Being Prepared for What May Come

Bob Dylan released a song many, many years ago titled "The Times They Are A-Changin" and I think that song really was "before its time." Due to advances in medicine, technology, and the world in general we are frequently inundated with changes. Of course, Bob Dylan was (and is) an extremely liberal person in the political community, but there is something in that song that is true...namely the title.  The song actually tends to embrace the decade in which it was written and released--the 60s--a time when peace and "all you need is love" dominated the world. I believe it is simple to say that those were the years that have brought about the rapid decline of moral and ethical values. There are not many (published) cases prior to that about unethical behavior that is so rampant in today's society. 

As I was doing some research for our Girl Scout Troop I ran across a website entitled "The Great American Backyard Campout." Now, I'd heard of this previously, but because I've never been an outdoorsman (or woman for that matter) I didn't know much about it. However, upon further inspection I could see that it's a valid outing. It began with the following statement: 

 "The nature of childhood has changed. There's not much nature in it. The American childhood has moved indoors during the last two decades, taking a mental and physical toll on today’s kids. But you can help change this trend.

Think how good you'll feel giving your children the benefits of spending more time outdoors, providing them with memories to last a lifetime ..."

-- http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Great-American-Backyard-Campout/Why-Camp.aspx--

How many nights did you "camp out" in your yard growing up? I actually never had the opportunity, but I vividly recall many occasions when my aunts would talk about sleeping out under the stars during the summer months--especially during World War II--and these  "camp outs" were something they really looked forward to. Many of my oldest aunts' husbands had gone to war and they had moved back to the family farm until they could once again be reunited with their loved ones. Fortunately, for them, they were able to be.

And, because "The Times They Are A-Changin," I think there is a lot to be said about being prepared for what may come -- not only shortly, but in the years ahead. There is a lot of uneasiness in today's society that could cause a lot of anxiety to people. Gratefully, there are things that we can do today that will leave a lasting impression on us and those around us and help us prepare for the future. 

Now, I don't like to talk doom-n-gloom, but sometimes it's necessary to get the point across. If President Obama is re-elected I honestly don't know how this nation will react. I don't know if there will be riots or demonstrations, because we've certainly seen plenty of those while he's been in office. Sadly, there could be even more terrorist attacks (such as that in Libya recently) because they know he's certainly not going to do ANYTHING to stop them. 

I would like to let those blog readers out there in cyber world know about an awesome upcoming event. It's being hosted by the Pima Arizona Stake's 4th Ward (Bishop Mike Brown ;) and is an open event to ANYONE in the area that would like to come and learn more about being financially, physically and spiritually prepared for whatever might be around the corner. Here are the details:

When:           Saturday, October 27, 2012
Time:            10:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m.
Where:          "Historic" Pima Chapel on Highway 70 in Pima
What:            Classes and demonstrations to include: camp cooking, food storage, and 
                        menu planning.

We hope to see you there! And to conclude this blog entry, I shall include the final lyrics of "The Times They Are A-Changin" just because they tend to fit nicely and I definitely hope that they will be changing with the upcoming election.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.

--Bob Dylan; The Times They Are A-Changin lyrics as posted on lyricsfreak.com.