Today is my third day as guest host for @gavvet and the initiative's 19th day overall. I have truly enjoyed the challenge of trying to find ways to carry out the tenets of this project even though I am not a follower of the group who has inspired it. Therefore, it seems only fitting that today's theme is all about challenges. 

### Today's theme is about being prepared to handle difficult times or reaching out to help those who have suffered through them.

<br><center>http://www.state.gov/img/10/35732/redcross_haiti7_600_1.jpg
*Members of the Utah branch of the Red Cross 
assist victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti*</center><br>

Today's theme is one of the most unique of the 25 days of kindness, caring, love and helping others. Today is all about being prepared to handle difficult times or reaching out to help those who have suffered through them. I never really thought about being prepared for a disaster as a way to show my family that I love them... but it really is. It shows that I care enough about them to take the time to make sure our family has what is needed in case of an emergency. I have a basement. There are plenty of extra shelves. I can easily purchase some emergency supplies. This will also teach my children the valuable lesson of planning ahead and spending money wisely. 

I can also show my children the Red Cross website and explain what they do to help people in need. I will keep my fingers crossed that my children will suggest we donate money. Then we will. If they don't come up with the idea on their own, I will try a little gentle guidance to get them there. 

### Perhaps this video can help to inspire you to prepare for difficult times or help those who have suffered through them...
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wYb-C7oSL7M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br>

# This is the nineteenth way of serving in 25 ways over 25 days leading up to Christmas.

Would you like to prepare for difficult times or help those who have suffered through them?

Its easy:
	1.	Watch the short clip
	2.	Follow the instructions
	3.	Make it happen
	4.	Then tweet or otherwise share your results using... #lighttheworld... encourage others to participate
	5.	25 days is enough consistency to form a new habit

# If every day this December we are slightly more mindful of others we may find ourselves with a new great habit to continue into the new year and beyond.

>THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

>- Review the emergency response plans for your area.
>- [Learn ways you can help](https://www.ldsphilanthropies.org/humanitarian-services.html) people around the world through charitable giving. 
>- Give your family or loved ones the gift of a 72-hour kit for emergencies.

>OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE

>- Consider ways to reduce contention in your home.
>- [Watch and share this inspiring story](http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-helping-hands-hurricane-sandy-video) of service in the wake of natural disaster.
>- [Listen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ef2xgL45qX4) to a performance of “Master, the Tempest Is Raging.”
>- Help shovel snow in your neighborhood after a snowstorm.
>- Give your neighbors low-cost emergency items as Christmas gifts.
>- Help a person who is elderly or disabled winterize his or her home.
>- Help your loved ones stock their cars with warm emergency clothes.
>- Visit JustServe.org for more ways to #LIGHTtheWORLD in your community (U.S. and Canada only).

More detail and the embedded links can be found directly from this link
-
https://www.mormon.org/christmas/in-25-ways-over-25-days/jesus-calmed-the-storm

[*Image Link*](http://www.state.gov/img/10/35732/redcross_haiti7_600_1.jpg)