A New Year's Resolution

This guy in American Fork has inspired me to recommit to being better prepared. (Read his story by clicking on the post title) Completing a food storage stock is something I can do to prepare for a natural disaster. Besides learning a lot about Katrina at a conference I attended in Washington, D.C. and knowing we are sitting on a natural fault just waiting for the big one, there are plenty of other reasons to keep a stock of food items. Unemployment has hit many of us and we've seen what happens even with a limited time-frame truck strike. Shelves empty quickly at the supermarkets and what looks like an endless supply of available items actually disappears within days if not hours.

Our prophets have encouraged this for years. Most of us as members of the LDS Church have some food storage. The trouble is we rarely take inventory to determine if we have the right things stored to actually use the grains and dry goods we have.

Water is a very important commodity to have on hand in case of natural disaster since the public supply could be interrupted and/or contaminated. Water is easy to store and something everyone can do, regardless of income. Each time I have moved to a new house we have emptied and tossed hundreds of water bottles. Then we start over. Just wash out and refill 2 liter soda bottles, rugged juice bottles like apple and cranberry juices come in. I also refill bleach bottles without rinsing them. I label them "water" and would not use those for drinking.

We tend to deny that anything bad will happen to us or rely on the government/church to be able to take care of us. The truth is we should all have our own mini grocery store because no agency can take care of everyone and the hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes have shown us that even when help arrives, it can take a while. I know we run the risk of losing our storage in such a disaster, but if everyone has it, there will be accessible resources we can share with one another should the need arise. If we are blessed to be one who can share with others, God has cared for us well and will help us to replenish our stock again.

Speaking of resolutions...if you're looking for family-friendly, free fun on First Night (New Year's Eve) in Salt Lake, Temple Square is hosting some wonderful musical entertainment in the Assembly Hall. Click here to see the featured artists: http://www.mormontimes.com/mormon_living/health_lifestyle/?id=5619 No tickets or buttons required for this event.