Saturday, February 27, 2021

Living the Pantry Lifestyle - Taking care of our homes and our future

She is like a ship from a faraway place.
She brings home food from everywhere.
She wakes up early in the morning,
cooks food for her family, and gives the servants their share.
She does not worry about her family when it snows.
She has given them all good, warm clothes.

(Proverbs 31:14,15; 21 ERV)

Thank you for the kind words from those who were helped by my Saturday posts about stocking a deep pantry (a few emergency preparedness items).  It really is true that anything you can do to prepare for difficult times will make a huge difference when you do go through a storm, winter weather, job loss, etc.

I've noticed something interesting in decades of researching emergency preparedness in many forms.  There is often a difference between websites, blogs, etc. on the subject written by men and those written by women.  

While there is often an overlap in what is being taught and recommended, those articles written by women tend to be more about taking care of their family and friends rather than just survival.  Men often concentrate on subjects like building stuff, hunting, and protecting their families.  Women usually focus more on subjects relating to food, clothing, gardening, etc.

I think that is the way God made us.  I understand there are circumstances when men and women have to do both or one is better at a task than the other.  I knew a woman who was a better deer hunter than the men in her family.  I think most of us have known men who do most of the cooking.  So, there are exceptions, of course.

I hear from women quite often who have said they started deepening the pantry because they "felt a burden" from God to do so.  Many started gardening for the first time and researching other ways of preparedness.  I am in awe of blog friends who do gardening and canning!  I just read about a family who do not have the land for a big garden so they decided to purchase food from local farmers to can and freeze.

I don't think I have ever heard from God more clearly than when I was praying about shutting down this blog and He let me know that I was to continue.  Especially in encouraging people to deepen their pantry and be more prepared for what the uncertainties of our world today. A worldwide pandemic was not even on my radar!

I know there are those who will scoff, especially people who do not believe we can hear from God today.  Remember when Mike Pence made a statement that he heard from God on an issue, a well known woman who makes a living talking to (and about) people said that is mental illness.  I learned long ago that those who do not know the Lord cannot comprehend His truths. I'm feeling that nudge to keep as deep pantry as I can afford and basic preparations more so than ever.  

I'm mostly in a maintenance and topping off the pantry stage now. I have already gone through the deep freeze and reorganized items there.  Last week I checked Use By dates on various mixes and a couple other items used for baking.  I had a few that needed to be used in the next few months that I gave to my daughter-in-law for their family since I don't do as much baking as I once did.  

Just because we cannot do everything does not mean we should do nothing in the way of being prepared.

Just because we can no longer garden, does not mean we cannot deepen our pantry.  Just because we do not have a fireplace or generator, does not mean we cannot have other ways of keeping warm in winter should it be necessary. I am always looking for ways to do more preparations on a budget.

Just because one cannot purchase a generator does not mean we cannot have good battery operated lanterns on hand, flashlights, oil lamps, lantern oil, and battery operated radios to keep us informed.  Even one of each will make a difference and they are all relatively inexpensive now.  In an emergency, they may be impossible to purchase at any price.

Food prepared for long term storage has become very expensive, although the prices are not as outrageous as they were during the COVID shutdowns here.  However, most flour, sugar, canned and frozen foods are still reasonably priced.  I'm not sure how long that will continue since there have been massive crop failures due to the extreme winter weather we had recently.

God would not give any of us that nudge to prepare if He didn't provide a way for us to do so.  It is always amazing to me what can be accomplished a little at a time.  Life is never perfect and none of us can do everything that we would like but if we have a reasonable plan, then it gives us a goal to work toward.  We never finish but keep going toward that goal.  That is the stuff of life!

Mentioned in this Blog Post

Proverbs 31- I used to read this chapter in the Bible so often when I was younger that my Bible would open up to it when I picked it up.  Much like it does with Psalms 23 now.  This chapter gives one goals for a lifetime, not for one year!  It is still a favorite, even as a grandmother.

ImageFresh Bread; Artist: Loren Entz

10 comments:

Mandy said...

I’m glad you didn’t stop blogging. I enjoy your preparedness posts very much. It’s an important message and you deliver it well.

Anonymous said...

Proverbs 31 has been my guide as a wife and mother, God speaks so clearly as to how we are to live carefully, always looking ahead, caring for those He placed in our life.
Though I no longer garden like I use to, I still can and freeze what we get from our small garden plus what we buy from farm markets. The rest I buy on sale. Besides being prepared for emergencies, I just like not having to go to the store if the weather is nasty or I'm not well. Thank you for the time you take to write your blog, I look forward to it each week. God bless, Marsha

Nana said...

Thank you so much for all of the positive information that you provide.. We all Ned to heed the advice for either the pandemic, illness or lack of income. It sure is nice to be able to get go to the freezer or pantry to get your groceries before payday.

elizabeth said...

God is good to us! Yes, those outside of Christ sadly do not understand! Lord have mercy!

Jennifer Williams said...

I appreciate your blog and your wise words so much! I would really miss you if you stopped blogging. I am glad you decided to stick with it. :-)

Olde Dame Holly said...

I am very happy you did not stop blogging. Blogs are a storehouse of information, important for others to find and use! I have always done a certain amount of "prepping" and the COVID lockdown taught me that I need to do more. I learned from you about a "deep pantry." As for those who think God doesn't speak to us: They have never read the Bible or can't understand what it says!

Deanna Rabe said...

Yes, I’ve been stocking up for years now, due, in part to your encouragement. Years ago now I felt lead by God to start gardening and teaching the kids how to garden. We did some preserving, too, which I knew how to do from my missionary years.

We are blessed to live in an area with abundant produce stands, and farmers markets, as we don’t garden much anymore. I did so strawberries and tomatoes in pots on the deck last year. I’ll do it again this year.

Unknown said...

I am also thankful you are continuing to blog. We recently had to be without our well for 2 weeks. The well casing was cracked and there was a hole in the lowest part. We are not sure how that happened but our water had been getting worse over time. I remember your post awhile ago about storing water. I am thankful for the ability to store some water. Although it isn't as much as I want to have on hand, we had clean water to drink and some for cooking. We did laundry and took showers at a friends house. Thank you for being a Titus2 Woman. I do not have anyone else speaking of these things in my life except from a few ladies in blog land. I have shared many of your ideas with younger women around me. Much of this is finding creative ways of storage.
One day there was potential bad weather and I was not one that was rushing to the store for the usual storm foods. Thanks again I appreciate the time you spend on making thoughtful posts. I found you years ago from Copperswife Blog. I wish she was also still blogging.

Kristy said...

I wish it were possible for you to have a YouTube channel too! lol. I always look to your wisdom 🧡

Anonymous said...

A few days late to add to this post, but, yes, I too, am extremely glad you blog and I have found your thoughts and advice to be so helpful! Thank you for taking the time to help others.