Power Fishing -- Power Bait -- Power Living

Since the end of last year’s fishing trip in Oklahoma, we’ve looked forward to this day, this year. We’ll re-enact it all over again. It’s our Payton’s 20th birthday today and as has been requested by him for many years – we’re celebrating in grand “hook-line-sinker and power-bait” way – his favorite way!

I’m all in. Geared up, fishing clothes, enough food to feed this hungry crew and beyond, water shoes, hats, sun screen, bug repellant – all the necessities are checked off the list. It’s the list that was made originally by Papa and I years ago. Now it’s updated and all items are present and accounted for plus all the items for the guys' cabin. Changes came this year. Larry, Staci, Alexia and I will be staying in their super-sized RV. Payton and his two friends’ bachelor pad will be in a cabin.

It's Payton's birthday and it may sound like this is all for him -- oh, but not so. I remember last year, after fishing almost all day, we stopped to go in for dinner. It was getting darker and Larry asked Staci: “Wanna’ go fishing?” Her reply was “Morning, noon and night!” LOL! This girl is the real fishing deal. She vowed to fish in 50 different fishing holes across the U.S. this year – now that they have this RV. So, Payton gets his love for fishing honestly --- not to mention, he was Papa’s fishing buddy as long as Papa was on this side of heaven.

Fishing is a natural AND spiritual experience for us. We'll fish and pray, fish and praise, fish and meditate. It’s so natural to flow like that, especially when we’re smack dab in the middle of God’s creation wonderland. Fishing brings to mind how often we hear Bible stories of someone fishing or being eaten by a fish. Yikes! Jonah, what were you thinking?

It was the fishermen brothers, Peter and Andrew, who Jesus first called to be His disciples. It was fish that Jesus multiplied to feed the 5,000+. It was fish that Jesus cooked up for His disciples. It was in a fish’s mouth that Jesus sent the disciples to get 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 fishing. Jesus set the example, and we’re simply doing what He did. There’s a little competition, but mostly relaxation and a potential fish meal (or meals) in store, as the fruits of the rewards of fishing are bountiful. Aw! I can taste that beer-battered fried fish now! Great expectations!

By the campfire, we'll laugh and talk about our adventures in each day. We’ll rattle on 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.

This place may not fit into your idea of a dream vacation, but it is ours. I’m still remembering the many fishing trips when our kids were kids. All those memories continue to mount up – even to the point we know Payton and Alexia will want to bring their kids back here some day! Might I suggest that you ponder about the memories you'd like your kiddos to want a “repeat” with their kids. I promise. It's worth it! Now, until you hear from me again, we’ve GONE FISHING!

Gone Fishing – Gone Home

I don’t endorse too many places just because my experience may not be your experience, but for years we’ve come to Marvel Family Trout Camp. And, sincerely, it is a little piece of heaven on earth, but that depends on what your “heaven” might look like. Like I said earlier, we call it the “Red Neck Yacht Club”. You’ll see every kind of RV, camper, tent, 5th Wheel and Motor Home imaginable. When my Honey and I were looking for a place to take our oldest grandsons for a fun summer outing, we ran across this place. Needless to say, it was our little “home away from home” that was filled with so much fun, laughter, with making lots of memories. So much so, that we continue to want to make more.

The first time we came here to check it out, we had a conversion van and my Honey and I pulled into a space right on the Illinois River. We heard the water lapping against the rocks, saw all the potential of family fun (swimming pool, basketball, tether ball, outdoor theater, miniature golf, craft shop – but best of all FISH, fishing and fishing some more. That night it became our little oasis. Now, for 10 years, this has been the place where we recall memories after memories.

Night before last, the kids were making s’mores, playing in the campfire, and laughing and having a grand old time. Larry, Staci and I went for a walk – passed by all those campsites and saw where other people made this their little oasis too. What I saw in Larry and Staci was they REALLY got away from it all. They had a therapeutic time of letting go of technology, business and all the routines they are so involved in on a daily basis. Here, it's early rising to wake up to a new day of fishing, meeting other fishermen who exchange stories and tips for catching the “big ones”. No make-up and dressed-to-the-nines needed here. It’s sheer simplicity, maybe even wearing the same jeans two days in a row. LOL! Doesn’t matter. No one judges us here.

I loved it last night, after we had enjoyed our beer-battered trout and striped bass fish fry, we sat around and talked – no rush – no need to. It was family time. Staci asked the question of the kids. Tell us what you’ll be looking for in a wife or husband someday. When she saw Payton looking at his cell phone, Staci said, “Payton why are you looking at your cell phone when we’re having family time?” He said, “I’m telling you what I’ll be looking for in a wife.” Then he read what he had pulled up…Proverbs 31 – the virtuous woman. Smart kid. Then it was Will’s turn, and he said, “I want a woman that really worships God with her hands lifted and not with T-Rex arms, and I want a woman who can clean fish.” We laughed because Staci helped Larry clean a huge mess of fish today. Fun times. Great memories. Now in the record book!

No, this place may not fit into your idea of an oasis, but for us, it holds memories that continue to mount up – even to the point we know Payton and Alexia will want to bring their kids back here some day! Are you taking time out to make memories with your little ones – so much so, they’ll want a “repeat” with their kids. I promise you. It is worth it!