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Friday, May 31, 2013

deja vous to the third

It’s been a long couple of months. We’re not going to lie—we’re pooped. And we’re the lucky ones. We haven’t lost any relatives or friends. We haven’t lost our homes, vehicles and/or everything we own. We’ve watched, positively helpless, as thousands of people in West, Texas, Granbury, Texas and Moore, Oklahoma lost many—or all—of those things.
  
Sooo…while we’re re-grouping/re-thinking/just-contemplatin' possibilities and ideas...we’re going to each pick a few of our favourite posts and re-cycle 'em in the upcoming month.

No one loves to re-cycle more than ELC…it's sooo true...

Buh-bye, May. Hello, June… 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

O-O-O-O---Ok--lahoma...

Where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plains…

Were you singing that with me? I was singing it as I typed. Kind of loud. Buddy Boo Bear looked at me with a scared look to his purty brown eyes. If you don’t know that song, from the Broadway musical, Oklahoma, get on-line, find it and listen to it. It’s an awesome song. It’s a wonderful show! I’ve seen several versions of it during my lifetime, including a Broadway Touring Company, and loved every single one.

Of course, I’m sure y’all know by now that an E5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, last week. An E4 had hit it in 1999. Their paths were eerily close. Our hearts have hurt for all of the people who lost loved ones—were injured—or lost homes and/or virtually everything they owned. They’re strong. They’re determined. They’ll recover.

In the meantime, we, in North Central Texas, get to see a fabulous commercial every morning, as we watch our local news, for Oklahoma. Summer tourism, don’tcha know. They use this song. They have many different people singing it while they show off their beautiful State. It's catchy. Intriguing. Effective.

My Sweet Hubby and I decided, a couple of weeks after his heart “event,” (see brown-eyed boy) to go visit the Choctaw Resort and Casino (they also have some pretty great commercials that air frequently in our area) in Durant, Oklahoma. www.choctawcasinos.com/Durant.aspx

From our casa, we’re approximately 4 ½ hours from Durant. TLC and Her Hubby had gone, with his brother and his wife, to the Choctaw a couple of years ago. They’d loved it. MSH and I've been to the Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, a couple of times—although we’ve not ever stayed the night. We needed a quick, 3-day, 2-night getaway and agreed the Choctaw in Durant was just the ticket. This is my “companion” piece to bandits.

When you get your first glimpses of the Choctaw, you realize it’s B.I.G. The landscaping is pretty. Colorful. The hotel itself is very nice. Not luxurious—like some in Vegas. But nice. The rooms are comfy and reasonable. We arrived around 2:00 our first day. Checked in. Freshened up. Headed down to the slots—or, as I call them—the bandits. We each have our allotted gambling money. It’s pretty much a set amount. Once we lose said daily allowance, we’re supposed to be done. And that’s the way it mostly works. I lose mine fast. Sometimes within an hour. Or less. MSH has been known to hang on to his for hours and hours. Or he breaks even. I almost hate that. Or he wins enough to bankroll me when I'm broke and have lost my farm.

We spent a couple of hours scoping out the Casino and surrounding restaurants. We decided to have dinner at the 1832 Steakhouse www.choctawcasinos.com/Durant/Restaurants/1832Steakhouse.aspx  At 5:07 p.m. With the other Senior Citizens. Earlybirds, I guess, is what we’re called. We were taken to a booth. Close by was a pianist, John Emery, who played classic songs. No music sheets. All from memory. He was absolutely amazing. We were relaxed. Had some great wine and delicious fish and steak. Fantastic service.

Went back out to the Casino for a couple more hours of losing/winning/losing/losing/losing. Then hit the hay. About 9:00. Yes. Yes, we’re quite wild.

Next day we had breakfast. Played the bandits for a couple of hours. (You'll be relieved to learn I did much better than the day before. I didn’t book my European vacation. But I also didn’t have to borrow from MSH. Actually, I think he was suspicious.) We thought it best to leave while we were ahead. Retrieved MSH’s truck and headed out to explore Durant. It is the quintessential small-ish town. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is located there, with a student population of about 4,000. Durant is close to Lake Texoma—a large lake that lies in both Texas and Oklahoma (hence the clever name). We drove and roamed for a few hours. Visited their Wally World. We do that in almost every town we stop in. Guess you could say it’s a hobby of ours. A sad, pathetic hobby. Had lunch at a Subway. Yes. We’re not only wild, but we’re clearly adventurous. (Or is the right word "cheap?")

Went back to the resort. Gambled some more. Ate, again, at the 1832 Steakhouse. (Hey, you know the old saying—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.) Same booth. Different magical music! Same heavenly wine. Different scrumptious food. It was a good decision.

Fed the bandits some more pennies before turning in. Yep. 9:00ish. Wanted to share pictures of two of my three favourite machines (I forgot to capture my Wizard of Oz machine that was on fire—for about 20 minutes!) and the ticket I cashed in before going to our room.




These winnings allowed me to virtually break even. (Okay. I owed MSH at least that much. He, however, let me keep this money for the next day. He’s quite the generous bloke.)

That Thursday morn we slept a little late (for us—7:00!)…had breakfast…gave the bandits a few more bucks…headed to TLC’s. She’d been sick for several days and needed her Mama. Her Mama needed to cuddle with Little Leighton!

All in all, we recommend this resort and experience! The Choctaw and Winstar both have incredible entertainers. I mean BIGTIME, important STARS. Those are usually on the weekends and we were there during the week. (We're determined, however, to pick a concert and go back.) The price of those tickets seem very reasonable and you’d be in a smaller-type venue where I’m betting you have great seats. Wherever you are. Don’t stay too long! (And please don't tell them I said this...) Unless you’re Bill Gates. Or Oprah. Check it out if you're within a few hours’ driving distance. It's Two Thumbs Up from me and MSH. Woo Hoo!

This concludes ELC’s Travel Diary for the month. Promise...

p.s.--please continue to pray for West, Texas; Granbury, Texas; and Moore, Oklahoma. I know they'll be grateful.

Monday, May 27, 2013

oh, that Lee Greenwood gets me every single time!

ELC saw this on Facebook.
We ADORE what President Truman said.

I heard this song twice on Saturday. Each time it brought tears to my eyes. Today we honor our soldiers.

God Bless Them -- past and present -- and God Bless the USA.

Proud To Be An American
by: Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life, 
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife, 
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today, 
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom 
And they can't take that away. 

I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, 
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, 
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, 
God Bless the U.S.A.
 
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, 
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea. 
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A., 
There's pride in every American heart 
And it's time we stand and say:
 
I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free, 
And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me, 
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today, 
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, 
God Bless the U.S.A.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

storms...

Our lives all full of them. From the moment we're born. Until we die. Storms in our daily living. Problems. Challenges. Struggles. With simple tasks. With money. With disruptive and unhealthy habits. Struggles within our families. With relationships. Storms within our country. Storms within ourselves. Our spirits. Our souls.

And then there are storms of nature. Hurricanes. Tsunamis. Volcanos. Snowstorms. Icestorms. Firestorms. Unending rainstorms that cause devastating floods and unbelievable damage.

Tornados. Evil. Unrelenting. Destructive. Heartless. Unmerciful. Mean tornados.

I found this prayer on Facebook. It's from the Lutheran Church in America. I've modified it slightly.


Almighty and Most High God, our refuge and strength and our present help in this time of trouble, we ask You to surround all of those affected by the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. We plead to You to surround them all with Your love and care. Your hope and comfort. Your promises and your everlasting peace.Your Sweet and Amazing Grace.

In Your Son Jesus Christ's name, we pray to you, Lord.

Amen.


Friday, May 17, 2013

and yet, again...

Texas has received a wicked blow of bad luck…

Preface:

When My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I built our home thirteen years ago, we wanted a “Tornado/Safe Room.” MSH ordered plans for one from Texas Tech University. (BTW: Our builder was not exactly thrilled. It’s a tidbit of a hassle to construct a Tornado Room the way they recommend.) Lubbock, where the University is located, is plagued with tornados. In fact, Lubbock is located in what is called “Tornado Alley”an area that includes the Panhandle of Texas and several other states. Tech’s Scientists have studied tornadoes for many decades. They came up with a way to provide protection for you and your family if your home is under seige and being attacked by a tornado.  A requirement for this protection, however, is this: one must be actually and physically be IN said room. Hmmm...

This past Wednesday evening, MSH and I were watching a storm from our front porch. (Hence, we weren’t in the Safe Room. Sigh.) Most of Texas is still in a horrific draught. We cherish cloudy skies. It’s just so true. In the midst of this storm, we had golfball-sized hail. Something MSH and I have not had since we moved to our place thirteen years ago. Actually, something we've never even actually seen. Listening to the sound of those stones on our metal roof? Daunting. Frightening. Downright disturbing. And yet, there we stayed. Outside. On the porch.

From our frontporch...
the horizon is 30 miles away.
I think seeing the rainbow somehow
made MSH and I forget there
was still potential danger...and the
white "funnel" looking cloud?
We wonder if that was a tornado...

There were other hailstones
as big as this golfball,
but we'd have had to walk further out
into the rain to get them...

As we watched the swirling, yet amazing, clouds, taking pictures and marveling at the sheer power of Mother Nature, MSH commented: “There it goes. Right to Granbury.” TLC and I have talked about Granbury in the pastAs the crow flies, MSH and I are about 25 miles from the western outskirts of this charming town.

Here is the last picture I took from the porch (it's looking south/southeast):

From the guest room side of our front porch..
The contrast of the gorgeous blue sky
with the huge white, ominous cloud
makes the evening's upcoming events even more gut-wrenching...

Eventually, we went back in to park ourselves on the couch. The TV was calling.  (And Teddy Buddy Boo Bear was almost catatonic. He's extremely afraid of bad weather. Bless his heart.) MSH perched his iPad on his lap—to monitor several weather radar sites. He fancies himself an amateur weatherperson.  I was in constant touch with TLC—by text messages—as the weather for all of North Central Texas was getting more serious by the minute.

I don’t know the exact time the tornado hit Granbury—approximately 7:20ish?—but it did. In a vicious and evil way. It killed six people. Injured dozens. Caused pets to be separated from their owners. Hundreds of pets. Destroyed hundreds of homes. I’m not sure if it was the same tornado that hit the town of Cleburne, Texas, because we’ve been told there were twelve separate tornadoes that touched down that evening. The Cleburne tornado was a mile wide. A MILE. No one was even seriously hurt—but the damage was incredible.

And here’s something that struck me Wednesday night during all the confusion and fear: Autumn, who grew up in West, Texas, lives in Granbury (as you know from another previous post). As I checked with her to make certain they were safe, she told me they had baseball-sized hail. BASEBALL. Wwwhhhhaaaaatttttt? She, Clooney and Princess Kate were fine (her Hubby was out of town but on his way home). I think she'll gladly pass on any future trauma. For the first time in my 59 years on this Earth, I heard a weatherman talk about bowlingball-sized hail. Please say it ain’t so. For us, pea-sized is entirely too big. BOWLING BALL? Shiver. Shudder. Shake. I'll leave off the last "Sh" word that comes to my mind. I know you know what it is. Say it LOUDLY and with conviction.

As I type this, I get teary. Again. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering the families, who have lost loved ones and/or their pets and/or their homes and vehicles, are experiencing. I can’t imagine losing every single thing you’ve ever had—everything—in a matter of minutes. Gone. Forever. Over and over and over, on the news, these shattered folks tell us how grateful they are to be alive. I have no doubt they mean this. Still...

And, once again, I would ask anyone reading this post to please say a prayer for the people of Granbury, Cleburne and Texas. I promise you, they will appreciate it.

It’s been a rough year. It’s just May.

Thank you…

Have a SAFE weekend wherever in the World you are, Friends…

Monday, May 13, 2013

let her sleep...

... for when she wakes, she will move mountains.

(I'm not certain who originally said this. I saw this on Pinterest.)

ELC had seen the following "25 Rules for Mothers of Daughters" floating around Facebook and printed out a copy for me to read and keep. I'm also not sure of this source and thus cannot give them proper credit -- which is quite unfortunate because I adore what they wrote. It rings true to my heart. I love my daughter with every ounce of my soul. And I'm equally blessed because I get to be the daughter of an incredible Mom -- my ELC -- my inspiration.

Without further ado...

1. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

2. Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you... Then let her be herself.

3. Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle -- gasp! She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet Mr. Right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes -- let her make her own.

4. Be present. Be there for her at Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games... her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

5. Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she would rather wear her brother's Superman cape with high heels, allow it. If she wants to wear a tu-tu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.

6. Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that women can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment for yourself -- not just your husband or children. Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

8. Let her get messy. Get messy with her -- no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls -- just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9. Give her good role models -- you being one of them. Introduce her to successful women -- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts or authors. Read to her about influential women -- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational women -- Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know anything is possible.

10. Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. "I love yous" and "Eskimo Kisses" go a long way.

11. Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years old in the parking lot or 16 years old in the mall, hold on to her always -- this will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

12. Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date or the first day of college -- remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14. Love her father. Teach her to love a good man, like him -- one who lets her be herself... She is, after all, wonderful.

15. Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5x5 dorm room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16. Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page, and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

17. Teach her how to love -- with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you love or hate like you hate. So choose love for both you and her.

18. Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her -- even if it sounds or looks horrible. Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her Daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later let her blast noise and head-bang in her bedroom with her door shuts if she wants -- or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics -- like the Beatles -- and listen to her latest favorite -- like Taylor Swift. Share the magic of music together. It will bring you closer or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter. You are not only her mother. Be her friend, too.

20. Teach her manners, because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made-up of polite words and smiles.

21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away. Whether she has classmates who tease her because of her glasses or a boyfriend who tells her she is too fat -- let her know she does not have to listen. Make sure she knows how to demand respect -- she is worthy of it. It does not mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because sometimes you say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth fighting. Remind her that some people can be mean and nasty because of jealousy or other personal reasons. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and walk away. Teach her to be the better person.

22. Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words -- she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I-told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds "The One." And when she finds "The One," tell her.

23. Mother her. Being a mother -- to her -- is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood so one day she will want to be a mother, too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother's love for their children.

24. Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets -- no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday, when her husband rubs her back in an attempt to comfort her, she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."

25. Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you -- welcome her. When  she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news -- embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you -- find her. When she needs advice on boys, school, friends or an outfit -- tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor, where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile -- be home.

ELC followed every last one of these rules with me. I pray I am this to my precious Little Leighton.

And now, between this and Sarah on The Voice singing an ELC favorite, "The Story," I'm boo-hooing my eyes out.

Smooches, y'all. And nighty-night.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Happy HAPPY...

Mom's Day 2013!

To all of our Sweet, Precious Friends who are Moms, Stepmoms, Grandmoms, Sisters, Aunts, Godmothers...heck...to all Women EVERYWHERE (because, let's face it, motherhood involves so many kinds of relationships) who "mother" someone. Or some pet(s) or animals. Or some place(s). Or some thing(s) like homes, businesses, family heirlooms, etc. All of these require love, respect, gentleness, dependability, loyalty, kindness, caring, and a hundred other qualities that define "motherhood."

And don't we all believe there are definitely some Dads and/or men who should be wished Happy Mother's Day?

May this holiday remind each of us that Motherhood is an honor.

Hugs and Smooches from
All Three of Us...

Monday, May 6, 2013

Bandits

This will be a two-part post (although TLC may have a surprise in between my two—I can never be sure…). And my subject is…drumroll…Gambling. Let’s-Go-To-Vegas-Or-Some-Casino-Somewhere-And-Give-Them-Our-Money kind o’ gambling.

My Sweet Hubby (MSH) and I have been together 36 years. In that time, we’ve made a journey from Texas to Vegas, as a duo (he’s gone maybe three other times without me), approximately ten times. (Last jaunt to Vegas? About six years ago. He's experiencing withdrawal as I type.) Six of those trips involved a meeting or convention. We’ve made a couple of trips with friends or a group of friends. The two of us have gone about four times. Just because. Always for cheap airfares. Is there any other way to go to Vegas? (Note: I am not including our adventures to a casino, once, in South Dakota, and a few to casinos in Louisiana and Oklahoma over the years. Nor is this post about my horse-racing addiction. J/K. I meant my horse-racing passion. I'm not addicted. Infatuated, yes. Addicted, no. Going to The Kentucky Derby is on my Bucket List. Horse racing observations/confessions may come another time. Down the road that leads to the track. Perhaps.)

Although many, many years ago, MSH did enjoy blackjack and poker, he’s mostly, in the past twenty-five-ish years, played the slots. I do those one-armed bandits, too. I’m extremely intimidated by card dealers. They go so fast and make me feel totally stupid. They aren’t great for my self-esteem. Slot machines mock me—that’s true. But in an anonymous kind of way. I can always pretend I meant to lose that $20 in 9 minutes and laugh as I head to the next one.

Until about five years ago, our gambling “loss limits” would probably have surprised some of our friends and most of our family members. By this I mean we have, from the beginning, completely agreed to be VERY conservative about our willingness to give our moola away, willy-nilly, to casinos. Or maybe a better word for this philosophy might be “cheap.” In the past six years, whether it was on our last trip to Vegas or a visit to Louisiana or Oklahoma, we’ve upped this “loss limit.” Okay. Okay. We’ve actually doubled it. Whatever. Cost of living, etc., etc., etc. Still, all in all, we’re not going to bet our food money or lose our home. There is no way. Don’t get me wrong: We agree it’s important to support the travel industry, other towns and communities, and the overall U. S. economy. Yadayadayada. We shudder at the idea of being unnecessarily ridiculous—in an extravagant and idiotic way.

MSH typically breaks even. You see, fortunately, especially for me, MSH is usually darn lucky. (Not “I just won the Powerball!” kind of lucky. It's a more subtle and subdued kind of luck. You know that kind? The kind where you break even and are deeply and sincerely grateful?) I feel like he has some kind of cRaZy intuition that tells him when to walk away from a one-armed bandit and/or casino while he's ahead. An intuition I apparently have never possessed. I call it “luck.” He prefers I use the term “skill.” Or, as Kenny Rogers advised us many, many years ago—MSH knows “…when to run.” It’s confusing. Uncanny. Good. For our bottomline, basic existence and general well-being.

I normally go through my daily “loss limits’ allowance” by noon (Depending on what time I start, of course. It could be 8:19 a.m. And I started at 8:07 a.m.). As soon as I track him down, MSH is beyond kind about comping me a few more bucks. As long as I stay away from him. That’s the only condition. Me and my BAD luck often seem to be contagious. (You know what they say: If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all.) When he feels like he should be done, he’s done. We're both done. Fini. Period. End of story. Showtime! Or Dinnertime. Or Naptime.

Now that MSH has officially retired, we’re pretty sure our gambling days are going to be even more few and far-between. However, we made a memorably fun trip to Durant, Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago. Hence, my upcoming post will be about that adventure. Be ready! You won’t want to miss it—especially if you live anywhere near Oklahoma and you feel your own get-away calling your name…

to be continued…

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Pray

Today is our National Day of Prayer. You can visit this website www.nationaldayofprayer.org to learn more about this event.

The theme this year is Pray for America.

Mary Washington, mother of our nation’s first president, said it is time to “Remember that God is our only sure trust.”

Greg Laurie, Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer, is also senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California. For more information about him, visit his personal homepage at www.greglaurie.com or his ministry website at www.harvest.org.

Here is the 2013 National Prayer he wrote and will be giving today:


Father, we come to You to pray for our nation, the United States of America.

How You have blessed us through the years, Lord! We rightly sing, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee.” Yet we see trouble in our culture today. We see the breakdown of the family, crippling addictions, and random acts of horrific violence.

Lord, we need Your help in America. In recent days, we have done our best to remove Your Word and Your counsel from our courtrooms, classrooms and culture. It seems, as President Lincoln once said, that we have “forgotten God.” But Lord, You have not forgotten us! You can bless and help and revive our country again.

Scripture tells us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Lord, in Your mercy, we ask that You would exalt our country again. We have had a number of great awakenings in America. We have experienced times of refreshing, and revivals that changed not only the spiritual but also the moral landscape. As the psalmist said, “Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6)

That is our prayer for America today, Lord. Send a mighty spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls back to you. You have told us if we will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that You will forgive our sins and heal our land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Forgive us today, Lord, and heal this troubled land that we love so much.

We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ.


Amen.