We all get discouraged at times and ask the question, “Why Bother?”
Over the years I’ve received e-mails from readers expressing their feeling of being overwhelmed. By the end of the e-mails a familiar question is brought up—“Why Bother?”
I admit, I’ve had days, even weeks in which I am overwhelmed by everything that I still need to do. When that happens I just take a mental break or I’ll go to the thrift store and find something fabulous that assists me in my preparedness efforts Whether it’s a “time out” or retail therapy, we all need to take the time to unwind. But the whole “why bother” question is actually very easy to answer because your “why bother” answer will be no different tomorrow than it is today.
Even with the great technological advances, relative prosperity, and all of the other blessings we enjoy today there are still those mornings in which I just don’t want to get out of bed. Why bother answering the e-mail from so and so if they’re just going to argue? Why bother writing another article if it’s just going to bring on more “hate mail” or “no one is listening anyway.” But as we all know, the whole “why not” excuses we come up with just don’t measure up to the proactive way we live our lives today. That won’t change when we’re in the midst of a serious, long-term crisis. The reasons why we prepare for tomorrow are the same reasons why we live for today.
The fact that you’re still alive and kicking today says that you don’t quit no matter what life throws at you. I know that because I know that as a part of life we are blessed with resistance. Any weightlifter knows that lifting a 3 pound weight everyday isn’t going to get us anywhere. Once we’ve mastered that, none of us would be content to do it everyday. Instead, one day we’d got to do our weight training, look at the flimsy thing and ask ourselves “why bother?” Ah…a clue. If we’re asking ourselves “why bother” it may be that we’re not feeling alive enough, or challenged enough; we’ve come to a point in our life in which we’re complacent or apathetic. The only cure for which is to push ourselves a little bit further.
Why bother? Well, that answer will be different for each one of us. It may be that we cant’ bear the thought of watching our children or grandchildren do without. It may be that we have deep religious roots that have convinced us that we’ll suffer eternal consequences by not being prepared. It may be that we can’t fathom just sitting by watching our neighbors and fellowmen suffer needlessly knowing that we could have done something for the last 10 years to mitigate that suffering. I suspect that for me, all of those answers play a role in my purpose for preparing for tomorrow. But there’s also a peace and a confidence that comes knowing that I’m living as self-reliant on my own two feet today—with God’s help of course. As such, when the vicious winds whip up around me, I have a protection, peace and safety unlike anything that I can buy at the store; I can’t borrow it from someone else; and I can’t give it to anyone else either no matter how sad it makes me to watch them struggle.
Furthermore, I think this question plagues us occasionally because we underestimate our value to the lives of others. I took some flack from a good friend of mine when I started displaying the Preparedness Pro logo with the silhouette figure wearing a cape. She didn’t realize that not only ARE we all super heroes to those around us, but we all NEED to bear the mindset and commitment to be such a person to those around us. To live beneath that realization is to deny what greatness we’re really capable of. That denies the reality of physics, frankly. You might just as easily deny that there’s a ripple effect in a lake when you toss a stone in it. It may be just a small stone, but it’s ripples go on and on. The law of physics teaches us that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Apathy IS an action. Preparedness, self-reliance, living within our means, being self-sufficient—all of these facets have an equal and opposite reaction. You may not see it. You may feel like you’re all alone. You may feel like the man who’s throwing starfish back in the ocean one at a time, but you’re only seeing a very, very small part of the picture.
Several months ago we held one of our Feminine Fortress rape prevention courses. We charged just enough to cover our overhead. It wasn’t a huge turn out, and I could barely walk the next day because every time I teach one of these classes my fibromyalgia just seizes up in rebellion, and adding insult to injury, I dragged my hubby away from his work for the day to help me out and so he had to work that much harder the rest of the week. In other words, on the surface, it might be easy for me to ask “why bother?” But I’ve done this enough to know that God makes my pitiful little efforts worth something every time I am willing to put in the work, and He does so in such a glorious fashion—beyond what I could ever dream of. Later that month I was stunned with an e-mail I received from someone I had never even taught! She had a sister who attended my class who then went home excitedly to tell her sister about all that she had learned. Her sister was trying to get out of an abusive relationship with a boyfriend, but each time led to more physical altercations and like abuse. But because of her sister coming home and sharing with her what she had learned, this gal was writing me to thank me for what I did because she finally made a very well thought out, strategic move, to leave her boyfriend. There was no altercation, she said, “because I held my head up high. He knew I was serious and he knew that I was not willing to put up with his physical or verbal abuse this time.” My point being, sometimes you may just feel like the little pebble with your efforts when looked at in the grand scheme of things. “How could my 300 pounds of wheat make any difference when there’s an entire nation starving?” I think that’s very likely the same thought of the persons who offered up their paltry loaves and fishes when surrounded by the thousands of people around them, but we all know how that story ended. There may be days when you feel like nothing more than the pebble in the massive lake but remember, those ripples won’t happen without you.
74 Comments
Dorothy (the perky gramma) · September 24, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Why bother?
Because you may reach just one more.
Diana B. · September 24, 2012 at 11:21 pm
I didn’t realize you are suffering with fibromyaldia..GOD Bless you. My mother had that horrible pain and I felt so bad for her. That lady you saved from an abusive relationship is just GOD speaking you to tell you to get up out of bed just one more morning. I have to admit I do not always read all of the comments to your posts but I am always dumb-founded when you mention that you get hate mail…I absolutely LOVE everything that you write and am so in awe of you…so GET UP TOMORROW! LOL
Pastor Garry Parkin · September 24, 2012 at 11:24 pm
Right on Kellene, although the nay sayers may never really understand. We spent years pastoring a single family in a community an hours drive away… and how often we heard that hideous phrase ‘why bother.’ Because… He would have… how could we do less?
Keep it up Kellene… you are so so right… and each one of them is worth it.
Pastor G
Cheryl · September 24, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Yes, there are times when prepping does seem overwhelming, especially when you think about all that you’ve already spent in comparison with all that you still need! But each day that we still have to THINK, THINK, THINK, about what I just can’t live without if I had no more opportunity to purchase it, we are blessed to have one more day to still prepare. And my mind runs 24/7 trying to think of ways to prepare for the time when we can no longer just run down to the store & grab what we need. THAT’S why I do it!
jan · September 24, 2012 at 11:52 pm
kellene,
you must have read my mind today ~ i’ve been working diligently on our food storage for over thirty years now, and learning all i can along the way. we moved to utah from san francisco ten years ago, into a fairly affluent neighborhood, and i just assumed everyone would be over-the-top prepared for a rainy day. but not so! our ward makes up about 80% of the neighborhood, and the bishop told us that when the stake took an anonymous inventory of what people had on hand, they found that the majority of the members had barely a three-week supply. i’ve been trying to get people to log on to your website and get educated about being prepared, but i don’t know how successful i’ve been so far. i tell everyone i talk to, about your great articles and information ~ you lit a firecracker under me this summer and i canned over 500 pounds of meat and chicken. and then i moved on to green beans and peaches. the day after halloween i’ll be collectiing all the free pumpkins i can get and i’ll can those too. in california, i was locally known as the pumpkin queen because of my amazing chocolate pumpkin bread. anyway, thank you so much for your wonderful work and contributions of such important knowledge to those of us still learning. i hope your ward family and neighbors know how fortunate they are to have you for a neighbor.
Ruby · September 27, 2012 at 3:51 am
i would love that recipe for the chocolate pumpkin bread also….
Jamie · September 24, 2012 at 11:55 pm
I would like you to know that you are one of my heros. You inspired me to get prepared and I have been able to help at least 2 family members and a neighbor get prepared. I started my own little blog of my journey to self reliance and I hope I have helped others to learn from my little victories and also when I screw up. I don’t prepare because I need a gold star or some approval from the PTBs. I’m perfectly capable of patting myself on the back!
charles lawyer · September 25, 2012 at 12:12 am
keleene, i’ve written 2 u numerous times, and i myself have fibromyalgia. i know not many men get it, but i’m 1 of the unlucky few. can u tell me if i can use field corn for prepping, done alot of research and still unclear!
and i’m asking for a NICE foodsaver 4 christmas… what’s the best deal along with the jar attatchment.(sold separately) i know?????
White.Buffalo - Doug · September 25, 2012 at 12:13 am
As mentioned by another reader – you are one of MY HEROS – keep up the good work. You have mentioned that you receive ‘hate mail” and as a cohort has mentioned also – I too am absolutely dumb-founded-dang-nab-it = gosh WHY? It is is almost impossible to believe that anyone could be so dumb as to share their feelings as hate mail when what you do is help = for crying out loud. The journey – as an adventure to me – toward self reliance has been many years for me and I am still learning – so, “K” keep up the good work – your are appreciated by many-many-many of us.
hamiltonflashes · September 25, 2012 at 12:21 am
Kellene, I can’t believe you get hate mail…I do not understand that at all. Well if someone is sending you hate I am sending them a quick little kick in the buttowski. We love you, keep smiling and doing the HAPPY DANCE. We are all dancing with you.
Glenda · September 25, 2012 at 12:24 am
All I have to say Kellene is AMEN! And even if all we can do is put up a small amount of food the Lord will recognize every effort, so everyone needs to keep working. I don’t think everyone really realizes what is around the corner. We are being warned again to prepare and to get our supplies together, I think this will be our last warning.
Jamie · September 25, 2012 at 1:16 am
Charles, I got the wide mouth jar from food saver direct for about $.8.00 and I think I got a free or low shipping cost from foodsaver. If you go to foodsaver.com they send out lots of Emails for sales on products.
I have CIDP my Mom has Fybro and she does terrible on store bought stuff (bread,white flour) but she seems to do good on baking at home with just unbleached white flour but she is big on wheat flour and whole grains. But she has always done better on low carb diet even before she got Fybro.
I’m giving my Mom some grits/polenta for her to try out. I’ll be happy to give you an update of how it works for her if you want.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 1:22 am
Yes, you can use field corn for a porridge. The peasants used to in France, actually. The best deal I’ve seen the jar attachments for is $7.99, but usually they are between 10 and $12 each.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 1:25 am
And here’s a back pat for ya too, Jamie!!!
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 1:26 am
Oh Jan, you’ve just GOT to share your chocolate pumpkin bread with me! That sounds divine! I never thought about asking for everybody’s pumpkins after Halloween. What a great idea!
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 2:01 am
Well, how chipper are you when you’re in pain from fibromyalgia? I’m sassy to begin with. Perhaps THAT’S why I get hate mail occasionally. hee hee
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 2:04 am
If you’ve read this site enough you know that I don’t take too much guff from others. That’s sufficient to get hate mail. But then there’s the holding people to the PG rating of the site and our Facebook page, eliminating people whose idea of “free speech” is to spew hateful things at people who prepare, or just plain trying to post incorrect information. Come on. Let’s not be TOO surprised I get hate mail. Besides, didn’t you know? I broke the “first rule of being a prepper”–I TALKED about prepping. 🙂
Kathy Newman · March 28, 2013 at 12:58 am
Yes you talked and I for one am truly greatful for the knowledge you possess to pass on to us. Why bother? 1. Because the Bible tells us to and 2. Because of my children and their children. From my heart I truly thank you.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 2:04 am
See my comment above yours here. That’ll shed a little light on it. I’m certainly NOT perfect by a long stretch. 🙂
Ruby · September 27, 2012 at 3:58 am
I have been reading this for a while but never commented…I just want to say thank you..thank you…You make a difference in peoples lives…I pray that you get stronger and keep up the good work you are doing..Well done Kellene..Even if you stop today you have done more than most of the world has done to help others…But don’t stop we need you, and we appreciate everything you do…My great grandchildren thank you..and I don’t even have grandchildren yet….I hope you understand what I mean…
Jen · September 25, 2012 at 2:06 am
Thank you Kellene, for all that you do. While I cannot take all of your suggestions all the time, I am always learning and preparing….for a bigger house!! 🙂 Please know that you are reaching people across the country, across racial lines, across religious lines. And I try to take what I learn from you and “pass it forward.”
Nick · September 25, 2012 at 2:42 am
I have fibromyalgia as well and try to push through the pain and exhaustion each day, but part of what propels me, in addition to my faith in Christ, is that I’ve experienced extended periods of hunger and pain before, and I’m determined to stave off those things as long as possible as a tumultuous future looms. To paraphrase Jesse Ventura in the movie “Predator,” I ain’t got time for pain.
Renee Rice · September 25, 2012 at 2:47 am
Kellene thank you from my heart for the ripples. And because of you we (my hubby and self) send ripples. So you must look past a single ripple. Your information has waves of ripples. You are our news since we don’t believe any of the media & know you investigate prior to putting forth. My you be blessed 100 fold.
james peless · September 25, 2012 at 3:07 am
Amen, Kellene…..Amen.
Cindy · September 25, 2012 at 3:36 am
Kellene 8 yrs ago I survived a ruptured pancreas. Apparently not many do.
Months later when chatting with my Dr. I asked the question…why did I survive
It. His answer was …he felt like in many patients the desire to survive is very
weak. For me he saw a woman lying there being eaten alive with pancreatic
acid in a sedated coma fighting tooth and nail to survive. He couldn’t explain it
he just knew if I could hang in there I would live.
That survival instinct in me is so strong…this is what drives me to prep.
I know it is from God.
My favorite song is We are standing on Holy Ground and there are Angels all around.
About 6 weeks after leaving the hospital I told my daughter thank you for playing that song while I was in ICU…she said momma we never had music in there. That is how close to Heaven I was….it sounded Amazing!!
So survive to prep another day and I thank the Lord for your earthly guidance
And friendship!!!! I will pray for your health!!
Lynn · September 25, 2012 at 3:37 am
Oh Kellene, even before I accidentally met you in person {that was my highlight of the year…..hope you forgive me for surprising you like that} you were already my HERO!
And just so you know……the ripples you make are as far reaching as up here WAY up North! ; )
Happy Fall!
AutumnGal · September 25, 2012 at 4:41 am
Ahhh Kellene, there’s so many things about your blog that keeps me coming back but a biggy is, you talk with us, not at us and that is powerful.
Yeah, I can see where some would think you’re a bit “in our face” but if you know, you know and I’m glad you don’t mealy mouth around 🙂 You save us from making impulsive, foolish and uninformed mistakes so who ever in the world wouldn’t appreciate that “has a problem”. Your site is my go-to for tried and tested info. I especially like the way you can get the important points across with a sense of humor yet lose nothing.
For a multitude of reasons, I didn’t learn a lot about preserving food although I learned enough to appreciate and know that your detailed info is priceless. BTW, I (now) begin a lot of sentences with, “well Kellene says”! Lol It’s so reassuring to know I can refer people to your site and they will learn what they need to know, the right way. Can’t say that about the others 🙂 Probably when you’re doing the most good is when you get the hate mail,,, the devil works that way you know.
I’ve been meaning to ask if you’re familiar with a non food grade olive oil being used for lamps and if you’d know of a source? (At our age safety is an especially big concern.
Also recently read about a study done in the UK with a broad explanation of fibromyalgia (paraphrased here) that it does to the muscles, tendons and cells, what arthritis does to the bones/joints. That really fits me to a “T”.
Many thanks from someone who 4 years ago just knew for a fact, I could not do this survival thingy”….. Thankfully you said I should and could do the prepare thingy and you were/are right 🙂
Sam · September 25, 2012 at 4:51 am
Guess you are making ripples everywhere, cause they are way down her in TEXAS too. Thanks for all you do even when you don’t feel like it.
Sueann · September 26, 2012 at 1:05 pm
Sam is right…those ripples have extended on down to Texas. In fact, your canning information has caused waves here in my house. I have canned more food this year than I have in the last 5 years combined. I “bother” because every day there is someone on the news stating that QEInfinity is going to cause devestation unlike anything we’ve ever known. Who wants to see their child go hungry, who wants to dig through a grocery store dumpster for scraps of lettuce, who wants to get kicked out their home for failure to pay, who wants to go thirsty for lack of drinking water during a flood, who wants to lose a freezer/refrigerator full of food when the power goes out??? That’s why I “bother”.
Melinda McCulley · September 25, 2012 at 5:21 am
I am a newbie to your site and saw you on TV. Can you please give some recipes, easy ones from store bought canned meat and rice, etc.? Do you have a cookbook? That would be great! Thanks for all you do for so many!
Kim · September 25, 2012 at 5:50 am
Kellene, Can you offer any tips for prepping with fibro? Anything special you are tucking away to make things a bit more comfortable when the SHTF? I think being without my medications (particularly ambien and lyrica) is one of my biggest worries. Thank you for YOU and all you do!
janet · September 25, 2012 at 7:47 am
Why do we bother – because those we love count on us. Sometimes I just have to take a break though and regroup. Especially during canning season. lol :-] Its like anything else – some days are just stinky and curling up on the couch with a box of chocolate and a good book is a good thing.
We trudge on because we care. We take the teasing and the strange looks from family and friends because some of what we say and or do may save someone a lot of grief one day.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:26 am
I’m being EXTREMELY diligent with the use of essential oils and premium quality nutrition. I highly recommend we have a chat so that we can get you off of any superfluous drugs that are possible. I only take one medication occasionally for the Fibro. I got off of the Ambien and Lyrica.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:28 am
Welcome! The search bar is your friend on here. Just put in “recipes” and you’ll see several come up. I also put recipes within the body of the articles periodically. Also, there is a carousel up at the top on the right. Each picture represents one of the Ten Principles of Preparedness. If you want to focus on the articles within a particular Principle, just click on that icon and all of the articles relevant to that will come up. I’m in the process of putting out a cookbook actually. I’m hoping and praying that it’s done in time for Christmas this year.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:28 am
With as hot and humid as Texas is, I think you guys could use some ripples…at least a light wind, eh? 🙂
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:32 am
It’s nearly 2:30 a.m. and I just laughed out loud reading your comment. I think I woke up the hubby. hee hee
Thanks for sharing so much of your thoughts with me! I mean that!
Fibromyalgia really just means “you’ve got inflammation all over the body and we don’t know what to do except mask the symptoms. So, I said “bag it” I’m going to work on focusing on addressing the inflammation and that’s worked well for me for the most part.
Yes, non-food grade olive oil can indeed be used for lamps, but then again, so can food grade oils. In fact, when folks have that nasty canola oil,
I tell them that at least they can use it for oil in their lamps. No matter what kind of oil you use, you’ll have to be certain that you have plenty of wicks and use a good quality oil lantern.
AutumnGal · September 26, 2012 at 2:10 am
Glad I made you laugh… that’s what you do for us all the time 🙂 Thanks for replying about the oil. The non food grade costs less but probably not available here in the states. Also what would you consider a good quality lantern?
Also, if you do a blog on how you deal with the fibro and the oils you use and how, I’d like to be included too.
I got to thinking later about the Why bother question…. and the short version could be because I can and it’s the right thing to do 🙂
Tina · October 8, 2012 at 12:34 am
I’m sorry, but when I read the line about using canola oil in a lamp, I started thinking, “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning . . ” 🙂
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:33 am
Unfortunately, you’re not the first person who’s caught me all disheveled with that “just out of bed” look. 🙂 I think you’re a dear, Lynn, and I’m glad I got to meet you!
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:34 am
Thank you very much for sharing this story, Cindy! Thank you indeed.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:34 am
*hugs*
Elizabeth · September 25, 2012 at 9:31 am
Please include me in the how to get off Lyrica chat. Sometimes that little black thought intrudes, “Why bother?” We just keep on trying. If the Bad Thing ever does happen, it might be even more tempting to ask,”Why bother?” when the air is off and it’s hot and humid or dark and cold and so many are not ready.
nancy shop · September 25, 2012 at 11:28 am
I too love to read your articles. Concerning your physical problem, Jesus taught the keys of the kingdom was to bind on earth what is bound in heaven and to loose on earth what is loosed in heaven. sickness and disease is bound in heaven. start binding fibromyalgia on earth and loose the divine health that is in heaven. it’s a powerful truth. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your healing. it’s up to you to receive it. God bless
saundra · September 25, 2012 at 1:31 pm
You are my inspiration Kellene! So many times I’ve wanted to just give up, but then I’ll recieve an email from Preparedness Pro and my prepping spirit is renewed. Thanks for all you do!
Deanna · September 25, 2012 at 2:14 pm
Hi Kellene,
I soooo get the “why” thinking. I have a bad back, neck & shoulder and am in pain almost constantly. Over the past few days I have been cannining my 80lbs of ground beef from Zaycon, as well as picking crab apples and turning them into jelly. I am EXHAUSTED and one hurting unit.
Most people I know are not of my mind set and think that I am crazy. But what keeps ME going is seeing all of those jars of ground beef, meat loaf and jam and knowing that my family will not go hungry.
The other thing that keeps me going is the look in my children’s faces when they see all of the jelly that they love to eat!
I won the Zaycon prize in your contest and it is paying off in dozens of jars of good healthy, wonderful tasting, life sustaining meat.
So no matter how much it hurts, no matter how much blood, sweat and tears go into it , and no matter what others may think or say, I know that those of us putting in the time and the effort will prevale no matter what the world throws at us!
Keep on keepin on, get up each day and do all that you can. Push yourself to your limit and KNOW that you have done the BEST for your loved ones. That is all that the LORD asks of each of us. GOD blesses those that help themselves.
Deborah · September 25, 2012 at 2:45 pm
I just want to say a big “THANK YOU KELLENE” for all these articles you send. Its because of you that I became a prepper. I know its not easy in the least doing it but its so important. Its still amazes me the amount of people that refuse to listen or take things seriously when you try to talk about prepping to others. My aunt actually told me a few days ago when I was talking with her about it that she would “just trust in the Lord to take care of them”. I told her to remember also that God helps those that help themself. It saddens me to think there are still so many out there that think as that. You help teach us ways to help ourself and I so appreciate it that you do. I hope you get to feeling better soon and again, thank you.
karen carraway · September 25, 2012 at 3:00 pm
Hate mail is stupid! If people don’t agree with you that’s ok but they should just move on. I am sure they do things others don’t agree with. We are all people. It’s not like you are running for president and all of this somehow affects them directly. lol….
The Concrete Fairy · September 25, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I have fibro, I got off Lyrica etc too. I now do a lot of vitamins and watch my diet VERY close. One of the main reasons I prep is to be sure that whatever happens, I have food that my body can tolerate, that won’t make me sicker. Stress makes me sicker as is, I don’t need to make it worse by eating bad if I don’t have to. One of the main things that helps me a LOT that you can try even while you are still on Lyrica is fish oil. I do 2 tsp a day (keep it in your fridge) it seems to take down the inflammation quite a bit, enough that I can exercise a bit and that helps take it down even more.
I finally got a pressure canner and am canning good lentil soup! Yay!
Ainokea · September 25, 2012 at 7:23 pm
In response to “Why Bother?”
“It was a chilly overcast day when a man on a horse saw a little sparrow lying on its back in the middle of the road. Reining in his mount he looked down and inquired of the fragile creature “just what do you think you are doing?” The sparrow said “I heard the sky is going to fall today”. The man laughed “And I suppose you think your skinny little legs can hold up the sky?” the sparrow said “One does what one can”.
Moral of the story: We may not be able to save the world but we can make things better in our small corner of it. Keep on “trucking” Kellene!!!
kerry · September 25, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Dear Kellene,
Thank you for getting up this and every other morning to publish encouragement, information and all awesome ideas that you share. If its any comfort, I very much look forward to your posts, they are a comfort and encouragement to me.
lorene · September 25, 2012 at 8:05 pm
But can one still buy field corn that is not GMO?
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:45 pm
Grow it yourself.
Susan · September 25, 2012 at 8:49 pm
If your life has ever been in the control of others who did not have your best interests in mind you won’t be asking “Why Bother?” unless you are in a slump physically or mentally as we all are sometimes. If you pay any attention to what is happening to our country and the rest of the world you won’t need to ask that question either. Most of us have lived with such easy abundance in this country that “why Bother” seems logical. We find the concept of “high prices and empty shelves” difficult to comprehend. Please keep on doing what your doing so well! I also have fibro and am off Lyrica after years – I would be very interested in hearing more of this chat too.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:54 pm
How inspiring to be doing all that work!! I can’t wait for Zaycon to bring me some beef now!!! Woohoo! I ended up getting 120 pounds of the chicken breasts completely FREE!! And Zaycon isn’t losing a dime on it either. If you consider how smart this marketing approach is vs. using the millions of dollars every year to MAYBE encourage other people to buy their product, they are coming out smelling like a rose.
Kellene Bishop · September 25, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Thank YOU for inspiring ME!
margie · September 25, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Thankyou Kellene. you are a angel
buni · September 26, 2012 at 2:24 am
You are a GEM, god has placed to encourage and uplift to inspire and teach. The Lord gave you a mission. I do believe the devil hates the good you do and tries to destroy you and the ministry that He uses you to deliver piece of mind to so many.
I too, have fibro but I also have a on line embroidery business and I am so thankful to have it so when I am down I can still do what I love. I would never have tried to do this if I hadn’t become ill back in 2006. I keep hoping that it will be healed, and I do what I can by eating right, loosing weight, and keeping my stress levels down. I would be interested to know which essential oils you are using for inflamation. I also would like to know if you have an opinion on NONI juice? hugs and prayers….buni
Kellene Bishop · September 26, 2012 at 2:45 am
Noni is fine and has nice merits. However, there is a product that has 10 times more value to the body and which also negates the inflammation and contains solely absorb able nutrients that I would be lost without. I’ll cover it when I finish this Fibromyalgia article I’m working on.
Lauri · September 26, 2012 at 5:15 am
Kellene, you and Scott are a blessing. Keep on keeping on. Thank you for teaching so many things and this website. I have said this before and I will say it again you not only teach us but have touch the hearts of so many people.
I will keep you and Scott in my prayers.
Jackie · September 26, 2012 at 5:21 am
I love this article. You know one day, my husband, who is very frugal and does not really fully understand why I do this. Well, he told me that I was wasting my time with all this prepping. Well, that turnend the evening into a really, really bad one. I was very angry with him. I don’t take crap and unlike him, I have faced some my mortality head on. I was not prepared for all the things that happened to me just from a bad car accident. Lucky for me, I was still living at home. Because had I not been, I would have lost more than just the job I loved. Anyway, my point is this. I now have small children and I worked where I had to be prepared for many different things all at once. Having additional plans for the “what ifs” was my job before I became a stay at home mom. Which is completely underated until you have done so with more than one or two children. But, having my children, has made me more aware of all my “what ifs” at home. Also making me very aware, I was not prepared if my husbands income went to la la land. So I began preparing. With my husband saying to me I was wasting time, made me strive to do it more. No one is EVER going to tell me I am wasting time! I DON’T WASTE TIME! I am so bent on getting things done it is sad. I make due with what funds I can use and I have managed to stock up things that my husband will be so glad we have. Just the other day, I was able to show him an example. I made a purchase of an item he uses 20+ times a day in his busniess. 55 gallon drum liners, 200 in a box for $18.99. Now, I bought 3 boxes. At first he was telling me how he gets them from a different place and for the same amount and that I wasted money. Then I asked what his quanity was. His liners he bought for the same price come in a box of 60. So I showed him the math and said proudly, “who’s wasting time and money now?”…. That is why I bother to do this. I bother to save my family money. I bother to inspire others like you inspired me. I bother b/c if I don’t take care of my kids, teach them skills and show them how to be prepared, no one else will. I bother because I can and will care for those that have less than me. So, thank you for this article, and the chance to share I am right there doing the same thing. You make a difference and so do all of us who do what we do, even when everyone else thinks were nuts. I have had more people ask me, how do get my eggs to last for more than the date on teh box. I credit you for helping me be able to tell them how to. They now are looking for the sales like I do. Keep up the news, because I trust the information you give us. I know you put so much effort into making sure you have the facts. I appreciate that time infinity!
Kellene Bishop · September 26, 2012 at 6:27 pm
Husbands—gotta love them, but they do have a tendency of coming across as if we don’t have any brains sometimes, don’t they? Oh well, love ’em through it all.
Congrats and kudos for taking the strides you do in spite of everything. You will be VERY grateful that you did. I can say with certainty that I PROMISE you that.
Mary · September 26, 2012 at 7:45 pm
I want you to know that I enjoy every article you write. I have gained considerable knowledge from them.
I wish you would write an article on purchasing “prepper” food from a feed store. I went in one last week and I realized I had no clue of the questions to ask to assure I was buying the right thing. I would like to buy corn to store for grits and cornmeal later, but how do you assure that you are getting the right corn and not that ground with cobs and husks or popcorn that is difficult to find a mill that will grind it? Information on feed stores and what and how to purchase would be great. Maybe then I would not feel like a fool when I go to one.
Thank you again for all that you do and the information you share.
LRMoudry · September 26, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Why bother? I’m 71 yrs old soon and I was brought up to be prepared for the unexpected, so keeping a pantry and other supplies stocked well is not new to me. But that has always meant having 3-4 months worth of supplies set back. These days/times bring on a need for so much more preparation and planning. I would not expect to outlive a complete holocaust and I know that what preparations I have made could easily be taken from me in many scenarios. But I aim at having at least 12-18 months worth eventually and I keep plugging away at it. Yes, I too get discouraged at times when I see how far I have still to go.. HOWEVER!!! I know how many times in my life that my “stores” got us through some hard times. Those hard times happen throughout life…..a lost job, unexpected expenses, etc. And NEVER have we had to do without anything serious! Takes me a little while to replace what we used…..but it gets replaced and I’m grateful I had what we needed at the time! I keep adding now and hopefully I’ll get that 18 months worth goal met one day! But for heaven’s sake, why would I stop working at it a little at a time just because I don’t have several thousand dollars to go get everything at once!?! Ya just keep your eye on the ball and stay in the game! With these economic times and a bleak future in that regard, if nothing else, this would help us get through some even rougher times that seem to be looming ahead of us. I can endure a lot………..but I don’t aim to be hungry or see my family be hungry while I’m doing it! Same with other emergency stores like hygiene products, medical supplies, etc. I avoid focusing on how far I have still to go and, instead, I simply pick up 2 -3 more items for storage everytime I go to the grocery store, which is twice a month. It adds up. If I can do this on just Social Security income, anyone can!
Alistair · September 26, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Ma’am,
I had never heard of you until a couple of weeks ago on Doomsday Preppers currently showing in the UK.
I have since then felt truly overwhelmed by the scale of what I have to do in order to prepare my tiny little apartment for a time of disaster. As a single dad to young sons and someone who saw himself as one who understood preparedness, I now stand in anxiety over the future when I now see how much I need to get done.
This article is however very encouraging. You certainly made me sit up and stop asking myself the same why bother question. I tried to make my 3 best friends aware of the possible dark days on the horizon and only got laughed at or politely avoided. No one I have spoken to has taken any of it seriously and it is so saddening. I will not give up and will, God willing, have enough done in time before the dark days arrive.
With respect, Ma’am, thank you for this article. Please keep them coming.
You have at least one fan here across the pond.
Kellene Bishop · September 26, 2012 at 11:42 pm
You’re welcome here anytime. We have several thousand fans outside of the U.S. here and we aim to be a valuable resource to all of them.
EFS · September 26, 2012 at 11:54 pm
I think many people with chronic health issues (like fibro) get that ‘why bother’ mindset because they think they are a burden and therefore, less valuable. It is sad, really. I like where you said we are all super heros to those around us. This is true if you are in perfect health or if you suffer from some ailment. All human life is valuable. And that’s why you should bother.
Carrie · September 27, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Thank you for all you do! You first inspired me when I saw you on Doomsday Preppers. I thought you were amazing.
I guess all of us sometimes feel like “why bother?”. I know when I get that feeling I remember how God led me to you and others like you to lead the way down this rocky path. Keep leading us Kellene and we will keep following and helping each other along the way!
Ann · September 27, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Thank you so much for the information you make advaliable. I actually had a question about brown sugar. When i put it in the mason jars and sealed with the food saver, later when i opened it up it was hard and clumpy. I want to be able to save it for awhile so what can i do. Also i was wondering what ever dry goods i save wth the food saver in mason jars as a general rule how long can i expect them to last. I read your blog for alittle while and always prep for winter however felt the pull for some time to do more. I am just now getting around to doing it. It really hit me when me and the children were talking about how we would get milk if something happened as we dont have goats or cows like our friends do. I’m ashamed to say i waited this long. But hopefully my efforts will pay off. Again thank you for everything and love your blog.
Kellene Bishop · September 28, 2012 at 1:27 am
Brown sugar doesn’t need the oxygen extracted. You just need to keep it in a non-plastic container with a Brown Sugar Bear and that will keep it soft. Take a look at our YouTube video on using the foodsaver (Youtube.com/preaprednesspro) as well as the article called “FoodSaver Saves the Day”. That will help.
Grace · September 28, 2012 at 6:01 am
Hi Kellene, Thanks for guiding us all. You are literally a life saver. It’s hard when your own family can’t foresee the reason to prepare. Some members have actually stated the “why bother” line. In fact, my brother said he was just going to let God just take him when the end came. Then, I responded, but what if He doesn’t take you, are you just going to sit around watching your kids starve?! The other day he bought two gas masks from a ninety-one year old neighbor who just passed away. Little did my brother know, his neighbor was prepping. Hee Hee! I have never canned in my life, yet I just canned 24 jars of beautiful butter! Up next, waxing cheese! Thanks for all your helpful tips and information. You’re my hero too.
Dorothy Warnock · September 28, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Kellene, I watched the shows and you were storing cheese dipped in wax for long term storage, do you have a web page or something for people like me that would like to learn how to do put up food for long term storage. I’ve been buying canned goods and such but would like to put up other things also. i would like you to know i admire you for your thoughts and strengths. You go girl!!!!!
Kellene Bishop · September 28, 2012 at 8:41 pm
You’re actually commenting on the webpage that contains that information. I’ve addressed your question on Facebook where you posted it. Make friends with the search bar on here as well. You’ll get LOTS and lots of resources when looking up a topic, but I’d suggest you look up “cheese waxing” and “canning meat” and “FoodSaver”. Good luck!
Kellene Bishop · September 28, 2012 at 8:42 pm
woohoo, Grace! So glad to hear you took a step towards the canning addiction! 🙂
Peggy Clyde · March 10, 2014 at 6:38 pm
I have wondered why other
I have wondered why other people are not preparing. Are they not as worried as I am? I prepare because our leaders have asked us to do so. I also prepare for my children and grandchildren. Thanks for all of the information you share with us.
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