Time To Regroup

     It's at this time of year that everyone sets out to make their New Year's Resolutions; those pledges to themselves to lose weight, get more exercise, be nicer to family members, or any number of other things that end up being of little or no consequence.
     I contend that this New Year's we should set aside all those traditional good intentions and take a real hard look at all of our TEOTWAWKI preps; the plans, our long-term storage items, and our tools for survival.  Because, I don't know about you, but it sure feels like a crisis, whether real or manufactured, is sure to become a reality in 2014.  Whether it truly is The End Of The World As We Know It, or just a new, and more hostile environment, it would be good to know that we have everything we need to make it through.

     The Prepper mindset came into focus around 2006-2008.  If you were among the first to jump on board that "crazy train", I bet there are some of you who made their survival list, crossed each item off as it was purchased, stored it in a convenient place and told yourself, "OK, that's taken care of."  How many have gone back and checked the status of those items?  Depending on how you stored them, do you know that mice or moths have not damaged your cloth tents or wool blankets?  What about your medical kits?  Are the meds still up-to-date; do you need to add to your supply?
     What about flash lights?  Make sure your batteries are still charged.  If you're storing kerosene in metal containers, make sure water condensation hasn't compromised it.  And then there's food storage.  If you're like me, I combined long-term bulk grain storage in food-grade buckets alongside some canned goods.  I still have some cans with "Best consumed by 2010" stamped on them.  Needless to say, I am purging those from my stores and I have discovered that my free-range chickens like lima beans quite well!  That being said, this has caused me to re-evaluate my food storage and I have determined that freeze-dried food is a better complement to my bulk buckets.
     That's what I want you to realize!  It is probably a good time to stop and take take stock of all you have done to build a support base for your family in hard times.  Take a look at your ammo supply.  Do you have what you need for every firearm you possess?  Do you have extra ammo set aside for training, above and beyond your TEOTWAWKI stores? And re-examine your needs in that area, too.  Our Second Amendment remains under assault, so don't take for granted that access to what you need or desire will be there in the near future.

     And that Go-Bag in the back of your car?  How long has it been since you've pulled everything out of it and examined it for those items that need to be replaced?  Is that Power Bar shriveled up and moldy?  Has extreme heat or cold compromised anything that you would be relying on for survival if you ended up stranded on the side of the road?  And are you still in the same pair of boots you began this odyssey with?  Size them up and see if they need replaced.  When your dogs are tired, nothing else matters!
     How long has it been since you sat down with family or friends and discussed your plans to co-exist in a time of disaster or crisis?   Has a child gone off to college, or a family member moved to a new location?  Do they have a travel route to get home or to a predetermined safe place in case of a disaster or catastrophic event?  For that matter, have you had a recent discussion with your children or elderly parents about specific scenarios?  Have you asked them what they would do in a particular circumstance?  Role-playing or testing their game plan is a good way to keep everyone clued in and on the same page.  In the middle of the crisis may be too late to strategize.
     So, all I'm trying to get you to do is make a concerted effort to review your preparations.  God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power and sound mind.  Know what you have, replace or repair what's needed, and add those items that you lack.  It could save you some unnecessary failures and wasted supplies, as well as renew your convictions and the confidence in your ability to persevere.  Then whatever is in store for us in 2014, you'll be ready .... Bring It On!

Ezekiel 38:7     "Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them."