About Lori aka “Laurel Crowned” (THEN)

For years I saw myself as a loser because I was a Christian who struggled with mental illness and a sexual addiction. My “adventure” seemed out of my control and God didn’t seem to be helping very much. In 2004, I started blogging as free therapy. I was a mess and I needed an outlet. My blog was a messy little blog with lots of ramblings, mood swings, and more rambling. Somewhere in all of that rambling, people actually started reading it and telling me that I should write a book.

I was a school teacher for 11 years until I realized that teaching children was not my passion.  I got my degree in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley. Writing is my passion. Public Speaking is my passion. I quit teaching in June 2009 to pursue the next chapter in the adventure. Before that I was the Communications Officer on a medical missionary ship. I’ve worked for Child Protective Services Investigations Division, the battered women’s shelter, and the Maui Humane Society. I’ve always been drawn to helping people (and pets) in need but writing is what I really wanted to do. Writing, however, has not yet morphed into a full time career, so I returned to the classroom when bills started piling up. I’m helping young adults learn job skills and enter the workforce, which is both challenging and fulfilling. I still dream and pray about becoming a published author because I hope other Christians who struggle with mental illness or life in general can be encouraged by my story. Mine isn’t a dramatic story. I don’t cut off any body parts or lose a limb to a shark. My adventure is about walking day in and day out with Jesus when life happens.

Maui continues to provide the backdrop for the adventure and I hope to live here until I am old and very gray.
(September 2, 2009 @ 4:30pm

laurel crown = winner