider food storage as gifts for Christmas.

 

Security...

Communication is key to me. I wasn't relaxed during the storm until I knew that All of my children were home and safe. Most people think that they are the model driver and that they can successfully navigate any situation. Maybe true until you have no control with ice under your tires or the cars near you come towards you out of control.

 

PHONE service is key for communication, especially since many of us only have cell service these days. Having a fully charged phone battery or a car charger is more important then you think. Our new phones loose their charge very fast, especially when texting family members all day long (yes I speak from experience!)

 

If you have need to travel or are on the road during a storm...do you have food, water or blankets in your vehicle?

 Do you have medications in case you can't get home for several hours to a couple of days? (This is a real concern, I know some who had to stay the night somewhere else due to their car not making it up the slightest incline. She really missed her nausea [pregnancy] medication!).

 

A 4 wheel vehicle was a life saver.

Do you have sufficient gas in your vehicle if you are forced to sit in traffic for HOURS and still want to run your heater?! (another true story)

 

This is such an abbreviated list. I could go on with more real experiences and situations that family and friends have already experienced. I have made it short for a reason.

 

I want you to consider your preparation and re evaluate your needs and wants this year!

 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1979, said the promise of security only comes with preparation.

 

And so we raise the warning voice and say: Take heed: prepare; watch and be ready. There is no security in any course except the course of obedience and conformity and righteousness

(Ensign, May 1979, p. 93)