preparing (not just our minds, but our homes)

how to arm our family for a "dark winter" era

Even the mere discussion of “how to prepare for what’s coming” will toss me squarely in the conspiracy theorist category, but in the year 2023, I am completely at ease with that. I would assume anyone who watched our entire world delve into insanity in March of 2020 (and the fallout of many institutions remaining in that state) would feel vindicated in a modest amount with their attention being invested in preparing their families and their homes for (what I think are) inevitable hardships.

The idea of trials and tribulations is not new, you know.

Let’s take a very brief look backward in time at just several of the national and global catastrophes that hit pocketbooks and livelihoods hard in the last few decades:

• There was the oil crisis which caused a stock market crash in 1973-74.

• There was the Iranian Revolution which caused the recession, which in turn hit during the time of President Carter in 1980 and made interest rates skyrocket etc.

• There was a huge spike in oil prices which caused a recession in the late 1990s.

• There was the “dot-com bubble” bursting in 2001, which resulted in a recession.

• There was the Great Recession appearing in 2007.

• There was March of 2020.

This tiny list only represents several tidal wave events that have occurred in the last 50 years resulting in unpredictable disruptions for millions of Americans. It doesn't even begin to represent the weather events that have displaced millions of humans around the globe, unrest and civil war in multiple parts of the world, cultural upheavals, and on and on.

Even I, a person who is attuned to the news and world events, can look at that list, review my 43 years on the earth, and think glibly, “But when has it been really bad? We haven’t dealt with anything like the Great Depression or the plague or WW1. We’re safe.”

Of course, we could also discuss privilege - a conversation that is so overdone and also not being done well at all. Yet, there is something to it. Just by virtue of living in America, we are so incredibly blessed and economically advantaged above people around the world. If you asked different tribes and people groups in far-flung Sudan, Somalia, or Nicaragua if we have any cause for concern, of course, their answer would be (after glaring at us and wondering why this is even a conversation they need to have) “You have no idea of hardship.”

However “privileged” we are to live in the time and place we do, it would be foolish to think it’s out of the realm of possibility for us to endure a catastrophic or fundamentally dangerous situation within our national borders. What’s different at this present time in comparison to the above list is the breaks in between troubling events. Everything seems to be hitting fast and furious in the first twenty years of the 21st century and especially in the last five years some of us feel like we are drinking from a firehose of bad news.

In the year of our Lord 2023, we are watching distressing events happening all over the world and all over our nation. And all at the same time.

Consider:

We have a border crisis where we are releasing thousands of undocumented illegals into our interior // We have a drug crisis ravaging our urban cities // We have an education crisis that is not only leaving our children illiterate but also leaving students and teachers physically abused by one another // We have a crisis of addiction and depression in the youth of our country // We have a national debt that is climbing at an alarming and unsustainable rate // We have a Congress and a Presidential administration that is bleeding out the military of their equipment and instead sending billions and billions of dollars to a foreign war in Ukraine // We have the crisis of the family with over half of all children being born into fatherless homes and extended families torn apart because of political divisions // We have a crisis in our economy as it experiences inflation which is not acknowledged by the Presidential administration // We have a crisis in our media - trust in legacy outlets is at an all-time low with most divisions completely biased but unwilling to say so // We have a crisis of illiberal double standards in business and on college campuses, where students are not free to discuss, debate, or hear arguments // We have a crisis of anti-Semitism on full display in all sectors of our country // We have the crisis of racial division emerging in new ways - racism against whites, Asians, and Jews is now fully embraced by entertainment, news, and universities // We have the crisis of the CCP infiltrating our higher education hubs, buying our farmland, and hacking our infrastructure // We have the crisis of the threat of AI, deepfakes, and unverified false news stories proliferating //

This list isn’t exhaustive by any means and doesn’t include the many catastrophic events happening all over the globe that we are intricately involved in as the world’s largest superpower.

There are thousands of moving parts (universally speaking) and almost all of them are terrifying. We are in a winter of darkness, not just in geopolitics, but in the United States. It’s a sad, unsettling time. No wonder I hear from so many of you daily. Most of the messages echo this sentiment:

“Something’s off. I feel off.”

The most startling historical parallel to where we are currently (in my estimation) would be the lead-up to and the conflict ensuing during the 1930s and 1940s WW2/The Great Depression era. This is a very rudimentary comparison, but stick with me. Think back to The Crash in 1928 and set that next to the 2008 crash. Both were global financial crises (which caught many people off guard, obviously.) At both times the squeeze was felt due to debt deflation and secular stagnation. You then saw huge governmental activism surrounding (then) The New Deal and COVID-19 (now.) This was followed by major government expedients in both eras meant to course-correct the upheaval. In the 30s as it is now, anguish and horrors were/are happening in the Soviet Union and now in modern times, we have the conflict in Russia and Ukraine. The concern of the rise in fascism and communism worldwide brought anxiety and fear in the 30s and 40s and mirrors what we are presently experiencing as the grip of terrorism and the Middle East religious and ideological sweep through the region spills over into our country through illegal immigration, local activism, and college activism.

What I’m trying to point out is that the anxious climate within our country then and now is chillingly similar. The scarier part to me, however, is that we are not unified as a country. Our social fabric is frayed and some would say beyond repair. We are pitted against one another and that leaves us particularly susceptible to bad actors and foreign advancement.

The good news:

Nothing is new under the sun. Throughout all of time, there have been seasons of relative ease and seasons of crisis, and yet people have adapted, prayed, worshipped together, carried on, kept calm, and continued to have babies, make memories, and create art and beauty.

The bad news:

To emerge from the dark winters that scatter on the timeline of world history, one must traverse through a period of war, distress, pain, or turmoil. We don’t always know if and when it is coming to our shores, but its arrival is almost always inevitable (at least when we look at the history books.) An additional point I would like to make is that, throughout history, for a group of people (America specifically) to come out on the other side of a “winter season” it usually requires a pretty firm national mobilization or a sense of togetherness. That is often determined by or caused because of some sort of war/conflict. It may not mean a call to arms within our borders, but it could. As I’ve said before, I’m not sure.

I just feel like something is coming. Again, saying that will get you labeled many things, but here we are. And as much as I don’t want to say it, I’m pretty confident that those of us who are prepped and ready will be vindicated in the end.

Being ready for fallout makes you prudent, not paranoid.

Naturally, the next question is:

How do we prepare?

I want to approach this question in a three-pronged fashion:

• What should we have on hand to prepare our house?

• What skills should our family learn that will benefit us?

• What can we do to prepare our hearts and minds for what might come?

This topic can go in many directions and it can feel very overwhelming, I know. Even I can sometimes get in my head that this is useless because it can feel all-consuming, worrying, and expensive. I hope that you know that it doesn’t have to be those things. We can take small steps each day to better prepare ourselves and our loved ones.

There will be many things to add to my list (especially from avid “preppers” of which I am not,) but I believe the following is a good place to start.

What should we have on hand to prepare our house?

• Access to water and a water filtration system. We bought this one. In the event of water systems being compromised or unavailable, you want not only to have a way to collect water but to also filter it. This is one of the most important things you’ll need to plan for.

  I also found THIS to be a fantastic primer with excellent suggestions for water filtration and storage. When it comes to water, start where you are at and start small if you need to. Picking up gallons of water each week with your groceries is a place to start. I hear from many of you that you have limited funds with which to begin prepping, so do what you can. Water is relatively cheap and easily accessible, so find some good storage (other than plastic jugs) and start filling it. You can also go the route of a water collector for places that see a good amount of rainfall each year. See here.

• Canned foods and non-perishables (and a can-opener.) I know people are nervous about the shelf-life of some of these things, so you can also go this route. Additionally, this is why I mention in the “life skills” portion below that alternate methods of food preservation are very important. Plastic tubs of flour, rice, and beans.

• A stash of medication you might take regularly and also medicine such as Advil, gauze, iodine, alcohol, bandages, and sanitary products. It’s also beneficial to have antibiotics on hand in case of something more severe. Wet wipes, diapers, and toilet paper are helpful.

• Firewood (especially if you live in an area that gets cold.)

• A radio and plenty of batteries. Portable chargers for your phone if those are still in use. Keep those charged all the time. You can also go the hand-crank route. for your radio.

• Candles, lanterns, flashlights, and alternative light options. Secure batteries for all of these. A few really strong DURACELL lanterns are helpful in a pinch. You can often find these at COSTCO. Oil lanterns are great as well. We stock up on the “catholic candles” from the dollar store because they last for a long time and are cheap!

• Guns, ammo, and hunting equipment if you live near a wooded area. My husband suggests a 9mm handgun or a 12 gauge shotgun. A handgun for carry, shotgun for effect. Listen, if it becomes the worst-case scenario and there is mass unrest in cities that spills into rural areas, you’ll want to be armed. Oh, and get a dog.

• Cash (I would suggest several hundred dollars on hand in case banking systems go down and you need to purchase groceries/necessities.) If we get to a place where banks are closed, you’re looking at something largescale and at that point, bartering might be more helpful but currency is beneficial to have on hand.

• Some sort of generator (either full house or partial.) Diesel fuel for this.

• Matches/firestarters/lighters. Fire is important. For cooking and warmth.

• COFFEE (you can laugh at this all you want, but if the apocalypse comes, some creature comforts will go a LONG WAY.)

• Spare pairs of glasses/contacts

• Equipment for butchering. This book is what my husband and our friends have used to become rather good at the butchering/eviscerating process.

What skills should our family learn that will benefit us?

• Learn to garden and grow your own food. You do not need to live on a farm to do this. If you have a patio, you can become an expert in container gardening or hydroponics. In the event of a large-scale catastrophe where food supply issues hit hard, a keen sense of seasonal growing will be invaluable (and healthier than the alternative.) From personal experience, this was the first year in the last five that we took the year off from growing our own vegetables and herbs. We were expecting Meg at the beginning of March and there were some other family things happening that made us realize a year off from the commitment might be helpful. It was! BUT….we realized how much money we spend on vegetables and herbs when we don’t grow them ourselves. We missed the fresh variety and ability to subsist on less from our local grocer.

• Learn how to care for small animals (chickens/goats/ducks) as they will come in handy for food etc. Chickens are relatively inexpensive to purchase and care for. Even some HOAs will allow a limited number of them. The eggs they will provide are so much better than store-bought. If you have the option of raising and butchering meat birds, DO IT.

• How to load and shoot a gun. Take gun safety courses in your local area and take the kids along if you’re able. Invest in some target practice and hunting classes if you’re able to.

• Learn the butchering and eviscerating process, especially on small animals as that would come in handy in a dire situation where you find yourself hunting for game that you might not be used to. Knowing how to butcher one animal will help you with the next, even if unfamiliar.

• Learn to preserve foods with methods that don’t require freezing or refrigeration (this is on my to-do list!); canning, pickling, freezing, smoking, etc. This book is very helpful.

• An ability to forage and hunt locally ( I know this is difficult for city-dwellers)

• Make friends with local farmers and farm co-ops. In the event of some sort of societal fallout, community will be key. Who do you have around you that you trust? Who do you live close to that you can swap skills with? Who around you has access to food and water where you could pay them or help them hunt/butcher in return for food?

• Learn basic first aid. How to care for bug bites/common rashes using less medication and more herbal remedies.

• Become aware of how to service/fix things like your car, your appliances, and your water and gas lines. At the very least, be aware of how to turn them on and off and notice when there is a leak/problem.

• I think it would also be beneficial to have a discussion as a family about what everyone should do in worst-case scenarios. If you are all in separate areas, where are you all going to meet up? What if there are no phones available? What if something happens while everyone is at home - what does each person grab and take first? These conversations don’t have to be ridiculously alarming. Just be honest with your children; anything can happen, and you want to be prepared. I mean, if your kids have read the Bible or any history book, it will come as no surprise that emergencies happen ALL THE TIME.

• View my entire “preparedness” list HERE.

  

What can we do to prepare our hearts and minds for what might come?

• Invest heavily into your family and church relationships right now, if you haven’t already.

  Your most important investment in this life is your relationships with God and with your family. In dark and difficult times, they will not only be your lifeline, but they will be the reminder that God made each of us for a time such as this and He gifted you these wonderful people to sit in the trenches with, as well as enjoy the bountiful seasons. Your bond with them reflects God’s goodness and love. Spend your time with them. Pour into them by having meaningful conversations with them. Breaking bread regularly. Pray together. Sharing a vision for the legacy you want to leave.

• Read quality literature with your children and together as a family.

  In dark times, it will serve your children well to have a wellspring of quality stories in their hearts and minds. These tales will bolster them when they recall normal men and women who were thrown into difficult situations and did the next best thing. Better year, read them stories of missionaries and saints throughout history who lived lives of struggle and yet persisted for the sake of the Lord.

• Memorize scripture and music.

  Put to memory the Lord’s word and great hymns from the past (and present.) Catechizing your children with creeds, Bible verses, and the words set to music will be a lifeline in a changing and increasingly hostile world. They will find themselves reciting and calling on the promises of Christ all the time if they have been made to commit it to memory.

• Live in peace, not fear.

  God does not give us a spirit of anxiousness. That is not from Him. Isn’t it wonderful to know that as Christians we are able to prepare and plan but that ultimately the Lord reigns supreme over it all? What a promise! Remember His words:

  “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

In conclusion…

However this post makes you feel, I want to know that I share it only because I think it’s Biblical for us to be prepared people. Do we need to all go out today and start drawing up plans to have an underground bunker on our properties? No. I believe people in the prepper movement can take things too far and swing in the totally opposite, unhealthy direction. There are two ditches and we don’t want to get caught in either - obsession is not the key here. Wise preparation is. I hope that, wherever you are, this primer was helpful in some way. Start small and start where you are. Tackle things one at a time and don’t focus on what you can’t afford or make time for. Simply check off the list of what you are able to and know that the Lord is sovereign and He holds you in His hand.

Final word…

As a believer, I remind myself often that this world is not my home (thank goodness.) As such, I find peace in His plan for all of the evil we are seeing. We may not be able to predict what may happen, but we can make our small plans and pray for the future and for those we are the closest to. We can make all the lists we want, but if we don’t have the hope of scripture and God’s promises in our hearts, what existence do we really have?

Cling to Him, grab a water filtration system, and take heart.

He has already overcome this world.