I have been thinking, and feeling, a lot about getting my family prepared, and establishing a food storage and a finacial reserve. The First Presidency of the Church has said,
"Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to “prepare every needful thing” (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we can care for ourselves and our neighbors and support bishops as they care for others.
"We encourage members world-wide 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 as you store food and water and build your savings. Do not go to extremes; it is not prudent, for example, to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve."—The First Presidency, All Is Safely Gathered In: Family Home Storage, Feb. 2007, 1
So with this in mind I have finally started our first "real" food storage. We have "started" out food storage lots of times, but I have now revamped everything, sat down and actually made a plan, it is by no means a finished or perfect plan, but it is a start... I have worked it out in my budget in a way that I can't circumvent, I have designated a place in my house to store it, and I have actually gone on line to LDS.org to the online food storage store and actually ordered something... I have a plan that will give us a complete 3-month supply of food before Christmas. Anyone reading this blog, if you have advise or experiences or tips please leave a comment to that end, I would really appreciate it.
The second thing that I have been thinking a lot about lately is definately political. I apologize if anyone feels their toes getting stepped on, but I just feel that I have to voice my feelings.
This is a very important year. In November we will be voting, not just for the next President and Vice President, but for National, State, and Local leaders who are supposed to represent our best interests, protect us and protect our Divinely Inspired Constitution. I once swore an oath to protect that Constitution, when I joined the Navy, in 1999. I remember very clearly the powerful feeling that I had as I raised my hand to the square and made that oath. I don't believe anyone who is honest, and has personal integrity can make that oath without feeling it. I am not in the Navy but any more, but I still feel that I am obligated to that oath, and my husband is still in the Navy so through him I also feel that obligation.
In the Doctrine And Covenants section 101 (which is an amazing section, full of great parables) it says:
- 77 According to the laws and aconstitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the brights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles;
78 That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral aagency which I have given unto him, that every man may be baccountable for his own sins in the day of cjudgment.
79 Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in abondage one to another.
80 And for this purpose have I established the aConstitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the bshedding of blood.
Now, as my Mother could tell you, I have always been kind of a hot head, and I tend to get passionate about what ever I am thinking about currently... I am NOT trying to promote one political party over another, or tell any one who to vote for or how to vote... I just had to be on record as saying, "Find out what is going on, get informed, contact your Representatives and Senators and tell them what you expect of them. Register and make sure you vote." I remember when I was a kid, sometime between 1st and 2nd grade, when Ronald Reagan was first running for President. I was SO MAD that I wasn't allowed to vote, just because I was TOO YOUNG! I really wanted to be involved in that election. The irony is that I am not currently registered... some how it is something that between our last two moves and this one I allowed to slip past me. But I certainly Will Be registered next week, all the things that have been swarming around in my head, keeping me up at night, wont let me procrastinate it any longer.
For several months now I have been getting weekly updates emailed to me, to let me see what Congress is voting on, and how I am being represented, (yes, even though I haven't been registered for 2 years.) Here is a resourse that I have found very useful:
http://search.campaign.com/pennfuture/megavote/
This is some resent activity in the House Of Representatives which I found VERY interesting:
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/congress/?q=node/77531&id=8583196
and related information http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#25085356.
Also, (thank you Alexis):http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173&hl=en this is about 2 hours long, but it is also interesting, and thought provoking.
I have always been a HUGE fan of Captain Moroni in the Book Of Mormon. I KNOW that he was guided by Inspiration and the Holy Ghost in all of his actions as an elected official in his government. And I guess if he were head of a political party today, that is the party I would affiliate with. As it is I have to feel my way around and pretty much let the Spirit guide me, and hope that I am listening.
I wrote this 5 years ago. It isn't really very good, I have never been very good at writting. But it was heartfelt and I thought that I would share it now.
- The Price of Peace
Peace is not a state of being, it is not a liberty or a right, it is a commodity, purchased in international and domestic markets. It must be bought and sold, produced on a demand basis only. It is always custom made. It is never prefabricated. Mass quantities cannot be kept in stock for later shipment. You cannot buy it on the black market, in the flee markets, or on line. Consumer demand and the unpredictable life expectancy of this product ensure that the price will always be too high to be paid lightly. It cannot be bartered or exchanged; it cannot be charged or billed. There is no layaway or installment policy applicable. It must be purchased, full cost, up front before the product can be received. Ownership is temporary and liquid. The manufacturer retains the right to reclaim and redistribute without prior notification and without refund. Renewal of ownership is on a first come-first served basis, but may also go to the highest bidder at the manufacturer’s discretion. Those who are unable or unwilling to pay the price may experience it, but only on a limited, trial basis. Only those who have paid in full can ever understand its value.
The price: Human Blood…
Dedicated to the defense of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…
For ones own People and for all Humanity.
-LeahCim Bryson
15 May 2003
