Note from Ellen
One night about 2 weeks ago, I woke up with my heart pounding. I was hearing boards creaking in the house and other sounds that indicated that someone was in the house. I lay in bed and wondered what to do. After about 15 minutes, I determined with much relief that there was a creature in the attic.
I knew I had squirrels in the attic and had been thinking for the last few months how to rid my attic of the squirrels. But this sound was new. My friend, Lowell, said the new sounds could be a possum. He had seen a dead possum just down the street and after looking up information about possums, we learned that they like to nest in the attics.
I did not know what to do. The attic was becoming a haven for wildlife. I enjoy and respect nature but I also did not want these creatures in my attic. I had already talked to an exterminator about ridding the attic of squirrels and he said he could not do that.
Lowell came up with the idea of using a trap and then releasing the animals. He bought a trap and brought it to my backyard. He set it up with food and he waited a while before leaving for his home to see how it was working. After a while, he shone his flashlight and made contact with a pair of bright shining eyes. It was a raccoon!!!
After he left, I went to bed and woke up at 3:30. Curious to see what was happening with the trap, I shone a flashlight on the patio and was shocked to see 2 large raccoons and about 6 smaller ones. I did not have just one raccoon but a family of raccoons!!! They were circling the trap and being very careful.
The next morning I got up expecting to see a trapped raccoon. The food was gone but there was no raccoon. I began researching information about raccoons on the internet and found out that they are very clever and intelligent. They are omnivorous and can travel up to 15 mph. Many people have them as pets.
The next night I covered the back part of the cage with a towel and sprinkled food in a line from the front of the cage to the back. The next morning I got up and saw a small raccoon in the trap. It was so cute!!! My heart went out to it. I called the Denton Animal Control and they said they would pick it up but someone would have to be at my house. I learned that they even lease out cages for people. I had to be at church so I called Lowell to see if he could meet the animal control.
Lowell later called me and said that I had not trapped just one raccoon but 2. He also said it was "love at first sight" for him for those 2 little raccoons. He fed them food and water. He decided that he would keep them if the animal control planned on euthanizing them. To his relief the man said that they would be "relocated".
Last night 2 more small raccoons were trapped. I figure that there are about 4-5 more to go.
Learning about these raccoons has extended my awe and awareness of the variety of wildlife that is all around us, even in the city. What started as an irritating problem for me has turned into an entertaining learning experience and I am marveling at the uniqueness of nature. Not only is there a variety of wildlife but also there is a variety of plants and yes…a variety of humans. Learning to live in harmony with all of God's creatures is a challenge but there is always a way to work our way through any challenge we may have.
If you have a challenge in your life, look at it as a learning opportunity. Open up to solutions and know that you will look back at the experience as an awakening for you. With God, all things are possible.
View full size
The latest 2 raccoons....4 more to go..
Enveloped in the healing energy of God's love, the earth and its people are transformed. Love, piece and abundance fill every heart and mind. Our planet is healthy, whole, and at peace.
See you Soon,
Ellen
________________________________________________________________________________________________
July 27th, 2008 11:00 AM Sunday morning service
Ellen Davis, Minister: The Vacuum Law of Prosperity
Kathryn Kalahan - Music Director
Check out our website at www.unityofnewhope.org. Thanks to Denise Jackson for being our webmaster.
Note from Ellen: I am very thankful to Colleen Pierce for being the volunteer Administrative Assistant.
TOLL FREE PRAYER LINE
877-203-3917
Ev Harman, chair of the Chaplain program, is headed for Africa for 4 months. She will be in communication through email and a monthly column in our newsletter. We see her enjoying this experience and coming back safely. Ev, you will be in our thoughts and prayers....
Mission Statement:
We at Unity Church of New Hope embrace the God Spirit within through prayer and meditation.
PROGRESS ON NEW BUILDING
Work is being done on the floors with the installation of carpet and tile. The cabinets have been installed also. Work is progressing rapidly!!! And the building is looking good!!!!
The Bookstore is open for business. We have lots of new books. Please stop by and let Lou, Carla, Pamela or Darlene know if there is anything they can order for you.
Announcement about Fall Program
The 7-week Fall Program at Unity Church is always a major event. This year we will be studying The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Please let us know you are interested and we will "interview" you for a position on the delivery team. I'm sure there is a job that will be perfect for you!
The Fall Program will begin in September with the always much anticipated Prayer Vigil and Labyrinth Walk.
Thank you!
Susan Keith
Make Pretty Committee
Still needs a Chairperson for this committee. Please consider the opportunity to dream big and work hard.
Landscaping Committee
This committee needs volunteers to assist with keeping the grounds looking attractive. Please contact Dale Yeatts for information
Classes at Unity of New Hope
Sunday
SPIRIT QUEST
Facilitated by Lance and Mary Oliver
The Spirit Quest forum, much like the Round Table of old, places great emphasis on the importance of growing spiritually strong together. Spirit Quest is devoted to helping everyone empower themselves, through such things as: Meditation, Totem Animals, Huna, Sacred Space, Spirit Communication, Angels, Esoteric Studies, Reiki Healing, ect...
Spirit Quest is a truly open forum, that highly values equitable participation, mutual respect, and is dedicated to making our lives and those we touch the most fruitful they can be!
Call Lance or Mary Oliver at 940-591-1494 for meeting times
Monday
YOGA
(each Monday at 6:30 PM)
Sue Greenwood , Registered Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist
This class is for all levels, anyone who wants to explore the breath and create space in the body.For more information or to schedule a private therapy session with Sue please e-mail her at su3f@yahoo.com or check out her website at www.sadhanayoga.org
MEDITATION MONDAYS
(each Monday at 7:30 PM)
Lane Pierce, Facilitator
Meditation is good for the mind, body and soul. If you have never participated in a group meditation, it is something to be experienced. Getting to know God is an urge and craving of all beings. Meditation will help you make that connection.
This special program is supported through your love offering and the most important part is your participation. &n bsp;Come to the church or set aside the time and meditate with us from your home if you cannot make it in person. Be a part of something bigger.
http://meditation.meetup.com/504/
Wednesday
Spiritual Discussion Class
(each Wednesday at 10:30 AM)
Ellen Davis Facilitator
VISIONING CLASS
(each Wednesday 7:30 PM)
Ellen Davis and Lane Pierce Facilitators
The Wednesday night visioning class has decided to begin planning for the second half of 2008. The class is currently working on putting their goals in writing to correlate with the images in their books.
Visioning is all about dreaming, fantasizing, clarifying and energizing your life. You decide what it is you want in your life and then begin to envision those things. By collecting and organizing images of items or important words you can surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires. Between Ellen's commitment to the system of Visioning and Lane's commitment to goal setting there are many lessons to be learned in any one night of Visioning class.
This class is supported by love offerings.
A Vision Book is really an inventory of your desires - come stock your shelves.
Buddhist Meditation
Wednesday 7:00pm
Unity of New Hope now hosts a Buddhist Meditation night. Feel free to come join in with them at 7:00 every Wednesday night.
No comments:
Post a Comment