I'm not sure how your weekend has gone, but my family just experienced being without readily available water for nearly four days. It was not a pleasant experience.

This past week, our city experienced an unexpected break in the water pipes, thus exposing the city water to bacteria. City officials initiated a "Boil Water Alert" through their Code Red automated phone calling system. Fortunately I had signed up for the free service when we first moved here. I never really expected, though, to need it. But when the necessary Code Red phone alert came, I was grateful for it. Who wants to drink water with fecal matter in it? Blech!

Of course, a sudden "Boil Water Alert" is not a life-threatening problem. You simply boil water, and boil water, and boil more water as the days pass on. Remember, you cannot brush your teeth at the tap, drink tap water, or do so many of your normal activities! (And although we were told we could shower and use the dishwasher, showering with fecal-contaminated water felt personally revolting to me. I chose to wait.) All in all, it was quite the change in lifestyle!

It's been an interesting experience and one that pointed out to me the importance of having water stored. Why? Just think: what if there were no electricity to boil all that water? What then, if you've not stored life-giving water?

My little family has been working steadily toward building a year's supply of food, of medicine, hygiene items, and so on. We're not yet there by any long shot. But I quickly learned this weekend that for all our preparations, we'd missed one essential item: water.

I'm sure you are more intelligent than I am! I'm sure you have your water stored. After all, it's more or less free. Plus, most people know that within days, a person will die without water. Just in case you've overlooked this "small" item as I did (or others), we'll be having a series of Family Preparedness FHEs over the next few weeks to help in these important matters. Even if you already have water and other items stored, I bet you know someone who doesn't and who could use our fun approaches. Alert them to keep an eye out for the coming FHE activities.

This week, though, we're going to approach family preparedness in a more general way. Again, if you are perfectly prepared in all ways, you might consider inviting another family over for FHE who could use a little help (or perhaps a big push, such as the one I experienced this past weekend).

So it's time for some FHE Fun!

FHE Fun!

Opening Song: #17 Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!

Opening Prayer: By invitation.

Devotional: As always, a little bit of spontaneous sharing at the beginning of FHE can set a sweet spiritual tone. Invite any who have a new scripture they've found (or even an old favorite one) to share that scripture and to explain how it helped them this week or in the past.

Prophets' Words:

Items needed: paper and pen for each person

• Read the following sampling of quotes given in the past 40 years about emergency preparedness. Read each quote out loud two times before going on to the next one.
• Ask the family to write down phrases that particularly stick in their mind as they listen to the quotes. Younger children could draw pictures of the ideas.

1. A previous prophet, President Ezra Taft Benson, said to fathers:

2. A previous prophet, President Spencer W. Kimball, said:

3. President Boyd K. Packer explained why families need to have their own emergency food and other supplies:

4. Victor L. Brown, the Presiding Bishop in 1980, said:

5. And again, President Ezra Taft Benson:

6. Finally, President Gordon B. Hinckley:

Application:

Invite each member to share which phrases most affected them. Set three goals to work on in the next month ... based on asking each person what concerns them most about the family's current level of preparedness. These comments can be most helpful to help clarify immediate actions to take.

Remind everyone of the phrase: Little by little soon becomes a lot! With everyone pitching in and making an effort, the family in just one month's time will have begun to experience a preparedness lifestyle. At that point, set three more goals, and so on. Ponder on the difference felt by the end of just one year's time!

Closing Song: #229 Today, While the Sun Shines

Closing Prayer: By invitation.

Refreshments: For FHE refreshments this week, serve empty plates. Remind the family that without preparedness, the day might come when the family will not have food. Decide this week that your family will make the necessary sacrifices to be prepared when the "portent of stormy weather" arrives (that President Hinckley spoke of). You'll have food, water, cash, and all other reserves ready — because you're a family who hearkens to the prophets!

For further information, visit the Provident Living website.

C.S. Bezas' book has been described as perfect for youth leaders and parents of teens. Powerful Tips for Powerful Teachers: Helping Youth Find Their Spiritual Wings is available in LDS bookstores and by clicking here.