~ Results of Valentine Event ~

The Faith Steps Valentine event was held on Jan. 28, 2010. It was a packed house! We were so blessed to have 166 people in attendance! This is the largest group we have ever had. God blessed our time together and gave us an evening of good food and fellowship. The comedy throughout the evening lifted spirits as I have received comments over and over again about how much women need this type of connection, laughter, and inspiration. New venue’s of food are being used and they seem to be successful. God has done an amazing job at spreading the word and bringing new faces to our events. Faith Steps is growing, and I give Him all the credit and praise.

~ Upcoming Ministry Events ~

Faith Steps Women’s Spring Conference
March 20th, 2010 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Held at Great Bridge Baptist Church
640 Battlefield Blvd. South
Chesapeake, VA 23322

9 – 9:30 a.m. ~ Continental Breakfast (Pastries, Bagels, Muffins, Fresh Fruit, Coffee/Tea & Juice)
9:30-10:00 a.m. ~ Christian Comedy ~ What a Woman Wants to Be
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. ~ Praise & Worship Music
10:15 – 11:30 a.m. ~ Morning Session ~ Receiving from God What is Already Ours
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ~ Lunch Break (Out on Your Own)
1:00 – 1:30 p.m. ~ Christian Comedy ~ The Victorious Woman
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. ~ Praise & Worship Music
1:45 – 3 p.m. ~ Afternoon Session ~ Enduring With a Competitive Spirit

Ticket Cost: $15
Group Sales are Available: Purchased by One Individual: Ticket Cost $12
(Groups of Ten or More)
Scholarships are Available Where Needed ~ Contact Pat

Tickets Available Through Faith Steps ~ 757-961-6620
Checks Payable to: Faith Steps
Mail to:
Pat Owens 1703 Apt. J Birch Trail Circle
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Faith Steps Easter Event
Celebrating Life
Maundy Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Held at Great Bridge Baptist Church
Food & Fellowship in Multi-Purpose Room
Candlelight Communion in Sanctuary
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Baked Potato Bar with Incredible Toppings
Salad, Beverage & Decadent Dessert
(Light Desserts Will be Available)

Cost: $12 Per Person
Group Sales Purchased by One Person: Table of Eight ~ Cost: $90

Enjoy Great Food – Fellowship – Pat’s Comedy Presentation
Move to the Sanctuary for Quiet Worship, Inspiration, and Communion
Go Out Prepared to Celebrate the Life Christ Gives

Reservation: Deadline for Reservations/Payment ~ Sunday, March 28th, 2010
NOTE: EVENT MAY SELL OUT PRIOR TO THIS DATE!

Reservations:
Checks Payable to: Faith Steps
Mail to:
Pat Owens
1703 Apt. J Birch Trail Circle
Chesapeake, VA 23320

For Information ~ Call: 757-961-6620

Spring Beach Retreat ~ Outer Banks, NC
Saturday, April 10th – Monday, April 12th
Resting in the Promises ~ Soaking up the Son
Join other women as we escape from the normal pace of life and
enjoy a time of pampering, relaxation, & renewal.
Escape to enjoy and be pampered in this 5,700 sq. ft. Sound-Front home surrounded by water-front views.
Amenities: Three floors with elevator access, private dock/decks/porch
Hot Tub, 36 in. surround sound T.V., Gas Log Fireplace, Pool Table, Ping Pong Table, Exercise Equip.

Enjoy lavish meals & snacks prepare and served to you from a full gourmet kitchen.
Coffee/Beverage & Snack Bar Continuously Provided

Cost: $200 If sleeping on Air Mattress ~ Cost: $175
All-Inclusive ~ Lodging, Meals, Snacks, Spiritual Nourishment Sessions, Christian Comedy, Amenities
Deposit: $100 Balance Due: March 15th, 2010

THERE ARE FOUR BEDS and TWO AIR MATTRESSES AVAILABLE! MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!
One Room with Private Bath & Queen Size Bed – Sleeps Two
One Room with Bath on Hall & Queen Size Bed – Sleeps Two
One Room with Bath on Hall & Two Twin Size Beds – Sleeps Two

When reserving a room, both individuals must pay at the time of the reservation.

Questions? Call 757-961-6620
Reservations Made by Sending Deposit
Check Payable to: Faith Steps
Mail to: Pat Owens
1703 Apt. J Birch Trail Circle
Chesapeake, VA

~ Completion of Pat’s Book ~
The Final Chapter Has Been Written!!! Give God the Glory!!!
I am ready to have the final chapter edited and put the final touches on preparing it to be publisher-ready. As I am sure you must know, there just are now words I can form as I write this to you, that would express the humble and deep emotion I feel at having completed this. You have traveled the life-journey with me, having witnessed much of what I write about. I am beside myself with excitement at arriving at this juncture. I can hardly believe that God has been able to use me to accomplish this incredible task. Has truly brought me to my knees time and time again and I am in awe of His faithful presence with me, not only in the writing of this book, but more importantly in inviting me to travel the journey of life alongside Him.

I am asking for your prayers now as I prepare the book for publication. I specifically ask that you pray now as I talk with the publisher and choose the avenue that God would have us take. There are multiple choices of possibilities throughout the publication of it, and I need absolute assurance that I am making the right decisions. Each of the choices compute into cost. Different packages offer greater services, but that also computes into greater cost. I want to have wisdom in my choices. Pray with me that every provision will be available to meet the need. I know God hasn’t written this through my hands to then not continue to provide for it to be used for His glory. Pray that I will be a trustworthy steward. That is my hearts desire.

I am looking forward to planning a celebration service when the book is released. What a great time of worship that will be!

~ Personal News ~

I recently enjoyed a great time with family as Jonathan, Lindsey, and the sweetest baby that has ever been in my arms, our grandson, Reece arrived for a three day stay. My sister, Bonnie joined us from Delaware. She got away in between snow storms that gave them a total of 31 inches. Ray and I had so much fun being grandparents, seeing how much he had grown, taking a thousand pictures, and watching him smile and coo. There’s nothing better! It only got me more excited about the next grandson to arrive in late May. We will find out in March if Tim and Emalee are having a boy or a girl in August. I think I will learn how to spell Grandma – HAPPY AND BROKE!

Ray and I are enjoying good health, for which we are always thankful and praising God. We both had episodes of the flu at the same time, endured it and got through it with no hospital visits. Thankfully it wasn’t H1N1. I’m sure many of you have also experienced illness throughout this season. I’m praying for H1N1 and all the bugs to be a thing of the past!

Thanks to all of you for continuing to support the ministry God has called me to take up for Him. Please continue to allow me to pray for you. It is such a blessing for me to be entrusted with your needs. Just knowing that I am able to pray for you as you pray for me, builds up my faith and connects my heart with yours. I hope to see you soon at some of the Faith Steps events. You are a treasure to me and also to God.

With Christ I Walk,

Pat

Here is the Fall Fashion Fiasco Flyer which gives you all the information about this fun & filling evening of entertainment and blessings. I look forward to it and hope to see you and some friends there.

God Bless You,

Pat

What a busy and exciting time it is for Faith Steps! I can hardly catch my breath from one ministry opportunity to the next. How I praise God for the way He walks us through opportunities at every turn. It truly calls on us to be watching and listening for how He is working all around us. Are you tuned in to Him? I pray so.

First of all I want to tell you about the Faith Steps annual Fall Fashion Fiasco. It is a zany, comedy fashion show that is always a big hit. I have been busy finding real treasures to model along with comedy. As always, there will be lots of decadent desserts that will also include fat-free & sugar-free choices. As usual, we won’t tell anyone what we see you eat! I’m excited that we have moved the event into the multi-purpose room because we have outgrown the fellowship hall. It’s such a fun night and the perfect place to bring along friends that might not be willing to attend Sunday morning church. Seize the opportunity to let God use you and invite someone. Don’t wait to make your reservation – it’s always a sell-out! Be on the look-out for a flyer attachment coming soon to promote this for anyone interested.

I have the wonderful news of reporting about our two missionaries (Kellie & Justine) who are leaving to go to their YWAM post in preparation for further mission work in our world. What a joy it is for all of us to know that we have been able to play a small part in encouraging the work that God has begun in them. They will be leaving their families during this week. Let’s agree together to hold them up in prayer for God to amaze them with His presence. Let’s also pray for the families they are leaving behind. I have friendship with both of these mothers and I as a mother certainly know what it was like to put a child on a plane knowing that the one God leads away never returns the same. Yes, we are to encourage them out of the nest in order for them to fly, but that doesn’t mean the mother doesn’t have a host of mixed emotions. They celebrate what God is doing and how he is leading, but they also feel the pain of letting go. Now you know why that was the name of the article I published on that experience in my life.

We will be selling new products at the Fall Fashion Fiasco in order to again send Kellie & Justine our support. Let’s pray for an abundant blessing for them.

Please also pray with me for upcoming events:

I am going to take a time of quieting myself before our Lord this Wednesday, Sept. 16th. I will be secluded where I don’t have my phone or other distractions. God has provided the most beautiful place of respite, and I anxiously await hearing his voice. I have upcoming retreats that I am preparing and want to be certain that I lead according to His word to me.

This Saturday, Sept. 19th I will be leading the women of a local Methodist church in their tea-time gathering. I have never spoken at this church before. I am told that there may be 150-160 women in attendance. Pray that the impact will be great for our Lord’s glory. Pray that this open door paves the way for other open doors of ministry. Pray for my sensitivity during the often hectic times of leading and that I would know in my spirit when God is bringing that needy soul into my presence to receive His word and His touch.

On Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 24th-26th I will be traveling with Ray and the senior group from our church as they go to Lancaster, PA. This is always a fun time and I enjoy the privilege of being my “Precious Pearl” character and entertaining some on the bus as we travel along. Pray for our safe travel, for everyone to remain healthy and happy, and that God would again make me sensitive to the opportunities around me.

Pray for the week of preparation Sept. 27th-30th for the Fall Fashion Fiasco on Oct. 1st. It can get demanding and sometimes overwhelming, so I pray for calmness and clarity. Pray that God will bring to us that evening women who need their cups filled and need our Lord.

On October 17th I will be leading a local group of Presbyterian women in a day conference. Our theme is “A Harvest of Righteousness” and I am praying that God will bring a great harvest into the hearts of these women. I have led them before in conferences and I am praying that God will strengthen that which he has built thus far and lead these women into a spirit of renewed love and service.

On Oct. 31st. I will lead my Fall Beach Escape retreat. This is always a time of both huge responsibility and also huge blessings. Pray now for my preparation and that every detail will flow smoothly by the hand of God. Pray for the women that are attending. Half of the women attending have never been on a Beach Escape retreat. Pray for them to feel comfort and blessing and most of all refreshment as only God can bring to them. Pray for all the women to have their deepest needs met during this time. It is three – four days of pampering in order for them to begin to see and feel the love of God in ways they haven’t recently felt.

I will be concluding that week at the beach serving three other sister’s in Christ who God is allowing me to host for three days. Pray also that our time together will be a time of renewal both physically, emotionally, and most of all, spiritually.

There are no other events planned for Faith Steps for November. Ray and I will be leaving on Nov. 19th to fly to Louisville in anticipation of being there for our grandson, Reece’s birth. Please pray that he continues to grow and be strong for his delivery in Nov. We had a bit of a scare with Lindsey being hospitalized with labor and dilation. All is well now and she is off from work at this time. We know that Reece is being created for God’s purposes so pray for there to be no threat of an early delivery. He is due Nov. 22nd. What a thankful Thanksgiving we will be having this year!

Thank you all for the many ways that you pray for me. I know my messages are long and that you endure much in order to truly pray for me. I am asking God to reward you for this. I pray the blessing of having your deepest needs met, the ones that only you and God know about. Always know that you can share any need for prayer that you may have. My email is secure from anyone else and as always no one but God will hear about your need. You are greatly loved, not only by Him but also by me.

Blessings Abundant,

Pat