tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post1678976135892204107..comments2024-03-28T13:36:34.479-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Next Contest EntryPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-86141029938746686002011-05-07T08:30:00.563-07:002011-05-07T08:30:00.563-07:00My daily prayer is "God, order my steps this ...My daily prayer is "God, order my steps this day." And He does. <br /><br />One year ago next month, I felt overwhelmed. Our family lives in an increasingly unsafe area and I knew God was prompting me to get the house ready to sell. He also had continually warned me since 1998 to lay up a stock of food.<br /><br />So I felt pulled in every direction. If I was in the garden working, I was missing the double coupon sale allowing me to get stuff free for the pantry. And if I was canning, I was not painting the porch. Out loud and exasperated I asked God, "Which am I supposed to be doing? Getting my house ready or stocking up?" and the answer was immediate and strong, "BOTH". Yes, God boomed that word back at me and I felt like it was shot from a cannon. I gasped. It looked like I would be expected to multitask.<br /><br />In February I had a dream where my family had been in hard times for a long time (seemed like 18 months to 2 years and we were nowhere near coming out of hard times...first clue that I would need more than 30 days food!) I was declaring in this dream that we lacked nothing and how I was so glad we had squirreled away every bit of food possible. Then I was immediately awake (no groggy transition) and I was blanketed in SERIOUSNESS and I understood that I was not thinking big enough as the the amount of food that would be needed to survive this. I believe that we will see God's signs and wonders(like bowing head to pray for provision and lifting head to see pans filled with food)...because we will NEED to see signs and wonders.<br /><br />2nd dream two weeks later: At a home improvement store looking at fruit/nut trees that were just a smidge taller than me. God said, "Do not 'mess with' these trees. Buy the biggest trees you can afford to plant." "Mess with" is hardly King James talk, but I know what I heard, and suddenly found myself awake, blanketed in seriousness, understanding that there was not enough time for these trees to mature to bear fruit. Time is short!<br /><br />I believe we have never before seen what is coming, therefore it is hard to wrap our brain around the concept of "do nothing but prepare." Also,the season of spring brings such hope, and I find myself wanting to believe everything will be fine for a while longer and that I can prep at a leisurely pace. But I trust God's warnings to me over my spring fever fantasies.<br /><br />So is it time to do nothing else but prepare? I'm convinced that as for me, the answer is yes. I would much prefer to live in a state of preparedness than a state of regret.<br /><br />Thanks for this thought provoking question.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-20733665783221717422011-05-07T07:20:16.773-07:002011-05-07T07:20:16.773-07:00*** Update from Jake ****
We choose to build her ...*** Update from Jake ****<br /><br />We choose to build her business from home full time. The hospital went through gut-wrenching personal losses and lost its financing for its new building. We prayed, got off our knees, and are going full speed at this business.<br /><br />I did not mention, but I am now unable to work as I am a service related disabled Veteran. We also have a son with Down Syndrome. And, we are getting three more children via emergency adoption. Everything rides on getting this decision right. I pray it is the right one.<br /><br />We are preparing like never before for two reasons: 1) we are expecting record flooding at our farm and may be cut off from civilization if the bridges are over flowed. 2) The economic flood is coming. The attack on silver & gold, the manipulation of markets all bode for QE3 and debasement of our country. We are glaciating to ruin and the middle class will be ground down. <br /><br />So, yes, we are doing nothing BUT prepare. Every business decision and major purchase is focused by preparing now for floods. <br /><br />Your feedback and thoughts and prayers have been so appreciated!<br /><br />JakeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-13336390631659809352011-05-07T00:33:26.352-07:002011-05-07T00:33:26.352-07:00As a homeschooling mom of six, I say tell your wif...As a homeschooling mom of six, I say tell your wife to not go to work, but stay home and learn new skills. I have my started 7 years ago and it helps own business I fund the fence, barn, goats, projects. I personally believe many of those skills are only learned by doing and that's the reason we're doing them and teaching our kids in the process. Start with chickens and a garden and then you can move later to goats or a cow, learn to can and dry foods. These are good skills for your kids to learn regardless.<br /><br />I say start the business and do more at home to get ready. 90 minute drive and a p/t job for her would hurt your family and you (dad) would not like her to be gone that long. Her time is worth more at home regardless of anything hitting the fan or not.<br /><br />Jane in AlaskaCountry Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01903764767729747162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-64913167996075137232011-05-06T16:41:29.774-07:002011-05-06T16:41:29.774-07:00We sympathize with your dilemma. Lately, we have f...We sympathize with your dilemma. Lately, we have felt VERY STRONGLY that time is shorter than we originally thought. We pray for God's guidance daily and have been led to work on a daily basis toward preparing. We have, also, been led to reduce commitments and withdraw from specific organizations. <br /><br />Our preparations have gone into almost full time, full gear these days. We are, however, in a different situation than you - we are retired. We are looking at both stocking up for self-preservation and for economics. Anything we buy now costs less than it will in the future.<br /><br />It is stressful and sad, to us, to see this wonderful nation being destroyed, but we have to focus on what we feel led to do in the present. The past, when we were growing up, was so much different than today. Even growing up during the cold war and having to do weekly "under the desk and into the bomb shelter," drills was not nearly as frightening as we see circumstances today. <br /><br />We wish you and your family the best. May God lead your direction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-46014088904168299662011-05-06T16:35:34.984-07:002011-05-06T16:35:34.984-07:00I have been cursed with nightmareish dreams for th...I have been cursed with nightmareish dreams for the last couple of months. I can not recall a time in my life when I had such outlandish dreams. Life goes on (a bit more tired than before but, whatever.) I cannot make myself feel good about Obama. I look at him and a certain creepy feeling comes over me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-51327241293353724602011-05-06T12:35:43.800-07:002011-05-06T12:35:43.800-07:00Regarding your wife's business, do what the do...Regarding your wife's business, do what the doctors do when they deal with attorneys - get money up front (in advance) instead of sending a bill. (I've worked w/attorneys for 40 years.)<br />KayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-4731177365939314342011-05-06T11:51:39.244-07:002011-05-06T11:51:39.244-07:00Dear Jake, All i can say to you is the decision is...Dear Jake, All i can say to you is the decision is your familys alone. The family is the ones who have to sacrifice for the lifestyle you want. We too have had to make this decision and there is no easy answer. I believe knowledge is the key to anyones survival and you seem to be a pretty smart guy. I have long believed that your gut instinct never leads you wrong. Careing for those you love and are responsible for is your greatest calling. I wish you luck my friend and the burden that is upon you.Movinon04https://www.blogger.com/profile/14207542388104371183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-76748932249309087972011-05-06T10:29:37.668-07:002011-05-06T10:29:37.668-07:00My recommendation would be to continue to live you...My recommendation would be to continue to live your life as you would if you weren't preparing. In other words, live a parallel life. I prepare (stock the pantry, garden, learn new homemaking/self-sufficiency skills), but I also go to Little League games, arrange plays and field trips for homeschoolers,and plant flowers. I would do as you said: take the hospital job and start the business. Keep preparing in the background. A collapse (if it comes, as we anticipate) may not happen for years, or it may happen next month. In the meantime, we can't stop living and just keep waiting.... KatyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-32303410527070486662011-05-06T09:47:51.865-07:002011-05-06T09:47:51.865-07:00this voices exactly what has been in the back of m...this voices exactly what has been in the back of my mind ... how much longer do we have before tshtf? should we start to focus all of our energies on getting ready? scary times<br /><br />Scott<br />Spokane, WAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com