Faith Steps on Facebook

Just a quick announcement to let everyone know that Faith Steps Ministries is now on Facebook. You can find us by going to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chesapeake-VA/Faith-Steps-Ministries/107444089273801 or if you're on our website, there's a button to the left to "become a fan" and keep track of everything going on. I hope you will find it useful!

Women's Spring Conference This Saturday

Hello Friends, I am sending out a message to remind everyone that the Faith Steps Women's Conference is scheduled for this Saturday, March 20th at Great Bridge Baptist Church. It will open with a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. (Lunch out on your own with friends) I currently have 75 women attending so we still have some room for others if you want to come. We have 23 ladies from Great Bridge Baptist and 53 women attending from area churches. The cost is $15.

I am excited to have Mellisa Langford, our pastor's wife and Judy Campbell, our Minister of Music's wife, both who are incredible musicians coming to lead us in praise and worship through music. Along with them will be our church pianist, Judy Roberts who blesses beyond measure when she accompanies us at the piano. God has spoken to me clearly as I spent time in a retreat of prayer last week and I look forward to sharing and being His vessel. Please pray for all of us on the team as well as the women who are organizing and setting up for the continental breakfast.

If you would like to attend and haven't responded, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can be prepared for you. Thank you for praying for me and please allow me to continue to pray for you as you have needs. You are loved!

Blessings in Christ,

Pat

February Newsletter

Hello Friends,The Faith Steps Newsletter reaches out to multiple locations but I'm guessing that most anywhere it goes, there is or has been snow! What an incredibly cold winter we have had. I hope to warm you as I report great things regarding the various avenues of ministry where God has been leading me. It's been as it always seems to be, a very busy and fulfilling time. I hope you will enjoy the new format of the newsletter and find it easier to read, take-in, and know how to pray.

~ 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

January 2010 Newsletter

Hello Friends,

Here we are, already off to a new year with new possibilities.  I pray you are all greeting this new year with good health, great opportunities of service to our Lord, and a renewed love & trust in Him.  If your health isn't good, I encourage you to believe that God is still working even when you don't realize it. If you don't see opportunities of service opening to you; I encourage you to go out and seek them.  God will light the path and make it clear to you what He would have you join Him in doing.  If you feel you need a renewed love and trust in Him, then I would encourage you to get alone, quiet yourself, and open His Word. He's waiting for you.

My New Years promise to you is that I will try (notice I said - "try") to make my newsletter shorter and more concise.  That having been said, let me share the highlights of what's going on in my family and in my ministry.

The last time I wrote to you I told you that Ray and I are now grandparents to Reece Turner Owens, son of Jonathan and Lindsey.  Now I am happy to report to you that we will become grandparents to Clayton Owen Hamilton, son of Kimberly & Marty Hamilton, sometime around May 25th.  We have recently received with joy, the news that we will become grandparents to Emalee & Tim's child sometime around August 10th.  That's right, all three of the children that we had in three years time are giving us three grandchildren in nine months!!! I can hardly wait for the day when all of these blessings from God will all be together with Ray and I.  We can hardly imagine how wonderful that will feel!  I am so overcome with joy that I can hardly write about it due to blurred eyes now filled with tears.

Now, as for Faith Steps, I am excited to share with you some upcoming events and also the blessing of ministry that God continues to open to me.  You will notice that I have attached a flyer regarding the upcoming Valentine Women's Gathering.  The theme of the evening is "Loving You ~ Our Misconceptions of Love" and it promises to be an evening of fun, delicious food, and hilarious entertainment.  The Valentine Women's Night is one that all women, those attached and also foot loose & free, will feel comfortable as well as fulfilled.  We will take a comedic look at love and the many directions we go in pursuit of it.  As always, the devoted Precious Pearl will appear and offer some comedic entertainment through both her appearance as well as her wisdom. It's January 28th at 6:30 p.m. ~ GBBC Multi-Purpose Room.  See flyer for details.

Next, I want to tell you that I was forced to delay the completion of the final chapter of my book.  My computer decided to take a holiday rest during December and needed therapy at the local computer store in order to be reenergized for Faith Steps.  In other words....crash of hard drive!  I am back up and running now and I am rejoicing that the book will be complete by the end of this month!  A new computer is now necessary and I must tell you how God amazes and astounds me every single time.  Within the week of the computer crash, an unexpected check arrived in the mail as a gift to Faith Steps Ministries. It covers the cost of the computer!  I didn't even have time to pray and ask God for it!  He knew my need and spoke to someone's heart.  I am reminded of the scriptures that say, "what is man that thou art mindful of him?"  I feel so unworthy of this kind of love and provision. Oh how I pray that I can rise in my faithfulness to Him as a response of gratefulness to His wonderful faithfulness to me!

I will be hosting a women's conference on March 20th.  It will be an all-day conference with continental breakfast, boxed lunch, and power packed sessions on the victory that is ours in Christ.  Further information will be sent to you during February. I am praying for God to open the door wide to bring in a host of women who need this spiritual encouragement.  The cost will be determined in the next couple of weeks and promotion will begin at that time.  Please be in prayer with me for this to be a revival among women in my area.

Also, the spring beach retreat at the Outer Banks of NC is filling up.  We have filled half of the beds at this time.  This event is being held Saturday, April 10th - Monday, April 12th.  Cost is $200 and includes all-inclusive lodging, meals, snacks, entertainment and spiritual nourishment, in a luxurious water-front home.  If you are interested in attending and being pampered for a few days and having the best accommodations offered, let me know as soon as possible. A $100 deposit holds your reservation.

I am happy to report that Faith Steps Ministries has been able to continue to share the harvest with the two young women whom we support through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) ministries.  Kelli is currently serving on the islands of Fiji and will return home in March.  Justine is continuing her training in Hawaii for future YWAM planting here at home.  When we think of Hawaii and also when we see some of the beautiful scenery and pictures we tend to think that these girls have the easy life. Trust me, I have also seen places they have slept, and bugs they have fought off that are anything but picturesque of an easy life.  Pray for these courageous and deeply committed young women.  Thank you all for supporting the Gifts of Encouragement sales at all Faith Steps events.  This enables us to send money for their expenses.  These girls are totally self-supporting ministries.

Finally, I ask for you to continue to pray with me for the women whom I mentor and give spiritual guidance to on a regular basis.  I ask that you would pray for those who are facing tremendous financial stress, marriages that are weakened, all-out battles from the enemy on so many fronts including health, children, self worth and purpose.  We live in a very challenging time, but hallelujah we have a God greater than any weapon of destruction that comes our way!  Pray for me to remain steadfast in my own quiet time with our Lord and to be wise and faithful in all my stewardship.  I would shudder to think of doing this ministry without your prayers.  I thank my God continually for your support and encouragement to me.  As always, please give me the wonderful privilege of praying for you.  Your need will only be spoken to God's listening ear and attentive heart. I will share it with no one else.  My email is secure and you can trust that every single day I will pray for you.

Lovingly I Serve,

Pat Owens

Faith Steps 2010 Valentine Newsletter Flyer

Fall Fashion Fiasco Flyer

Hello Friends, 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