Seek after these things...

Are you preparing Spirtitually?

LIGHT

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Do you remember the Many times the electricity goes out? It especially happens in the summer time when there has been an overload on the city power system. That's when everyone scrambles in the dark for light. That is also when we get the calls from our children (HELP!)

Are you prepared for the next time that happens, because it Will?

I believe in variety and the ability to have choices with preparedness.

I Love the flashlights I have, I know where to find them (when no one has messed with them and not returned them to their rightful place. Doesn't that just bug you too?!)

I have canned lights too (fire in a can) and love those.



Head lights are good because it will free up your hands.


You can never have too many matches,


and I am really excited about the fire starters we purchased last month.


So here is One more idea. A safe alternative for children (without fire).

Seriously clever! A headlamp around a gallon of water = ambient light for your tent and a great night lamp when the power is out.

A True Story

I have a True Story to share with you...

Around the first of the year I learned what Artisan Bread was.
I attempted to make it as I saw it made. It worked and I felt good with my new accomplishment.

I then taught my girls how to make it.

One of my girls taught her friend to make it.

Who in turn now makes it for every family gathering she attends, as well as it is the only bread her young growing family now eats (she doesn't buy store bought anymore).

My daughter brought some to an older lady in her ward who wanted to know more about it. Once it was shared with her, she went out and purchased a special pan to make it in and now makes and delivers to people in her ward...just because. This woman is probably in her 70's and can not eat the bread herself due to health. When asked "Why she does this" commented, "Just because I can't eat it doesn't mean I can't make someone happy by bringing it to them". So she does, Often.


I mentioned that I had taught my daughters to make it. Well I also have a son. He called the other day asking the recipe, since his wife was out of town with her sister who had just delivered a baby.
He decided to mix the bread up one afternoon and ended up preparing and baking it in the wee hours of the morning to bring to work...Which sparked more desires from others, asking how.

SEE what ONE person can do to Influence, Inspire and Bless the lives of others?!


It doesn't have to be bread. It doesn't even have to be food.
 It just needs to be something!

WHATEVER YOUR PASSION
PASS IT ON.

In John 13:15 the Lord admonishes us with these words:
15: For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet of the Lord.

" My dear sisters, do not pray for tasks equal to your abilities, but pray for abilities equal to your tasks. Then the performance of your tasks will be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."

 

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother... Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children... What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." Elder M. Russell Ballard

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting ...old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter. "
 

Motherhood - The Highest and Noblest of Work in this Life!

Elder Russell M. Nelson

WHY WE STORE FOOD

Why I Store Food

I believe the main reasons I continue to build my Food storage is:

1. Because I want to be obedient, and Prophets of God have counseled us to.
2. Because I never want to know what it feels like to go hungry or see my family suffer for want of food.
3. Because I have been raised to be provident and I have a great heritage that reminds me of this.

Many Years ago My Grandma and one of her sisters were able to come to America from Holland. They worked hard and saved even harder to earn enough money to be able to send for each of their 12 siblings and parents. That as a family they could enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel that was taught to them from a missionary named Elder Legrand Richards.

How did they accomplish this task? The story is simple as it was shared down to us grandchildren through the years. They ate pancakes for many, many meals, and were able to gradually save enough for each passage to America.

To me, this is Provident Living! This practice can be duplicated today any time we have a need to "save" or "sacrifice" for something worthwhile.

Reasons to Rely Upon Food Storage:
• Natural Disaster
• Terrorism
• Labor Strike
• Economic Depression
• Drought
• Crop Failure
• Personal Tragedy
• Civil Unrest

• Unemployment

Here are a few comments from others on why they try to live Providently:


Provident living isn’t my hobby or creative outlet. It’s a financial investment I make in order to be more efficient on a daily basis, prepared for future challenges, and better equipped to help others.

I do it because the Prophets and Apostles have asked us to and because I have a testimony of the Book Of Mormon which testifies of our time and therefore I know someday I'm going to need it.


Provident means carefully preparing for the future. Elder Robert D. Hales said, “To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies. When we live providently, we can provide for ourselves and our families and also follow the Savior’s example to serve and bless others.”


Cuz I have learned to make some bomb Bread!


You can't prepare for a disaster when you are in the midst of it. Perhaps one of the greatest assets of being prepared is knowing (peace of mind) that you have the contingency plans set aside if you ever need them.


When we are prepared we don't have to worry about "what ifs" because we'll have our food storage and emergency preparedness ready.


Having what we need and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency or other calamity can bring us peace and help us overcome fear.


Having some food storage for those times of need is not only a matter of self-sufficiency and pride, but also a matter of self-respect not only to yourself, but your family and friends.

If your car breaks down in the middle of winter it could be a disaster. If you are prepared with winter clothing, camping gear and experience, if you have trained yourself and your family, then you have an opportunity for a camping adventure.

SO WHY DO YOU STORE FOOD?

Keepers Of His Light

The past couple of months have been spent in preparation for a YOUTH SPECTACULAR that is being put on by 6 Stakes within the St George area. We have been emerged in song and dance as the youth prepare to make this presentation. What strikes me so strongly is the testimony they are learning from the lyrics of this beautiful song. I believe it is something we all need to feel strongly in our own lives.

To be able to stand firm in a world that is going astray, to be able to rise above the darkness that surrounds us.

By the way we live our lives. Faithful to the Promise we have made.

Watch this short video and see if you don't feel the same need to Stand Strong.

Keepers of His Light

We were saved for these final days

and He has blessed us with the faith

to follow Him, and remember Him

in a world that's gone astray

To rise above the darkness that's around us

that we might have His holy light surround us

We will stand strong in the presence of our God,

letting virtue garnish every thought.

We will hold on always steadfast in his ways

faithful to the promise we have made.

By the way we live our lives,

we are the keepers of His light.

We believe we’re children of a king,

and we will honor him faithfully.

We will lift our minds.

We will choose the light,

living lives of purity.

We can feel his mighty power inside us

we know He is reaching out to guide us

We will stand strong in the presence of our God,

letting virtue garnish every thought.

We will hold on always steadfast in his ways

faithful to the promise we have made.

By the way we live our lives,

we are the keepers of His light.

How to Build Your Food Storage

As we prepare ourselves and our families to be instructed this coming General Conference, lets listen carefully to the council that we ought to be putting into practice. 

Here is an idea on how to build your food storage in 365 days (from Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone's address during a Welfare Session of General Conference in April 1976.) Those who followed his advice 36 years ago could testify to you that it works.
How to Build Your Food Storage

"This morning I would like to discuss food storage. Let me suggest three or four things we can do. Start by taking an inventory—take a physical count of all of your reserves. This would be a great family home evening project if you’re prepared. If not, it may be terribly embarrassing to you in front of your family. Imagine how the powerful testimony you bear concerning a living prophet must sound to your children, who know that as a family head you have been counseled for years to have a year’s reserve of food on hand. We need to know where we are. Every family should take an inventory—get all the facts.

Second, decide what is needed to bring your present reserve levels to a year’s supply. Then make a list and prepare a plan. Consider first, what are the basics?—wheat (or grain from your locale), sugar or honey, dried milk, salt, and water. Most of us can afford such basics. Buy them from your monthly food budget allowance. The Church discourages going into debt to buy for storage.

Now that you know where you are and where you need to be, the third step is to work out a time schedule for when you will reach your goal. I suggest that one year from today we ought to have a year’s supply of food in all active—and many inactive—members’ homes in the Church. Where food storage violates the law of your land, then abide the law. However, even in those cases we can plant gardens and fruit trees and raise rabbits or chickens. Do all you can within the laws of your community, and the Lord will bless you when the time of need comes. Now here are some suggestions how:

1. Follow the prophet. He has counseled us to plant a garden and fruit trees. This year don’t just think about it—do it. Grow all the food you possibly can. Also remember to buy a year’s supply of garden seeds so that, in case of a shortage, you will have them for the following spring. I’m going to tell you where to get the money for all the things I’m going to suggest.

2. Find someone who sells large bulk of grains, depending on your locale. Make arrangements to buy a ton or so of grain.

3. Find someone who sells honey in large containers and make arrangements to buy what you can afford on a regular basis or buy a little additional sugar each time you go to the store.

4. Purchase dry milk from the store or dairy, on a systematic basis.

5. Buy a case of salt the next time you go to the store. In most areas, 24 one-pound packages will cost you less than $5.

6. Store enough water for each member of your family to last for at least two weeks.

Where the foods I mentioned are not available or are not basic in your culture or area, make appropriate substitutions.

Now you ask, “Where do I get the money for these things? I agree we need them, but I’m having a hard time making ends meet.”

Here is how you do it. Use any one or all of these suggestions, some of which may not be applicable in your country:

1. Decide as a family this year that 25 or 50 percent of your Christmas will be spent on a year’s supply. Many families in the Church spend considerable sums of money for Christmas. Half or part of these Christmas monies will go a long way toward purchasing the basics. I recall the Scotsman who went to the doctor and had an X-ray taken of his chest. Then he had the X-ray gift-wrapped and gave it to his wife for their anniversary. He couldn’t afford a gift, but he wanted her to know his heart was in the right place. Brethren, give your wife a year’s supply of wheat for Christmas, and she’ll know your heart is in the right place.

2. When you desire new clothes, don’t buy them. Repair and mend and make your present wardrobe last a few months longer. Use that money for the food basics. Make all of your nonfood necessities that you feasibly can, such as furniture and clothing.

3. Cut the amount of money you spend on recreation by 50 percent. Do fun things that do not require money outlay but make more lasting impressions on your children.

4. Decide as a family that there will be no vacation or holiday next year unless you have your year’s supply. Many Church members could buy a full year’s supply of the basics from what they would save by not taking a vacation. Take the vacation time and work on a family garden. Be together, and it can be just as much fun.

5. If you haven’t a year’s supply yet and you do have boats, snowmobiles, campers, or other luxury possessions, sell or trade one or two or more of them and get your year’s supply.

6. Watch advertised specials in the grocery stores and pick up extra supplies of those items that are of exceptional value.

7. Change the mix in your family’s diet. Get your protein from sources less expensive than meat. The grocery bill is one bill that can be cut. Every time you enter the store and feel tempted by effective and honest merchandising to buy cookies, candy, ice cream, non-food items, or magazines—don’t! Think carefully; buy only the essentials. Then figure what you have saved and spend it on powdered milk, sugar, honey, salt, or grain.

The Lord will make it possible, if we make a firm commitment, for every Latter-day Saint family to have a year’s supply of food reserves by April 1977. All we have to do is to decide, commit to do it, and then keep the commitment. Miracles will take place; the way will be opened, and next April we will have our storage areas filled. We will prove through our actions our willingness to follow our beloved prophet and the Brethren, which will bring security to us and our families."

(Source: "Food Storage", Bishop Vaughn J. Featherstone, April 1976)