Today we’d like to introduce you to Aura Lynn-Rouse.
Hi Aura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My story begins August 13th 1972. I was born in Garberville California to free spirited, hippie parents. My Dad was a playboy. My mom left him when I was 2 y/o. My Mom was an army brat and we moved so many places. I can remember as soon as I would make new friends off we went. I call Jersey home because my Grandparents were there and we always went back. I did a lot of my schooling there. My Mom was a great provider. She always made it happen. If we had a one bedroom, I would get the room and she would make a room out of the dining room. I remember, “dumpster diving” for furniture, Goodwill shopping, and yard sales. We always had what we needed. My Grandparents would spoil me, I remember shopping with Rosie, and it was difficult to find clothes in my teen years since I was overweight. She would spend all day at the mall with me. My Grandfather was like the only Dad I knew. He would keep me over the summer. I would have lunch with him and the boys, shop, golf, and whatever needed to be done around the house. We did lots of swimming, gardening, and fun.
I never really went to church. My Mom was very spiritual; she studied several religions over the years. My Grandfather was Jewish and he married a Catholic woman. Therefore, we celebrated Hanukkah, Christmas, Easter, and Passover. I got the best of both worlds. No one seemed to talk to me about God. I knew my Grandfather was a praying man. I always saw him in his closet. My ideas of God were that he was far off, not tangible. I don’t think I started searching for him until after my Grandfather died. Life took a turn for me then. I was an honor roll student. After he passed, I began to cut school. I didn’t care about school. I looked older and hung around the older crowd. I began to smoke, drink and do drugs. My behavior was out of control. My mom was unaware for a while since she worked all the time and I was a latch key kid. It was brought to her attention when my school was going to jail her for my absence. My behavior was spiraling out of control, tried everything except pills, heroin or needles. I was raped coming home from a party on the beach at age 14. That was my first and last sexual encounter for a long time.
Then finally, my Mom was feed up with my actions. She decided we were moving to Florida. I was 15 going on 16. Another move, new friends, I began to like Florida, a met a man, Jalisa’s dad, Reggie. We dated for a while. I became pregnant with my first child Jalisa at age 17, I had her at 18 y/o. We moved in together and became a family. My drinking and drugging were nonexistent in this period. I stayed with Reggie until I was 21 then I left him. I started school and began to club and drink again. My first DUI was in 1993. I was given probation and fines. I continued to live recklessly. My Mom continued to bail me out of all my troubles.
Then the worst news ever, my Mom had lung cancer. They gave her 6 months to live. She was in St. Augustine and it was so hard to see her regularly. She moved to the Port Orange Hospice center in her last month. I was able to see her more. The last time I saw her I laid in the bed with her. She was talking about the 44 angels and my grandfather. She was in and out. I told her on the counselors prompting that it was ok. That she could go. That she had done a good job raising me. That I would be alright. Holly P. Lynn passed away 6/7/1998, the worst day of my life. My best friend was gone. I was devastated. She was cremated after a lovely service. We took her ashes to Daytona as requested. She was at peace in her favorite spot. I was lost.
I was somehow able to pick up the pieces. I finally knew who I wanted to be after wandering aimlessly so long. I wanted to be a nurse like the women who cared for my Mom. I began LPN school and I graduated in 2001. I was focused. I only drank occasionally. The young girls in the neighborhood watched Jalisa while I worked and went to school. Lacey and her sister Jamie were the main two. I did homecare for a quad. He taught me everything I learned in the books first hand. I was on the transition track for the RN program. Lacey became pregnant in my house. Her daughter is my goddaughter Jaslyn. Lacey is 12 years younger than me, but we became friends, she was like my daughter. Her Mom passed and we became very close.
The best year of my life was 2003, I graduated RN school, I bought my first home, my first brand new car, and I had a full time position at Central Florida Regional Hospital. God had lined everything up. I was on top of the world. Jalisa was doing well in school. I was going to Life Point Church. I had been baptized and knew in my head who God was. I always knew he was there; I just wanted to do things my way, stubborn.
Here I was 30 y/o single for really the first time. I was really loving life. I started hanging with the girls from the hospital, work hard play hard. Back to the same habits again. I met Ben. He was my new connect. He had young children and we were just friends. He went to jail, and was cheated on while there. We became romantically involved upon his release. I was on probation and going to the Grove and AA. I found out I was pregnant in 2007, 35 and pregnant, I was in shock. I had Jordan 1/6/2008. Ben went back to jail. He promised to marry me and do the right thing when he got out.
On May 28th 2008 we were married on the beach with a few select friends. We had an amazing honeymoon in California. I thought things were going to be perfect now. He was working a real job. We were getting along well. I had the 2 kids, 2 cars, white picket fence. Life was good. I was sober and had been since 2006. I stopped going to my meetings and working my program because life was too busy. I didn’t need that anyway, I was cured. I was living the dream. Excelling at the hospital, charge nurse as needed and preceptor to the new grads. Life was good.
In October 2008 a friend of mine informed me that Lacey and Ben were sleeping together. She said Lacey was pregnant and he was moving her into an apartment on November 1st. I was floored. I couldn’t believe it. Things seemed to be so good. So I went to where she told me he was moving her into. I parked and saw him drive into the gate just as she said. I called and called, with no answer. I went home and packed all his things. I was very distraught, on the verge of a breakdown. He tried to reason and lie his way out of it. My friend Amie flew in and we went to the condo for the weekend. We drank like fish. Her mom watched Jordan and we just drank while I cried. He was in stalker mode; he was very threatening.
On November 12 2008, I worked until 7pm and called Robin. Jalisa did not want me to go out. She said, “Mommy just come to church with me you will feel better.” I didn’t want to hear anything about that. I think I was honestly mad at God. Robin and I went several places. On my way to drop her at her car there was a loud noise I awoke and my windshield was busted. We made a U-turn at 17-92 by Wal-Mart. We saw a guy waving his hands. I thought for sure Ben had hired someone to throw something at my truck. I was scared and pulled off. I dropped Robin at her car and sat behind Pizza Hut. I was scared he would be waiting for me at the house. I didn’t know what to do. Then the blue lights. The police man told me I was in an accident. I told him what I thought had happened. He told me I was wrong. He said I hit a man. He would never tell me how he was.
It was like a bad dream, or a movie. The detectives come to question me with the manila envelope. I read the letters “Homicide” I was in shock. I asked if he died. They said yes and began to question me. I asked for my lawyer. I was brought to the county jail. I was in shock. I remember seeing Exodus 14:14 on the wall. I didn’t know what it meant then. It is, “The Lord will fight this battle, you must stand still.” My husband bailed me out. I had been all over the news. I stayed home unable to talk to anyone I was in a fog. I remember Dru, my mother in law coming by to pray for me. She told me to read Psalm 4 that it would help me sleep. I just laid in her arms and wept. I could not believe me the nurse who saves lives had taken another’s. I could not believe it. I stayed on bond for 2 months. They rearrested me and I left my children, Jalisa 16 y/o and Jordan 15 months.
I was in the county jail for 395 days awaiting my sentence. There were so many things that happened on the outside I had no control of. I was helpless. I was not hopeless because Jesus was with me as he always was. I saw so many women during this time come through this revolving door. They would be on fire for God, have great expectations, and end up right back. I had great support from Chaplain Westmoreland, Sister Valorie, and countless others. They mentored me, and helped me through the toughest time in my life. The ministry allowed me to be a Chaplain’s assistant. I was able to serve even there. God allowed me to lead a few in the prayer of salvation. He is always willing to use a willing vessel. God’s favor was everywhere, even with the guards.
I was sentenced to 4 years DOC, 2 years CC and 24 years’ probation. I went to prison and built a great relationship with my Lord and Savior. I attended my first CRI meeting, and began working the steps. I finally completed an honest 4th and 5th step. I did a year in the faith based dorm. I learned so much about God and his word. I began teaching others and I was a prayer warrior. I then did a year in RTU an intensive drug and alcohol treatment unit. I started to deal with the trauma that I stuffed for so long. I learned so much of myself there, why I did the things I did. I began to love myself again. This therapeutic community helped me in so many ways. There are so many miracles and praise reports that I cannot name them all. I recall God woke me early, “And he Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Habakkuk 2:2. I drew out a picture of the transition home God showed me for his ladies. I continued to journal each day and spend quite time with Daddy. I was sent to work release in 2/12.
At OWRC I was introduced to Sue and Al Hoover. The JAYA ministry picked us up for church, loved us in so many ways. They were Jesus in the flesh. They helped me in my transition back into society. The officers at OWRC were tough but fair. I learned a lot working in that garden. I thought a lot about obedience to the authority over me. I realized I may not like everyone’s opinion of me in life but I still must be respectful and obedient. I began working 3/12 at Lee & Rick’s shucking oysters, they were wonderful there. There were always temptations to step just a little out of line. Satan knows me well and continues to dangle the things I enjoy in front of me. I was officially released home 7/18/12.
I moved in with Dru, Jordan’s grandmother and my son. I had nothing but my bag. I stayed 6 months and then God blessed us with a small one bedroom. I stayed there a year. I moved into a two bedroom condo. I found my church family at City church, and began attending Celebrate Recovery weekly. I was baptized in 2013, and I became a member shortly after. I held the team captain for the greeting team position for about 4 years. I lead the Celebrate Recovery Addictions Group for about 4 years. I had the privilege of sponsoring many and being an accountability partner. I have seen many continue the race while some have fallen back. I continue to walk with God trusting him with everything. He has brought me so far. I am so very thankful He didn’t give up on me. I now work my program daily. I go to weekly meetings and am an active part of the recovery community. I currently run our Celebrate Recovery on Thursday nights at City church.
I finished school at SSC 8/2015 in legal studies, and became a Paralegal. I completed Community Control and went before the judge to terminate probation early. They released me of 22 years’ probation, (this never happens). I was then able to go before the board of Nursing and granted my nursing license 5-1 on 8/04/2016. I am still believing God for a miracle, my driver’s license. I was riding my bike and commuting on the Sun Rail to work as a Legal Nurse Consultant. I currently work from home part time as a Nurse Analysist part time. God blessed me with my own home in 2016. I have a tribe of friends that God has placed in mine and my son’s life. They drive Miss Daisy often. There have been many challenges since my return home. I have gone through a divorce, bankruptcy, loss of loved ones, and two accidents while riding my bike. I have had disappointments and continue to stay sober and focused on God. I know the last time I relapsed it was because I thought I had it figured out. That I didn’t need a program, that God had me. I know God has granted me all the tools in my box to help me live a clean life. To be free from all the bondage that held me before. It is up to me whether I use the tools or not. I have to continue to do the next right thing.
God gave the vision again in 2016. He gave me Habakkuk 2:2 again. This time there was a list with many details. I followed the list. Looked at properties. Then things lay dormant for a while. God propelled me in the beginning of 2019. I was searching for a home to purchase for the vision. I went to my broker on MLK day. I was approved. He began to tell me about renting condos and how it was difficult to evict people. I began to question if God really wanted me to do this. I Googled transition homes. I saw the old Boy’s Town on Sanford Ave up for bid by a 501c3 to run it as an emergency transition home. I just knew this was God. I had looked at this very property in 2016, but it was 500k. I immediately went home and registered Angels of Mercy Ministries on Sun biz, got my EIN, and began the process needed to apply for the grant. There were lots of steps in this process. Things I had no idea about. I was to submit the 5 binders on 2/22/19 at 1600. That day everything that could go wrong did, I missed the deadline by 5 minutes. I will say I totally melted in that moment. I couldn’t grasp that scripture I stand on for about 30 minutes, (Romans 8:28). Then I finally rebounded, knowing God has something better. That building was torn down last month. God already knew that place was not for us. I was granted my 501c3 in 2019. We began with a single family in an RV.
The vision, a transitional home for women reentering society from prison is now reality. We attained a duplex 9/2019 and began renovations. It has all the resources they need. Beginning with basic needs, food, clothes, and shelter. There are meetings; 12-step, bible based, and life skills. There are resources for self- sufficiency. Over all there is the Love of Christ. Each lady has a specific path, all leading to self-sufficiency with their families, and communities. This holistic approach will help them transition back into society. We allow them 30-90 days to work on their foundation with God, recovery, and trauma therapy before working. Depending on the individual skill set, some may go right into the work-force; some may need on-the job training, or education. We want them to attain a firm foundation before life begins to put pressure on them. That way they will be equipped with what they need to stay on course. I see several homes, maybe duplexes after this first transition home for the continuum of care. This home is the first of its kind in Seminole County. It is a duplex, 3/2 on each side. We can house up to 12 Angels for 6-18 months.
My housemother Lisa took our position to work for God for free with us over a 60K per year job nursing. She moved in 2/2020. Our first guest arrived the week after. We have seen so many miracles in this short time, even through Covid. I think we were all able to reevaluate what is really important. All of our ladies are baptized if they weren’t before.
All of our ladies are working, going to school, working a recovery program, attending church, building their relationship with God and others. They are using this a hand up, not a handout. These ladies are volunteering and giving back in our community. They know we can’t keep it unless we give it away. We have had four successful graduates return to their families and communities. We currently have seven Angels and one has her 12 y/o son in our home. Lisa and I do life with these ladies and share our hope and strength with them.
We were collecting items for a clothing closet for our ladies. God has now blessed us with a boutique; Angels Second Chance Boutique. We opened this shop in the middle of Covid 10/2020. Two of my ladies are working there and reintegrating back into society. The proceeds all go to benefit the ministry and pay their salaries. We also have a food pantry and a $1 room to help our local community. We donate clothes and several items to the local mission and other charities. I continue to take each step as God leads, walking by faith and not by sight. I am currently working ministry full time. I manage the boutique, and work part time while raising my 13 y/o son. I can’t say it is easy but, ‘all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phillipians 4:13)
There are many promises He gave me in prison. I may not see them yet. However, I believe by faith that he will restore all the cankerworm and locust have eaten. I was restored a career and a home even better than what I lost. I am currently living each day as a gift literally. My daughter graduated college; she has her dream job and is doing well. My son and I live each day as a gift. I am a proud mother, a grateful Christian and a woman forever changed. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is
a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17.)
He continues to use me for his glory as I surrender one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time. I love sharing the good news with anyone who will listen. He loved me when I couldn’t love myself. I am eternally grateful for his mercy and grace, my sobriety date is 11/12/2008, I am 12 years clean and sober one day at a time. I continue to run this race as Paul, never thinking I have attained it. No regrets. I continue to stand on Romans 8:28. 11/13/2008; 13
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been smooth. There are challenges each day in sobriety. I have lost my grandmother, and my father recently to Covid. I have constant challenges with the city regarding our shop. I continue to jump through the hoops as they come. The hardest is when an Angel relapses. This breaks my heart when they choose their former life over sobriety. I have two that are currently trying to return to our home. One in jail and the other in rehab. We give them the tools, but they have to use them.
I have personal challenges in time management. I know I can’t do everything, but there isn’t anyone stepping up to do it. I am working on my balance. Trusting God will help us. He has provided for us since we opened. We have not received grants since we are a Christ centered program. I have been able to grant Lisa a salary, but not one for myself yet. Covid has also been a challenge, we had it twice at the home. We had to close the shop for two weeks. But we are still here.
I have applied for many grants and loans to expand our ministry, I am believing God will bless us to attain another home for Phase 3 after graduation. A place the ladies can roommate together.
We’ve been impressed with Angels of Mercy Ministries, Inc/ Angels Second Chance Boutique, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We have a non profit for women returning from prison, jail and rehab. We provide a safe place for them to build a firm foundation. We have a transition home in Sanford Florida and help them with basic life necessities and skills. Love sets us apart from the others. We love these ladies as family, and do life with them. We set firm boundaries and offer our hope and strength from our personal experience. We show them how we made it this far and hope they will use the tools we have had success with. We provide mentors from different walks of life to help them see life from a different lens. We provide trauma counseling, medical, and medication at no cost in their first 90 days, up to a year. We implement a strong recovery program, 90 meetings in 90 days. We require them to attain a sponsor and work the steps. They are required to have devotion every morning and set their intention for the day. They attend church weekly and bible studies. They volunteer at our shop and in the community. The ladies are required to set goals and we work with them to achieve them. Some go to school, while others go to work.
Our Angels Second Chance Boutique is an avenue to spread the good news of what we do while giving the ladies purpose. We provide inexpensive clothing, shoes, bags, household items, and some furniture to our community. We allow our senior ladies to work at the store and the new ones volunteer there. They are able to give back to the community through our food pantry. We also allow them to bless those who can’t afford. Everything is a donation from our community so we can bless the less fortunate. They see a small glimpse of hope through the eyes of another
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
When my grandparents let me skip school to go to the Niagara Falls. I felt like I was getting away with something until my grandmother made me write a report about our trip and sent a note to the teacher.
Pricing:
- $175 per week per lady
- $300 entrance fee waived if they are unable to pay
Contact Info:
- Email: auralynn@angelsofmercyministries.org
- Website: http://angelsofmercyministries.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelsofmercyministries/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelsofMercyMinistries
