Water Storage

I just recently listened to this segment of Judge Jeanine's:

Now, I'm not one of those Dooms Day Preppers, but I do believe in being prepared.  And even though things like Solar flares are real and could cause havoc, I think I'm more afraid of other countries with their nukes, like North Korea or Iran.  Theo and I have had discussions about what we would do if they ever were capable of firing off one of those nukes at us, but he assured me that the U.S. has deflector missiles that would destroy them before they got to U.S. land.  But with this new revelation that they could just shoot it up into the atmosphere and disrupt our whole power grid has got me feeling those heebie jeebies all over again. 

The church that I belong to, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, has been pushing self efficiency and preparedness since the beginning of it's organization.  There are lots of helpful tips and food storage calculations to help you know what your family is going to need to survive any kind of catastrophe.  Even if you aren't worried about nukes, there is always some kind of weather element that could effect your life where you live (Sandy or Katrina for example) and you will have to survive on what you have laying around your home.

So this year for my New Year's Resolution I am going to be focusing on getting me and my family prepared in case of emergencies. 

My first priority today was my water storage.  I have a few bottles in my basement that I am adding to as I go along and I am slowly bulking up my water supply.  But what I really want is this:

Until I get enough money to buy some of these babies I'll have to make due with my empty soda and juice containers.

I read on a blog that you should rotate the water out every 6 months, and that you shouldn't use juice bottles either.  I did some research HERE, on the church website, but it didn't say anything about not using the juice bottles.  It only said to use bottles that are made with PETE plastic and that it was used for food storage.  So I went to check my bottles.

BAM!!  PETE right there on the bottom of the juice bottle, and all the soda bottles as well.  I was in the clear and proceeded to rotate the bottles out by pouring out the water, washing and refilling for the next 6 months.  Then I got to thinking, the church website didn't say anything about rotating them out.  I was almost done with all these before I came to that realization:

It does state to make sure your water is treated with chlorine, and if it isn't then to just add a few drops of clear bleach of your own.  A quick check to the Atlantic County water site assured me that our water is already treated.  I did swish a bottle caps worth of bleach in them after washing and before rinsing again to fill with water. 

I did label them with the month and year, just to be on the safe side in case I do read that it's a must to rotate water.  My stash is small, but hopefully it will multiply quickly, or even better, I'll get my drum! 

Please be aware of these kinds of things.  You never know when you might need something like this, whether it is a disaster, nature or man-made, or maybe you might fall on hard times in the future, it's always a good idea to be prepared.  Especially if you have a family where other people depend on you.  You can visit THIS site to give you all kinds of ideas, and while you're there stop in for some spiritual enlightening also!

Hill Cumorah Pageant, Family Vaca Pt. 2

 So I know it isn't the next day, but I warned you.  I'm kind of just going with the flow of things right now and just post when I can...oh, who am I kidding, I post when I'm feeling it.  I'm finally feeling it, so here is the rest of our trip.

The Pageant was actually the main reason we even stayed with my cousin in Rochester, can you believe Niagara was just a bonus?!  That place was amazing!  But the Pageant was just as awesome, and the site seeing was really fun.  I was afraid that the kids wouldn't do well during the pageant, but they were so mesmerized by the pageant it was never an issue to get them to pay attention, which made it so much more enjoyable for me that I was able to actually watch the show!

Here is the stage right before the show.  The actors were walking around the crowds in costume, which was really neat.  What's even more amazing is that all the actors are volunteers!  The effects had the coolest 'WOW!' factor!  There was a boat that sailed through the ocean, a storm that ripped the sail, lightening, it was unbelievable. 

At the top of the Hill Cumorah.

The Palmyra Temple

 

 

Smith House and Barn

While we were site seeing the Smith property a few storms came through.  We thought it would just blow over and took refuge at the visitors center.  It slacked off a little, but that was just the beginning.  As we walked around the stormy clouds started blowing in with lightening striking very close.  My main goal was to walk through the Sacred Grove, but with the erratic storm we weren't sure we would be able to make it.  We walked down the path to the woods behind the property where a nice couple missionaries were sitting under a tent and told us that they are advising people that it isn't safe to go in at that moment.  No big, we just stood there with them chatting as we waited for the all clear.  Once another guide came over the walkie talkie that it was alright to go we headed in.  It was really neat being in there, the trees created this canopy over head so we couldn't even see the sky.  We couldn't see the sky but we saw the flashing of lightening and according on the thunder that followed it was close!  We picked up the pace and practically ran out of the grove, and just in time, when we got to the exit there were workers that were just coming through to evacuate the grove.  I was super sad that we couldn't spend more time walking around.  We'll just have to go back and make sure that we check the weather before heading out!

We also checked out the Printing Press where the first Book of Mormon was published.  They had the same original floors that the Smith's and Martin Harris would have walked on.

This is a first edition Book of Mormon they had on display.  It was a really nice family vacation and I was so happy that I could take my kids and enjoy history that way.

God's Grace is Enough

This is an excellent talk given by Brother Brad Wilcox...I can't even give you highlights because no joke, this whole thing is awesome.  I sincerely hope everyone who visits this blog will watch this short 30 minute clip.  You will not regret it!

A Very Special Day

 When I found out I was pregnant with my first little girl I cried for joy.  8 years later and I still swell up with love and pride for this beautiful little girl and that I was blessed with her sweet spirit in my life.  From her inquisitive nature, to her desire to do her best, to her hilarious ability to let loose and make everyone around her laugh, she is definitely a choice daughter of God.

 Posing with Daddy right before the big dunk!

 Isn't that a cute jumpsuit she is wearing?  My good friend Lisa from Mobile came into town and brought it with her so Miriam could borrow it.  It was so pretty I really should consider buying one since I have 3 other girls that are going to be baptized!

 Miriam is the only girl in her Primary class, and her teacher only has boys, so she went all out and volunteered to do the decorating.  She works at a flower shop and does arranging herself so I just handed over the reigns on that one and she did a fabulous job!  I know I couldn't have gotten anywhere near how great she had it looking!

 She came up with all the table decorations.  They are super cute!  My contribution was the pictures on a wooden skewer, which is a step up to my previous idea...just putting pictures on the table.  Needless to say this is the far superior presentation!

 It was on a Saturday, so I was a little worried about a lot of people not being able to make it, but I think we had a fairly good turnout.

 The cultural hall.

 The one thing Miriam has been asking for since her last birthday is Root Beer floats at her next birthday.  So I got the idea to do a Root Beer float bar!  I had all kinds of different flavored Root Beers and people could try something new, stick with their favorite or combine flavors.  The choices were endless!  I thought I was doing so well when I was getting ready the night before. Me and my friend Lisa, (here in the picture) made up a check list to go by in the morning so we wouldn't forget anything.  I kept feeling like I was forgetting something, but when we got to the church I was getting ready to set out the ice cream and realized I forgot the ice cream!  You can't have floats without the ice cream, and I had 2 containers of 2 boxes of ice cream from Costco sitting in my freezer at home. *FAIL!*  Thankfully the missionaries volunteered to go get some ice cream real quick.  They were there and back before opening prayer and disaster was diverted!!

 Here is Miriam with her Primary teaching Sis. Jackson.  She's flower genius and an awesome teacher, Miriam loves being in her class.  Although I told her that she's going to have to do my other girls' baptism now that she has set the bar so high!

And I am so grateful to my friend Lisa who was able to come into town and help with all the preparations and helping me to keep my ducks in a row.  I know I forgot the ice cream, but without her help I would have forgotten so much more!  And as an added bonus she helped me make Pani Popo for the baptism which is heavenly coconut sweet bread, sooooo goooood!

It really was a beautiful service and it wasn't because of me.  I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life to help me out.  Moving around a lot I worry if I'll fit in or if my kids will feel loved, but the family we create within the church never ceases to amaze me everywhere we go.

He Is Risen!

This is actually a hard post for me to admit, but over 10 years ago I was going to college and in one of my History classes the teacher found out that I am a Mormon.  She seemed fascinated that she had a Mormon student and questioned me whenever she could.  She would make a point in her lecture, then stop, look around the room and say, "Where's my Mormon student?" before asking me a question.
One day she asked me a question that I knew the answer to, but she answered her own question before letting me respond and in a different way that I would have. So I was shocked by being put on the spot and the answer that she gave threw me off that I never got to give my answer and it still haunts me today thinking about my missed opportunity.  The question she asked was, "Why don't Mormons use the cross in their worship?".  I took poise to answer her right before she went into her own answer that some missionaries had shared with her.  Apparently this young man told her that it's like idolizing how Christ died, like if your mom was shot and killed you wouldn't have a picture of her and a gun.  I was so taken back by this answer, and she didn't give me the opportunity to contradict her, that I sat there as the lesson progressed not saying anything. I still feel like I lost the chance to not only change her thought, but now everyone in the classroom thinks this is the reason.  Well I may be over 10 years late, but I think Easter is a good time to set the record straight.

When Christ died for us that was just a piece of his wonderful gift to us.  He lived his life as the perfect example, he walked on water, he healed the sick and raised the dead!  He bled from every pore at the Garden of Gethsemane, each drop of blood representing our sins.  And then three days after he died he rose from the tomb, He lives again!  We worship the Living Christ, He is our Savior because he lives!  His dying was a part of the big picture and because of that we focus on ALL of Him...Life-Death-Resurrection.

If I could go back in time, this is what I would change my answer to.  I would have stopped the class just so I could clarify what we believe and the real reason we don't have the cross.  The cross represents His death, but He lives and that is why we don't use it. I understand why religions use this to symbolize Jesus Christ, this is my explanation as to why we don't, not because we don't worship Jesus, but because we embrace everything about Him.  He lives!

Mormon Confessions

Hahaha!  I love this!  But then I was wondering, why, if there are so many members and missionaries out there, do so many others still think we are so secretive?  All our information is out there, you can download the Book of Mormon for free on any phone, ipad, Kindle or any other electronic device for free. You can download all the General Conferences (bi-annual conferences where the Prophet and the Apostles speak to us) on itunes for free.  You can go to www.lds.org to  read anything and everything about our belief. 

Why then are we still considered secretive? 

I think the answer lies within the members.  Yes these fine young men devote 2 years of their lives to go out there and preach full time, but realistically, how many people are they going to teach?  And even if they could knock on every door in their area, how many would actually let them in and listen to their message?  Members are everywhere, we are in the community, we are your neighbors, and yet you may never know.  We are taught to go out there and be good examples, but I came up with a metaphor that I think some members forget the most important part of being a good example:

"You (members of the LDS church) are the billboard for the church, make sure the name of the company isn't left off."

We can be the best example there is out there, but if people don't know our religion then they are just going to think we are just really awesome nice people. 

I actually came to this conclusion years ago, but I still struggle with sharing this very important part of me with others, why?  I think it's because Mormons are also people pleasers.  We want to help, we want to lift up, we want to bake you a casserole and be your friend.  I think it is the possibility that we will offend someone with our beliefs that we remain tight lipped.  I'm just speaking from experience here, there may be a million of reasons why it's hard for someone to share their religious views with others, but growing up in the Bible belt I have had my fair share of people telling me I was going to hell because of my Mormon beliefs.  So that does make me a little hesitant to share, and my pulse quickens every time it gets brought up as to what religion I am.  Are these people going to accept me for who I am, or are they going to lay into me about how we worship 'ole Joe Smith and polygamy?

Which on a side note, to say that we worship Joseph Smith because he started the church and gave us the Book of Mormon is to say all Christians worship Moses for leading his people through the Red Sea and gave them the 10 commandments.  And for the umpteenth time, we DO NOT practice polygamy anymore, it was one of those times when the Lord said it was necessary, probably much in the same way it was necessary when Abraham of the Old Testament was a prophet and had multiple wives...just saying.

But I digress...I have come across people who are skeptical of us because we are so helpful.  They wonder what is in it for us, what are we up to that we can give so freely?  Well guess what, there is something in it for me.  I have complete selfish reasons to help you, it brings ME joy!  It gives ME the light of Christ!  When we are in the service of our fellowman we are in the service of our Lord (Mosiah 2:17) and there is no greater joy than to serve Him. I may not even know you, but I'm going to help you out to the best of my ability because I know that Heavenly Father loves you.  And because I love Him I going to do everything I can to help others.

We believe that it is only through our Savior, Jesus Christ that we are saved and can return to him and our Heavenly Father.  We believe in the Bible and that the whole reason for the Book of Mormon is to prove that the Bible is true, that Jesus did live, die for us and rose again! 

I have been contemplating writing this post for awhile, but I kept chickening out.  Then I read this that a missionary in this area posted today on Facebook:

The Fellowship of the Unashamed
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of JESUS CHRIST. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, or dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on his presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised detoured, lured away, divided, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up and paid up for the cause of CHRIST. I must go until he comes, give until I drop, preach until all know and work until He stops me. And when he returns for his own, He’ll have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear. I WILL NOT BE ASHAMED!

You may not believe in what I believe, just please don't persecute what you know nothing about.  I will make it my goal to put myself more out there, both in my community and on my blog.  I can only pray that I have been the good example that the Lord would be proud of, and hopefully by doing this more walls can be brought down and the majority of the public out there won't think of us as a secretive people.