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I was thinking this morning about how thankful I am  to know that Heavenly Father is in charge. 

Elder Nielson told us at Stake Conference that when natural disasters and calamities come "He is just bearing his testimony to us...that He is still in charge!"

  He said the Brethren are not fearful but discuss alot what they can do to get the members to follow the counsel to be prepared.

Right now the leaders are encouraging us to get a 3 month supply of food that we normally eat (cans with stable shelf life) and have it in our homes.

How scary it would be if we went to town and the grocery stores  were empty...or if a flu virus came and we were quarentined to stay home.

We don't know what's ahead... but we know there is safety in following the Prophet.   

I was also thinking about how the Lord took care of the children of Israel while they journeyed in the wilderness...He made their meat sweet...and fed them with manna...  "but they had to have the meat for Him to make sweet."

Pres. GB Hinckley: "Begin in a small way...and gradually build toward a reasonable  objective."

I know He will bless us to know how to do it as we make it a priority. 

Important Papers...all in one place..."just in case!"

Thanks Arlene and Carson for loving me enough to tell me not to post my Credit Card number.  There's 16 mumber in a real CC number! That was a hook ..."  "GOT YAH!"   Believe me, We're so tight with our identity and numbers right now...we won't even tell you our phone number or birthdate.

I really do feel right about collecting these papers.  Shay did it in her ward and  inspired me.  I didn't know some of our business since Steve is our book keeper...it's good for me to know!  You will probably tailor it to suit your needs but it gets you thinking....

This is the list: Collect and put in a trust worthy place that you could grab easy.  Also send a copy of all of it to someone (also trustworthy) who is out of state or a distance away. 

a.  Bank accout and credit card account numbers and companies.

b.  Family records...birth, marriage, death certificates. (Pictures of your kids/ family).  I read where one mom put a picture of their family in her childs backpack, along with some phone numbers.   

Talk to them about the family password, in case somebody else has to go get them at school, so they will know it's okay.

Have a FHE about evacuation in an emergency.  Talk about where your family would meet...by the house (the mailbox) and another location,(Grandma Bates) if you couldn't get back to your house.  (So they can tell the person in charge of them...where to take them etc. ) Then, In case there is no way to communicate...you are all thinking the same.

c.  An inventory of valuable household goods. (I just walked around and took pict of everything...cupboards flung wide open).  Then got the make, model and Serial number of the appliances, TV etc.)  It's dreadful.

But you know what...I'll bet I'll be mighty thankful when I sit down with the insurance guy.   It helps you think what was in that cupboard when you see the picture.  I took some picture of our house and outside stuff too.  (Canoe and lawn mower.)

I listed things and took pictures. I put the pictures in a file and then on a memory stick.

c.  Passports, social secuirty cards, immunization records.

d.  Telephone numbers. (People and businesses) Important local numbers, emergency out of state contact.  (Cell phone address and number to contact them.)  Also, like...Identity Thief Credit Companies:  Equifax:           1-800-525-6285        .  Experian:           1-888-397-3742        .  TransUnion:           1-800-680-7289       

e.  Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks, and bonds.  I call our Financial strategies man and requested a summary of our insurance policies, (policy numbers) and current values.

f.  Income tax return, monthly expense records, debts, loans.  If you were shipped to Utah from Spokane, having spend a week in an emergency shelter...you would want to remember your business!  YOu need the numbers to call and the ability to PROVE yourself with them.  Steve made a copy of his assets and health plan with West Coast etc.

g.  Copy of drivers license, car title.

I.  Pass words to places we use on the internet.  Pin numbers?

j.  Copied our insurance card and perscription card. ..both sides.

Steve moaned the whole time but when we got done, he said, "I do think that was a good idea!  I recommend it.  I will go thru them and update every 4th of July weekend.

Good luck.

   

Come listen to a prophets voice!

I'm looking forward to conference!  Do we realize how blessed we are to have a prophet?

Steve showed me a letter written by the prophet to everybody (dated 2002.)   It was good to read again.

It said:  "Leaders should teach the importance of home storage and securing a financila reserve.  Church members can begin their home storage by storing the basic foods that would be required to keep them alive if they did not have anything else to eat.  Depending on where memebers live, those basics maight include wtaer, wheat or other grains, legumes, salt, honey or sugar, powdered milk and cooking oil.  When members have stored enougth of these essentials to meet the needs of their family for one year, they may decided to add other items that they are accustomed to using day to day. 

Some members do not have the money or space for such storage (hello Floridians), and some are prohibited by law from storing a years supply of food.  These members should store as much as their circumstances allow.  Families who do not have the resources to acquire a year's supply can begin their storage by obtaining supplies to last for a few months.  Members shoudl be prudent and not panic or go to extremes in this effort.  Through careful planning, most members can, over time establish both a financial reserve and a year's supply of essentials. 

Signed: Gordon B Hinckley  (The primary kids call him Pres. "B" Hinckley)!

Thomas S Monson

James E Faust

I think as we contemplate what's really important we can evaluate where to spend our money and hearken to this voice of warning. 

Christmas is  a coming and the temptations to spend it all on fluff is pressing.  I'm thinking some food storage under my tree is a good idea and staying in my budget will add to the feeling of the "it's the best Christmas ever."