The Owens Family: A Testament to Resilience Rooted in Faith

Photo Credit: Karen Presecan Photography

In the tapestry of life, resilience is the thread that holds families together, weaving tales of triumph over adversity. Meet the Owens family, whose story is a testament to unwavering faith and unyielding determination in the face of challenges.

“If you wanted to use one word to describe us, it would be resilient,” explained Karie Owens. “But,” she added, “it is not resilience that comes from our own strength but from our faith.”

The Owens family– all eleven of them– radiates resilience in every aspect of their lives. Nathan and Karie met during their college years, when Nathan was studying to be in ministry, and Karie was finishing up her teaching degree. “Nathan roomed with my brother Frank,” explained Karie. “He caught a glimpse of my photo and asked Frank who I was. Frank told him to forget about it!” she laughed. 

Well, needless to say, Nathan did not forget about it. He and Karie became fast friends and were married on May 7, 2004. The couple has been blessed with nine children since, including two sets of twins: Elisabeth, 18, Summerly, 17, Nathan Jr., 16, Daniel, 16, Jeremiah 15, Victoria, 13, Anna 6, Nehemiah 4, and Joshua, 4.

From the time Nathan and Karie were married, they served together in their community and ministry.

“This is where we thrived,” Karie said, “and when our children came, we continued to serve as a family.”

In 2011, Nathan and Karie moved to Cameroon, West Africa, as missionaries, with six children (at the time) who were ages nine months to six years old. In the terrain of Mount Cameroon, amidst the vibrant culture, they planted roots of hope and faith.

“It was in Africa that we learned people all over the world are in need, and we gave our hearts to serving them,” Karie explained. 

However, the path was not without obstacles. Karie battled tropical illnesses, teetering on the brink of death in a foreign hospital room. Yet, in her darkest hour, she found solace in her unwavering faith, entrusting her life to a higher power.

“My illness was so severe that I was facing multiple-organ failure and was life-flighted from Cameroon to France, then back to the States,” she explained. “It was there, in the African jungle, almost at death’s door, that I felt the strongest in my faith. I said goodbye to Nathan and my six young children in that small, third-world hospital room.” She kissed each of them, she thought, for the last time, knowing that her life was in God’s hands. 

“As my plane ascended above the banana trees, my mind was on the people I had met there and loved,” she said. Her heart rate on the monitor was barely in the 30s. 

“In an ambulance, on my way to the American Hospital of Paris, a baby was born in the taxi behind us, and I thought ‘Is this it? A brand-new life behind me while I leave this earth?’ And that’s when I surrendered completely, trusting in my faith,” Karie said. 

But the Owens’ story is one of redemption and renewal, and Karie emerged from the shadows of her illness, her spirit unbroken. After two weeks back in the States, she met Nathan and her children and recovered completely. 

Together, the Owens family continued their missionary endeavors, traversing continents and spreading hope wherever they went. Their resilience, forged in the fires of adversity, became their guiding light. After her near-death experience in Cameroon, Karie was blessed to give birth to Anna in South Africa and then had the last set of twins shortly after. 

Today, the Owens family stands as a beacon of resilience in their community, both in their missionary work and in their family-owned flooring business, NK Floors. Nathan's expertise in the trade, passed down from generations, forms the cornerstone of their enterprise.

“Nathan learned the flooring trade from his father at a very young age,” Karie explained. “His skill and knowledge make this business stand out and thrive.” Karie and even some of their older children also have their flooring installation certifications. “One of our dreams is to educate and train future professional flooring installers.” Their showroom in Fredericksburg showcases "resilient floors," mirroring the indomitable spirit that defines their family.

Beyond business, the Owens family is involved in serving in their church, Faith Baptist, and enjoys various activities, from teaching to singing and playing instruments to participating in ladies' and children’s ministries, to taking short-term mission trips.

“We love to host friends and family in our home, making homemade Italian wedding soup and lasagna,” said Karie. They moved to the Chancellorsville area almost two years ago to be involved in their church and grow closer as a family.

The Owens family has worked endlessly to set up their new flooring showroom in Fredericksburg. Nathan and the NK team oversee product sales and flooring installs. Karie is involved in the business as a co-owner and teaches biology and anatomy-physiology at the Christian school. Elisabeth is finishing her first year at Pensacola Christian College, where she is studying Elementary Education. Summerly and Daniel will graduate from high school this year. Summerly aspires to be a nurse, and Daniel wants to enter the ministry. 

Nathan Jr. will be a senior next year and will continue to learn flooring from his father. Jeremiah, Victoria, and Anna are working diligently at school and look forward to spending a summer outdoors. Nehemiah and Joshua, age 4, can’t wait for the next chance to go to the family cabin and ride quads. The Owens kids love participating in soccer, volleyball, basketball, and track. Trail running is a hobby Karie picked up while in South Africa. She and Nathan enjoy running and walking the trails of the Chancellorsville Battlefield in their free time. Their family is looking forward to what the future holds.

In the midst of life's challenges, the Owens family stands as a living testament to the power of resilience. Like their resilient floors, their strength lies in their composition, rooted in faith, family, and unwavering determination. As they continue their journey, they inspire all who cross their path to weather life's storms with grace and fortitude. 

“Even this comes to an ending point. The strength is not our own,” Karie summed up.