Year Dry Pack Schedule

2013 Dry Pack Schedule, Third Saturday of each Month at 10am at 2104 W Michelle Dr.

February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	January
Macaroni	Sugar	Dry Milk	Wht Wheat	Carrots	Reg Oats	Onions	Hot Cocoa	Spices	Wht Wheat	Rice
Fruit Drink	Potato Pearls	Re Fried Beans	Apple Slices	Pancake Mix	White Beans	Pinto Beans	Potato Flakes	Dry Milk	Apple Slices	Carrots
Flour	Corn Meal	Rice	Bk Beans	Quick Oats	Spaghetti	Red Wheat	Flour	macaroni	Popcorn	Gluten

Kefir Recipes!

Orange Vanilla Soda
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ½ TBS
vanilla extract per quart. Add a couple orange slices (outer rind peeled if
non-organic). Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge.
Tighten the lid for more fizz!

Blueberry Coconut
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ¼ cup
coconut water per quart. Put in a big handful of blueberries. Let sit for another 24
hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge.

Cranberry Apple
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ¼ cup cranberry juice per quart. Throw in a couple slices of apple. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge.

Grape
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ¼ cup grape juice per quart. Add a couple grapes if desired as well. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge. Tighten the lid for more fizz!

Creamy Ginger spice
After 48 hours of fermentation with just ginger and sugar, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ½ TBS vanilla extract and 1 cinnamon stick per quart. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge. Tighten the lid for more fizz! Serve cold with whip cream on top. Or add some scoops of caramel vanilla ice 
cream for a delicious float!

Lime Pineapple
After 48 hours of fermentation with a slice of lime (instead of lemon), strain the kefir, take the liquid and add a half cup pineapple chunks per quart, squeeze in the lime juice and discard the lime slice. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, 
or 24-48 in the fridge.

Raspberry mango
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ¼ cup mango (or similar tropical fruit juice) per quart. Add in ½ cup raspberries. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge. Tighten the lid for more fizz!

Strawberry lemon
After 48 hours of fermentation, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add 1/2 cup pureed strawberries and squeeze out the juice from the lemon into it. Add a couple whole strawberries if desired as well. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge. If this is too tart, add in some sugar or honey at the end to taste.

Cola Cherry
After 48 hours of fermentation of just sugar and grains, strain the kefir, take the liquid and add ¼ cup cherry juice per quart. Add a couple whole cherries if desired as well. Let sit for another 24 hours on the counter, or 24-48 in the fridge. Mix in sugar to taste if desired.

Banana Berry Blend (Slushy or Smoothie)
Take a ½ cup frozen berries, ½ cup kefir water, ¼  cup shredded coconut, 1/2 large banana, a couple spoons of applesauce and blend in ice until desired consistency is reached. Add honey or sugar if you would like it sweeter. You can also make a smoothie with a couple scoops vanilla or coconut ice cream instead of ice. This is a 
very delicious flavor combination.

Water Kefir Italian Soda:
1. Fill a tall glass cup with ice
2. (Optional - I recommend trying these after you know what the plain version tastes like) add in some flavoring syrup of your choice (grape, cherry, kiwi, cranberry etc). Jam or blended fruit can be used instead of syrup - add honey or sugar if the blended fruit is too bland).
3. Pour in your fizzy water kefir to about an inch from the top. To get fizzy water kefir, bottle it in a specially designed air-tight bottle, such as a swing-top bottle  for a couple days until desired fizziness is reached (then add it to this recipe).
4. Add in half and half (half cream, half milk) to the top.
5. Stick in your straw and drink!

Kefir Notes

Kefir Notes, Questions and Answers

Water kefir, like kombucha, is first cultured by introducing a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts) into sugar water. The beneficial bacteria and yeasts present in the grains metabolize the sugar and turn it into acetic acid. Grains are small, translucent, gelatinous structures and are comprised of assorted bacteria including lactobacillus hilgardii which gives them their characteristic crystal-like appearance. When properly cared for and regularly cultured, they produce a wonderful probiotic-rich beverage and will continue to grow and reproduce indefinitely

Impressively rich in micro-nutrients, enzymes and beneficial bacteria, water kefir numbers among the top ten dairy-free probiotics.

Ingredients (this is for a large quantity of kefir) ** not required

1/3 Cup Water Kefir Grains

1/2 Cup Organic Sugar (Yes, sugar.)

1/2 Organic Lemon 1 Thin Slice Fresh Ginger (Peeled) **

1 to 1 ½ quarts Spring Water (contains minerals)

Instructions Dissolve sugar into water. Do not use honey in place of sugar. Honey has antimicrobial properties and will damage your water kefir grains or delay their proliferation. Add water kefir grains, raisins, half a lemon and slice of ginger to the mixture of sugar water in a 1/2 gallon mason jar. Allow your water kefir to brew in a lidded mason jar at room temperature for 24 – 72 hours depending on the strength you prefer and the temperature of your home. The warmer your home is, the faster water kefir will brew. Strain the water kefir grains, lemon and ginger from the water kefir and bottle the liquid into smaller sealed containers. Allow the smaller bottles to sit out for another 24 – 48 hours to continue fermentation and produce natural carbonation. Serve cold over ice and enjoy!
If not stored in sealed containers it will remain “flat” just be like a juice. I add mine to smoothies, juice, or drink it straight.

Q.  Does water kefir have the same benefits as milk kefir?
A.  Generally speaking water kefir is slightly less concentrated than milk kefir and therefore some individuals find they must consume more water kefir than they would milk kefir. However, due to water kefir's water (rather than dairy) base and great taste when flavored, it is easy to consume larger amounts of water kefir.

Q.  Are water kefir grains reusable?
A.  Yes, water kefir grains are reusable. Once your kefir is finished culturing, simply remove the water kefir grains and place them in fresh sugar water, juice, or coconut water.

Q.  How long do water kefir grains last?
A.  With proper care, water kefir grains should last indefinitely.

Q.  What is the process to make water kefir?
A.  Water kefir grains are added to sugar water, juice, or coconut water and allowed to culture for 24-48 hours, then the kefir grains are removed. To flavor water kefir (we don't recommend drinking water kefir made with sugar water without flavoring!) simply add fruit juice or flavor extracts (e.g., vanilla extract) to the water kefir. 
 
Q.  Can I allow the kefir to culture for longer than 48 hours?
A.   We strongly recommend against allowing the kefir grains to culture for longer than 48 hours as over time it will damage the grains by potentially starving them (particularly in warm weather when the culturing process is sped up due to the heat).

Q.  How will I know if I've successfully made water kefir?
A.  The primary indication of whether or not you have successfully made water kefir is that the finished kefir tastes less sweet than the sugar water or juice you've started with.

Q.  Will water kefir grains multiply?
A.  Water kefir grains are known to multiply, but at times they are reluctant to do so and therefore we do not guarantee kefir grains will multiply. Even if they do not multiply, with proper care, water kefir grains can be used repeatedly to brew water kefir.

Q.  How can I flavor water kefir?
A.  Water kefir made with sugar water can be flavored (after the kefir grains are removed!) using fruit (fresh or dried), fruit juice, or flavor extracts. Fruit can be added during or after the culturing process (see below) but should be changed out regularly (daily for fresh fruit, weekly for dried fruit). A tasty lemonade-type drink can be made by adding 1/2 cup lemon juice to 2 quarts finished water kefir. Although just about any fruit juice can be used, we are especially fond of blueberry-pomegranate juice. To make a cream soda-type drink, add 1-2 T. vanilla extract to 2 quarts finished water kefir. 
 
Q.  Can I flavor water kefir while it's brewing?
A.  Yes, technically you can add fruit (fresh or dried) to the sugar water at the same time you add the grains. Several cautionary notes: 1) Not all fruit is compatible with kefir grains and over time, may damage the grains. Strawberries, mango's, and figs are popular fruits to add during the culturing process. 2) Be sure to secure either the fruit or the kefir grains in a cotton muslin bag prior to beginning the culturing process.  Fruit (either fresh or dried), tends to disintegrate into lots of tiny pieces during the culturing process making it extremely difficult to separate the fruit from the kefir grains before brewing your next batch. Don't spend hours trying to clean your kefir grains! Contain either the kefir grains or fruit in a cotton muslin bag which is large enough to allow the kefir grains room to multiply.

 Q.  Can I use juice to make water kefir?
A.  Yes, straight fruit juice (we recommend organic) can be used to make water kefir. Note: we do strongly recommend getting your kefir grains established using sugar water (for at least a few batches) prior to using juice. We also advise you to use separate sets of kefir grains for culturing juice and culturing sugar-water. Juice tends to be very hard on kefir grains and they do tend to break down a bit (it helps to culture them in sugar water every few batches). Unfortunately when you use water kefir grains in juice and then move them to sugar water, the resulting kefir usually tastes very unpleasant, thus our recommendation for keeping two sets of grains. (This can be accomplished by waiting for your kefir grains to multiply and splitting them or by purchasing a second set of water kefir grains.) To make juice kefir you will use 2 quarts of juice for the 3-4 tablespoons (rehydrated) of water kefir grains included in your packet.

 Q.  Can I use coconut water to make water kefir?
A.  Yes, coconut water can be used to make water kefir. We recommend getting your kefir grains established using sugar water (for at least a few batches) prior to using coconut water.

Q.  What type of sugar should I use to make water kefir?
A.  evaporated cane crystals (aka organic white sugar) makes a very mild-tasting water kefir which makes an excellent background for adding flavor. Whole sugars where the molasses is still intact (e.g.,  Rapadura, Sucanat, etc.) also work well for making kefir and are generally considered to be healthier for the kefir grains over the long term as the minerals in the molasses promote kefir grain health. (You can accomplish the same thing by adding a teaspoon of molasses per 1/2 cup of white sugar.) Whole sugars do tend to make a much more strongly flavored water kefir which you may or may not find pleasant.  We do recommend using organic sugars to eliminate chemicals which may harm the kefir grains. We do not recommend using honey (see above).

Q.  Do I need to add sugar if I'm using juice to make kefir (rather than sugar water)?
A.  No, there should be enough sugar in the juice to feed the kefir grains.

Q.  Is there any danger to using less sugar than is indicated by the instructions that came with my grains?
A.  Yes! Making water kefir requires a balance of ingredients to allow the kefir grains to properly culture. We recommend using a ratio of 1/4 cup sugar to 1 quart water when making water kefir. This ratio ensures the kefir grains are properly fed. Using less sugar (or culturing the kefir for longer than 48 hours) can cause the grains to starve. Over time, the grains will become less efficient and although you are using less sugar, you may actually end up with more sugar in the finished kefir than you would with efficient working kefir grains. (See below for information on how much sugar actually remains in finished water kefir). Ultimately, using less sugar will result in unhealthy kefir grains and possibly higher sugar consumption for you.

 Q.  How much sugar does finished water kefir contain?
A.  While certainly variation will exist between batches, generally speaking approximately 20% of the sugar you start with will remain following a 48- hour culturing process and almost all that sugar will have been converted to fructose from its original glucose-fructose state.  Therefore if you use our recommend ratio of 1/4 cup sugar to 1 quart water, the finished kefir will contain approximately 1.4% fructose.

Q.  How much alcohol does water kefir contain?
A.  As with all cultured and fermented foods, a small amount of naturally occurring alcohol is typically present in the finished product. Although the amount will vary from batch to batch, the amount should be quite small (usually significantly less than 1%). Using the prescribed ratio (1/4 cup sugar to 1 quart water) there simply is not enough sugar to result in an intoxicating drink. The exception to this general rule is when brewing 100% juice (rather than sugar water). The higher sugar content can result in a higher alcohol level. If you do not desire a higher alcohol level, we recommend limiting the fermentation period to 24 hours when working with straight fruit juice.

Q.  How do I take a break from making water kefir?
A.  To take a break from making water kefir simply prepare a sugar water solution (1/4 c. sugar to 1 quart water), place the grains in the sugar water, place a tight lid on the container, and place it in the refrigerator. The cold will greatly retard the culturing process and they can keep this way for up to several weeks. If at the end of that period you require more time, simply repeat the process with fresh sugar water. If you desire a longer break period, you can also dehydrate your water kefir grains by placing them on unbleached parchment paper in a safe location (room temperature) for several days until they are completely dry. Then place the dehydrated grains in a secure container (a zip-style plastic bag, glass or plastic jar, etc.) and in a cool dry place. They should keep this way for at least 6 months.

Q.  If I’m making other cultured foods (yogurt, sourdough, kombucha, etc.), how far apart do I need to keep the kefir culture?
A.  When items are being actively cultured (and don’t have lids), we suggest keeping a distance of at least several feet (and preferably more) between items. When your cultured items are being stored in the refrigerator with tight-fitting lids, there is no need to keep distance between them.

 Q.  Can I allow the kefir grains to rehydrate for longer than the recommended 3-4 days?
A.  We strongly recommend moving the kefir grains to fresh sugar water after 3-4 days. Leaving them for a longer period could result in the grains being deprived of food (sugar) and result in damage to the grains.

 Q.  I'm not sure my kefir grains are working properly? How can I tell if they are healthy and properly culturing the sugar water, juice, or coconut water?
A.  The ultimate test of whether the kefir grains are working properly is that the finished kefir is less sweet than the sugar water or juice you started with. The resulting kefir will still be quite sweet (due to the presence of fructose; see above for information on the amount of sugar remaining in finished kefir) but should be less sweet than the sugar water or juice you started with. Also, the kefir will generally change color over the 48-hour fermentation period.  
 
Q.  My water kefir grains are multiplying rapidly. Is there a point where I must remove some of the grains?
A.  While only 3 tablespoons of water kefir grains are required to culture up to 3 quarts of water kefir, more grains will not harm the process (and we don't recommend using less than 2 tablespoons of grains even when making less water kefir). However, at some point, you will likely have so many grains taking up room in your brewing container that you must remove a portion of them as a practical matter (or you simply won't have much kefir available). Extra kefir grains can be dehydrated.

Kefir and Sprout Classes

For the upcoming Kefir and sprouting classes we are putting the handouts on the blog so that you can download them and print them yourselves. It's just to much to ask the Church to print!!  Classes are at 2104 W Michelle Dr, Nampa ID, 83651. Please no children unless they are infants. It will be a thirty minute class. Everyone who attends will go home with a kefir start. Please bring a GLASS jar with a lid to transport it home. If you haven't signed up to a class on the handouts at church please let me know what class you plan to attend. I don't want more then about ten at each class. And hopefully we will have a delicious bean sprout salad to enjoy as well!

Class times are:

January 30th at Noon
February 12th at 11am
February 16th after Dry Pack at 1pm

Emergency Essentials Order

The Emergency Essentials order for this month is due by sunday the 18th. I am going to link you to the items that are on our list this month.

~Mobile washer can be found here
           -our group price is $11.00 {origionally 14.95}


~Brownie mix can be found here
            -#10 can of brownie mix cost $13.96 {if 6 or more are ordered, the price will drop to $13.25}

~Whole Egg powder can be found here
           - #10 can of whole egg powder costs $20.95 {if 6 or more are ordered, the price will drop to $20.00}

If you are interested in ordering other items not listed here and still receive the group discount for shipping, please call Bryton Rankin and we can work things out. Thanks!!

Resources from the Self Reliance Olympics

Thank you all who came to last nights self reliance olympics. We are so pleased with the turnout and we hope you guys got something out of our presentation. I wanted to give you guys a few links that would be helpful.

Wendy DeWitt's Video can be found here

Wendy's blog can be found ateverythingunderthesunblog.blogspot.com

If you would like a PDF copy of her book, Please leave a comment below with your email and we will forward it to you. I cannot figure out how to get it onto the blog.

Also, if you would like to take a look at the solar oven that I own, you can see it here

Brother Ram was so gracious to share with me an awesome powerpoint that he put together about a water purification system. I highly recommend that you all read it! He did an awesome job! That can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/s/41irnn9ls4whp7o/SODIS.pptx

Please let me know what else you would like to be linked here on our blog. Again, thanks so much for coming and supporting us :)

~Bryton

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear! October 21st 3rd hour lesson

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear!

A Nampa 6^th Ward combine 3^rd hour by Tammy Williams and Bryton Rankin – Emergency preparedness and Dry Pack Specialists. Given on 10/21/12

·         Signs of caution

o   I am sure you all noticed some signs in the hall as you walked in. There was a CAUTION Now Is the Time to Prepare. A, ONE WAY sign “the lord giveth no commandments; save he shall prepare a way” 1 Nephi 3:7. A Curved arrow sign, “walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.” Alma 7:9. And finally at the door to the gym was a STOP sign reading, “ Be steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God.” Alma 1:25

o   When we read road signs we begin to prepare for whats ahead. We slow down and become more cautious. We are more aware of our surroundings. We may see a slow to a different speed sign, so we do. Then a sign saying to be aware a flagman is ahead. So we slow even more and begin to prepare to stop. When we see the flagmen we yield to whatever sign he is displaying and cautiously proceed threw the road ahead. We know that if we obey the signs we will pass safely threw the road hazard. But if we ignore the signs we risk hitting an individual, harm to ourselves and our vehicles. Ignoring signs on the road is both hazardous and irresponsible. Just like we have numerous road signs that direct us when on the roads, the Lord has given us an abundance of signs about what we need to do to prepare for the coming of the Savior. Scriptural warnings have been given for thousands of years.  The prophets have been warning us, counseling us, and commanding us to prepare both spiritually and temporally.

o   Dallin H Oaks, April 2004 conference

1.       “The scriptures are rich in references to the second coming, an event eagerly awaited by the righteous and dreaded or denied by the wicked. The faithful of all ages have pondered the sequences and meaning of the may events prophesies to precede and follow this hinge point in history.

“Four matters are indisputable to Latter-day Saints: 1} the Savior will return to the earth in power and great glory to reign personally during the millennium of righteousness and peace. 2} at the time of his coming there will be a destruction of the wicked and a resurrection of the righteous. 3} No one knows the time of his coming, but 4} the faithful are taught to study the signs of it and be prepared for it.”

2.       “Biblical and modern prophecies give many signs of the second coming. These include:

·         The fullness of the gospel restored and preached in all the world for a witness to all nations

·         False Christ’s and false prophets, deceiving many

·         Wars and rumors of wars, with nations rising against nation

·         Earthquakes in diverse places

·         Famine and pestilence

·         An overflowing of scourge, a desolate sickness covering the land

·         Iniquity abounding

·         The whole earth in commotion

·         Men’s hearts failing them.”

·         Parable of the 10 virgins

o   In the 25^th chapter of Matthew, we are told a parable of the 10 virgins.

o   10 righteous women were extended an invitation to a wedding. The bride-groom did not come for a long time and the oil in their lamps ran out while they were waiting for him to come. Only 5 women were prepared with extra oil for their lamps while the other 5 had to go and get more. The Bride-groom came while the 5 unprepared women were away. He allowed entrance for the 5 prepared women into the wedding. When the unprepared, but righteous, 5 women returned they found the door locked. The door had been closed and the Lord denied them entrance saying “I know you not. Watch therefore” the Savior concluded “for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the son of man cometh”

o   This chilling representation obviously represented members of Christ’s church. All were invited to the wedding feast and all knew what was required to be admitted when the bridegroom came. But only half were ready when he came.

o   We gave half the room fresh bread. The whole room had napkins, but only half the room had little plates as well.  That was the side that was given bread.  We used this as an “object lesson” if you will.  Just like the 10 Virgins, 50% of this room was not prepare to receive bread. You were half the way there with your napkins but had no plates.  I am sure that the side of the room that received bread, if they had know, would have loved to share but were unaware that only they would receive bread.  And those who received none would really like to have some.  On the morning of the first resurrection we are told only 50% of the members of the church will be prepared to meet the Savior.  We cannot share our spiritual preparedness; our testimony's.  We cannot at that last minute do what must happen over a lifetime to insure that we know our Savior and have lived worthy to be called up in the morning of the first resurrection.  Like the 5 unprepared virgins some will be left out.  Those who are taken in will want desperately to bring the other 50%, but will not be able to.  We are responsible for our own spiritual readiness, and in addition our temporal readiness.

o   “We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for his protection and guidance. This is a 1^st priority. We cannot expect his help if we are unwilling to keep him commandments.” Gordon B. Hinkely. October 2005. If ye are prepared ye shall not fear

o   We cannot expect our Heavenly Father to lower his standard to make up the difference for those who are not prepared. He has prepared a way, he has given aide, if we are unwilling to obey the warning signs he has given us then we will be left without.  We have been instructed and warned for so long. And now the admonishment to prepare is rarely spoken from the pulpit during General Conference anymore. We have been instructed, we know what to do, it is now time to OBEY!!!

o    

·         The world will be in commotion

o   Dallin H oaks, April conference 2004

1.       “In another revelation the Lord declares that some of these signs are His voice calling His people to repentance

2.       In D&C 43:23-25 we read

·         “Hearken, O ye nations of the earth, and hear the words of that God who made you. How oft have I called upon you by the mouth of my servants and by the ministering of angels, and by mine own voice, and by the voice of thundering, and by the voice of lightnings and by the voice of tempests, and by the voice of earthquakes, and great hailstorms, and by the voice of famines and pestilences of every kind… and would have saved you with an everlasting salvation, but ye would not!”

o   We are given MANY warning signs through scriptures and through our prophets. We are told that during the second coming the world will be in chaos!

o   In D&C 88: 88 it says

1.       “And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people.”

o   But even with all of this warning of destruction, we are still issues a promise of comfort. The Lord tells us in D&C 38:30

1.       “But if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.”

o   The Lord has promised us that if we prepare for the second coming, that we will not live in fear.

·         Begin Preparations today

o   “What if the day of his coming were tomorrow? If we knew that we would meet the Lord tomorrow – through our premature death of His unexpected coming – what would we do today? What confessions would we make? What practices would we discontinue? What accounts would we settle? What forgiveness would we extend/ what testimonies would we bear? If we would do those things then, why not now? Why not seek peace while peace can be obtained? If our lamps of preparation are drawn down, let us start immediately to replenish them. We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the second coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult – the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for the earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned in their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparedness is of greater and more enduring value.”

·         How do we prepare spiritually?

o   How do we spiritually prepare?????? Well you came today! You attend your meetings, you partake of the sacrament.  We serve in our callings, we teach our children. We read and study the scriptures daily.  We pray in earnest to the Lord often. Always having a prayer in our hearts. We live all the doctrine we are taught each week. Family Home Evening.  We embrace and embody the gospel. We study and pray so that we KNOW our Savior.

o    “Stand ye in holy places and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come: for behold, it cometh quickly” D&C 87:8

o   Bishop J. Reuben Clark. October 1980 conference

“My dear brothers and sisters, the greatest test for any generation is how to respond to the voice of the prophets. Our prophets have admonished us to—

1.       Increase our personal righteousness – Spiritual preparedness

2.       Live within our means and get out of debt

3.       Produce, can and store enough food, clothing and where possible, fuel for one year

This straightforward counsel has not been followed by all of you. Some have believed and complied; others have waited until they could be sure the storm clouds were gathering; and still others have rejected the counsel.”

·         When I {Bryton} started preparing a food storage, I was overwhelmed at where to start. There are so many different way to prepare a food storage and so many different opinions on how you should do it. I find such comfort in this counsel that gives us 3 steps, or places to start, as we prepare our food storage.

·         When should we start preparing?

o   Do NOT be the one who waits until the rain clouds are gathering to build an ark. We don’t want to be the 5 righteous virgins who were unprepared! We must start preparing NOW our spiritual selves to stand up against trails and hardships.

o   Alma 34:32

§  “This life is the time to prepare to meet God.”

o   We cannot stress enough the urgency the Lord is expressing. When we {Tammy and Bryton} were called to be our wards Emergency Preparedness and Dry pack Specialists, we were issued beautiful blessings. In these blessings we were promised that we would receive revelation for the things we must teach our ward. We both have felt like we are to extend an invitation to prepare NOW, both spiritually and temporally, for hardships ahead. Whether it be a loss of job, loss of a family member, helping out a neighbor, or the signs that have been prophesied of.

o   Harold B. Lee. Welfare meeting, October 1966 conference

§  “The only safety and security there is in the Church is in listening to the words that come from the prophets of the Lord, as if from the mouth of the Lord himself. And they have spoken; they have told us to prepare, and it is not for us to argue whether we should or whether we should not. We have the prophets today telling us what our responsibility is here and now. God help us not to turn a deaf ear, but go out while the harvest is yet possible and build a foundation such that when the rains descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat on the house, our house will have stone walls.”

·         Tammy Williams Testimony;

o   Today our children gave us a beautiful program. I always love the programs, the Spirit is so near and I just love watching all their little faces as they sing.  Their program today was all about obeying the commandments. Living lives that are in keeping with the teachings of our Father in Heaven. We heard them sing about Noah building an Ark even when others laughed at him and said he was foolish. Yet he obeyed. We heard them sing of Nephi who left Jerusalem the land of their inheritance to sail to the promised land, in a boat he had never before seen, and with no tools. But he obeyed and he listened to the Lord, he moved forward with Faith, They sang.... I WILL GO, I WILL DO, THE THINGS THE LORD COMMANDS, I KNOW THE LORD PROVIDES A WAY, HE WANTS ME TO OBEY.

o   We begin teaching our children at very young ages about obedience. They understand better then us even I think how to obey with a singleness of purpose and with an uncomplicated willingness. We should be more like them.  We must be more like them!!

o   When we just begin to do what the Lord has commanded, he begins to provide a way for it to be accomplished. He always has. We aren't being asked to Trek across the country as the pioneers did, we aren't' asked to build an ark, no building a boat without seeing any plans, no slaying Laban! We are being asked to give some of our financial means, and some of our time, in order to provide for our families and be self reliant.  Our obedience is being tested in different ways. Some more difficult then others. We must decide NOW to follow the path the Lord has provided, and that includes obedience to ALL his commandments. Including the not so glamorous one to get a three month, and then a year supply of food and other necessary items for your home.

o   When I {Tammy} began preparing for this lesson. I wanted desperately to have the Lord help me say all the right things. I wanted to be able to pass along the fire and urgency I feel about obey the commandment to prepare to you. It was an overwhelming task. To teach with the spirit about obeying all the laws, commandments, suggestions, and to teach to prepare in ALL things. I mean really that is every point in the gospel. No way to cover it all!! I was so overwhelmed. You need to know that we have been praying and talking and fasting for this lesson.  Our desire for it to be exactly whatever each person needs was such a heavy responsibility, at least for me. While on the drive back from the temple where things hadn't gone completely as planned, but was exactly what I needed. I was speaking with Brother Ross. I asked him what I should say, what direction should I go with things? He listened to me ramble for a few moments then simply asked, “Tammy why are you so passionate about food storage? Why do you do all this???” well what followed was my passionate, rambling, testimony of how I feel about the commandment to be prepared in all things. When I was done. Brother Ross with a little chuckle said, “ I hear three things here Tammy, Faith, Sacrifice, and Love. I was surprised that he could sum up all that I had said so easily. It made my mind clear too, and I began to understand how I was to teach this lesson.  All I can do is pray for the spirit and bear humble testimony of my conversion to this commandment.  Because each of us must have our own conversion to the truthfulness of this council. So what follows is my three reasons for obeying with exactness the commandment to prepare.

o   Faith... that I believe the prophets, and the lords commandments and that all his prophesies will be fulfilled. And because of that Faith I will obey. My obedience is the way I can show my Father in Heaven that I am truly converted to his gospel. I know that all that has been taught and all that has been promised by the prophets and in the scriptures will come to past. I have faith in ALL of the teachings of this gospel.

o   Sacrifice... I am willing to give up the extras of today for the future I don't necessarily see. Knowing that my sacrifices are nothing compared to the Saviors. And I know that sacrifice itself is in our future.  If we are truly to endure to the end and see the great day of the second coming we will have to be faithful and endure tremendous sacrifice. I know that sacrificing today is teaching my children how to as well. There is no sacrifice that I won't give to care for my children and to provide for their future.

o   Love,,, this one is the greatest. My greatest calling on this earth is to be a Mother. My greatest responsibility is to care for and raise my children. I will not have a future that includes them starving to death because I didn't follow the commandment to prepare when I was supposed to. I will obey because I love my children and want to take care of them in the times of knowing, and the times that I don't know about. I need to know that I have done all in my power to care for and protect my babies. I love my Father in Heaven and do not want to let him down. The Lord has intrusted to me a few of his beloved children, I will not meet him one day and not be able to say that I didn't do all within my power to care for, teach, feed, and love his children!  So out of LOVE I will SACRIFICE, and follow in FAITH the commandment to prepare every needful thing. Including a year supply of food.

·         Temporal preparedness

o   Now to lighten things up a bit, we have a list of the top 8 reasons why you should NOT prepare a food storage

1.       I paid my tithing for 20 years, the church should be able to give me a little food

a.       All of the bishops storehouses, church orchards and silos that the church owns and all access to food that the church has would feed only 4% of the members of the church. Not 4% of the population of the world but the church members only

2.       Im moving in with my parents/children

a.       There are too many variables that would prevent you from gathering together

b.      There is risk of epidemics and pandemics. Isolation may be required in your own homes.

3.       I have a year supply of food and the bullets to go with it

a.       Why would I spend the money on food storage just to have a guy with a gun come and take it all?

b.      Our question for you is… Are you more afraid of the guy with the gun or becoming the guy with the gun?

c.       If you are watching your children and family starve, you would lie, steal, fight and you WOULD become the guy with the gun to feed them. There is nothing you would not do to save your family!

4.       The boats and 4 wheelers are taking up all my storage space

a.       Its all about priorities!!

5.       3 Letters.. Y2K.

a.       In other words… ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN

b.      Every prophecy that has been given will be fulfilled. We just don’t know when

6.       If anything does happen, the government will be there within hours to save us

a.       Don’t count on it J

7.       I can’t afford scrapbooking and food storage

a.       We live in the richest society in the history of the world

b.      Its about priorities!

c.       Everyone here has a cell phone, but not everyone has a food storage. You spend more on a cell phone then you would on food storage. You can have a year supply for a dollar a day.

d.      We also placed a basket on a table at the door with a sign that read,  Please deposit all electronic devices below! This includes Cell phones.  We keept them safe! And we will return them once we are done. But we wanted you to see how many of you are spending upwards of 30-100 dollars a month on a luxury item. We are pretty sure that each person has a little wiggle room in their budget if they try. We are not suggesting that you give up your cell phones; We most definitely will not be!! But we just wanted you to see that we all claim we do not have room in our budgets, yet we find room for a luxury electronic device. If the time ever came that you needed to live off of your food storage, you would be so glad you sacrificed today!

8.       Im waiting for the cannery to sell Papa Johns dehydrated Pizza

a.       Food storage has a stigma to be nasty and bland!  

b.      It doesn’t have to be wheat and rice and beans.

c.       Put food you love into food storage!!

d.      There is some pretty awesome food storage items out there today that are pretty close to papa johns pizza!

·         Bryton Rankin’s Testimony;

·         When my husband was investigating the church, we were given a folder with information about food storage from our relief society. I kind of laughed about it because it is such a Mormon thing to have a food storage. But I kept coming back to that folder and I figured I would give it a try. Ever since I have felt so much assistance in preparing my food storage. I have never once felt like it was a chore, but instead felt like I had angels at my back helping to nudge me along. I have received many blessing from having a food storage and have LOVED learning how to use it. We now use it for almost every meal in my house. We love to cook with it and we love to be able to rotate through it. I have such a testimony of the importance of heading the prompting of the spirit and listening ot the counsel from our prophets pertaining to food storage. I get excited about ordering new items each month and my family is eating healthier! We have saved so much time and money by using our food storage in our everyday life!

We are so grateful for the chance to share our passion with our ward! We hope you will all attend our November 9^th activity! We will be talking more about how to save money and use your food storage every day! We will be having some games and friendly competition! We hope you all can gain a testimony as well of the importance of preparing your family spiritually and temporally.