Greetings and welcome to the Patriot Express Newsletter Edition #250. Welcome to Hope for Survival. Wow, 250 straight weeks of posted newsletters, on time for your viewing. I hope you all are safe and warm as we transition through this wintery week. It's a cold, white, frosty week here in East TN. Grab a hot beverage and pull up a chair around the fire. Let's chat.
The past week was a whirlwind. I was in Huntsville, AL four days ending last week, and I returned home on Saturday evening (Jan 13, 2024). I got home just in time to drop my bags and yawn before the winter storms crossed our region. Heavy winds, snow, ice, sleet, and freezing temperatures set upon us for this entire week.
As we pass through the chapters of life, I often think back to the previous chapters in my life and remember comparable events to my current surroundings. I think back to my teenage years and hanging out with neighborhood kids building tire fires for nighttime sledding and building ice ramps to jump with our sleds. We loved being outside. Soaked to the bone, freezing cold, and often couldn't feel our fingers or feet. We would go home to switch out clothing, grab some more bread bags to put over our socks and hands before the final layer of warmth got placed. Now, some 45 years later, I still converse with the same old friends who I would sled with and hang out by the fires to stay warm. Today, mothers worry about their teens catching colds or getting hurt on the sleds. They traded in the bonding with friends while sledding in the snow for their digital screens where they stay inside and digitally ski the Alps. Back in the day it was important to appear tough and not complain about the cold because a neighborhood gal was watching. Today we have young men worrying about what makeup to buy or a lipstick color that matches their multicolored hair. Oh, the world is different now and the years will continue to pass, just like before.
I'm looking out the office window and I see a semi-snow-covered yard with lots of squirrels running from tree to tree. It appears Wilson is still in charge since I caught a glimpse of him on his perch barking commands to his preparers. Get more food, get more food" he commands. He could be talking to Ms. Lucy possibly. He better hope she doesn't hear him because she will probably think it's me and throw me out in the snow.
Now it's time for some hot soup, hot chocolate, and pray our electricity stays on. I hope the same for you. Enjoy and relax. Hope you find something of interest in this week's PENL edition.
Let us move along....
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HFS Thursday Zoom - HFS Zoom Rally #122 was conducted after a month break. A class was provided by HFS to the attendees on digital security for the home computer, cell phones, and research on a browser. Thanks to everyone for the great conversations.
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Hope for Survival books and HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents -: You can obtain information on the two HFS books at this link: Survival, Preparedness, Disaster Management for individuals or family (hopeforsurvival.com)
Hope for Survival - How Food, Water, Shelter, and Security Could Save Your Life (Book 1)
Hope for Survival - The Mindset (Book 2)
HFS Thumb Drive for Emergency Documents - We just restocked the HFS Thumb drive and have them available now. Follow this link and you will see the add at the top of the page. Blog | Survival (hopeforsurvival.com)
We must make this brief public announcement to protect the innocent.
Ding, Ding, Ding....Attention HFS readers..... Opinions shared in this newsletter are just that, opinions, and nothing more. Read at your own risk. The owner and author of this site is not responsible for hurt feelings or thin-skinned readers. I do my best to show restraint and respect to the best extent possible. I take as many precautions as possible and try to remain as nonpolitical as possible, however, there are times when I just can't help but point certain things out. Occasionally I use words only Patriots recognize and understand. It's not personal against any non-Patriot. It's just the truth. Sometimes we must pull up our spenders and suck it up. Just saying. Stay the course, read what you want, and avoid the rest. Avoid fear porn as much as possible and the day will be okay. When all else fails… Keep the faith and always have Hope.
Let’s move along and get to some thoughts...
Thoughts for the week -
Last week was extremely busy and hectic. I'm speaking of the week January 8 - 13, 2024 whcih ended on Saturday evening after the last PENL was posted. Usually when I have weeks like this it's a good week because I get to spend lots of time with HF Patriots in different settings and locations. If you haven't figured it out yet, I enjoy my time with HFS Patriots a great deal.
On Monday evening we held our neighborhood watch (security team) meeting for January. This included time with three HFS Patriots in a tabletop discussion regarding security for our neighborhood and continued planning going forward. Meetings are great but it's the continued bonding of personnel that is so important. Bond with your people.
On Tuesday evening Ms. Lucy and I attended our monthly Bible study group which included six HFS Patriots. It was a good evening having faith-based discussions around the things we are witnessing in our nation at this time. We also enjoyed some white chicken chili, homemade cookies and cake, and more goodies. Yum, yum. It is nice hearing different perspectives on how others understand God's word. It definitely gives one a lot to think about through the week.
I was in Huntsville, AL most of the week for day job work. This afforded me the opportunity to work in some visits with HSV HFS Patriots in between writing the PENL newsletter, recording YouTube videos, finishing slides for a class I taught to a group on Saturday covering protecting yourself in a digital world as well as posting on other social platforms used by HFS. Preparing never ends and HFS is putting forth time and effort to educate as many people as possible to get their life and home in order while they can. Why do I care? Because these people we are trying to reach could by our neighbor. Pay now or pay later.
I had dinner with Alabama Rebel and Ms. T on Friday evening for the first time in several months. It was great spending time together and catching up. Rebel has been battling health problems for a long time, but his faith is strong, and he continues fighting for each day. He is a man of few words but when he speaks, listen closely. I thank both of you for your time to share over dinner with me.
Saturday morning started early with breakfast and time with two fellow HFS Patriots who journeyed out to share some time together conversing about preparedness at their homestead. Animals, freeze drying, security, and more, in about 90 minutes together. We have been friends for about 15 years and to witness their expedience in personal preparedness is awesome. Again, time with friends to share, bond, and support one another even when not located in the same geographic area. Bonding is important for many ways and listening to what is said is a great opportunity to learn from others. Thanks for your time to come out and spend together.
Saturday, late morning, I journeyed to the local library in Huntsville to prep the class I would be teaching to a local group of about 50 people. The topic was Resourcing for information and protecting one's digital platform (computer, cell phone, browser, VPN....) It was a pleasure to be invited back to speak to the group for the third time in the past year.
The session started with prayer and a few pre-briefs from local Patriots on world events, local events, local politics and action committees reporting in from the past thirty days of events and information gathered. It was a load of good information for the attendees to consume. This is what should be happening at all local levels. You should note this and include in your own group meetings.
The brief I provided had great attendee inputs and participation. It was great to hear attendees use such words as plans, risk assessments, and threat matrix, in the discussion during class. All are essential steps in planning for what is around you. It seemed most of the participants had moved past the basic food, water, shelter, and security, stages of preparedness and had been working on other essential parts of preparedness. This is good.
I share this with you to show you what others are doing and the importance, from my seat, to always spend time with those who matter. Bonding is important and trust develops from the time you commit to others.
Preparedness -
Off Road Vehicle - I often get asked questions about building or owning a "bug out" ride. This can be a short answer or a long one because the question is loaded and can be very expandable based on cost, intent, need, and desire. I watch more videos on things I can learn vs doom and gloom news spots simply wanting a buck and for you to click along each day to scare your socks off. Ask yourself, what is going to do you the most good, learning how to do a task or watching news from the Middle East or Ukraine which will change next week and not matter. I follow the following YouTube family and see how they live off grid while transiting across many areas that is truly off road and away from civilization. This video provides a bit of explanation to one of their off-road jeeps and how they power their lifestyle with batter backs and solar. Check it out below.
Next ...
Here is another opinion and thoughts on property security for you to consider. Again, much of what you hear you have heard before. I just like to offer a different perspective or voice.
Stay safe.
Preparedness News -
1.From Lisa - Ask a Prepper - What the Amish Ate During the Great Depression - Ask a Prepper - This is a serious topic but I still find myself chuckling when I hear preppers comment they will not eat SPAM or TREAT. When you get hungry enough, you will eat what is in front of you. The comment by some tells me the person has never been hungry in the past.
2. From Tom Marlowe - Survival Sullivan - 12 Places to Score Free 5-Gallon Buckets - Survival Sullivan - Great information to consider. As a person who prepares, do we ever have enough 5 gallon food grade buckets?
3. From SELCO - SHTF School - Bushcraft Vs Prepping: A Comprehensive Guide to Survival Skills (shtfschool.com) - Great information and it comes in a PDF printable document.
4. From Tim Gamble - Dystopian Survival - Dystopian Survival : Urban Survival - Two Considerations - When you prepare, how much consideration to do you lend to sanitation or space storage for your needed resources? It is critical to your progress in preparedness.
5. From Daisy Luther - The Organic Prepper - 5 Inexpensive Home Security Devices to Help You Stay Safer - The Organic Prepper - Home is where you spend most of your time, especially when you are asleep. Are you safe?
Other News -
1.From Tom - Whatfinger News - Tragic Fate Unfolds: Controversy Surrounding American Journalist Gonzalo Lira's Detention and Death in Ukrainian Custody - Whatfinger News Summary - This is a tragic story that free nations will not talk about or seek accountability. Your tax dollars are funding a war in Ukraine that is supposed to be representing American values. Here is another discussion on the same topic from our Patriot brother M. D. Creekmore.
And another discussion from Revolver News - Did Zelensky torture and murder a US citizen journalist with Biden's approval? Tucker says yes, and here's why... - Revolver News
2. From Virginia Allen - The Stream - Mayorkas Says Over 85% of Illegal Aliens are Released Into US Interior - The Stream - So 85% are released and another 10% sneak in. The formula of a genius. Not.
3. From Bauer and Rose - Just the News - Bauer and Rose: Senate Republicans Working with Dems to Keep Our Border Open-- WHY? | Just The News - I have been asking the question, "are you a party sell-out or American?" There is little to no difference between a Democrat or Republican. You simply fund their efforts.
4. From Daniel Greenfield - Front Page Magazine - When a Man is a Woman and the Law is Not the Law | Frontpage Mag - When the zookeeper goes home the animals will play. No rules, no morals, and craziness prevails without guardrails or limitations. Good read.
5. From Ellie Purnell - The Federalist - Dishonest Ballot Initiative Wording Is Another Way Dems Rig Elections (thefederalist.com) - As my old Marine buddy used to say on a regular basis, "they lie, cheat, and steal" anything and everything."
Prayers - Please keep our great nation, our elected leaders, military and first responders in your thoughts and prayers. We pray for good health and wisdom. Please pray for our leadership to find answers and guidance to the problems facing our great nation. May your faith remain strong and answers to the unknown provided. God is good and may our prayers blanket and protect you and your circumstances. I pray for each, and every one of our Patriots.
We are thankful for His faithfulness and the good results for our Patriot brother near Memphis in his recent heart procedure and tests.
We are thankful for His healing power and overwatch of our Patriot brother in Western NC as our brother received a good blood report and completed his final chemo treatment. It has been a long year for this family, but their faith never wavered. Amen
Please pray for our Patriot sister in Western N.C. who went for rotator cuff surgery this morning.
Please pray for our Patriot brother in Kentucky who underwent a second surgery to replace a rod in his leg caused by a vehicle accident on his final night of work going into retirement.
Please keep our Patriot brother in northern Alabama in your prayers for a quick recovery from recent tests he experienced and was set back a few days.
Please keep our Patriot sister in Western NC in your thoughts and prayers as she recently buried her Patriot husband. We pray for strength and protection as she now moves ahead in life without her best friend by her side physically.
Our HFS family has many prayers needs for health and moral. We love you all and continue praying for each of you.
May we pray for all the blessings and things in life to be thankful about and continued hope for revival around the world. We must continually pray for the unsaved, our family and friends who live each day without the protection for eternal life and salvation.
As Patriots we must stay strong and never give up. Our home, community, and nation need us now more than ever. Stay focused on your local community and things that will impact you around the nation. Don't allow the events around you to create fear in your life. Build your own self-reliance and focus on faith and hope. Remember we are a blessed nation, and we must continue to be great people today and make a better tomorrow. Keep charging.
Blessings,
Bravo Echo Out,
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