I have thought about that question regarding the purposes behind our "Florida adventure." There are probably a number of purposes but one thing stands out in my mind. Experiencing the aftermath of three major hurricanes really opened my eyes to the importance of preparing for disasters. I find myself chuckling a little as I write this because long before we ever moved to Florida, I had a preparedness calling in a ward in California that I worked very hard at and I know I helped many ward members get better prepared. But it was different back then and maybe I can best explain it this way...Back then I had a "testimony" of the importance of being prepared but after Florida I was "converted!" I can't explain how stressful and topsy-turvy life becomes when nothing is normal. Things we take for granted everyday like clean water and plenty of it, electricity--light, having the Internet, news of what's going on, no heat/ air conditioning, no working cell phones, no refrigeration, cooking challenges, buying gasoline (if there is any), grocery shopping ( well...that is if there is water, ice, batteries or canned foods left and the store has backup power to run a register and if you have cash), banks with downed ATM's, post office closures, inability to access roads, massive clean up needs EVERYWHERE, inability to get medical care except in the most dire of circumstances....and we weren't dealing with the really hard things like people who had lost their lives. It isn't easy to deal with natural disasters and the getting back to some semblance of normal takes time, sometimes a very long time as it will be in Japan. But maybe my words and the pictures we've seen from Japan recently will help to move you to action and get better prepared. I put together a family First Aid Kit this week. I would like to recommend a First Aid book that is really worth the money. I bought it at the local Boy Scout Shop. It is the best first aid book I have ever owned (and I've had a few). It is well laid out, concise, current and has pictures which I find useful.
I hope this post will encourage you to get better prepared but if it leaves you feeling just overwhelmed and unsure where to start, then start with buying a gallon of water every week until you get a gallon of water per person per day for two weeks. Or, fill that 55 gallon water barrel. That's how to start! If you want a list of what's in my snazzy first aid kit, let me know and I'll send you the list. By the way, the 32 inch duffle bag (and they have smaller ones for less) my kit is in cost me $14 at Walmart, has wheels and zips up flat...way cool for super cheap!
I hope this post will encourage you to get better prepared but if it leaves you feeling just overwhelmed and unsure where to start, then start with buying a gallon of water every week until you get a gallon of water per person per day for two weeks. Or, fill that 55 gallon water barrel. That's how to start! If you want a list of what's in my snazzy first aid kit, let me know and I'll send you the list. By the way, the 32 inch duffle bag (and they have smaller ones for less) my kit is in cost me $14 at Walmart, has wheels and zips up flat...way cool for super cheap!
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