New Again Video Happy Easter

I came across this video the other day and thought I would share it with you on this Easter Day. Brad Pasley is one of my favorite artists.



HAPPY EASTER!

Merry Christmas

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In many respects this has been a great year and in other respects it has been a very challenging year for me. I encourage you to count your blessing and remember the reason for the season. I'll provide many more informational posts in the coming months and look forward to beginning a new year. But for now, enjoy the holidays.

God Bless!!!

Fishing and Playing In The Woods Improves Test Scores In Kids

This is something that every parent needs to read, but especially parents who enjoy the outdoors so they can be ambassadors for the message. Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder, says today's kids are increasingly disconnected from the natural world and this has harmful effects. A 2002 study of 8 years olds found that they could identify Pokemon characters more easily than they could name otters, beetles, or oak trees.

He states that not only can nature teach children about science, but it also improves a child's creativity. New research shows that connection to nature offers a powerful therapy for depression, obesity, and attention deficit disorder, and environmental education dramatically improves standardized test scores and grade point averages. It also develops skills in problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making.

To listen to a short audio clip from an NPR radio interview with the author click here.

Take A Kid Fishing

I just returned from a YMCA Family Camp where several other adults and I got to take a group of kids fishing, many for the first time. I fish with my kids so much that I had forgotten the thrill kids get when they catch their first fish. We went to a spot where everyone was almost guaranteed to catch something, even if it was a small Bluegill. Kids really don't care what kind of fish or how big it is, they just want to catch something.

Next time you have the opportunity, take a child fishing that has never fished before and teach them the joys of fishing.

Fishing Can Be A Couples Sport

There are only a few options for couples who want to tournament fish together, but Texas has one of the oldest and most active couples bass fishing circuits in the country called "The 2 Of Us." It began almost 17 years ago when a man in Tyler, Texas just wanted to go fishing with his wife. He and his wife started the circuit and now there are hundreds of couples across the state that enjoy the competition and the companionship of tournament fishing together.

The 2 Of Us began with 20 couples in one region of Texas, and has grown to 200 couples in six regions of the state. Most of the women say that it gives them and their husbands a hobby they can do together and that it really builds teamwork between husband and wife.

I know I enjoy fishing with my wife, and there are times when she out fishes me, so this sounds like a great idea. If there is not something like this in your area, then why not get one started. For more information on "The 2 Of Us" fishing tournament circuit click here.

Fishing Teaches Life Lessons to Kids (and adults)

A couple of weeks ago on a boating trip, my 10 year old daughter was complaining that she was the only one in the family that hadn't caught a fish. Honestly she hadn't worked very hard at it. What an incredible teachable moment it was when my wife shared a message about patience, persistence, and just sticking to something until you are successful. She said that most fishermen catch some maybe one out of every 50 or 100 casts. I'm not sure my daughter really bought what she was saying, but she did throw her line out again. Low and behold, she pulled in a nice little striped bass. She had a big smile on her face and learned a great lesson that day.

Best Father's Day Ever

Yesterday was Father's Day and I spent quite a bit of time fishing with my 8 year old son. We didn't have time to take the boat out, so we tried two new fishing spots near Des Moines then ended up fishing at the old stand by Maffit Lake. I can't think of a better way to spend Father's Day than fishing with my son. When I put him to bed last night he said, "Dad, this was the best Father's Day Ever." That certainly made my day.