Hello All,

I had every intention of sending out an end of the year message to you but the winter bronchitis, cough, flu, got a hold of Ray and I and we were sick over Christmas. We are much better but the cough has become a constant companion and hangs on. We are not alone as we hear a chorus of coughing throughout the church on Sunday mornings. Is there a “make a joyful cough” verse in the Bible? I pray that this finds you well.

As a family our year ended with joy even in the midst of our sickness. We are so happy to announce that our daughter, Kimberly got engaged on Christmas Day. She and Marty will marry sometime in the spring of 2008. They both work for Penske Logistics and they cannot be married and be in the positions that they have there. He hopes to be promoted this year so they are waiting to see how that all plays out. He cares for her in a loving way as she does him and we have grown to love Marty as family. Pray for them and for us as we grow more and more together as families. Please pray also that both Marty and Kim would together share a relationship with God and that they would find a church they both could attend and be involved in together.

Emalee and Tim went on their honeymoon cruise over Christmas. They went to Jamaica and Grand Turk in the Carribean. They had a great time and are now home and in the process of buying a house. It is so fun watching them and sharing in their lives. Pray for them throughout this time as they go through the loan process and move hopefully in April. Please continue to pray for them in their search for a church where they feel God has led them.

Jonathan has worked very hard ending his year financially better than he started it. His time at the Subaru dealership gave him the income to acheive a lot of his goals financially. He has changed jobs and is now serving at Bravo, an upscale Itallian resteraunt. He plans to return to school in the fall to complete his degree. We enjoyed an extended visit with him over Christmas. Thankfully, he did not get sick with us. Please pray for his walk with God to be close, trusting, and on the path He desires. Pray for every provision to be made according to God’s plan.

Ray and I are together attending Weight Watchers, walking several times a week, and trusting God to bring our bodies to a place that gives Him glory. Please pray for us on this journey. We are off to a good start. May we endure the course faithfully that we may serve Him in good health. We are privately together doing the Beth Moore - Breaking Free Bible study. Pray that God will make our hearts open to all He wants to reveal and teach us about ourselves and Him.

Faith Steps Ministries has been quite active with the beginning of a New Year. I have continued to produce the Faith in the Face of Cancer books. So far approx. 15 books have been sent out. I rejoice in reports back about their effectivesness. May God speak, use them, and be given glory. One person called to tell me that she really didn’t know when she ordered one how God wanted to use it. Then several days after receiving it, she had a co-worker who while being diagnosed for diabetes discovered that she had leukemia. This friend went to her bedside in intensive care and left the book beside her bed. Pray for this individual who’s life has no doubt been turned upside down. Pray that this book will comfort and guide her. Pray particularly that if she does not know the Lord and have a relationship with Him that she will be guided into that.

Another copy has been placed in the waiting room of a doctor’s office. Pray for God to use this book and that it will go out with power to land in the hands of those God wants to speak to.
I have two retreats I am planning to do in the spring. One is with Coastal Community Church in Virginia Beach and the other is a rescheduled one with area churches in Norfolk. The Coastal retreat will be held in March and the other in May.
I had asked that you pray about the writers conference that is being held in February in Colorado. God has not opened this door and certainly this doesn’t seem to be the winter to travel to that area. (Three blizzards so far) I received word of the same writers conference I attended five years ago in Asheville, NC. That one will be held in May and I am praying if that is where God would desire for me to go, He will show me. Please pray with me that I will walk completely in the path He leads.

I am working on two writing projects right now. My book is very near completion - HALLELUJAH!!! I can hardly believe it myself. The other project is another small gift book that is designed as a guide for believers to understand in practical terms who God is, how one can truly know Him, and the way to live in the power and promises that He gives to us. It is a 4×5 in. hands-on-guide that can be carried easily. It will come with verse cards to aide the person in their walk with God growing deeper. Pray for me as this is probably still a couple of months away from being available. If you choose to advance order and be placed on a list, then you will receive a copy first. The cost is expected to be $10.

My son, Tim began a design business in addition to his employment at Longwood University and is reconstructing the Faith Steps website. Please pray for us as we work together on this. Pray that it will be used by God and become another tool for His glory.

As you can see, I am busy at my home office here. What a blessing for me to know that others join me in my work, support me, and pray for me in ways that sustain, and give me the courage to continue on in this amazing journey. As I have stated many times before, do not hesitate to send me your heart desires for prayer that I may pray for you as well. I have no greater joy than to talk of you with God.

Blessings to each of you,
Pat Owens
Faith Steps Ministries