Last week Friday I had a phone call from Grace member Gwen JeSchonek. She wanted to come to Grace after work to spend time preparing for the Godly Play lessons she would be leading on Sunday morning. She was hopeful someone would be available to let her in.
I was happy to see her. As someone who has taught Sunday morning lessons, I understand the level of commitment this task requires. (...and patience, and sense of humor, and skills at untying knots in tennis shoes, applying Band-aids, cleaning glitter explosions...) Gwen's positive attitude is a testament to her faith.
Stop! I feel a profile coming on!
Name: Gwendolyn Adele Ray JeSchonek I adore my name. Gwendolyn is my grandmother's first name. She died when my mother was 11 or 12. Adele is my mother's first name. Three siblings came right after me: Jacquelyn Marie, Kenneth Edward, Elizabeth Joan, and 12 years later, Patricia Jane.  Gwen, Jacquelyn, Kenneth, and Elizabeth (Cute hair!)
 Ken, Beth, Patti, Mom, Gwen, Jacquie with spouses, May 2011 Which generation do you belong to? Baby Boomer Age you are on the inside: I have a tendency to mentally take on whatever the age of the person I'm talking with, especially if they're younger! Birth city or where you would say your roots are from: East Coast.I was born in Phoenixville, PA, and grew up in the rural town of Graterford. My mother is from Philadelphia and her grandparents on both sides were immigrants from Europe. My dad was from Valley Forge and his family participated in the underground railroad. There is African American in my blood. Member of Grace since: shortly after I moved to Madison from Pasadena in the fall of 1975. Early Bird or Night Owl? I used to be an early bird-always ready to get up and start the day. Eventually, I acquired fibromyalgia, so the early bird disappeared. Alas, the night owl has just about disappeared as well! Favorite childhood memory: Summer vacations in Cape May, New Jersey. I LOVE the ocean, the sound of waves, and the salty sea air! Wisconsin lakes just aren't the same thing. I knew I was an adult when: On a hot summer day, while picking string beans with my very pregnant mother, in our large vegetable garden, I suggested that my three younger siblings help out so she didn't have to bend over so much. She responded, "They're still children; let them play." (We were 15, 14, 13, and 12 at the time.) Beloved blog, website or TV/radio program: My all-time favorite is probably "The Muppet Show." The movie "A Muppet Christmas Carol" is absolutely hysterical and I love to watch it every year. Guess who saw the new Muppet movie on Christmas day? Favorite book to foist on all of your friends: The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People by Stephen Covey. I often give the teenage version as a high school graduation present-along with something fun, too, of course! Go-to comfort food: Cheesecake (although getting one gluten-free is harder to come by and often expensive). #1 item on your Bucket List (Things to do before you "kick the bucket."): Write and publish a workbook based on a series of Adult Forums I presented at Grace called "The Heaven File." I wouldn't mind seeing Ireland, either! Physical object that represents your life's work or passion: Japanese kimono and obi. The garment is a work of art-tailored and yet graceful; the designs are often symbolic; and the obi is difficult to tie correctly, requiring years of practice. There are times when I still feel like I'm practicing at life! What is your first memory of God? Because of my mother's strong faith and our regular church attendance, I have grown up always knowing there is a God. (We even got out the prayer book and had our own worship service around the dining room table if the weather was bad enough to keep us home.) But it wasn't until I was in college and became friends with some members of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and started attending Bible studies, that I discovered there is a huge difference between "knowing about God" and in "knowing God personally" as an intimate friend and savior! What inspires you? I wrote a personal mission statement a number of years ago that answers that: To create, promote, and inspire places of peace, beauty, and respect, within the walls of home and family life. My dozen career positions (or as I like to call them, "previous lives") have followed that path, more-or-less, or else my volunteer activities do. One thing no one would guess about you: In the 70's I wore my hair long and curly, and I wish I could sing like Barbra Streisand. We have almost the same nose!  
Why Grace? Because this is where God planted me when I moved here from California and where he has encouraged me to share my spiritual gifts of teaching and administration. - Jody
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Happy Birthday 
