Monday Message

"When will all these calamities strike? We do not know the exact time, but it appears it may be in the not-too-distant future. Those who are prepared now have the continuing blessings of early obedience, and they are ready. Noah built his ark before the flood came, and he and his family survived. Those who waited to act until after the flood began were too late. Let us not be dissuaded from preparing because of a seeming prosperity today, or a so-called peace." (President Ezra Taft Benson) 

We never know what is around the corner. Being prepared is a blessing for sure. Every year we see blizzards or hurricanes and people swarm the stores buying all they think they will need for this event. Imagine if they were already prepared they would not have to rush out at the last minute to find what they can. They could stay home and would have what they needed.

We can learn a lot from those who came before us. They had to make their way inventing as they went. They had to grow their food and make their clothes and do the best they could.

We may not face the same things but we do all face hard things. We can rise to the occasion. We can be like Noah and prepare for whatever comes around the corner.

Things take time, building the ark took time. That is why when the flooding started it was too late.

Learning skills takes time. Long ago the skills were taught by parents then things have changed and the needed skills are lost but are still needed. So we must take time and learn and build on those skills.

I remember long ago my kids would come home from school, I would make cookies for them to have after school. When a school friend came two days in a row with one of the girls and loved the cookies, this little girl asked me how it was I knew how to make these different cookies, bless her heart.

This is just a tiny example of knowing a skill and using it for my family and others.

The makers of my bond knitting machine took many machines to Africa with instructors, they taught women who then taught others in their nation and just kept teaching. I know there are people who gather sewing machines and fabric and go to other countries to teach them skills.

Why is this so important? Well, they do this to help others get out of poverty, they're able to make and sell items to benefit their families.

We can teach others what skills we have to help them. Cooking from scratch would benefit people who face lack of food security...giving a loaf of bread is good but giving a loaf of bread and the skill to make it is way better. This goes with all skills.

I know skills have helped me and I have freely shared these and been blessed by them.

We need to go outside our comfort zone to learn the skills but just pick one and learn it then move on to another. I know we are so busy it is hard to find time but we really do need to learn new skills before we need them.

https://acultivatednest.com/homemaking-skills-to-learn-to-make-your-life-easier/ - this is just a little overview.

http://homeftw.com/61-essential-skills-for-homemakers-how-many-of-these-can-you-do/ - I have shared this before because it just doesn't tell you a skill, it shows you.

https://www.artfulhomemaking.com/8-useful-skills-grandmothers-knew/ - this also shares some.

http://blog.oldfashionedmotherhood.com/2016/09/traditional-homemaking-skills-are-they.html - this is a great read

http://heartscontentfarmhouse.com/ - also helpful.

https://heartscontentfarmhouse.com/category/yeast-breads/ - this is an example of finding an area you want to learn and studying it.

Gus says skills are very important.

It is very easy to be too busy but we must find a way off the hamster wheel, we need to find time to rest and to slow things down like Gus ... 

At the time of this writing I am sick with a chest cold and perhaps it is time to revisit your sick plan. Remember we need to take care of ourselves too, this is the season when we cannot out-run those germs.

Skills that we learn can be very helpful...

I know I talk about dishcloths a lot but they are relaxing to make as well as my favorites to use.

They are a great first project to learn and knit.

So this week pick a skill you want to learn and work on learning it, let us know what you picked.

Outside of getting better, my next skill to learn or master is the sock machine. I am getting very fast at casting on but I also am learning a lot in the process.