December 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of the December 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” The Christmas carol reminds us of spreading cheer, being happy, toasting marshmallows, caroling, and having our hearts glowing as we draw loved ones near. This wonderful time of the year is when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. It is truly a season loved by people all over the world. May each of us make it wonderful as we take the time to remember His birth, to gather our families close, and to give service to others. We can “light the world” with the challenges from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this month! As we focus on serving others, we also reap blessings and find true joy. And as we are prepared individually and as families, both temporally and spiritually, we are better able to serve others and truly light the world, our communities and our families. So this Christmas, “may your days be merry and bright! And may all your Christmases be…” LIGHT!

Included in this months newsletter:
2018 Preparedness Review:  A list of subjects covered in the 2018 newsletters. We have the knowledge, now what will we DO with  it?
A Preparedness Christmas - a list of ideas to use as Christmas gifts that are preparedness items.
Spiritual Preparedness - Learning from Captain Moroni about preparedness
In the Southern Utah Garden - a list of things to do in December (mostly take it easy, and plan for next spring!)
Challenge - what skills would you like to acquire? Learn something new to be more prepared.
Cooking with Food Storage: Recipes for ground beef jerky, Molasses Christmas candy, Hot Chocolate Mix, and Basic Bread or Dinner Rolls.
Hot tips for Winter - a few ideas to implement as winter is here!
Have an Old-fashioned Christmas This Year - words to a song that encourage an old fashioned Christmas.

Click here for a complete copy of the December 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

November 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter

Click here for a complete copy of November 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.

In days gone by, our ancestors put great stock into the words we now sing as a hymn: “All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.” In those days, if a crop failed there was no food to eat! The harvest was important for survival! Preserved foods lined shelves, winter vegetables were stored in a root cellar, and meat was cured and hung in the meat house. As time progressed freezers helped to store a little more, but still a harvest was set aside for the winter. Today many people still store away the harvest with home canned produce and freezers full. But too often we have come to rely on the grocery store being only a short drive away. When today’s emergencies arrive, there is a rush on the local stores and shelves are emptied in less than a day. There is great peace of mind as well as blessings from above when, instead of following the world’s spontaneous reaction to emergencies, we live a self-reliant life – ready to face our challenges with preparedness!  Obedience to the prophets’ call to “Be Prepared” will bring blessings – just for being obedient. But the great blessing will be the ability to care for your family when the storms of life arrive. You will be grateful to say, “All is safely gathered in.” May we all be so prepared, gather what we need, and reap the blessings of obedience.

Included in this newsletter:

12 principles of Self-Reliance - a list of principles to help us truly be self-reliant.

Provident Living: An Attitude of Gratitude - a focus on five ways to show gratitude and be prepared.

Using the Apple Harvest - recipes for Caramel Dip for apple slices, and Apple Crisp.

In the Southern Utah Garden - Things to do as you put your garden to sleep for the winter.

Finding Additional Water in an Emergency - ways to find water after your basic water storage is depleted.

Thanksgiving Dinner - items you can store on your food storage shelves that make for an easy and prepared Thanksgiving.

Basic Food Storage - a detailed list of basic storage items divided into age requirements. Helps you find tune amounts you will need to store.

Click here for a complete copy of November 2018 Back to Basics Newsletter.