Well, it has been a hot minute since I last posted. So much has happened since my last post. The last time we saw each other, I was living and serving in Phoenix, AZ in 2012. What has been happening since then? Well, grab your favorite hot beverage, find a nice warm spot with a cozy blanket and let's go on an adventure.
In August 2012 I coordinated my last Mighty Bean Burrito soupline at Andre' House and moved back home to Beaumont, TX. Honestly, it was a hard adjustment. I thought I was being called to stay in Phoenix, but God had better plans in store for me. I lived with my parents while I looked for work and did a few temporary jobs here and there. I was struggling mentally because I suddenly felt I had no purpose, and my family and friends did not understand and didn't know how to help. In February 2013 I began working at the Diocese of Beaumont in the Evangelization and Catechesis department. This helped with finding a purpose. I was able to save some money and move out on my own not far from my parents. I began a weight loss journey that fall in hopes to get down to a healthy weight. In the Fall of 2014, my friend, Karen, invited me to run a 10k with her at a local race. Well, this was the beginning of a very beautiful crazy journey I didn't know I needed. I survived my first real race and started running half marathons that spring. Fun times.
In 2016 I found a Christian singles group and began hanging out with some really great people. We did bible studies, went to the movies, did dinner, skating, and other fun things. I met lots of great people and it was nice having people walking in their single life just like I was. One of those new friends, was Scott. Over the next 2 years, we developed a great friendship. In 2018 we began dating. At this time I was changing jobs and began working at Spindletop MHMR in the Primary Care Clinic and moved in with my friend, Melinda, in Nederland (20 minutes from Beaumont). Lots of changes in a short time. Scott has been a blessing and is just a great guy. We both enjoy reading and going on walks so the year of dating was great. We got engaged December 2019 and got married in July 2019.
In October 2019, another job change. I loved what I did at Spindletop, unfortunately, the stress due to bad management had me crying every day. It was time for a change. I quit working at Spindletop and found a job at H E B grocery store. I was making $2 more an hour as a checker and less stress. This career move turned into a huge blessing. In March 2020 the world shut down due to COVID. I transitioned to the sanitation team at work which allowed me to gain more hours, and we received $2 extra an hour. Since Scott works for the county and I worked for a grocery store, we were both considered essential. My paycheck was going into our savings account since we were living in a one-bedroom apartment and living well within our means. We began looking for a house and finally found the perfect one for us here in Beaumont. It was move in ready, but there were projects we could work on to make our perfect house even more perfect.
In the fall of 2020, I was offered a position with a long-term pharmacy in the billing department. It has been stable hours and a boost in pay. Lots of learning, but great work. In May of 2024 we found out that the company was selling one of the pharmacies. We were told that in June 90% of the billing staff was being let go. However, all of us that were being let go got hired with the new company the Monday after our last day. As much as I hated to move companies, the old company did well by us and the new company welcomed us with open arms. I now work from home, and we were able to get me a she shed (office) in the back so I could have space to work and for my rosary making.
On September 30, 2024, I opened Lauren's Knotted Rosaries in Etsy. The last couple of months has been a little slow on the site, but I have been able to reach a nonprofit and a church for a couple of bulk sales. I will keep making rosaries in my spare time and keep marketing my shop but also reaching out to churches and retreat teams to help them with handmade knotted twine rosaries.
On Christmas day 2023, Samwise Gamgee, joined our little family. He is a black and white (tuxedo) half golden doodle and half great paraeneses fluffy puppy we got from our friends. He has been a great addition to our home.
My goals for 2025, is to read 100 books, write blog posts, maybe start a YouTube channel, and keep working on Lauren's Knotted Rosaries. I will still continue to work my normal 9-5 job and be present with my husband and best good pup, but I am hoping to add a few creative outlets.
Here are a few sites for you to browse:
https://laurensknotrosaries.etsy.com
No comments:
Post a Comment