Hello Friends,

I can hardly believe how long it has been since last I wrote to you. Where do the days go? It is hard for me to believe that we are in 2008 let alone that February is nearly over! Let me catch you up on ministry happenings with me. I am anxious to hear from you and to know how your lives are going as well. It is always a true joy for me to pray for you and to know how God is working in your life. Since it has been awhile since I have written I will try to give you a brief overview of Faith Steps activities.

The small group retreat I held at Eastover Manor on the James was a great success. All the women including myself had a wonderful time of fellowship, and feasting both on terrific food and the beautiful surroundings of the plantation overlooking the James River. The retreat took us into the topic of The Bride of Christ. We had some wonderful moments with the Lord gaining a new and fresh look at just who we are in Christ. I am posting some pics for you to enjoy on the website. I look forward to hosting more of these small group retreats. If you have a group of ten women that are interested in escaping together, just let me know. I can plan it for you.

The fall women’s gathering was a great success and lots of fun. We all feasted on decadent desserts but as you know I speak of no ones plates following this event!!! Mums the word on what anyone eats!!! I held a Fall Fashion Fiasco that brought about some great times of laughter for everyone. It was a good time of inspiration as we also took a look at just how God liiks upon us, and the beauty we bring to him. The event was attended by 75 women.

Christmas time gave me several opportunities of ministry as I spoke at several different churches at their women’s events. I enjoyed the fellowship of being with some friends from churches where I have spoken before and I also enjoyed meeting new sisters in Christ. Sometimes I appeared in my “Christmas Comedy Frock” and others I had to appear more refined. You know which one comes easier for me, now don’t you??? Either way, I am thankful for the way God showed me in times of ministry one on one with women, He was using that time for His work and His glory.

The New Year began with me spending some time in Delaware with my sister. It began a little differently than I had envisioned. I had just bragged (a mistake) about not having any health problems in 2007 and celebrating that on New Years Eve. Then fifteen minutes later I got out of her car and fell backwards in her driveway. I had bent over greeting her dog and when I tossed my canvas bag with all my Bibles in it over my shoulder…well I just kept going with the weight of the Bibles. Unfortunately the Bibles didn’t land under my behind and I gave my tailbone a jolt. It’s a very sore type of injury but nothing they can do about it. Truly, how would you put a tailbone in a cast???? Anyway, after about six weeks I was moving about just fine. As for my health, I am celebrating the wonderful news that my cardiologist has allowed me to go off of one of the medicines that I have been taking for six years!!! Isn’t that great news. I have been off of it now for nearly two months and I am doing wonderfully with no problems. Praise our Lord with me!

The most recent Faith Steps news is that yesterday I received the disappointing news that On Mission magazine cannot use the articles that I had written for them. First let me explain the process. When you spin the idea off to them (the query), they accept that they are willing for you to write it. They give you the guidelines and the word count they are looking for. Then you do the work and submit on their deadline. They have the editorial right to accept or reject the final proposed work. The editor stated that the direction of the magazine had become more and more focused on the work of the missionaries and that she was now unable to accept articles that did not feature their work. I was grateful that she stated the articles were written well (the enemy knows how easy it is to attack me on my confidence level) and the editor did offer some suggestions of where to possibly pitch the articles. Though it is difficult having spent the money to travel, do interviews, etc. and then also to do the work of writing, editing, etc. I must say, it’s part of the process of writing and you must have a tough skin. The news of course has been hard to receive and yet God was waiting for me in his word as I read last night. In Matthew where Jesus gives us what we know as The Great Commission, Jesus first states, “All authority has been given to me both in heaven and on earth…” This truly ministered to me as Jesus reminded me that He is in full authority here. He truly is the one who guides and makes the decisions regarding that which I do. As I read on I then see the words we all know, “go ye…” I am just to continue the journey. God will continue to exercise all authority regarding the direction. He ministered to my heart with His words.

I led a retreat a couple of weeks ago for a Presbyterian church here in Norfolk. I have another Presbyterian church retreat lined up in Virginia Beach in mid March. This last Sunday I spoke at a Methodist church here in Chesapeake. All of these opportunities have been such a blessing that God has brought. I am so thankful. The opportunities to minister have been varied and such a joy. I prayed this last Sunday on my way to the Methodist Women’s Tea. I asked God to do exactly what He had brought each specific women there to receive. Then I asked if He would just delight me by letting me know that He had done that. One dear woman approached me prior to leaving and she stated, “..I just had to tell you that this is exactly what I needed. I needed to laugh. …My son dies three weeks ago and I had already sat in church this morning and cried. I truly needed to laugh.” Isn’t God so good to give both she and I what we needed! It’s our amazing, loving God!

I hosted the Valentine Women’s gathering. It is was titled, “My Heart is His”. We enjoyed a comedic look at the journey of discovering what love is in a woman’s life. What fun it was! We also enjoyed a few good desserts - yum. Then we closed with a time of embracing the one true love of our life, our Lord Jesus. This event had 115 women in attendance! Praise God!

I debuted a booklet written to aide people in their understanding of the Bible. This work came out of my research for my Sunday evening class. It is a ten page booklet (easy read) entitled, The Bible: A Journey Through the Ages. It provides an easily understood overview of the journey of the Bible. It answers questions like, “Who wrote the Bible?…”How did it come to be?…and “why are there so many different translations?” I have found that people don’t always know what the difference is in different translations. Also, there is such a rich history in the Bible’s journey. I have not charged for copies of this booklet. I have told people that if they would like to have copies to let me know and simply make a donation to Faith Steps to aide me in the cost of production. It is a ten page (font and back) laminated Bible-sized booklet. Just let me know if you would like a copies. Also, pray with me for God to use this for His glory.

I am hosting the Easter women’s gathering on Thursday, March 20th 7-9 p.m. at Great Bridge Baptist Church’s Fellowship Hall. It is titled, “Jesus Paid it All”. We will have the decadent desserts and the beverage/coffee bar. Cost is $10 each and please make reservations early. We are growing in size (Hallelujah) and I don’t want anyone to miss out. Full tables (eight people) can be purchased for $75. These tables provide reserved seating at your choice of tables. Mail checks payable to Faith Steps: 1703 J Birch Trail Circle, Chesapeake, VA 23320