Faces of Calvary: meet Jan Schwingler and Jean Bushre

Jan Schwingler

Share about your family

My husband, Doug, and I met while attending college in Mankato. We moved to Rochester 45 years ago, shortly after we were married. We immediately thought it was a great place, and a wonderful spot to raise a family. We have 3 children. Our daughter and son-in-law live here in Rochester (Rachel & Hans Sviggum – also Calvary members) with their 6 children. One son and daughter-in-law live in the twin cities with their 2 daughters. Our youngest son and daughter-in-law live in Las Vegas with their one daughter, and soon expecting another daughter. We treasure all of them and thank God every day for the time we get to spend with them. Being grandparents to soon to be 10 grandchildren is the absolute BEST for us! We love being a part of their lives and watching them grow and change!

What is your favorite time of day?

My favorite time of day is definitely early morning. I usually awaken by 5:30 and start my day with a long walk with my husband. The still, quiet mornings and the amazing sunrises are a wonderful way to start my day, reminding me of the gift of creation that we get to enjoy every day. Having the time to do this is truly one of the advantages to getting older and being able to take life a little bit slower. Another advantage to this season of life is being able to spend more time in what I call my ”prayer chair “. The prayer lists seem to get longer and longer but the sense of God’s presence seems to get stronger and stronger.

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

My favorite outdoor activity would be hiking. Over the years we have traveled to many National Parks and enjoyed many miles of hiking. It was definitely a priority to us when our children were still at home. We took them all over the country to experience the beauty of this earth that we get to enjoy. Some of my favorite times were sitting at the end of a trail eating PB and J sandwiches, enjoying our family being together and the beauty of our surroundings. Since my husband retired, the two of us have enjoyed many hiking outings. Recently our favorite spot has been desert hiking in Arizona and also an annual trip to the North Shore to hike the Superior Trail.

What is your favorite Bible verse?

There are way too many verses, that I cling to frequently, to choose a favorite but I will share a favorite prayer of mine. I grew up in a home where my dad was a recovered alcoholic and this prayer was one my family turned to often.

Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace. Taking this world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting that YOU will make all things right if I surrender to YOUR will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this world, and supremely happy with YOU forever in the next.

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Jean Bushre

Share a core childhood memory and a bit about your younger years and places you’ve lived. 

I grew up in the small village of Eureka, Michigan – Population about 500.  Every summer my parents, siblings and I spent most weekends at our cottage on Houghton Lake in Northern Michigan.  Often aunts, uncles and cousins would join us and we would have a great time swimming, fishing and sitting around camp fires making s’mores.  I have very fond memories of those years!

I was blessed to be born into a Christian family. We were at our church in Eureka every time the doors were open for whatever activity.  At the age of 7, I accepted Christ as my savior and was baptized shortly after that. Then a few years later, at age 12, I rededicated my life to Christ at Camp Barakel in Northern Michigan and knew He wanted me to be a nurse in my adult life.  After high school, I attended Butterworth Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Rapids, Michigan and graduated with a diploma in 1968. 

Growing up, we did not move to a lot of different places.  But after graduating from nursing school, I started to move around a little.  I went on a mission trip to Haiti with our pastor and some of the youth from our church in Eureka.  Then, I moved to Oklahoma City for about a year.  While there, I felt God’s call to me to go to Haiti as a Medical Missionary.  I went to Haiti with the West Indies Mission group and spent 2 years working at the mission clinic in Les Cayes, Haiti.  Over the years, I have also lived in Montana and Florida. 

My husband, Ed, and I married in 1974 and we had 2 boys – Kevin and Kyle.  Many years later, we were blessed with four grandchildren.  Kevin lives in Michigan with his children Flora and Garrett.  I am blessed to live in Minnesota with Kyle and Rachel, and grandchildren Sam and Ally. 

What is your favorite Bible verse?

My favorite Bible verses are Proverbs 3: 5-6 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” 

I have found this to be so very true over the years.  Through all of my life, God has never failed me. Whether in good or bad situations, I keep my trust in Him. 

What’s one of your favorite movies?

“The Sound of Music” is my very favorite movie of all time.  I think it came out in 1967.  I was in nursing school then and quite often someone in my dorm would say “Let’s go see the Sound of Music”.  I was always ready to go! I think I saw the movie about 10 times in the theater that year.  I have watched it quite often since then also. 

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

My favorite outdoor activity is sitting around a camp fire with my family eating s’mores.  We are blessed at our house in Minnesota to have a small patio in our backyard with a built in fire pit and have used it quite often. 

 What is your favorite local restaurant and the meal you most enjoy eating there?

My very favorite restaurant is actually a national chain, Olive Garden.  I almost always get the lasagna.  But, I have also discovered Newt’s here in Rochester.  They have absolutely fabulous burgers, which is something that I could eat every day!