If you have not read the post before this one, it would be good to read it first. But if you don't have time for that, we will say that there are a number of biblical reasons for making preparations for a longer period than just this week for food and water at your home. FEMA also has noted reasons that the government says you will not be able to count on them for a undetermined period of time based on the level of crisis one might face. All of that said, let's look at motivation for Crisis Preparation.
One problem that we face on this subject is that there is a drive for normalcy that tells us that we won't have problems like others face. Families all over the world today are being faced with displacement from their homes by Islamic radicals, unexpected snow storms, and floods. This is the time of year that we begin to anticipate weather transitions that bring severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Hurricane season starts in four months. And yet knowing all of this we assume that everything will be just the same for us because we are 'US'.
If people in crisis were asked what they wish they had done before the crisis, most of us could guess what they would say. "I wish I had something to feed my family and something to quench their thirst that is safe to drink. I wish I had shelter for my family and something to keep them warm in this winter cold. I wish I had a source of light, of water to wash with, and protection for security. I wish I had something to keep these mosquitos off and some sunscreen to deal with this sun as I work in recovery." These examples could go on for a long time if you put yourself in the shoes of others.
Isn't it 'tempting fate' or 'jinxing ourselves' or 'just being negative' to think about these things? No, for two reasons. First, as Christians we should not base our life on superstitions like fate and jinxes. That is for baseball players and such. God has already told us to make provision for our families. We are not supposed to worry about what we will eat or drink. Jesus told us that Himself. I doubt, however, that He told any farmers to stop farming because that was a lack of faith. I doubt that He told any women to stop stockpiling the food from the harvest to use through the winter and spring while the new crops came up. Worrying is a sin; working is not.
Second, Crisis Preparation done properly saves money. If you buy foods you will normally eat, then you will only be getting ahead on your purchases. You do not have to buy MRE's and such to be preparing for a crisis. So, if your family eats meat, then buy meat when it is on sale. Put part of the meat away in your freezer, or even better, in mason jars that do not require refrigeration. The Crisis Expo will show you how to do that if you sign up for that class in advance (883-8905). You can also learn about saving water in the Basic Preparation class at the Expo. If you are going to eat a lot of green beans through a year, then when they are on sale, buy more than you need that week or month. You can do this with all kinds of foods other than fresh vegetables and fruit.
Purchasing food in bulk or for storage requires watching the dates of food to keep the oldest cans up front to be used next. However, this method saves money because families are less likely to go out to eat if they know they have food at home. In fact, always having food on hand means that families that plan ahead can put something in the crock pot that will be ready to eat when they get home. That takes the pressure off of parents to get food ready when they are already tired.
Eating out is the most expensive way to feed your family. If you hate to do dishes, then use paper or plastic plates and bowls. Using throw away dishes is still significantly cheaper than eating out or doing fast food at home. Don't expect children or youth to agree. Sometimes we have to be the responsible adult and save the budget. I wish I had done this better when my own children were at home.
Needless to say, if we knew how to grow our own food and canned it, there would a sense of accomplishment along with having some of the freshest food in town. If we can the food in mason jars, we can enjoy it until the harvest time next year. Everyone seems to understand energy independence when we talk about oil and gas from other countries. Some how we need to grasp that food energy independence is viable for most families.
Gardening can be a family activity that results in sustainable living. If you do not know how to garden, find a friend that does. Join in on their garden one year and help them while you learn. Be with them for the whole process from plot planning to dirt preparation to seed selection, planting seedlings, weeding, mulching, bug issues, plant blights, fertilizing, watering, and harvesting. Don't buy a book and spend hundreds of dollars if someone you know can help you put your garden together for much less. The last thing I usually hear is that 'We are too busy already'.
How many of your activities are optional? Learning life long self sustaining practices may just be more important in the long run. I know that children may not be interested at first. My own grandchildren have changed their tune on this. Though they cannot be around all of the time, when they are hear they want to know what is in the garden. This year they helped me dig my sweet potatoes. We had a great time! Some children are better at focusing on a task than others. One of my grandson's did a great job of helping me pull weeds. The other was not so interested, but when I told him that we might find worms, he got more involved!
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