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An Interview with Our Family ~ And Walking Through Fear
May 12, 2011
Our family was recently interviewed (sounds so grand when it's really only questions sent via e-mail and response sent back via e-mail) by Francis Tapon. Damien did a review last month of Francis' book Hike Your Own Hike.
Tapon's interview of our family can be found on his site WanderLearn (cool name).
Have you ever asked yourself "hum... I wonder what Renee's husband is like?" Of course in a totally platonic, non husband-stealing kind of way. That man is all mine girls.
Are you curious what it is we're up to with all this "outdoor stuff"?
Have you wondered how you can get your own family out the door for more adventures?
It's all there in the interview. A peek (not that kind of peek, for shame!) at who my husband is. How we are learning to combine our passions and interests to follow our dreams. Just why we value adventuring together so much. And advice for other families who want to get outdoors and experience those same benefits.
And now, eight days out from starting our biggest adventure yet I have something a tad more personal to share.
Identifying your passions, following your dreams and making ideas happen as a family is a bit of a scary business. Kind of like spring creek crossing.
a very simple spring creek crossing from our hike 2 weeks ago
We're only at the beginning of this adventure in progress but it's nerve racking and nail biting some days. And we haven't even launched!
Many of you have so thoughtfully expressed your excitement for us in this move. Thank you! It's wonderful to have people encourage you with their enthusiasm. But I want to be honest about the fear I am facing also. A fear of the unknown future. A hard thing for this security seeking mama.
I am meditating on scripture (because fear is a killer) and wanted to share these thoughts.
Romans 4:18-21
...Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
What is the promise of God for our family? I think it can be found in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Any Christian seeking reassurance about their future loves the first part of this passage, "plans to prosper and not to harm..." But the following is where my heart dwells right now:
...then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Wow, God's promise for us is that He will be found when we seek Him. What greater purpose is there to life than knowing our creator?
And how do I do this? How do I wait on God, hope in the promise of God, know God, in the midst of uncertainty, unknowns and fear?
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition (lots of asking), with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So that's where I am right now. Acknowleging fear, sadness, and loss (so many goodbyes this week). But holding onto promises, plans and dreams and finding hope and peace in God.
And stepping out into the stream.
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Charity on May 12, 2011, 2:44 a.m.
Renee, thank you for sharing. I look forward to reading the interview. I love how transparent you are! I found the verse I was talking about. It is in 2 Timothy Chapter 1 (verse 7...but I hate to just give you that one verse...the whole chapter is good).
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renee on May 12, 2011, 12:06 p.m.
Yes, I found it yesterday also after our visit (smile).
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Jill Foley on May 12, 2011, 3:39 a.m.
Wow - this might be the most beautiful post you've written. Thank you for your transparency and your willingness to share this time with you.
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Jill Foley on May 12, 2011, 5:07 a.m.
I wanted to add something to my comment above....It was never my dream to move around a lot and yet, in the past 15 years we have lived in 7 states. It's hard saying goodbye - to friends, family, houses, familiar places. But the single most important thing I've learned is that when seeking to follow God's will - you absolutely cannot lose. None of our moves were initiated by me, but I'm so thankful for the way God has worked in our lives through them.
I'm praying this will be a similar experience for you and your family.
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renee on May 12, 2011, 12:06 p.m.
Thank you!
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Emily on May 12, 2011, 12:10 p.m.
I love this, Renee. Faith and hope have been on my mind a lot. I Thank you for sharing these scriptures. I needed them today. I'm finding out more and more that life is filled with uncertainties and opportunities that require those "leap of faith" types of growing and stretching experiences. I'm certain we all will have them in some form or another, some quietly hidden and some (like yours) open for others to see. Thank you for sharing your fears. Thanks for being real, this way. It helps.
Your family has been on my mind and I'm wishing you all the very best as you take this "leap" together.
xo
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Megan on May 12, 2011, 4:24 p.m.
Your post reminded me of something I just listened to about Abraham and his call, by Tim Keller: http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/real-security-and-call-god
Both that sermon and your post has given me lots to ponder about call and response, and leaps of faith. Love that your family is living God's call. Thanks for sharing! The perennials you shared with us all are sprouting and blooming and we've been appreciating them. :)
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Tara on May 12, 2011, 9:47 p.m.
Renee, Thank you for always sharing your journey and for allowing yourself to be vulnerable infront of your readers- you are not afraid to share TRUE LIFE which consists of fear, hope, uncertainty , faith and joy and everything in between! When I think of you and your family, what you share-and what I read in the interview - I am always reminded of this quote:
"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die Discover that I had not lived.†(this quote has always been very meaningful to me)
In my opinion, you and your family embody this to the fullest and I find that truly inspiring. Continue to have the courage to have faith in the first place. Continue to follow your calling as a woman, wife, mother, artist, daughter. Continue to take the risks that, although feel scary, are inspired by God and take you closer to the deliberate life you and your family are cultivating. I am certain that the Tougas family will never feel that they have not lived.
Thank you for inspiring the rest of us to seize the day and live more deliberately; to live the life WE want to live vs the life that is "mainstream" and "safe".
It may seem strange since we never have met and we are very different women, but your blog and what you share on it has definitely inspired me to make some changes in my and my family's life. I came upon your blog after another inspiring mamafriend shared it with me. It was at a time when I found myself questioning some of our ways and itching to make some changes. I am very practical and a planner and felt "paralyzed" by this practicality. God brought this mamafriend to me, and your blog, just at a time that I needed it! As a result, I have sttarted making babysteps- babysteps that I was too nervous to take before. These babysteps have impacted our diet, our finances and our recreation.
I guess the borrom line is that I am feeling less paralyzed and more courageous. Families like yours help give me some of that courage. Have faith and go forward knowing that you are doing God's work by inspiring others and that HE will always lead you where you need to go.
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renee on May 12, 2011, 10:25 p.m.
Tara, this comment ministered to me right now, in the moment I needed it to. Thank you.
I am feeling rather displaced this afternoon. Damien is officially no longer employed. We're busy packing, cleaning, reno-ing. We're saying goodbyes. Leaving (ripping ourselves out it sometimes feels) one life, closing the book on a long chapter but haven't felt the freedom of turning over the page to start writing the new chapter. We're at the lonely end before the new beginning.
And I am wrestling with all of this, and saying goodbye to my dearest Maine friend (and mama mentor) this afternoon, and then I read this comment. And it is so encouraging. I know moving is the right path because the desires God has placed in our hearts cannot be realized here. But still I am experiencing very real loss and sadness, and it's only just hit this week. I guess it had to hit sometime.
So thank you Tara.
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Carrie (jamesrivergirl) on May 12, 2011, 10:26 p.m.
Our situations are reversed: we seem to need to stay where we are to follow the path God has for us you need to move somewhere new. I really identify with that "fear of the unknown." I totally get it. But, I am learning that I can make a home anywhere, that there are blessings even greater than living in a great location, that God knows more than I do. Press forward and be believing. Good luck! -Carrie
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Carrie (jamesrivergirl) on May 12, 2011, 10:29 p.m.
And also, I'm sorry you're sad. Moving is hard. love, Carrie
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Tara on May 12, 2011, 11:13 p.m.
After all you have inspired me, I am so touched that my comments ministered to you. I think that the feeling of sadness and loss demonstrates that your life in Maine was full and rich and blessed with strong connections, good expereinces and happy memories. Change is rarely easy and often involves mourning what you are leaving- even if what you are going to is desirable. Let your self mourn this. I am sorry it feels so hard and hope that you will soon feel situated and connected and happy as your new path takes shape.
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Lisa on May 13, 2011, 1:02 a.m.
Beautiful post! I am sad that you are moving just when we are arriving...but know that He will bring to completion the good He has begun - for both of our families! Philippians 1:6
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beth west on May 13, 2011, 2:13 a.m.
Lisa, are you moving to Maine? If so, email if you'd like. We live in the mid-coastal area just a ways west of Belfast.
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beth west on May 13, 2011, 2:22 a.m.
Renee, you recommended a book a few weeks ago about ordinary moments. I wish I could remember the title, but it alludes me for now. I was so blessed by it. Your move right now reminds me in many ways of the author's. Their move ended up being such a good thing for their family, but there was no escaping the painful and difficult portions of the journey. I pray that you will all be comforted and encouraged as you seek to follow God's plans for your lives.
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renee on May 13, 2011, 12:23 p.m.
The Gift of an Ordinary Day - it was such a good book. I'm so glad you liked it. You can see why I recommended it so highly, in light of everything going on in my own life.
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Karen on May 13, 2011, 2:23 a.m.
This reminds me of a song by Evangeline Inman: the essence being in order to follow a star (in reference to the wise men) they had to leave the place where they were. Be strong and of good courage in following your 'Star'.
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Rana on May 13, 2011, 3:23 a.m.
One of my mom's favorites quotes was "Courage is knowing God is backing you up." Your family is very courageous and also encouraging to a lot of families. It's good to know that we can be strong and embrace our fears because God will only give us what we can bear. (1Cor. 10:13)
Like I have said before you are a strong Mama and you and your husband have passed that on to your children. How proud they must be to have you for parents. I would be!
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Shawn on May 13, 2011, 3:17 p.m.
Beautiful post and verses aside, your first few lines cracked me up. :) Blessings on your new grand adventure!
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Jennifer on May 15, 2011, 7:07 p.m.
Wonderful post. It is so difficult to walk in the fear - to wade in the water to the other side. You have to get wet in the middle. But I'm so glad to see you have Scriptures to cling to to help you through this time. It is painful to move away from dear friends. My thoughts are with you.
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Kyce on May 16, 2011, 7:28 p.m.
Just wanted to add to all these lovely comments that I really enjoyed the interview with Damien. I was drawn to it mostly b/c I'm still curious about you, actually, and gained more insight into your family through his voice. And I must say, I was totally inspired--he was very practical and his advice on backpacking and the like with children was so good. I'm going to have to spend more time over at AinP now.
We are finding ourselves in the midst of a transition that we didn't quite plan but are grateful for nonetheless, and I am able to relate in a visceral rather than purely intellectual way to what you all are going through (though the scale of our change is miniscule in comparison). Let me just say: WOW!
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Rambling Heather on May 12, 2011, 2:37 a.m.
Oh Renee, these photo's and words make me want to go right now into the woods and begin our very own adventure! I cant wait to see the interview and learn more about your family. You truly inspire me! I needed to be reminded of these scriptures and that I will defeat fear with His help!