Fishing was a major focus of our vacation in Colorado the first week in June. As you can probably tell by the expression on my face, I'm not a big fan of fish. I am a team player, however, so I lept into the task with excitement and expectation. On the first day I fished, I decided to ask God to do something just for me on this vacation. I asked him to bring the biggest fish I had ever caught to my line. Then I noticed my Brother-in-Law was keeping all the big ones for a fish fry on our last night (the following evening). The girly-girl in me did not want my prayer to cost a fishy its life. Thankfully, I didn't catch anything worth keeping that day.

The following day, our last full day in Colorado, I walked to the pond outside our condo and picked up a fishing rod. As I cast for the first time, I prayed very specifically.

"Lord, I really, really want to catch a big fish. I've never caught one before and I would love to have a memory of an experience like that to take home and treasure. But I don't want my Brother-in-Law to fry it up in a pan. I don't know how you are going to work this out, but Your word tells to ask and it will be given to us. I'm asking. amen"

Within one hour, I caught Buttercup. She was the biggest fish ANYONE caught in the pond that week, she was very pregnant, and she was a Wide-Mouthed Bass. That kind of fish is the only fish that must be released until June 15. I caught her on June 8. We released her right after we took the picture and Buttercup lived to swim another day.

I have been blessed by the memory of the experience for the week we've been home, as busy as I have been getting caught up at work and home. I know He gave me that gift to bless and encourage me as I face the many daily tasks we all face in our non-vacationing lives.

Is God good, or what?! I feel like He stopped everything He was doing, smiled, picked me up, gave me a big hug and a kiss on the forehead, told me He loved me, and then sent me back to do my chores. I love my Daddy!