One of the most important catalysts to this whole project has been the General Conference talk by Elder Robert D. Hales in April of 2009. As he spoke of Becoming Provident Providers both Temporally and Spiritually.
Elder Hales spoke with the experience of years and tenderness of a loving parent. He outlined basic principles of providence in a frugal lifestyle, and how such will be sanctioned and blessed by the spirit of the Lord. As I listened to him, I realized that is what I wanted to become.
Following the admonition of Paul, I sought after good things that would lead me in a pattern of a provident, self-sufficient, and frugal lifestyle. I began truly searching and understanding how I could be able to keep a one year supply of food for my family; starting first with a 3 month supply of food and water and building the staples. I also found great security in preparing 72 hour emergency kits and First Aid Kits for all of our vehicles and our home. I documented all that I learned and created in a binder for my family. I then began gardening with the appropriate season.
In following the counsel of prophets, I have found a more joyous way of living. Adding to the many good things to be found, including books written over a century ago, I am continuously building a more frugal and self-sustaining life.
Recently, I read an article in the newspaper about leaving no 'Eco-Footprint." I was intrigued by the experiments of others to live without harming the environment, but in more specific terms, in ways that allowed them to provide for themselves all needful things. In doing so, many people came to the realization of what is really needful. I am now adopting more research along the common and popular 'green' ideas of our times. What they may not notice in their campaign to 'save the planet' is that they are saving themselves from a lifestyle that will make them so dependent on modern conviniences that they will be handicapped if ever they are put in a situation where they are not available.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Freedom
We never shall be free from embarrassment until we cease to be ashamed of industry and economy.
Today I made a new friend. As I sat in her home I felt comfortable and at ease in conversation. Our kids happily walked around enjoying toys of many sorts. My daughter quickly found an old laundry soap box filled with homemade blocks. She was delighted to dump them out and stack them, admiring the colorful hand made designs on the neatly varnished blocks. My friend passed an slight hand over her brow, cast her eyes down a bit with a half smile. "I am sorry for our ghetto blocks, kind of embarrassing to use a laundry box." I stopped. Was she really embarrassed? Could she possibly be making excuses for the fine use of a box and the great craftmanship of children's toys?
I protested, and proceeded to praise her for their wonderful frugality! We must remember that when it comes the day for our children to pick their favorite toys to pass down to the next generation, they won't be picking from something made in Hong Kong or Indonesia. Most likely they will tenderly pick up those items that were crafted by their parents; a cherished doll with a dress her mother stitched, the blocks that daddy cut and painted. Not only is there sentimentality be passed on, there is a legacy of industry.
What better way to express our feelings for someone than in the devotion of our time, our creativity, and our own hard work. If we do not devote the actual time itself with the person, how precious is the time spent creating something for that person. If we feel we lack that creativity, than we might employ ourselves in doing a good charge or taking charge of a task that is laid for the one we love.
There is no shame producing something useful. There is, in fact, great use for it! The humble work of hands swells the heart in pride. We become self sufficient. We have invested something of our being in the things around us. And what is to be shamed in that? That you cannot afford to buy something that someone else has labeled as valuable just by putting tag on it?
It has become a fashionable form of contemporary art to recycle things that otherwise seem valueless into great art. Your own genius may not end up in a gallery, but it will be famed in your family. So be industrious in your own hive. Work hard at expending your energies in creating that of what is of real worth. Don't waste your time working for money to buy someone elses' art, make your own! In the end, you will be embarrassed if you have not left anything meaningful behind for your posterity.
Today I made a new friend. As I sat in her home I felt comfortable and at ease in conversation. Our kids happily walked around enjoying toys of many sorts. My daughter quickly found an old laundry soap box filled with homemade blocks. She was delighted to dump them out and stack them, admiring the colorful hand made designs on the neatly varnished blocks. My friend passed an slight hand over her brow, cast her eyes down a bit with a half smile. "I am sorry for our ghetto blocks, kind of embarrassing to use a laundry box." I stopped. Was she really embarrassed? Could she possibly be making excuses for the fine use of a box and the great craftmanship of children's toys?
I protested, and proceeded to praise her for their wonderful frugality! We must remember that when it comes the day for our children to pick their favorite toys to pass down to the next generation, they won't be picking from something made in Hong Kong or Indonesia. Most likely they will tenderly pick up those items that were crafted by their parents; a cherished doll with a dress her mother stitched, the blocks that daddy cut and painted. Not only is there sentimentality be passed on, there is a legacy of industry.
What better way to express our feelings for someone than in the devotion of our time, our creativity, and our own hard work. If we do not devote the actual time itself with the person, how precious is the time spent creating something for that person. If we feel we lack that creativity, than we might employ ourselves in doing a good charge or taking charge of a task that is laid for the one we love.
There is no shame producing something useful. There is, in fact, great use for it! The humble work of hands swells the heart in pride. We become self sufficient. We have invested something of our being in the things around us. And what is to be shamed in that? That you cannot afford to buy something that someone else has labeled as valuable just by putting tag on it?
It has become a fashionable form of contemporary art to recycle things that otherwise seem valueless into great art. Your own genius may not end up in a gallery, but it will be famed in your family. So be industrious in your own hive. Work hard at expending your energies in creating that of what is of real worth. Don't waste your time working for money to buy someone elses' art, make your own! In the end, you will be embarrassed if you have not left anything meaningful behind for your posterity.
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