In May, I experienced my first time with turkey hunting.  It was also my first time using a shotgun. Because of my schedule in May, I had one weekend of turkey hunting. Earlier in the same week, I had my first successful day of fishing EVER thanks to an expert fisherman, a friend. Turkey hunting was bound to be successful, right?

Turkey hunting was a two-part event as we hunted in the early morning and again in the afternoon. In the morning, we climbed and climbed, and we saw and heard nothing at all. In the afternoon, my wife, father-in-law, and I settled into a cluster of trees. My father-in-law began to make calls to lure in the gobblers (male turkeys). Because it was spring turkey season, we could only hunt the male turkeys. For a while, we heard nothing but squirrels, birds, and every other animal in the forest–except for gobblers. And then, it happened. A male gobbler called back to us. A few more calls, and he called back again. We could see him through the thick blanket of scrubs and trees.

It took some effort; however, we kept his focus for some time. And then, his ADHD kicked in —or his love for the ladies. Some female turkeys (hens) were in the area, and they started making noise. Eventually, our gobbler left with the hens to never be seen by us again. We headed back to my in-laws’ home with our hunt unfulfilled. And here is what I have learned from one day of spring gobbler season under my belt…………

• Turkeys are elusive. I felt like turkey hunting involved much more walking and planning than deer season. This could be because I am new at hunting or because it is accurate, but turkeys don’t play games!
• It is much, much warmer in spring hunting than in winter. Layers and layers of clothing are needed.
• Always expect the unexpected. Weather can change, the timing of the season matters (we were out the last weekend), and other wildlife can distract or spook your prey.

As I continue to hunt and fish, I believe hunting and fishing are more difficult sports and hobbies than basketball. Hunting and fishing involve so many intricacies that you can’t learn them until you are fathered in nature by God himself. I encourage you to take up hunting or fishing in some capacity as a way to connect with God’s Creation and a way to find your heart and soul again in this maddening and fast-paced world.

Next blog post: Fishing Challenge: Penn’s Creek

1. Humor is what gets you through the day.
2. Success is defined differently for every person alive. Know what success is for yourself.
3. There is planning and then there’s God’s plan.
4. Faith is harder than fear.
5. Love is harder than dislike.
6. Reputation is what people think. Character is what people know.
7. You will fail alot. It’s how you learn.
8. Legacy is what people say about you when chapters end or you face death.
9. Friendship as an adult takes work.
10. You are never too old to reinvent yourself.
11. Creation is God’s art canvas to his kids.
12. Hunting is half about finding your prey and the other half is about finding your peace.
13. You will not please everyone.
14. You will offend someone just because of your existence. Keep going.
15. Take joy in the small things.
16. Politics is a chess game. Most of us can barely play checkers. Be wise.
17. Breathe.
18. Enjoy your coffee/tea.
19. Love well.
20. Leave people better than you found them.
21. Leave jobs better than when you arrived there.
22. Get a hobby.
23. Get a life.
24. Start and end your day with Jesus and quiet. Your heart and soul need it.
25. Be kind to strangers.
26. Don’t be a hater. There’s a song there….
27. Plan for your future. Don’t let others plan it for you.
28. Bless those who have shown you kindness.
29. Don’t be too quick to judge an addiction. Everyone has something.
30. Tell people you love them.
31. Be okay getting lost sometimes without GPS.
32. Catch people doing something right.
33. Get outside as often as you can.
34. As an adult, go down the slide or use the swing at the local park.
35. Everyone should volunteer somewhere.
36. Be okay with not knowing everything.
37. Wisdom and advice are different. Know the difference.
38. Celebrate authentic beauty.
39. Invest in people. God invested in you.
40. Pumpkin is overrated.
41. Apple is better.
42. Laugh at yourself.
43. Learn how to fix something. Anything.
44. Make your own list!

Next blog post: 44 Thoughts on Ministry