A Reel Expert Can Tackle Anything

This is grandson, Payton’s 19th birthday week and of course, as his usual request, we’re fishing! We’re here at Beaver’s Bend in Broken Bow, OK. We drove up here yesterday and we couldn’t get our poles in the water fast enough. Our cabin was set up quickly and before daybreak this morning, fishing had already begun. Fishing will be hearty all day with only breaks for meals.

I can’t help but recall how this all got started. At age 10, Payton told it best in the book he wrote and published, “That’s What Papa Said!” Here’s an excerpt about his love for his Papa and fishing:
Papa: The Fisherman -- I’m only ten years old, but I love to fish and play the piano more than anything in the world. These are only two of the many things that Papa taught me. My Papa could play the piano, go fishing, think up great ideas, a builder, could fix almost anything and he would always tell us the story of Jesus on Christmas Eve.

From the day I was born, my Papa would tell me exciting stories of the many fish he caught and even the ones that got away. I really enjoyed listening to them because they were always funny and interesting. When I would spend the night at Papa’s house, I would always look forward to bedtime because Papa would take time to tell me a cool story about fishing or some great outdoor adventure. Papa took me fishing and was the first to help me learn how to be a real fisherman. My favorite fishing adventure with Papa was the time he took me to Marvel Camp to teach me the “Six Steps of Becoming a Great Fisherman”.

Step 1) Keep your supplies in order. Papa said to keep my fishing supplies organized so they would last longer and be easier to find. He told me to always hang my fishing rod on the wall and put my rubber boots in the same place so I could find them easily. Papa said, “Great fishermen keep their supplies in order.” That’s what Papa said.

Step 2) Keep trying. This one took practice. It was learning to cast the line into the water. That was kind of hard the first couple of times because my line usually ended up in the trees. And sometimes the line would get tangled. Papa said to "just keep trying". The more I tried, the more I got better and better. Papa said, “Great fishermen never give up!” That’s what Papa said.

Step 3) Be patient. It took me time to learn this one because sometimes the fish got away. When that first happened, I was sad. Once I was standing on a rock and there was a giant bass right under my feet. I dropped the lure into the water and BAM! The fish bit the lure. I was so excited that I jerked the rod up and when I did, the hook came out of the fish's mouth. I was really upset because the fish got away. Papa told me not to jerk the rod because if I did, the hook won't set properly. Papa said, "Great fisherman are patient, take their time, and don't rush.” That’s what Papa said.

Step 4) Never be afraid. Step four was learning to take the fish off the hook. It was pretty tricky and slimy, too. The first time Papa told me that I had to hold the fish, I thought the fish would bite my finger off. He told me to put my thumb in the fish's mouth and pull back. The first time I tried I was freaked out because the fish had little teeth. Finally, I had the courage to hold the slimy fish with a glove and put my other finger in its mouth. As soon as I did though, the fish wiggled and it scared me so much that I dropped the fish and it got away. Papa just looked at me and said: "Great fishermen are not afraid." That’s what Papa said.

Step 5) Take time to do things right. Papa said I was becoming a real fisherman and was ready to tackle this. Step 5 required me to tie my own hook on the line and it took a lot of practice. I would get the line tangled up when I tried to tie the knot. First, he showed me how to hold the hook. Then he told me to put the fishing line through the eye of the hook. With my fingers holding the line tightly, I had to twist the hook and then thread it through the hole. Papa said, "Great fishermen take their time to do things right, even if it means doing it over and over again." That’s what Papa said.

Step 6) Never give up. Step six was the hardest of them all because I had to learn how to use a really sharp knife. Papa waited till I was 10 years old for this step because I had to use that sharp knife to filet my own fish. I still need a little practice on this, but I am getting better. Learning to filet the fish was very hard because if I cut the fish too close to the backbone it messed up the meat. I messed up a lot, but Papa was patient with me. I kept on going till I did it perfectly. I remember Papa said, "You're my champion. You did all six steps. You are now a GREAT fisherman." That's What Papa Said!”

I shared all of this with you because of these sweet memories that still drive us today. Payton is proficient at all those steps and he’s a great fisherman, too. Because Payton is carrying on the “teaching” that his Papa gave him to others -- he now has “fishing disciples” of his own!

Most importantly, those "fishing steps" are also "life steps" in reeling in success in every area of our lives. I know it has worked for us, and I pray, that put into practice, will work for you, too! Now go and catch THE BIG ONE in life, in business, in your family’s success, in your ministry and your love walk!! While you’re at it, be a fisher-of-men and women, too!

That's What Papa Said -- Words of Fishing AND Life Wisdom

order), Payton Wallace, and of course, as his usual request, we've come to his/our (and Papa's) favorite fishing spot at Marval Trout Camp on the Illinois River in Oklahoma. This year, he brought two of his friends with him. We drove up here yesterday. We got our cabins all set up (guys in one cabin; girls in the other) and then they couldn’t get their poles in the water fast enough. Before daybreak this morning, fishing had already begun just below Tenkiller Dam. Fishing will be hearty until noon when the alarm will sound and the gates from the dam will open and the tumultuous waters will warrant resuming fishing just behind our cabins.

I can’t help but recall how this all got started. At age 10, Payton tells it best in the book he wrote and published, “That’s What Papa Said!” Here’s an excerpt about his love for his Papa and fishing:

“I remember sitting down to play the piano only two months ago as the church was filled with people from around the world. There were hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds and even a few kids. They had come to celebrate the life of my Papa, his wisdom, and the things he said. Papa was the greatest person I have ever met, and I was so happy to play the piano that day and remember everything he had taught me.

As I walked to the front of the church to play his favorite song on the piano, I could hear his voice still playing in my head -- oh the things that Papa said. This book is about the stories of my Papa, and the things that Papa said.

Papa: The Fisherman
I’m only ten years old, but I love to fish and play the piano more than anything in the world. These are only two of the many things that Papa taught me. My Papa could play the piano, go fishing, think up great ideas, a builder, could fix almost anything and he would always tell us the story of Jesus on Christmas Eve.
From the day I was born, my Papa would tell me exciting stories of the many fish he caught and even the ones that got away. I really enjoyed listening to them because they were always funny and interesting. When I would spend the night at Papa’s house, I would always look forward to bedtime because Papa would take time to tell me a cool story about fishing or some great outdoor adventure. Papa took me fishing and was the first to help me learn how to be a real fisherman. My favorite fishing adventure with Papa was the time he took me to Marvel Camp to teach me the “Six Steps of Becoming a Great Fisherman”.

Step 1) Keep your supplies in order. Papa said to keep my fishing supplies organized so they would last longer and be easier to find. He told me to always hang my fishing rod on the wall and put my rubber boots in the same place so I could find them easily.

Step 2) Keep trying. This one took practice. It was learning to cast the line into the water. That was kind of hard the first couple of times because my line usually ended up in the trees. And sometimes the line would get tangled. Papa said to "just keep trying". The more I tried, the more I got better and better.

Step 3) Be patient. It took me time to learn this one because sometimes the fish got away. When that first happened I was sad. Once I was standing on a rock and there was a giant bass right under my feet. I dropped the lure into the water and BAM! The fish bit the lure. I was so excited that I jerked the rod up and when I did, the hook came out of the fish's mouth. I was really upset because the fish got away. Papa told me not to jerk the rod because if I did, the hook won't set properly. Papa said, "Great fisherman are patient, take their time, and don't rush.”

Step 4) Never be afraid. Step four was learning to take the fish off the hook. It was pretty tricky and slimy, too. The first time Papa told me that I had to hold the fish, I thought the fish would bite my finger off. He told me to put my thumb in the fish's mouth and pull back. The first time I tried I was freaked out because the fish had little teeth. Finally I had the courage to hold the slimy fish with a glove and put my other finger in its mouth. As soon as I did though, the fish wiggled and it scared me so much that I dropped the fish and it got away. Papa just looked at me and said "Great fishermen are not afraid."

Step 5) Take time to do things right. Step 5 required me to tie my own hook on the line and it took a lot of practice. I would get the line tangled up when I tried to tie the knot. First he showed me how to hold the hook. Then he told me to put the fishing line through the eye of the hook. With my fingers holding the line tightly, I had to twist the hook and then thread it through the hole. Papa said, "Great fishermen take their time to do things right, even if it means doing it over and over again."

Step 6) Never give up. Step six was the hardest of them all because I had to learn how to use a really sharp knife. Papa waited till I was 10 years old for this step because I had to use that sharp knife to filet my own fish. I still need a little practice on this, but I am getting better. Learning to filet the fish was very hard because if I cut the fish too close to the back bone it messed up the meat. I messed up a lot, but Papa was patient with me. I kept on going till I did it perfectly. I remember Papa said, "You're my champion. You did all six steps. You are now a GREAT fisherman."
That's What Papa Said!”

I shared all of this with you because of sweet memories on Payton’s 17th birthday and now, Payton is proficient at all those tips Papa gave him, and he’s a great fisherman, too. In fact, Payton brought two friends with him on this trip, and because Payton is carrying on the “teaching” that his Papa gave him, he teaches others. He’s got “fishing” disciples!

There’s a family "bond" we all have with fishing that gives us all great memories. But most importantly, those "fishing steps" are also "life steps" in reeling in success in every area of our lives. I know it has worked for us, and I pray, that put into practice, will work for you, too! Now go and catch THE BIG ONE in life, in business, in your family’s success, in your ministry and your love walk!

That's What Papa Said

This photo is of my sweet husband and grandson, Payton (who is now 14). Payton and Papa had a special bond -- in particular, they both loved to fish and loved to play the piano. This is an excerpt from Payton's published book (he was ten years old when he wrote it, and just after his Papa went to heaven), "That's What Papa Said".

"I've been playing the piano since I was four years old. My mom says that I just hopped up on the stool one day and started playing and didn't want to stop. That's when she put me in lessons to see if I would really want to play. And I did! Of all our family, only Papa and I can really play the piano so it makes me feel like I have a part of him in me. Papa was a great pianist and he could sit down at the piano, and play almost anything.

When I was four, Mom bought me a big white grand piano from my Papa. We only had the piano for two weeks when I thought it needed decorations. I was just learning to play the piano and didn't know better, but I took a black permanent marker and drew pictures all over it. I thought my pictures were really pretty but when Mom came in and saw what I was doing, she wasn't so proud. She cried, "NO!" and immediately picked me up and moved me away from the piano, and called Papa for some advice.

Thank goodness, Papa gave Mom the idea to use Windex to clean the marker off the piano. It all came off and was as good as new. When Papa heard about it, he wasn't mad. He just told me, "Everyone makes mistakes every now and then."

That's what Papa said.

I remember my first recital when I played "Jingle Bells". I was still just four years old. I was the youngest player there and when I was done, I was awarded with a mini Mozart statute. I was very excited that day. We picked up the phone and called Papa. He was so proud of me when he heard I did great. He told me to just keep playing the piano and never quit. Papa said, "God has GREAT plans for you."

That's what Papa said.

When I was around seven years old, I had a song that I was learning called "Ode to Joy." I had to practice very day. When I would play that song, I would cry and cry through the whole song because it was really hard and I didn't want to practice. My Mom sat me down and said, "Why are you crying through a song called "Ode to Joy?" It is a song about being happy!" Papa heard that I was crying through the song because I didn't want to practice. That is when Papa told me, "Keep practicing because practice makes perfect!"

That's what Papa said.

Three years later, when all of the boys in my school were playing sports, I felt kind of left out because I was the last one to be picked on the field. I didn't know much about sports and hadn't practiced football because I love piano and fishing so much. I told Papa about it one day and he told me, "You can only play those sports for a few years, Champion, but you can play the piano and go fishing for the rest of your life!"

That's what Papa said.

When I think of all the things that Papa said, it reminds me of how great he really was. Before he went to heaven, he said a few things that I will never forget. He said, "Love God with all your heart! Sit up straight when you play the piano. Believe in yourself. Keep going even if you don't succeed. Be patient! Never be afraid. Practice makes perfect! God has great plans for you. Be confident, and no matter what, never, ever, ever give up!"

That's what Papa said."

Now, this is back to Donna, and to add my final words. At Papa's memorial service, 10 year old Payton played "Fleur De Lis" on the piano. It was a sweet and tender moment......we knew Papa was looking down at us from heaven and smiling sweetly at his protege. His legacy continues.

The question is....."Are we influencing those around us to be better, braver, stronger and wiser? Don't we want our words and actions to be those that make a positive, indelible imprint upon those around us?"

That's what Papa did.