What God has been doing in my life these past few years
Back in March of 2020 when Covid came on the scene, I told my husband that he would need to pivot his business (he was in marketing at that time). As I looked at the landscape of the culture seeing people hoard toilet paper of all things, clearly fear was at the forefront of society. I knew from firsthand experience when we lost our home, business, and some possessions, back in 2008 when the market crashed, this thing called Covid wasn’t going away overnight (or in 2 weeks.) You don’t recover from a collapse in economy that quickly.
So for the next few weeks we talked and brainstormed ideas of what other types of businesses could we do. We had no good solution but one thing I was convinced was going to happen, did. Sure enough, due to the unknown of this virus, all of his marketing clients stopped paying him. All but one. And that one client called him one day and said he was selling his business and moving out of state.
This business man, (Chuck) asked Eric if he would manage his business. I asked, what does that entail. After a few more convos, Eric said to me, ‘What if we bought it?” I said, “Do it. Do it now. Call Chuck now!”
It was an ‘Only God’ situation being that we had no money to buy a business. But after placing the call to Chuck, he responded with, “I think you’d be perfect and I trust you the most!” Chuck worked out the financials for us and on May 1st, 2020 we became the owners of an aluminum patio cover company.
I told Eric I would spend the next 90 days putting the business in order by handling the operations of it while he handled the sales and construction side of things. What I thought would take 90 days, took me 2 1/2 years.
When we starting the company, it was in my dining room with just Eric and I and 2 installers. After looking at the company as a whole, I saw much more potential than what I originally thought. After a few weeks of running the business, the workload was too great for just the two of us and bringing staff into my home was not conducive to growing a business. A few months later we found an office and warehouse, brought on more staff and installers. A year after that, we grew out of that location and doubled our space and team. What started out in my dining with just me and Eric and 2 installers has now grown into a company of 25 people. Only God could do something like this!
It has been a whirlwind to say the least. Our lives consisted of eating, sleeping and building a business day in a day out. There wasn’t time, nor energy for anything else. By the time the weekends rolled around we either slept or tried to catch up from the week, put in a new business processes or fixed an existing one. Sundays consisted of church and more of sleep and more business.
As of today, I finally feel like I can step away from the business- minus handling the financials of the company and consulting.
Over the last 2 1/2 years many changes have taken place in our lives:
- After almost 15 years we were able to purchase a home!
- Our youngest son, Noah, handled managing the office as well as tending to the engineering plans for patio covers. He has a heart to be in fulltime ministry and headed back out to Bible college in Israel for the last 3 months. What an opportunity! As I write this, he is on a plane heading back home today. Can’t wait to see him and hear all about what Jesus taught him while in Israel.
- Our oldest son, Seth, helped in all aspects of the business from handing patio cover materials, to helping install them to now learning how to sell them with Dad. A few months ago he also got married! His sweet wife, Destiny also works for us in the office.
- My health has declined a bit (another reason why I’m stepping away from the business)
- I’ve gained 40 pounds (there’s a correlation to declining health and weight gain!) Obviously not cooking at home these last couple of years will not improve one’s health.
- I went through a cancer scare a few years back. But today, all is good.
Overall, life has been a whirlwind, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. We’ve been able to not only improve our lives, but the lives of many other people that are involved with our business. However, I am ready for a slower pace and my heart has longed to get back to ministry for sometime. That time has come and the season is now.
Listeners/readers have asked me if we will be continuing the Marriage Mentor Podcast. The answer, unfortunately is no. Eric is too busy running the business now that I’ve stepped away. Plus, before Covid hit, I sensed that the podcast had run it’s course. With over 100 episodes, I felt we touched on all things related to a Biblical marriage.
However, just because God closed the door of that podcast, doesn’t mean He’s done! He’s been stirring in my heart for something new and different that is in the works as we speak. I’ve even decided to refresh my website (which is happening soon) to reflect this new season of ministry. The focus will still be equipping Christian women as God has placed in my heart a calling to disciple His daughters. Stay tuned for more details to come!
Now that I’ve updated you with what I’ve been up to, I want to leave you with this…
Whatever you may be going through right now, God’s not done with you or your story. He can flip your life around in an instant. There are many biblical truths/topics in the coming weeks that I will be sharing to encourage and equip you in your journey. In the meantime, hold fast to these scriptures.
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. Isaiah 55:8
Remember, God is always working in our lives even when we can’t see it.
It feels good to be back. I’ve missed you!
Jolene Engle