Family goal this month

The Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints has officially released this statement:

Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.”  We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters.  Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.

Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water, and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue.

One of my very favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis states:

 ”I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare…If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us,… they are too small.  There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures excludes them.”

We had a family council last night and decided to go without buying anything- except gasoline so we can get to work/school- for the next 30 days. No grocery store trips of any kind are allowed.  We will eat exclusively from our food storage and we will also cook simpler meals focused on whole grains, beans and rice. I decided that sacrificing all the shopping for a month would add up to a large amount of money, and we can donate all of that to the Haitian relief efforts. Consider how large your grocery bill is each month. That would do so much more in Haiti!

On another note, I'm excited at the prospect of using our food storage exclusively for a month. We've always incorporated food storage recipes into our weekly diets, but I'm looking forward to what I can learn this month as we stick to our goal. I've stocked up on cleaning supplies and hygiene items in addition to foods, so I'm quite confident we can stay away from any purchases. 

I'm hoping that if we discover that we have run out of something, we can just do without it and pretend the store isn't even around. The people in Haiti don't have the option of a store, so I think it would be good to not consider it an option for myself either. It will help me be more thankful for all the little blessings we have, such as a warm home and beds to sleep in, medicine for our children, the Spirit to comfort and guide us, and Nathan's job security. Because I have been given so much, I too must give.