Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Pretender and His Minions


I have to admit it - I miss the good old days.  You know the ones - the days when we spent time cataloging our gear and equipment, testing new survival skills and preparing for every "what if" we could think of.  Back in those days, life was pretty secure.  Everything we planned for was in some unknown future.  We had time.  We could live life to its fullest as we prepared for future uncertainty.  Survivalism was a hobby.

Sometime, when we weren't looking, that "unknown" future caught up with us.  And it isn't pretty.  Suddenly (or not so suddenly), we have been thrust into the reality of a nation that is spiraling the drain, not only economically, but also morally.  A pretender is on the throne and his minions are at our door.  And we have flung the door wide open.

We are no longer dealing with a theoretical, "what if" scenario - we are now balancing precariously on the precipice of a full-fledged, all-out battle.  And the resounding clash of arms is getting closer.  Truth be told, gun stores and gun shows aren't being sold out because people think there is a gun ban coming - they are being sold out because the United States population is gearing up.  People aren't running scared - they are preparing for insurrection.

The battles we are facing are not battles against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities.  We are not fighting to keep our guns or choose if we want to vaccinate our children, we are battling to live our lives as free men - "So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondswoman, but of the free woman" Galatians 4:31.

The enemy has breached the gate - are you ready for the battle?

"....choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".
                                              Joshua 24:15

38 comments:

  1. My mom has a plaque hanging in her kitchen with Joshua 24:15 printed on it. It's one of those things that I can clearly see when I think about my mom's house. Thanks.

    I saw your husbands picture on another site a couple weeks ago, right after you used it on your site. It caught me off guard and I couldn't place it but I knew I had seen it somewhere. Now I know.

    As the 12 year old son was recuperating from the "crud", we indulged in a movie tonight: The second of the Lord of the Rings triology. I was struck by the good vs. evil theme, and how it reminded me of what our country may face, despite it being in a fantasy land with mythical creatures. I just could not view the movie as a mindless and meaningless event for pure entertainment in the manner I had intended to when I sat down. This is happening to me more and more. I'm not disturbed, just becoming more aware.

    All those who were giddy at their master's reelection did not realize what they really were feeling was dizziness caused by "swirling around the bowl" you wrote of.

    sidetracksusie

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  2. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    I miss the good days when all when only us and the Russkies had nuclear weapons, and there was only one phone company and everything was made in America.

    I miss the cold war....

    If things really start to fall apart I know I will be better well off than 90% of the population. What I lack in some skills, I can make up for with tanacity an vigor (attitude is everything) I have survived this long and I know God's keeping me around for something. I just hope I can live up to his expectations.

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  3. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    I dont mean to get off topic, but I checked the local news in Coure de lane and had to laugh when a big story that came up was of a robbery of a coffeeshop and the robber was wearing a 'Spongebob mask" I just could not stop laughing.
    Meanwhile in Pharr, Texas another Mexican military helicopter landed on U.S. territory (without permission) Mexican military is conducting more and more incursions on U.S. Territory (usaully without permission) and over in Zapata, County Texas. Another big gun battle across Falcon Lake in Mexico with automatic weapons fire (probably the Zeta's versus the Sinola Cartel again) sigh' same old news. No beheadings in the last few weeks, but they did find the bodies of eighteen missing band members from Columbian Music band stuffed down a well out west of Falcon lake in Mexico near the border.

    I wish this stuff got reported on CNN, ABC, or NBC everyday.

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  4. This one really hit home for me. I'm not that old, yet I still find myself reminiscing on the good ole' days. Not that things were perfect in the 90's, but we hadn't slid nearly as far yet. And since I can't remember when things were truly golden, at least I can hang on to a better America. And I do think you're right, that more and more Americans see things coming and are gearing up for the inevitable. But it's true that freedom is not free. A wise man once said that the tree of liberty must be refreshed by patriots and tyrants alike. And while I do not wish that day to come, I will meet it with everything I've got when it gets here.

    God have mercy on this country.

    Swamp thang.

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    1. Well said! Enola, you've been blessed with the ability to convey truth powerfully and succinctly.

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  5. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)

    I was at the gun range today, same talk. Insurrection, civil war 2.0, Second American Revolution, gun confiscation, etc.

    The natives are restless and hoarding ammo.

    The outright disrespect for elected officials is intensifying too. I saw a video online from New York state (western New York) were some elected officials had a public meeting describing the assault weapons ban and gun registration in that state that became law. The meeting started off without a "Pledge of Allegence" and some Veterans stood up and started to recite the "pledge" and every else followed (except for the elected officials) Soon after the meeting started things got hostile with catcalls and open disrespect to the elected officials. Some media representatives showed up and were openly hostile to the crowd of gun owners. The gun owners kepted up the pressure back to the local media and elected officials. The meeting was packed with gun owners, overflowing out into the parking lot.

    There were only two Sheriff's deputies there to maintain order and Im sure they were getting nervous.

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  6. Okay, Enola, I have to ask as I'm not familiar with every firearm out there but what is it that your husband is holding if you don't mind me asking?

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    1. It is an M1A, the civilian version of an M14.

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    2. Thanks, after some more searching last night after I asked I had come to that conclusion but wanted to make sure.

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  7. I'm afraid to leave the house some days for fear that I could not find my way back if something happened. I fear that we have not prepared our children and they may not be able to overcome what will continue to happen for at least the next 4 years. I fear that my toddler who is diabetic and requires insulin daily, may be the first to lose the fight that I know we have coming up right now. I hate this. I hate the fear that the current administration has put us in. But I am preparing and hopefully in the end, my husband and our family will persevere.

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    1. Catherine,

      God has seen the beginning and the end - nothing takes him by surprise! If He is with us, who can be against us? We don't have to fear! That doesn't mean that things will be easy, but we are safe in the care of a loving God, even that sweet insulin dependent toddler. Take courage my friend.

      Enola

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    2. Catherine,

      If you are doing what you can to prepare, the rest is up to God. Take comfort from Him and lay your fear at the foot of His cross. Fear is too heavy a load to add to your work, and when you give it to Him you will find your efforts to prepare are eased a bit.

      I will pray for you and yours.

      sidetracksusie

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    3. Catherine,
      Check the archives of survivalblog, that blog has covered methods to keep insulin cold, without electricity. The blog has also discussed plants which mimic insulin, and those which affect blood sugar.

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  8. Enola, Where is the preparedness 101 instructions? I have some food,some fire wood,some clothing.we live in a village ,where even now it is a dog eat dog place.moving is not an option as we own this house....who would buy?many of us see it coming and are without defenses.

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  9. Christians wake up! How can one tell whether or not GOD has begun to bring down his judgement upon a society? Are there any signs that his judgement has already begun? The answer is to be found in Isaiah 3:1-5....

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    1. I think about this often!! It truly affects the way I pray. I am often unsure whether to pray 'thy will be done' or 'allow me to stand in the hedge...'

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    2. @spynedr, EXACTLY!!

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  10. Enola,

    Catherine Pittman,

    (captaincrunch)

    Oil field worker across the street from me is one my best friends. He has the most adorable three year old daughter who I love dearly (I know that sounds sappy) but if I was blessed to have a daughter I would want my daughter to be just like Oil field workers daughter (one of the really cute things she does is ride around in her toy pink car trying to drive and talk on a broken cell phone) I wonder who she got that from (her Daddy does that all the time)

    if oil field workers three year old daughter was diabetic, I would have to consider drastic and illegal measures to procure a large supply of insulin for her in a complete collapse. "Im not saying I would do that". If her death was imminent that option would come to mind. I know its unethical and theft is a sin.

    Its a moral dilemma that I hope to never face.

    On a side note , Oil field worker has a few guns but no semi-automatics of any real firepower (He has a family to support and another baby girl due in a few weeks and not enough money for guns) He does not know this yet, but Im planning on tossing him one of my AR's, some PMAGS and a mess of ammo if things go south.

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    1. I don't think insulin has much of a shelf life, even if kept cold, and it's not something easily made at home( I knew a woman who was insulin dependent,and she was warned against stockpiling it because of its short shelf life). The newer stuff is created by genetically altered bacteria, and the older stuff was processed beef/pork (or some other animal) pancreas-it was done in the 1920s, so that may be possible to do in a home lab, I don't know. I hadn't heard of plants that mimic insulin, so that may be an option. Either way you look at it, in the event of some sort of societal collapse, life would, at best, be rough for someone dependent on insulin-or a variety of medical products. What about someone with a pacemaker? Replacement batteries wouldn't be available(and no surgeon to change them).

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  12. I read your blog regularly but respectfully submit that I believe you have used Gal 4:31 out of context. That verse is to show the difference between living under 'the law' vs living under grace. Even people living under oppressive governments can live under grace (the freewoman) I don't mean to nitpick- but PTL, this ideal is what ensures Gentiles a place in eternity.., No matter what government we live (or die) under.

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    1. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty. That's why America up until recent history was blessed because the spirit of the Lord was present in our lives and government. I think Enola's use of scripture is applicable here. We are free in every sense of the word, God himself gives us freedom. We do not come from the line of Ishmael, we come from the line of Isaac. The line of Ishmael was not under the law it was the line of Sarah that was under the law until Jesus. We don't come from the wild root, we come from the lineage of Jesus through Sarah. And the God we serve is through that lineage. The people who were under the law were the chosen people. God gave the law to his chosen.

      What Paul was talking to the church about is far more in depth 'law' versus 'grace' - is grace represented by the bondwomen? - NO! Is the 'law' represented by the bondwoman? - NO! Even so though you may have been in line with the bondwomen - when you are saved you are now in the line of Sarah who is part of the true vine. We are NOT of the BONDWOMEN we are of the free woman Sarah.

      We are legitimate children of God through Christ Jesus, through Abraham and Sarah. And whom the son has set free is FREE INDEED! We are free and we fight to keep that freedom.

      Paul is talking about the family lineage which is very important, the Jewish people understood about heritage and the family line, but those who had been without God did not. God is all about the family! The term gentile mean "without God" it doesn't mean non Jewish as some think. If you were a gentile you were not 'in the family'. When you are born again you are no longer a gentile you are now in the lineage of the free women you now in line with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Which makes you related to Jesus. Blood bought and paid for. You are now IN the family, the BEST and most powerful family in the universe.

      "this ideal is what ensures Gentiles a place in eternity" Gentiles will not have a place in heaven!!! Those who are not of God are illegitimate and not heirs to the promise. Only those are united with Christ. Remember gentile means 'without God'. Are you without God?

      I could do more teaching on this but it will make this way too long. If we are going to criticize someone's use of scriptures we had better make sure our knowledge base is rock solid. If your pastor taught you this misleading info, I would send him back to bible study. Enola, didn't use the scripture out of context, it was very much in context. She knows who she is!!! We are the seed of Abraham through adoption by Christ Jesus and Abraham's blessings belong to us. We are of the FREE WOMAN and not the bondwoman! We are not from Ishmael's seed we are from Isaac's.

      Shaolin

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    2. Please reread my post- I did not criticize, I respectfully disagreed. Still do.

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    3. We are free from the penalty of SIN through JESUS' atonement for the ELECT. Politics has nothing to do with it...

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    4. spynedr-
      Yes, I did use the verse out of context - but with a purpose. I know exactly the meaning of that verse, however, during the revolutionary war that particular verse became the battle cry. Why? Because just as the soul and the body are inextricably connected, so is the man and his surroundings. Although we are free men in Christ our government is seeking to put us into bondage and that, we cannot allow. A government that seeks to put her citizens under the "law" is not a government founded on the principles of God - and all too soon - left unchecked, such a government will impede upon a righteous man's conscience, as ours already has begun. Our government is dictating what we can and cannot think. We are being punished for following the dictates of our conscience. We must say NO! We are not the children of the bondswoman but of the free.

      Thank you for writing. We absolutely need to be tested and the only test is that of scripture. I may not have explained my reasoning well enough and I am truly sorry for my inadequacies in that department.

      Enola

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    5. Thank you Enola, for the response to my post. I’m thankful you have the freedom and right to express yourself – just as I have the same freedom and right to disagree:) It was not my intention to criticize. Christ said we are to achieve “unity in faith” and I would not want my comments to be destructive to either of us. I appreciate your gracious response and explanation. Please allow me to explain why I questioned the use of that verse. I have become more mindful that words have meanings. Using the verse in Galations was really not a big deal – but it’s the precedent we set by using the bible and other documents out of context that concerns me. The 2nd Amendment of our Constitution is a perfect example. I think our 2A is perfectly clear. However, everyone from our local school boards to the Supreme Court are determined to interpret or take phrases out of context to suit their agenda. I truly believe the bible is my own “owners manual” to life. If I can’t find a verse that perfectly, and contextually, applies to my situation – then maybe I need to get out of that situation. That is just an example – I am not implying that the ideas in your post were unsound. There may be a verse that suits what you were trying to say… I don’t know. I’m not a biblical scholar nor would I presume to know your heart. All that being said… I do agree with your post, have enjoyed reading your blog for quite a long time and always look forward to new posts. Blessings to you and your family.

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  13. I was going to send the following to my sister today....until I read the comments by other followers of Enola's blog. Thank you for your encouragment and faith reminders. I too have precious little ones, twin grandsons with Cystic Fibrosis, that I pray and ask God's protection for.

    This is what I was planning to write to my sister: Lately I want to cry every time I read Enola's blog. We are poised on the brink, and I am so woefully unprepared. The frustrating part is that I know it's coming and I know what to do to be prepared…..I'm not one of the sheeple with my head in the sand…..but I have been in dire financial circumstances for the last 20 years (the last 10 the worst) with no extra money to make preparations. I want to stand here and scream, but I'm afraid if I started that I wouldn't stop. I worry about Dylan & Tyler and what is to become of them. I have come to the conclusion that I am where God wants me, and more pain than I've had for the last years is on my doorstep. What can I do but trust Him? It freaks me out, but I have no other choice; I have chosen this day who I will serve. Heaven help us! I only tell you this because I know you will understand since you are like-minded in preparing. I pray for our families and what is to come.

    I would also like to mention that a zeer pot can be used to keep the little diabetic one's insulin cold. There are plenty of good tutorials on the internet on this subject. I would also recommend "Today's Herbal Health" by Louise Tenney for herbal ways to help manage diabetes.

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    1. I know where you are. God's provision is available to you. Take a deep breath make your list and tackle one item at a time. One can of food at a time, one bottle of insulin at a time, one bottle of water at a time, one package of bandaids, seeds, etc. Take one dollar and spend it on a preps. Take one dollar and put in savings for preps. The Bible tells us "not to despise small beginnings". It is how I accumulated nearly 2 years worth of food and other items. When you do this the effort is cumulative and gathers momentum as you go. I was broke and bankrupt when I began prepping. Now my household has a Berkey water filter, high quality bulk food items, medicine, plenty of guns, ammo, barnyard animals, etc. But it all started with one can of green beans and a few garden seeds. I kept adding to my stash by then adding a small bag of beans which only cost a dollar, rice. I did all this in small increments. Week by week, month by month. I became a student of traditional living and survival. I trusted the Lord the whole way, as you know that is key. Trust and action working together. Today I am knowledge and stock rich. You will be too. Courage, determination. We patriots will live and not die and declare the glory of the Lord.

      When I look around at my indoor garden of radishes, boy chow, lettuce, peppers, wheat grass growing in my window sills in the middle of winter, I sigh and thank Jesus for his faithfulness and for how far he has brought me. He will do the same for you. Everyone has at least one dollar they can start with.

      Shaolin

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  14. Something to pray/think about:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vvg1bkagSKk

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  15. Enola,

    (captaincrunch)


    I read all the comments above and about disagreements in scripture and in the interpetation of scripture etc, etc. Im not trying to start a debate on dogma or interpitation or anything of the sort.
    I have not been in "any" house of worship since I was fifteen. My mother tried to force me to be a Catholic, well that backfired! (Just imagine if they force me into a FEMA re-education camp for communisim) that'll backfire too (Really Big) Nothing against being Catholic I have to add, Im just not a joiner.

    I dont evan own a Bible, I know only a little about scripture but I do pray every night (sometimes several times a day) I decided that nobody will stand between me the Lord. I dont know who's right, or who's wrong or who's incorrect on thier facts and interpetation of scripture. I just pray to the boss upstairs thats all I do. I dont ask for materiel things, faith goes way beyond materialism. I pray more for my friends and thier kids than myself, "my cup runneth over you could say", I also pray for a relative, who just happens to my last living relative. Yeah' Im the last of the line.

    Everyone has problems, I dont care if your rich, poor, or what. If your human, you got problems, thats just part of being human.
    I hear of one kid that is diabetic, and another two that have cystic fibrosis. I gotta say to all the parents out there with kids that have problems or kids that are healthy, you guys are blessed. Enjoy what you have, enjoy every moment. The Lord gave you guys families and life in your homes. You can fret about the future, about this country falling apart etc, but in the meantime, husbands, hold your wives, parents hold your children. Every moment is spent with your kids is precious, evan if you have to bail a wayword teenage son or daughter out of jail.

    My only real compliant in life and what I pray to the Lord about most often is the fact I come home to an empty house every night. No wives, no kids, nothing. The only thing alive in this house besides me is the mold in the microwave.
    Sometimes coming back this house at night is pretty miserable. There are no colorful plastic toys littering the floor waiting to be picked up, no noisy kids playing with toy drum sets driving me nuts. My refrigerator door is bare. No magnets holding up photo's from recent birthday parties or school report cards with steller grades. No cookies in a cookie jar on the counter or Kool aide in the refrigerator, just a six pack of beer and an empty pizza box from two weeks ago.
    Going back to the prayer thing, my faith is unshakable. My life my be hollow and empty but at least I still have my faith and all I can do is pray that things will change somehow.
    I gotta say one last thing to all the parents out there. No matter what problems you have, you guys are blessed. You need to put yourselves in my position and imagine if you have nothing, and you will see how fortunate you really are.

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    1. Captaincrunch,

      Thank you for your post! I needed to hear this today, what a blessing. I have been struggling the past several days and just feeling "overwhelmed" with all thats going on in my personal life and all the news concerning our country and around the world. I try to keep my many blessings in mind but sometimes one can get lost and just end up depressed with a case of the blahs. I love this website and enjoy reading all the post. I've been a long time reader but first time posting. Once again thank you, you have blessed me and helped me regain focus.

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    2. Go get a BIBLE!!! Don't make up your own god, don't be your own god, thats IDOLATRY...That's what humans do when they forsake the true GOD...Learn the TRUTH for yourself!!

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    3. Enola,

      Sapper331

      Anon

      Im glad I was able to influence one person. Im been runnin' on fumes now for awhile and bummed out about many things. I have money coming in from some investments and stuff, ain't much as most people think. I was up to 3:00 am this morning and did apply with an oil field fracking company in the Eagle Ford for a job that I think will be about $50.000 a year before overtime. At least I can bury myself in work (60-70 hours a week) I will have fun with all the danger and excitement in the oil field, all kinds of scary stuff going on up there. I get to be around dangerous stuff that can more exciting than instant coffee and Peanut M&M's.

      Hey Anon, yeah your right, I need to get a Bible. I kinda got disgusted with all the conflict in Christianity. Protestints versus Catholics, Southern Baptist versus Baptist, and now all these feel good "Superfun Rockband Churches poppin up all over the place .

      Thats why I just pray to God and not join any group. I've always noticed an "instinctual" trend in any group that forms. They (the group) everyone gets to know each other and they form bonds. An attitude is formed against individuals who are not part of the group (collective) and other groups (other collectives) A "my team is better than your team mentality)
      I would rather not be part of that "mentality" Its not what I call good Christian behavior. If someone worships different than me, great. Its freedom of choice. I may not agree with them, but I do not have the right to act as a "Snob" and feel that I am better than that other group.
      Its evan worse for an "individual" who is not part of any group. They are looked upon as a 'oddball'
      or evan a "threat" just because they don't want to be part of a "collective" of any type.

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    4. As you read your BIBLE you will learn that GOD wants you to fellowship with other Christians. Get a BIBLE and go to a Good BIBLE believing church for fellowship and teaching. Let me know the area you live and I will help you with finding one...I will pray for you...SOLI DEO GLORIA!

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  16. For those on a super tight budget I learned this from fascinating woman who grew up near my DH's family - she is 104 and has outlived 3 husbands. She looks 80.... She was young during the Depression. They used to get damaged institution sized cans of fruit. When the rhubarb came up in the spring they would re-can it - about doubling the content with stewed rhubarb. The flavor of the fruit - peaches, cherries, blueberries or whatever would be the strongest. I have not tried it - but I have stretched juneberries with rhubarb in pies (1/2 & half) and they sure tasted like good juneberry pies! I didn't know if anyone else had heard of or tried it, but I thought it might something to put out there.....natokadn

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  17. We live in California and very few of our elected officials are worth their salt. Last week my husband and I attended a Town Hall held by our Congressman, Tom McClintock. We came away cheered and encouraged because he has just that kind of personality. He stuck to supporting the Constitution regardless of what question he was asked. He's not a Congressman for the popularity or benefits.

    Anyway, while the news outside is consistently grim we felt being an encourager was Tom's special gift. My point is, there are a few leaders out there that we must support, we simply have to find them. And, we need to be ready to stand next to and behind our County Sheriffs because many of them will be standing up for the Second Amendment, and they need US to support them.

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  18. We have about a years worth of insulin available. If we have refrigeration and we take her off of her pump and only inject insulin we can probably get by with 2 years. The current stock expires in the middle of 2014 so we could stretch it past that time. But after that what happens? We do have weapons, if it came down to it, I would have to procure insulin in possibly illegal ways. But I will not let my daughter die a terrible death because of a crappy government.

    Luckily I have been able to learn to can fruits, vegetables and low carb items(thank you Enola as I have learned quite a bit of information from reading your blog!!) and hopefully next year we will be able to get some land in a more rural area where we can store more food and such for times when we may need to bug out. I have all the faith in the world that our Lord and Savior is able to take care of my family. But I prefer to be able to hold my own if I need to as well :)

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