July is the month we
celebrate our freedom on “Independence Day”. It is also the month we celebrate
“Pioneer Day” and commemorate the coming of the pioneers into Utah – where the
early Mormon settlers would finally find religious freedom. Freedom is
something we should be very grateful for, but often take for granted. Living in
this great “promised land” (1 Nephi 2:20) provides us with the opportunity to
do and be almost anything we set our minds to. That freedom also includes the
ability to provide for our own, and to set aside for a rainy day. (In some
countries they are not allowed to store food or they may be charged with
hoarding.) We live in a world full of ups and downs politically and socially.
Yet we each have the freedom to worship in this great land as well as provide
for our families. Remember that Luke 6:46 asks us: “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord,
and do not the things which I say?” We
have been admonished to be prepared! May we so be!
In this newsletter:
Survival Preparation: Workout! It is important to have some sort of regular physical fitness routine to keep us all in good health, but have you thought of how your physical fitness could affect your ability to survive an emergency? We need to be in "good shape" to save ourselves and help others.
Family Emergency Planning: a simple emergency plan may include a 3 month supply of food that is a part of your normal diet, drinking water, financial reserves, longer term basic food supply, medication and first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, important documents, and ways to communicate with family following a disaster.
Hot Tip: plan your meals around your food storage to save money. Shopping for a menu can increase your grocery bill.
Spiritual Preparedness: Boyd K Packer advises the safe way to make it in troubled times.
In the Southern Utah Garden: fall planting for July, weeds, watering tips - how often and how much, and spraying for bugs.
Stocking up Options: Use it or Lose it: We have a home storage Center close by with many very economical items to fill your food storage room with. For only $100 you can buy 8 bags (25 lbs each) of basic and delicious food storage items. If we do not use the center, we may lose it!
Non-food Storage:Storing non-food items is important to ensure comfort, convenience and preparedness. Consider your basic equipment, bedding, clothing, fuel, paper products, cleaning supplies, light and cooking, tools and first Aid.
Thought for the Day:Henry David Thoreau determined during his time at Walden Pond the four things a man really needs: Food, Clothing, Shelter and Fuel. We can focus on simplifying our lives.
Click here for a complete copy of the July Back to Basics Newsletter.
