(Preparing physically)

While catastrophe hits the opposite side of the world, we Americans are still very, very blessed in comparison. The floods in the Midwest (Iowa, Missouri) were (and still are) quite devastating. There’s no telling how much damage has been done, and how hard it will impact our food prices. America certainly has had had its share of fires, floods and tornadoes recently, but the bulk of the U.S. is still healthy, strong, fed, sheltered, and living in comfort.

I once read that if you have electricity/gas for heating and cooking... if you have warm clothes and good shoes... if you have a sound shelter... if you have clean water... if you have enough food to eat more than once a day, already you are better off than millions and millions of people.

If you own a home... own a car... have a job where you make money... have means of communication (internet, phone)... and have a TV, then you are better off than billions of people in this world.

We tend to take our life for granted. Yes, we may thank God for all of the blessings He's given us, but still we find discontent. I find myself saying sometimes, "I wish we lived out in the country..." or "This stupid house is falling apart..." or "I don’t want to go to work today." How selfish and petty of me. Yes, we're human. There are days where we feel disconnected and discontented with our world. In those moments, we lack wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to see your life and your world from The Lord's point of view.

Wisdom is also the ability to prepare and plan for times of uncertainty. Sure, you might think life is crappy at this moment, perhaps due to some event or issue in your life. Is it really that bad? Are you on the brink of disaster? Mentally, it might feel like it sometimes. Yet do we really know disaster? Probably not. Are we prepared for disaster? Doubt it. Not even a small one. Think about this for a minute: Remember when the electricity grid went out a few years back on the eastern portion of the U.S.? What if that happened again? What if the electricity was out for a week in your entire area, not just for a day or two? Are you prepared for something like that -- especially if you had nowhere else to go? Could you cope? What if a flash flood occurred, or a fire raged close to your home and you had to evacuate in a hurry. Could you gather all your necessary belongings quickly?

As I said, we're all (mostly) blessed that we haven't had to survive a natural disaster. Yet in this day and age, where natural hazards seem more frequent, it only makes sense to prepare.

In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. (Proverbs 21:20)

Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; (Proverbs 20:25)

Therefore, be smart. Have a plan for your family. Allow me to help... here's a good plan to start with:

Go out and buy three large storage tubs (Rubbermaid or similar). Fill it with these items:

Tub # 1:
--flashlights
--batteries
--a crank radio
--old fashioned "landline" phone (this came in handy during the blackout, since our cell phones didn't work)
--glowsticks
--candles
--matches, lighters
--charcoal handwarmers (if you live in a cold climate)
--first aid kit
--Small bottle of bleach (for water purification)
--medicine dropper (for the bleach)
--antibacterial wipes, sanitizer
--cups, plates, silverware
--can opener
--small pot, large spoon
--paper-towel
--baby supplies, medicines
--feminine hygiene products
--bars of soap (or travel sized toiletries)
--toothbrushes, travel toothpaste
--small garbage backs & twist ties
--roll of toilet paper
--ponchos
--"space blankets" (those fold-out, silver blankets)
--sunscreen
--bug repellant
--whistle (to call for help, if needed)
(Be sure to check all dates on medicine and ointments. Most have a date that is 3-4 years out. If there is no need to use the contents after a couple of years, pull out those items and put in your medicine cabinet for regular use -- and of course, replace with new ones for the tub.)

Tub # 2:
--two six packs of bottled water
--crackers
--Capri Sun juice boxes (they last a long time)
--nuts
--trail mix
--beef/turkey jerky
--canned soups, beans, ravioli
--granola, protein bars
--peanut butter
--jelly
--fruit snacks
--Crystal light or Kool Aid packets (helps water taste better if it's stale)

(In this tub, you can put anything that will keep for a while. Typically, canned goods and crackers only last a couple of years. When shopping, check dates to get the ones that are farthest out. After a year or so, if you haven't needed to use the food, you can consume and replace as needed.)

Tub # 3:
--one extra pair of tennis shoes/sneakers for each person in the family
--four pair of socks for each person
--four pair of underwear for each
--t-shirts, pants, sweaters
--hats/caps
--blanket
--gloves (if in a cold climate)

(This may require two tubs for a large family. Instead of throwing out old/worn tennis shoes, place in this tub. For kids with growing feet, buy a cheap pair at the local thrift store or on sale.)

Place all three tubs in one specific area, like a basement or closet (not the garage, where it might get too hot or too cold for the foodstuffs). In this area, also keep two gallons of water per person (for washing, toilets, etc.). You can buy the big containers practically anywhere. Unfortunately, water does not store for very long -- only about 3-5 months. For this reason, the water must be used and replaced about 4 times a year. If you have time in an emergency, you could always fill up jugs from the sink, as well as the bathtub or washing machine with water. You wouldn't want to use this for drinking unless you had to -- it would be more for washing/toilet flushing. In a dire situation, you could use that water for drinking if you boiled it first or treated it with a few drops of bleach.

Also, in the area with the rubber totes and water, keep a small firebox or envelope with copies of all important documents: birth certificates, marriage license, passports, insurance papers, mortgage papers, telephone numbers, etc.

If a situation arose where you had to evacuate quickly, you could simply gather up these few totes and water jugs and load it up into your vehicle within minutes. Or, on the other hand, if the electricity went out and your family was stuck in the house for a week, you could easily ration food and liquids from this central "storehouse area" once the food in the fridge/kitchen was consumed. It's also nice to have one central spot to keep all things like flashlights, batteries, candles, etc. versus having to search for them in the dark.

Don't worry if you have very little of these things and don't have the money for them. Simply buy one or two items every time you go out to the store or grocery shopping. Most of it (candles, matches, etc.) is inexpensive. Often you can find lanterns and flashlights at a local thrift shop or Army supply store.

Also, it may be helpful to have a propane cookstove or charcoal grill on-hand. Eating packaged foods might be okay if they're cheese and crackers, but soups and beans would be better if heated.

Again, these preparations are not indented for "Armageddon" or the end of the world. I believe that the good Lord will take care of us if such circumstances occurred. A few stored cans of food and a jug of water will not help us in the event of a nuclear attack or world war. In that instance, we will need to rely on the grace of God to get us through -- if the Rapture hasn't occurred before then. ;o) This post was simply about being smart, and taking care of your family during a short-term emergency.

It would also be very generous and loving to help another family or two do this kind of preparation... especially if they're short on cash or struggling.

Stay tuned for part 2, which will talk about how to prepare your spirit in disastrous times...