Faith Steps Ministries Update
/Hello Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,
It seems like I am always beginning communication with an exclamation of how long it has been since I have written. Now I find myself in a new year with a load of praise and joy over all that God has done in 2010 as well as excitement at the prospects for the current year, 2011. Can it really be that we have already moved out of the first decade of this century? I remember the thrill of putting on those plastic glasses on New Year's Eve, 2000. I also remember that in 2000 I was thinner, had less gray roots, and certainly didn't have the lines and creases that have since appeared on my face. I also remember that I wore braces upon my legs at that New Year's eve party and this year of 2011 will bring the celebration of ten years of being healed and walking this whole new journey of faith that God has done in and through my life. What a year of praise I have ahead of me!
I will highlight for you the end of 2010 and end of the century's first decade.
September held the fun of Faith Steps hosting a first time couple's event. It was a terrific evening of fun, food, fellowship and inspiration for the 141 people there. Ray and I together entertained for the evening as we presented a comedy spin on the journey of a couple's love throughout their long life. There were many highlights of that evening but one that will long live is the sight of Ray dressed as Elvis. Nothing more needs to be said!
October held the annual Fall Fashion Fiasco, the comedy fashion show that has built a reputation for unconceivable fashion and flair. 115 women enjoyed gathering for dinner, dessert, and a great evening of laughter and fellowship. In addition to all the fun, we were honored to have Tina Pennington from Raised Hands for Africa Ministries present with us. She was introduced as a recipient of support through the monies raised in product sales.
As I write this update tonight, I am smiling with a grateful praise to God for Tina. She will leave early tomorrow morning to travel to Africa. Nearly $300 has been given to aide in her support for the dire needs of those she will go to visit and serve while in Africa. What joy for all of us to know that we are in spirit with Tina on this trip and our gifts are playing a part in the work she is doing for our Lord. Please pray for her! She will return to the United States on January 29th. It is our hope that she will be able to attend our upcoming event in February.
November brought about a time of illness for me. After an emergency room visit with a lot of pain, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. The condition didn't initially respond to medications, I continued to be ill and lose weight so a sigmoid was scheduled to rule out cancer. Thankfully I am happy to report that no cancer was found and the condition did respond to treatment. Aware that many people face a cancer diagnosis every day, I knew that it could certainly be the circumstance that I found myself facing. Life is so fragile, isn't it? How we praise God that it is not just about our time here on earth. I pray for many who have cancer tonight. Sometimes God allows us to go through a circumstance and face a fear without ever having to fully journey that road. It's good in many ways. It causes us to truly ponder what our life is about, where it is headed, and what the legacy is that we are leaving as we journey. Hallelujah, there is a God who true to his promise, is preparing a place for us that we all can go and spend for eternity!
December gave me the wonderful privilege of speaking at the women's Christmas event at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church. What a blessing this night was for me. A couple hundred women shared a time of reflection on how Mary pondered and treasured things in her heart. God poured out a blessing that night that I look forward to sharing with you at the February 3rd Valentines event. It is an amazing testimony and you won't want to miss it!
The Book: Everyone is curious about how the publishing process is coming along. Honestly, I would like to tell you that it is near completion and the book will come out any day now but that is not the case. My illness in the fall set back my final editing and preparation for the publisher. It looks now like it will be in the hands of the publisher in February. What a celebration that will be!!! Please continue to pray with me for this. The battles have been overwhelming at times but I know that is proof that God is doing something of eternal value.
The February 3rd. Valentine's Event - Please open the attached flyer and share with others so that we can have a packed house and a night of tremendous blessings. We will be introducing another servant of Christ whom Faith Steps will help support during 2011. It's a wonderful testimony of how God brought a complete stranger across my path and made it clear that He had led her to me for support. Don't you just love when God makes Himself known to us?
God bless each of you in this new year. Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, I pray that God is making Himself known to you and that you are able to rejoice because of who He is and what He has done for you. Please allow me the great honor of calling your need before our Lord. I treasure that privilege and vow to you my trust that your needs will not be shared with others. Thank you for walking the journey with me and for the many who have supported me in multiple ways often meeting needs that you were completely unaware of at the time. You are the strength that God fills me with through your words of encouragement, your belief in me, and the many ways you keep me going.
Love, Pat
