Lessons Learned

   

     We, here in Texas, are not accustomed to the icy conditions of winter weather we received yesterday.  Although parts of the state have experience with snow, ice and sleet, it is highly unusual for the entire state to find itself in the clutches of an arctic blast of inclement weather.
     But I imagine that a lot of people learned some valuable lessons... or at least I hope they are smart enough to assess their experience and plan for the future.  We have sure learned some lessons!  First of all, we were awakened in the middle of the night to a succession of power outages, and by daybreak the outage seemed to be permanent.  That meant no heat, of course.  As many of you know, there is a difference between a "dry" cold and a "wet" cold.  And because it was sleeting, it made the cold seem even more miserable.
     Of course, the phones weren't working, and the internet was down as well.  But my neighbor and I confirmed, via cell phone, that our entire neighborhood was without power.  Since we have wood-burning stoves, we had a convenient source of not only heat, but a way to cook breakfast.  I had the tea kettle boiling in no time, and french toast cooking in the cast iron skillet.  But it made both PLW and myself quickly realize that if one had to exist through a prolonged bout of wintry weather with no electricity, it would take a boatload of wood to sustain you.  Note to self:  you can never have enough firewood.

     The only real problem we had, and one that we simply did not anticipate, was the loss of some of our chickens.  We have suffered temperatures this low before without any loss of life, but the combination of the icy winds and the sleet were too much for them.  The sheltered side of the chicken coop was not facing north, and they were exposed to the wintry mix.  Extra hay in the nesting boxes wasn't enough to protect them.  The chicken coop was too heavy for the two of us to try to move ourselves, and our chickens paid the price.  Until we can enlist the aid of neighbors and their tractors to make the necessary adjustment, we decided to create a "greenhouse effect" by stapling plastic around the entire house.  That meant a trip to town for the plastic and supplies, which revealed several more important lessons.
     Of course, without power, computers and credit card machines don't work.  So if you didn't have cash, or the store was unwilling to keep a hand-written list of charges to add to your account when power was restored, you were simply out of luck.  We were prepared, but the eye-opener for us were the lines outside the small, local Dollar General store.  Food-stamp recipients had no way to purchase anything with their EBT cards, and both this discount store and the grocery store simply locked their doors.  This was going to be a temporary shutdown and these people literally looked lost!  Blank faces and vacant stares told me that if we are faced with a real long-term crisis, there will be thousands upon thousands who will be unprepared.  Without at least a small amount of cash on hand, you will find that your plastic cards are useless.
     The next apparent thing was the inability of people to gas up their cars -- the gas pumps don't work without electricity.  Even if people had relatives or friends they could bunk with, how far could they get on empty tanks?  We at least had warning that this weather system was headed our way, and still there were many who were caught with no viable form of transportation because they didn't think ahead.
     Power was eventually restored by noon-time; this was really a non-event and a minor irritation.  But I can imagine that many people felt a sense of panic and had no plans in place to deal with the inconveniences.  What happens when it is a full-scale, permanent emergency with devastating consequences?  Those blank stares are going to become expressions of anger; panic will turn to fear and violence; and neighborly concern will change to every man for himself.
     It's these little "practice runs" that should make us all aware of our shortcomings, as well as our strengths.  It should show us where we have it "right" and encourage us to fortify those areas even more.  We should also see even more clearly those activities and spheres in which we are lacking.  Think things through to the extreme.   So you made it half a day just fine without power.  What if you found yourselves without power for a week?  Where would you suffer?
     I've always said that when TEOTWAWKI happens, I will be happy to spend endless hours studying my Bible and commentaries.  But I quickly realized the number of online study tools that I use.  I have an extensive book collection, but some of my most valuable resources are online.  This was a reminder to get those sources in the paper-and-ink variety.
     All in all, it was not a huge inconvenience for us.  But it does shake you out of your "normalcy bias" and reacquaint you with the notion of how important it is to be prepared.  Old Man Winter showed us how quickly our world can change, and that we can't take anything for granted.  I'm hoping that this historical winter will serve to teach these valuable lessons to millions of Americans before it's too late.

Proverbs 21:20    "The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down." 
   

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."
   
   

Recommended Product: Conflicted-The Survival Card Game

     This little product fits right in with my post from yesterday.  My friends over at prepperwebsite.com featured this unique little gift that will be a mind-blower this Christmas.  It is a scenario-based card game called Conflicted.  Created by SurvivalLogics, Conflicted contains 52 scenario cards and 2 rule cards.  Instead of reading preparedness articles to learn “how to react" in a certain scenario, Conflicted gets you to think through how YOU would respond to a myriad of survival situations after a SHTF event.
     But this product is more than a game and an individual mental exercise.  Many who have already purchased the card game are seeing the advantage of “feeling” others out in their families or preparedness group.  When we are all faced with tough situations, we have an idea of how we are going to act. We tend to think this idea is the way most reasonable people would act as well. The problem is that another person in your prepping group may feel the same way .... but about a completely different answer to the same question!
     So depending on how seriously you want to play the game with the other players you can really get into some great discussions and get a feel for what kind of person your friend or family member “really” is before you both are faced with a difficult situation and emotions are running high.  Or you can go completely in a different direction and play the game casually with someone who isn’t into prepping at all and then maybe ... just maybe ... at the end of the gaming session that person will be thinking about becoming a prepper themselves.
     Here's a sample card that will give you an idea of how the game is played:

     Get the idea?  But what really impresses me with this product is how the developers tested their game before releasing it.  The test group revealed the following reasons they would recommend Conflicted:

1.  It opens up in depth discussions regarding what kind of world we’ll live in after the collapse of society.

2.  It shows to you where others in your group draw the line between their will to live vs their own morals.

3.  It helps you create a mutual understanding among the members of your bugout group when it comes to who’s more suitable for what role after the collapse of society.

4.  It helps you discuss with significant others what kind of survival philosophy your camp will have after the collapse and why that philosophy is important.

5.  The game will raise an awareness regarding other areas of prepping that perhaps you didn’t think about.

6.  Practice your barter, negotiating and leadership skills to perfection on the subjects that matter most.

7.  Conflicted: The Survival Card Game is like a mirror that exposes your real survival philosophy to yourself.

8.  Over 50 scenarios that will reveal how unprepared emotionally humanity really is to the collapse of modern civilization.

9.  See what other preppers all over the world think a post apocalyptic society will be like, as they submit scenarios and the Conflicted website publishes more decks periodically. Have a way to bring this knowledge to your bugout group.  (The website is currently featuring videos of groups that have played the game and their results).

10.  It exposes who the true leader of your bugout group really is. Hope you and your group can handle that….

     Sooo, if you're looking for that controversial little stocking stuffer; you know, the one that everybody will be talking about? I think this may be it.  Just go to www.conflictedthegame.com and see where the game takes you!

1 Peter 3:15    "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." 

All I Want For Christmas Is ....

In the spirit of full disclosure, I must admit that I detest the commerciality of the Christmas holiday.  In fact, I have a completely different perspective on the truth behind this religious holiday, which I may be bold enough to share in the coming weeks; but for now, this post will ask you to do some intensive soul-searching before you succumb to the excessive emotions of the season.   

     OK, yesterday you feasted on turkey and dressing, indulged in numerous football games, or maybe went to the movies.  Today is traditionally the day that the Christmas shopping season begins.  All the Christmas decorations are hauled out of the attic, and mobs descend on the malls for that perfect gift at a bargain price.  But before you give in to the addiction perpetuated by creative advertising executives, I implore you to stop and rethink your shopping list this holiday season.
     Push aside the nostalgia and sentimentality, and take a good hard look at the reality of our situation.  Do we really need to be buying extravagant gifts that we can't really afford?  Do your children need another technological narcotic to numb their brains?  Or do any of us truly need that shiny new toy to take our minds off what ails us and the country?
     I'm going to suggest that this year we put on our Big Boy pants and stop pretending that it is life as usual.  If you can't look around you and see that we are in a serious free-fall towards major change, then I'm here to tell you to PAY ATTENTION! 

     Between the disastrous rollout of Obamacare and the millions who are seeing their health insurance rates double ... or losing coverage altogether! ... to the less-than-honest portrayal of the Iran nuke non-deal ... to the increase in regulations and taxation while there is an attempt to decrease our freedoms --- it is all designed to reconstruct the very foundation of America.  So, don't you think it might be a good idea to rethink how you want to spend that hard-earned dollar?
     No one can deny that prices are sky-rocketing at the supermarket; in fact, everything is getting more expensive.  Why not rededicate this holiday season to shoring up your family's foundation against possible adversity?
     As a family, agree to allocate your funds to items that will help you endure some hard times.  Think about what you would need if you lost your job and couldn't afford the price of groceries.  Might it not be a good idea to have some long-term food storage?  Or possibly buy a wheat-grinder and stock up on buckets of wheat?  Home-made bread will seem like a luxury if trouble comes knocking at your door.  And what about purchasing a pressure canner and some seed packets for next summer's garden?
     If we have a grid-down scenario --- and believe me, there are any number of events that could contribute to that picture --- what are your plans for water; for cooking; or for light?  North Korea has threatened more than once to carry out an EMP attack.  And let's not forget all the solar flares and geological occurrences that are daily fodder for the web.
     Instead of that big-screen TV, wouldn't it make more sense to think about purchasing a hand-pump (remember that your well needs electricity to operate)?  Other items to consider are a Deadwood stove or Dietz lanterns and good quality sleeping bags.  Let your imagination wander ... I know this is the season to be jolly and light-hearted, but I urge you to set aside the frivolity for a few days and seriously contemplate preparing for that rainy day.  Once you've hardened your survival preps, then treat yourself to a "feel good" trinket.
     If you are serious-minded and willing to face reality, I think you will agree that this is the year to do a little less of Santa and a little more of SHTF Preppin'.  It's time to get our priorities straight and our plans in place.  By the time Christmas rolls around again next year, it might be a whole new world.

Jeremiah 10:2-3     Thus says the Lord: "Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity."

The Dynamics of Prepping

     An article on the CNN Money site recently caught my eye.  The writer attended a Prepping Expo in Florida at the beginning of the month, and it led to some interesting conclusions.  According to the piece, "More and more Americans are spending money to get ready for an uncertain future -- gathering food, water, tools, and skills to help them weather anything from a hurricane to a pandemic. Contrary to images of deluded or gun-obsessed "lone wolves," many preppers are average consumers reacting to concrete worries, and their way of thinking is spreading; fueling an emerging lifestyle trend. That lifestyle is generating demand for a broad spectrum of products offering survival -- or even comfort -- when large-scale systems go down."

     Almost sounds as if "prepping" has gone mainstream, doesn't it?  And in this economically-challenged time, it appears as if a new economic stream is being developed.  And this new industry defies stereotyping; everything from ammunition, crossbows and camping gear, to seed banks, beehives, financial planning, and acupressure.  And the business model seems to be trending upwards.  The average customer is hard to define.  They are no longer red neck, country conspiracy nuts, but the market has broadened to include "suburban homesteaders".  And the reasons they are flocking to this new line of merchandise are as varied as their demographics and the different products.
     Ideology contributes to a lot of the differences in buyers.  According to the article, one of the entrepreneurs, Charlie Hogwood of Personal Readiness Education Programs, had this to say about the divergent consumers: "All last year it was up and up and up. But after the [presidential] election, it flattened out." Hogwood thinks that some in the market were overwrought over doomsday scenarios surrounding the reelection of Barack Obama. "Last year, I heard 100 different conspiracy theories" about what a second Obama presidency might mean. But when the election wasn't followed by martial law and FEMA camps, both the rhetoric and the market cooled off a bit. "I rarely hear the crazy theories now. Now everyone's worried mainly about the collapse of the dollar," says Hogwood, referring to widespread prepper fears of hyperinflation triggered by the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing.
     And the irony of the various reasons for purchasing items at the Expo were not lost on Mr. Hogwood, either.  "Sometimes it's like a toy store, and people buy stuff because they like it." But in a real survival situation, "the more you know, the less you have to carry. A lot of people don't know much and think they can buy their way out of it." He sees some of the extremism surrounding the prepping industry as hype, maybe even fearmongering. "It's so much more fun to worry about martial law than a hurricane. People like zombies as a marketing tool."
     As I read further into the article, it became apparent that not only the writer, but a good number of the companies selling products, didn't really grasp the importance nor the significance of prepping.  For many of them, it just appears as if they are out to make a quick buck in a new market.  They derisively discredit the theories of the Expo attendees, dismissing conversations on the involvement of the Rothschilds and Rockefellers in the Federal Reserve, or the effects of chemtrails on the weather.
     So it appears as if good old American greed is still alive and well.  There are lots of business owners who are willing to get their fair share of the shrinking American dollar; more interested in their profits than in any real common interest with their customers.  And then there are the  consumers, always looking for the latest new gimmick or movement to follow.  It was obvious that the writer and many of the businesspeople still view "Preppers" as the lunatic fringe.
     Well, the last laugh will be on them.  Let them make their dollar and buy their new toys, but when the SHTF, the true Preppers will  have the last laugh.  A fat bank account will be reduced to pennies, and all those survivalist items won't help if you don't know how to use them.  In the meantime, we'll be glad to take advantage of the fascination with the survivalist lifestyle.  Let their greed be our gain.

2 Peter 3:3-4    "knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation."

   
   

It's Time To Get Serious!

     How many of you call yourself "preppers", yet have not prepared yourself thoroughly?  By that, I mean are you being wise and complete in your planning?  Have you thought this strategy out carefully and completely?

     An article on Survival Pulse, a clearinghouse of survivalist communications, has given us a very short and concise list of things to consider:

1.  Do you have a false sense of security?  You can never have enough .... enough food, enough training, enough knowledge.  Never underestimate the value of doing more in all the areas that will secure your safety.  When you think you've done it all, there's always something you haven't done well enough.

2.  Have you convinced your immediate family to get on board?  If you haven't, then you've got serious holes in your security plan.  What if you get sick, injured, or killed?  If everyone is not on board, then you have liabilities, and these loved ones can become impediments to the entire group's safety.  You can't do it all, or do it alone!  Everyone should have at least basic skills to ensure their survival, should something happen to you.

3.  Are you ignoring the "boring" prepping areas?  Everyone loves the fun areas of securing safety ... firearms training, building bug-out bags, learning new skills.  But what about those areas that are pure drudgery?  Who wants to do the heavy lifting that is required in establishing a dependable and steady water supply?  And who is willing to volunteer to learn necessary first aid skills?  Why, after all, those take time, money and lots of effort!  Make sure all the critical prepping areas are covered, so you won't experience a crisis should TEOTWAWKI occur.
4.  Do You Know How To Use Your Preps?  In one sense, I consider this an extension of #1.  Some people have bought all the things that every book and website have told them they must have, and that's as far as they went with their plan.  Somehow, having the stuff gives them a false sense of security, or at least allows them to continue with their normalcy bias.  So you must actually open the packages and boxes and try your supplies and gear.  Test your skills with new acquisitions and become an expert on all of them.
5.  Thinking your plan is perfect.  It's OK to do the research for your plan and come up with the best one you can.  But if you think there can be no improvements, or you're going to stick to your plan with no deviations, then you might want to think again.  You must develop the mindset that things can change and you must be willing and able to adapt.
6.  Telling others about your plans.  This should be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at those people who post everything they're doing on Facebook!  When things get ugly, your "friends" are going to get ugly.  Be very careful about who you share this information with.  Only those you absolutely trust can be taken into your confidence.
7.  Broadcasting your plans.  Play it smart!  Ordering large quantities of anything can draw unwanted attention.  Remember the "gray man" theory ... go unnoticed.  As long as your planning is within the law, it's really nobody's business what you are doing to protect your family in a crisis situation.
8.  Play It Cool.   This goes along with #7.  Don't let the appearance of your clothes, your home, or your attitude shout to the world that you are one of "those crazy preppers."  If we are ever faced with an actual crisis, you will have announced to anyone and everyone who is paying attention, that you are the first person to go see when they are desperate.  Don't raise any eyebrows!
9.  Spread it around.  Let's face it; you can have all the necessary items for survival in any situation, but if they are all located in one place, you are in a world of hurt if you have to deal with a fire or any number of natural disasters.  Do you have a plan if a flood or hurricane wipes out all your stash?  Have you thought about having a back-up plan in a different location?  Something to think about!
10.  Trying to do it all.  Think your situation through.  There's no way you can do everything you've heard about and do it all expertly and competently.  Figure out a plan that works for your family, with the resources you have, and capitalizing on your logistics and skills.  Don't get overwhelmed by the immensity of possible scenarios and trying to plan for everything.  That only leads to burnout, undue stress, and inadequacy.
     I think we can all agree that we live in a "new normal" now, so I think it's a good idea to do a periodic survey on where we are on the above topics.  Above all else, we must remain vigilant and prepared to adjust to new conditions.  With that mindset, we have the best chance of success.

Colossians 2:8   "See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."

A Near Miss

     Are you aware that we narrowly missed a colossal natural disaster two weeks ago?  Apparently one of NASA's space telescopes that is aimed directly at the sun, discovered a massive "dark spot", which turned out to be a coronal hole that covers nearly one-quarter of the sun's surface.  But here's the deal:  that hole is far from harmless; it is spewing solar material and gas into space.
     Known as a "coronal mass ejection", this massive solar discharge could have caused serious harm; knocking out power, cars and iPhones throughout the United States.  And this kind of occurrence is not unknown.  In 1859, a similar Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), named after astronomer Richard Carrington, actually melted telegraph lines in Europe and North America.  One also occurred in Canada in 1989, knocking out Quebec's electric transmission system.  And this is the exact EMP event that everyone from "preppers" to professional experts have warned us about.  And when you hear their comments, it is evident that this latest event has only amped up the warnings.

     The Washington Examiner reported what a trio of authorities had to say.  "The world escaped an EMP catastrophe," said Henry Cooper, who led strategic arms negotiations with the Soviet Union under President Reagan.  "There was a near miss about two weeks ago; a Carrington-class coronal mass ejection crossed the orbit of the Earth and basically just missed us," said Peter Vincent Pry, who served on the Congressional EMP Threat Commission from 2001-2008.  And then there is former  CIA Director James Woolsey who has been recently demanding that Washington prepare the nation's electric grid for an EMP, either from the Sun or an enemy's nuclear bomb.
   All three experts want the 2,000-3,000 transformers in the grid protected with a high-tech metal box and spares ready to rebuild the system. Woolsey said knocking out just 20 would shut down electricity to parts of the nation "for a long time."
     It doesn't take much imagination to see the damage that a grid-down scenario would do to our nation's stability.  No electricity means more than just no phone service --- it means no water, no air conditioning, no medical devices, no transportation, no light after darkness falls, no refrigeration, no gasoline --- it will result in inconvenience at the least, and death in the long run.
     And with rumors that North Korea is reportedly testing a device to attack the U.S. with an EMP, we have no time to lose.  At a conference in Washington D.C. last week, Cooper suggested that North Korea might already have the capability to launch an EMP against the United States.  He said in December, North Korea tested its so-called Space Launch Vehicle which could deliver a stealthy nuclear attack on the United States by orbiting a nuclear weapon over the South Pole where the U.S. has no radar or missile interceptors facing south. North Korea, he said, apparently orbited a satellite over the south polar region on a trajectory and altitude consistent with making a surprise nuclear EMP attack against the United States.
     But now, it is not only our enemies we have to worry about, but the very Sun that supports life on this Earth.  It is quite apparent that the Big Ball of Fire in the Sky is now launching space debris that threatens to collide with us as we orbit around it!  I don't really understand all the intricacies of our galaxy and the planets, but I know Someone who does.  If I wasn't a Believer, I can only imagine how terrifying this possibility would be.  And don't get me wrong; I'm not exactly looking to test my survivalist skills.  But I have to rely on my faith that the One who created the Sun has control over it.  Nothing happens that He does not allow.  So if it is His plan that we suffer such an event, whether naturally or by human hands, then I know that He will see us through it.  But it still might be a good idea to plan for the worst.  We might just have received a warning.

Genesis 1:1-4     "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth .... And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good."

   

A Different Kind of Prepping

     Maybe you've noticed it, too.  In 2008, the term "Prepper" was fairly new in our lexicon; and to be honest, it didn't exactly have a favorable connotation.  More than likely, if you considered yourself one, it meant that you were part of a fringe group of fruitcakes who hoarded buckets of beans and rice, balls of string, and stacks of toilet paper.  The rest of the world thought you were paranoid and delusional.  It was OK for Bear Grylls to eat insects and imagine being stranded in a desolate location, but most Americans were living comfortable, affluent lives and saw no need to take such drastic steps.

     By the year 2010, "Prepper" had become more mainstream, with literally millions of Americans coming on board our "crazy train".  Businesses that catered to "emergency" stockpiles of food flourished, and "sustainable living" became a worthwhile goal.  We returned to traditions and skills of the past, with women (like me) learning to can food, make soap, and garden.  The failing economy had a lot to do with convincing our neighbors that it might not be a bad idea to plan for a "rainy day".  And the increasing instability in our nation and the world told us that our laissez-faire attitude about our future needed to change.  It was becoming important for us to prepare to protect our families; not only for financial hard times, but for personal safety, as well.  The label "Prepper" was becoming both credible and necessary.
     But now, as we near the mid-point of 2013, you've either made the transition to a "prepper" mindset, or you haven't.  If the state of the world and the nightly news hasn't convinced you of the need to prepare your family for a decisively different destiny, then I'm afraid there is no reaching you, and no amount of persuasion is going to convince you of your vulnerability.  I'm pretty sure that all those who have the aptitude to see our situation clearly are members of our "Prepper Nation".
     However, as of late, I am seeing a new dimension of prepping on the rise.  Instead of material and instructional preparation, there is a growing movement of "spiritual" prepping.  Maybe it is a natural consequence of having all your ducks in a row when it comes to your food, supplies and personal protection.  Perhaps that frees your mind to begin considering your soul.  Most likely, the process is different for different people, but I am witnessing an increase in people who realize that they now want to be prepared to meet whatever we might face spiritually.
     People I would have only known in a social manner or setting are now engaging PLW and myself in deep discussions on spiritual preparation.   They are reading their Bibles and know what time it is.  They are worried about their children and grandchildren, and their ability to withstand the enemy that is coming against them.  We are hearing testimonies of "messages from God" and an overwhelming awareness on the part of these individuals that they need to be ready, willing and equipped for spiritual battle.  That is the definition of Preparation.  And this is the area in which I urge all who consider themselves "Preppers" to concentrate their energies.  You've secured your food supply, your skills and your safety.  Please make sure you strengthen and fortify your faith!
     You have accumulated all these things and abilities to ensure that your family will be sheltered from the coming storm.  But what is the point of gathering all this food and tools, if you are going to leave your spiritual pantry empty?  If you have not considered their spiritual well-being, you have left them vulnerable and defenseless.  Provide them with the ultimate security.  Become a "Spiritual Prepper."

Psalm 23:5    "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Time To Take An Assessment

     If you're like me, you have been aware of an underlying tension in our world and our daily existence for some time now.  If you were able to discern the changes early, then you most likely adopted a few new practices over the last few years, such as stocking up on essentials and food, and learning how to defend yourself.  You may have expanded your knowledge of sustainable living and returned to the forgotten skills of our ancestors, who knew how to live without the conveniences and luxuries of our modern culture.  You might even have determined it was time to renew (or begin) your relationship with God, and quit relying on the vagaries and shortcomings of man's false promises.
     But you may also be like me, in that I have to struggle against a blasé attitude about this new reality. I know and sense that things are going to change, but when week after week, and now year after year, have gone by and no major upheaval, the tension has now become my new reality.  And so, I find that I am guilty of not "keeping my edge", and not maintaining my storehouse and my training.
     These past couple of weeks I have felt a renewed awareness of world events ramping up to a boiling point.  And God knows, between terrorist attacks, assaults on our First, Second and Fourth Amendment rights, and the multitude of scandals in our own government, we have enough reason to suffer some major anxiety.  So PLW and I came to the realization that we needed to do a crucial re-assessment of our preparedness plan.
   

     I discovered that I have been dipping into my larder and not replacing canned goods, paper products, toothpaste, laundry detergent and OTC medicines as I should.  It has just been easier to grab something from our stash and then be indifferent about replacing it.
     The ammo situation has made it difficult to sustain any kind of self-defense training, so my mental sharpness has probably suffered as a result.  But I know that I need to practice my Op Sec more, and not be so complacent about my surroundings or the situations in which I find myself.
     I need to practice the skills that I have acquired.  My garden is flourishing, so I will soon be canning and preserving food, but I have let bread-baking, soap-making and cooking outdoors recede into the shadows.   I need to review the medical care that I have been taught; how to treat different kinds of wounds and how to correctly clean and stitch such wounds.  I need to think about how I will adapt to no water, no electricity and no computers, should we be faced with a TEOTWAWKI event.  I need to ask myself, "Am I mentally prepared?"
     But more importantly, I need to make sure that I am spiritually prepared.  Have I determined that I will stand for God and against the world system, if we are faced with that juncture?  How far am I committed to go in defending my faith?  Is my relationship with my Lord and Savior where I want it to be?  These questions are perhaps the most important; and this component of my preparedness is where I  need to be the most confident and secure.  Being proficient in all the other areas means nothing if my spiritual realm is not first and foremost on my list.  It is my most vital resource!
     So I ask you to assess your own situation and make an honest evaluation as to your state of readiness.  Do you need to sharpen your focus or add to your inventory?  Do you need to dedicate some time to polishing rusty skills?  And finally, are you where you need to be with the Lord? Make that your starting point and proceed from there.  We need to be observant, stay alert, and ever ready for what is coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:6      "So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober."

Product Recommendation: Sun Oven

     I've been wanting to share my latest piece of sustainable living equipment that PLW and I purchased last Thanksgiving.  I've waited to experiment with it, and the last little cold snap of our Texas winter gave me the perfect opportunity.  It was the ideal time for a pot of chili in my new Sun Oven.

     This convenient and easy-to-use solar oven answers all my concerns about a grid-down scenario and the capabilities of cooking.  Used in conjunction with my Deadwood Stove (for grilling or frying), I can accomplish all my baking, boiling and steaming with the Sun Oven.  Reaching temperatures of 360º - 400º, this oven is versatile and efficient.
     Because temperatures rise slowly and evenly, you get more subtle and natural flavors from cooking with the sun.  You never have to worry about your food burning; it's nearly impossible to overcook food and it keeps your food moist and flavorful.  You don't have to worry about lighting a fire.  You can even put frozen food in the Sun Oven in the morning, place it where the sun should be half way through the day, and you will  have a cooked meal by dinnertime.
     It's as easy as unfolding the reflectors, aiming the Sun Oven towards the sun, placing your food in the provided enamel cook pot on the interior shelf, closing the glass lid and latching it down.  It will cook anything that a conventional oven can cook (except fried food), and reaches temperatures comparable to that of your electric or gas stove.  There is a CD with recipes that accompanied my Sun Oven, but after a cursory glance at them, you can just follow your normal recipes; there is no special preparation.
     There are actually two ways to cook in a Sun Oven. If you refocus the oven to follow the sun every 25 to 30 minutes, cooking times and methods will be similar to cooking with a conventional stove or oven. Or a Sun Oven can be used for slow cooking, much like a crock-pot.  And that's what I did with my Chili.  You can see the steps below:

I fried my hamburger meat on my Deadwood Stove
and transferred it to the enamel pot .

I added 8 ounces of tomato sauce, 16 ounces of water,
and a can of drained pinto beans.  I then added onions,
garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder and
some diced jalapenos -- all to taste.  Because PLW likes
his Chili "meaty", I also add one of my canned jars
of roast beef to the mix.  It adds a richer taste and
a nice texture to the Chili.

I put the lid on the enamel pot, close and latch the glass lid,
and let the sun do its business!  The oven slowly climbs in
temperature (you can see the temperature gauge in the upper
left of the glass lid).  The Chili will eventually come to boiling
and you can then refocus the Sun Oven to receive less rays
and leave the Chili simmering.  It will never burn!

     Furthermore, the Sun Oven has been designed to cook multiple items at the same time.  It can accommodate baking two loaves of bread at a time, or several flat pans can be cross stacked to bake separate layers for items like granola or cookies. Two small stackable pots can be used on the leveling tray. The leveling tray can be removed to increase the usable area inside the Sun Oven and allow larger pots or pans to be used. (It is important to note that if the leveling tray is removed, pots and pans should be placed on a trivet, not on the floor of the oven. To cook evenly, there must be air flow all the way around the pot. A trivet will allow air to pass under the pot and ensure even heating).  

     But I can't overemphasize how easy it is to use and to store this oven!  The reflectors fold up to lay evenly on top of the oven, and latch in place.  There is even a convenient handle to carry the oven, which measures 19 x 19 x 11 and weighs only 21 pounds.  I will tell you that it is a little pricey.  Ours cost $375.  But because of its versatility and efficiency, I know I will think it is worth every penny in a crisis situation. I highly recommend this product and think you will find it a worthy addition to your emergency preparedness.

Ecclesiastes 5:18     "Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] part." 

     

Don't Be Late To The Party

     I don't know if they have suddenly seen that the clock on the wall reads 5 minutes to midnight, or events are coming so fast and forceful that they can no longer be ignored, but more and more people are coming to the realization that they are late to the party.  They have finally arrived, but they are late enough that the party is well underway.  And, trouble is, there's a shortage of party favors.

     So how do we help them?  These folks are going to have a harder time getting themselves and their families really prepared for what's coming down the pike.  Those that have expressed their concerns to me and PLW fit this general description:  no firearm or ammo, no food and no plan.  For many of them, Sandy Hook was the impetus.  The reaction from the Left was swift and predictable.  They were almost salivating over the loss of innocent young lives because now was their chance! Gun control was in their grasp! 

     The Latecomers, for whatever reason, thought that day would never come, failed to react quickly enough, and suddenly found themselves on the short end of the stick.  If you can believe the statistic being touted across the blogosphere, a firearm was purchased somewhere in America every 1.5 seconds!  People are stacked three deep in mile-long lines to enter gun shows , and the ammo shelves at every retailer have been picked clean.  You almost want to laugh at their innocence when they ask, "Do you know where I can purchase a firearm?"  Except it's not funny .... especially when it comes to being able to protect themselves or their family.  

     And even if they are lucky enough to have inherited their dad's pistol, many of them have no idea how to effectively and safely handle that firearm.  So then there is the matter of getting trained, and it is readily apparent that they are behind the curve.  There is more to owning a gun than pointing and shooting.  You must be able to discern when and how to pull your weapon; how to safely handle your weapon around your family and in your house; and how to react in a multitude of scenarios.  If you are smart enough to know you need training, I would recommend finding someone with a high level of training themselves and ask them to teach you.  There is always someone willing to bring you up to speed, whether it is a highly-qualified friend or a professional trainer you can pay.  Believe me, it will be worth the money!

     Then there is the question of food.  Latecomers have seen the devastation of the recent storms and the violent weather in the last few months.  So that has helped fire a neuron or two in their brains and they are starting to realize that it wouldn't take long to deplete the leftover pizza and the couple of pounds of hamburger in their refrigerator.  Any shutdown of food supplies for over 72 hours and their families would be hungry.  Most of them don't have the necessary funds it would take to stockpile all the food items they would need for long-term storage, so they are facing the overwhelming task of determining what they can afford and how quickly they can amass the essentials.

     The real test comes when you assess whether they are willing to live in the past.  By that I mean, can they accept the mindset of gardening for their food, living without modern luxuries (including electricity if the SHTF), and developing skills that their grandparents took for granted?  If all of that .... or ANY of that ... overwhelms them, then I'm afraid they will suffer the consequences of their failed judgment.  

     And that's not even considering such things as a safe water supply, medicines, or developing community with like-minded people.  If they think buying the basic tools of survival will get them through the coming season of pain, then they probably aren't worth wasting your time.  I know that sounds cold-hearted and callous, but the time has nearly passed for people to get on board.  

     It has become quite apparent to me that God, while still in sovereign control of His universe, is coming closer to harvesting the wheat from the tares.  Until this time, we have all co-existed together, but the line between those who can discern what time it is, and those who are late to the party is becoming clearer and in sharper focus. We will be separated into the genuine and the counterfeit; the authentic and the fraud.  It's good to be ready, primed and equipped, but if you're prepared and still don't know God as your personal Savior, then the clock is ticking for you, too.  No matter how much ammo, food, or training you have, you don't stand a chance if Jesus is not part of your plan; the most important part!  DON'T BE LATE TO THE PARTY!

     I do not feel a sense of triumph over those who made a conscious decision to dismiss PLW and myself over the last few years.  It wasn't easy to have our warnings shrugged off as absurd or foolish; the ideas of a couple of paranoid alarmists.  But, now, I take no joy in their anxiety or their sense of urgency.  I see the panic in their eyes and hear the fear in their voices.  I am only too happy to offer whatever support I can.  I will do my best to encourage them and to instruct them to BEGIN .... just BEGIN!  

     I am no prophet or fortune-teller.  I cannot predict the timeline for future events.  But the fact that the Latecomers are beginning to awaken and the scales seem to have fallen from their eyes, tells me that we can't put Pandora back in the box.  There's only one way to go and that is forward towards our destiny. The last bit of advice I would offer is to pray.  Ask God to forgive this nation for our affronts to Him, and ask for guidance to put this country back together again.  And then go forth and prepare; physically, spiritually, and emotionally.  Help those that God puts in your path and be ready to share His gospel message with everyone.  That's our way out of this mess .... both Salvation and Survival.  That was the goal of this blog from day one, and it's important now, more than ever!

     

Romans 15:4-6     "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.  May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Paracord: The Paragon of Prepper Paraphernalia

     Now, you might think this will be a boring and mundane post, but I would like to ask you to reconsider.  If there were one or two items that would be a "must" in my prepper repertoire, one would definitely be paracord.  And let me give you some important reasons why this versatile item could be important to your survival:

•  Paracord is available in so many colors, and can be tied to duffel bags, backpacks, tools, weapons, etc. to identify multiple-items by color code.
•  Paracord can be used as a friction saw;  simply saw it back and forth and it can cut through another length of paracord, nylon strips or other materials.
•  Paracord can be braided into rope, and has a weight limit of 550 pounds, making it a valuable tool in your kit.
•  If you need to climb, but have no climbing gear, paracord can be used to rappel, using a traditional body rappel technique.  Warning:  You need to get professional training if you're planning on rappelling.

•  Light sticks can be tied to a length of paracord and swung around at night, to signal an emergency.
•  The inner strands of paracord can be used to make improvised snares, fishing lines, sewing thread, dental floss, emergency sutures, or any other use you might have for strong string.
•  If you have a good amount of paracord, you can make a strong hammock.
•  Paracord can be used to make a firewood carrier, or for any other camp hauler or transporter.
•  Paracord becomes useful when making a fire bow; it is an excellent thong
•  A small weight and a length of paracord can be used to create a throwing line for use in hoisting food into trees to keep away from animals.
•  Or add a grappling hook to make a throwing or retrieval tool.
•  Improvised snowshoes can be made with sticks and using paracord for the webbing.
•  A single length of paracord can make an effective sling
•  Booby traps, snares, net traps, deadfalls and perimeter alarms can be created with paracord.
•  Paracord is essential in making bows and fletching for arrows
•  Paracord can be looped through two carabiners to create an improvised hoist.
•  Paracord is strong enough to make a simple rope ladder, using sticks or lengths of dowel.  Braid three cords together, if you need a stronger ladder.
•  Nunchucks are easily made by joining two sticks, or pipes, with a short length of paracord.

•  If you are feeling non-lethal, it can also be used to make improvised restraints.
•  Paracord makes good replacement boot laces, and can also be used to make sandal straps.
•  Paracord can be used to compress ponchos or sleeping bags, so that they take up less room in your pack.
•  Another good use for paracord is to suspend a tarp over your hammock, while camping.
•  Paracord is strong enough to lash together an emergency stretcher, for medical evacuations.
•  You can make an improvised sling for your rifle, using paracord.
•  Paracord can also be used to secure your sling to your rifle.
•  You can even use paracord to make an improvised magazine pouch.
•  Paracord bracelets can be used to tie splints in place on a broken limb, and can also be used as a tourniquet.
•  It can be used as a guideline for moving in dark caves, blizzard conditions, or other low visibility scenarios.

•  Paracord can be used as a line for a dog run, or tied between two trees to make a horse hitching. line.Paracord can be used as a knotted measuring line, or a plumb lin be unraveled, to supply you with a bit of cordage when needed.

     By now you're getting the picture, and I'm sure you can come up with a few other ideas on your own.  But if you want the definitive list, (from which these examples derive), visit the website, 101 Uses For Paracord.  If they haven't thought of it, it doesn't exist.
     So, if Paracord isn't at the top of your list of survival gear, it should be!  Buy it in quantity because, as you can see, you will never run out of uses for it.

Colossians 3:13-14       "....  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. "
   

Revisiting Soap-Making

     In response to Saturday's post, America: Back to Basics, a reader asked for a simple recipe to make soap.  I'm grateful, because I needed a reminder to make another batch.  I have the ingredients and I enjoyed the experience so much when I took the class; besides, the end result is a soothing balm to my senses.  So I'm going to put this at the top of my priority list this winter.
     I highly recommend that you revisit my post of March 22, 2012, titled Making Natural Glycerin Soap.  This post shows the steps we took during the soap-making class and gives you helpful tips.  The most important is to wear gloves, goggles and masks when you are working with the lye.  For those of you who are somewhat familiar with the process, but just need a simple recipe to follow, here are the ingredients  This recipe is designed for a 14" x 20" mold, which will yield about 28 bars of soap.  You can obviously scale down your proportions to make a smaller batch.  And to be honest, if this is your first time making soap, I would recommend halving or even quartering this recipe, until you get the process down.

•  8 cups of pure rendered tallow
•  2 1/2 cups olive oil
•  2 cups of coconut oil
•  1 gallon cool, soft (distilled) water
•  12 ounces of 100% lye crystals (measured by weight)
•  4 ounces of essential oil, optional (measured by weight)

     I suggest that you use an outdoor heat source such as a propane cooker, electric hot plate or camp stove --- something large enough to safely hold a 20-quart stainless steel or enamel stockpot (5 or 6-quart, if cooking smaller batch).  Have all your equipment and utensils assembled and handy (extra-long-handled stainless steel spoon, heat-resistant spatula, 2 or 4-cup glass measuring cup and plastic or glass container with non-metal tight-fitting lid with pre-measured lye).
     Before beginning the cooking process, you should have your soap mold lined with freezer or butcher paper, and ready to go.   Have your apron and rubber gloves on, your respirator mask handy, and a jug of vinegar available to neutralize any lye splashes or spills.  You're ready to start!
     You begin with the distilled water in your stainless steel pot, and begin stirring the water as you gently pour the lye into it.  Stir until all the lye dissolves; about 5 minutes.  You then add the tallow, and if you are unfamiliar with how to render tallow, please refer to the previous post.  The melted tallow is added to the lye water, turning it opaque.  It goes without saying, but I want to remind you to try not to splash anything throughout the soap-making process.  You then add the melted coconut oil, stirring gently, followed by the olive oil.  After stirring again, the mixture will begin to foam slightly.
     This begins the important stages of "saponification".  This is when the chemical bonds begin forming between the ingredients, forming what we recognize as soap.  These stages can be characterized (in order) as curdling; thin and foamy; thick and creamy; sheeting (when the soap slides or "sheets" off the spoon); tracing (when trickled off the spoon, soap briefly sits on top of the mixture before disappearing back into the mass); and the final stage, saponification (when wispy strands of soap form along the edge of the thick, sheeting soap as it slides from the spoon).  Turn off your heat.

     Continue to stir soap for 3 to 5 minutes; it will get thicker as it cools.  Add your essential oils if you want scented soap, which you can buy from Bulk Apothecary or any number of sites.  This is where it gets fun, and you can individualize your soap .... eucalyptus, cinnamon, spearmint and chamomile or some of my favorite scents.  You can also add oatmeal, rosemary or ground seeds for texture or exfoliating properties. Stir for 3 to 5 minutes longer, being careful to avoid premature thickening.  Pour immediately into your soap mold, careful to keep it level and flat.  Let it harden undisturbed overnight.  Then it will be about 24-48 hours before your soap is firm enough to cut and remove from the mold.   Place the soap on stainless steel cookie racks to cure for about 4 weeks, flipping them as necessary to insure even drying.  You can then cut them or shape them, and return to the racks for 2 additional weeks and final curing.  At the end of the 6 weeks, the natural glycerin soap is ready for use or packaging.
      As you can see, it is not easy or quick to make soap.  The process is critical and time-consuming, but the reward is absolutely wonderful.  There's nothing that feels as luxurious as natural glycerin soap; especially if you have made it with your own hands.  It is a worthy and gratifying task.

Malachi 3:2      "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap."

New York: A Look At Our Future?

     By now, everyone has probably seen the images coming out of New York and heard the stories ..... long lines at the gasoline pumps that eventually don't work because there is no electricity to transfer the fuel from the tanks to the pumps to the cars ..... people dumpster-diving for food out of trash bins ..... no way to heat homes in the near freezing weather; the elderly and the young are suffering ..... no water, no food ..... tempers rising, looting beginning.

     In case you are one of those who have scoffed at the idea of storing extra food and supplies, take a look at the "real-time" picture of what that looks like when a crisis occurs.  Keep in mind that this is you, if you have not taken the time to prepare.  How much easier would it be on these folks if they had only a month's supply of canned goods, flour, rice, beans, and water?  Just think how much less stressful their lives would be if they had a little camper stove with some stored propane, or a Deadwood Stove which could be fueled with the multitude of broken limbs from the storm.  With their stored sleeping bags, extra blankets, Dietz lanterns and Berkey water filtration systems, they could manage their situation quite well and avoid the panic that is beginning to engulf their neighbors who are waiting for Big Brother to come to their aid.
     Whether this is a judgment upon our nation, or a blessing, is up to you.  You can either view this chaos as out of your control and something that someone else needs to fix, or you can thank the Lord that you have been given a vision of what you still need to do to secure your family's comfort and safety.  I'm sure there will be millions who will take on the mantle of "victim", but I'm equally positive that there will be others who will finally listen to that still small voice and be able to discern the steps they need to take.
     I plan on using this as an opportunity to, first of all, pray for my country and hope that those who have been indecisive will have their eyes opened and begin to take action.  Secondly, I will evaluate my own preparation plans against what I see unfolding in New York and New Jersey and make changes, accordingly.
     But the thing that has unnerved me the most was a comment PLW made this morning.  We were discussing the activities of the "sheeple", and he looked at me and said, "If I was China, Iran or North Korea, I'd be thinking, 'Yep, just one little EMP over the center of America, and we've got 'em!' "

     Watching the images coming out of the East Coast, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that most Americans living in big urban cities would be unable to survive the aftermath of an EMP.  They are totally unprepared to take care of themselves and have taken no steps to protect themselves or their families from starvation, lack of water or heat.
     They are sitting, paralyzed by their circumstances, and waiting for the government to come rescue them.  Guess what?  There is no guarantee that anyone will be coming, and if they do, you will not be living the life you were accustomed to.
     I pray that this will be the wake-up call that our nation has needed.  I realize that some will never think for themselves and will submit to martial law and even death, before they consider saving themselves.  But I'm hoping that those who have been sitting on the fence, or who have not completely bought into their partner's Prepper Plan will have the veil removed from their eyes and see the importance of having a plan in place.
     Use this heart-breaking situation to plead your case.  Ask your spouse or family member to see Hurricane Sandy as a precursor to a survival situation; a harbinger of what could come.  Show them this blog post, and then pray for a change of heart.  There's still time to execute your plan!

Psalm 94:8      "Take notice, you senseless ones among the people; you fools, when will you become wise?"


   

Book Review: Joe Nobody's "The Home-Schooled Shootist"

     Many of you will be familiar with Joe Nobody, but just in case you're unacquainted with this Everyman, he expresses all those thoughts and "politically incorrect" questions you have about Big Brother.  He also has a collection of informative and "How To" books that should be in every preppers library.  Joe has asked me to review his book, The Home Schooled Shootist: Training to Fight With a Carbine.  This latest book is an instruction guide for intermediate to advanced shooters, and since I don't feel adequately qualified to give my opinion on such a subject, I thought I would invite my very first guest writer to offer his insight on the book.  
     I have asked my husband, Peace-Loving Warrior, (who is incidentally, quite a shooter, himself) to give an honest review from an experienced shooter.  Here is PLW's critique:

     Before giving you my unbiased opinion on this book, I feel I should give you some credentials, and tell you why Belle felt I was qualified to give you my assessment.
     I just wrapped up a 3-day Advanced Carbine Course with Travis Haley, formally the front man for Magpul Industries, the premiere firearms designer.  He now runs his own gig, called Haley Strategic Partners.  I spent three mentally and physically challenging days learning how to manipulate my carbine under every stress situation imaginable.
     Along with the other handgun and carbine training classes I've taken, I think I'm a pretty good judge as to whether an instruction guide is legitimate and useful for the reader.  So in keeping with an outlaw theme, I'm going to present my opinion as The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

     The Good.  There is a lot to like about Joe's book.  The reader can tell that Joe has poured out his fountain of knowledge and experience in a sincere effort to get those who are awake up to speed on their skills and training.  Joe starts off this guide with a powerful statement, which if taken to heart, may be the most important mission statement in the entire book:  "This book is about dominating in a gunfight."  
     Joe gets to the point and tells the truth.  His book is really about setting a baseline from which untrained shooters can assess where they are on a scale of skill levels.  This is done through a series of various drills.  After all, how can you improve, if you don't know where your baseline is?
     This book is very comprehensive and informative.  To go into detail about all the drills would be exhaustive, but they are all helpful and instructive.  So let's just talk about generalities, OK?  If you purchase this book, here's what you will learn on your way to becoming a formidable gunfighter:
1.    The OODA Loop - if this is new lingo to you, purchase this book!
2.    Natural Point of Aim
3.    Weak and Strong Hand Shooting
4.    Mag reloads and "immediate action drills" (Joe teaches some fantastic drills in Chapter 3.  If you don't know how to run your gun, then get this book!
5.    Equipment Checklist
6.    Stance - Grip - Sight Picture and Trigger
7.    Zeroing and Dry Firing
8.    Barriers & Corners
9.    Ballistics of the 5.56
10.  Reloading the 5.56

     This is just a taste of what you will learn.  Will it make you a better gunfighter?  Well, my friend, that's up to you.  Will you be willing to find the time to train, and improve, and commit his drills and actions to muscle memory?  If the answer is "yes", then get this book.  In all honesty, this isn't a book to read and leave stored in your hard drive.  To really learn from it, this book will take effort and training on your part.

The Bad.   I've read other reviews of this book, and they see it as a replacement for real training.  But I strongly disagree.  This opinion doesn't reflect on Joe or his book, but when a gunfight starts, you will only be as good as your training.  If that training is not committed to muscle memory, and you are stuck in your adversary's OODA loop; then you, my friend, are in trouble.  So get some qualified, professional training, and add Joe's drills to your routines and range sessions.  This book is a great addendum to your training regimen.

The Ugly.  OK, this may be unimportant to most people, but I'm not wild about the cover of this book.  As a prepper, I can appreciate Joe's target audience.  But this book is a legitimate guide and cross-over book --- both preppers and shooters have much to gain from Joe's base of knowledge.  For me, the cartoonish aspect of the cover minimizes the important information within.  But, hey, maybe it's just me.
     So, all in all, I give Joe five stars on content, and three on the cover art.  To sum it up .... Get this book!

Proverbs 15:31-32       "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.  If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding. "

Stay Connected

     I am going to tell a tale on my husband.  You're going to find this hard to believe, but he is one of those freaks that refuses to carry a cell phone.  He hates the intrusion it causes in his life, and abhors the addiction that others have to texting.  He finds it rude when meals are interrupted because someone can't wait to return a call until after we've dined.  He actually has friends who are unable to turn off their cell phones ... even when sitting in the deer stand!
     Now, the rest of this story is that I DO carry a cell phone; primarily for the sake of personal safety.  Since we are self-employed, and work out of our studio, we are together much of our day, so our friends and customers just know that to reach either of us, you call the one number.  However, there have been times that we have traveled together, but apart--- in two different cars and for long distances.  Again, because I have been concerned for our protection and safety, we have come up with a solution in case we get separated:  two-way radios.

     These handy devices are actually useful for other situations, as well.  We have found that traveling across country, cell towers are often few and far between.  With these radios, we can still communicate with each other, or our traveling partners.  PLW has found them to be an asset while hunting, and if we're faced with a grid-down situation (weather-related, or civil crisis), they will be a valuable tool (except in the case of an EMP, when nothing will work).
     And you have to know my husband.  He does extensive research on anything he deems essential for our welfare.  He compares quality, price and practicality.  The product that he felt met all our needs was the Midland GXT Radio.  We have had these radios for 5 years.  They run on re-chargeable as well as AA batteries, and we haven't had a problem with them.  The manufacturer claims a 36-mile range, but realistically, taking into account terrain and atmospheric conditions, it's more like 2 miles.  One of the reviewers on Amazon reports being able to receive communication from 6 miles away, but that was on top of a 14,000 foot mountain, with no obstruction between himself and his buddy.  If you were on flat ground on a perfect sunny day, you might come closer to the advertised range.  But for many of the  scenarios that we imagine in a SHTF world, they will fill the bill.
     Another nice advantage of this radio is that you have the choice from among 50 different channels, for a security bonus.  And they are light-weight for easy transport.  Priced at just under $60, they won't break the bank, either.  They come with earpieces that permit you to receive transmissions, without the world around you hearing your radio go off.
     Overall, the reviews have been good on this product, although you will always find someone who has had a dissatisfactory experience.  I can only report what we have encountered, and it has been all good.  So just consider this as another tool in your preparation kit.  There's more than one way to stay connected.

1 John 3:11       "For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another...."
   

The Importance Of Training ... In Everything!

     This past weekend I attended a two-day Handgun Training Course.  As the holder of a Concealed Handgun License, I take my responsibility seriously.  Just because I have the license in my wallet, it doesn't mean I am qualified to defend myself, or that I will react properly and safely in any given scenario.  It's all about Practice and Preparation.
     The same could be said about everything I am doing to get ready for a changing world.  Just as our handgun class reviewed all the basics of safe gun handling, and then moved into new skills that tested my stamina, my resolve and my mindset; so must I apply this same attitude to any new situation or crisis I may find myself in.

Train with a simulator to make
gun-handling safe & automatic

     For instance, I was forced to think how I would have reacted in the recent Batman theatre shooting in Colorado.  I was taught that each of us needs to formulate our own mindset on how we would respond to a home invasion, a mass shooting at the mall, a sudden attack in a parking garage.  I realized that I need to think through all these events and know how I want to respond before I am forced to make a sudden decision.  If I have to think about it then, it is too late, and my decision-making process will cost me precious time --- and quite possibly, my life.  I need to prepare my response and then practice the skills to attain the desired response.  The most important elements of this approach are that the response needs to be automatic, and the skill be flawless.
     It made me realize that I should use every situation I find myself in as an opportunity to review what my plan of defense would be.  The next time you go to the grocery store, church, sporting event, or even if you are home at night watching TV; make a point of knowing where your exits are, what you could use for a barricade, how you would defend yourself if confronted with an armed assault.  Do you have any weapons available, or are they stored in the trunk of your car, or locked in the safe ---- useless to you in your time of need.  And if it's dark, can you load and unload your weapon by feel?  If you're shot in your strong arm, can you transition to your weak arm and continue defending yourself?  If the attack comes at you swiftly and by surprise, can you draw your weapon quick enough to save your life?  The only way you can answer "Yes" to any of these scenarios is if you have practiced, practiced, practiced.

     This same mindset can be used to think how you would react if you suddenly found yourself without power or water.  Do you ever go through the steps in your mind of how you would feed your family?  Keep warm in the winter?  Supply water for drinking, washing and gardening?  Do you know how to light a fire?  Do you know how to hunt for your food?  I could name a hundred different day-to-day events that we take for granted in our spoiled modern lives.  But if you haven't at least thought about these situations, let alone know how you would respond and have the skills to adapt, then I would highly recommend that you acquire the knowledge and then practice cooking your food over a fire, planting and harvesting a garden, collecting rain water for survival.  Because, the time to actually call upon a survival mindset and employ these useful skills is not at the moment you are first faced with a crisis.  It will be too late, then.  You must automatically shift into survival mode without losing a beat; no whining, no feeling sorry for yourself.  With training and practice, the process of altering your lifestyle will be smooth and orderly.
     One other thing I learned this last weekend, is that the time to get yourself physically fit for an altered future is now.  We spent a rigorous 12-hour day on Saturday in nearly 100 degree weather.  Fighting dehydration and exhaustion along with acquiring new gun training skills took both a mental and physical toll.  That made Day Two even harder for me.  My stamina was fine, but the constant up/down and kneeling punished my knees pretty good.  So I learned another valuable lesson.
     I've got to be ready for any and all physical aspects of a new future.  It will be too late to train and get in good shape when I'm faced with a much more labor-intensive way of life.  I'd rather suffer through the aches and pains now in the comfort of a nice warm bath, with access to both a heating pad and an icepack -- both of which will not be available in a grid-down situation.
     And lastly, I will train my heart and my mind to study and know the Scriptures.  This is a skill that will sustain me throughout anything Evil can throw at us.  And it, too, must be practiced until it becomes automatic; until we can recall the particular message that our Lord spoke to us for just such a time.  It is the one skill that will never fail us, yet it is the easiest to ignore.
     I know that it's so easy to put off what we don't want to do.  None of us really want to contemplate what our minds and our souls are telling us is likely to happen.  Adapting our easy, laid-back culture to accommodate training and alternative lifestyles is costly and time-consuming.  But take it from me, as tired and sore and mentally drained as I was at the end of my weekend, I can't wait to take the class again.  The training I participated in strengthened my resolve to be prepared.  I want to be confident and ready to adapt to any life-threatening situation that comes my way.  And I know I can't accomplish that mindset by sitting on the couch and procrastinating.  I can't wish the world away and I won't be swept along with the tide of chaos and fear.  I will just keep practicing, one skill at a time.  If nothing else, I can be of help to others in their time of need, and all this training can only help me sleep better at night. That is a gift in itself.

Hebrews 12:11       "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."