Preparedness

Sometimes I get surprised when I run across people who do NOT have any food storage. When you belong to a church which encourages food storage and preparedness, I always assume that my friends and neighbors feel the way I do about food storage. I assume they are prepared and that when a disaster strikes we will pull together and help the needy and be a strong unit. 

Unfortunately, even people of my own faith, my friends and neighbors don't all have food storage or cook with their food storage. 

Why is that? Why do I feel such a strong need to become self reliant when others don't even think about it?

I saw a quote a few months ago and it answered my question. 

Quote from "Faith Precedes the Miracle" by Spencer W. Kimball:

The ancients looked forward to the coming of the Lord and asked, "When shall all these things be?" The pioneers thought it would be soon and watched for signs; our grandparents watched for the sprouting of the fig tree; our parents watched for the reddening of the sky; and we ourselves have heard all our lives that the Second Coming is near. 

Do we lose faith, do we lose patience, do we lose hope, do we get weary in waiting, because the day is long and the event delayed?

I suspect that many people who five years ago had a rich larder, a full pantry, and a year's supply of basic necessities have let their stock dwindle. I suspect that many people have let their insurance lapse. Death seems in the future, for at the moment calamity is absent and hunger is not knocking at the door.

It is difficult to be prepared for an event so long delayed. Many have found it too difficult and they slumber without due preparation. But the day approaches and will finally come. That is sure. It is only the "when" that is unknown.

I don't know why I have always had a desire to have food storage, plant a garden and be prepared. It may be  because I am a single mom and sooooo much pressure rests on my shoulders. I want to be able to provide for my children and there isn't anyone whom I can lean on. It is my responsibility to provide. I have worked hard to do it and always have cupboards full of food. 

I was raised with food storage. We have never been rich, but we always had the things we needed and food in our belly.

I've never been in a disaster situation. I've always had a job and so did my parents. But I still prepare, rotate, learn how to take care of myself, how to cook without power, gather food storage recipes ... so many things to learn and prepare.

The other day I found out a friend's husband lost his job. I said, thank goodness for food storage! Now, you just need to be frugal and it will all work out. She looked at me with deer in the headlight eyes. They aren't prepared. She doesn't make bread. Both her and her husband have very high profile and good paying jobs and education. I don't believe they have worried that they would ever be in this situation. 

All of a sudden I see emails from our Relief Society about purchasing wheat in bulk and who needs it. Everyone is in a panic. I am surprised! Aren't we already prepared? Don't you already have your house full of wheat and food storage. I just can't believe how many people are unprepared for the rise in food prices and gas prices .... and possible food shortages.

How can that be??

It's time to prepare. Start purchasing food storage, gathering recipes and learning how to provide for yourselves. Plant a garden. Can what you produce. It's time to start living the teachings of provident living.