GONE FISHING

We’re (my Wallace clan and me) heading out this morning for our annual fishing trip, but this year we’re diversifying from the trout camp we went to for years and heading for a fishing hole (or holes) at Beaver’s Bend in Broken Bow, OK. The list of "must take" items that were made by Papa and me years ago was updated, added to, and all items for the cabins, the food and, the most important, fishing gear, are all present and accounted for.

In addition to all that -- a dear friend's husband handmade some beautiful trout flies for Payton's fishing expedition! I loved listening to Bob explain the best techniques for catching trout!

Our little piece of heaven at the Marvel Trout Camp was reconsidered last year when the water-release gates at Tenkiller Lake's dam never closed because of the overabundance of rain. It raised havoc on our little hide-a-way fishing hole. Though we caught plenty of fish for a good fish fry, we didn’t haul in the mother-lode like we always did before. A sweet couple saw our family trying every tactic we could to entice those fish to jump on our lines, but those little swimmers had wised up and passed us by. The couple had been at this Beaver’s Bend location just before stopping over at Marvel and they had caught so many fish that they couldn’t catch anymore.

So, on our way home from Marvel, we drove to Beaver's Bend to check it out. We found far more places to fish, additional fun activities, and the cabin was larger and could accommodate all of us instead of having to rent two cabins. Payton brings a friend -- after all, this trip is HIS birthday choice because it was Papa and his "go-to" place for best fishing and camping. I’ll fill you in later about this new adventure and new location. The “unknowns” are sometimes exciting to think about while also a little nerve-racking. At Marvel, we knew what to expect. At Beaver’s Bend, it will be the “thrill of the hunt” – rather the “thrill of the cast”!

We're in good company with Jesus and His disciples. After all, it was Peter and Andrew, brothers who were fishermen, that Jesus called to be His disciples. It was fish that Jesus multiplied to feed the 5,000+. It was fish that Jesus cooked for His disciples. It was in a fish’s mouth that Jesus sent the disciples to retrieve the coin to pay their taxes. It was fish that Jesus likened to when He said to His disciples “Be fishers of men”! There’s something about being a fisherman. Jesus set the example, and we’re simply doing what He did. There’s competition, calm relaxation and a potential meal (or meals), as the fruits of the rewards of fishing are bountiful. We’ll be having a huge fish fry while we’re there. Great expectations! Aw! I can taste it now.

We’ll sit by the campfire and laugh and talk about our adventures in each day. We’ll talk about the “big one” that might have gotten away or the fishing techniques that an old fisherman might have shared with us. We’ll make lots more memories that we’ll continue to share for years to come. Fishing and rustic cabin adventures may not be your forte or fit into your idea of an oasis, but for us, it holds the promise of making lots of memories. No doubt, this family sport will continue for years to come. It all started with a “family-loving-man” who wanted to create memories for his family. And, those memories will continue to mount up – even to the point we know Payton and Alexia will want to create memories like these for their families one day. Are you taking time out to make memories with your little ones -- so much so that they want to carry on the tradition when they have little ones?