CH-CH-CH-CHANGES . . .

Anyone remember that song by David Bowie? If you are still following, although I think that is highly unlikely anyone is, there have been more changes with ward preparedness. Due to health issues and still fulfilling my stake calling I was released as the Lindsay 1st Ward Preparedness Specialist at the end of January. Bittersweet. I still have loads of ideas floating around in my head (although my back is better what my mind wants to accomplish my back is not as willing!) BUT it is a relief to pass the torch and not feel so responsible for the ward. I'm just responsible for the stake . . . LOL. Which if anyone is wondering the stake preparedness plan is moving forward. No rest for the wicked - I'm still pushing preparedness along.

At some point I'm turning this blog into a stake preparedness blog. I'm taking things slow for now, pacing myself, and following the promptings and lessons I was taught over the last several months. The Lord certainly knows how to get our attention doesn't he? And the magnificent thing is when he gets our attention he sends the most amazing divine signatures so that we remember he is in charge and so we can grow, learn and progress. For me, the lesson was slow down and he literally slowed me down with all that went haywire in my back! I'm grateful for the lessons learned - I will carry them the rest of my life and I am grateful for ch-ch-ch-changes!

Stay tuned for the stake blog and even quarterly stake preparedness classes. I'm slowing down but not stopping!!! In the meantime for grins and giggles I would encourage you to, yes, be actively pursuing your preparedness goals, but to watch an eposide or two of NatGeo's Doomsday Preppers or Doomsday Bunkers. They are my new guilty pleasure (along with Pinterest . . . I've made my own laundry soap, fabric softener, herbal vapo rub, Mason jar soap dispenser, at least 5 new recipes, redesigned my kitchen in my head at least 20 times . . . ) Yep, slowing down all right . . . :)

We DARE You and Some CERT Training Information You Need to Know

That's right, you've been dared. Even double-dog dared! Up to the challenge? In fact, there will be a dare most every month coming in 2012 for the Lindsay Ward as we roll out our ward preparedness theme for the year. Ready for a sneak peak at the first dare?

In January, "We DARE you to get prepared through organization!" This can include organizing important papers in your home, inventorying food storage and your 90-day menu, cleaning out a closet to fit more food storage, preparing a month's worth of family home evening lessons, etc.

As a committee we have planned a very important class to help you get organized - a legal documents class taught by Brother Narducci who is a lawyer. Come learn what you need to do legally to have your affairs in order. It's something you usually don't think about until a tragedy. Hear a first hand account about why it is important to have decisions made before something happens and what the consequences are for not having life completely in order.

We will provide a nursery so both husband and wife can attend this class. It will be held January 19th, 7 PM at the Lindsay building. Mark your calendars now. In addition, we will have a fabulous binder available for you to purchase. Super cute and WAY organized. When I saw it I was stunned how thorough it is! Made an uber organizer like myself squeal with joy. HA! Look for an example outside the Relief Society room soon and sign up if you'd like to purchase one. I will let you know the price when I have shopped around a bit more to get the lowest price available on printing and a binder.

I dare you to stay tuned for the next challenge that will bless you and your family!
__________________________________________

Now for something else entirely... I spent last weekend at a 2-day CERT training and certification class - Community Emergency Response Team. It was life-changing. Granted it kept me up for a few nights stressing about what I had learned but I took comfort in the scripture, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear." I wanted to share a few of the things I learned so you too can prepare:


According to U of A and substantiated by the USGS, Phoenix will likely experience an earthquake of 8.0 or greater in the next 5-10 years. That magnitude is considered a “great” quake surpassing “major” on the scale the USGS uses.  

Kenneth Moravec, the instructor from Utah, interviewed the fire chiefs in our local cities and, should a disaster occur in the Phoenix area, response time (that is the length of time it will take fire, police, and emergency services to reach damaged areas) is as follows:

Chandler – 7 days

Mesa – 11 days

Gilbert – 9 days

Queen Creek – 9 days

In addition, 40% of the firehouses in Maricopa Co are NOT earthquake resistant. This means that 40% of the firehouses will have to first DIG OUT their equipment BEFORE they can do any good in the community. Anyone else go to the Gilbert Temple youth fireside a while back? Gilbert Temple is being built to be earthquake resistant to the maximum code possible . .  . hmmmm, food for thought I’d say.

Once fire crews have dug out their equipment we all know where the 1^st priority areas are for them to attend to – (our neighborhoods are LAST on the list folks)

1.       Hospitals, clinics

2.       Schools

3.       Colleges and universities

4.       Businesses over 10,000

5.       Businesses over 5,000

6.       Etc.

Not all disasters in greater PHX area can be natural – last year AZ Highway Patrol pulled over 182,000 trucking rigs and cited them for improper hauling of materials. One example was a Fry’s grocery truck that was hauling 7,000 gallons of bleach AS WELL AS 9,000 pints of ammonia. Ladies, we clean the house and we know what happens when you mix ammonia and bleach. Basic chemistry 101. Had this truck had an accident or rolled over the chemical reaction it would have created would have evacuated the ENTIRE PHX downtown. By the way, the Fry's truck was issued a warning and let go . . . WHAT???

Since 1983 (I think I got the date correct as I took notes but I may be off) the population here in PHX has quadrupled. In that time ADOT has not increased ways in or out of the valley. Basically, there is no way to leave our area should disaster strike. We must be prepared then to shelter-in-place. ***This means 72-hour kits! Preferably a 7 day kit! And that kit is really the bare minimum of what we should have in our arsenal. Remember those response times listed above by the city fire chiefs??? 

That is really just the tip of the iceberg. We discussed nuclear disasters, decontamination methods, more natural disaster preparation, basic triage in a disaster, EMP’s, disaster psychology, etc. etc. Saturday morning we had a mock disaster with “victims.” It was our job to assess the damage, triage victims and organize relief. I’ll be honest, it kicked my can. Intense to say the least and I learned I need to learn a lot more.

On another note, I considered my household to be pretty prepared but I came home after this weekend with a page of paper filled BOTH sides of equipment we still need to survive. Looks like a Christmas with presents of N95 rated masks, plastic sheeting, car kits, charcoal from the pet store as another means to filter water and flares as stocking stuffers. J Doesn't THAT sound fun from Santa?!

 
OK, so why am I sharing this? To freak you out? To keep you up at night? NO!!!! I am telling you so 1. you can get your own homes in better order and 2. I really want you to take the CERT training course this next March when Kenneth returns to AZ. The cost is $60 and with that you get all the equipment you need to be certified. Only $15 goes to help pay for gas for Kenneth to drive down. The training you will get is absolutely invaluable. We have 5 people trained or being trained in our ward right now. We need 10 people to make a legitimate CERT team. In the case of an emergency don't you want to be able to help your neighbor's and friends?

One key point Kenneth emphasized was this -  “How you recover from a disaster depends 100% upon how you prepared for it.” He said over and over – DO SOMETHING! And get over the “I never thought it could happen to me” mentality because it will happen to us he said.

Anyway, I would like to challenge you, encourage you, beg you(?!?!?) to pray about taking this course the next time it is offered. Take it with your spouse! It was a treat to have Michael there where both of us could have promptings about what our next steps need to be as a family regarding preparedness and the last days.

If you have questions about the training course, let me know. I will be heading back in March for a refresher but hopefully next time I will get a little more sleep after the course . . . 

Yours in Preparedness,
~L 

Changes . . .

One thing is constant in the Church I think and that is change - most certainly not in doctrine or principles but in leadership, callings, stewardship and responsibilities. With recent calling changes in the ward it has necessitated some change in the Preparedness Committee. I'll admit it right now and own it outright, I hate change. Hate it. I don't deal well with changing things up especially when something IS working. It throws me off kilter. And frankly, throws me into a tailspin. Yes, a tailspin. It's never pretty. :)


I have, however, learned (perhaps slowly at times) that change is good. It gently pushes us, no, scratch that, it shoves us out of our comfort zones and allows growth and progression. Never easy, but always worth it. I am optimistic and excited about the upcoming changes in preparedness. I hope you will be too. It's clear our work isn't finished and we have so many more avenues to explore, classes to organize and group orders to offer. What has been abundantly clear to me the last several weeks amongst all the change, and even in a tailspin, is that the Lord is in charge and he is very mindful about Lindsay Ward preparedness. Although a very stressful last few weeks for me, I have been constantly amazed at the whisperings of the spirit and how apparent the Lord's hand has been in all the change. For that I am undoubtedly grateful. Tailspin over, peace regained, it is time to move forward with optimism, faith and a renewed energy to keep going! So here's to change, faith, growth and getting prepared. Can't wait to share with you what's coming up next!


In the meantime, don't forget about our October 25th Meals in a Jar class. It will be an evening class and if for some reason you can't make it but would still like some jars, let me know. I will give you the recipes. Also, stay updated on fruit orders, upcoming classes, etc. by reading the monthly newsletter I put together. They are in the foyers the first Sunday every month and then every Sunday after that until the next edition. And to you faithful readers - THANK YOU! And to all those who have made it a point to share kind words and positive comments with the committee, THANK YOU for your support, attendance and kindness. It's always nice to have a pat on the head when you are working hard . . .
~Lisa

"There is more salvation and security in wheat than in all the political schemes of the world." - Ezra Taft Benson (Journal of Discourses 2: 207)

A wheat famine threatens continents across the globe
"Almost everyone has heard of the potato famine that decimated Ireland in the 1840s. It happened because the Irish practiced monoculture, planting just one species of potato that was well adapted to Irish soil. When potato blight hit, wiping out the country's staple crop, there was no plan B. Millions starved to death.
Did we learn our lesson from that great tragedy? No. Big Ag's foolish practice of monoculture puts us at more risk than ever before. These days, it's wheat that's at grave risk. Wheat's biggest vulnerability is something called "stem rust." It's actually a fungus. The fungus that has begun to infect wheat crops around the world is officially known as Ug99. Ninety percent of the world's wheat is vulnerable to Ug99--and this scourge has been spreading swiftly over the past few years, jumping from Africa to the Middle East. Just a few more seasons and it's expected to hit Asia--from India to China to Russia. Millions of people depend on wheat in these nations for their daily sustenance.
If so much as a single spore of this deadly disease finds its way to U.S. shores--and in these days of global air travel, that's almost a dead certainty--the U.S. stands to lose at least a billion dollars worth of wheat. National Geographic recently reported that, according to Rick Ward of the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project at Cornell University, "A significant humanitarian crisis is inevitable."


Excerpt from Solutions From Science article, 9 July 2011. Take from it what you will but remember we have been given much counsel about the importance of wheat in our long-term storage as well as the need to not panic nor go to extremes as we prepare for the future . . .

"Remember the counsel that is given,” “...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; for the one is as necessary as the other to enable us to carry on the work of God upon the earth." Elder Orson Hyde (Journal of Discourses, vol. 5, p. 17)

"As we have been continuously counseled for more than 60 years, let us have some food set aside that would sustain us for a time in case of need. But let us not panic nor go to extremes. Let us be prudent in every respect. And, above all, my brothers and sisters, let us move forward with faith in the Living God and His Beloved Son" Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign November 2001

It's time to cool off . . .

Probably in more ways than one . . . it's scorching outside and it feels like, well . . . the desert is on fire. I also feel like the stake and ward have been on fire with preparedness! Since February, when I received the stake calling, I have organized 4 stake group orders - solar ovens, honey, water barrels and I am wrapping up the hand grinder order and submission. Preparedness has been on fire and the momentum has been simply amazing! But, I think it's time to cool off and enjoy the break of routine summer provides. Actually, the water barrel and hand grinder orders virtually fell into my lap. The information and prices just seemed to work out but I know better than that. It is what the Lord wanted to have happen for our ward and for our stake. It was much too coincidental that the details and circumstances were near perfect. So for now, enjoy your family, enjoy the break in routine for the last few weeks of summer and start saving for our next round of group orders. There is still so much to be accomplished and lives to be blessed through teaching self-reliance and obedience. Cool off and enjoy the break - I'm going to for a bit . . .

FYI Stake News - We (High Council, Stake RS President, myself and others) are hard at work devising a stake preparedness plan. It is a bit overwhelming but when it is completed I will sleep a whole lot easier! Also, just a heads up the stake Presidency will be focusing on preparedness starting in the fall complete with firesides and other activities. The rest will be short lived as the works moves forward!! Keep your sleeves rolled up and your shoulder to the wheel!

More Cannery News

Inflation is here...

Prices at LDS canneries show inflation for food up between 11 and 49%

• By Kenneth Schortgen Jr, Finance Examiner
• April 7th, 2011 1:17 pm ET

Price increases on April 4th at the LDS canneries show inflation up between 11 and 49% for many basic food staples.  These rise in prices are a strong barometer for the overall economy since the LDS facilities are usually the last to raise prices for their communities, which provides food in bulk that they can collect through their vast networking operations.

According to the new price list from April 4th, many food staples have increased by more than 20% since the last price list came out just 3 months ago on January 3rd.

Beans. Black 13.69%
Beans, Pinto 12.13%
Beans, White 11.88%
Milk, Non Fat Dry 25.00%
Rice 38.99%
Sugar 33.81%
Wheat, Red/White 44.54%
Apple Slices 24.53%
Carrots 21.31%
Macaroni 40.25%
Oats, Quick 48.90%
Oats, Regular 49.19%
Onions 21.60%
Potato Flakes 33.33%
Spaghetti 38.99%
Beans, Refried 27.72%
Cocoa Mix 40.69%
Flour 29.70%
Fruit Drink Mix 26.20%

LDS churches and organizations have long been at the forefront in preparedness for families and communities.  As one of the wealthiest corporations in the world, their network of companies and church affiliations allow them access to cheaper food sources, and the capacity to store them for long periods of time through their canning facilities.

As the government and Federal Reserve continues to tell the American people that inflation is low, and contained by their monetary policies, the real barometer of inflation in the economy comes from the grocers, markets, and institutions that deal with food sales and production, and must monitor prices daily as commodities continue to climb.

The LDS's raising food prices at their canneries by 11 to 49% in just three months should be a serious wakeup call to all Americans on the true inflationary conditions that exist in our economy, and that we need to constantly look outside government reports for the true data affecting our spending and finances.

Tags:

Prices, LDS, Food, canneries, Inflation, commodities

Interesting Article . . . Should we feel embarassment getting prepared?

Interesting article I read today from Solutions From Science. Although it specifically uses the example of heirloom seeds, the general message is universally applicable to ALL aspects of preparedness - our desire to be independent and self-reliant while contending with the funny looks and strange questions we get as we attend the cannery and buy huge amounts of wheat and then shove it any place it will fit in our homes or when we stroll out of Costco with a year's worth of toilet paper as heads turn and people wonder aloud, "What are they doing?!" Read it and see what you think, I could relate . . . I thought it was thought provoking, well stated and I wanted to share it with you. "Keep calm and carry on!"
~Lisa

A recent condescending article out of the New York Times made me understand why there is a "them" and "us" mentality in this world. I'm sure you know the reaction when any type of preparedness topic comes up in polite conversation. I've seen it, and I'm sure you have too.

It's the little smirk, the raised eyebrow, the quiet chuckle that lets you know in no uncertain terms that you're a lunatic because you choose to be prepared for the hard times coming. We're not talking hard-core survivalists here--we're speaking in terms of "preppers," people who can read the signs of the times and know it's about to get tough, and you better figure out a way to feed your family when it does.

It's like being prepared and not living life on the edge is idiotic for some reason. It's like using your common sense and seeing the way things are, refusing to put on the blinders, is comical to these people and cause for derision and snide insults.

I'm beginning to realize how Noah must have felt!

The Times article starts off with a condescending smirk. The subject is heirloom seeds, and the opening lines start with a suggestion that the reader consider buying a 1936 Oldsmobile coupe. No matter that modern safety features and technology haven't been incorporated into the 1936 car. If you're in the market for a car, why not start with a 75-year-old model? And then the writer comes in with his clever rejoinder and says that's exactly what heirloom seed purchasers are doing.

We're dinosaurs. We're stupid. We're ignoramuses that just don't understand, refusing to advance into the modern era of genetically modified seed that has been chemically treated and manipulated. After all, according to one seed seller, "modern seeds, which are generally hybrid crosses, produce a 'more vigorous plant, with better resistance to diseases.'"

We're called "right-thinking" gardeners, spouting an orthodoxy the Times author calls "heirloomism." And the chief executive officer of the Burpee Seed Company states that our desire for heirlooms comes from an "anti-science credo" that has hardened into a "Luddite fundamentalism."

And this is where the author of the piece really doesn't get it. He goes on about taste, about the size of the plant and supporting structure, about the time it takes for vegetables to grow and harvesting. He never gets into the main reason that we want heirloom seeds.

Independence.

You see, I'm willing to allow a little more time for my tomato plants to mature if it means I can get the seed from them to grow another crop next year. I'm willing to forego all the wonders of modern science and genetic manipulation (and the resulting crop failure like has happened for those poor farmers in India) for those heirloom seeds that have hardiness etched into their genetic makeup, those varieties that have withstood the test of time and continue to grow and reproduce without needing a life support system to sustain them.

I'm willing to do all that for the sake of not having to depend on a smirking, condescending agri-giant to supply me with my seed stock. I'm willing to do that for the sake of being able to feed my family without having to depend on government subsidies or a faltering economy to do so.

And I'm sure that's the main reason you continue learning, striving, and doing as well.

Independence.

We used to know what that word meant, but many people don't anymore. Those of us who do are ridiculed for our grit and determination. The neighbors look at you askance as you plant another fruit tree, till another garden plot, or try your hand at canning and food storage. Self-sufficiency has become the joke of the modern world that would rather trust its future to dubious associations and connections than experience true freedom.

And freedom is what it's all about.

 Freedom from worry...

 Freedom from stress...

 Freedom from empty stomachs and your children going to bed hungry...

In these days, when that technological grid that we've become dependent upon seems more and more fragile, it only makes sense to step back and access the situation. Technological advancements are wonderful, but if they put you and your family at increasing risk of harm, then their usefulness in some areas needs to be questioned.

You can call me a Luddite, you can raise your eyebrows and smirk, you can be condescending and talk about me behind my back. But when that next true Great Depression hits (no, we're not in it yet, but it's coming), those that stood back and laughed won't be laughing so hard anymore.

Sometimes, that ancient 1936 Oldsmobile coupe is hard to beat.

Solutions From Science – 6 April 2011

Prices on the Rise at the Mesa Cannery

For the third time this year I received an e-mail from the Mesa Cannery with updated prices changes. Thus far, the price changes were relatively minor with only a few items becoming more expensive by a few cents. It was more annoying than alarming at that point since it meant getting every ward specialist in the stake the new information and not getting confused with older price sheets. The current e-mail I received yesterday from the cannery was different. Every item the cannery currently carries jumped in price - everything. Price jumps range from $0.05 per can on potato flakes to $1.10 price increases per can on hot cocoa. Average price increases are about $0.80 more per can. If you have been following our ward blog, you may remember last summer I challenged the ward to re-evaluate and reassess long-term storage. I hope you did and took advantage of the cheaper prices then. I personally feel with the volatile economy combined with ever rising fuel prices and the "food crisis" underway from failed crops, we have not seen the last of the price adjustments at the Mesa cannery. I am not saying this to be an alarmist but rather as a realist and as someone who has been called and set apart to help and teach families in our ward and stake to be prepared. Again, I would urge you to look at your long-term storage and decide where you need to add and replenish. If you would like to go on a Friday and do some canning for your family and would like me to go, please let me know. I am planning on a Friday or two in May to accompany already interested families to the cannery. I am more than happy to go with you and help! Both Christina Atwood and I have the updated cannery price list and Christina has the updated sign up sheet for May if you want to sign up and go. Please reassess your long-term storage and decide what you need and then sign up . . . I'm here to help you and ready to take you on a Friday - just say the word!
Yours in preparedness,
~Lisa

Better Late Than Never . . .

It has been a while since things have gotten updated on the Provident Living blog. I guess better late than never. So much to prepare and so little time! We have stayed busy as a committee pushing forward preparedness and really trying to discern what the needs are in our ward and now being the stake preparedness "geek" I am trying to wrap my brain around the task of  motivating the entire stake and meeting those needs. There have been several sleepless nights. This year in the stake as well as in our ward we are touting a "BACK TO BASICS" theme. It felt like it was time to regroup and start at the beginning again. Hopefully you have benefited from our cannery cooking classes that are teaching sisters how to use basic cannery items in everyday cooking, our mega-food storage class held at the end of January where Nicole Earl had a simply amazing PowerPoint showing where we can shove, hide and store all our long-term cannery items. Hopefully you have taken advantage of our awesome group orders too - honey, powdered eggs, 1st aid kits, etc. All basic things we need. There is more on the way too - classes, group orders and yes, blessings for being obedient to this important commandment. I personally feel impressed that we shouldn't put off until tomorrow that which we should do today. Tomorrow may be too late. As I have watched the social turmoil in the Middle East, the recent devastation in Japan, the plummeting economy, rising prices on everything and the volatile weather causing so much crop failure, I feel even more determined to push preparedness for all those that will listen . . . "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9). It will be wonderful to listen to General Conference!
We are here to help. Let us know how we can meet your preparedness needs!
Yours in preparedness,
~Lisa

New and Improved Preparedness Schedule

The more feedback we get from ward members the better we can tailor our classes to your needs. Fortunately, that is what we have gotten - your feedback and suggestions. We hear you and we are planning accordingly! Listed below is our revised schedule of classes based on ward needs:
January - Back to Basics food storage class including -
Cannery policies, changes, availability, products, prices, etc.
Proper ways to store cannery items - tried, tested and true - how the church recommends we store cannery items
HOW much to store of each item
WHERE to store it all - video to be shown at class where ward members are shoving their food!
Tour of providentliving.org and how to use the food storage calculator

We will also be starting monthly classes on how to use the cannery items. Make time in your schedules to come learn how to use your wheat, rice, beans, milk etc. Day and time will be announced shortly. If you have any requests for these classes you can contact Christina Atwood or myself.
I would still encourage you to look at your long-term storage and determine what you are low on, what is expired and where you can improve. Cannery orders remain down 400% in AZ. Salt Lake is noticing the decline and is re-evaluating our Mesa Home Storage Center. Personally, I would sign-up and go while it is accessible and I can get what I need easily. Remember Friday is family canning day and you can make an appointment and go anytime. It simply does not get any easier than that. Please, make it a priority to utilize the blessing of having the cannery accessible and close.

February - 30-day menu and 90 supply which will teach you how incorporate some of your longer term storage as well as provide the basics of how to get started if you haven't already.
At that point we will re-evaluate and see where everyone is at in the ward and then plan accordingly again. I hope everyone truly realizes we are here to help as a committee and we want to do our best to help you, motivate you and educate you on how to be more self-reliant.
~Providently Yours,
Lisa, Christina, Nicole and Jolaine

Fall Preparednes News and Happenings

I am so amazed and grateful at the response from our ward concerning preparedness. We had over 50 people attend our kick-off 72-hour kit class. If you missed it, you missed out. Brother Jason Mow did an amazing job presenting and I know gave us countless tips and strategies for emergency preparedness. I know personally, many ideas and suggestions I would have NEVER thought of. He has the background to help us all think out-of-the-box. We are blessed to have such people in our midst to educate and motivate us. Speaking of which, what an awesome preparedness committee that has been put together! Sister Christina Atwood is our cannery specialist as well as committee member, Sister Nicole Earl is a new committee member along with Sister Jolaine Moffett. These sisters not only have a strong testimony of preparedness, but they also are very knowledgeable and eager to help the ward. Again, what a blessing to have such resources in our midst.
Here's a preparedness plan outline for the next several months:
We will continue our 3 month 72-hour kit project with another class and two more group orders ending in October (details about all of it are below so keep reading). We will hope to have a group chocolate order in November sometime, just in time for holiday baking . . . Yes, we are taking December off and then we are planning to jump back in both feet in January with a juicing/sprouting class combined with a spiritual class on scripture study. We are thinking of coining it, "Feed Yourself Well in the New Year." It won't be your normal classes - been there done that type. We will definitely raise the bar . . .
Anyway, watch for sign-ups, e-mails, bulletin reminders and announcements during classes for the group orders. If you have questions or suggestions about any of it don't hesitate to talk to any one of us on the committee. As always, we are here to help you get prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Take advantage . . .
Also, a plug for the ward garden . . . It's a wonderful opportunity in countless ways and what your family will get out of the experience is worth the time and effort. Here's just a few ideas and ways in which this undertaking can bless your family:
Teach your kids a work ethic
Learn how to garden something maybe you've never tried before
Meet new ward members
Pass off a scout merit badge or Young Women's 10 hour project (good works!)
Have a lesson on harvesting what you sow
Lesson on keeping ourselves spiritually nourished
Word of Wisdom family home evening lesson
The list goes on and on. Here's some motivation to get your hands dirty from Pres. Kimball:
 “I hope that we understand that, while having a garden, for instance, is often useful in reducing food costs and making available delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, it does much more than this. Who can gauge the value of that special chat between daughter and Dad as they weed or water the garden? How do we evaluate the good that comes from the obvious lessons of planting, cultivating, and the eternal law of the harvest? And how do we measure the family togetherness and cooperating that must accompany successful canning? Yes, we are laying up resources in store, but perhaps the greater good is contained in the lessons of life we learn as we live providently and extend to our children their pioneer heritage.”
See you at the garden!
Providently Yours,
~Lisa

Up and Coming!

August begins our ward 3 month 72-hour kit challenge. Friday, August 20th @ 6:30 PM at the Lindsay bldg will be our first class. Come learn the basics of 72-hour kit assembly. Past the basics and looking for those “extras” to pack? Come! There will be lists handed out for whatever stage you are at – beginning to advanced. Already have a great kit? Bring it to display that evening! Just call me to coordinate!


Also, we will be having our ward Exchange Table that same night! Any useable household items and clothing will be accepted. “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!” If you have contributions, please contact me so we can get them ready for that night.


September 2nd is our next 72-hour kit meeting and we will be displaying, discussing and demonstrating WATER FILTERS. Discounted pricing is available as well as important information and handouts about water filtration. We will be offering Seychelle and Katadyn brand filters. Put it on your calendars now! Don’t miss this class – water is absolutely vital in emergency situations. Each company has some wonderful products, reasonably priced. Seychelle has $8 water filter straws that are a must for 72-hour kits I think. There is a special code for 50% discount on the Seychelle website for members of the church. Website links:
www.seychelle.com
www.katadyn.com


Let me know if you have questions! So what is in YOUR backpack????

Mesa Cannery Changes

In my last post I challenged the ward to inventory and check your own long-term storage this summer and get to the cannery to restock and replenish. I also mentioned that orders for cannery items are alarmingly low - not just in our Stake but statewide.

I just received notice that the cannery times and days available for canning is changing quite significantly due to the low activity in dry-pack canning. Thus, the cannery has consolidated their times and days we can use the facilities. As of July 1st the following schedule will be in effect:

Monday CLOSED

Tuesday 8:00 am 4:00 pm

Wednesday 8:00 am 4:00 pm

Thursday 8:00 am 4:00 pm

Friday 8:00 am 7:00 pm

Fridays will be dedicated for Open Family/Individual Canning the entire day, by appointment!

Saturday 8:00 am 12:00 pm (Always closed the first Saturday of each month)

(Saturdays are only for stake shift canning and for the purchase of bulk and prepackaged items.)

Please note that our Stake canning day WILL REMAIN the 3rd Tuesday of EVERY MONTH @ 1 pm.

I went to our Stake canning day yesterday and had the opportunity to speak with Brother and Sister Powell, the Directors of the Mesa Home Storage Center (the official name I guess of the cannery), and they explained that with 60 Stakes that are assigned to use the facilities they still needed to consolidate the times and days because things are so slow. I don't know about any of you reading this, but that is a bit scary to me and disappointing. It seems to me that especially with the economy as it is there is a greater need for us to be utilizing the cannery, not less.

So again, I challenge each of you to assess your long-term storage.

Do you have what you need?

Do you know how to cook and prepare what you do have?

Is it still edible?

Is it expired?

If something were to happen, would you have on hand all that you need to take care of your family?

If you answered "no" to any of these, I would challenge you to change it to a yes! You are welcome to call me, e-mail me, whatever! I will help you in any way I can. I take my calling very seriously and I am here to help you. If I don't know the answer, you can bet I'll find out.

Lastly, it is very easy to call the cannery and make an appointment for a Friday if that is easier for you instead of going on the assigned Stake Tuesday. You simply need to tell the cannery how many cans you would like to can and how many people will be attending. It's a great opportunity to take your older kids with you and teach them the principle of self-reliance and that "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

Mesa Home Storage Center 214-9114

Let me know if there is any way I can help you.

Providently Yours,

~Lisa

P.S. I am posting the price sheet for cannery items, the cooking class schedule at the cannery as well as a few other handouts I got there yesterday. Check them out under the "Cannery Information" heading on the right!

Summer Agenda and Contest

I have to admit I am relieved May is over. If you were feeling like me there wasn't a spare minute with all of the end-of-the-year activities, recitals, tests, parties, assemblies, etc. But now summer is upon us and we can all try and catch our breath . . . Well, at least a bit!


I am not scheduling any Provident Living classes for June or July but that doesn't mean I am taking a vacation. What it does mean is that I will be preparing for the 72-hour kit challenge that will roll out in August. It is going to be a 3 month challenge to the Ward to get your kits "grab-and-go ready." From August through October I will be scheduling classes that will help get your kit organized and ready, another group order will be available on water purifiers in conjunction with other wards in the Stake and I will have weekly displays of different 72-hour kit necessities. It will all culminate in October when we have a Ward family activity where you'll bring your kit, display it for others, and we have a Ward party. I'm trying to come up with prizes for participation . . . It will be a worthwhile activity - a win/win for you and your family. You'll get your kits prepared and get to party.


So, keep your eyes open this summer for gadgets, backpacks, and supplies to get your family's kits ready for the challenge. Anyone have any ideas, comments or thoughts about what you'd like to see happen with this challenge? Here's the contest . . . Whoever submits to me the best idea or suggestion (by July 26th) about our ward 72-hour kit challenge will win the contest and receive something cool for your own kit!


Also, in July I'd like to organize an Exchange Table. Right before school, when all of us are going through the kids' closets and getting frustrated that all those perfectly good clothes are already too small and we are wondering what we should do with them, we'll have a Lindsay 1st Ward exchange table. Bring what you want that is in good shape and then pick what you'll need and use. It's the idea "eat it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Smart words to live by right now I think. Hope you think so too and will participate in this activity. Don't have a date set yet but I'll let you know.


I'd like to challenge everyone this summer to re-evaluate your long term storage too. Cannery orders in the Stake are very, very low. I personally think scary low! Please check your long term bulk items and make sure you have enough and that it is not expired. I am hopeful we can increase our Ward cannery orders and get to the cannery while it is quiet and easily accessible. While the kids are home this summer it seems the 1 PM canning time is a more convenient time to get down there . . . Think about it and inventory what you have, then let me know if you want to sign up and go. I have a bad feeling my own sugar isn't usable . . . We'll be getting our family down there after I convince the kids and Mikey family home evening is food storage inventory! :) Not a fun task by any means but absolutely necessary nonetheless.


Lastly, thanks for all the many positive comments and feedback about the blog. I truly appreciate it and I hope you are all finding it helpful and motivating to have all the Provident Living information so easily obtainable.


Providently Yours,
~Lisa

WELCOME!

So much is entailed with Provident Living and trying to become more self-reliant. So many areas we are to be working on and so little time! How can we SIMPLIFY and yet move forward?

In deciding how to best handle all the many facets of preparedness, I decided to try setting up a Lindsay 1st Ward Provident Living site where you can visit, hopefully often and regularly, and get updated on what is happening in our Ward with Provident Living. I am hoping this gives people another opportunity to continue or even start actively pursuing their own personal goals concerning preparedness while at the same time providing a place where all the Ward preparedness items can be easily accessed. This is an attempt to simplify! One stop shopping so to speak . . .

I am hoping to include recipes (like the one you'll see below), group order updates and opportunities as well as upcoming classes. I've tried to provide links to other helpful sites, the cannery order form is up and ready for you to use, links to the monthly Provident Living newsletter are here in case you missed any, the results from the surveys you filled out back in February are also listed here at the bottom, which you might find interesting. In addition, I have put some links to the handouts from previous classes on the right under the Provident Living area headers. The recipes from May's class - Healthy Meals in Minutes are already posted too! WHEW . . .

 I'm a "newbie" at blogging, please be patient! Also, if there are any suggestions on what you'd like to see posted, topics you'd like to discuss, gadgets that would be helpful, or more information you'd like to see posted - simply say the word (and maybe tell me how to do it!). This is the Ward's blog for preparedness . . .

 I love the tag posted on the right and I thought it perfectly sums up my own personal outlook concerning preparedness: "Keep calm and carry on!" So, welcome! I hope you find this endeavor useful, helpful and you'll leave comments and follow regularly!

Why not sign up today and follow along?