Meeting Him in the Wilderness: A True Story of Adventure and Faith

by Lois E. Olson

This true story begins with the author following the flashing tail-lights of a U-Haul truck driven by her husband and ends four years later as another truck is about to drive off. In between, an engrossing story unfolds about a small family seeking fulfillment in the wilderness of Washington state in areas accessible only by floatplane or a four-hour boat trip. What happens to this family as they meet each new experience makes a captivating adventure story told with wit and piety. Olson writes with such simple beauty of expression that a walk in the forest becomes an enchanting encounter with nature. And the terror of their four year old daughter seriously hurt, hours and untold miles from competent help, leaves an indelible imprint on the reader. The motivation to leave middle America with its comfortable homes, paved streets and shopping centers is a search for complete happiness. But the Olsons find more than personal fulfillment among the giant trees, towering snow-capped peaks, singing streams and a few dozen people very unlike themselves. They also find the presence, the power and the majesty of God.

Genres: Biography

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2004

Reviews

[Grace Avender]

Amazing amazing story of God's faithfulness and His tender calling of those He has chosen to Himself. This book has strengthened my faith and made me want to move to a remote island as well!! Definitely recommend it to everyone!

[Ann]

What a delight!
I picked this book up at the Airbnb we went to for our anniversary, knowing I couldn't finish it. But it was such a good story (memoir), that I got a used copy on Amazon to finish it.
I think I "recognize" the author and some stories as the jacket cover says she has been a frequent contributor to Guideposts magazine.
I relate to her faith journey, the adventure of the young married life, the love of the outdoors, the trauma of dealing with childhood crises... I wouldn't change anything about her storytelling style! I will be looking her up to see where else life (God) has lead her.

[Jan Barwick]

There are a handful of books that are my favorites and this is one if them. I found this years ago and it is a treasure! Based on a true story and a beautiful trust in the Lord. I loved it!

[Suzyberry]

This is a book published many years ago, yet it has never left my memory or heart. A true story of a family who leaves it all behind to live simply in the wilderness. The joys of such a life plus the near tragedies of such a life are beautifully told by the author. I have given this book as a gift many times and everyone is touched and changed for having read it. The isolation of a life lived in this way leads the author to an incredible change in her faith...thus 'meeting HIM in the wilderness'. Like so many, once she stripped away the frenzy of the world, the modern conveniences of the world and the crush of people all around her, she finally came to know who she was, what she wanted and how to keep that precious relationship with the Lord within her forever. This is not just for Christian readers...this book will touch everyone and make you look closely and honestly at what really brings you peace, joy and happiness. A treasure of a book!

[Nathaniel Howard]

Meeting Him in the Wilderness by Lois Ellen Olsen was an overall good book. I give this book a 5 star rating because it is not only intriguing, but it has a small family that has their lives changed for the better and forever. This story also has a small amount of romance, fear, action, and religion. The romance is between man and the nature God has created for them. The fear and the action go almost hand and hand as the action increases so does the fear and as the fear increases so does the action.
The ending was amazing. The ending comes complete circle from the beginning. There's a twist to it, instead of moving by heart it's by faith this time.

[Kerrie Parker]

I loved this book.