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!

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!

God Loves to Talk to Boys While They Are Fishin'

Before I went to bed on Sunday night while in Frisco, TX, my grandson, Payton Wallace, pleaded with me to get up early on Monday to go fishing with him. I had to leave by 9:30 am for traveling on to Austin, so my first inclination was to tell him, "I'll go with you when I travel back through!" No sooner did I say that, I heard the little voice "Live with no regrets!" Immediately, I recalled those words, and said, "Get me some fishing clothes to put on in the morning and I'll be there with you!" Thus the stylish outfit and hairdo I have on in this photo! LOL!

And, as a matter of fact, the morning was so special. Payton, with his backpack which included all the fishing gear he needed, including his sister's Barbie fishing pole, His Mom and ME headed to his favorite fishing hole....actually a creek not far away, but loaded with fish. And, that Barbie pole -- has caught a lot of fish over the years -- and it's the perfect size for his backpack. His first cast -- brought in a nice-sized perch, than bass. Doesn't matter the kind or size -- reeling in the fish is all that matters!

Honestly, fishing is in his blood. I think his Papa gave him a double portion of his love for fishing. After all, it was Papa that taught him everything he knows about fishing from baiting the hook, taking the fish off the hook, cleaning the fish and fileting it. He's a Master fisherman, and he can't help himself.....if there's a lake or creek nearby, he's on it.

Staci read us devotion while we captured the moments -- following Payton going up the creek, casting all along the way. She and I were singing a song by Bill & Gloria Gaither, that she and Ryan sang when they were kids.

"God loves to talk to boys while they are fishin’

That seems to be the times boys listen best

It’s the only quiet time there is for wishin’

It’s the only time when God and boys can rest.

God loves to talk to boys while they are fishin’

That seems to be the time boys listen best

There’s something about a boy who’s good at fishin’

God knows he’ll make a very special friend

A boy who learns to listen while he’s fishin’

Can hear God when it’s time to fish for man.

We made more memories. We'll make more, because it's not the big stuff that matters. It's the few minutes here and there that say "Your love is my love. You matter and what matters to you, matters to me!" Stay tuned for Payton's 16th birthday celebration at Marvel Trout Camp in June. Fishing to his heart's content!