Decoys and Duck Calls

Today was the first time in a couple of weeks that I have been able to get outside and enjoy the outdoors.  The last weekend of rifle season our family started sharing a cold virus, which left us in bed instead of in the deer blind.  We have now transitioned from deer hunting to duck hunting and  while I do not go on duck hunts, I do go scouting with my husband.   Our outdoor scouting adventures cover several miles around Lake Wister (I cannot reveal the specific locations of the honey holes) and a lot of walking.  On our scouting adventure we had the chance to see some hunters working a group of ducks to get them into shooting range.  Well, we didn’t actually see them because they were so well camouflaged, but we did see their flapping wing decoy and hear them blowing their duck calls.  I started asking my husband questions about the different types of duck call sounds hunters make and why.  He explained that ducks are very social birds and basically the different types of calls are invitations for the ducks in flight to stop for a visit and join the party.  Some ducks fly right over the hunters and others decide to fly in and check out what’s going on.  Unfortunately for the ducks that fly in, they quickly realize this is a party they shouldn’t have joined and they end up on the dinner table. 

Our choice of friends and activities can parallel a duck hunt.   Just as the ducks fly around the sky deciding where to land, we go through life deciding which people to be friends with and where we want to socialize.  Also, just like the hunters who work diligently with decoys and calls to lure ducks into shooting range, there are many things in life that try to lure us away from our Christian walk.  We have to be like the ducks that fly true to their course and be careful not to be lured away from our faith by things that sound and look enticing.

Colossians 2:8 Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.

 

This photo is of my husband and our three oldest sons in 2009.

 

CAMOUFLAGE

This year I have spent more time in the woods hunting than ever before and I have learned how important camouflage is to a successful hunt.  Visual and scent camouflage allow the hunter to enter the domain of deer without being seen or smelled and blend in with the natural environment.  Preparing my personal camouflaged blind and clothing for hunting brought to mind how individuals can camouflage themselves in daily life, especially through social media. 

I was a huge fan of social media when it first came on the scene and still believe it can be beneficial, if used appropriately.  I personally see social media as working much like hunting camouflage in that it allows individuals to portray themselves as something they are not. . . they are camouflaged.  None of our lives are without struggles, disappointments and achievements; but on Facebook and Instagram we can have the perfect life.  Now granted none of us want to air all of our dirty laundry, but more often than not we want to post and share those pictures and status updates that obviously show us only at our best.  Do we talk and act one way on our profiles and a different way in person?  Do we use social media to camouflage who we are to others?  There is an acronym known as WYSIWYG {What You See Is What You Get}.  Well, WYSIWYG is not always true with social media.  We all know those individuals; the perfect parent on Facebook, the young man who acts tough through the words of his tweets or the young girl who photoshops her selfies for Instagram.   Social media has created a new avenue for peer pressure for all ages allowing people to be camouflaged.  We have to decide how to use social media to project ourselves to the world.  Is it who we really are, or are we camouflaged in social media to be something we are not?

These are my two camouflaged hunting blinds. 

PERSEVERANCE

I think we would all agree that today’s society is one of instant gratification.  Living in this time of instant gratification I wonder if we have forgotten the understanding of perseverance.  The 2014 muzzleloading season was a great hunting season for me.  I was blessed with a small buck and a doe.  The buck was that of instant gratification.  I had not been in my blind over an hour when he appeared.  I took the shot and he dropped no more than 20 yards from where I shot him.  The doe was my personal lesson in perseverance.  I had been in my blind for a little over four hours and it was nearing sunset.  I was just about to pack up my gear when I saw the doe appear.  I watched her for a short time before she was in range.  I took the shot and saw her dart out of the clearing toward the woods.  I knew she was going to have to be tracked in the dark and this would be my first experience at tracking.  I text my husband and let him know I was going to need his help.  With coats on and flashlights in hand, we started the tracking adventure.  It is amazing how much different the woods look at night and it is very easy to lose your sense of direction, so we used trail tape to mark the blood trail.  We would track for a while and then lose the trail.  My husband was encouraging and told me we had to keep looking.  It was getting late, cold and past dinner time.  We lost the blood trail at least four different times and each time I would take a deep breath, sigh and think we had lost the deer.  Again , my husband was patiently encouraging and that is when the topic of perseverance came up.  He said that word kept coming to mind and that is when I got the idea for this blog post.  It took us over four hours to find the doe.  Once we found her that was not the end of the adventure as we then had to get her out of the woods.  My husband cut down one of the small trees and we tied her legs to the tree.  Each of us grabbed an end of the tree and started the trek of hauling her out.  It was a good thing we had left the “bread crumbs” of trail tape or I am afraid I would still be out there wandering around tying to find my way back.  That day of hunting in God’s outdoor library was over an eight hour adventure.  It was a great adventure filled with patience, teamwork, encouragement and PERSEVERANCE!

1 Corinthians 9:24  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  (NIV)

Galatians 6:9  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (NIV)

The Campaign Trail

My adventure this week takes me back several years ago to the political campaign trail.  I thought this would be a good time to reflect on this adventure since it is the week of the 2014 general election.  Most who know me and my family know of our connection with former President Bill Clinton. Before I lose any readers, let me say that regardless of how you may feel about his political leadership or his moral standards, Bill Clinton helped a man I deeply respect and miss, my Papa Jack Burns, Sr. 

My Papa Burns had worked his whole life in the coal mines around Hartford and as a result developed black lung.  Several attempts at applying for his black lung benefits were unsuccessful.  My Uncle Wendell "Buddy" Burns knew an attorney, Bill Clinton, who was retained to represent my Papa in his case to receive benefits.  Clinton represented the case successfully and my Papa received the benefits he so greatly deserved.  

As a result of Clinton's representation of my Papa, many of my family members campaigned for Clinton in his bids for Congress, Attorney General, Governor and President.  I have many memories of attending campaign rallies and nightly political discussions at our house.  While many of the campaign memories are good, some are scary.  I remember rocks being thrown at our house and our car windshield being broken out by a thrown rock.  It seems there has always been and always will be violence associated with politics.

When I was a senior in high school I was selected by the Hartford American Legion Post to attend Arkansas Girls State. Bill Clinton was serving as governor at the time.  I was appointed as the Girls' State Governor's administrative assistant and spent the day in the Governor's chambers at the state Capitol where I once again was reacquainted with Bill Clinton.  As soon as I introduced myself as Terri Burns from Hartford, he immediately recalled that I was Jack's granddaughter.  Today I proudly have a display in my office of political memorabilia including personal letters, campaign stickers and photos from those campaign days. 

As a librarian I understand  and respect the influence and power of the written word.  I am so honored to be Jack Burns, Sr.'s granddaughter.  

The excerpt from the book "My Life" reads:  "He was about five feet four inches tall and couldn't have weighted much more than one hundred pounds.  Jack was an old-fashioned man of quiet dignity, who was severely damaged by black lung.  He was entitled to the benefits, and he and his wife badly needed them to help pay their bills.  In the months we worked together, I came to respect both his patience and his determination.  When we won his case, I was almost as happy as he was."

The written words by former United States President Bill Clinton in his book "My Life" sums up my Papa, the man who was Jack Burns, Sr.  

 Clinton, William Jefferson.  2004.  Random House. New York, New York.

Spider Webs

It was my first hunt of the 2014 muzzleloader season and I decided to camp out in my blind for the day.  I’ve learned that when hunting it is impossible to continually stay focused on the hunting area watching for a deer to appear.  So, to help pass the time I always have a book with me and I also do a lot of nature watching. 

It is amazing how heightened your senses become when you are sitting quietly in the woods.  A single leaf falling off a tree and reaching the ground can be startling.  One piece of nature that caught my attention on this particular hunt was a spider web in the corner of my hunting blind.  The way the spider web glistened as the sun shone through it was beautiful and displayed the intricacies of the web. It reminded me of my third grade teacher, Mrs. Janelle Hammonds, reading Charlotte’s Web to our class.  The web in my blind did not have a Charlotte in it, but there was a small moth and several leaves ensnared in the web and it made me think about the spider webs of life.  The leaves entangled in the web had randomly fallen off the tree with no sense of direction and no ability to control where they landed.  In our lives, if we do not guard ourselves we can easily find ourselves trapped in webs…webs of hateful and negative speech, webs of lying, webs of self-pride, webs of greed, and the list goes on.  Unlike leaves floating aimlessly, we can chose to be alert and aware and not end up ensnared in dangerous webs.

Youth Hunt 2014

My most recent outdoor adventure was the 2014 Oklahoma youth hunt.  It was an absolutely beautiful weekend for spending time in God’s vast outdoor library.  We had made all the preparations to create a successful hunting environment for our youngest son, Isaac, on his youth hunt.  With a tree stand and a blind, corn feeders, sighted in gun and hunting clothes ready, we set out on the youth hunt adventure.  My husband hunted with our son during two morning hunts and I hunted with him during an evening hunt.  All the signs of deer were around our hunting spots, but alas, they did not make an appearance while we were there.

One of our older sons, Zach, was able to join us on this outdoor adventure, as well as some great friends, Kendal, Hali, Coston and Margo Repass.  Our sleeping quarters where we hunt is what we affectionately refer to as the “huntin’ shack.”  Our friends decided not to sleep in the “huntin’ shack” and brought a tent because their kiddos had been asking to sleep in a tent.  Much to my surprise, Hali, had never slept in a tent before that night.  Hali is a strong woman who runs marathons and I was excited to see how she would like her first tent camping experience.  She did great and I foresee more tent camping adventures in their future. The weekend consisted of a little hunting, sitting around the campfire and sharing stories, watching the kids play and having time to simply slow down from the hectic pace of everyday life and relax.

The best memory I will take away from our 2014 Oklahoma youth hunt adventure is the memory of a six year old boy praying for his friend.  Before the evening hunt, we all gathered and held hands to pray in God’s outdoor library.  Coston asked if he could say the prayer and I was almost in tears when he finished.  Hearing the sincerity of a 6 year old boy praying for God to help his friend Isaac get a deer and thanking God for camping was a very moving experience.

No deer = Unsuccessful Hunt:  NO WAY! 

These are the times that make great memories.  

Looks Can Be Deceiving

Today's outdoor adventure occurred a couple of years ago and reminds me that looks can be deceiving.

The house was in great need of new paint.  It had been eight years since it was last painted and the weather had taken its toll, causing the paint to fade and peel.  Some of the wood was like new, some just needed old paint scraped off and other pieces of wood were in such bad shape that they need to be replaced.

The temperature outside was near 100 degrees.  Add the Oklahoma humidity to that temperature, and it felt like 110 degrees.  This made painting the house a daunting task.  In those conditions, my only thoughts were how quickly I could get the job done.  I would paint an area where boards should have been repaired, but were not because of the heat and amount of work involved.  I stepped back to look at my handy work and thought, "looking at the house from the road, the new paint looks pretty good."  I thought that folks driving by the house would appreciate the look of the fresh paint.  I knew; however, that looks can be deceiving and the new paint was only a temporary cosmetic fix to a bigger problem that would have to be fixed in the near future.

This outdoor adventure made me think about our lives, and especially our lives as Christians.  Do we look "great" when people see us . . . physically fit, well groomed and organized like we have it all together.  Then, upon a closer look and getting to know each other, we actually see the scars left from different life experiences. Scars of hurting hearts that need mending or of hopes and dreams that need to be fulfilled.  

As Christians it is not always easy to let others see us up close, with our "peeling paint and broken boards."  We don't want to be like the house I was painting and only look good from a distance. We don't want our appearance as a Christian to be deceiving.  Should it not be our goal to look as good up close and personal as we do from a distance?

1 Peter 3:3-5New King James Version (NKJV)
3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 

1 Samuel 16:7New King James Version (NKJV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Remembering Molly's Adventures

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened"

(Anatole France – French Poet) 

This week’s adventure was a difficult one.  We had to say goodbye to our family pet, Molly.  Molly, a miniature dachshund, was given to our family, most specifically to our youngest son, by some very dear friends over four years ago.

 

Having grown up in a house with no indoor pets, or pets that you got attached to, I was the skeptical one in the family that hesitated getting an indoor pet.  Being around Molly at our friends’ home quickly changed my mind.  Molly instantly became our youngest son’s best friend.  Molly went everywhere with him. She was his constant companion when we would travel out of town and leave our son and Molly with the grandparents.  She was his constant companion on our family ski trips and camping adventures.  There was not a mean bone in her body.

I believe Molly’s purpose on this earth was to awaken the part of my soul that was asleep.  She taught me to love and have compassion in a way I did not know.  

        

My First Trophy (part 2)

My First Trophy (part 2)

This week I continue my adventure in God's library on a deer hunt where I got my first trophy.

My husband has taught our boys, and now me, that there is more to hunting than just shooting the animal.  The next part of my hunting experience with my first trophy was not so pleasant.  My husband taught me how to field dress the deer and let’s just say that I got very sick to my stomach and could smell that odor for days (yes, it was a gut shot).    I then learned about skinning and quartering the deer for processing. 

What came next, I will never forget.  This was my first time to ever hunt and kill an animal.  That night, I was visited by death in my dreams.  I had dreamed about death coming to get me…a large black cloud appearing as with open arms pulling me in.   I woke up in a cold sweat, shaking all over.  I wrestled with the fact that I had taken the life of one of God’s living creatures.  But reading in Genesis 9 about God giving creatures that move along the ground and fish of the sea to man for food, I was able to put that nightmare behind me.  My family hunts to put food on our table and in the process we build family and friend relationships.

So, when you are out hunting in God’s library, give Him thanks for the beauty of His world and the food he provides.

My First Trophy

My adventure in God's library today takes us on a deer hunt where I got my first trophy. (part 1)

For those of you who deer hunt, you know about that nervous and excited feeling you get when a deer comes into your sight and is within shooting range.  

My adrenaline was rushing as I got the deer in my sights and took the shot.  I remember going over all the lessons my husband had taught me about where to shoot the deer, watching for the direction the deer runs, how long to wait in the stand before I try to track the deer.  It seemed like a lot to remember in a short amount of time.  I messaged my husband and our friends that were also out hunting at the time and they joined me to track the deer.   After about 30 minutes of tracking, we found the deer. 

A very special part of this hunt was my family and our friends gathering around the deer and praying, thanking God for providing food for our family and for the time we got to spend in His library.

My first trophy was claimed November 19, 2011.  My trophy was not a deer for the Boone and Crockett record books, but a trophy because it was my first deer and because of the memories made!

Tree Stand, Rain and Relationships

This is the time of year that I start thinking about sitting in a tree stand or blind for deer hunting.  Last fall when I was outdoors in God's library these thoughts came to mind.

Sitting in a tree stand in the fall you can see all the different colors of the leaves that have changed with the new season.  Folks that have been around a few years say that the amount of rain we get before fall determines if there will be pretty fall foliage.  Without water from the rain, the leaves do not go through their color transformation.  They go from green to brown and quickly fall off the tree. Water is the life source that provides abundant color.  

Our relationship with God and our families and friends is a lot like the rain and trees.  If our relationships go through a drought they can become dull, lifeless and quickly fall away.  If we; however, will be like the rain is to the trees and spend time with those whom we want a relationship, we can have beautiful and vibrant relationships just as beautiful all the fall colored leaves on the trees that have been nourished by the rain.

This picture of my husband and our sons was taken several years ago.  Adventures in God's Library is all about building relationships.


Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Today’s adventure in God’s library takes us snow skiing in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado.

The Oklahoma heat can be so oppressive in late August and early September.  It is during this time that I think about cooler weather and snow skiing.  Today’s adventure in God’s library takes us snow skiing in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado.

I took my first ski trip with my son, Zach, several years ago.  We went with a church youth group to Angel Fire, NM.  Zach picked up the skill of skiing without any problems; however, I was a different story.  My lack of coordination and flexibility greatly hindered learning my new found sport. 

Even with no ski skills, I fell in love with the beauty of the snow and mountains and since my husband, brother-n-law and sister-n-law were all experienced skiers, we decided to take our families on a ski trip, which has since turned in to a family tradition.

It’s been 6 years since we took our first family ski vacation and my skiing ability has slowly improved.  I still use blades instead of skis and I still “pizza” when I should “French fry.”   One thing does always remain the same, the beauty of the snowy mountains in God’s library.

The beauty of God in the snowy mountains is AMAZING!  On the ski slopes there are two types of skiers that remind me of how my Christian walk should be.  There are those skiers, like myself, who are very cautious, ski slowly and take time out from the ski run just to sit and enjoy the quietness of the snow covered mountain and God’s beauty. 

Then there are those skiers, like everyone else in my family, who go all out as fast as they can down the mountain with no fear of falling or no fear of the terrain that lies ahead of them.

While we are told in God’s word to “be still and know that I am God” I wish my Christian walk (and my skiing ability) was more like the skiing ability of my family. . . BOLD, not afraid to share Jesus with a blind faith that what He has in store for my future is for my best and that I will be able to handle any moguls or turns that are in my path.  With faith I can enjoy a “French fry” life.

On my adventure today I'm headed out in the 1998 camouflage GMC truck and 2000 grizzly four wheeler to scout out some deer hunting spots in God's library. It's going to be a hot one, but thankful for a breeze.

Duck Hunting in God's Library

December 29, 2003 I experienced my first duck hunting adventure at Fannie Creek, Oklahoma. On this trip I did not shoot ducks with a gun, but with a 35mm film camera.


It is hours before dawn and it's dark and cold,
the stillness of the dark morning is deafening.
I'm experiencing something new...
it turns out to be something much more than hunting.


A special time to spend with my husband,
experiencing what he enjoys in the great outdoors of God's library.
A planned time to become closer to him...
and an unexpected realization.


We step into the water and begin walking.
My husband knows where we are going, but for me the path is unknown.
The mist rises from the water obscuring the light, the water gets deeper...
I start to get scared and am thinking I want to go back home.


My husband takes my hand and calms me down because he knows I am scared and unsure of what's ahead.
He leads me to where I need to be, ever so patient and slow.
Is this not how it should be with God...
Throwing up my hands, letting go of all control I think I have and letting Him lead me to where He wants me to go.


The sun appeared on that hunting adventure shedding light so I could see where I had been.
The SON appeared so I can see where I need to be.

Thanks for going on outdoor adventures with me in "God's Library."  I am the Outdoor Librarian, Terri Carroll.  The stereotypical image of a librarian is a matronly old woman with her hair in a bun and her nose stuck in a book. I am NOT your stereotypical librarian.  I'm a camo wearin', gun totin', camp cookin' librarian!

My family includes my husband, four sons, four dogs and a cat and our neighbors refer to us as "the outdoor family."  My guys love to hunt and fish and play sports.  I decided years ago that if I wanted to be a part of their activities and lives, I would join them in the great outdoors. I've learned a lot, but I've got a lot more to learn.


 Come along with me and share my adventures in God's library!