Monday Message

"More than ever before, we need to learn and apply the principles of economic self-reliance. We do not know when the crisis involving sickness or unemployment may affect our own circumstances. We do know that the Lord has decreed global calamities for the future and has warned and forewarned us to be prepared." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

"Too often we bask in our comfortable complacency and rationalize that the ravages of war, economic disaster, famine, and earthquake cannot happen here. Those who believe this are either not acquainted with the revelations of the Lord, or they do not believe them. Those who smugly think these calamities will not happen, that they somehow will be set aside because of the righteousness of the Saints, are deceived and will rue the day they harbored such a delusion." (President Ezra Taft Benson)

I hear this a lot…nothing can happen here and not in this day.  Anyone’s life can change in a second. I know things are hard and will get harder. If you can do a little then do a little. If you can learn a little, then learn a little but do not put it off. 

As I get older it takes me way longer to do things and funds are not always available. So I do the things that I suggest you do… When I go in a store I pick up one thing for storage. I am cooking from scratch, learning new skills and advancing my learning in areas like sewing and using what I have.  

A huge skill is learning to be content. Life is so much happier when you are content. Only misery comes from wanting so much and thinking you will never be happy till you have it. Enjoy what you do have. 

I took a class at church once and they suggested we learn all the things your sewing machine can do or learn all your stove features, so I always wanted to do all the things offered on my sewing machines.

Above is my workhorse machine. It has different stitches and a series of stretch stitches. Read the manuals on your sewing machine and learn them all.

See all those stitches on the right? Much to learn on my sewing machines. I did a sample binder to see how the stitches looked and any info on them.

Refurbishing a treadle and learning their feet attachments.

The more we learn, the more we know. So one way to be content is to learn with what we already have.

I know for some if you can afford classes, take them and learn. For people who are like me who have no funds to do that, learn by reading and by watching computer tutorials. For me, I use it all. Books are huge for me but sometimes I need to see something done and watching it on the computer totally helps. So what I am saying is that even with a lack of funds we can still learn. Nothing is stopping us from learning.

Did you know how many different ways there are to make bread?

There are so many things to learn about spinning...

Weaving has a language all its own...

A tidbit - weaving, spinning and bobbin lace and the sewing machine all have bobbins, not a one of them is alike.

Another tidbit, weaving and tatting both have shuttles.

So what I am saying is for you to learn your skills and don’t let funds be an excuse not to learn.

Keep working on your skill building and your storage, do the best that you can.