I have been teaching some Bug Out classes lately and have decided to put the links of a couple of the items that we have in our 72 hour kits.
The best find is this little ultralight backpacking butane burner stove. It is a great little stove with a piezo electric starter. Other than taking about four weeks to get here from China (I know, China but this isn't junk) I rank it right up there with the $60-$100 ultralight stoves and it's only $5.69 with free shipping and a nice little case to keep it in.
http://www.amazon.com/Ultralight-Backpacking-Canister-Ignition-silvery/dp/B004U8CP88/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=RVUNMZY45K4R&coliid=I3DOWDBKCVIJPR&psc=1
The next item is our Stanley 24oz. camp cook pot. What a great find this was. It's stainless steel, holds 2 cups + of water for boiling to make those delicious Mountain House 2 serving meals, has an insulated vented tab top for drinking hot chocolate in the cold mornings, a nice foldable wire handle and to top it off, it has two thick insulated cups inside. Take out the cups and put your ultralight butane burner stove and 100 gram can of butane in it and you are all ready to go. A great deal for $14.45 plus shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Adventure-Stainless-Steel-24-Ounce/dp/B005188T90/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=RVUNMZY45K4R&coliid=I3MCTCP6W2X3P8&psc=1
At Walmart.com you can get it for $14.88 + tax with free pickup at your local WalMart store.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?povid=P1171-C1110.2784+1137.2772-L0&search_constraint=0&ic=48_0&Find.x=0&Find.y=0&Find=Find&_ta=1&search_query=stanley%2024oz%20adventure%20camp%20cook%20set&_tt=stanley%2024
The Primus Easy Light butane light is a good addition to your 72 hour kit. It has a piezo electric starter and uses the same butane tank as the ultralight backpacking burner. It is a little on the pricy side through Amazon.com but that was the cheapest place I found at $53.90 plus shipping. It comes with a nice case to protect it.
http://www.amazon.com/Primus-P-224583-Easy-Light-Lantern/dp/B000KBH8AY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=RVUNMZY45K4R&coliid=I1QSRPG25QHOL0&psc=1
A good water filter is essential for any bug out kit. I really like my Katadyne Vario three stage water filter. It has an initial filter stage in the end of the tube that goes into the water, a high-performance glass fiber filter, a
ceramic pre-filter that can be adjusted individually according to the
cloudiness of the water, and active charcoal for eliminating odors and
improving taste. Google it to find the best deal. I found it at Campsaver for $71.21.
http://www.campsaver.com/vario-water-filter?gclid=CPuTo6bs4rkCFSZxQgodbXgAGg
The last item I am going to show is the SOG Tomahawk. After looking at several of the different Tomahawls, I settled on this one because of it's utility and design. The least expensive source I found was Amazon.com again for $25.47 with free shipping. It comes with a nice thick nylon sheath.
http://www.amazon.com/SOG-Specialty-Knives-Tactical-Tomahawk/dp/B000PICTYC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379985162&sr=8-1&keywords=sog+tomahawk
Look around for the best deals as always.
Enjoy your food storage.
Bob and LouAnn
Monday, September 23, 2013
I believe that every good thing that has been invented was done under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost for the good of mankind. Some good things have been used for evil purposes but still, every good comes from God ("for behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing" Moroni 7:22).
We have satellite radio in our car with the Mormon channel on it as one of the selections. On our way home from speaking at the Ajo Ward the fourth Sunday of June, I was listening to the Mormon Channel when they had Barbara Salsbury on their Faith in Action show. Her subject was Emergency Preparedness. What a great and inspiring talk she gave. I am putting the link here so you can go to it and listen. Click on either picture to listen to it. You can even download it onto a CD. Make it a family home evening lesson. You will not regret it.
Have fun with your food storage
Bob and LouAnn
http://www.mormonchannel.org/faith-in-action/5
We have satellite radio in our car with the Mormon channel on it as one of the selections. On our way home from speaking at the Ajo Ward the fourth Sunday of June, I was listening to the Mormon Channel when they had Barbara Salsbury on their Faith in Action show. Her subject was Emergency Preparedness. What a great and inspiring talk she gave. I am putting the link here so you can go to it and listen. Click on either picture to listen to it. You can even download it onto a CD. Make it a family home evening lesson. You will not regret it.
Have fun with your food storage
Bob and LouAnn
http://www.mormonchannel.org/faith-in-action/5
I found a great article by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone from the May 1976 Ensign that talks about food storage. I love this talk and am including it here.
Food Storage
Food Storage
Brethren of the
priesthood, sisters of the Relief Society, President Henry D. Moyle
suggested that when someone speaks we ought to get three things out of
the message. First and least important (but still very important), we
ought to get what is said. Second, and more important, we ought to have a
spiritual experience. Third, and most important, we should keep the
commitments we make to ourselves. Let’s write them down and follow
through. Don’t ever make a commitment to yourself you don’t intend to
keep—if you do, you weaken your character.
For twenty-six
years, since I was fifteen, I was involved in the grocery industry. I
learned much about human nature during those years. I remember the
effects that strikes, earthquakes, and rumors of war had on many very
active Latter-day Saints. Like the five foolish virgins, they rushed to
the store to buy food, caught in the panic of knowing that direction had
been given by the prophet but not having followed that
direction—fearful that maybe they had procrastinated until it was
everlastingly too late.
It was interesting
because only in Latter-day Saint communities did people seem to buy with
abandon. It was not a few Latter-day Saints—it was a significant
number. It caused great increases in sales. One such experience came
when a so-called prophecy by someone outside the Church was greatly
publicized.
How foolish we can
sometimes be! We have a living prophet; we have God’s living oracles,
the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles. Let us
follow the Brethren and be constant. We need have no fear if we are
prepared.
Brothers and
sisters, what have we done in our stakes and wards to see that every
Latter-day Saint has a year’s reserve of food to sustain life? Let’s not
only keep teaching the principle, but let’s also teach our people how.
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:
-
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.
-
Find someone who sells large bulk of grains, depending on your locale. Make arrangements to buy a ton or so of grain.
-
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.
-
Purchase dry milk from the store or dairy, on a systematic basis.
-
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.
-
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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Watch advertised specials in the grocery stores and pick up extra supplies of those items that are of exceptional value.
-
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.
Now regarding home
production: Raise animals where means and local laws permit. Plant
fruit trees, grapevines, berry bushes, and vegetables. You will provide
food for your family, much of which can be eaten fresh. Other food you
grow can be preserved and included as part of your home storage.
Wherever possible, produce your nonfood necessities of life. Sew and
mend your own clothing. Make or build needed items. I might also add,
beautify, repair, and maintain all of your property.
Home production of
food and nonfood items is a way to stretch your income and to increase
your skills and talents. It is a way to teach your family to be
self-sufficient. Our children are provided with much needed
opportunities to learn the fundamentals of work, industry, and thrift.
President Romney has said, “We will see the day when we will live on
what we produce.” (Conference Reports, April 1975, p. 165.)
I should like to
address a few remarks to those who ask, “Do I share with my neighbors
who have not followed the counsel? And what about the nonmembers who do
not have a year’s supply? Do we have to share with them?” No, we don’t have to share—we get
to share! Let us not be concerned about silly thoughts of whether we
would share or not. Of course we would share! What would Jesus do? I
could not possibly eat food and see my neighbors starving. And if you
starve to death after sharing, “greater love hath no man than this …” (John 15:13.)
Now what about
those who would plunder and break in and take that which we have stored
for our families’ needs? Don’t give this one more idle thought. There is
a God in heaven whom we have obeyed. Do you suppose he would abandon
those who have kept his commandments? He said, “If ye are prepared, ye
need not fear.” (D&C 38:30.)
Prepare, O men of Zion, and fear not. Let Zion put on her beautiful
garments. Let us put on the full armor of God. Let us be pure in heart,
love mercy, be just, and stand in holy places. Commit to have a year’s
supply of food by April 1977.
Bishops and stake
presidents, let us accept the challenge on behalf of the Saints in our
wards and stakes. It will prove to be a very Christlike deed on your
part. Follow through and check up one year from now and make certain we
achieve results.
In his October 1973 conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson gave some excellent instructions about home storage:
“For the righteous the gospel provides a warning before a calamity, a program for the crises, a refuge for each disaster. …
“The Lord has
warned us of famines, but the righteous will have listened to prophets
and stored at least a year’s supply of survival food. …
“Brethren and sisters, I know that this welfare program
is inspired of God. I have witnessed with my own eyes the ravages of
hunger and destitution as, under the direction of the president of the
Church, I spent a year in war-torn Europe at the close of World War II,
without my family, distributing food, clothing, and bedding to our needy
members. I have looked into the sunken eyes of Saints, in almost the
last stages of starvation. I have seen faithful mothers carrying their
children, three and four years of age, who were unable to walk because
of malnutrition. I have seen a hungry woman turn down food for a spool
of thread. I have seen grown men weep as they ran their hands through
the wheat and beans sent to them from Zion—America.
“Thanks be to God
for a prophet, for this inspired program, and for Saints who so managed
their stewardship that they could provide for their own and still share
with others.” (“Prepare Ye,” Ensign, Jan. 1974, pp. 69, 81–82.)
I bear my humble
witness to you that the great God of heaven will open doors and means in
a way we never would have supposed to help all those who truly want to
get their year’s supply. I know we will have time and money if we will
commit and keep the commitment. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Egg Recipes to help you on this months Stake Food Storage Challange
Since we have challenged everyone in the Maricopa Arizona Stake to have at least a one year supply of food storage by General Conference, October 2014, I thought I would put a couple of recipes on the blog that has to do with the food storage item of the month. This months item is powdered eggs. There are several types of powdered eggs that are available. The first and best for making scrambled eggs is the OvaEasy Egg Crystal brand of eggs. This product is made from eggs that are shot through a hot nozzle into a very hot environment where they crystallize. At the same time, they are also pasteurized because of the heat so no worries about salmonella. This has a recommended unopened shelf life of 7 years.
The second is Whole Egg Powder. This product is not very good for scrambled eggs but great for using in recipes that call for eggs. It is also a safe product for use and storage. It has a recommended unopened shelf life of 3 years.
The last that I am going to talk about are powdered egg whites. It is a safe product to use and for food storage. It has a recommended unopened shelf life of 3 years.
The opened shelf life of these products is 3 months so if you are not going to use it all with in that time frame, divide it up into smaller containers, either canning jars or mylar bags, put an oxygen absorber in it and seal it up. That will take it back to the original unopened shelf life time.
Here are a couple of recipes using these egg products. The Lemon Meringue Cookies I have posted here last June.
Lemon Meringue
Cookies
The second is Whole Egg Powder. This product is not very good for scrambled eggs but great for using in recipes that call for eggs. It is also a safe product for use and storage. It has a recommended unopened shelf life of 3 years.
The last that I am going to talk about are powdered egg whites. It is a safe product to use and for food storage. It has a recommended unopened shelf life of 3 years.
The opened shelf life of these products is 3 months so if you are not going to use it all with in that time frame, divide it up into smaller containers, either canning jars or mylar bags, put an oxygen absorber in it and seal it up. That will take it back to the original unopened shelf life time.
Here are a couple of recipes using these egg products. The Lemon Meringue Cookies I have posted here last June.
Ingredients
3
egg whites, this is 6 tsp of Honeyville powdered egg whites and 6 Tbsp hot water.
¼
tsp cream of tarter
6
Tbsp sugar
1
Tbsp grated lemon zest
In
a large mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tarter, beat on high speed until
soft peaks form. Gently fold lemon rind
into beaten egg whites.
Drop
mix by tablespoon on 2 buttered and floured baking pans. Bake in preheated 250 degree oven for 1 hour.
Turn
oven off, do not open oven door, leave in oven 1 hour then transfer cookies to
wire racks to cool.
Chef Tess'
Country Sausage, Hash Brown and
Pepper-Cheese
Scrambled Egg Breakfast Skillet
2 c Honeyville
diced dehydrated potatoes
1 c Honeyville Freeze Dried Sausage (no substitutions)
1 c Honeyville Freeze Dried Sausage (no substitutions)
1/3 c OvaEasy
egg crystals (no substitutions)
1tsp Chef Tess All Purpose Seasoning
1tsp Chef Tess All Purpose Seasoning
1/3 c Honeyville freeze dried cheddar cheese
1/3c Honeyville freeze dried bell peppers
2T Honeyville freeze dried mushrooms
½ tsp Chef Tess Romantic Italian Seasoning
1/3c Honeyville freeze dried bell peppers
2T Honeyville freeze dried mushrooms
½ tsp Chef Tess Romantic Italian Seasoning
Directions to prepare Meal: In a large 12 inch
non-stick skillet, combine the potatoes and sausage with 4 cups boiling water. Cover and allow
hydrating 10-15 minutes until potatoes are tender. Drain any extra water, once the potatoes
are tender. The fat from the sausage will keep the potatoes from sticking to
the pan. Cook 10-15 minutes over medium heat, stirring once or twice but
allowing the potatoes to brown well. The secret is not stirring too
often. In a separate quart-size bowl, combine the egg and last four
ingredients with 2/3 cup cool water, whisking well. Allow to hydrate 5 minutes.
In a small separate non-stick skillet on low heat, slowly cook the egg mixture,
stirring often. Or, you can cook them in a corner of the skillet that the
potatoes are in by simply pushing the hash brown mixture to one side. Serve eggs
over the potato mixture.
A great food storage tip: When you use oranges, lemons or limes, use a grater and grate all the "Zest" off of the peal before slicing them or juicing them. You can dry the Zest, put it in a canning jar and save it for future use. It will store indefinitely if you dry and store it properly. Just grate off the Zest. You will know that you have it when you get deep enough that the white inside of the fruit appears. The Zest makes a great addition of flavor.
Have fun with your food storage.
Bob and LouAnn
Gluten Free Delights
I'm teaching a class Thursday September 26th at Honeyville Farms in Chandler Az on two great gluten free recipes. Gluten free kind of sounds like it will taste bland or bad but these are unbelievably good. LouAnn has made the blanched almond flour with slivered almonds and blueberry cookies before and I found this great recipe for gluten free banana coconut pie and have made it. Come on down and try it or make it yourself, they are very good.
Mix up 1 cup of Honeyville InstaWhip per the directions on the can and smooth onto the top of the cooled pie. Sprinkle sweet coconut flakes over the top. Keep refrigerated.
Gluten Free
Blueberry Almond Breakfast Cookies
Ingredients:
2 C Honeyville blanched
almond flour
¼ tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking
soda
¼ tsp Ground
cinnamon
¼ C Coconut oil
3 Tbsp Honey
2 tsp Vanilla
extract
½ Tsp Almond
extract
½ C Almond
slivers
½ C Freeze dried Honeyville Blueberries
(rehydrated)
Method:
Preheat oven to
350 degrees
Combine well
almond flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder in a food processor. Add in Coconut oil, honey, vanilla and almond
extract until dough forms.
Gently fold in
almond slivers and blueberries without smashing them. Using cookie scoop, scoop cookies onto
parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Press dough down gently.
Bake for 8-10
minutes until lightly browned. Cool for
15 minutes on cookie sheet. Don’t take them
off before this time or they will fall apart.
Store in refrigerator.
Gluten Free Banana Coconut Cream Pie
Coconut Pie Crust
Ingredients
- 2 cups Honeyville Sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup Honeyville coconut flour
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
Cooking Directions
- Heat oven to 300 degrees. Mix together all ingredients thoroughly. Press into shape in a pie pan. Bake in oven for 15-20 minutes or until shell is nicely toasted.
Filling
Ingredients
- 3 bananas
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Cooking Directions
- Place cornstarch in a medium bowl and whisk in 1/2 cup of the milk Add yolks and whisk until incorporated and smooth.
- In a large saucepan whisk together coconut milk, sugar, salt, and remaining milk and bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, slowly whisk in yolk mixture and reduce heat to medium low. Using a rubber spatula, constantly stir until mixture thickens to a thick gravy consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Slice a banana into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place about the top of the cooled pie crust.
- Pour 1/2 of the hot custard over banana and pie crust. Slice the other two bananas and arrange them over the half filled pie. Pour the rest of the custard into the pie crust, covering bananas. Let cool to room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
Mix up 1 cup of Honeyville InstaWhip per the directions on the can and smooth onto the top of the cooled pie. Sprinkle sweet coconut flakes over the top. Keep refrigerated.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
I found a story this week that I want to pass along.
The Farm Hand Who Could Sleep Through Anything
There once was a farmer looking for a young man to help out at the farm. There were several young men who interviewed for the job and as far as the farmer could tell, they were about equally well qualified. He then asked them each one final question, "Tell me," he would say, "why should I hire you above the others?"
Of all of the applicants and their replies, there was one that was really different. One young man said, "Because I can sleep through anything." At first the farmer thought it was just strange. The more he thought, the more he was intrigued and mystified by the response. So he figured, well I will give this young man a chance, and hired him.
Weeks went by and the farmer was pretty happy with the young man's work. He still wondered sometimes what the young man had meant by his strange reply, but he never got around to asking about it. Then one night the farmer was awakened in the middle of the night with a phone call from a neighbor. "There's a big storm coming in with lots of wind, maybe a tornado. Better get ready for it." was the quick message.
Indeed as the farmer went to the door and looked out, he found that the wind was strong and rising, and rain had started. He quickly ran and tried to awaken the young man to help him get everything ready for the blow. Try as he might, the young man couldn't be stirred. Muttering to himself about what a stupid thing he had done in hiring a lazy boy who wouldn't wake up when he really needed him, the farmer went out to the farm.
He went out to tie down the hay, but discovered that the hay was already tied down securely. Next he went to the barn and the corrals. Everywhere he looked, everything had already been prepared. After a time of just wandering around the farm, learning that there was nothing that needed to be done at the last minute, because it had all been done (prepared) before, the farmer returned to his house, but instead of muttering, he actually found himself singing the praises of this young man. He had realized, to his great joy, that the reason the young man could sleep through anything was because before he went to bed each and every night he had already prepared for the very worst. And so the farmer followed the example of the young man, since everything was already prepared, he undressed and was soon fast asleep, with a huge smile of peace on his face.
This young man had nothing to fear and was not stricken with panic at the onset of the storm because he was fully prepared. He had put forth the necessary time and effort to secure everything well in advance so he could rest the night through with little concern for the howling winds outside.
For those who are feeling overwhelmed with the task of becoming prepared, or for those who are concerned that they simply cannot accomplish the tasks laid out before them to become prepared for the events to come, please remember the words of the great prophet Nephi when he taught us that "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1Ne 3:7).
No matter what our level of preparedness, fear and panic are not necessary if we are sincerely striving to be obedient, for we have this promise from the Lord. That is why we started the Maricopa Stake challenge. We promise you that if you do sincerely strive to get at least a years supply of food storage by General Conference, October 2014, the Lord will bless you in ways that you will not believe it possible and it will happen.
We are here to help and serve you in attaining that goal.
Bob and LouAnn Singer
The Farm Hand Who Could Sleep Through Anything
There once was a farmer looking for a young man to help out at the farm. There were several young men who interviewed for the job and as far as the farmer could tell, they were about equally well qualified. He then asked them each one final question, "Tell me," he would say, "why should I hire you above the others?"
Of all of the applicants and their replies, there was one that was really different. One young man said, "Because I can sleep through anything." At first the farmer thought it was just strange. The more he thought, the more he was intrigued and mystified by the response. So he figured, well I will give this young man a chance, and hired him.
Weeks went by and the farmer was pretty happy with the young man's work. He still wondered sometimes what the young man had meant by his strange reply, but he never got around to asking about it. Then one night the farmer was awakened in the middle of the night with a phone call from a neighbor. "There's a big storm coming in with lots of wind, maybe a tornado. Better get ready for it." was the quick message.
Indeed as the farmer went to the door and looked out, he found that the wind was strong and rising, and rain had started. He quickly ran and tried to awaken the young man to help him get everything ready for the blow. Try as he might, the young man couldn't be stirred. Muttering to himself about what a stupid thing he had done in hiring a lazy boy who wouldn't wake up when he really needed him, the farmer went out to the farm.
He went out to tie down the hay, but discovered that the hay was already tied down securely. Next he went to the barn and the corrals. Everywhere he looked, everything had already been prepared. After a time of just wandering around the farm, learning that there was nothing that needed to be done at the last minute, because it had all been done (prepared) before, the farmer returned to his house, but instead of muttering, he actually found himself singing the praises of this young man. He had realized, to his great joy, that the reason the young man could sleep through anything was because before he went to bed each and every night he had already prepared for the very worst. And so the farmer followed the example of the young man, since everything was already prepared, he undressed and was soon fast asleep, with a huge smile of peace on his face.
This young man had nothing to fear and was not stricken with panic at the onset of the storm because he was fully prepared. He had put forth the necessary time and effort to secure everything well in advance so he could rest the night through with little concern for the howling winds outside.
For those who are feeling overwhelmed with the task of becoming prepared, or for those who are concerned that they simply cannot accomplish the tasks laid out before them to become prepared for the events to come, please remember the words of the great prophet Nephi when he taught us that "the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." (1Ne 3:7).
No matter what our level of preparedness, fear and panic are not necessary if we are sincerely striving to be obedient, for we have this promise from the Lord. That is why we started the Maricopa Stake challenge. We promise you that if you do sincerely strive to get at least a years supply of food storage by General Conference, October 2014, the Lord will bless you in ways that you will not believe it possible and it will happen.
We are here to help and serve you in attaining that goal.
Bob and LouAnn Singer
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