Faces of Calvary: Rachel and Beret

Rachel Sviggim

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

I am a Rochester native and thrilled to be back raising our family here.  My parents, Doug and Jan Schwingler, also attend Calvary.  As I look back on my childhood, our family adventures traveling the United States remain treasures in my mind.  We enjoyed time here at the Minnesota lakes, but also went to a different National Park or parks each year.  Hans and I have tried to incorporate times like these into our family rhythm as well.

Share about your family.

My husband, Hans, and I have been married for sixteen years.  We have six wonderful children, Kaia (15), Thor (13), Brita (11), Lars (9), Leif (7), and Annika (3).  Life is never dull and we wouldn’t have it any other way!  Hans and I met in college (fall of my freshman year) and have been (mostly) together ever since.  I have followed him back to Rochester (after getting married), to Boston for a year with two of our children in tow, and then back here to the rolling hills of the Oronoco area and the growing community of Rochester.  

Describe your average day.

An average day starts early at our house.  Hans’ job requires him to leave the house often before dawn.  Since the era of gym shut-downs, we have acquired a habit of exercising together in the morning before he leaves.  I have learned to share the home gym that was previously my own and he contributes by refilling my water bottle and giving me the best fan when it’s hot!  The rest of the day is work for him, homeschooling for the kids and myself (yes, I am also learning alongside them), and often a trip to the RAC for some tennis or basketball.  Summer brings about a welcome change of pace and we try to spend as much time outside as possible.

How does your faith inform your work?

I love this question because I feel like my work consists of keeping our home and educating our children and I have seen God in so many aspects of both of those things.  Although homeschooling was not on our radar when we got married, it has been our biggest leap of faith that has also been an incredible gift to our family.  It’s not the most glamorous job and the monetary pay is minimal, but I truly believe that the Lord sees these little jobs of making meals, cleaning up, and washing hands and faces (to name a few!) as worthy jobs that honor Him.   I love being Hans’ support and help and feel incredibly grateful for this job!

What are three of your favorite foods?

You may have determined by the names of our kids that we have a strong Scandinavian heritage on both sides of our family.  Lefse is hands-down my favorite food and we make it every year before Thanksgiving.  On a more regular basis, I love tacos of all kinds and enjoy a really good, hearty salad in the summer.   

If you could be anywhere, doing anything right now, where would you be and what would you be doing?

If I could be anywhere right now, I would be on a hike in the mountains with Hans and the kids!  I love to experience the beauty of creation on a hike.  A second favorite spot to be is reading…to the kids or on my own!  We all enjoy a good book at our house.

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Beret Canakes

Share about your family.

Hi! I am Beret (Sandum) Canakes. Jeff and I moved to Rochester from the Cities 33 years ago. Today our two daughters live in the Cities and our son in Salt Lake City.  Our eldest and her husband have our 3 grandchildren. They are 8 1/2, 6 1/2 and 3. I especially cherish the videos I have of them singing worship music and reciting scripture. I cherish time in the summer with them and with extended family, our neighborhood and catching up with friends. 

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

I was born in Boise, Idaho. We moved to Mpls and then New York City. We were five children born in 6 years. My dad soon did not live with us, yet I have fond memories of running down the street to meet his bus on Sundays and he would take us to the park. In the summer we would have school days on our porch to teach the neighbor kids for 25 cents. Some moments in my 18 years as a special education assistant at an elementary school here remind me of those times. I often tell Jeff he is also contributing to our community with me in his job because I could not live off the wage I am paid at school.

 My only memory of church on Staten Island in NY was an Easter morning. We had jellybean stained white gloves.

My mom passed away suddenly when I was 12 so my siblings and I lived with my grandparents in Jackson, Minnesota. They were wonderfully faithful to us!  I am grateful for the woman that led a bible study in which I was included there. I remember my sister Kyrie (now gone nearly 30 years) helped me memorize my first bible verse. Phillipians 4:6-8

Share about something new you’ve experienced recently.

This spring I tried something new. Jeff’s sister asked me to pick up a gig as host for a medical event that her business organized downtown at Thai Pop. Uffda there were many more details involved than I imagined. I was grateful that Jeff helped me with a few specifics as well as colleagues at school and a longtime friend! I was reminded how difficult it is for me to ask for help. I remember my mom and later Mark Solfelt saying, “Always know where you would run if you needed help.”

What is your favorite time of day?

I look forward to the beginning of the day. There is such a freshness. Hot coffee, a worship song, new mercies, prayer with Jeff- if need be as we commute.

What is something you love?

I adore photographs and words- I suppose most people do. We have letters my mom wrote describing each one of us to her parents long before we came to live with them. Also, her friends and relatives were so kind to send us the letters they had received from Mom that described our childhood. They convey her love for us and the gift of being known. When Jeff and I returned from our trip to visit Joe in Utah we  found a handwritten letter hidden in each of  our suitcases from our dear son. Our daughter Rachel compiled a book of notes and photos from loved ones for our 40th wedding anniversary. Our daughter Karin gathered 60 cards for my 60th birthday! 

Can you share a favorite quote?

Life on this side of eternity includes brokenness, yet I love this quote by Helen Keller: “So much has been given to me I have not time to ponder over that which has been denied.”