Rourke and his recent vacation

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I recently got back from a beach vacation on the East Coast. I miss it already.

The weather was perfect for this time of year and we got a great deal on accommodations. Four nights and five days of perfect weather, relaxation, peace, and some quiet. I don’t think I realized just how “spent” I was until I had the opportunity to unwind. Stress relief is so important – especially nowadays.

During my time off I was able to re-focus on several aspects of my life and have no problem discussing that here.

First off is family. Is there really anything more important. Like most anyone my family has its problems and we need to deal with issues better. Raising two boys in today’s world is not easy. They are good kids – and I honestly feel that our parenting is lacking in a couple of areas. So – this vacation helped clear my head on what needs to be done.

Freedom is next. I looked around at hundreds of families enjoying the wonderful beaches, creating memories, and enjoying life. I could not help but think about the ever growing risk that is threatening the ability for people to continue to do what all of these people were doing. With rising gas prices, increasing inflation, and the pathetic fiscal polices in government – I thought to myself it is unfortunate how blind many of these people are to the monster that lurks around the corner. This was not a depressing moment during my vacation – but one that provided clarity. I want to do everything I can to maintain that sense of Freedom for myself and my family. Much of that involves financial preparations that are already underway.

Religion is something that I have never felt very comfortable with. I attended church on and off while growing up. Over the past few years I have felt drawn to “God”. While at the beach I thought a lot about God and my desire to have a closer relationship with Church. I do not feel comfortable sitting in church singing (I am terrible – no one else wants me singing either!), or going through many of the ceremonial aspects found in many church’s. I probably just need to be better educated. I do have my own beliefs in “God”.

I thought a lot about prepping – as usual. With many of the current news events and my understanding/beliefs regarding the economy on my mind – prepping is something I am becoming much more focused on. Getting my wife on board is becoming more important to me due to the financial implications of some of my purchases. Getting my oldest son better able to handle himself and be a help in different situations is also something I have started to do. I am also interested in forming a “survival group”. Specifics about the group are non-existent. I would like to get 4-6 families together that can form a common bond and come to some kind of agreement to assist each other in “bad times”. Easier said than done.

Alright – lets turn this post in the direction of preparedness – that is after all the theme of this site.

In getting ready to leave on the 3 hour trip – I did a few things with “just in case” on my mind:

First - I brought along extra diabetes supplies for my son. Extra insulin pump (EMP protected), syringes, etc.

Second – I tossed one of the official ModernSurvivalOnline Survival Kits in the back of the SUV. A lot of good stuff all in one bag. It was comforting to know it was back there.

Third – I brought along a good first aid kit. Kids playing - you never know.

Lastly – I brought a spare pair of glasses from my job. My wife asked me why in the world I was bringing along a pair of safety glasses from work and I simply replied – “You never know what might happen.” She just shook her head.

Well -there was no EMP attack so that was good. I did need to get some band-aides for the kids on a couple of occasions, and guess what? A piece on my glasses broke!! I put on my work glasses as I went to the store to get some super glue. I had to remind my wife that being prepared paid off -again. That was one of the best parts of my vacation!

Take care all -

Rourke

Tags: relaxing

life philosophy | Rourke May 4, 2011

17 Comments to “Rourke and his recent vacation”

By Maxthompson, May 4, 2011 @ 6:36 am

Rourke, I would like some contact info on the LDS Cannery in Cola.
By Rick B., May 4, 2011 @ 7:02 am

Thinking about God happens alot to me while prepping. I’ve had alot of experience with organized church. I do not currently attend a church, but my wife and I are more spiritual and in touch with God than ever. We think God is talking to certain people in order to get them to be clarion voices to others who will listen about the comming problems. Certain folks will hear your voice, and some will not. The Bible tells us about many examples where preparedness became paramount. I think God’s talking to you. Just listen my friend.
By Justus, May 4, 2011 @ 7:48 am

Sounds like a wonderful vacation Rourke!

Glad to hear that God is working in your life! “The fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom”

It’s taken me a few years to realize that God talks to each of us personally and
our salvation isn’t tied to any specific church or deed or ritual.

Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to Father except through me”.
By MamaLinda55, May 4, 2011 @ 8:14 am

Rourke that you for the sobering shared need to step away and live for a breathe in a moment, this moment we’ve all been delt with. For many of the reasons you have focused on I made a BIG leap of faith to move my three small children to Georgia. I needed to escape out of Baltimore City he leave it which is my hometown but a much different environment now — NOT the “leave it to Beaver” era in which most of us grew up in. At 50-something with kids I have adopted (all with issues), and one adult son living on the West coast, family is important. I was priviledge to have my Mom until September 2010. She and I shared oral family history (me being a genealogist) and have her understanding of my committment to not just my immediate family, but family as the one most turn to for prayer. Mom was 91 years young, and her death still gets me today. But she knew my heart and passion was serious for the humanity of mankind. So you touched on much here…

I cannot stress enough about forming villages inn today’s poor economical environment, and a need to turn back the hand of time back the time to the basic like farming, canning, etc…I preach it daily to my close friends, some of whom think I am nuts (lolol) more so my family then friends. Isn’t that how it works, but anyway I love the beach. It is my sanctury of peace. Haven’t gone as often since my new addition of our clan.

I don’t have the luxuary of a help mate just yet, but Esther is still being groomed here (hahaha) but whe that day comes, I truly hope I am ready to be that help mate and he mines…

Religion: Well I have come to the conclusion that God is not a religion or denomination. He is a relationship which we each come to build with him and only him. I come to the conclusion that church is for fellowship, iron sharping iron hopefully, and that’s that! I too have belonged to many churches and denominations and they all have their issues, same issues. They have lost focus on godly purpose, most churches. They also fail to realize diversities in ministry, which should be a daily committment. I am comfortable in my beliefs as a believer of God. With my spiritual eyes open — I move forward doing what I do from the heart daily.

Rourke, whether you have realized it or not — YOU are doing a ministry in a sense with this website and all you give time to. We each have a piece of the BIGGER puzzled labeled PURPOSE, with much love you do this with much committment. You feed us with knowledge and direction and you do it openly without a selfish bone in your body. I found you by accident one night, not sure what I was researching BUT this is no accident my being here asit is for all the rest on board here. All things and situation for a time and season and purpose.

Thank you for sharing a breathe in a moment of your time and thoughts. You have given us something to ponder hopefully driving us to act on behalf of life and for those we love. Hopefully we leave a legacy for our children to continue to carry the torch.
By pamela, May 4, 2011 @ 8:46 am

so glad you had a good vacation Rourke. Your writing reminds me of wonderful vacations at the beach with my family. I miss those days when I didn’t know what I know now.
By preppin pawpaw, May 4, 2011 @ 11:10 am

Rouke,
glad you had a good time and were able to uwind and reflect a little on life and preppin….. we all need to do that at some point and I like to try to do it quarterly .
I was curious…… you mentioned some preps you took along with you, but, no mention of a sidearm? I know we are a like in that manner (Gun fans )did you take anything with you for family protection?
Again, Thanks for the post but moreover Thanks for the Site where you supply some great information and life information in general.
Preppin pawpaw
By JP in MT, May 4, 2011 @ 11:39 am

If you are thinking about getting to know God better, find a Bible-based church. Don’t start off by getting rapped up in which denomination. Make sure the pastor preaches from the Bible, that Sunday School (which is not just for kids) teaches from the Bible and helps to understand its relevance in today’s life and develops a deeper understanding of your personal relationship with God. A good congregation will help you develop a greater sense of family. And try to stay with smaller churches; it’s easy to get lost in big ones.
By Badvoodoodaddy, May 4, 2011 @ 12:28 pm

Rourke, Sounds like you had a great vacation and it is great to have you back home safe. I agree with you on all three points. Family is the reason we do all the things we do in life. Freedom is slipping away and it is sad that we are not doing something about it. Prepping is just a prudent act of taking care of the family. Its a survival insurance plan, just like having health insurance or car insurance. Being prepared always pays off. If you show your wife examples of how it helps like the safety glasses did she will start to come around faster. I find it amazing how a little time outside the rat race gives you clarity and focus. Great post.
By Patriot One, May 4, 2011 @ 4:47 pm

Rourke

I was 43 before I got it. I thought religion was more for followers, not leaders. I did the religious thing as I knew it, Weddings, funerals, holidays. That pretty much summed up organized religion for me. Then one day I learned about Jesus Christ the leader, the prisoner, the servant, the king, the warrior. You see up to that time I had never read the Bible cover to cover so I really had no clue what was in the Bible. I can tell you this, its all in the Bible. Think of it as the owners manual for life. You see its not about religion, its about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Prayer doesn’t change God, it changes you.

To be honest, I don’t think I could sleep at night after a day of prepping without a relationship with Jesus Christ. I’m prepared to die protecting my family when the SHTF, but in Christ I’m prepared to live life to the full.

Get rid or the word religion and replace it with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Oh one other thing, when you get it don’t worry if you cry.
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 5:52 pm

Patriot One –

Thanks for the words.

Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 5:57 pm

Badvoodaddy –

Your so right – getting away from the rat rave – got to have that time. Just this past weekend went to Georgia and pretty much stayed out in the country – was great.

Take care – Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 5:58 pm

Thanks JP!

Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 6:02 pm

preppin pawpaw –

I carried my daily carry – a Springfield XD-40 sub-compact.

Somehow that AR wouldn’t fit in my bathing suit!

Thanks -Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 6:08 pm

MamaLinda55 –

Thanks for your kind words. I wish you luck in the journey that has taken you to Georgia.

Please stay in touch.

Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 6:10 pm

Thanks Justus!

Rourke
By Rourke, May 4, 2011 @ 6:10 pm

Rick –

I am listening……thanks….Rourke
By MamaLinda55, May 4, 2011 @ 9:44 pm

Rourke — you are welcome…

Some good stuff posted here, (eyeballs are sweating here) encouraging and indeed iron sharpening iron. Now if someone can tell me how to stop this gosh darn netbook cursor from jumping all over the dang puter screen, ugh Windows 7 typo issues (lolol)