Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Aguilar.
Hi Jennifer, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
It all began in 1991… but we can skip a few years ahead! Upon graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013, I began the path of adulthood – a full-time job, bills to pay, and general uncertainty. In all seriousness, I found myself very blessed to start a job a few months after graduating; I began to accrue professional skills, refine my interactions in the corporate world, face the various challenges and adapt when needed, and start to ponder what my life would look like.
While I began in the tax world as a project associate, it certainly was not my passion – but my time spent there was nonetheless very impactful. Some of my favorite hobbies growing up included reading a plethora of books, mostly non-fiction, and expressing myself through writing, none of which were part of my duties in the tax world. Still, it gave me a chance to be well-rounded and exposed to a different industry.
As much fun as it was working through two tax seasons a year, I was eventually recruited to work in a small law firm handling product liability litigation. The legal field was more of where I imagined myself when studying in college, so it made sense and I hopped into a new environment. I began to see my skills truly shine as I worked more hands-on with drafting, reviewing, and editing filings and documents, and organizing client records.
There was a sort of cathartic, day-to-day feeling of accomplishment as I did work that seemed to suit me better, and between that and a steady paycheck, it was hard not to be content. After a few years, we parted ways as I dealt with an increasingly problematic health issue; it left me in a sort of limbo that threw a wrench in my general life plan. Thankfully, I’m now on the other side and find myself back in the legal field, happily working at a firm where I’m handling much more complex tasks and pushing myself to take on new things.
True, I have no desire to be a lawyer, but life is more than simply your job title and daily duties. Life is what you make of it – and the best way, I’ve found, is to be humble and willing to serve in whatever capacity, no matter where you are. Also, to be content and willing to let God have His way within you. God directed my steps well before I truly knew Him like I do now, and looking back, every life change, crisis, or unexpected bump in the road has been for my benefit overall.
I can see how my character has matured – we know that the testing of our faith in these trials produces perseverance, which then produces proven character, resulting in hope that does not disappoint. From handling commercial business litigation during the week, to volunteering with a non-profit in my spare time, working at a farmer’s market Saturday mornings, and serving in the church Welcome Team, it is incredible to witness your own growth as you step out of your comfort zone, depend on God, and trust Him with your life.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, it may have been bumpy, but in hindsight, it has been a pretty interesting ride (plus, we all know the rollercoasters with twists, turns, and erratic jumps are the most fun). I sometimes forget this happened, but in the fall of 2009, within a week of being at college, I caught swine flu and missed so many weeks I had to withdraw. What a curveball! So, for a semester I worked as a hostess at a Tex-Mex joint here in Houston. Who would have thought?
But once again, that was crucial for me as I got exposure to that world and took on plenty of responsibility as a naive 18-year-old. All got sorted, I went to college, got my degree, and began working anew. The next struggle, though, began to unfold. As it turns out, due to many years of playing sports in high school and suffering a few bumps to the head, my temporal lobe incurred scar tissue that led me through years of struggling with epilepsy.
It was mild at first, but after a few instances of seizing, convulsing, and at one point, losing consciousness behind the wheel, I was now in a vulnerable state, unsure of what lay ahead. That all began in 2014, and the next 5 years were filled with weekly seizures, medicines that did not prevent them, inability to drive or function properly, week-long hospital stays to try and induce a seizure, wearing a funny ECG cap for days at a time in hopes of recording one, and more MRIs and CT scans than I can count.
But, you know what? Even when it was just me in a room, I never was truly alone. Oh, what a friend we have in Jesus! I learned what it meant for His power to be perfected in weakness, and like the apostle Paul wrote, I was well content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties for the sake of Christ, because when I am weak, then I am strong. Time and time again I was able to minister to the wonderful doctors, nurses, PAs, and hospital staff when asked about why I seemed so joyful after sitting in a bed for a few days.
It was never about me- it was about glorifying God, knowing He had not forsaken me. I would be a liar, though, to say it wasn’t hard, especially on my loved ones. There were many times my husband witnessed me convulse, or found me in a state of unconsciousness. My parents would visit me in the hospital room and I could tell they wanted to be strong for me, but I could see in their eyes how much it pained them. And, true, it did physically hurt. But the story did not end there.
After many years of trying to figure out the cause of my seizures, it was time for surgery – and in August 2019, the fabulous surgeons at Houston Methodist took me in and successfully brought me through to the other side. Sure, there were a few post-surgical convulsions as my brain tissue healed, but I have now been seizure free for 19 months. I praise God for all He has done, and for blessing the surgeons and doctors at Houston Methodist for being equipped and ready to help me. Remember, life is what you make of it, and each day is a new blessing full of mercy and grace.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Now in my fourth year of work at the firm, I’m pleased to say I have grown exponentially in my role and have expanded my responsibilities as I aim to do my best and help the team. I’m very blessed to work in a small firm where everyone gets along and works together smoothly. There is a unique sense of community, complete with excellent communication and a willingness to assist one another at all times. This keeps me motivated to do my part.
My daily assignments range anywhere from reviewing and editing 100-page briefs, loading document metadata from productions into the system, coding documents received, preparing exhibits and filings for the attorneys, taking minutes from internal or client meetings, participating in hearings, coordinating with attorneys and assistants to prepare for trial – the usual expectations when working on commercial business litigation and similar case types. It really is up my alley considering my love of language, reading, and writing, and my zealous attention to detail and organization.
I enjoy the work because it is challenging; when I first started, I could not begin to grasp the complexity of load files and mapping them to the back-end source for document review or production. However, after deciding to dive in through training, outside classes, and hands-on experience, it has become almost second nature to me and I actually have quite a bit of fun doing it all.
As you go day by day, you may not really notice any growth or impactful change – but I’ve been told and encouraged that my proficiency has not gone unnoticed, and now I am considered a type of expert for advice and assistance in the firm for those types of issues. It is humbling to know others look at you as someone they can count on, and I strive to stay at that level of dependency. After all, in a team like this, each person plays a valuable part – if one piece is missing, the others also suffer.
To maintain integrity and accountability, you must practice what you preach. In a recent internal review, I was commended for just that, along with my attitude and outlook. Whenever I am asked why I have a cheerful disposition, regardless of the circumstances, I only have one answer – Jesus’ joy is real! In a world full of darkness, chaos, and confusion, He tells us to be a light, to be at peace with one another, and to speak the truth in love. That is my goal each and every day, and the Spirit helps me take every thought captive and keep me humble.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
This is a special question indeed, and I will take it and run it a different way. Thankfully, on the professional side, I’ve got quite a bit of collaboration already and an incredible amount of support. However, there is another integral aspect of my life that I am always excited to share with others, and that is my involvement with International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org).
Founded in 1995, IJM is the world’s largest anti-human trafficking non-profit, operating in 14 countries with casework encompassing land theft, police abuse of power, s*xual violence against women and children, s*x trafficking, labor trafficking, and online s*xual exploitation of children.
In November 2014, while on a mission trip in Uganda, by sheer chance, I met a girl my age interning with that organization. She was from the United States but had lived in Kampala for nearly a year in the field office, and their casework focused on modern-day slavery and violence against women and children.
She introduced me to the history of the organization and ways that I could be involved, even if it was through financial means, as a prayer partner, or advocating for various bills and allocations in the US Federal Budget. Her conversation left quite an impression on me, and the following month after my return home, I joined as a Freedom Partner (monthly donor), signed up for prayer updates, and provided my information for more ways to be involved as an everyday citizen through special events or legislative action.
A short time later, IJM began to establish volunteer groups around the country as the interest increased and more people wanted a tangible way to get involved and raise awareness aside from giving. As a result, the Houston IJM Volunteer Team was founded in the fall of 2017, and I was appointed the Events Coordinator for the team.
Since that time, we have hosted multiple prayer gatherings, fun runs, film screenings, in-home presentations, and information booths at churches, schools, farmer’s markets, and large-scale non-profit events. We have also held in-district meetings with our congressmen and women, discussing various bills and advocating for allocations in the federal budget so the State Department may be properly funded to help address the issue of modern-day slavery around the world and our country.
In early 2022, I was asked to become the Houston area Team Leader; after prayerful consideration, I accepted the position. When you talk about stepping out of your comfort zone, this is very much applicable. Typically I shy away from leadership roles, but when God calls me to do something, I obey. The mission continues and our team continues to grow and make a difference, one step of obedience at a time.
We are always eager to have more people join the team, so if you find yourself passionate about upholding justice and serving others, you are most certainly welcome! You can visit www.ijm.org/get-involved/volunteer to review what it means to be an IJM Champion, and the process to get started. If you are in the Houston area, that means we would have the joy of working together! More good news – there are Champion groups all over the country, so no matter your location, you can find a place to serve. That is truly the best way for anyone to collaborate with or support me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ijm.org
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-aguilar-44b76258
