Monday, October 29, 2012

Are We Prepared?


I spent yesterday afternoon and evening feeling a lot like one of the 10 virgins. The story is a parable about the coming of Christ, but I realized it can be about the preparation for any upcoming event.  We are all sitting waiting for the arrival of a grand event. In our cases, currently we are waiting on what is supposed to be a monstrous storm.  In the next three days, and possibly into the next week depending on whether or not we lose power, we will be able to see if we truly prepared ourselves as much as we could.  Much like the parable, we can't prepare for each other. We can encourage each other and we can help them, but we can't do all of the work for others because there is not enough hours in the day.

Here are a few things that the county has encouraged us to do.  Somethings may be too late, but others are things that can still be done.

1.  Clear the drains on your gutters or downspouts.

2.  Check in with your neighbors (Especially the sick and elderly)

3.  Have your "must have" prescriptions filled. (With that I thought make sure you have adequate amount of animal food, diapers, wipes, baby food. . . sometimes we forget the little guys who can't fend for themselves)

4.   Keep your electronic devices including cell phones fully charged and keep a battery powered radio on hand.  (I would suggest keeping your phone on a charger at all times when you are able. That will allow it to always be fully charged at the time the power goes out if it does).

5.  Make sure that all of your lawn furniture, grills, outside plants, trashcans and other items are secured so they don't become airborne and dangerous in the face of a storm.  (We moved our lawn furniture into our dining room area because we had a big open space, but usually it is lighter weight and can be stacked in a garage that has space or it can be tied to deck railings etc.  )

6.  If you live in a low lying area, or a flood zone be prepared for what could be 48+ hours of rain.  (As I was looking at the weather last night, it is predicting rain starting last night until early Wednesday morning).

7.  Howard county will be using their reverse 911 calling to give out information during the storm.  Answer your phone even if you don't recognize the number so that you can receive that information.

8.  And lastly, to keep up to date with what is going on in the county sign up for free information letters at www.notifymehoward.org or text HOWARD to 411911. For the latest updates, follow the county on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hocogov or on Twitter at @hocogov.

If the storm gets fierce, and you live near trees, remember to stay on the lower levels of your home.  I am thinking that my kids and I will have a campout in the basement tonight.

I have faith and a knowledge that if we prepared ourselves adequately, the Lord will be by our side to protect us. This doesn't mean that we wont lose things or that things wont be damaged, but it means that we will have a peace that we were prepared and that we can be safe.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Declutter Your Home and Assist Others in the Process


Do you have things that you are dying to get rid of?  Do you have problems with hoarding, but you know you would do better if you had a good cause to donate to?  (That would be me!) I find myself often saying "But, maybe I will use that some day".

If you have things that you want to get rid of, and you are lazy like me and don't want to sell them or bring them to a thrift store, here is a site for you!  VA Donation Site. You can easily sign up for a pick up date and they come right to your home to get it. The items can be placed in your driveway, on your porch, on the side of your home etc. . .

This is an organization that sells your junk and gives the proceeds to the VA which gives service to the Veterans of our country.

Opportunities like this encourage me to go through my things and get my home in order!  I thought I would pass on the information.

Miriam Plass
Provident Living "Specialist"

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Ward Goals

The bishop last month, encouraged every person in the ward single or married to work on a 90 day supply of food.  He would like for each family/individual to have a 72 hour kit by the end of this year and then to continue working on obtaining a 90 day supply of food throughout this next year!  I will be posting ideas and such as they come!

I know we can do it!

Miriam Plass
Provident Living "Specialist"