Take Inventory of Your Skills

Have you ever sat down and thought about the skills you have?  Have you ever thought about the skills you might need to have if you lived in an area that experienced a natural disaster or crisis due to economic decline?  I think it is very important to evaluate what you know how to do and what you may need to know how to do.

You probably know how to cook, keep clean, and wash your laundry.  Maybe you can do some auto maintenance and change a tire, do some home repair/maintenance, etc.  But do you know how to cook your food on an outdoor fire?  Can you start a fire?  Do you know how to purify water?  Wash laundry by hand? Do you know how to safely sanitize areas/dishes?  Can you sew?  Build a shelter with materials on hand?  Do you hunt or fish?  Do you  know how to shut off your utilities?

Earlier today I was reading an article entitled, 10 Skills Every Survivor Should Know .  Not only does it list some basic skills it explains how and why these skills could be useful to you.  Admittedly, I had not thought of a couple of them...and I'm thankful my husband and I have some of these skills.

The time to begin learning new skills is now...not when there is a crisis.  The more knowledge and skill you obtain now the easier it will be to walk through and endure the circumstances that may surround you some day.  Our nation has become a nation of convenience.  Everything is available in the store to buy or we pay someone else to do things for us.  There is wisdom in knowing how to grow food, raise animals, build shelters, repair things, use radio communications, how to start a fire for warmth or cooking, how to care for a seriously injured person, how to hunt or fish, how to sew or tailor clothing, and how to cook foods that don't come in a box or a bag.  It is even important to learn how to handle people who are in distress.

Take inventory of your skills now, make a plan to learn those things you need to learn, and become more prepared to endure difficult times.  It is not a matter of if these things will come it is a matter of when.  If you are prepared and your family is safe then you will be more ready to help others should the Lord send you out  to do so.

~Live Prepared~

Making Baguettes

Found a recipe for baguettes on Pinterest the other day and made them to take to lunch at a friends house.  The baguettes were quick and easy to make.  You could even make up baggies w/pre-measured ingredients for this one...all except the water.

My friend, Trang,  made Beef and onion soup...ooohhh so good and loved how easy it was to make.  Simple, quick and tasty.

Here is the recipe for the baguettes, with credits below it, and a photo of my second, yes second set of baguettes made this evening for my family.  They are so good that one whole baguette is already gone.  My daughter ate hers with apple butter spread all over it.

1 1/2 cups warm water
1 1/2 Tbs. (2 packages) dry yeast
2 tsp. sugar
3 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp. salt

In a small bowl mix the warm water with the yeast and sugar. Let it sit for about 5 minutes – foam should form on the top.

In a large mixing bowl combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture. Mix until the dough becomes a smooth ball and knead for 5 minutes. (I used my Kitchen Aid with the dough hook)

Cut in half and then shape into 2 baguettes. To make them smooth and pretty, roll each half of dough into rectangle and roll up lengthwise. Pinch the edges to seal and place on lightly greased cookie sheet (or silpat) with seam down. Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With a very sharp knife (I like to use a serrated blade) gently make a slash down the length of each baguette. This will give it that authentic look. Pour water in a cookie sheet and place it on the bottom rack of the oven. Bake the bread for 15 minutes. Half way through, brush the bread with melted butter.

 (Credits to original poster Frosted Bake Shop and secondary poster that I found on Pinterest,  The Sisters Cafe)

The recipe above does not state to place the cookie sheet you will pour the water onto in the oven in advance....but I would do this when pre-heating the oven.  Reason:  I did it by the recipe instructions the first time and the baguette exterior was very soft...still tasted good but I like the chewy and slightly crisp texture for the exterior better.  Pouring the water on the pre-heated cookie sheet will create steam immediately while putting a cold cookie sheet w/water on it in the oven at the same time you put the dough in will steam slowly throughout the cooking creating a different exterior bread texture.  Just my 2 cents worth.  Oh, and the recipe doesn't say how much water - I recommend 1/4 to 1/2 cup....just eyeball it.  :)

As you can see my baguettes are rustic...not too fancy but certainly delicious!

Canning Salsa

Last week I made salsa from some tomatoes that were given to me.  A vendor at the Farmers Market had some leftovers that he knew wouldn't make it to the next market date.  I was able to make 7 pints of salsa and 4 pints of spaghetti sauce.  I water bath canned the salsa and froze the spaghetti sauce.  

Here is the salsa recipe, courtesy of my friend Talena:

5 lbs. tomatoes (about 7 cups), cored & diced

6 green onions, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, chopped
4 jalapeño peppers, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. salt
Lemon juice & sugar

Use food processor to dice/mince/chop all ingredients. Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium high and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Carefully ladle hot salsa into jars leaving 1/2" headspace. Add 1 tbsp. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. sugar to each pint (2 tbsp. each per quart). Wipe jar rims clean. Place lid on jar and screw the band down until fingertip tight. Process in boiling water for 15 minutes. Makes about 4 pints.  

Changes coming to this blog....

It's been awhile since I've posted any entries to this blog.  Since attending the ARC(Apostolic Response to Crisis) School and returning home I have entered a new season in my life.  I feel the Lord is asking me to share how my family and community are preparing for times ahead.  Things are changing, the earth is being shaken and He is preparing me to prepare others.  I hope you will all choose to stay with me and follow my blog, however, if you don't I completely understand.  This blog will begin to be filled with more gardening, canning, backyard farming, pantry storage, recipes, homemaking, disaster preparedness, ministry, and more.  There will still be homeschooling....watch and see how I incorporate teaching my children to live prepared.

Blessings to everyone!

Stacy

Preparing for ARC

By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared and ark for the saving of his household.

Hebrews 11:7

In 11 days, on September 10th, I will be leaving Arkansas and heading to California to attend Crisis Response International disaster relief training at the ARC Intensive.  I am excited, anxious to begin this adventure.  Training in disaster relief and ministry that will reach the harvest in times of crisis.  The Lord has given me complete peace as I have been working towards preparing to go on this trip.  That is the only way I could leave my husband and children for 63 days.  I am so blessed to have parents that live in the same town as I do, who are willing to take care of their grandchildren and help them with their homeschooling, activities and chores at home.  The children will be taking care of our chickens, dogs, cats, honey bees, and the garden as my husband works 5-6 day work weeks.

I have already assembled a notebook for my Mom that contains the kids schedules and will soon be printing their school work.  Well, Autumn's will need to be printed but Caleb's is AOP Switched on Schoolhouse so that won't be too difficult to transfer to my parents home computer while I'm gone. 

The Lord has so faithfully provided for my financial needs for this trip.  I had to depend on Him for every penny to make this work.  My prayer has been and still is, Lord prepare the hearts of those whom you would have partner with me in this calling.  The first support I received was handed to me in an envelope and the person said, "This is provision from your Heavenly Father".  Little did this person know, the night before I spent praying and crying out loud to the Lord about how difficult it was to see how the provision was going to come, even though I knew He would do it.  I told Him exactly how I felt, what was difficult and what I was wrestling with inside, and then asked if He could just show me a little provision.  When I opened the envelope not only did He show me His provision, He showed me there is a vast difference between "my" little and His little.  It was a definite faith builder.  Support has consistentl come in since that time. 

Less than 60 days ago I began my support raising efforts.  As of today I only need a bit more to meet the cost of training fees and travel.  I trust the Lord completely to provide this and more since I know He knows my needs better than I do. 

If you are hearing from the Lord to partner with me, please know there is no amount too small.  Every gift is from the Lord and a complete blessing.  If you desire to partner with me you can contact me at liveprepared@cox.net .  I would love to visit with you and share my heart.  You can also view the original post about my training here.

I am asking that everyone please keep me in their prayers as I walk out this calling.  Pray not only for me but for my family.  I also ask that you pray for seed to be sown into future support raising when I am called to deploy to disaster or assist in training others.  I will need to develop partnerships and, as a wife, stay at home mom/homeschool teacher I will definitely be able to use some of my own skills to earn money from home.  Pray the Lord will provide ideas that will be profitable and a good use of time that does not take away from my responsibilites to my family. 

I will continue to provide updates while I'm gone via this blog and Facebook.  It may only be once a week since we are going to be living Off Grid with limited power. 

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog.  I can't wait until I can share more with you about my learning and experiences.

ARC Intensive Training Update

In 30 days I will be in California, in the high desert, near Big Bear Mountain, training to respond to disasters in times of crisis.  Training to bring Jesus to those who are experiencing crisis. 

Tonight at the prayer set that I serve on at The Pointe, we were singing and praying and the Lord opened my eyes and showed me that not only should we respond to crisis that comes from natural disasters and economic crashes, but we should be watchful for those crisis moments happening around us each day.  The neighbor who lost their spouse to cancer and needs to know they are loved after all the family has gone back home.  The family down the street...the new one who doesn't have an income because they lost their job and moved in search of new work; who has children to feed and get to school; school supplies to purchase; needs to plug into a church; just needs to know they are welcome and that they have value.  Sometimes we forget, when we are comfortable, that others are not.  That they are lacking.  They need to know we care and who their real provider is.  They may or may not be believers in Christ but they need encouragement and edification regardless.

I am walking in a new season.  One that I feel will challenge me in ways I've never considered being challenged.  Shaping, molding, pressing, squeezing, change.  Good change. 

I am thankful for the desires the Lord has placed in my heart and I'm thankful He is directing my steps.  I am on track with my support raising and praying for the Lord to prepare the hearts of others whom He would have partner with me in prayer and finances.  If the Lord is speaking to you about helping me I would love to visit and share more about what I am going to do.  You can read about the training itself here:  http://criout.com/training/upcoming-trainings/disaster-relief-training/  You can read this blog entry to find out more about how the Lord has been preparing me for this training here:  http://sowingseedshomeschooljourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/crisis-response-international-arc.html

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me during this time.  Your prayers are a great help.  I have a peace unlike anything I've ever felt.  Thank you also to everyone who has partnered with me financially.  The Lord's provision through financial partnership is what is making this trip possible for me. 

I would like to reach out to the homeschool community and ask you to prayerfully consider giving a small gift.  Every donation helps no matter the size.  Most of my blog traffic comes from those who visit to read curriculum product reviews and a small donation (between $1-$5) from even 1/4th of that traffic would be a blessing.   If you are considering a donation they can be made through Paypal.  Thank you so much for praying and considering partnering with me. 

Yet I will Rejoice!

One of the scriptures the Lord gave me when He first began speaking to me about preparedness was Habakkuk 3:17-19.  There is a beautiful song written based on this scripture, by Melissa Mott.  It was recorded over 10 years ago in Israel.  I can't find any of her music on YouTube, but while searching for it I found the video below. 




Over the past 5 years as the Lord has been dealing with me about preparedness, He has taught me the importance of standing firm and knowing the need to rejoice in Him in ALL things.  No matter what we go through, no matter what comes along our path, NO MATTER WHAT.......our Joy is in Him and Him alone.  Learn to hold tight to Him, depend on Him at all times, no matter what your eyes see in the physical learn to walk in the spirit.  We can trust in Him at all times for all things.

I am getting more excited as the time draws near to attend the ARC Intensive training.  Will it be difficult?  Yes.  Will it stretch me?  Yes.  But I am ok with that because I know the Lord will be right there with me as He is always. 

I have written a blog entry that provides more detail about the journey I've been on for the past 5 years.  If you haven't read it yet you can do so by clicking here.  I've also written an entry about how the Lord spoke to me even in the process of learning to raise and keep a flock of chickens in our back yard.  You can read that here. 

Thank you to all of you who take time to read my blog.  I sincerely appreciate all of your prayers as I begin walking in the calling the Lord has placed on my life.