Last week was so much fun!

Hi Everybody!

I had so much fun last week. I always like it when there is a lot of music during the church service! There are so many talented musicians at MMPC.

After church I took pictures with some friends, and had a great time. I really enjoyed meeting Samuel, who also helped the photographer take a picture of me with the Bridges.

I've talked about MMPC so much lately some of my friends want to come to church and talk about God and Christ. Miss Julie said it would be great if I brought over some friends, because everyone is welcomed in God's House (that's what a church is - it's God's house.)

Wow! The weather has been so hot lately Tailer and I have been hanging out by a watering hole not too far from our trees. Tailer is a really good swimmer. Miss Hissy is a different story. She refused to get in the water. And when Tailer and I dragged her in, she jumped out so fast you would have thought she had wings. She didn't talk to us for two days after that. So we brought her cheetos and apologized, then we had to let Hissy-Jin win one time. The apologies and the cheetos were easy. But letting Hissy-Jin win, THAT was hard. I told Miss Julie about it, and she said I must value Miss Hissy's friendship a lot if I was willing to do all that just to make up with her.

What can I say? Friends are very valuable. I am thankful for every single one of my friends.

Well, Tailer and I are heading over to the watering hole.
Everyone stay cool!
Rocky

Busy Weekend Coming Up

Hi Everyone!

This Summer has been great so far, what with going to Can-Coon, and the Tree Club House. But this weekend is going to be the best ever. I guess so many people like seeing me talk with Miss Julie that I've been invited to pose for pictures after church on Sunday. All the proceeds go to the Building Fund. Tailer thinks I should get my hair cut on Saturday, but my Mom said the natural look would be best. She said anyone who wants to take a picture with me likes me just the way I am. She said there was no need to put on airs. I'm not exactly sure why or how I could wear air, but since my Mom doesn't think it's necessary, it probably isn't all that important.

I can't wait to meet all of you on Sunday!
C-Ya Raccoon Rangers!
Rocky

Today 's Message from Reverand Bob

Today Reverand Bob talked about finding Peace of Mind. I'm a little young to really understand what Reverand Bob was explaining in church today. He said that Jesus had Peace when he was on the cross, even though there was turmoil all around him. Miss Julie likened to when Tailer and I were having trouble with Miss Hissy. We were fighting with her, and none of us felt good about it. In fact, it gave me nightmares. Lots of nightmares. But once Miss Hissy, Tailer and I sat down and talked, we figured out that while Tailer and I were afraid of her, she was just as afraid of us. We gave power to our fear, and it took away our Peace of Mind, replacing it with anger. But when we put aside our fear and became friends, all three of us took back the peace and calm in our lives.

So I guess I can sort of understand what Reverand Bob was talking about. While everyone was running around yelling at Jesus, they were afraid, and their fear made them angry. But Jesus wasn't afraid. His thoughts were not on being angry, but on forgiving. And in all that turmoil, with all that shouting and crying, he heard the thief beside him repent and ask for forgiveness. And Jesus, ignoring his own pain, looked over and reassured the man that he would be forgiven for his sins. Then the man wasn't afraid anymore; he knew peace. I wonder if Jesus even heard all the noise, or it was nothing because He didn't give it any power? It's easy to give the negative stuff in life power. Jesus knew that. I want to remember not to let negativity take away my peace.

Talk to ya later fellow Raccoon Rangers!
Rocky

Glad to be home!

Hi Everbody, I'm back from Can-Coon. We had a great time there, but it sure is good to be home. And we're home just in time to celebrate America's Independence Day. The Mira Mesa Presbyterian Church is having a float in the Mira Mesa Parade honoring the brave men and women of the Armed Forces. I can't wait to see it.

But first let me tell you about yesterday evening when we got back. My family had been travelling all day... boring! So when we got home my Mom said I could go play in the Tree Club House until the Street Lights came on. Actually, I think she was glad I wanted to go outside and play. Anyway, as I was approaching the Tree Club House I heard strange noises and saw this weird light coming from inside. I crept up the tree slowly, sniffing the air, but all I could smell was scents of the forrest. So I kept climbing, up and up, to the second branch on the left, way up in the high part of the tree. Then I heard voices, and someone shouted. I pounced on the door, throwing it open all the way with all my weight. And stood there stunned, mouth wide open, in shock.

Girls! There were girls in the Tree Club House. And not just Miss Hissy or Miss Thalia's cat, Oreo Kitten. There were girl raccoons all over the place, talking on phones, dancing to some stupid Jonas Brothers' song. (Taylor Swift is way better, btw!) Right in front of me were a group of girls playing Slap Jack with Miss Hissy. And off to the left, in a neon green bean-bag chair, sat Tailer, who waved and gave me a thumbs up! I had to walk over to actually believe what I was seeing. Oreo Kitten was putting clear polish on Tailer's claws. She said it would make them shine like diamonds but hard as nails.

At first I was really mad, and wanted to tell everyone to get out! And never come back! Especially that traitor, Tailer. But then I started looking around, and saw how cool everything looked. I plopped down in a yellow bean bag chair by the Slap Jack game and just kind of chilled, while watching Miss Hissy cheat like crazy. Sitting there it sort of became clear: God made us all equal. So why shouldn't the girls be allowed in the tree club house? They were kind of fun to be around. Especially Clover, who thinks she can dance. But - eh, yea- not so much.

It was almost dark when everyone left. Tailer and I locked up the Tree Club House to keep everything safe, and started climbing down the tree. We were almost to the ground when a dark, shadowy figure flashed past us, moving right to left. Tailer and I looked at each other, knowing what had to be done.

In a flash, we transformed into Super Coon and Wonder Kit: faster than a squirrel, more powerful than a grizzly. Able to climb the tallest trees! Yes, the crime fighting duo, Super Coon and Wonder Kit, sprang into action. The Evil Ninja, Hissy-Jin, eyed her prey: a harmless girl with long hair was walking home from a store, carrying Ice Cream Drumstix in a bag. Everyone knows Hissy-Jin can't resist ice cream. Her plan was clear: Scare the girl, attack her if necessary, and get that ice cream!

Hissy-Jin slowly made her way toward the pretty young lady, her razor-sharp claws gripping the ground to provide stealth and great traction. Just as she sprang at the innocent shopper, I jumped down from a low limb, knocking Ninja-Jin off course, and into a nearby shrub. Hissy-Jin laughed as I watched the girl continue on unaware of the peril she had narrowly escaped.

"Very good, Superrrrr-Coon," Hissy-Jin purred. "But you have left yourself cornerrrred. How very disappointing. I had hoped you would have been morrre of a challenge." I looked around, realizing I foolishly had fallen into her trap. Yes, she wanted the ice cream. But she wanted to be the one to bring down the Forrest Hero, Super Coon, even more. I gulped, seeing there was nowhere I could go to escape the Ninya's wrath. Wonder Kit! Where was Wonder Kit?

Pzzzzzt. Pzzzzzt. Pzzzzzzt. A spray of cold water splashed the evil Ninja's head. With a shreik, the dripping-wet puss darted away to her evil, underground hide out. To my right I saw Wonder Kit walking toward me holding his super soaker.

"Great jump, Super Coon!" Tailer laughed, giving me a high five.

"Great thinking, Wonder Kit! I completely forgot the World's Greatest Ninja, Hissy-Jin, hates water!"

"Oh, you haven't seen the last of me!" Hissy-Jin snarled, her menacing voice nothing more than a whispered echo amongst the trees. "I will get you, Super Coon. And your little Wonder Kit, too!"

Suddenly the street light came on - time to go home.

Home - I sure am glad to be home.

Sunday's Message

Sunday's message at church was about not judging others. Considering the problems I've been having with a neighbor cat, The Evil Miss Hissy, I was glad to get some advise on how to deal with that cat! Well, we invited everyone to our Club House warming party, cats and all. We had a really big turn out because Moms and Dads came to make sure the club house was safe enough for us to play in.

Miss Thalia's cat showed everyone how to play Pac Man on Miss Thalia's cell phone until the battery died. Not to worry, Tailer figured out how to push some buttons and save the game before the screen went blank, so we'll be able to keep going next time we meet.

Miss Hissy came by and brought Cheetos. They were great. Miss Hissy said she wants to play with Tailer and me next time we play Super Coon and Wonder Kit. She wants to be the villain, which is pretty cool. I am so glad we invited her to the party. I would feel really bad if we left her out and she cried.

Until tomorrow fellow Raccoon Rangers~
Rocky!

How I Found MMPC

Hi Everyone! I'm Rocky. Since this is my first posting, I figured I'd tell you how I found the Mira Mesa Presbyterian Church, also known as MMPC. It was a Sunday, and I was doing what I always did on Sunday mornings: hanging out in the trees with my friends. And one day I heard all this beautiful music. It sounded like bells ringing. Not like the usual church bells you hear; you know, bong, bong, bong. These bells were playing a song. I love music, so I started following the sound, trying to figure out where it was coming from. But the bells stopped before I could find them. It wasn't long before I heard singing. Something about an old cross.

At first I remembered what my mom and dad told me, "never go inside the buildings." "Trees only" is the rule. But the sounds coming from the building kept calling to me, telling me to come see what was going on. I couldn't ignore them. No what matter what, I couldn't ignore the sounds. Even when I stuck my fingers in my ears, I could still hear those people singing about some old cross, and I wanted to hear more. It's like they had me in a trance or something. I just had to find out what was going on inside this building.

But this time I would be careful! I climbed down the tree trunk as quiet as I could. And I tiptoed all the way across the grass. I looked to the left, and then the right. I looked up and down, then I crept up to a door. A man was talking about God, Jesus, prayer and forgiveness. He said God is love. And that love extends to everyone. God loves me! That is so awesome.

Actually, I was so busy listening to the man, I didn't hear the footsteps behind me. Then I heard a voice say, "Hello!"

I didn't know what to do. My heart started racing. I couldn't even breathe! I ran away as fast as I could. My mom and dad said I should stay away from buildings and people because I could get hurt. And I didn't listen to them. I had been careless, and could have been killed. But I felt different around that building. The man was talking about helping people in need, accepting those who others would call outcasts. He said even the mightest got down on their knees before God, because in His eyes we are all equal. I liked that.

So, I went to the building the following Sunday. The kits came running out, and went into another place to do fun stuff that taught them about God and Jesus. I wanted to go to school like them. See, I go to school everyday, but I learn about being a raccoon; climbing trees, gathering food, smelling for bears, stuff like that. I wanted to go to school to learn about God!

One Sunday, I forgot to hide in the bushes, and the pretty lady saw me. She slowly walked up, and told me not to be afraid. She asked me who I was, and why I kept hiding in the bushes every week. I guess she knew I was there all along.

"I'm Rocky" I told her.

She smiled. "Welcome to MMPC, Rocky. My name is Julie."

"I shouldn't be talking to you. My mom and dad told me not to talk to strangers"

"And your mom and dad are right. But this is a church. God teaches us to love and respect all of His creatures, not hurt them." she said.

"I'm a raccoon. I'm not suppose to be here." Julie knealt down beside me and said everyone was welcomed at the Church. Then she said she wanted to be my friend. Man, I was so glad she said that. My heart felt so much joy. I guess I was hoping to hear that all along.

We talked for a long time about what was going on inside the church. She said everybody came there to be followers of Jesus Christ, and learn the words and works of God. She showed me how to pray. That was totally cool, because when I pray it's me talking to God.

The following Sunday, I brought my mom and dad to meet Julie. They must have thought she was pretty cool, because they gave me permission to go into the building any time I wanted. Julie promised to help me become a good Christian raccoon. Julie invited me to share some of my stories with the other kits in the church, because she said while she teaches me about God and Jesus, the kits learn at the same time.

So now my friend, Tailer, is interested in what I'm doing and are learning about God too. But so far he's been too shy to go to Church with me. Tailer always gets teased by the other raccoons because he's really small, and doesn't climb trees fast. I hope one day he'll go with me to meet the other kits and Julie.

Well, I hear my Mom calling me for dinner, so I better go.
Talk to you soon!