Hello sweet friends! I am so happy to be back as I am ready UNLOAD a bunch of things that have been weighing on my mind. Today, we are going to chat about preparedness and provisions. This can be a rather controversial topic, but I don’t think I am the only one thinking about it and taking action when it comes to being prepared for the unexpected.. So let’s jump right in…
Preparedness
I would not say that I have “Doomsday” perspective when it comes to life. However, since the pandemic, I now have the understanding that life as we know it can change in the blink of an eye. The more I have thought about what life ahead may look like, the more I have had the urge to be somewhat self sufficient and ready for whatever may lie ahead.
Now, I am not talking about living entirely off grid or being “ready” to survive the next World War or a zombie apocalypse. I truly don’t believe God intended us to live our lives in a constant state of fear of what the future may hold.
In fact, C.S. Lewis shared his thoughts on this back in 1948, and I find it to be applicable even in this day and age.
He stated:
“If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb, when it comes, find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.” – C.S. Lewis (1948).
I want to be found doing sensible things if a time such as that ever comes- worshipping Jesus, loving my husband, raising my children, tending to my animals, etc.
BUT, I also understand that emergencies happen. Natural Disasters. Job Loss. Sickness. Inflation. The list goes on and on.
Preparedness & Provisions
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Throughout a series of blog posts, I am going to be sharing the steps I am taking and the items I am investing in for emergency situations. I truly do not want to come at this from a place of fear, but rather, I want this series to be a resource for you to use in your own life. Proverbs 6 tells us to “look to the ant” and explains that the ant stores up her food and works hard preparing for the winter- for rougher times ahead. I’m not saying that rough times are coming for all, but they often find us when we least expect it. I want to be wise and be able to tend to my family in a time of need.
We are still in our early days of preparedness, but this list is our starting point. Some of these things will take quite some time to do. Regardless, I already feel at ease about becoming more prepared for possible emergencies. I know this list will grow over time, and I plan on continuing to share.
Beginning Preparedness Checklist:
- Become entirely debt free and have a 3-6 month emergency fund. (meaning we could pay all our bills and put food on the table for 3-6 months without either of us working).
- Obtain recertification in CPR/Heimlich Maneuver. Invest in a few Lifevac devices.
- Build a proper first aid kit- tourniquets, snake bite kit, etc. (Because we are so rural, it could take 30+ minutes to get proper help, so having a hefty first aid kit is essential).
- Invest in proper fire prevention & understand property fire suppression. Place fire extinguishers in garage, kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms. Place important documents in fire resistant box.
- Build & Grow a sustainable garden and invest in a greenhouse.
- Learn how to preserve/can food & purchase necessary tools to do so.
- Learn how to make & cook food from scratch.
- Purchase a generator for our home.
- Buy a wood stove or butane stove to be able to cook on in case the power goes out. (eventually I want to purchase a gas range for our home)
- Store & Rotate 3-6 month food supply.
- Invest in a water purifier system & proper storage. This is the one I am looking at.
- Build a clothesline.
- Learn to make candles & soap.
- Learn to raise & process our own meat. (chicken, deer, cattle, etc)
- Collect books about self-sufficient living or how-to advice.
I hope this post inspires you to do some preparation within your own home or at least ponder on what you would do if you were presented with an emergency situation. Leave a comment down below if you are taking steps to become more prepared for emergencies. If so, what steps are you taking?
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