I was a long time resident in the south of Houston until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. I have been through a couple of hurricanes myself and they can be pretty scary and devistating. It was hard to watch the destruction of New Orleans and now Rita as it bears down on the Galveston area. Funny, but I have been through hurricanes, tornadoes, amazing lighting storms and an earthquake! I will take a hurricane anytime! At least you can prepare and leave. My heart goes out to ya'll and my prayers are with you. Sincerely, Deb.

My heart aches for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. My women's group has adopted two families and possibly minister to an extended family relation. One apartment is ready and the family is anxious to movein, however, we are still trying to get the apartment set up with furniture. We will be shopping tomorrow for sheets, towels, kitchen necessities, etc. Someone promised to get furniture from Kanes but that hasn't worked out. We will try Rooms to Go tonight and if all else fails, we will start soliciting from family and friends. We want the apartment to be set up so that the family can walk in and immediately start rebuilding their lives without having to worry about food and things. God Bless all of you. Sincerely, Earth Angels

I live in Quebec and survived the ice storm of 1998. We lived for 17 days with no electricity and no hot water. Lucky we had a slow burning wood stove that had to be fed all the time to get heat to the basement where we lived. It was hell but we lived through it. You just have to take each day, hour as you wish at a time and things work out. You just have to think positive and just say that its not always going to be like this. There is an end to all rainbows.

Cheers,

Art

I survived a catagory 5 Typhoon, in 1980, while staioned in the Philliphines in the US Air Force. It is nothing to scoff at. I recently spent time on the MS coast cleaning debris. Many of the fortunate few who's home has not been destroyed have been without power over three weeks. I also lived in Sugarland, TX (20 miles SW of Houston) over 4 years. The entire Houston area floods very easily. Given that over 6 million people live there I pray that Rita slows before hitting land.

we in Jamaica are praying that you all will get true this, we are praying that everyone will get the strenght they need to overcome these storm as no one have no controle over mother nature, so you all be strong and keep praying for a devine deleverance and hold on to your faith.

God Bless you all and stay safe. Thoughts and prayers from Kentucky!

sending hopes and prayers from England .

It looks like Rita has caused a breach in the levee for the 9th ward. Hopefully you continue to fare well through this unfortunate set of disasters. The thoughts and prayers of my family and friends are with all of you there on the gulf coast.

Being from Pascagoula,MS,I have prayed & prayed for everyone that has been displaced. However,I have relocated to Dallas, some years ago. I realized that God has shown capablities. We can not blame each other for what God has in store. So everyone please remain prayerful and faithful. For we are not the only ones suffering.

All of us here in California sit and watch television with a very heavy heart. "There but for the Grace of God, go I." We know that at any moment, an earthquake could devastate our lives. But hurricane Katrina is the worst thing that has happened to our country and we pray for all the people who have suffered.

CANADA - IS WATCHING IN SHOCK! AS YOU EVACUATE THE AREA IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM. YOU HAVE SHOWN SO MUCH BRAVERY. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU DON'T WISH ON ANYBODY??? TAKE CARE GOD BLESS

Mike, Mike & kris - my prayers are with you as well as everyone else that is dealing with the hurricanes. I wish I could come get everyone and keep them all safe in my house but instead I'll just keep you safe in my heart. God Bless!

sorry about bad weather there and hope every thing ok from people there and pray for all this and god blessing

I have family in the path of Rita and I'm very thankful that they were given enough warning to get out of harms way. However when this Hurricane hits they area in which they live will be devastated. I'm also thankful that the National Guard and regular Army personnel will be ready to step in once the danger is ppast so that we don't end up with the same debacle we had with Katrina,

Sending all our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by not only Hurricane Rita but victims of Hurricane Katrina from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Prayers From us, i know acouple ppl who live down there i hope you and every one hit by huricane katrina and now huricane rita have better times after all this is over <3

Sometimes what looks like and feels like an absolute disaster could be God making just the slightest change in the course of your life. Have faith - God's got you! To the blessed survivors of Katrina

Praying for each and everyone of you affected by these hurricanes. Keep the faith and know that the Lord is watching over and protecting his own. I have family in Beaumont, they were able to leave so although I am not there my thoughts are with all of you.

My aunt is in her 60s & she was swept away into the gulf of Mexico by Katrina for 10hrs but survived, unfortunately she lost her husband & 2 dogs. But she lives.....Be strong people...We all praying for you !!!

Watching the devestation that was caused by hurricane Katrina was almost too much to bear. My hopes are that everyone in the path of hurricane Rita will keep themselves and their families safe. My prayers and thoughts are with everyone involved in these horrific disasters. Stay strong!

Whatever happens, we have faith in the strong-wills and strong bond the families and neighbors have that they will rise up from all of this rain and wind, they will blow back into their communities and rebuild stronger and better than ever. If people choose not to return, we are sure that they will find a happier and better place for them, and success in whatever they choose to do. Hopefully those that were once on welfare can get some kind of work, though I have heard a terrible case of where a company went to a shelter to look for people to work, and not one of the refugees...I mean survivors...wanted to work. Sad if true. Hopefully though, the majority of people will not get into the finger-pointing of blame and pick themselves up and start anew, once again better than before.

Bob and Andrew, be safe.
You survivors, keep strong our prayers are with you. Assalamu Alaykum (Peace be upon you) All of you.

We, in Hawaii, pray for you and your loved ones.

We recently escaped the wrath of two hurricanes and two tropical storms (all in a week) and know, but for the will of God (and a fortuitious low pressure ridge) we would be hunkering down today.

I know their is little anyone can say to lighten the times for you. Keep your faith and be safe, may you enjoy the next day.

Keep up the good fight. Life will go on after the storm. May God Bless all of your

Our thoughts are with you as you go through another disasterous hurricane. We are lucky{so far} that we just get the tail ends of these evil storms. Cape Breton Island on Canada's east coast prays for you. We are glued to CNN hoping for the best. This could happen to us at any time. We are a half a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Take care, and please save your pets.

my heart and blessings goes out to all the victims that is goin thru all off this. Sorry about the things that is goin on right now but stay strong and and keep believen in got and he will make a way. May GOD bless u all.