A SUCESSFUL JOURNEY REQUIRES PREPARATION

Our family has just started a new journey, one we did not plan on, and one where we do not know the outcome or the details.  I am learning as we go and I am grateful for every ounce of preparation we have made.

Last spring both my husband and I felt like it was time to have another baby.  This was not a decision I took lightly...actually I fought it.  I took some convincing, but Heavenly Father helped me realize through many profound experiences that this was His will. 

Fast forward to October 8, and we excitedly went to our routine 19-week ultrasound.  I was very excited, wondering if a boy or a girl would break our tie.  During the ultrasound, I noticed that a little more time than usual was spent looking at our little girl's heart.  My suspicions were confirmed when I visited with my doctor and he stated that the heart did not look like it was functioning quite right.  I was sent to Rady Children's hospital for a follow-up fetal ecocardiogram. 

Our Rady's appointment was set for October 26, and after an hour-and-a-half heart ultrasound, and over 160 pictures later, we met with the cardiologist.  I was not quite prepared for the diagnosis--Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a very rare and extremely serious congenital heart defect.  Basically, the entire left side of the heart is underdeveloped and useless.  Without extreme medical intervention the condition is fatal 100% of the time.   What they are able to do with these babies is truly a miracle.  Over the course of 3 surgeries (one during the first week of life, one at 3-6 months, and one at 18 months to 3 years) the entire heart is rebuilt in a different way that allows the right side of the heart to pump all the blood for the body.  The success rate for these procedures are very high and more and more kids are able to live life...though some of it is a little different kind of "normal."

Our family still has a lot of decisions to make and we are trying to wrap our heads around all of this.  But, peace has come and I know all will be OK, though I am still trying to figure out exactly what "OK" means.

So, how does this all fit with Provident Living and Preparedness.  Well, quite a bit.  As I have looked at the last several years and specifically at things we have done to mindfully be prepared, I can point to almost all areas of Provident Living where we have prepared for this, short of pulling out our 72-hour kits.  My husband is prepared with his education and employment so that if a location and job change is necessary, it is possible.  Our finances are in order and we have good insurance.  We have worked hard so that our home is nice and in a sell-able condition.  We have relied on our food storage--including fruit and vegetables we have harvested and stored from our yard, enabling us to still eat our regular food even though trips to the store are not as frequent.  And, we have spiritually prepared ourselves; including being able to receive personal revelation to know the actions our family should take. 

I have always thought that being prepared and self-reliant is they key for us to do whatever we need to do all by ourselves, never asking for a single thing from anyone else.  I can tell you from what I have learned these last weeks that this thinking is dead wrong.  No matter what we are going through, we cannot do it all ourselves.  Relying on our Savior is an essential part of any journey...including this journey called life.  I also was reminded of the power of our ward family.  As meals have trickled in and as I have received hugs and whispers of, "We are praying for you," I feel the strength and love from all of you that has helped buoy us up during this hard time.  I have been humbled as I realize that we can't do everything by ourselves, and it was never intended that we do so. 

With this humility, I ask a special request of my dear sisters.  If you could include our baby girl in your fast this week, I so would appreciate it.  We are praying for healing, that her heart will miraculously be made whole...but if this is not the Lord's will, we are asking for help to know the best place for us to be to give our little one the best chances for her to accomplish her mission here on earth.

Meanwhile, I challenge you to look at the areas of Provident Living:  Education, Emergency Preparedness, Spirituality & Testimony, Employment, Finances, Food Storage, and Gardening & Home Production.  Realize that none of us really know what challenges are in our future, but preparedness in all of these areas will help us weather whatever storm may come.  Pray for insight and help to know where your next preparation focus should be, then act. 

THE DEFINITION OF PROVIDENT

One of the things I learned as a Political Science major many years ago was to  carefully choose words. Especially knowing the exact meaning of words was crucial to convey meaning. 

Often I think about my calling as "Provident Living Supervisor" and pick it apart to understand what it really means. 

Provident is defined as (1) making provision for the future: prudent.  (2) Frugal, Saving.

So, I see it as living in a way to continually prepare for the future while being frugal and saving resources for a rainy day.  And then, not only living this way myself, but helping all of you to live the same way.  Living frugally is not always easy.  It takes effort, vigilance, and constant watchfulness. 

The Church has a Provident Living website that is fantastic.  It has resources on so many topics ranging from education to food storage. 

This week, take a look at this site, find a topic that interests you or maybe just something you would like to learn more about.  Take just 15 minutes or so and read a Conference Talk or look through a pamphlet.  I often feel like Church leaders can say things so much better than I can.  Prayerfully consider one thing you can do to live more providently to prepare for the future. 

RECHARGE WEEKEND AHEAD!

One of the main parts of Provident Living (that's the real title of my calling) is spiritual preparedness.  This may be kind of a different concept to grasp, but as I understand it, it is building your testimony each and every day so that you continually have spiritual stores for those days (weeks, months?) that are just harder than normal.  The thing is though, it is not like wheat where you can store away 400 lbs. and figure you are done for 20 years (though you shouldn't technically do that either).  Spiritual preparedness is everyday prayer, scripture study, pondering, and building a relationship with our Savior.  It is continually working to help our testimony grow and develop.  It takes effort and work, but oh is it worth it!

Spiritual experiences come in one of two ways.  One is a jolt--something amazing and life-changing.  Like an "Alma the Younger" experience.  Funny though, these kinds of sudden changes don't always last (remember Laman and Lemuel?).  The second spiritual experience comes as we put in time and effort to really know.  Just like I said above, it takes everyday, but it sustains us through much.  I think this second way is the best and will help us have the results we need.

This weekend is General Conference.  I see Conference weekend as a time to (mostly) block everything else out and focus on what Heavenly Father wants me to hear.  As sisters, we get to listen to more conference in a 2-day period than we ever have before (5 sessions!).  It is going to be great!  But, then again, I have seen a direct correlation with my pre-conference preparedness and how awesome my experience with Conference is.   As I spend time pondering where I am spiritually, what questions I have, and praying for our general church leadership, I find I am more engaged in Conference and listen more intently when I have done my "spiritual homework" ahead of time. 

On lds.org, there is a great article about learning from General Conference.  I highly recommend reading it and using some of the suggestions to prepare.  It just might help you get through that Sunday afternoon session tired-time.  One more suggestion is to pray for our church leaders.  I think President Ballard especially could use extra prayers at this time with the recent passing of his wife. 

Take advantage of this time with our church leaders.  And if this conference is anything like the last one, we won't want to miss a single minute, or we might not know what has changed!

I challenge you to choose one thing to help you be more prepared for Conference.  I promise the results will be worth it!

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

Many of you may know, this last Sunday, Greg LeBlanc (our Ward Emergency Preparedness Specialist) talked with the Priesthood about an impending earthquake.  The short version is, he felt prompted--many times--to prepare our ward for an earthquake...a big one.

He added the caveat that he hopes he is wrong.  Personally, I think he is right.

Fast forward to Wednesday morning, when there was a 3.5 magnitude earthquake just off of Coronado Island.  And to top it off, yesterday I discovered a report that a study by the Geological Society of America found what is called the Durmid ladder structure at the southern end of the San Andreas fault.  Basically, movement along this area could trigger a large earthquake (possibly magnitude 8.0), devastating Southern California.

Now, even before I learned about the 'new' geological evidence, I trusted that Brother LeBlanc's warning needs some notice.  His calling is to help our ward prepare for an emergency, and he is entitled to revelation on this exact subject.

Now, no need to panic and go crazy!  Heavenly Father has promised us that, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30).  So, let's get prepared!

Back in January, I challenged all of us to put together a 3-minute kit to keep under your bed, tied to a bedpost.  I still think it is a good idea.

Brother LeBlanc gave a handout to the Brothers on Sunday, but I feel like his information is very pertinent and I would like to share it here as well.

LONG TERM STORAGE: MONTH 2

Back in the 90s I worked in a little candy store in the middle of the mall.  I became a pro at making Cotton Candy and Stringing Taffy.  I took the food safety classes (which really only told me not to put meat and produce on the same shelf in the fridge and to rotate food items "first in-first out"), and saved my paychecks for college tuition.  I remember almost all the gummy and sugary candy we got all had the big "Fat Free!" labels.  I realized there was a whole lot of candy that fit right into the fat-free craze.  I thought it was funny that there were people that actually thought that fat free always meant healthy.   Fast forward about 10 years and I was attending Weight Watchers classes.  I loved them and learned a ton about nutrition.  One of the things that stuck out in my mind was that we need fat in our diet.  Now, this is not license to go out and be crazy about French Fries, but the human body does need the right amount of good fats to be at it's peak.

It is suggested to store a minimum of 10 quarts per person of cooking oil for your year's supply.  For my family, that is 95 quarts.  

"Fat" comes in several forms:  Olive oil, Canola oil, Vegetable oil, Coconut oil, Butter, Peanut oil, etc. One thing to remember about fats is that they do have a shorter shelf life and need to be rotated and replaced often.  Because of this, it is important that you choose fats that you know you will use on a regular basis.  Remember that "first in, first out" rule and you will be great.

I challenge you to get enough cooking oil for your family to add to your long-term storage.

If you would like to add a few extras to your storage, I will list some suggestions each month.  Remember the #1 Food Storage Rule:  Store what you Eat and Eat what you Store!

5 lb Peanut Butter and 2 jars of jelly or jam

6 lb pasta for each member of your family

Safety matches, flashlights, batteries

Condiments:  watch for sales and stock up on mustard, ketchup, relish, mayo, salad dressing, soy sauce, etc.

Sleeping Bag or Tent

______________________________________

LONG TERM STORAGE CHALLENGE

Month 1--Salt, 8 lbs per person

WORK SOLVES EVERYTHING

My Brother-in-law has a philosophy:  "Work is the answer to everything."  If you are depressed, go work.  If you are happy, go work.  If you don't feel well, go work.  If you feel great, go work.  If you are hungry, go work.  If you are in trouble, go to work.  I think you get the idea.  I don't fault him, it is kind of how he was raised.  Yup, I married into a family of work-a-holics.  But this concept of hard work is really something I want to instill into my kids' character.  Nothing happens by itself and only through hard work can we attain something great that we are proud of.

This reminds me of the letter President Hinckley's father wrote him after a young Elder Hinckley felt discouraged and wondered if he should continue his mission.  This letter was simple:  “Dear Gordon, I have your recent letter. I have only one suggestion: forget yourself and go to work” (May 1995 New Era).  

Sections 5, 6, and 7 of One for the Money talks about teaching our family, specifically our children about money.  As children work hard to earn money and learn that the family is not a money tree that will just "drop green stuff" every so often.  Instead, they learn how to earn, save, and spend money wisely.  Elder Ashton also suggests that when children contribute to the family welfare, they experience joy and ownership in shared goals.

I challenge you to read these sections and pray about what you can do to help your children (or grandchildren) understand money and become wise stewards over it.  Find a way to teach them that only through hard work and discipline can we achieve our goals.

72 HOUR KITS!

I always thought of 72 hour kits as an item used for when everything else fails.  I envisioned me and my family hiking through the wilderness, rationing water and living on berries as a supplement.  Last December, my thinking changed.  During the Lilac Fire, I realized that a 72-hour kit with basic food, clothes, and supplies would have come in mighty handy.

So, my friends, I hope you are able to benefit from my need.  I am making 72 hour kits for my family and I hope you will join me!  I will have all the items ready, all you need to do is come to assemble your kits!

• When:  Wednesday, June 20, 2018
• Time:  7:00-9:00 p.m.
• Where:  Stake Center Overflow (451 W. Bobier Dr. Vista)
• Cost:  Approximately $45 each.

72-Hour Kits will include:

• Backpack & ID Tag
• Small First Aid Kit
• Personal Supplies
• ChapStick
• Hand Sanitizer 
• Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental Floss
• Washcloth
• Toilet Paper
• Flashlight & Extra Batteries
• Whistle
• Small Notebook & Pen
• Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap
• Ear Plugs
• Plastic Bags
•  Water
• Food for 3 days (About 1500 calories per day, no food needs to be cooked)

I will be sending around a signup this Sunday, but if you know you would like to participate, you can email me at raelynstoddard@gmail.com.  Please include your name, phone number, and how many kits you would like to assemble.

The fine print:  

• If you would like to have kits, but know you will not be able to attend June 20, please arrange for someone (besides me) to assemble your kits for you that night. 
• I am unable to take out items or replace other items.   The kits come "as is."  You will need to purchase the entire kit, then change it to fit your needs.

NaCl

Do you remember much Chemistry?  I don't from my school days, but with a homeschool Chemistry class a few years ago and a daughter currently taking CHEM 100 at Palomar, sometimes chemical topics creep up at dinner.  Sodium Chloride (NaCl--if you are fluent in Periodic Table-ese) is definitely a good dinner topic.   This ionic compound is formed by the neutralization of an acid and a base (Sodium and Chloride) to create what we more commonly call salt.

"Salt is what makes things taste bad when it isn't in them." ~Unknown

So, what's the deal with salt?  Salt not only makes things taste good, but it provides the essential chemicals of Sodium and Chorine that humans need to survive.  It helps with things like brain and nerve function.  Before refrigeration salt was used as a preserver for meats.  And, there are so many different kinds of salt!  From table salt, to pink Himalayan salt, Kosher salt, rock salt, and the list goes on.

But, the bottom line is:  You need salt in your food storage.  At least 8 pounds per person.  

So, now you have salt in your food storage.  How do you use it?  Well, the possibilities are endless.  Aside from regular recipes that call for salt, here are a few ideas:

• Rub gray salt into a prime rib (or other) roast prior to cooking.
• Sprinkle sea salt onto whole potatoes after brushing with olive oil, then bake.
• Make homemade ice cream with Rock Salt to make the ice colder--hence the freezing.
• DIY some flavored salt to add some kick to your recipes (this was totally new to me, but it seems there are several ways to do this, and it doesn't look that hard!).

And if you have a little person in your life, or need a quick birthday present, this is probably my favorite salty recipe:

Play Doh

1 1/2 cups Flour

1/3 cup Salt

2 tsp. Cream of Tarter

1 1/2 c. Water

1 1/2 Tblsp Vegetable Oil

Food Coloring or Kool-Aid Packet

Mix Ingredients (dry then wet) on stove.  Cook over medium heat until it thickens.  Cook 4-6 minutes until if forms into a ball.  Knead.  For something extra fun, knead in a bit of glitter.  Store in airtight bag or container.

LONG-TERM STORAGE: MONTH 1

Are you up to the challenge?

On Sunday I challenged every family in our ward to have a basic year supply of food by May  1, 2019.  I referenced Elder Featherstone from the April 1976 Conference (his talk is the best talk I have heard on food storage EVER--I highly encourage you to read it) and feel strongly that this is something our ward should focus on.

My job (that I love!) is to help you be prepared.  I am available for questions, help, coaching, and whatever you need to help you get your year's supply.  Over the next 12 months, I will be giving monthly guidelines for you to follow.  I promise this is not hard, it just requires a little effort and faith.

As President Hinckley said, “We can begin ever so modestly.  We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months.  I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all.  Begin in a small way…and gradually build toward a reasonable objective.”  

I will give you small, monthly goals that can be met easily. I will give a basic goal, which I hope all will obtain, and also a few suggestions to supplement your storage even more.

May's goal: Salt.

Nutritionists recommend iodized salt when available. I think this is one of the easiest items. It is very inexpensive, requires no extra packaging, and makes everything taste yummy. Any grocery store is a good source to buy salt. Unfortunately, it seems Costco has stopped carrying it, so don't check there.

The minimum suggestion is that you have 8 lbs. of salt for each person. The general rule is that you half the amount for children and plan on 150% for teens. You know your family best, so you can do the math accordingly.

For my family of 10, I will plan for 3 adults, 3, teens, and 4 children; so I multiply amounts by 9.5 for my family. Therefore, I need 76 lbs of salt.

If you would like to add a few extras to your storage, I will list some suggestions each month. Remember the #1 Food Storage Rule: Store what you eat, and eat what you store!

Yeast: 1 lb per person. SAF yeast is the best brand and is vacuum-packed for freshness. I recommend keeping it in the freezer after opening to keep it good. Locally, the places to buy it are WINCO and Costco Business Center (Othello Ave. San Diego).

Dry Soup and Mixes, Crackers

5 lb bag of Popcorn

Garden Seeds and Shovel. If you want "Storage" Seeds, consider an Heirloom pack that can be easily stored in your freezer.

RESULT: HAPPINESS OR MISERY?

Charles Dickens has a way of making his characters come to life.  He was often paid for his books by the word count (hence the reason why most of them are very long).   But he had a knack of putting so much of the timeless every-day-ness of human character into his books, that everyone who reads or watches a Dickens work seems to relate to something or someone and is changed as a result!  One of these "human moments" is when Mr. Micawber gives a young David Copperfield his famous, and oft-quoted, recipe for happiness: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen [pounds] nineteen [shillings] and six [pence], result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery."

In a few more words than Mr. Micawber,  Marvin J. Ashton explains the need for a budget in section 4 of One for the Money.  I encourage you to read section 4 and have a Family Home Evening, sharing your budget with the whole family.    

Making a budget is an important step to financial independence.  Knowing where each dollar is spent and tracking these expenditures gives each family member appreciation to what things cost and how they can help the family to stay in monetary well-being.  The second part to budgeting is a little harder, but even more important: Keeping in the budget.  Every family member should be honest with each other and commit to spend only what is allotted each month.  Arrange time to review your budget with your spouse regularly and make changes as needed.  As we follow this recipe, we can expect the same result Mr. Micawber promises: happiness.

ANSWER TO MY QUESTION

Two weeks ago, we were urged to come to General Conference with a question.  I made my list of questions, and one of them was, "How do I help my family and my ward be more prepared?"

I am not sure anyone was prepared for the amazing prophetic changes made, but I listened to conference with my ears and my heart open for any phrases like, "preparedness" or "self-reliant."  Well, my friends, I was not disappointed.  Sunday morning, Elder Larry Y. Wilson was the first speaker.  He addressed my question head-on when he said, "Being spiritually self-reliant is hearing the Lord's voice through His Spirt for one's own life."  Wow.  He then went on to say, "...being familiar with the voice of the Holy Ghost is a matter of spiritual life and death."

And, if that wasn't enough, just over an hour later, President Nelson also spoke on the importance of personal revelation, and he told us how to receive it:  "Follow the example of the Prophet Joseph. Find a quiet place where you can regularly go. Humble yourself before God. Pour out your heart to your Heavenly Father. Turn to Him for answers and for comfort.  Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will “grow into the principle of revelation.”  

Spiritual self-reliance is a principle that is true, important, and life-saving.  I echo President Nelson, "I urge you to stretch beyond your current spiritual ability to receive personal revelation..."  I also expect to receive our prophet's promise that "...as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord give you, and as you patiently honor the Lord's timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek.  Every blessing the Lord has for you--even miracles--will follow.  That is what personal revelation will do for you."  President Nelson ended his talk with a clear self-reliance statement, "...in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."  

I challenge you to make the decision today and do what President Nelson said, "Do the spiritual work required to enjoy the git of the Holy Ghost and hear the voice of the Spirit more frequently and more clearly."  Read, ponder, and pray about what our living prophet has told us and work to be spiritually self-reliant.  Meanwhile, I also will be working to receive guidance about how to help you be more prepared.

3 MONTHS PREPARED--DONE?

Forgetting your toothbrush is the worst.  I remember so many occasions when that small little thing just did not make it into our "bathroom bag."  When this happens, I can hardly wait to get to the closest store to buy one!  I am sure you can relate!

Over the last few months I hope you have been working to get your 3 month supply.   Here is what we have done so far:

• January:  Plan
• February:  Organize
• March:  Purchase

This month:  Supplement

There are many other items that would help make life easier if we truly could not get to a store for 3 months.  Consider adding these (or other) items to your 3-month supply:  Water, medications, vitamins, TOOTHBRUSHES, Toilet Paper, Paper towels, laundry soap, hygiene supplies, feminine needs, shampoo, soap, etc.  

I challenge you to make a list and purchase (as your budget allows) the 5 most important non-food items to you.  

If you are still on step one, two or three, that's fine.  The important thing is to get started and to keep going until over time, you have a 3-month supply for you and your family.

Remember the church states, “We encourage [you] to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. We ask that you be wise… [and] do not go to extremes... With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” (See All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage).

BUILDING AND USING FOOD STORAGE, SAVING MONEY

This food storage thing has been a passion of mine for awhile now.  Over the years, many friends have asked  my advice on things from what to store to how to use it.  All of it is important.  One day, I got a frantic email from my best friend from college looking for a homemade bread recipe.  She and her husband had just decided to get out of debt and had set their budget accordingly.  She was out of grocery money for the month with several days to go...and no more bread.  I typed up my bread recipe and emailed it off.  A day or two later, she wrote back expressing her many thanks, she made the bread with ingredients she had already and it saved their budget!

This same friend a few months earlier had also asked me how to stretch her grocery budget.  I told her to get her basic food storage.  She was very trusting and bought what I told her to:  flour, wheat, rice, oatmeal, dry beans, powdered milk, pasta, cooking oil, and salt.  She started out buying a little of each item and made sure she always had some on hand.  I then told her to use these items on a regular basis.   A month or two later, she called me in awe.  Just by having these items on hand she spent significantly less every month on her groceries.

The list of basic long-term storage items is not long or expensive, and I didn't make it up.  We have been told by the church to "Consider first, what are the basics?—wheat (or grain...), sugar or honey, dried milk, salt, and water. Most of us can afford such basics"  (Vaughn J. Featherstone).  These simple items store well and sustain life.  Having them is good, learning to use them is even better.

I challenge you to have these basic storage items in your home and learn to use them on a regular basis.  If you also find yourself saving money on groceries, use the extra funds to buy more of these basics.  (WinCo and Costco are the best local resource for these items).

USING BASIC FOOD STORAGE

•  Powdered Milk:  If a recipe calls for milk, use powdered milk instead.  1/3 c. powdered milk + 1 c. water =1 c. milk.
• Dried Beans:  soak beans overnight, cook beans in crock pot and they are ready by dinnertime.  1 1/3 c. beans=one can...and they freeze well too!
• Oatmeal:  Eat it for Breakfast, or see below for yummy oatmeal pancakes!
• Wheat:  Grind it into flour.  If you don't have a grinder, find a friend who does and grind a couple months' supply.  Use in bread, muffins, waffles, etc.  or see below for my favorite Blender Wheat Pancakes.

Oatmeal Pancakes

Makes 8-10 pancakes

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/3 c. powdered milk

1 c. water

1 c. rolled oats

2 tsp. baking powder

2 T. sugar

2 eggs, divided

3 T Vegetable oil

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and powdered milk; stir until well blended.  In small bowl, beat egg whites until stiff; set aside.  In large mixing bowl, combine egg yolks, water, oil, and oats; beat slightly and allow to stand 5 minutes, then beat until blended.  Mix in dry ingredients, then fold in beaten egg whites.  For small pancakes, drop 2 tablespoons batter onto griddle, or pour 1/4 measuring cup full, if larger pancakes are desired.

Bake until cakes are full of bubbles on top and undersides are lightly browned.  turn with spatula and brown other side.  Serve with applesauce or jam, or butter and maple syrup.

Blender Wheat Pancakes

Makes 6-8 pancakes

1 c. milk (or 1/3 c. powdered milk and 1 c. water)

2 eggs

2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. uncooked whole wheat

2 T. oil

2 T. honey or sugar.

Put milk and wheat in blender.  Blend on highest speed for four or five minutes, or until batteries smooth.  Add and blend on low, eggs, oil, baking, powder, honey, and salt.  Bake on a hot griddle.  (These are especially yummy with honey on top!)

THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

I am a homeschool mom.  Most days it is pretty great.  The best thing about it (other then spending time with my kids) is that I get to learn amazing things.  While homeschooling, I have finally understood functions (remember Calculus?), learned the story behind each of the soldiers in the famous Iwo Jima statue, discovered the reason why the reaction of Diet Coke and Mentos makes a fountain, and so much more.  Often I think about concepts and principles differently than when I originally learned them, and sometimes there is a profound "ah-ha" moment that spills over into everyday life.

This last week, I had one of those "ah-ha" moments.  We are studying Rome...and this week specifically the fall of Rome.  My curriculum points out 4 "red flags" that were major contributors to Rome's downfall (now, I know there are others, but we are focusing on these four).
1.  Many people were poor.
2.  Entertainment was increasingly violent.
3.  The family was weakened and was no longer the basis of society.
4.  The people were no longer self-reliant.

If the purpose of History is to learn it so we do not have to repeat it, this list is pretty sobering.  Each of these points could be talked about in depth, but #4 stood out to me.

What is it about self-reliance that contributed to the fall of Rome?  It's really philosophically simple:  Without self-reliance, we loose our freedom.  Plain as that.  We will be conquered and subject to another's rule without being prepared.

Doctrine and Covenants 78:14 reveals the need for a church storehouse, and the reason is "...that the church may stand independent above all other creatures beneath the celestial world."  If the Lord wants His church to be independent, he obviously wants the same independence for its members.  Elder Marion G. Romney (former counselor in the First Presidency) simply stated that "self-reliance is a prerequisite to the complete freedom to act."

So if “Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide the spiritual and temporal necessities of life for self and family” (Handbook 2: Administering the Church[2010], 6.1.1), what area do you need to work on?

I challenge you to find an area of your life where you can become more self-reliant.  (Refer here if you need a refresher on some of the categories).  Then, do something about it.  Your freedom depends on it.

3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 3

Early in our marriage, we tried hard to follow the words of good advice that came to us.  We especially listened to the advice coming from our church leaders.  The statements:  "Get a year's supply of food," "Pay a generous fast offering," "Get an education," "Build a financial reserve," and "Get out of debt" all seemed to contradict each other.  Yes, they were all great things to do, but doing them all at once we felt like was impossible.  We soon learned that it was, in fact, impossible to do it all at once.  But, by doing each a little bit at a time created great results!

President Hinckley asked us to do a little at a time in the November 2002 Priesthood session:

"I wish to urge again the importance of self-reliance on the part of every individual Church member and family.  None of us knows when a catastrophe might strike. Sickness, injury, unemployment may affect any of us.  We have a great welfare program with facilities for such things as grain storage in various areas. It is important that we do this. But the best place to have some food set aside is within our homes, together with a little money in savings. The best welfare program is our own welfare program. Five or six cans of wheat in the home are better than a bushel in the welfare granary.  We can begin ever so modestly. We can begin with a one week’s food supply and gradually build it to a month, and then to three months. I am speaking now of food to cover basic needs. As all of you recognize, this counsel is not new. But I fear that so many feel that a long-term food supply is so far beyond their reach that they make no effort at all. Begin in a small way, and gradually build toward a reasonable objective. Save a little money regularly, and you will be surprised how it accumulates."

Over the last several years, we have planned, talked, and budgeted every month to follow the seemingly contradictory words of advice. Some months we did more in one area and other months did more in another.  It is a constant effort to stay on top of these.

At the beginning of January, I challenged you to set aside a little bit of money each month for Food Storage.  I hope you did! Now after we have planned (month 1) and organized (month 2), it is time to take action!

March's Goal:  Purchase

Take your master shopping list hard copy and keep it in your wallet.  When you are at the grocery store, look for sales on the items you need and start buying them.  You should have 3 months of "food storage money" saved up, but be careful not to go beyond your means--or your budget!  Buy what you can afford.  If you can buy everything on your list, great!  If not, save some for next month, or maybe the month after that.  

BEARING EVERY TRIAL AND OVERCOMING EACH TEMPTATION

We just got back from a 2-week road trip.  We visited Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.  We had a great time visiting family and seeing the beauties of different parts of the country.

I can tell you though, 8 kids, 2 parents, and many hours of driving was not always easy, or exactly fun.  We did learn some things though:  the baby loves Winnie the Pooh, after eating citrus from our backyard Wal-Mart oranges taste terrible, Disney's Robin Hood has some great one-liners, Texas can get really cold in January, gas is super cheap outside of California, and we remember that it is so fun to visit and reconnect with family and friends.

Another really neat thing, is that everywhere we visited, there was a temple.  The first one we visited was in San Antonio, TX.  No matter how much complaining happened while we were trying to get there, once we got out everyone had a renewed spirit and was just happier!  I love the awe of the 3-year old when she discovers Angel Moroni and the quiet reflection of the 11-year old as he ponders his sacred feelings.  It was truly amazing to see how much we all quietly enjoyed being at the temple.  The peace and love we felt was incredible.

While visiting Dallas, we were busily going from one family member to the next and we forgot about the temple.  As we headed back to Jeff's brothers (later than expected) a little voice asked, "Were we going to the temple today?"  We tried to explain that we ran out of time and that we just were not going to make it.  All our reasons sounded hollow...we should not have forgotten.

A few days later we eagerly mapped the Oklahoma City temple, determined not to miss another one.  As the GPS chimed "You have arrived, " Jeff turned into a church parking lot and said, "I think you mapped the wrong address, I don't see a temple."  We stopped to change a diaper and let everyone out for a minute.  We soon realized that we were at the right spot...the temple was being rebuilt and in its current state, it did not look like a temple at all!  It was just a big construction site.  The feeling was weird, we were there, but the temple we expected wasn't.

Fast forward a few days and we were in Denver, Colorado.  The Denver temple was our temple for almost 7 years, so we knew just where it was.  It was too cold to get out, but the feeling we had as we drove up to it was unmistakeable.  That same feeling of love and peace reached out to us.

These amazing temples are here for us and for our families.  Are we taking advantage of them?  Are we taking the time to teach our children to love them, to see them, and to be there?  Are we prepared even though we may be at the right place, but a temple is not available? 

Love for temples starts early.  My parents followed President Kimball's advice; “It seems to me it would be a fine thing if every set of parents would have in every bedroom in their house a picture of the temple so the [child] from the time he is an infant could look at the picture every day and it becomes a part of his life. When he reaches the age that he needs to make this very important decision, it will already have been made”  (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball (1982), 301).  I am trying to do the same, but just realized that my baby does not have a temple picture in his room!

I encourage you to make a temple goal to be there more often.  Whether you are a temple worker, or one taking steps to obtain a recommend, decide today to be at the temple more--either pondering outside or serving inside.  This spiritual preparedness is too important to miss.

I end with some prophetic promises.

"As we attend the temple,” counseled President Monson, “there can come to us a dimension of spirituality and a feeling of peace which will transcend any other feeling which could come into the human heart. We will grasp the true meaning of the words of the Savior when He said: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’ [John 14:27].  Thomas S. Monson, “Blessings of the Temple,” Liahona, May 2015, 91.

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) promised: “If you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed, life will be better for you. … Avail yourselves of the great opportunity to go to the Lord’s house and thereby partake of all the marvelous blessings that are yours to be received there” (“Excerpts from Recent Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, July 1997, 73; emphasis added)

Elder Richard G. Scott promised: “Regular [temple] attendance will enrich your life with greater purpose” (“Receive the Temple Blessings,” Ensign,May 1999, 26; emphasis added).

President Thomas S. Monson also promised: “As we go to the holy house, as we remember the covenants we make therein, we will be able to bear every trial and overcome each temptation” (“Blessings of the Temple,” Liahona, Oct. 2010, 15; emphasis added).

3 MONTH MEAL PLAN--MONTH 2

I'm one of those people that you hate to see in front of you in a grocery line.  Yes, that person with the heaping huge cart that takes almost forever to get through the line.  What most people don't realize is that being able to get their cart to this state is an organizational feat that takes years to perfect.  It all depends on the store though.  When I go to Costco, I have a list.  I also know I am going to have to fit a huge amount of "stuff" in my cart.  I start organizing my cart with the first item and every subsequent one has a specific spot to maximize the amount I can fit.  Even the Costco checkers are amazed at how much I can fit.  My Target trips, on the other hand have zero organization.  As much as I try to  stick with my list, extra things inevitably jump into my cart, until it is all a heaping mess as I head to the checkout.  Personal experience tells me it is always best to have a list, and organize along the way.

Now that we have finished the first month (Find January's goal:  Plan, here),  here's the next step!  3-month preparedness, here we come!

February's goal:  Organize

(1) Recipe Compilation.  Get all your 3-month plan recipes in one spot and make a soft and hard copy.  Put these both somewhere where you can find it again.
(2) Ingredients list.  List everything you need to make your meals, along with quantities.
(3) Multiply your ingredient quantities by 12--yes you will be buying enough to make each meal 12 times.
(4) Make a master shopping list.  This is based on your multiplied ingredients lists and will include everything you need to make all your meals and snacks.  Some find it helpful to put the items in categories:  Spices, canned meat, canned vegetables, canned fruit, etc.  Don't forget the small things, EVERYTHING should be on your list.  Print (or copy) this list and put the original somewhere where you can find it again, and place the copy in your purse.
(5) Clear a spot where these items will be stored when you buy them.
(6) Report. Send me an email (raelynstoddard(at)hotmail(dot)com), text me 7six0-two24-721seven, or leave a comment on my blog post to let me know you have done this.  I want to hear!

2018 NEW YEAR RESOULUTIONS--PREPAREDNESS

I have a friend who takes New Years Resolutions very seriously.  She and her husband come up with amazing goals.  But what is even better...they keep them.  One year they resolved to lose weight, and they did!  She remarked near the end of the year that they had lost a whole person (about 110 lbs) between them.  Another year, she determined to play the piano better and pick up where she left off about 30 years earlier.  I was her piano teacher and it was amazing to see her work ethic as she practiced and came to lessons week after week.  When the recital came around, she really did not want to play, but decided she would--but thought seriously of wearing a sign that said, "This is what happens when you quit piano as a kid, and your mom says you will always regret it."  I want that sense of purpose as I make my 2018 goals.

Remember as you set your goals to make them S.M.A.R.T.   Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.

Provident Living (my calling) includes helping you--and me--become self-reliant, helping us help ourselves so that we do not have to rely on others, and so that we are in a position to help others when they need it.  The categories of provident living provide a wonderful outline for goals to set.  I challenge you this week to make resolutions to help you and your family become more self-reliant in 2018.  Here are a few ideas:

SPIRITUAL SELF RELIANCE  Increased Church and/or Temple attendance, Meaningful Scripture Study, Purposeful Prayer.
PHYSICAL HEALTH Exercise, Good Eating Habits, Good Sleeping Routine.
EDUCATION Learn A New Skill, Obtain Knowledge by Reading Good Books or Attending Classes,  Increase Job Proficiency,  Receive Know-How for a New Job.
HOME STORAGE AND PRODUCTION Plant a Garden, Preserve Food, Store Clean Drinking Water, Obtain a 3-Month Food Supply, Build a Year Food Supply
FINANCES Make and Stick To a Budget, Work Toward Getting Out of Debt,  Gradually Build a Financial Reserve.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Make 72 Hour Kits, Have Plans for Several Types of Emergencies, Build a Family First Aid Kit for Home or Car.

“All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies.”

--Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Fire...what we learned and what to do

The Lilac Fire.  Wow, are y'all still reeling?  I am.  We were lucky to be with good friends in San Marcos.  The kids had a fun day with a giant tree swing, trampoline, and bocce ball.  I hope all of you were able to find good places to go.

This is our second evacuation.  After the first one, we talked and made some plans for if it happened again.  But, when the fire broke out Thursday, I couldn't remember any of them.  I've had some time to think it over, and here's some good and bad things that we did was well as lessons learned and ideas for the future.

The Good:  (1) We had a designated place to go.  Actually we had several.  people are so kind.  It saved a lot of time knowing right away where we should evacuate to.  (2) I had signed up my cell phone to receive emergency alerts.  This helped me know when the evacuation order went out and where I could find more information.  (3) My car had gas.  I try to keep my car with 1/4 tank of fuel at all times.   (4) All the house windows were closed.  I had the presence of mind to check all the windows.  Homes often burn from the inside out when embers are sucked in through open windows , open garages, or old roof vents.  (5) I made sure my visiting teacher and ward leadership knew we were fine and told them where we were going. (6) Staying calm.  Even though I was pretty much freaking out inside, I knew that a calm, confident demeanor from me is what my kids needed.  I was in charge of 10 children--they all got their cues from me.  My 3-year-old got scared and started to cry, but because I was acting conifdent and calm, she only needed a small reassurance that we were going away from the fires and that we would be OK.  

The Bad:  (1) I did not have a written plan.  My brain turned off when I saw how close the fire was.  We were one of the first potentially in its path.  All I could think of to do was to get everyone out.  We left the house pretty quickly, but once I got to where I was going, I wished I had grabbed a few irreplaceable items.  (2) No food or clothes...I had meant to put together 72 hour kits for my family after the last fire, but it didn't happen.  Luckily I was able to hit Costco (Everyone got new Christmas PJs early!) and our hosts were more than generous, but I still felt like I should have been more self-reliant. (3) I did not check on those I visit teach right away.   I was so wrapped up in my own evacuation that I didn't even think about it.   I was able to touch base with a few of my sisters after we returned home.  (4) Power outages were not something I had even thought of...we should have planned what to do if we were able to return home with no power.

Things I learned:  (1) Texting is always best in an emergency.  Thank you to all of you who contacted us to make sure we were OK.  However, I found it challenging to try to answer phone calls while I was trying to coordinate things with my husband, find out where all the kids were, and get everyone all packed up and gone.  I was able to respond to those who texted eventually, but the phone calls were tricky to deal with (I did not even check my voicemail until 4 days later).   Also, as a result, I did not answer the reverse 911 evacuation call.  I suppose that's why they send texts and emails also.  (2) Have a wifi call app.  The friends we evacuated to live in a place where my carrier does not have cell service. We did have WiFi, so we connected to the WhatsApp which allows us to call or text over WiFi instead of the cell networks.  (3) Many forms of communication were helpful.  I was able to receive texts from Bishop and an email from Bro. LeBlanc.  

What I am going to do... (1) Make a list of all the things, in order from most important to least, that I would want to take.  These would include, photos, journals, and my 4 year-old's blanket.   Also include what items would be good to have--Bro. LeBlanc made a great list (Assemble documents, birth, SSN, insurance, medical, accounts, Gather cash and credit cards, Jewelry, pictures, heirlooms, Clothes for several days, include a jacket, Sleeping bags, Water, Food, Medications, Pets and pet food. Keep your cell phone charged, bring your chargers with you, Sturdy shoes or boots, Flashlights with spare batteries, Hygiene items)  I will put this on the inside of one of my cabinets so that I can have something to go off of when my brain dies.  (2) Make 72 hour kits!  This would have helped with food (we evacuated before we ate lunch and my kids were starving!) and if I would have had 72 hour kits complete with toiletries and changes of clothes, it would have helped on several levels (watch for an upcoming 72 hour kit assembly activity!).  Luckily I was able to hit Costco and Wal-Mart for some food and clothing, but getting things for 11 people adds up quickly!  (3) Prep my family for several types of disasters and what people's roles were in different scenarios.  After the Hurricanes hit Florida this summer, we talked about emergency preparation for Earthquake and an in -house fire.  We did not discuss a brush wildfire at that time, we also did not discuss protocol if my husband was not in the area (which he was not for this fire).   Prepare better for power outages--have working flashlights and ready-to eat food (72 hour kits again!).

Blessings Received:  Throughout the fire, I felt that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.  There was no loss of life.  The winds that were supposed to be so gusty on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, were not.  Fire Crews from all over (even Utah!) came to help and did a marvelous job.  I watched church members, friends, and homeschool groups, gather together via text, email, etc to help each other and provide support.  There was a true spirit of concern and love conveyed so sincerely.   I felt so much power of the human spirit, the watchcare of church leaders, and the Lord's love poured out in abundance.  I am glad for the opportunity to serve and help clean up our community and to take this experience and become more prepared for the next time.

Pumpkin--Not in a can

My aunt and uncle have been in the foreign service for almost 20 years.  It is fun to hear about all the amazing places they have lived.  But, it is also fun to see the perspective that the United States is a pretty amazing place too!  Several years ago, they were "home" doing a training in Washington, D.C. before they went to their China post.  We were living in the DC metro area at the same time, and we had such fun together as their youngest kids are the same age as our oldest ones.  One autumn day we all went the pumpkin patch and I loved watching all 6 of their kids scout out their perfect pumpkin.  As it was the first Halloween they had celebrated in the states in several years, my aunt planned a fall party and when we showed up, it was so festive!  8 big Jack-o-lanterns met us, carved into amazing faces.  We also ate soup out of hollowed-out mini pumpkins on a table topped with black plastic bags and fall leaves.  A few days later, they left for Bejing, but just before they went, my aunt told me to turn all the jack-o-lanterns and pumpkin bowls into puree.  I had never heard of doing that before, but we did it, and we have done it every year since!  And it was amazing!  Here's how it is done:

• Wait to carve your pumpkin until no more than 3 or 4 days before Halloween.  After it is carved, keep it in the fridge as much as possible.
• Cut up your Jack-o-lanterns and bake the pieces on a cookie sheet at 375* for an hour.  Let it cool.
• Scoop pumpkin out of skins and puree with a blender (or mash with a potato masher) until smooth.
• Freeze 2 cups of pumpkin in ziplock bags (or process in jars using a pressure canner).
• Use your pumpkin to make pies, bread, muffins, pancakes, etc.

As an extra treat, make salted pumpkin seeds after you gut your pumpkin.

• Remove seeds from as much of the pumpkin strings as you can (sometimes rinsing the seeds helps).
• Spray a cookie sheet with baking spray and arrange seeds in a single layer. Spray the tops of the seeds with a light mist from the baking spray and sprinkle the seeds with salt.
• Bake at 400* until seeds are brown (anywhere from 5-20 min, depending on the size of the seeds).

I challenge you to use your Halloween pumpkin in a way you haven't before!