DO IT YOURSELF

About three years into our marriage, my husband announced that he wanted me to learn to cut his hair so that he wouldn't have to take the time or the money to go get it cut.  We bought our first set of Oster hair clippers from Costco that came with an instructional video (yes, VHS) that taught the basics of cutting hair.  Clippers bought (check), video watched (check)...off we go.  He sat down and I started cutting.  He tried to coach me through that first cut, and I figured I knew what I was doing--after all, I had watched the video.  After awhile, whether it was my poor listening skills, or his poor coaching, the hair was cut to a satisfactory level and we didn't talk to each other until late the next day.  I figured that would be the one and only cut, but about 5 weeks later Jeff asked me to cut his hair again.  I was a little surprised, but agreed and it went much better.  The third time, I gave Jeff a buzz cut with scissors.  I learned a little bit each time and with his patience, I finally was able to do a pretty decent job.  I have now cut my husband's hair for over 15 years, and my boys have only had mom cuts.  I don't hire out, I only know how to cut one head shape one way.  But I do admit it has been nice to know how to cut my boys' hair.  It has saved us a lot of time and money over the years. 

Learning a new skill takes time to build it to proficiency.  It also takes a lot of patience both from yourself and your family.  But, if the skill provides a need and helps you become more self-sufficient, I think it is totally worth it.

Cutting hair may not be on your list of skills to learn, but maybe learning more about yard work, auto maintenance, housekeeping, or some other needed skill that you currently outsource would be doable.

I CHALLENGE YOU to think about learning a new skill you could learn to help your family become more self reliant

SAVING FOR A RAINY DAY

As we have moved around this grand country of ours, the concept of rain has changed everywhere we have lived.  In Northern Virginia, some years our garden flooded when we got more rain than Seattle.  In Colorado, we could expect an afternoon thundershower almost every summer afternoon.  Here, my little kids don't even know what rain is.

No matter where you live, having some extra money put away is always a good idea.  Our family has leaned toward the Dave Ramsey method of "emergency funds."  (I receive no monetary or product reimbursement from Dave, I just think many of the things he says make sense).  So, fan of Dave Ramsey or not, I am going to tap into a couple of his ideas for this post.

In Dave's "baby steps," he lists having a $1,000 emergency fund as the #1 financial priority.  If you need to use this money, make sure it is an emergency.  Christmas is not an emergency, that comes once a year and you can plan for it.  This is for if the car breaks and needs fixing or an unexpected health cost, etc.  I like this concept because it give a small cushion for life's unexpected happenings (which always seem to happen).  If it is used, be sure to pay it back as soon as possible so that it is always available.

Baby Step #3 is to set aside 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund.  I think this concept is extremely smart as it protects against bigger unexpecteds and allows one to be self-reliant in case of a job loss, disability, death, large medical cost, relocation need, and much more.  I have always thought that to help this 3-6 months of money last longer, a healthy food storage plan is helpful.  (Remember last week?).  If an event happens that my family will need to live on this emergency fund, we likely would need to live off of it for an unknown period of time and my goal would be to help it stretch as long as possible.

I often think of the advice the church gives when it comes to families in need:  Use all the resources you have first, enlist extended family help second, and ask the church for help third--and after all other options have been exhausted. 

Planning for the day when we need extra financial help is not only smart, it is responsible.

I challenge you to take a look at your budget with your husband and family and find a way to incorporate saving for a rainy day.   A $1,000 emergency fund should be established fairly quickly, but saving the 3-6 months of expenses will not happen overnight.  It will take thoughtfulness and diligence, but it is possible. 

DO THE MATH

I like things concrete.  I like to plan and have a way to execute that plan. I like to set a goal and have a way to accomplish it.  The phrase, "Get your food storage" is somewhat vague.  Early in our marriage, I tried to gather a little of this or that but never really knew if I was "there."

I was so excited when one Sunday we were handed a copy of a letter from the First Presidency outlining basic food storage needs.  These are foods that would "be required to keep [members] alive if they did not have anything else to eat." The letter also states that "When member have stored enough of these essentials to meet the needs of their family for one year, they may decide to add other items that they are accustomed to using day to day" (January, 2002).  These food and amounts are per person:

•  Grains 400 lbs. 
•  Legumes (dry beans, split peas, lentils, etc.) 60 lbs. 
•  Powdered milk 16 lbs. 
•  Cooking Oil 10 qts. 
•  Sugar or honey 60 lbs 
• Salt 8 lbs. 
•  Water (2 weeks) 14 gal. 

In the May 2006 Ensign, these guidelines were published again along with portion percentages.  Basically,  kids under 3 eat half the amounts, ages 4-6 70%, ages 7-10 90%, and ages 11 and up 100% (though I have also heard to do 150% for teens).

I have used these numbers and guidelines often during the last 17 years.  The needs for our family has changed, but it has been nice to be able to concretely do the math to know where I need to be for a start.

I guarantee you will want more than this list if you really did have to live off of your food storage for any period of time.  But, I do feel like this gives a really great start to where you need to be.  

Once you determine how much you need, the next step is where to buy it.  

If you want to buy it in one swoop and have it all packaged for you, Rainy Day Foods is a great resource.  They have  everything!  Shipping can get a little pricey, but if you find several families that want to do a bulk order, that would help on shipping costs.  Emergency Essentials also has some great pre-packaged options.  

If you are willing to package the food yourself, there are some great local options:

• WinCo (my personal favorite).  You can get anything they sell in their bulk section in a box or bag (even at a discount).  You can order online and have it delivered to the store, or you can order with customer service.  Be aware, they only take cash, debit, or checks.  Locations are in Temecula, Oceanside, and San Marcos.
• Church Cannery.  They have several of the basics that you can buy in bags.  They are located in Murrieta at 25855 Jefferson Ave #3H or in San Diego at 4722 Mercury Ave (which is close to the Costco Business Center).
• Costco.  I have found that White Flour, Sugar, Pinto Beans, and Rice are less expensive here.  In Kearny Mesa area, there is a Costco Business Center that has many different things that are available in bulk--think black beans, lentils, caramel, and more!

I challenge you to do the math.  Find out how much of the basic food storage items you need for your family.  Make a plan to get your food storage, either all at once or set a monthly goal.  Make sure you store it safely in the right containers, and be sure to rotate.  If you know you won't eat it, don't store it. Store extras of what your family likes the most.  Most of all, start storing something.

DISASTER PLAN

Did you feel the earthquake Tuesday?  I heard it more than I felt it.  Living in California has taught me that no two earthquakes are the same.  I was surprised that it was so big, a 3.8.

It seems there are fires all around us.  When my kids smell the smoke outside, they always come in worried that we will be evacuated again. 

In the mail today, I got a copy of San Diego County's Personal Disaster Plan.  In my email inbox this afternoon, I got an email from my insurance company with "California wildfires - tips to help you prepare" in the subject line.  They had a link that went to a website with a lot of really good information.  In the email, they also had some good suggestions:  

• Gather important documents, medications and valuables in case you need to evacuate quickly   • Take exterior photos of your entire home in case you need to file a claim later   • Register with your insurance company to manage your claim experience online   • If you've been evacuated, please call us about possible additional living expense reimbursement Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I CHALLENGE YOU to take a look at one of the links above and use them to help you prepare your family for our next disaster, whatever it may be.  Being prepared is a big step to not being afraid, because "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

BOOK OF MORMON PREPAREDNESS

I was totally planning on doing a very temporal preparedness post this week.  I had been thinking about earthquake preparedness and safety as well as water storage,  but something jumped out at me in my scripture study that just cannot be ignored. Plus there was that little nudge by the Holy Ghost that said, "This is it. "  So, either I or some (hopefully all) of you need this right now.  Please read with a prayer in your heart that you will feel The Holy Ghost whisper to your heart and mind the things that you should do.

The Book if Mormon was written for us, for our time, for our challenges, and to help us come closer to God.  Every story and every chapter were perfectly placed to teach each of us something.  

Mormon spends 2 whole chapters telling us about Amalekiah (Alma 46-47).  We learn a lot about him, specifically that he had a goal...and he would rest at nothing until his goal was obtained.  He wanted to be king of a people.   When he was unsuccessful at becoming king of the Nephites, he turned his attention to becoming king of the Laminates.  He stopped at nothing to achieve his goal.  He used trickery, flattery, murder, and lies.  And he was successful.  

Mormon also spends a significant amount of time.telling us about Captain Moroni (Alma 43, 44, 46, 48).  We know he was a talented Captain,  that he had a strong sense of right, and that he hated bloodshed.  He had a testimony of Jesus Christ and was willing to defend that testimony with weapons and his life.  He shared his testimony and reminded the Nephites what was important: our God, our religion and freedom, our peace, and our families.

These two men had many encounters, but what struck me was what happened before they met for the second time.  "Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful unto the Lord their God" (Alma 48:7).  

The Book of Mormon goes on to say that Moroni prepared his Cities, strengthened the armies, erected forts, and made their previously weak spots strengths.  "And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians" (Alma 48:10).

Moroni knew Amalekiah was out there.  He knew what this wicked man was capable of, and he knew that Amalekiah was out to destroy everything the Nephites believed in.  He knew that his people needed to be prepared, not only physically, but also faithfully for the long, bloody war that was about to come.  

Sisters, we are also at war.  This war began in the premortal life.  We chose then to follow our Savior and to fight against the devil and his angels.  Satan has been preparing for a long time, seeking to overthrow the kingdom and to rule over us.  He is using deceit, flattery, and lies, hoping to murder the souls of those belonging to the Betallion of God.  He wants us, he wants our husbands, and he wants our children.

But Jesus Christ also wants us, our husbands, and our children.  He needs us to prepare, to strengthen ourselves to defend our God, our religion and freedom, our peace, and our families.  

For each of us, this will look a bit different.  It may take the form of significant conversations, teaching our sons the evils of pornography and helping them have a plan for when (not if) they encounter it.  It may look like having important conversations with our daughters about the sanctity of life and the miracles that happen when procreative powers are used appropriately,  and help them make a plan for when (not if) the temptations come to sell themselves short.  Preparation may look like teaching a stubborn 2 year old to fold his arms during prayers, or helping a 7 year old learn the Articles of Faith before baptism.

Personal preparation is vital also was we read and study the scriptures, pray fervently, attend the temple, and seek the Lord's guidance to make our weaknesses become strengths. (I have also heard that if couples will regularly do these things together, it will strengthen marriages and tie them together more firmly).  

I CHALLENGE YOU to know, by personal revelation and the power of the Holy Ghost,  what you need to do to prepare yourself, your husband, and your children against the onslaught of Satan.  Yes, it's that important.

BEFORE THE TIME OF PREPARATION HAS PAST

I hate to sound like a broken record, but after reading President Ballif's email this morning, I am feeling compelled to write about fire again.

In our two evacuations I have learned that things can happen really fast.  When the call comes to evacuate, the Prep time is over...ready or not, you have to go.

Please read over at least 1 of my previous posts about fire.  You can read them here, here, and here.

I CHALLENGE YOU to choose at least 1 thing to do today just in case those winds stir up a little too much excitement.  I will be putting together my list of things to grab if I have 10 minutes or less.  I would be in big trouble if I forgot my baby's transplant meds!

FIRE SEASON

Ready or not, here it is.  We had warm Santa Anna winds earlier this week and along with that came fire warnings.  I was always told that October is the biggest fire month.  With warm days and dry grass, it usually is not a matter of if, but when and where the next fire will erupt.  And it doesn't happen just in October.  We have been evacuated in May and December.  Two years ago, I believe the statistic was that 97% of our ward was evacuated in the Lilac Fire.  It can be pretty scary.

So, now is the time to be prepared.  There are a lot of things you could do, but I'll give just a few ideas that you can do quickly.  You can refer to this post, ( http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/08/last-week-we-drove-to-motherland-i.html?m=1)  and this one (https://byesboos.blogspot.com/2017/12/firewhat-we-learned-and-what-to-do.html?m=1) for other (and yes, more of the same) ideas.  Prepare as much as you feel you are able. Pick 1 or 2 things to do every week for a month (or longer!), and do not procrastinate.

(1) Talk about wildfire as a family.   Establish a meeting place if evacuation takes place and phone lines are down.  Know where you will evacuate to.  Designate a friend or family member within a reasonable distance to stay overnight with if needed. Talk to them about your plan.  If you plan to stay at a hotel, know ahead of time where you will go.  Review "worst case scenario" situations and how your family will deal with them.  

(2)  Gather vital records and insurance documents in an easy to grab and go manner.  Some prepare emergency binders, some have a portable file box that is easy to take quickly.

(3)  Make a list of important items you need to take if you are evacuated.  Put the most important items on the top and go down the list from there.  You may have 10 minutes, and you may have an hour to evacuate.   Your brain will turn off in an emergency, a list helps to make sure you don't forget and it gives clarity and focus.  Ideas are medications, diapers and baby food, your 4 year old's blanket he will not sleep without, vital documents, etc. Keep this list somewhere very easy to find, like taped to the inside of a kitchen cabinet.

(4)  Prepare your yard.  San Diego Fire requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures.   Keep weeds, grasses, etc mowed down. 

(5)  Prepare grab and go kits.  72 hour kits, complete with Pajamas and a change of clothes are great.  At least have a bag ready with food, water, and maybe a game or other time-passing item.  A car kit with food and water is a good idea too.  If you have mice around, like I do, consider getting cans of food with easy open tops.   Don't forget plastic silverware.   I promise if you are stuck in traffic, a cold can of soup will taste wonderful.

(6)  Store sentimental items in plastic bins.  Most of our homes are equipped with fire sprinklers, so we may come home to water as well as fire damage.  The water may save our homes, and plastic bins may save our stuff.

(7)  Close the windows.   Most homes burn from the inside out as embers are sucked into the house through open windows or roof vents.  San Diego building codes changed after the 08 fires to prevent attic vents from sucking in embers (make sure you get the newer vents if you plan on reroofing).  You cannot always control the vents, but you can control your windows. 

(8)  In the event of evacuation, tell your ministering sisters/brothers where you are going.  Also check in on those you minister to.  If you know the fire is close to a certain member, and you do not minister to them, please DO NOT call them.  Texting is OK, but they are probably trying to evacuate and getting phone calls from half the ward is distracting and hinders what they need to get done (ask me how I know...).  They will appreciate your texts and feel your love.

(9) Register your cell phone with the local reverse 911 service.  This provides information you want to know...like when it is time to leave and when you can go back home.

Of course, there is always more, but I CHALLENGE YOU to choose at least 3 things to do now to be prepared when fire comes.

MINDFUL SPIRITUAL PREPARATION

General Conference is in just a few short weeks.  We also have the blessing of having the Women's session this Conference.  Last year's prophetic council to the sisters of the church helped me in more ways than I could have ever imagined.  

President Nelson encouraged us sisters to read the Book of Mormon, specifically making note of the scriptures that talk about Jesus Christ.  I was slow starting, but with yellow pencil in hand, I read and I marked and felt like I was closer to my Savior than I had been for awhile.  I did not realize at the time how much I would need to draw on this newfound strength just a few short weeks after finishing the Book of Mormon.

Preparing for spiritual experiences takes time.  Actively praying and studying is an important part, but as I was reading this morning, a couple verses jumped out at me as another way to prepare:  Alma 7:15-16 states, "Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

     And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me."

After reading these verses, it hit me that our daily actions of repenting and keeping the commandments also help us to prepare.  

I have found that as I do my part, expecting spiritual experiences and preparing for them, I am never disappointed.

General Conference will be great whether or not you come prepared, but I know that it can be life-changing if you put forth the effort to receive all that Heavenly Father has for you.

In addition to repentance and obeying the commandments, you can find some more Conference Prep ideas here (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/10/recharge-weekend-ahead.html?m=1) and here (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/03/come-with-question.html?m=1)

I CHALLENGE YOU to find ways to prepare to receive the word of the Lord. They do not need to be elaborate or take a ton of time.  I promise the the mindful effort you do put forth will be multiplied by the blessings and answers you receive.  

PREPARING FOR RAIN

One of my family's favorite movies is Facing The Giants, a Christian film about a High School Football coach who can't seem to do anything right.  In one part, an old fan who prays for the students in the school tells the coach a story and asks a question:  There were two farmers who desperately prayed for rain, but only one went out and prepared his fields to receive it.  Which do you think trusted God to send the rain?

I guarantee each of us is praying fervently for help.  I know often I have wanted Heavenly Father to just answer my prayer in one quick fix.  But most of the time, He doesn't work that way.  There is usually something we can do to help out.  I am reminded of the scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 "...it is by grace we are saved after all we can do."

The Lord expects us to act.  This is a gospel of doing!  I guarantee Heavenly Father is eager to help us, but we have to show faith by preparing to receive his blessings. 

I challenge you to think about what you need most desperately.  I am sure you are already praying for it.  But think of what you can DO.  How can you prepare your fields to receive the rain?

As a side note:  This is Conference Weekend!  It is a great time to make sure you have new batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 

SMALL CONTAINER GARDENING

I have a confession.  I am not a gardner.  My husband is the one that loves to garden and grow things.  It is because of him that we have 200 fruit trees, a large garden, and other stuff growing.  He is always the one to instigate planting the garden and the one to remind us to pick and process.  We all help, but he loves it.  I've learned a bit along the way, so hopefully I can share.

I had a request recently for some container-type gardening (Hey Jennie!).  This type of gardening works great if you are renting, have a small yard, want to keep things a little more contained, or just plain don't want to dig up a patch of your yard.  My grandpa would always grow tomatoes in big pots around his yard, so I knew it worked.  I pulled out a little pinterest fun and was blown away!  So, I guess this container gardening thing is a big deal!

Based on my limited research and experience, I'll try to outline a basic container-type garden that you can easily do. 

(1) The Container.  Get one bigger than you think you will need.  It can be a big terra-cotta pot, a decorative plastic pot from Home Depot, or one you make yourself.  Last year, my husband had a bunch of 2x6s that he did not have a use for, so he made garden boxes to put throughout the yard.  Make sure your container can drain.  Most pots do have a hole in the bottom for drainage, this is good.  With our garden boxes, we put 1/4" mesh across the bottom instead of a solid bottom.  Adding some small rock or gravel to the bottom of your container will also help with drainage.

(2) Soil Prep.  Some suggest to use a "soilless" material for the dirt.  This keeps it moist and resists compaction.  A good potting mix would also work.  And if you use just dirt from your yard, we are lucky that San Diego soil is decomposed granite, which drains beautifully (as opposed to clay soil that would cause problems in your planter).  Whichever way you choose, adding some compost (maybe a "shovelfull") will also add nutrients to your mix.  Mix in a bit of granular organic fertilizer before planting.

(3) Supports.  Some plants will need supports such as tomato cages for tomatoes and trellis for climbing beans. 

(4) Plant.  It is a bit easier to start when you have a plant already growing.  You can buy "starts" at Lowe's. Home Depot, and WalMart, season permitting.  There are several local nurseries that are typically cheaper than the big box store that also carry these.  You can also easily start seeds inside by planting them in soil--my great-grandma would do this in egg cartons.  We have had great luck here just planting seeds directly into the soil because the climate is so great.  Some of the best plants to start with would be  potatoes, chard, lettuce, cherry and bush tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, summer squash, zucchini, Asian greens, pole beans, and herbs.  Some seed companies even have a section of seeds appropriate for container gardening. 

(5) Taking care of your plants.  Find a sunny spot to place your container (I maybe should have put this first...it will be a lot lighter without dirt, rocks, and plants in it!).  Most vegetables need about 60% sunlight per day.  Plan to water your plants at least twice a day, or use a self watering planter to keep it wet.  Watch it closely as vegetables need a consistent water supply.  Fertilize weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer.

Hopefully the harvest will make it all worth it.  But there is something about getting your hands a little dirty and growing some of your own food that makes you (and your family) appreciate the gifts God gives us. 

Living in San Diego County is awesome for gardening because you can do it year-round.  There are a few things that grow better in different months, but to start out, I recommend planting something . your family will like.  If you want something to grow really fast, radishes are a winner!

There are so many great resources online for doing container gardening.  I particularly liked these two websites:  The Farmer's Almanac and Gardener's Supply Company.

I challenge you to plant something edible.  Take care of it, watch it grow, and share the "fruit" of your labors with someone you love.

PRESERVING FOR A FUTURE DAY

As a young mom, I served in my ward's Relief Society Presidency.  It was an amazing learning experience and I loved the sisters I served with.  Our Relief Society President used to talk about her past "lives" and how she used to do things, but had let go of them to do other things.  It is crazy to think that now I am about the same age she was when I first knew her.  It is a little humbling to realize that I am an "old mom" and that now I also think about my past lives and have to make a decision every day how to spend my time. 

In one of my past lives, I was a canner.  Every year we would coincide our summer Utah trip so that we would come back home to Denver in the height of peach/pear season on Colorado's Western Slope.  We would stop and buy boxes of peaches and pears, squishing our kids into the smallest possible spaces to make room for fruit.  Then we would spend the next several days canning, usually while trying to help babies and small children resume a regular nap routine. 

Fast forward to now when we have our own fruit trees and a bunch of fruit that needs processing.  We canned a bit our first couple years in California, but then soon realized that there is always something growing, so fresh fruit is always available.  We did not eat our canned fruit because who wants canned when something else is fresh? 

Living on our "farm" with 200 fruit trees, grapes, blackberries, and a garden usually gives us a pretty good variety of food year-round.  We try to eat as much as possible, process some, and give away some too.  Today, I thought I would share some of our "preserving techniques" in what we have learned the last few years. 

Canning:  Ok, we still do a little.  We can pickles with our home-grown cucumbers, and I have canned pickled beets.  These are 2 things you do have to can to get the right flavor.

Jam:  In June we pick blackberries like crazy, just over a gallon a day at their peak.  We freeze some in ziploc bags to make pies and have on top of our oatmeal in the mornings, but the majority get made into freezer jam.  My kids love it and if we have especially yummy pancakes, we can go through a pint in one meal.  We also put up guava freezer jam in the fall as that is usually when our guavas hit peak production and our blackberry jam is running low. 

Saucing:  Our Applesaucer definitely gets the most miles at our house.  It is a hand-cranked contraption that separates seeds/skins from fruit.  I used to use it when I canned applesauce (in another life), but now we use it to sauce our soft guavas.  We put the sauce in ice cube trays, freeze it,  and use the guava to make smoothies.  Many of our babies have loved eating the guava sauce.  My nephew used to clammor for "globa."  I also use our saucer to puree our pumpkins (post-Halloween--after they are cooked) and if we have an abundance of cherry tomatoes, I will also make them into tomato sauce.  (Freezing both after processing)

Juicing:  The grapes and hard guava we can't eat gets juiced.  It is usually a weekly event and we have produced up to 5 gallons of guava juice in one week.  We drink it for about every meal until it is gone, then it's about time to juice some more!

Citrus Juicing:  We tend to pick most of our citrus just as we need it, but there are times when the lemons and limes get a bit overloaded.  We juice a bunch at a time and freeze the juice in ice cube trays.  It makes for a quick pitcher of lemonade or limeade!

Freezing:  With our own trees and garden, it is often hard to get a big quantity of something to can.  The freezer has become our friend.  As tomatoes are ripe (and too much for us to eat), I wash them, cut out the stem part and any bad parts, and throw them in the freezer in Ziploc bags.  When it is time to use them, I just run them under hot water and the skins come right off...awesome for use in soups or spaghetti sauce.  I have also frozen zucchini, though it doesn't freeze great.  If I grate it, I can make zucchini bread.  If I slice it, It doesn't taste too bad in soups. 

I know I haven't covered everything, but these are some of the methods we use to preserve our food past its season.  I rarely buy fruit or vegetables at the store and with our awesome growing climate, it isn't too hard to grow something, even if it is only in a little pot.

I challenge you to find something to grow...plant more than you think you will need and find a way that is easy for you to preserve the excess.  You will be amazed at the satisfaction you will feel when you pull it from the freezer or your shelf.  It's a great feeling!

TWO SIDES OF SERVICE

I feel like I should introduce myself.  So many have moved into the ward in the last 6 months.  Welcome to all of you!  I'm RaeLyn Stoddard, homeschooling mama of 9, and my calling is the Relief Society Provident Living Specialist--in short, it's my job to help you be prepared.  I used to include a weekly "blurb" in the Grapevine faithfully every week.  My hope was to inspire my sisters to be prepared in a number of areas.  You can read my past preparedness ideas on my "multipurpose blog" at www.byesboos@blogspot.com

Just over 6 months ago, we had a major life change.  Our 9th baby, Eliana, was born 6.5 weeks early with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome--basically half a heart.  We knew her diagnosis before birth, and planned on a regular delivery with a repair surgery taking place her first week of life, and bringing her home after a 4-week hospital stay.  Life rarely goes as planned.  I could write a book about our journey, but I'll give the short version.  With Eliana's premature and stressful birth along with more heart problems than anyone could have foreseen, Eliana's journey included a miracle Heart Transplant when she was just 6 weeks old and weighing less than 5 lbs, making her the smallest baby to receive a transplant in San Diego County.  We spent almost 4 months in the CVICU at Rady Children's Hospital and were blessed by so many people who worked tirelessly to help our little one.  Even after transplant there were many issues for her to overcome, some that we are still working on.  Now we are 5 months post-transplant and she is doing amazingly well.  I won't lie, there are still really hard days and I still cry, but hard days and tears are slowly getting fewer and farther between.

I share this as most of my preparedness posts have to do with what I personally am thinking about, and events like this are life-changing.  I am seeing "life" differently and hope that I have become a better person and learned things along the way.  Heavenly Father has amazing things in store for us.  It is up to us to us to discover and live up to our mission.

So, back to preparedness...I thought about talking about earthquakes, we covered that about a year ago.  Fire season is around the corner, and I have talked about that too, here and here.  Preparedness topics are endless, but today, I feel like service is what we need to prepare for.

It seems like it is usually easy to serve, not necessarily convenient, but relatively easy.  I have often kept a freezer meal in my freezer, ready to go for someone in need.  It was easy to do the grocery shopping for my brother-in-law's family for the first year after they had their twins. Sometimes it wasn't so easy to help someone pack up their house when they needed to move or watch an overly-tired 2 year old for a friend, but do-able.

Over the last 9 months, our family has been the recipient of so much amazing and heartfelt service.  From meals, groceries, prayers, texts, cards, and so much more, it has truly been humbling.  Sometimes I have felt that so many others deserve the help so much more than we do, but whenever it has come, we have been so grateful.

Service has two sides: one is the ability to give the other is the ability to receive.   Our church is a church of service, and easy or not we need to be prepared to help when called upon.  Sometimes that call comes from a compassionate service leader, and sometimes it comes from a still small voice whispering to us what needs to be done.   For many (myself included!) the harder part is being able to accept help.  I think being able to accept that help also comes in different ways:  the Relief Society President telling you the ward will help, or again, a still small voice that whispers that it will be OK and yes, you need this right now...and even asking for help is OK.

Chances are, life will find us on both sides of the service spectrum at one point or another.

Preparedness is different for every person and every family.  I challenge you to think about where you are, what the Lord wants, and what you are able to do to serve others.  Also think about how you can allow others to serve you.

The One Year Challenge

In April 2018, Bishop Parkinson asked Brother LeBlanc and I to do a 5th Sunday lesson on preparedness.   In this meeting, I challenged members of our ward to have a year's supply of food by May 1, 2019.  Did you do it? (Does  anyone remember that I gave this challenge?).  I am a little slow I  the follow-up department,  but I want to encourage you again to be prepared!  The reasons are many.  We have dug into our long term storage these last few months just in the sheer fact that Mom is not doing the grocery shopping, and we simply are not buying quite as much food as we usually do. 

Every month last year, I gave ideas on what to get to incrementally store the basics.  I hope that you did it...and even if you did not, here are the posts I did to help you.  It is never too late to start!

May:  Salt (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/04/long-term-storage-month-1.html?m=1
June: Fats (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/05/long-term-storage-month-2.html?m=1)
July:  Containers (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/06/july-long-term-storage-goal.html?m=1)
August: Grains (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/08/long-term-storage-goal-month-4-grains.html?)
September: Beans (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/09/long-term-storage-month-4-beans.html?m=1)
October: Sugar & Honey (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/10/making-life-sweet.html?m=1)
November:  Milk (http://byesboos.blogspot.com/2018/10/long-term-storage-milk.html?m=1)

These few items make up the building blocks of a good home storage.  Of  course, it is important  that you learn how to use these items so that when the time comes to rotate or live off the stores you will be able to do it.  Our family constantly eats off of our food storage, so I try to do at least an annual inventory. 

I challenge you to build your home storage.  Get it to a state where you feel prepared to feed your family if you need to.  I promise you will not regret it. 

WHAT KIND OF FAITH DOES IT TAKE?

During the first few weeks after our little Eliana's birth, I thought much about what it takes to be healed.  I was reading the gospels in the New Testament and it was humbling to remember Jesus's miracles and those he healed.  I read of those who asked to be healed, those who were in the right place to be healed, and those who refused to be healed by Jesus Christ.  As I walked the halls of the Rady Children's Hospital CVICU (Cardio Vasular Intensive Care Unit), I thought about these miracles and thought about what it would be like if our Savior could walk those halls and heal all the children with heart defects, how amazing would that be!  I compared the miracles of the New Testament with the coming of the Savior to the Nephites.  Jesus healed all of the Nephites, every single one.  I compared the faith of those in Jerusalem to those at the Nephite Temple.  It is a humbling thing to think that the Nephites had such faith that they were all healed, yet none of them asked Jesus to heal them.  Then I compared their faith to mine.

Before Eliana was born, I prayed fervently that her heart defect would be miraculously healed and that we would not have to deal with surgeries and hospital stays.  I hoped for a "miracle baby" that our baby would just have the problem taken away.  I felt that I had enough faith that it could happen.  There came a point when I felt a little rebuked, I felt that was not something I should be praying for.  It was then that I realized that this trial would not be taken away, but one that we would face head-on.  But, we had studied our baby's condition and knew exactly what to expect, what surgeries would be performed, and when.  We prepared ourselves for an end-of February delivery, a successful first surgery the first week of March, and a 4-5 week hospital stay. 

No matter how well-laid our plans are, sometimes things turn out different.  Eliana was born the middle of January, her heart had many more problems than we knew about including coronary artery fistula and ischemia (both very bad things) in addition to the hypoplastic left heart, She went through two open-heart procedures in 5 days, went on ECMO (life support) twice, and we have just entered month 4 of our hospital stay. 

I have watched kids be emergently admitted to the CVICU, I have watched families process the news that their child had a heart problem.  I have talked with other parents who were anticipating a procedure, and we had conversations after surgery.  I pray for the kids I know about (and those I don't know much about), and have prayed with parents, nurses, and doctors.  I watch kids go home, and I see kids be re-admitted.  And, I have watched our little girl with unimaginable strength endure things in the first 3 months of her life that most people will not be asked to go through in their entire lifetime.  I was talking with one of our Cardiac Intensivist Physicians the other day and she told me that at the end of the day, hope and faith makes the most difference. 

If you were to ask me what I have learned the most during this whole experience (that is not over yet!),  I would tell you that having unshakeable faith is the most important thing.  When we met with the hospital Social Worker to complete the Heart Transplant Evaluation, she asked us what was keeping us going, commenting that our strength and composure was something she does not often see.  Our answer was simple, faith.  So much faith was needed:  Faith to trust doctors, nurses, and therapists who know so much more than I do.  Faith to know that life is in the Lord's hands.  Faith to remember that families are forever.  Faith to face death.  Faith for a miracle to happen.  Faith to keep having hope when everything in your head tells you there is none.  Faith to make it though the hard days.  Faith to pray when it is not entirely clear what to pray for.  Faith to move forward knowing life will never be the same.

We did get our "miracle baby."  Not the way I originally wanted or hoped for, but the way that it was supposed to be.  By all statistics and data, Eliana should not have survived.  She should not have gotten a new heart, and her chances of survival if she did get one were still small.  Heart Transplant is not a cure, but rather trading something we cannot control, for something we can.  Our sweet girl has been amazing, and still has much more to endure in her mortal life.  And it will constantly require faith in our future. 

Has our faith strengthened through this experience?  Absolutely.  Would we still have faith if things had not turned out so well?  I hope that we would.  I admit that there were times when a bit of doubt and discouragement crept in, but I was able to dispel these thoughts because of the faith I have in my Savior.  I know life-experiences like ours have the potential to turn people closer to our Heavenly Father, or to turn them away. 

It is hard to understand why life sometimes turn out the way we think it should, and other times the pain and grief is overwhelming when our prayers are not answered.  I don't know why some kids make it, and some kids don't.  Every day I think about our donor family who gave us such a wonderful gift, knowing the cost that came with it.  My heart aches for them and I pray that they will faithfully come to the Lord to receive the peace that only He can give.

As I have processed thoughts and emotions these last 3 months, I realize that without faithfully preparing, this experience could have broken me.  I feel certain that building my faith through years of scripture study, prayer, church and temple attendance, service, and never giving up is the only way I was to make it.  Daily testimony building and trust in the Lord's plan is the only way to receive the faith I needed to make it through watching my little one go through so much.  Life isn't over, I know I will need to continue building my faith for the days ahead.

I plead with you to think about your faith, consider your relationship with your Heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ.  Pray to increase your faith and ask how to make it grow.  Write down the answers you receive through the gift of the Holy Ghost, then act on them.  More faith is needed for us to remain faithful in these Latter-Days.  You don't know the trials that await you that will require more faith than you ever thought possible.  Prepare now.

72 HOUR KIT FOOD ROTATION

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I went through a home purge, trying to get rid of anything and everything I didn't need anymore.  Stacked up in my pantry were 72 hour food kits I had assembled in 2005.  They were sealed in mylar bags and had not been opened.  Just to see, I opened one and my first thought was, "what fun snacks!"  Then I realized that everything was useless.  I have seen rocks softer than the fruit snacks in that kit.  I was grateful that I did not have to rely on those nasty old snacks in time of an emergency!

Well my friends, it has been 10 months since many of us put our 72 kits together.  When we assembled them, Sister Clark told me how excited she was to rotate the food.  That time is now!  I like to rotate at a specific time yearly so I can remember.  I am choosing April Conference as my rotation time.  The food in your current kit should still be good, so break out those kits and have a movie night to eat all your snacks.

If you did not make kits with us last year, but would like a jumping off point, this is it!  

My goal is to give you all the resources to buy food for your 72 hour kits.  I am going off of what we put in our kits last year, but feel free to customize to what your family likes and adjust to any health needs that have changed.  I did buy in bulk, the quantities will likely give you more than you will need for just your family's kits.  Get together with another family to buy together, or plan to have a lot of fun snacks left over.  Ready? here we go...

I got everything from Amazon, Walmart.com, target.com, and Costco

Here are my shopping lists :

COSTCO

1 L water bottles (each kit needs 2)

Nature Valley Biscuit

Fruit Leather

Quaker chewy granola bars (each kit needs 2)

Kirkland trail mix individual packets

Nature Valley crunchy granola bar

Kirkland Applesauce squeeze bags

Goldfish crackers individual bags

AMAZON.COM

Annie's Bunnies (3 bags per kit)

Slim Jims (4 per kit)

Fig Newtons (2 per kit)

Soft Baked Breakfast Bar

Breakfast Cookie

Tuna and Crackers

Fruit Snacks

Peanuts

WALMART.COM

Yogurt Raisins (5 per kit)

Peanut Butter Cups  ( 2 per kit )

Animal Crackers (4 per kit)

Craisins

TARGET.COM

Hi Chew candies (9 per kit)--No longer available, substitute with your favorite candy, 3 pieces for each day.  

Our kits included 3 days worth of food, here are the menus for each day:

Day #1

Breakfast: Nature Valley Biscuit, Annie’s Bunnies, 2 yogurt raisins

Lunch: peanut butter and animal crackers, fruit leather

Dinner: 4 Slim Jims, 2 chewy granola bars, Fig Newtons  3 Hi Chew Candies

Day #2

    Breakfast: soft baked breakfast bar, Annie’s Bunnies, Craisins

    Lunch: trail mix, Annie’s Bunnies, Fig Newtons

    Dinner:  peanut butter & animal crackers, crunchy granola bar,  2 yogurt raisins, 3 Hi-Chew Candies

Day #3

   Breakfast: breakfast cookie, animal crackers, applesauce

    Lunch: tuna & crackers, Goldfish, fruit snacks

    Dinner: bag of peanuts, animal crackers, yogurt raisins, 3 Hi-Chew Candies

As you rotate your food, also check clothing to make sure everything still fits.  Re-assess needs for each family member, i.e., add medications, take out diapers, add an additional kit, etc. 

I hope you keep your 72 hour kits ready to go at all times, emergencies are hard enough, you don't need an out of date kit with inedible food!

I CHALLENGE YOU to update (or assemble) your 72 hour kits.  If you need a list of what else we put in our kits last year, just ask and I can get you one!