Got my first "I'm coming to your place...."

[justanothergunnut]

just tell em "great.. I could use a few indentured servants,, there will be alot of work to do and probably not enough hands. So if you have no problem cutting fire wood,hauling water up from the stream,digging trenches for the garden and any other assortment of manual labor tasks in exchange for a low calorie diet and absolutely NO extra comforts of life which by the way include sleeping inside with me and mine,, then yeah come on by. Otherwise think long and hard about it because post SHTF im probably gonna be a little fast on the trigger and a little lean on charity. Especially for those with a grasshopper mentality like yours.." that usually shuts them up and derails any further plans they may have about taking advantage of your generosity

[buttebob]

I don't reveal any of my preparations. I believe in keeping a low profile, however I moved about a year ago to be nearer my children. I was living in Montana and owned 20 acres of mountain land free and clear. I moved to the SE coast for several reasons and one of those reasons was to take care of my kids post SHTF.
When we unloaded the truck on arrival my nephew and some of his friends helped. One of his friends made a statement something like " when the ballon goes up I know where to come". My first thought was " hope you don't mind getting shot", but on thinking about what else he said that day, that he loved old things, like tools, kitchen utensils and stoves. I've been rethinking my earlier thoughts. He likes these things so much that he had to build a large building to store them.
Hopefully, 2012 will see an newly aware electorate that will vote in equally aware Congressmen, Senators, and a new President that can bring us back from the brink. If I thought that was a very real possibility I could quit preparing. That reminds me I need to make another trip to Sam's next week. More ammo. Need some more water jugs.

[ssonb]

I believe most of ussuns here use OPSEC ,But just our attitude and the way we present ourselves tip off some of the "not so asleep sheep" that there is a different critter amongst dem...When you do not enter into serious conversations at the water cooler about the world changing event of who is the top contender in "Marican Idle" or Dancin whit da Starz" you are not concerned with the lattest apps on your electronic Zombie making device marks you as someone a touch strange.

[2682nscovell]

Almost every year here we have an Ice storm knock out the power (once for a week) and while my neighbors are scrambling to get to walmart my GF and I are enjoying the fireplace.

The point is, when something bad happens, most people kick into survival mode and panic. They become very dangerous and this point and don't think rationally anymore

I really believe that there is a thin veneer of servility on our society that would be gone very quickly

I completely agree... Could you imagine what city people will be like in the event of a major disaster.

[tarheelsman71]

I have heard that a lot as well. My wife's family is huge, and aside from my father-in-law they are all sheep. I have 5 houses within a 200 yard radius that are all family. They call my basement...the bunker. When they say, if the SHTF I am coming to your house...I tell 'em to come on over. I figure since I have my finger on the pulse of what is coming and I watch for the economic signs pretty hard, by the time that they realize something is happening (about the time they return from the store and saw there was no food) I will have already left for parts unknown (to them.) What I cant carry with me they are welcome to, cuz it will be a while before I come back. What they think of as a "bunker", I think of as a temporary holding place. It is where I store stuff until I can get it to the retreat. My retreat is not perfect by any means, but it is the best plan I have, and any plan is better than 90% of the population who has no plan.

[Boyd]

Almost every year here we have an Ice storm knock out the power (once for a week) and while my neighbors are scrambling to get to walmart my GF and I are enjoying the fireplace.

The point is, when something bad happens, most people kick into survival mode and panic. They become very dangerous and this point and don't think rationally anymore

I really believe that there is a thin veneer of servility on our society that would be gone very quickly

I had a moment last week where somebody told me if anything ever happens they'd be coming to my house.. I was talking to a co-worker about gardening and figuring out planting schedules.

I guess they got the message when I told them they weren't invited unless they wanted to help the group with target practice.

I have no time or patience for leeches. If they want to learn, help and contribute to the unit I have no problems and will move mountains to help them till I am exhausted and pass them to somebody more knowledgeable... but.... lets just say I've had 3 converts in 10 years..

Lots of targets..

[Buktoof]

I see this alot on alot of forums where sheeple this and sheeple that. Maybe Im the odd ball here. I consider myself a christian and strive to live my God's word as best I can. Im no saint and I make my fair share of mistakes. However I would never turn down someone that was hungry even if they didnt take the time to prepare themselves. Im no where to the point of being prepared the way I would like to be to feed my family much less others but if your hand is to busy clasping onto what you have how are you going to receive what the Lord tries to put in it. Im sorry but no point in surviving on this planet if you lose your humanity and soul in the process. Yes it might very well cost me my life one day if it ever came down to it, but at least when I stand before my maker I can say I followed his word to the best of my ability. Just as we have seen in japan even the best prepared plan can be wiped out in the blink of an eye and the shoes of the unprepared might be on your feet when your preps "wash out with the tide". Just my two cents. . .

[Lowdown3]

Buk- I think you'll find for the most part (99.9%) most people's talk like they would do harm to this type is just that- talk.

However I do think of where Paul say that if any man should not work the same should not eat.

And his admonition that if any provide not for his own, and especially those of his own house, they have DENIED THE FAITH and are worse than an unbeliever.

First and foremost we have to provide for our own. Charity is a personal decision to each of us.

The Lord closed the door of the Ark, not Noah. That was clearly the time where the preaching and helping ended.

[Knobster]

I'll give those in need a hand-up. Not a hand-out.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

I see this alot on alot of forums where sheeple this and sheeple that. Maybe Im the odd ball here. I consider myself a christian and strive to live my God's word as best I can. Im no saint and I make my fair share of mistakes. However I would never turn down someone that was hungry even if they didnt take the time to prepare themselves. Im no where to the point of being prepared the way I would like to be to feed my family much less others but if your hand is to busy clasping onto what you have how are you going to receive what the Lord tries to put in it. Im sorry but no point in surviving on this planet if you lose your humanity and soul in the process. Yes it might very well cost me my life one day if it ever came down to it, but at least when I stand before my maker I can say I followed his word to the best of my ability. Just as we have seen in japan even the best prepared plan can be wiped out in the blink of an eye and the shoes of the unprepared might be on your feet when your preps "wash out with the tide". Just my two cents. . .

LD3 hit the nail on the head.
Buktoof, You are correct anyone who preps can be wiped out with fire or other disasters. The however to this is when lets say you show up and I speak with you can talk the talk and the jones's with the hummer and yacht can't. I can always use someone with skill and sense even if that is feeding them a meal and maybe never seeing them again because I wil know they are out there doing what needs to be done.
I can assure you I am not just talk when I speak of taking out someone who is a danger to me and mine, it's already a fact which I do not openly discuss. I can also back this up when I look the Lord in the eye and tell him why I saved my family and did what was needed. If it's not good enough well then so be it. My Sacrifice, though be it nothing compare to Jesus.
PROVIDING for yours is DENYING others. You already do this in your everyday life. You dont give away your paycheck needed for your food on the way home from work, to the guy who is broke on monday because saturday night he partied all his check away instead of buying groceries.
Why? Because you would not be providing and therefore are denying him.
SHTF is no different only more intense. You will know when to follow your heart.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
You think you can survive a collapse and not lose some humanity? Good luck. I know very few Soldiers who have been proud of everything they did in war. I know very few people who killed someone in self defense who were proud of themselves for taking a life. Doesn't make them bad IMO. You must struggle to regain your humanity and not stay in the dark zone. Finding the middle ground is the hardest part of "the walk" in everyday life and will only be compounded in PAW.
It's another reason to meet folks too IMHO. I have already discussed this with a fellow Brother, met here on this forum and met in person, that if something happened to his and he showed up I will bring him in and we will make do. We arent at the "group" level yet but he is a kindred spirit with knowledge and we are working on that and looking for others too.

[IronShepherd]

First and foremost we have to provide for our own. Charity is a personal decision to each of us.

The Lord closed the door of the Ark, not Noah. That was clearly the time where the preaching and helping ended.

You hit the nail on the head.

[Boyd]

Buk- I think you'll find for the most part (99.9%) most people's talk like they would do harm to this type is just that- talk.
However I do think of where Paul say that if any man should not work the same should not eat.
And his admonition that if any provide not for his own, and especially those of his own house, they have DENIED THE FAITH and are worse than an unbeliever.
First and foremost we have to provide for our own. Charity is a personal decision to each of us.
The Lord closed the door of the Ark, not Noah. That was clearly the time where the preaching and helping ended.

Exactly! If they have an open mind and are willing then yes, I can help! But if they are only showing up because I am the only one with food in the area... well, my part in the lords work is matthew 19:14 ish

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven....

My kids, both biological and foster/adopted have suffered more than 99% of the average american has ever felt themselves.. And trust me, I do not value human life beyond theirs..

And Knobster, A+++ Those who need a hand I am there, those who want a hand out? Nope. I have about 10x100 area of garden that is being donated to the needy. Not a hand out, a requirement/catch that comes with the food... i WILL teach them about planting and harvesting.. and set them up.. right down to rototilling their yard if need be... But when they have the hang of it, are established and able, they WILL do the same at least 2 times to other folks. Part of passing it on or paying it forward.

And trust me.. With the kids I take in from the county and state, I would have no problem taking my talk into action if needed. Kids are our salvation and future. Sorry if I'm a bit preachy on this subject tho.. Its my weak point.

[SCinPNW]

I too have heard this alot. For me, I struggle with trying to keep what we do with our prepping quiet, but I also like to encourage people that they too should be ready for emergencies. First I try to get them to start preparing in little ways, i.e., an emergency kit for their cars and I remind them of the story from four or five years ago of the family from San Francisco driving in the winter in Oregon and decided to follow their GPS which took them down an abandoned logging road. They became stuck, did not have supplies, cell phone reception did not work, had very little food. The father finally took off walking and ended up dying due to exposure. The wife and kids were rescued. Living in Washington state, we have earthquakes, so I also encourage preparing for an earthquake and having a plan. So for the people around me who ask, I try to get them started small in the hopes that they will see the value of it and go from there. What I have found is that every one has something different that is important to them as for their first baby step to preparing. How far they actually go with it, who knows that is up to them.

As for people who say they are coming to our house, I tell them bring all of the food, guns and ammo you have. ;) We live in a relatively small neighborhood where we know all of our neighbors. Most of our neighbors are either Christian or Mormon. My plan has always been that when something big happens many, if not most of us, will band together to work things out. Okay, I get it, hope is not a plan, but I talk to as many as I can about this. And I know from past experiences when things have happened or a neighbor has needed help that is exactly what has happened. I also know that many are doing some type of prepping. I have also had friends outside our neighborhood who I have gotten on board with some form of prepping.

It is like others have already said, as a Christian, I cannot turn someone away. However, if they try to harm my family, than that changes everything.

SC