everyday prepping for beginners - prepper

7/27/2019 Everyday Prepping for Beginners - Prepper

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Everyday Prepping for Beginners

Preparing for Disasters Big or Little

Now and Future

By Barbara Henderson


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Copyright

Thou shat not steal

Owner Barbara Henderson

Contact Barbara for permission to usepart of this book.


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This book is dedicated to:

The Most High God of creation

The Christian pioneers who struggledto build a strong independent nation

My husband and family

To those readers who have a vision ofa future where

self-reliance is normal

Those who want a better life than the

government can give them

Contents

1. What is Prepping and Why Should


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Become a Prepper? 42. Who Are You REALLY? 8Self-Discipline 14

Self-Reliance 163. THE FIRST BEST PREPPERTOOL 184. Prepping Categories 215. Day to Day Prepping 226. Surviving the Storm 267. Leave Your Home Temporarily

Disasters 308. Lose Your Home in aDisaster 339. Stuck in Your Home During a

Disaster 3510. Your Home without Electricity for aprolonged period of time 3811. No Home and No Place t


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Go 4012. Guns, knives, and otheweapons 42

13. Camping Basics the perfect wao have a good time and prep fo

extended time away from your reahome 4414. A TRUE Story of Farm Life MyGrandparents 4815. Barter and Trade 54

Appendix 1 recipes 57Appendix 2 how to 80Appendix 3 - 85Appendix 4 A Working Home Pantry

Combination Storage System 93Stuff Not Covered Elsewhere (or smportant I cover it twice) 99

Disasters Make People Grumpy an


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Crazy so BE CAREFUL! 100


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1. What is

Prepping and WhyShould I Become a

Prepper?Preppers are people who spend a lot oime and sometimes money preparing fo

an unknown disaster or problem.This disaster or problem will occur aan unknown time.

The duration is unknown.The seriousness of the event is unknown

Truthfully, preppers have been around

since the dawn of time.


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Farmers grew food in the summer anstored enough to eat until the next yearharvest.

Merchants bought supplies wheavailable.Doctors got their traditional medicinewhen it was time to harvest them.People saved money for a rainy day.

Preppers are really just people who tak

being prepared seriously. They want tobe prepared for next event whether it ia meal, a fun activity, or somethinunexpected. They want to be prepare

for normal events and unexpecteevents. Most people have a little bit oprepper in them even if it is just a gamplan on how to avoid a difficult o


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obnoxious co-worker or neighbor. Mospeople take it a little farther than that anmake an effort to at least schedule an

plan some immediate things to makhem go more smoothly.

Today when you hear about a prepper is likely referring to someone who irying to be prepared for something bihat is out of the ordinary. This could b

a flood, fire, storm, economic collapseob loss, or anything all the way up t

anarchy. In this book I want to start withe basics. Prepping should start b

making your daily life go more smoothland efficiently. In prepping for todaand tomorrow you can begin to get handle on pepping for big events


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Prepping for each day is something thaeveryone should do. Prepping for thnext week in advance is the start o

prepping for longer times and biggeevents. Being as prepared as possible ia good way to live your life.

Preppers want to be self-reliant

nstead of government-reliant.

t is fully true that the government is alsprepping.

They have stuff stockpiled so they carush in and help people who have haheir lives disrupted by a disaster. Tak

for example the devastating hurrican


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named Katrina that hit states in thSouthern United States a few years agoFirst the hurricane hit and then disaste

number two hit. The levees broke anflooded the area. The governmenstepped up to the plate and made thingeven worse. Well, you may not believhat, but you at least have to admit tha

disaster relief was slow in arriving.Baptist churches have disaster relie

eams who usually beat the governmeno the victims of most disasters.

The people who are two steps ahead o

he game are those who have prepareas best they can in advance. Even if thedo wind up using government assistancehey have had a more comfortabl


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existence than those who have nothinbut time while they wait on the FEMAeams to arrive.

Everyone has a little bit of prepper ihem.For instance, it is common for mospeople to prepare for the next day thnight before. People lay out clothes thewill put on in the morning. At least the

set the alarm clock! A common Mondamorning for a working family woulnclude proper clothes for the day set ouhe night before, coffee available t

make, something handy for breakfasand something to make a reasonablunch for anyone who needs a lunch tha

day.


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Whatever the morning schedule foanyone, chances are very good that a

east most of the time some effort hagone into preparing things ahead of timhat will make the morning go a

smoothly and quickly as possible.

The same goes for meals throughout thweek, clothes, shopping, worship

recreation, and rest have a planneschedule.

Most people have back up plans for a

east some situations.For instance, there is usually someonon call in case a child cannot be pickeup at daycare or school on time.


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Even a tiny savings account is an attempo be prepared for the unknown such a

needing a new tire or something equall

necessary but expensive for a smalbudget.Extra food in the pantry is prepping fobad weather or a way of buying that newire without spending that tiny saving

account.

Prepping just takes it a step farther. Igoes into the unusual and unexpected.

The purpose of prepping is to mak

any event that takes a person o

family out of their routine and/o

comfort zone more comfortable an

ess disrupting.


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For instance, recently there was wildfire in an area of my state. In fachere have been wildfires all over th

country this year. Many people had teave their homes. Some people lefheir home for the last time because thei

home burned to ground while they wergone. This was definitely not theifault. They definitely had no controover this event. It still happened an

heir lives were definitely disrupted.

Lets consider the people whoevacuated, spent three nights away fro

home, and then returned home. They hahree days of uncertainty annconvenience. They had no choice ihe matter, but IF they had done som


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basic preparations they were mucbetter off than people who hadnt donanything at all to prepare.

Then, consider the people whose homewere lost in the fire. They are definiteln a different category regarding thei

future. Those who made some generapreparations for such a disaster arbetter off than those who made n

preparation.

You cannot honestly be fully preparedfor an unknown event that will hit you a

an unknown time. However, there are number of things you can do in order tbe better prepared for whatevehappens.


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suppose I became a prepper when was about ten years old. I began to carr

a ladies handbag. I was a child with aextreme case of near-sightedness. Evernight I put my glasses in my cheap littlhandbag, and I slept with the handbaright by my bed. I was terrified of beinwithout my glasses because that woulput me in the category of severel

vision impaired. It was bad couldnt even read the big E on the eychart. I progressed to keeping somcash in the handbag. Next came makeup

a hair brush, and a hanky. Then as I goolder I needed over the counter paimedicine, allergy medicine, eye dropsband-aids for just in case, and thing


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ike that. Eventually I had to make decision regarding just how big mhandbag was going to be allowed to get

Honestly, the happiest time of my lifwas when my kids were little and carried a diaper bag. You can get aweeks worth of stuff in a nice diapebag. I mean if I could fit a change oclothes for two kids in there, why not pun a clean shirt for me in case one o

hose angels barfed on me? When moungest was six I had to get back t

reality and start carrying a smallehandbag. Now I still tend to go with

much larger bag than I really need fodaily stuff, but I cant help it. You neveknow when I will need something thadoesnt actually fit into norma


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fashionable ladies handbag. I still throwall my change in the bottom of thhandbag. When it starts weighing mor

han a one year old child I dump out thchange, have my husband count it, anhen we spend it on something. Or, if w

need money for something we will counmy change out while I can still lift thhandbag with one arm. (Ladies, if yoare still thinking that a handbag is

fashion statement you may need to do reality check.)

Prepping is nothing more than making

houghtful attempt to be prepared for thunexpected and unknown. There is story regarding the Pilgrims who camo the shores of North America on tha


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iny ship called the Mayflower. Fosome reason one of the men put in a verarge jack. I am sure he was som

fellow like my husband and a lot of othemen who love their tools. His wifprobably had to leave something at homso he could fit in this jack. Eventually beam that was crucial to the structure ohe ship began to break. The jack waput under the beam, cranked into place

and held the beam securely for thremainder of the voyage. Providentiallhey were prepared for an unexpecte

problem at a place where no help wa

available. I would like to encourage yoo spend some of your time, energy, and

even money making preparations foevents that are not clearly on the horizon


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Before you rush out to buy things like giant jack, there are some things yo

should consider to begin with. The firshing is to set down with yourself alon

and consider who you are exactly anwhat options you would have in if youife took an expected turn. You need to

determine Who you REALLY are.


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2 . Who Are You

REALLY?(The Beginning of Preparedness)1. Self Definition

2. Self Discipline

3. Self Reliance

Self Definition

These are interesting times in which ware living. It appears that all thfoundations of civilization and righteou

iving are crumbling into dust. Iappears that the foundations are beindestroyed, and that we have no recoursbut to crumble with the foundations, o


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accept the new age of Collectivism ahe only path of salvation for both th

earth and mankind. For th

ndividualists among us, that is not aacceptable future. Death is better than civilization where man is exalted as goand every man does what is right in howown eyes.

Before we throw in the towel we need t

ake a second look at the situation. Wbetter see what the Bible has to saabout it. Two verses that have grearelevance to us today are these:

f the foundations be destroyed, what cahe righteous do?

The LORD is in his holy temple, th


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LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyebehold, his eyelids try, the children omen. Psalm 11:3-4

The first verse asks a question.The second verse answers it.

The writer is posing a hypotheticasituation. He asks, If the foundationare destroyed, then what can th

righteous do?

Then the writer answers his owquestion. He says, God is still the Kin

sitting on His throne. He sees what igoing on. He sees the trying times thaare facing the children of men.


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God is still on His throne. We wilnever see the foundations of HIrighteousness destroyed. We are to look

beyond the things of this world and seby faith that the God is still in chargeThough, it may appear quite differenhe truth is that God is still in charge.

The book of Esther tells us a fascinatinstory of the providence of God workin

n a seemingly Godless society. It hafascinated both historians and Biblscholars alike that the name of God inot even mentioned in the book, but th

hand of God is clearly evident in thsalvation of His people.

Christians, we are Gods children. We


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are grafted into the tree of Abrahamhrough our faith in Jesus Christ. We did

not replace the Jews. The promises t

he Jews are still specific to themHowever, we are children of God. Hs with us. He has a plan for us. H

will help us.

As we face the trying times ahead, it important that we begin by standing o

he firm foundation that cannot bdestroyed.

There are three things each individua

needs to consider and determine in ordeo navigate the path ahead in a way tha

provides them with joy and a measure osecurity that is not available any othe


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way.

Self-definition

Self-discipline Self-reliance

These things are the beginning opreparedness. To prepare for a good

future, you must first be sure you arbuilding upon a solid foundation, on

hat cannot be destroyed by any earthlprincipality. It is time to take a journento your own heart and mind to be surour foundations are solid, and that you

boundaries are firmly set. From thavantage point, you will be much betteable to prepare for the future whatever may bring.


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Self-Definition

People may ask who you are, and yomay be able to give them an answerYou can tell them your name, youfamily, your place of employmentworship, and residence. But, if you aourself the same question, what woulour answer be? Do you have a self

definition that goes with you day annight? Who are you really?

Self-definition is the way you think o

ourself. Most people think ohemselves as honest, fair minded, an

probably a bit above average intelligence and appearance. However


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his does not answer the question, Whare you really?

Self-definition begins by answerinsome questions about yourself. Youhave to answer truthfully. You donhave to write the list down and publish in the newspaper. However, mos

people will figure out who you reall

are if they are around you very much. I

you define yourself to yourself verclearly, it will make your life much

easier.

Here are some key questionthat need to be answered.

Christian or not practicing Christian o

marginal how serious do you take you


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faith?Male of female?Married or single? that is just wha

ou are one is not better than the othe ask the Apostle Paul

Parent or childless? (no better or wors just part of who you are.)Profession/calling?Hearts desire? (what you would do imoney were not an issue)

ationality or ethnic origin?

These things are pretty straighforward. They shouldnt be hard t

answer. They do give a stronndication of how you will probably acn most situations.


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f you are a Christian, dont be ukewarm Christian.f you are single act like it some thing

are made for marriage only.f you are married, act like it

Faithfulness, compassion, and lovingkindness are proper behavior.Do you have children? Then parentinshould be foremost in your thoughts.What is your profession? Do you do i

with all you might?What do you actually love to do?What is your nationality or ethniorigin? It doesnt make you any better o

worse; it is just part of who you areGod divides people into saved or lostJew or Gentile, and free or bond. Thatt. Your ethnic origin or nationality may


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allow you to spread the Gospel to certain set of people. It could bmportant in that way.

What Value do you place on youChristian faith?High value?Medium value?Low value?

f you dont really act like a Christianhen the answer there should be low

value.

t is easy to say that you really valuour Christian faith. It is another matte

entirely too actually live like you place high value on your faith in Jesus Christ.


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The real value you place on your faith iChrist will determine what goals yoset, how you go about reaching them, an

whether you reach your set goals or not.

What are your goals in life?

Goals in life:Please GodThink like a Christian

Talk like a ChristianAct like a Christian

You may set a thousand other goals.

You may set them every year and calhem New Years Resolutions.

However, these goals should always bset within the boundaries set by you


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self-definition. Live within thboundaries set by your self-definitionYour daily needs can be met while

iving within the boundaries set by youown definition of who you are.

The self-definition of man might go likhis;am a:

Christian

ManMarriedFatherParent

Carpenter

Who puts a high value on his Christiafaith


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And

Who starts each day with the goal of:Thinking like a ChristianTalking like a ChristianAndActing like a Christian.

Having a clear self-definition gives yo

a solid foundation for making decisions.Determine to stay within the boundariehat are automatically set by your ow

self-definition.

If you dont have a solid self

definition, you are much mor

susceptible to fears and worries tha


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come with events in the world.

Knowing who you are will be a big help

n avoiding defining yourself by materiapossessions or so-called successActually, a strong sense of who you arhelps you avoid defining yourself asomeone special because of your carhouse, job, or public image. Thoshings may fluctuate with time, but you

core values, who you really are, will nochange. It will only grow stronger.Those defining themselves by materiapossessions are going to have a difficul

ime. That new vehicle is only new untihe first payment is made. The newes

house on the block is only new until few years have passed or until a newe


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house is built. In just a few yearseconomic obsolescence sets in mosneighborhoods. Homes in rural area

fare better, but they still get old and ouof date. If someone defines themselveby their home, then it will help them ihey are a little on the delusional side

When the home gets older and dingierhey wont notice it so much.

Those defining themselves by theipublic image are also doomed teventual despair. That young movie stas just a few years from being

somewhat wrinkled has been.

Ultimately, your self-definition is goino be what points you in the directio


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ou will go when it is time to make decision. In a changing world, it important to understand how fleeting th

hings of this world really are.

Someone who has a clear self-definitiosnt nearly as easily rattled by th

events going on in their personal lifeheir country, and even in the entir

world. The world has a history o

always changing. Economic prosperitmay change for better or worse. Feasmay change to famine. A government ohe people, by the people, and for th

people may fade away in front of youvery eyes.

The Christian who clearly define


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him/herself within Biblical guidelinesand acts according to those valuesunderstands something very crucial

God does not change. The world machange, but the principles by which theive life will not change. In a world thas changing faster than we ca

comprehend, we have an anchor thaholds..

Did the Christian lose his job? He castill get up in the morning and say,Today I will think Biblically, speak

Biblically, and my actions will b

within Biblical guidelines. That has nochanged. The God I serve has nochanged. What He wants me to do hanot changed,


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s the Christian mother a new widow odivorcee with 2 little children to raise?

She can still get up with the knowledghat God is Omnipotent, Omnipresen

and Omniscient. That has not changedShe can still know she is the samperson who thinks Biblically, speakBiblically and sets her mind to acwithin the guidelines of acceptabl

Biblical behavior.

What about the elderly widow lady?After nearly sixty years of marriage, sh

s alone in a house. The silence ideafening. Her world is limited by heown frail health and economic situationAll she can do a lot of the time is sit in


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chair. She is still able to make her owcoffee and scrambled eggs, but whknows how much longer that will g

on? She can take comfort knowing thahe person she is inside has not changed

What she is able to do has changedWho she does things with has changedBut, she is still the same person insideShe still loves God and keeps thcommandments. The events surroundin

her have not changed who she really iand who she really loves.

What are you facing today?

s it:Financial ruin?Severe health problems?Loss of loved ones?


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Transition from one job to another one or to no job at all?Turmoil in your family?

Turmoil in your church?Fear of terrorists attacks?Sorrow at the decline of your country?Loss of safety and freedoms?The transition of economic, social, anpolitical foundations.

All of these things can boverwhelming. And it seems that manimes troubles dont come alone. The

bring reinforcements. You get whacked

from every direction at the same time.

f you are a Christian, there are certaihings that cannot be shaken.


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God is still Omnipotent, Omniscient, anOmnipresent.

Who you are as a Christian is the sameYou can probably improve how youshow the world who you are, but whou are is still the same.

You can still define yourself as someonewho loves God and keeps th

commandments. You can still avoid thesin of despairing at your circumstancebecause God is still the same. Youposition as His child is still the same

Your future is still secure in JesuChrist.

Defining who you are and setting you


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mind to live within the boundaries set bbeing a practicing Christian limits youchoices in bad behavior. It opens door

o your behavior in many circumstancesYou are not limited by the whims osociety and political correctness. Youare only limited by the boundaries ogood Christian behavior.

So, I ask you again. Who are you?

Really who are you?

You fill in the blanks.


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Self-Discipline

n talking about self-discipline the firshing we need to do is to define what s not. Self-discipline is NOT punishinourself for mistakes, sins, errors, stupi

actions, or anything else. It is not aboubeating yourself on the back whilcrawling on your knees two miles to kis

he foot of some holy statue. It is abousetting your heart and mind to do thright things in all circumstances.

Discipline in general is a way to keepsomeone in harness, or pulling in thright direction. Discipline keeps kidfrom errors that will cause them harm.


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Self-discipline is what will keep yonside the boundaries by which yo

define yourself.First comes self-definition.Second comes self-discipline.Self-discipline is doing what you knowo be right.t is also what you know is the best wao stay out of trouble, and have a goo

measure of contentment and success.

Self-discipline doing what you knows right whether you feel like it or not.

Self-restraint not doing what you mahave an impulse to do because you knowt is not right. Not stepping outside you

own self-definition on a whim is self


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discipline.

Personal Self-discipline remembers:

am a child of God. My actions shoulfirst please Him. have heard the preaching of God

word. I know what is right. have priorities. These are based omportance according to Gods word.

must stay mentally alert because th

devil walks around like a roaring lioready to devour me.

must turn away from any indulgenchat produces sin my life.

must feed my spirit daily on the Wordof God. That is my spiritual vitamishot.

must keep my imagination unde


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control. must ignore social moral codes (oack of) and stick with morality a

defined in the Bible.

Personal self-discipline doesnt excusou from public discipline if necessaryt should help you avoid the need fo

pubic discipline. For instance, if yoexercise self-discipline and do no

speed in your automobile, then you wilavoid a speeding ticket. You will alsoavoid the public discipline that goewith a citation for speeding.

And, heres a big hint. Avoid puttingourself in a position where you knowemptation will get the better of you


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That means dont buy a hot-rod Ford iou know you cant keep your foot ofhe accelerator. It means a lot of othe

hings as well. Self-discipline icareful. It practices the things taught ihe childrens Sunday School song O

Be Careful Little Eyes. It says bcareful little eyes what you see, littlears what you hear, little mouth what yosay, little feet where you go, little hear

what you love, and probably ten morsimple verses. It is such a simple littlsong, but it takes giant sized selfdiscipline to actually do the things th

song teaches.

t seems obvious that the first part oself-discipline, the most important part


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s self-discipline of the mind. In thmind rages the epic battle for youhoughts. As a man thinketh, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7 paraphrase)

t is actually quite evident that how person thinks controls what they doYet, only the wise take it seriously.

Wise people understand that:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning owisdom.The Lord God Almighty is pure Truth.Freedom cannot be found in lies, so th

ruth is very important.Thinking based on non-truths leads tdecisions that build on unstable ground.


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The disciplined mind is a discerninmind. It is not easily fooled by the fadof the day or the material possession

hat seem so necessary in the societoday.

The discipline/discerning mind knowhat:

Peace at any price is not really peace.Material gain at any price costs mor

han it is worth.

The disciplined mind:Faces the day resolutely

s not double mindedDoes its duty regardless of personafeelingsDevelops the ability to put their shoulde


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o the plow and never look back.s displayed in ones character.s able to stand against a mighty tide o

public opinion and peer pressure.


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Self-Reliance

First there is self-definition. Thadefines who you are at the center of youbeing. It is your core values that definwho you really are.

Then there is you self-discipline. This evidence of your self-definition. Iou claim one set of values, but act in

manner contrary to your self-definitionhen you have not really been honeswith yourself regarding what your corvalues actually are.

Put together your self-definition and youself-discipline and you have thframework for your self-reliance.


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ow, somewhere in setting your selfdefinition, and your self-discipline, yo

probably have had a good dose ohumility. You learned that you just cando it on your own. You have to haveGods help. You know that even theboring everyday things require Godhelp to get done. In fact, the more borinand mundane a task, the more help yo

may need to get it done. You haveearned somewhere that your ability t

be self-reliant depends entirely on thHoly Spirit. So when we consider self

reliance we are considering selfreliance that begins with faith that Gos with you and that God will help you

The firm foundation of self-reliance is o


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course God the Father, Son, and HolSpirit. You want to be self-reliant as innot waiting on the government to step i

put you on a monthly bottle feeding thawill never allow you to be self-relianagain.

Within the boundaries of self-reliance ohe Judeo/Christian God of the Biblehere are things that must be don

physically. The self-reliant person iwilling to figure out a way to do whaneeds to be done.

The self-reliant person is:curious,alert,hinks outside the box in which pee


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and do things within the boundaries yohave set for yourself.

ever think you have learned it all.Stay curious and willing to learn anchange within the boundaries you havset for your life.These things can open the door to better present and better future.


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3. THE FIRST

BEST PREPPERTOOL

He was definitely a stranger in a strangand. He was God on earth in the bod

of Jesus Christ.

He was locked into a specific bodyime, and place. He could have seHimself free, but He chose to stay an

carry out His plan, His duty, and to bobedient to God His Father.

n this strange land, He lived in a natio

occupied by Rome. The governmen


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was hostile to Him and to all Hipeople.

His adversary was the devil himself.t was the devil who attacked Him in th

wilderness.At His disposal were legions of angelsnot to mention His own power, a poweso great it spoke the world intexistence.

Jesus had prepared Himself for tha

day. His weapon of choice was th

ord of God.

ow it obviously was not fair that Jesuwas tempted at all.

He was prayerful.


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He was humble.He was obedient.He was not in a place of obviou

emptation. He was in the desert.He heart and mind were steadfastly seon doing His duty.He was actually utterly and continuallperfect.

You could say Christ had His eye on the

prize, His nose to the grindstone, Hiaw set like a rock, or that He wa

single-mindedly doing what He wasupposed to be doing. All this is true

He was doing everything right, but yeHe faced temptation from the mosdreadful of adversaries. He faced thdevil himself.


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Jesus faced the devil with the samweapon that you and I have. Jesus face

he devil with the written word of GodThats it. To the devils temptationChrist replied by quoting what had beewritten down by men moved by thSpirit of God.

What has been written down for us in th

Bible is always for our good.t is written to teach us.t is written to comfort us.t is written for our defense.

t is written to people of all ages ansizes.t is written to people of all economi


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stations.t is written to people of all nations.t is written to people of all socia

standings.t is written to all skin colors.t is written to people who are weak ano people who are strong.t is written to people of all beliefs. (Is written to convert those heading dowhe path to destruction as well as thos

who have already believed.)t is written to tell us the truth.t is written for our defense. (I knowhat I already said that but it reall

needs repeating.)

Seeing as this was the weapon of choicfor Jesus Christ against such a powerfu


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adversary, it is silly for Christians tochoose any other weapon when facinsuch a foe. Now if you are bein

charged by a grizzly bear and happen thave a 306 rifle in your hands, it is verikely that the rifle should be you

weapon of choice. There is a call focommon sense here. If you are beincharged by a grizzly bear it would be good idea to cry, God help me! while

ou are aiming. But, go ahead and shoo

Unfortunately, it might be easier to faca charging bear than to face the mor

subtle things that you face every day.

As a man, Jesus had nothing with whico face His foe.


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He didnt have an earthly army, servantspersonal possessions, political friendsfriends in high society, or a computer o

which to begin a petition to limit thdevils power and influence.

was taught growing up, and have fount to be true, that you really only own onhing. That is your attitude. You

attitude is what you make of it. It can b

good or bad. The more you know thword of God and the more you practict, the better your attitude will be. Th

more you know scripture, the easier

will be to quote scripture when you arempted. Often temptation is faced by

conversation with yourself! It is mental battle. You will not face the devi


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face to face. It will be more of a battlfor your thoughts. The first practice yowill get at quoting scripture will be t

he evil or rebellious thoughts in youown mind.

n past chapters we have covered:Self-definitionSelf-disciplineSelf- reliance

Knowing who you are is essential ipreparing for the future.

Preparing physically for potentiadifficulties, disasters, hard time, aneven persecution is a very good thingYou dont want to be trapped in you


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home wishing you had bottled wateroilet paper, and a Twinkie. You also

dont want to be wishing you had mor

han a rock and pocket knife to takdown that rabbit that occasionallpasses under the bushes near youdriveway. A nice fat rabbit would makea meal for a hungry family

So, do be prepared materially as muc

as is possible and reasonable. It isnt good idea to actually go hungry today iorder to have food for a potentiadisaster in the future. You can cut back

on your how much you spend ogroceries today in order to spend a littlon a food stash for the future. (personally think putting in a fish pond i


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our basement is a little extreme givehe possibility of growing mold as wel

as fish. But do what you think is best.)

However, no matter what the futurbrings, there will be a lot of dowime.

You will be alone, waiting, trying torest, trying to get a moments peacerying to figure out how to tweek you

plan, wondering how to better preparfor the future, or possibly even sitting iprison for exercising your faith. That ihe battle for which you must prepare

Because Jesus Christ Himself used thword of God to answer temptation, wcan be sure that is the best way to fighemptations ourselves.


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Probably the most dangerous andestructive temptation the individua

faces is doubt.The best way to fight doubt is througknowing and quoting scripture. I know already said this, but everyone needs thave some scriptures memorized so thecan quote them to themselves. Thsecond best thing to do is learn Hymn

based on scripture.Are you doubting the power of knowinGods word? Psalm 149:6 says, Mahe praise of God be in their mouths an

a double-edged sword in their hands,

The praise of God IS a double-edgesword. It was a powerful sword that cu


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hrough the chains of Paul and Silawhen they were beaten half to death anhen chained in the deepest darkes

dungeon of the ogres jail. I dont thinhey were singing Amazing Grac

because it hadnt been written yet. Thewere probably singing Psalms or somof the prayers of the Old TestamentRead Acts, Chapter 16.) They couldn

have sung what they didnt know.

Preparing for the future is difficubecause no one knows exactly what thfuture will be specifically. We should

all use common sense and do the best wcan with our current situations. Thivaries person to person and family tfamily. At best, try to have a few week


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food on hand.

The thing everyone will face is a menta

assault from the devil and his followersActually, you are probably facing tharight now regardless of how good youife may be at the moment.

The leading weapons used against yowill be worry and doubt.The weapon with which we can defea

hese terrible foes is the same weapohat Jesus used. Use the scripture.

Use it to encourage yourself.Use it to encourage and teach others.

Just like any soldier going into battleou need to be very familiar with you

weapons. You need to know what is in


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he Bible.


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4. Prepping

CategoriesPrepping is just being prepared for thmmediate future and generally prepare

for possible events in the unknowfuture.

Consider:Day to day prepping being betteprepared for each day automatically putou in the prepper category. It is a good

place to be. Take day to day preppinseriously.

Prepping for Disaster awareness

what is most likely to happen in you


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area impending disasters when take action

Prepping for Disaster readiness

planning and preparation for the familyPrepping for Disaster relief assistanc

for your family and potentially othersYou want to be ready to help yoummediate family, extended family, and

neighbors, and even strangers. It wilnever be your job to save the planet, o

he town, or the neighborhood. It may bhat you will have opportunities to helphose in need starting with your ver

own family. Helping others is a way t

step out of the role of victim. Helpinothers will also help you.

Prepping for Disaster relief

personally learning things that will b


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helpful in a disaster. Get some traininon how to help in a disaster. You donneed to get a job as a first responder

You need common sense. If you sesomeone in need of help you may bable to safely render aid withoueopardizing yourself or a famil

member. Everyone should know basifirst aid.

Prepping for Disaster relief respons

how you will respond immediately tdisaster - what you can do personalland what you can expect from areassistance. This is very important

People automatically think help is ohe way. But in a disaster help moveike a snail. By the time it gets to youou may already have put the roof bac


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on your house yourself! Get a realistidea of what help you can reasonabl

expect and in what time frame. I

millions of people are withouelectricity, then you will not likely be ohe restore power first list. Hope fosoon, but expect later. If you are in smaller neighborhood that is suddenlcut off from the rest of town througflooding or road debris then road

eading up to the neighborhood will havo be cleared before they even get tou. Disaster relief agencies may finall

come up with the clothing or food yo

need, but you may be very uncomfortablbefore they do.

Prepping for Disaster hysteria in disaster people are totally out of thei


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comfort zone. This may bring out thbest in most people, but it will definitelbring out the very worst in others. Two

days without electricity and runninwater and some people are ready tpunch you in the face for no reasonOthers will take the opportunity to steaand vandalize. This is sad, but it is fact. You must take extra precaution tokeep your family safe, avoid conflic

when possible, and be prepared tdefend yourself and your family.

Prepping for Christian outreach iou are a practicing Christian you ma

find opportunities to reach people whare otherwise unreachable. Simple actof kindness are good ways to start. Iou keep gospel tracts on hand, then pas


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hem out with a few bites of food if yohave the opportunity. Just keep your eyeopen for a chance to reach out t

someone. Dont be pushy. Dont offer person who is wet and hungry a gosperact in place of dry clothing, and food.

Prepping you Church for disaste

response talk to your church nowabout what they would do in an aredisaster. If you find your home and

family safe the church may have need oour help in helping families who hav

not been so lucky. If you are the familn need you will know where to go to ge

mmediate help.


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5. Day to Day

PreppingLets start with prepping right where yoare now.

Prepping is not all about something thamight or might not happen at some fuzzday in the future. Prepping begins wit

doing simple things that will make thife you are currently living go alonmore smoothly. Everyone wants to bprepared for a normal day. Even

pleasant uneventful day requires somplanning to make it go as smoothly apossible.


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Honestly, while prepping for disaster imore being prepared for when somethinout of the ordinary occurs, prepping fo

day to day events is simply setting working routine and sticking with when events are following their usuapattern.

Lets take a look at your daily routinand see if you might find a few ways t

adjust it to be a little more efficientEven that may require getting out of youcurrent comfort zone. For instance, mhusband has a job with a work schedul

hat can vary about an hour and half frohe time he starts work to the time h

gets off work. The invariable is that hhas to work a set number of hours. So


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while it is definitely out of his comforzone he gets up in time to get to work ahe earliest possible time. That mean

he gets up at 3:15 every work day, andhe is out of the house by 4am. The goohing about this is that he saves abou

50% on driving time by leaving searly. He also gets off an hour earlierand that saves him at least 30 minutes ohe time spent driving home. He save

around 75 to 90 minutes driving time oan average day by leaving the house searly. So, it is worth it to get up earlieo save that driving time. He spends tha

extra time sitting on the couch having mwait on him hand and foot, so naturallhe is pretty pleased with his decision tget up earlier than he has to. Honestly,


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am very happy to have him home an houearlier in the evening. I dont minhanding him his supper on a silve

platter. Well, it might be on a papeplate, but he really doesnt care.

Prepping for weekly meals is always good idea. It isnt hard once you get intdoing it. You may have to do someshopping when you are really too tire

o do it, but it will definitely be worth iater. If you are prepared for meal

several days in advance you are alreadprepared for three days of down time i

case of an emergency.

usually prepare for meals by grocershopping and planning at least 4 night


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ime meals in advance. Simple mealrequire simple menus. For 4 meals yoneed 4 entrees, a couple of veggies

bread, and desserts. Here is a samplmenu:

1. Kosher hot dogs which are morikely to have better meat and no meat

by products whatever those are!Buns

Chips there are reasonably healthalternatives to potato chipsTeaCoco-puffs for a sweet snack.

This is a good menu if you have to gshopping that day. It can be prepared ien minutes when you get home, so thatoo tired to cook syndrome doesn


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kick in. Or an alternative is to buy hombake pizza on the day you grocery shopThere are frozen pizzas that are reall

good, and even gluten free is availabln many grocery stores. Frozen pizz

counts as one of the meals you plannefor the next 4 days.

2. Chicken fling it in the crock pobefore you leave for the day

Put some taters and onions in with it hey may be mushy when you get hombut at least they will be ready to eat.Left over hot dog buns toasted

Captain Crunch works pretty well as dessert or some nice sliced FujApples cant be beat for that sweeooth.


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3. TacosAppropriate amount of hamburger

depending on how many people you arfeedingTaco shellsCheeseSalsa or picanteExtra chips if you want them.OR

Super nachosJust cook the same thing and put it ochips instead of taco shellsFrozen pie or ice-cream or candy or fru

again

4. Breakfast for supper Ham, bacon, or sausage


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EggsHash-browns optionalOr sandwiches with ham or bacon

Chips optionalSkip dessert an eat popcorn for a snack.

Other easy meals include canned chilused for frijito pie or just eaten in bowl with crackers. There are somvery healthy and tasty brands of canne

chili available now. Dont laugh untiou have tried some of the better ones

salad as a meal with the left over bacoor ham on top; grilled chees

sandwiches; hot roast beef or turkesandwiches using deli meat and readmade gravy; tuna sandwiches make thuna as fancy or plain as you and you


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family like. If you boil eggs for the tunhe eggs will be good to go with a che

salad any time in the next couple of day

homemade chili the fling it in the pankind that you cook in 30 minutes or lessand any big meal that you can scaldown to take just a few minutes tprepare.

Another really good way to work meal

s to double batch everything that youfamily will eat as a leftover. Fonstance a nice Sunday oven roast i

easily turned into a good stew fo

Tuesday. Or if there is enough roast can be turned into chopped bar-b-qusandwiches with just a little effort. Chilon Monday becomes super nachos o


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frijito pie on Wednesday.

These menus can be as healthy o

unhealthy as the ingredients you useThese are menu ideas that you can plan advance, shop for quickly, prepar

quickly, and have a meal ready to eat ia very short time.

suggest leaving the breakfast meat(s

for later in the week because they keeponger in the refrigerator. That way if a

event changes your schedule and yoarent able to cook one night, you jus

order pizza, and move your schedulforward one day. Ham or bacon is nogoing to ruin when left in the refrigeratoa few extra days.


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This works. Preparing for the meals iadvance is prepping for the future. Also

know you really dont have to havdessert with every meal. I am jushrowing out some possibilities on howo make it easy on yourself.

Breakfast works the same way. Youneed to have it set up for the wee

before the week starts. Most peopldont have time to make a really neabreakfast every day. I suggest somethinike lunchmeat and cheese roll ups. You

get a piece of sliced ham, slap a slice ocheese on it, and roll it up like a burritoThis is nutritious. It also works well founch. Vary the lunch meat and chees


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for variety. If you are into juicing thebreakfast is the time to send everyonout with a glass of fresh juice full o

enzymes and other good stuff. Juice thgreen stuff and add a sweet apple opear to make it taste better. If you caget juice down for breakfast, then thunchmeat roll ups work really well founch. Everyone needs to eat somethin

healthy. You need a game plan to make

hat happen.

My personal opinion is that is far betteo have something to eat at regular tim

han to eat fancier meals on an odschedule.

Prep for a smoother week by gettin


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clothes lined up for the week iadvance. It isnt that hard. There mabe a trick to having clothes clean and dr

depending on your laundry situation. Iou are blessed with an in home washe

and dryer it is there for a reason. Keet running. If you have a lot of laundrou need to have a load of clothes in th

washer or dryer as often as necessaryA routine is required. Put a load on to

wash immediately after coming homfrom work or when you get up in thmorning. Wash in cold water so as noo interrupt anyones shower schedule

Get the morning load of laundry in thdryer before you leave the house. Maksure everyone either has a clean outfit ihe dryer, in the closet, or laid out in th


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bedroom before they lay down at nightThat includes socks, underwear, andackets as may be needed. If you are th

adult in charge of a childs clothes, thet is your responsibility to see tha

something is there to wear when it iime to get dressed. There is a time ocourse when family members arresponsible for their own clothes. Makan effort to remind them, but if they don

comply then the consequences belonoothem. A simple statement is therehe dirty clothes hamper pick the leas

smelly and wrinkled outfit you can find.

The flip side of that coin is that yodont complain about what they arwearing. They need to stay within thguidelines you set for modesty an


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neatness. Encourage them to get theiclothes ready for the next day or daywell in advance. That is all you can do

Family should help each obviouslyAlmost any age family member can helo some extent with keeping a goo

supply of clothes clean and ready twear.

So, we have covered prepping for dail

food and clothes. A recap is:Figure out what everyone is wearinseveral days in advance.Lay out the clothes the night before, an

dont even think about changing whaanyone is wearing unless they are totallcapable and willing to take care of theiown clothes.


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Plan meals at least 4 days at a time.Make them easy.Stick to the plan.

This is prepping. If you have any forof order in your life at this point in timeou are ALREADY a prepper. Paourself on the back.

Currently people think of preppers a

people who are getting ready to live in bunker while the rest of the worlstarves and burns. In reality prepperare just people like you and me. We jus

want our lives to run more smoothloday. We want to be as well preparedfor the future as possible. We want toenjoy our lives right now.


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6. Surviving the

Stormn October of 2012 a dreadful storm hhe eastern United States. It laste

several days and caused more damaghan can be counted. After the storm

most people found themselves with a

east some minor damage that had to bdealt with. Others had a lot of damageMany had power outages that lasted foweeks. Some lost their homes entirely

Some lost their lives.

What you want to do in the timpreceding a storm is prepare for safet


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above all else. This is basic preppinfor the future, and everyone needs to bprepared! Your immediate goal is to do

all that you can to make sure you anour family survive the storm withounjury. Managing to survive comfortabl

during a storm is a bonus. The storwill end, and you want to be alive thelp clean up the mess!

Weigh your options before a stormactually arrives. Carefully observe thnormal storms or potential disasters iour area in your daily life, whether the

are earthquakes and tusnamies, raistorms, hurricanes, snow storms, icstorms, or even dust or sand stormsWhat happens when you face a smal


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storm? Is there something that botherou in your home, you work place, you

normal transportation route, or anythin

else? Is it something that would pose big problem in a storm that is worse thausual? Consider how this would affecou and your family. Consider how you

would manage if a storm or some othedisaster prevented you from goinhrough your day in the normal routine. I

here is a possibility of an evacuation oour area then at least make menta

preparations for how you would handlhat. You need to have plan A, B, and C

n place. You probably need plan D, Eand F if you have children who arscattered around at different schools odaycare. If work schedules or wor


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ocations vary then alternate plans mabe required to coordinate with that.

Evacuation routes from your home maalso work to get to your home if throads you normally use are closedTake an alternative route to or fromown occasionally simply to becom

familiar with the roads.

Assemble everything you might needuring a storm. You need to haveflashlights handy. Food and wateshould be easily assessable. Coats

ackets, rain gear, and extra clothinshould be where you can get to theeasily. If you have to evacuate youhome take what you can with you easil


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and quickly. Be ready to evacuate inecessary, but dont go out into the stormunless it is absolutely necessary. Hav

our mind made up in advance abouwhat you are going to do in certaicircumstances.

Obviously you will want your doors anwindows closed. You also want drapeand curtains closed. A curtain or drape

wouldnt prevent that tree limb or actuaree from flying through your window

but it could help contain flying glass. Ihere are large trees in your yard or are

ou need to be aware that one of themight wind up falling on your houseRemember to trim those trees lon

before a storm is on the way.) Take


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ook at the house; decide where the trewould hit if it blew over; and avoid thaarea of the house. Some people nai

plywood over windows and doorbefore a storm. That is usually extremand expensive. If you are going to havo ride out a bad storm that is an option.

dentify the room in your home that yocommon sense tells you will be th

safest and set up to stay in that area mosof the time. Keep in mind that you arnot moving into cramped quarterpermanently. You are just riding out a

storm.

Stay alert during the storm. If it is storm of unprecedented magnitude suc


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as the one mentioned already then yoreally dont know what is going thappen. In all likelihood nothing t

horrible will happen, but that doesnchange the fact that really horrible thingdo happen during a storm. Levees breacausing flooding in areas that werpreviously considered safe froflooding. Torrential rains can causflash flooding in areas where floodin

has never been recorded. A log jam ona river can cause flooding upstreawhen it has never happened before. Muslides are even possible. You want to be

aware of what is happening to the best oour ability. For instance if a levee i

predicted to break then you want to makan effort to leave the area. If roads ar


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predicted to flood that would leave yorapped in your home you want t

consider how safe you will be in you

home. If you are simply going to brapped in your home until the floodin

goes down then it is likely that your besplan will be to simply stay in your homand wait it out. At some point you wilneed to trust the news and weathereports if they tell you that your home i

going to flood. If that is the case theou will need to leave the area while th

roads are passable.

Families and friends should be able tband together in times like this. I woulcaution that those who do not usalcohol will not be able to stay wit


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hose who do use alcohol. Cigaretteare another problem. I personally grewup with a dad who was a heavy smoker

Most of our friends had at least onfamily member who smoked. No one imy family smokes now, and it is juswonderful. Now smokers often goutside to smoke. I would rather deawith a smoker than a drinker under ancircumstances. Still, before you set up

family rendezvous during a storm oother disaster actual familcompatibility needs to be considered.

Prior to the storm take the time to filour gas tank. If you happen to have a

extra five gallon gas can fill that up awell.


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Do you have a way to hear or watcweather reports and warnings if th

electricity is off? I admit that we counon the car radio. We have tried thoshand crank radios, but we havent founone that actually works well.

By the way, if water is over a road wheou are driving then you probably don

want to try to drive through the water. Iears past I watched my parents an

grandparents go through flooded roadsf they were familiar with the road the

hey could make a judgment regardinhow deep the water was, but they coulnot tell if the water had caused a hole ihe road. I remember watching m


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granddad take a big walking stick anwade through water poking all arounwith the stick. Then my dad drov

hrough the water when granddamotioned that it was safe. I have no idewhy we just didnt sit there and waiuntil the water went down. The point ihat if for some reason you feel like yo

MUST cross a flooded section of roasomeone needs to walk it first whic

could be incredibly dangerous in itself. That was in a flooded section of dirt country road. It was not over bridge submerged by a raging river.

Trees are wonderful for shade, beautyand even good air quality. However in storm they can be blown right over o


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our house! Keeping your trees trimmeprior to storms will make that lesikely. It is probably not a good idea to

rush out to trip your oak trees just befora storm unless you have time to properldispose of the branches you trim. If yoeave them laying in the yard they mighust be the debris that is blown righhrough your windows! Low growin

bushes or trees on the perimeter of you

property can even be a wind break isome cases. They are not going to stop ornado, but they could stop some of th

flying debris.

Part of surviving a storm or disaster is tsurvive immediately after the eventThere are a lot of unusual dangers tha


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follow. For instance, there may bdowned power lines that are actuallive. You could get electrocuted if you

assume they are not live.Gas lines may be ruptured causineaks. If you smell a rupture gas linhen leave the area and notify 911 a

soon as possible. There is an additionadanger of fires. Obviously dont smokand dont be bashful about tellin

someone else not to light up!Flooding usually manages to mix witraw sewage at some point. There idisease in the sludge left by a flood. B

cautious with clean up!Be cautious when entering a buildinhat has been flooded. If you dont havo go in then dont go in. It may not b


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structurally sound. There may be gaeaks.

Flooding not only drives people fro

heir homes, it drives wild animals froheir homes as well. If you live in aarea with poison snakes, watch out fohem after a flood. Just like you, the

are out of their comfort zone. They arhungry. They will bite.

Dont assume you have a safe watesupply just because water comes ouwhen you turn on the faucet. It is saffor flushing the commode, but until yo

hear otherwise be sure to exerciscaution with all water that is used fodrinking, cooking, and hand washingYou can use water you stored in


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advance. You can boil water. You canuse a variety of water purifiers. Thmost economical is simply a few drop

of Clorox bleach per gallon of water. Iastes horrible, but it is better tha

getting typhoid or some other dreadfuand potentially fatal diseaseRecommended amounts of bleach pegallon vary.

Take disaster planning seriously. Put thmost effort into planning for disasteypes that are most likely to hit you

area. If you live in the center of Kansas

USA it is not likely that you need tospend much time or money making planfor what to do if a tsunami hits youarea. If you live in Nome, Alaska the


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ou probably wont want to spend mucime working on a tornado storm shelter

You can take disaster preparationseriously without letting it consume youife. I have known people who were serrified of a tornado that the basicall

spent the entire tornado season with aemergency weather radio in their handsThey cut their sleep time by at least hal

so they could spend more time worryinabout a tornado. That is no way to live have to admit that a loud clap ohunder right over the house is prett

nerve-wracking! When we lived itornado alley we were very respectfu

of storms. Only once did we think ornado might be coming to our home


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We were prepared to go to the center ohe house which was the place that wa

structurally strongest in our home. W

were careful not to terrify our kidbecause we didnt want them to grow ubeing one of those people who serrified of storms they really can

function.

So, use common sense. Strike a balanc

between terror of the next unexpecteevent in your future and beinreasonably prepared.


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7. Leave Your

Home TemporarilyDisasters

Oh no! There is a wild fire near youhouse. OR There is a chemical spill ohe freeway near your house. OR a ga

ine blew up three houses down and thneighborhood gas lines are considereseriously dangerous until further noticeOR there is a maniac holed up next doo

and the SWAT team is evacuating all thesurrounding homes. OR you fill in thblanks. There is honestly potential fosomething to happen that would put yo


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out of your home for a short amount oime with no consequences after a wee

or so.

Are you prepared?How do you get prepared?

f you are in a good position you mighust be able to go to the home of a famil

member or friend and stay there a few

days.You should take this very seriously inadvance. If there is close family in thgeneral area you still need to talk t

hem about a potential emergencsituation where homes might need to bshared in an emergency. This is morhan just talking. It is setting up


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definite plan in case of an emergency. Imay be that while one relative cannoake anyone into their home because o

size or neighborhood restrictions, yomay still be able to take them into youhome. Everyone needs to understanhat in case of an emergency temporaril

moving in with a relative or close frienfor a few days is the plan. It reallcould happen. So, if someone i

uncomfortable with that possibilitbecoming a reality they need to speak un the planning stage. Dont wait unti

someone shows up on your doorstep t

decide you really cant stand havinhem in your home for a few days. Andou sure dont want to show up o

someone elses door step and find ou


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hey were just kidding when they saiou could stay there for a few days in a

emergency.

f your church has potential to allowpeople to stay there in an emergencyhat needs to be set up in advance. Man

churches with space would allowfaithful church families to spend a fewdays there. Some even have plans foaking in general community members i

a dire emergency. Check out youoptions in advance.n a situation like this other than the bar

necessities for living the most importan

hing is for everyone to focus on gettinhrough the situation as safely an

cheerfully as possible.


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Of course if you have a PortuguesWater Spaniel and a Saint Bernard it igoing to be a little more difficult. You

have to figure out what to do with or foour pets in such a situation.

Scenario one lets assume you argoing to an easily accessible safplace.This still falls into two catagories.Category one is you get to take thing

from your home.Category two is that you are out of youhome and are not allowed back in untilt is safe to return home whatever tha

means.

There are several things you would neeo grab in an emergency. A hint is that i


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wouldnt be you new espresso machinunless you planned to set up a stand ansell drinks until the disaster was over.

The first thing would be to make surou have your hands on any child or il

family member who is in the house.Grab any prescription medicine and youjump and run bag.f you have time grab a change o

clothes.Leave the house.Assemble the entire family as soon apossible just to make sure you are al

safe and following the plan for emporary home evacuation.

Thank God that you are onlnconvenienced for a limited amount o


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ime.

An unpleasant twist on this type o

scenario is that you are not home in thfirst place, and you will not be alloweback into your home for several daysThis means the main part of your plan istill in effect, but you will not have thuxury of getting a few things out of you

home.

n such a situation it would be verhelpful to have a few things in youvehicle and the vehicle of each famil

member. It doesnt have to belaborate. A list of phone numbers fohings your pharmacy would at least givou access to getting any prescriptio


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medicine filled. Phone numbers arpretty easily available now, so that isnas important as it used to be. If you ar

good at keeping your cell phone righwith you you will probably have all thphone numbers you actually neealready in the phone. Even if celservice is down the your phone numberwill be available as long as your phons charged. On second thought, a writte

ist of phone numbers would be a reallgood idea.A list of items that are really necessarfor you on a day to day basis would b

good. That way you wont be iWalgreens picking up a prescription buforgetting infant formula and Excedrimigraine. I know it seems like yo


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would remember all those thingsHowever, you will be knocked out oour comfort zone, and it is amazin

what you can forget when you arsuddenly out of your routine. Emergenccash is good. If you can possibly puback even $50 in small bills you will ba step ahead of the game.

A money belt is a good way for som

people to stash cash because it isnreadily available for impulse buys. Fonstance, I do my very best to keep $10n my husbands possession at all times

His job is 40 miles from home, and hhas to travel on a very congested traffiartery. Recently he actually spent hiemergency money on a WWII Japanes


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bayonet because it would look so gooon the end of the Japanese rifle his fathebrought home from Japan in 1946

There is cash hidden in his car nowvacuum sealed in plastic. He has to calme to find out where it is.

t is possible to have a back-pack full onecessary things that you carry in and ouof your home each time you go in an

out, but that is a little extreme. Howevehere a few things that can be done fairl

easily that will help in a disaster as welas provide potential help on a dail

basis. For instance my husband carriea lunch box every day. He doesnt carrhis lunch, but he does carry some ice anDr. Pepper. The top has a zipper fo


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sandwiches and food items. Instead have it stuffed full of medicine and firsaid items. He seldom uses it, but yo

never know when it will come in handy stuff bottled water and Gator Aid undehe passenger seat. He has been stuck iraffic for three and four hours. I don

want him to dehydrate! If your car staymmaculately clean then you wil

probably have to put things like this i

appropriate size packs and boxes anstore them neatly in the trunk. Go aheaand do it. Be careful not to spend and fortune on the storage containers or yo

wont have any money left to spend ohe actual things you need. I do stufhings under the seats, but I dont pu

anything under the drivers seat becaus


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t might roll out toward the front if thdriver hits the brakes hard. Actually, usually tie the water and gator aid i

used grocery bags. That keeps thefrom rolling around, but I still dont puanything under the drivers seat.

God willing you will soon be back iour own home and your normal routin

will be back in place. Alway

remember to use any routine break as earning experience. Ask yoursel

questions like, What was the worshing that happened and how can I mak

t better next time? And, What was thhing that went the smoothest and how

can I build on that in case something likhis happens again?


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Remember to thank God for Hiwonderful goodness.


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8. Lose Your Home

in a Disastert could be much worse than shut out oour home for a few days. You could

ose your home altogether. This wouldbe a hard blow financially anemotionally. Your comfort zone would

be gone for anytime in the near future. It ever happens to you, I am truly sorryAnd, a lot of people would be trulsorry and try to be helpful. Make u

our mind in advance to accept any helhat doesnt have strings attached. A

aside here is that if you personally arattempting to help someone who has los


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heir home in a disaster you want to bvery careful to only give things that arotally functional and useful. A person

or family who has just lost their homdoes not need a nice shirt that just needhalf its buttons sewn on, an expensivpair of jeans in the right size that jushappens to need a new zipper, a baskefull of mis-matched socks, or a niccasserole that has been sitting in you

freezer for three years. It is AMAZINGwhat useless things people will give tsomeone who is in need. Friends omine lost their home in a fire a numbe

of years ago. They were not home anost EVERYTHING in the house. I

addition to the clean-up from the firehey also had at least a dump truck full o


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garbage that people had given them ihe name of helping that they had to

deal with. Possibly one of the wors

hings people did was send broken toyo two children who had just lost everoy they had. I dont mean people nee

only new items or only expensivhings. Do your best to give useful itemn good condition.

But, what do you do if your home iost?

Take it one second at a time.f you are still alive God will take yo

hrough it.The first thing to do is make sure youfamily is safe. If you have pets, they arsecond on the list.


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You need to come up with a place tostay for at least the first night. Hopefullou have a place pre-arranged for such

ime. And if you dont some family ofriend will hopefully come forward witan offer that will at least give you sombreathing room.

You need to contact your insurancecompany. They will have th

nformation they need to get started iou lost everything in the disaster.

f you are in the middle of a large scal

disaster then it is likely that help wilshow up in the form of church groupsocal help, and even FEMA. Don

hesitate to accept offered help.


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personally would do everything possiblo avoid a FEMA camp or shelte

area. If you must accept such help mak

a solemn promise to yourself that yowill make the stay as temporary apossible. Dont wait on them. Look foother options yourself. Which brings uanother possibility.

f you have lost a home in one area du

o a large disaster the question woulbe, do you still have a means osupport? If you are retired then yostill have your retirement income unles

t was tied up in some sort of rentaproperty that was also destroyed. If yofind yourself homeless and jobless yowill want to determine if you wil


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actually be able to stay in the area or iou might have a better future in

different area. Possibilities migh

nclude a place nearer to family, neareo jobs, nearer to a good church, o

nearer to a place you just happen tike/love. What really matters is stayinrue to who you really are. Dont danything that goes against your corvalues. Leave the door open fo

anything else.

f you are staying in the same area yomay want to consider a relocation to a

area that may be at least slightly saferThings to consider might be getting home above the dam on a lake or oground that is higher than the river leve


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n the area. If mud slides are a reaproblem you may not want a home on toof a hill that primarily consists of cla

without many trees. Obviously a homon a flood plain is more likely to floodYou may have a lovely river view, but it really worth it? You dont want a

home on the floor of a canyon. You maynot want beach front property anymoreA hint is that if the homes are built o

stilts it may not be an area in which yocan avoid flooding. Make your life asimple as possible. There will benough problems that arise in spite o

aking every precaution.


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9. Stuck in Your

Home During aDisaster

Well, it rained really hard. You clung toGods promise to never flood the entirworld again. You prayed He wasn

going to flood your home. The raincaused flooding in places that had neveflooded before. Water came withinhree feet of your front door, bu

hankfully it didnt actually get into youhome.

So what do you do while you are stuc


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at home? Chances are very good thaou will not be able to use this dowime to catch up on things you need to d

around the house. Everything runs oelectricity and you may not have any! Is hard to read those good books b

candle light or even the light of propanantern. The silence is deafening. Ther

are probably howling winds from somsort of storm.

A Personal Experience during an ice

storm

A few years back we lived in arewhere ice storms were fairly common

They would hit hard and usually knoc


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out power lines for a few days. Throads could become totally impassableSo, when a storm warning was issued

ot of people took it very seriously anwent straight to the grocery store. Thgrocery stores were always full of aassortment of people ranging from thvery elderly who had been frightened ouof their home by the threat of being stucn their home to the very young and ras

who were terrified of running out obeer. This was evident by the shoppincarts. Yes, I am telling you the truth.There would be people with tw

buggies loaded up with beer and one boof baby diapers. They would bucigarettes as they went through thcheck-out line. The elderly would hav


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a lot of pharmacy items and a few canof something. Other people used thshotgun approach and just grabbe

something off every shelf. Smart peoplgot someone in line with an empty buggwhen they first went in the store. Thehe rest of the people in the shoppin

party ran to different parts of the storand grabbed specific items on a list. Ashort list of items to purchase for a

mpending disaster is a good thing thave in your car. While you arshopping dont hesitate to grasomething that you see that wasnt o

our list if you know you will need itHopefully you will have already set up working pantry at home that will helou avoid that mad rush to the grocer


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store just before a storm hits.

The comforting thing about the ic

storms was that we could make a prettsound prediction regarding how long thnconvenience was going to last. Th

weather would tell us when the storwould pass over, when the roads wouldhaw, and then we could guess how lonhe power companies would take to ge

everything back on track. The record fous was two weeks without electricityThat was AWFUL but we did manage. Iwas certainly easier because of the man

hings we did have on hand in our home

n this case we were the family membewith a wood heater, so other famil


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members came to our house to stay a fewdays. Other people came in with enougstuff to feed an army for a month. The

were prepared also. It was still babecause there were no lights, no TV, novideo games, no nothing. We had a fewbooks to listen to on CD and we had tsit in the car to do that. I guess we coulhave been better prepared in that areaWe needed more batteries for stuff tha

uses batteries. We got weather reportfrom the car radio.

A potential way to prepare for a no

electricity disaster is to just turn off thights for a few hours and see what yo

can figure out. Pretend the roads armpassible and you cant get out of th


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driveway. Also, the pizza delivery guycannot get to your house. If you ussomething that runs on batteries then yo

need a good supply of batteries. If yohave one of those generators that hookup to your electric box then check ansee if it actually starts. If it starts thawill be nice providing you have enougfuel to run it for at least a few hours. Iou actually have a power generator fo

electrical outages, then you may have tuse it selectively instead of continually.

Do you have a way to cook or just mak

coffee and warm up canned spaghetti?Try out that camp stove, gas grill, oight some charcoal. If you have a fir

pit in the back yard you might even buil


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a small fire and see what you can dhere without too much trouble. (Moro come later on how to cook on an ope

fire or using a dutch-oven.)

Clean clothes can be a problem. Isomething comes up like a prediction oweather that might throw the electricitout for a while start doing laundry andishes immediately. The last thing you

need to begin a no electricity day (oweek) is a sink full of dishes and a stacof dirty laundry. That reminds me that nice stash of paper plates, plastic forks

and things like that is a good idea foanytime. You can use them on days youust dont feel like cleaning. Open a ca

of chili and eat off paper plates. Neve


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be afraid to use some of the things yohave stored for a disaster even if thdisaster just happens to be I dont fee

ike doing anything today.

Something to understand well in advancs that a few hours, days, or even week

without electricity ranges from a minonconvenience to a monumentanconvenience. In most instances it i

not going to be more than that. To spendhe money required to set up back up

power is a very big expense. Even thcheapest power generator will cost yo

nearly $1000 plus the fuel to operate itFuel may or may not be available fopurchase. You have to either have fueon hand or have a way to travel t


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purchase fuel.

There are various solar powe

generators on the market that range frosupposed to run one light bulb up tmaking a large home free from thpower grid. During storm therprobably wont be a lot of sunshine tgenerate power. These systems arexpensive and cost a lot to operate onc

hey are in place.

For me personally a back up power plas just not in the budget. If you have

family member in construction they mahave or have access to a portable powesource. These cost thousands of dollarsbut they are generally reliable. O


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course then you also have to havsomeone who actually knows how thook up a generator safely.

The bottom line is probably going to bhat when the electricity goes down yo

will just have to manage as efficientland cheerfully as possible. Personally am probably one of the biggest crybabies around when the power goe

down. I just try to get through it safelyand that is probably going to be all yocan do as well. It isnt the end of thworld. And, in the world in which w

ive today, it is not going to bpermanent. It may feel like permanenbut it really isnt.


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By the way, power may be back on instores, shopping malls, and restaurantong before it is restored to you home

Dont be bashful about charging celphones, kindles and even your lap towhile you slowly sip down that drink ahe local coffee house. Remembe

which places are kind and helpful to yoduring times like that and patronize theater. If they are rude to you then don

use them later. That said, do remembeo be polite. They are probably a lot oother people in the same situa

everyday prepping for beginners - prepper

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