Reasons to be prepared!

Okay, so you all know that I have been totally freaking out about food storage lately. The following is an e-mail my friend Cami Ellis forwarded to me. It was friend of a friend who is living in Texas dealing with hurricane Ike.

Dear Friends:Just to let you know that we are doing well.
We have a 6'x6'hole in our roof, no electricity or running water, Trees downeverywhere. However, because we listened to the counsel of our Prophet we are prepared. In fact it seems to me that it's only the members ofthe church who seem to be calm, prepared, and helping one another withtrees in roofs, flooding, etc.There is a POD or Point of Distribution in Tomball where we live. Thereyou get water and ice IF you have enough fuel to wait in the 3 hourlines. We don't have to do that because we have 3 full water barrels, 75juice bottles filled with water, and our pool which is dirty but we useit to flush.It is very difficult to get gas. Police guard the stations when fuel isdelivered and you might wait half a day to get up to the pump just tohave them say, "Too bad, we are out".I am grateful that we have a generator. We run it 4 hours a day to keepour fridge and light. I am grateful that we have had fuel for it. Youcan't even buy gas containers as they are rationed. We can only buy breadonce a week and are limited to 2 loaves at a time. Water is rationed by thecase at the grocery store. 3 cases per family.The ATM machines do not have power. For the past 6 months I have stashed small bills away because I have had such a feeling of foreboding. Wehave cash because of that. LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. Get cash in small billsbecause the stores can't make change and credit and debit cards oftendon't work. I had to pay 5 dollars more for an item because theycouldn't make change for me. PHONES ONLY WORK OCCASIONALLY.Believe it or not...I have not had a bath in 4 days, Today was the firstday I got to wash my hair with pool water. I haven't fixed my hair in aweek!!! It just doesn't matter anymore. We can not do laundry becausewe don't have water. So, we wear our clothes until they are literallydisgusting. When we do finally get water we will have to boil it since itis contaminated. I am grateful for my parents. When we got low on generator fuel theydrove 45 minutes to help us. They filled up their cans and brought us 10gallons of fuel which kept us going until this morning at 6:00 am whenwe finally found some gas.A prepared Family and a loving extended family is the key to survival andmaking it through right now. I know that my parents would drive to theend of the earth to help me and it's nice knowing they are there. I knowthat I would do the same for my children. I want all of you to know that I have such a testimony of following thecounsel of our living prophet. There really is safety and peace in yourheart if you are prepared. Please get your generators, 5 gas cans fullof gas, canned goods, baby items, baby wipes to bathe, and all thewater you can store...even if you have to trip on it in your home. Haveyour lanterns, crank flashlights, tarps, rope, etc.. ready to go becauseyou never know when it will be your turn to endure the test. It'soverwhelming, but it's going to be ok eventually. I have a home, I havefood, I have water, because I listened to the counsel of the prophet. Please make sure you do the same. It's time to have your life in order. Tomorrow may be too late.

I know that if we are prepared, we have nothing to fear. I am so greatful to be a member of the church and have a living prophet of God. We have been warned to be prepared (not freak out like me) and I know that we will be blessed from our obedience. I loved the tip about water and money in small bills. Thanks for all the motivation and gentle reminders !