Your 2014 Leadership Team - Pt. 4

Tricia Dunton

Husband's name: Justin
How long have you been married: 6.5 years
Do you have any children?: Graeme (3) and Will (1) with another boy on the way.
Where is home: Texas, mainly :)

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.):  This is our 3rd year at TEDS for Justin to do the MDiv

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc.!
In my previous life, I was a Career Counselor and worked for St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and The University of Texas in Austin, Texas. I'm horrible at crafting but I love to do it!

What is your roll on the leadership team?: current on-campus small group leader

What do you look forward to this year while filling this roll?: excited to learn from my small group members and walk through this time with them.

What do you like about TWF?: I love the instant fellowship it provides. I love that when you choose to be a part of it, you find community that will understand you and your life situation for the rest of your life, probably better than anyone else you would find.

Advice or encouragement to new wives: be involved. Don't be shy about reaching out to other wives and creating connections, even with those of us who have been here for a while. Just breathe while you're here, take a moment, remember this season, though it may be hard, is only a season. It doesn't last forever and there is so much to gain. Support your husband and don't lose yourself :)

Rebekah Hill

Husband's name: Daniel

How long have you been married: 14 years

Do you have any children?: Silas, 8 Mamie, 6 Emmett, 2

Where is home (before Trinity - as far back as you want to go): the mountains of North Carolina

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.): 3 years.

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc!
In my "former life," I was a public school teacher. I love to sing, quilt & sew, cook, and find treasures at thrift stores. I dream of living on a self-sustaining farm of sorts when I grow up.

What is your roll on the leadership team?: president

What do you look forward to this year while filling this roll?: learning how others view and "do" service - whether it's serving God, themselves, or others - I love gaining perspective; it matures me and motivates me.  

What do you like about TWF?: We all have chaos. With other people I feel like I should let them know that "school" is contributing to my chaos. With Trinity Wives, it's understood - and I can move on to more relational things. 

Advice or encouragement to new wives: Seminary is a hard season - use it to draw close to the Lord and your family, and find friendship anywhere you can. Your God and your husband (and your kids if you have them) are your constants. Cherish those constant things and love them deeply, but give some time to building new friendships - they are worth the effort, even if they're not perfect. There are times when it feels like a friend might as well be a needle in a haystack, and you can't stay intimate with old friends and make new friends at the same time. It's exhausting! But search out friendship & fellowship - God has each relationship planned for a reason, even if some of them are only for this seminary season.

Renee Gowler
 
Husband's name: Alex

How long have you been married: 5 years

Do you have any children?: Zeke -2, Gretta - 1

Where is home (before Trinity - as far back as you want to go): Chebanse, Illinois

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.): we are 2.5 years into the MDiv program, with a year left. After my husband and I both lost our "first real ministry jobs", we realized that we hadn't been serving with the unique gifts God gave us. We came to TEDS to pursue the specific calling God has for us, rather than continue to make do in a role or job that doesn't perfectly fit us.

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc! - Currently, I am a full-time mama of 2. Professionally, I have served as a teacher, marketing director, and waitress. I am really into baking with my son, summer dresses, the Lord of the Rings, and natural childbirth. I can't whistle, I hate mustard, and I'm afraid of sharks.

What is your roll on the leadership team?: Vice President and Publicity

What do you look forward to this year while filling this roll?: I am excited about the new look of Trinity Wives Fellowship (our logo and graphics), and I'm also looking forward to connecting more with the husbands of the wives who aren't yet part of TWF. I want men to know that we exist to bless their wives, and we want join them in pointing their wives to Jesus
during this season at seminary. From a publicity stand-point, that means we're doing some creative marketing (business cards, sidewalk chalk, etc.) to reach those men. I can't wait to see how it goes!

What do you like about TWF?: I love, love, love my small group and the amazing, godly, hilarious women I've gotten to grow with because of it!

Advice or encouragement to new wives: Participate in TWF in some way. If you don't have room in your life to join a small group, then attend the Large Group Gatherings to be encouraged and connected to other women. Attend a play group or social event! You will not regret stepping out of your comfort zone to meet new sisters in Christ.

Your 2014 Leadership Team - Pt. 3

Suzanne Kilner

Husband's name: John Kilner

How long have you been married: 39 years

Do you have any children?: Beth (married to Marvin) and Paul

Where is home (before Trinity - as far back as you want to go): Boston, Kenya, Lexington, KY, Wilmette IL

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.): John has been teaching Bioethics since 1994

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc.!: After undergraduate and graduate studies,I have worked as an environmental planning consultant, generally for women owned businesses and part time. I have overseen elder care in their homes for my parents, my in-laws and my special needs son. He now has a unique program with six different volunteer jobs each week. My hobbies include gardening, reading, sailing and hiking.

What is your role on the leadership team?: Faculty Wife Adviser

What do you look forward to this year while filling this role?: Watching God work through this year's team

What do you like about TWF?: Getting to know women who love Jesus and make themselves available to God for ministry.

Advice or encouragement to new wives: Bloom where you are planted. Choose to be content and focus on the things you are thankful for. Be open to what God wants to grow/change in you through your difficulties.


Alyssa VandenHeuvel

Husband's Name: John

We have been married a little over a year

Home is Seymour, WI - We both grew up there and went to high school there.
This is our 2nd year at TEDS. John has been in the military since 2009 and completed ROTC at college at UW-Stevens Point. During ROTC, he felt that God really wanted him to continue in the military but as a chaplain. God put everything in motion to bring us to Trinity, and here we are! John is getting his MDiv with an emphasis on military chaplaincy.

I grew up on a family dairy farm in Seymour, Wisconsin close to Green Bay (so I am, of course, a Packers fan). My husband and I met in high school and we got married a little over a year ago in July 2013. I graduated from UW - Stevens Point with a degree in Biology in May 2013, and now work as a Contracts Analyst at a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company named Akorn. Recently I've been trying to learn how to sew, and I love flower gardening. John and I both love to play card games and board games.

My role on the leadership team is as a Small Group Leader. I look forward to meeting new friends and encouraging them as we go through life and learn about God and his Word.

What I like most about TWF is the sense of community and meeting so many people who come from all walks of life. Everyone is so supportive, no matter what's going on in your life, and it seems that at least one person has been through what you're going through and can relate and give advice.

My advice/encouragement to new wives is to really try to enjoy this period and make the most out of your time here. This stage of life isn't just for our about only your husband - this is part of God's plan for you, too.


Ruth Voetmann

Husband's name: Cody

How long have you been married: over a year

Where is home (before Trinity - as far back as you want to go): Fall Creek, WI - small little town in the country near Eau Claire., before that St. Louis, MO, and before that Trinity! I was born here on campus while my dad was attending TEDS.

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.): My husband is starting his 4th year here (I just joined him last year). He is pursuing a Christian Ministries (pastoral emphasis) degree and Mdiv. He also added a Graphic Design major into the mix last year. He is enrolled in the 6 yr AP Mdiv program (7yrs now with the design major) and has 3 more years to go (after this one).

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc!
Facts about me...well, I am currently working at KNUTH Machine Tools as a secretary and marketing assistant. My degrees and my passion, however, are in music (specifically voice, although I do play the piano and violin as well) and theatre. My dream job would be preforming Musical Theatre. Other interests: I LOVE to read, and like cooking, gardening, and anything that is outdoors where I can soak in God's beautiful and uniquely intricate creation. Fun facts! 1) I am the 3rd of five siblings. 2) All five us were of home schooled all the way through high school. 3) Favorite book: Lord of the Rings, Favorite TV series: Castle

What is your roll on the leadership team?: Co-leader of an on-campus small group

What do you look forward to this year while filling this roll?: Growing as individuals and a group as we discover more of who God is and all that He has for us as His children. Continuing to encourage and to be encouraged and strengthened for the "everyday" things and struggles and joys that we each encounter as we share this unique season of life together.

What do you like about TWF?: Trinity Wives for me has truly been God reaching out and meeting my need for community and a place to grow in Him! I came to Trinity as a brand new wife having left my family, home church, and network of godly friends and mentors for the first time in my life. In the midst of all that change God brought me to TWF. I think what I appreciate most is the way we really delve into the scriptures together in our small group bible studies. There is a true hunger for God's truth and to know Him more fully. I also instantly felt accepted and loved and like I belonged, simply because we are all facing the same challenges in learning how to live out lives of Christlike love in our marriages, workplaces, and families as our husbands (and maybe even we ourselves) study here at Trinity. It is so encouraging knowing that I am not alone in walking this road. God has blessed me with rich relationships through TWF, challenged me to grow in my weaknesses, and revealed more of Himself to me through this past year. TWF has been the instrument God used to play His melodies of love, admonition, and encouragement upon my heart, I am so thankful to be a part of this group of women!

Advice or encouragement to new wives: Seek God first in all things, and talk to Him about EVERYTHING. All the little stresses, all the fears, all your hopes, all the little irritations - share them with our Father, acknowledge His constant love and control. It's amazing how simply sharing all of it with Him, puts things into perspective for me.

Chelsey Hernandez

Husband's name: Alan

How long have you been married: 2 years

Do you have any children? Names and ages: We're expecting our first (a girl) in February!

Where is home (before Trinity - as far back as you want to go): I was raised in Colorado, moved to Texas when I was fourteen, and then moved to Waukegan, IL after Alan and I got married.

How long have you been at TEDS & what brought you here (degree, calling, etc.): We've been at TEDS for one year. We originally came to Waukegan to work with a multi-cultural church plant, with grad school in mind, as Alan felt called to continue his education. As a couple who is working as a bridge between cultures, we feel called to channel the resources we receive to underprivileged communities.

Information about you - your current/past job(s), education, topics important to you, interests and hobbies, fun facts, etc!
I am an English teacher! I've really found my niche this year in teaching high school ESL. God provided a job for me at Grayslake Central High, and I LOVE what I do. I also began a grad program this August at Trinity in education, and most importantly, my husband and I are expecting our FIRST BABY in February:) Fun facts: I enjoy working with teenagers, like frogs and lizards, and am fluent in Spanish!

What is your roll on the leadership team?: Welcoming Committee

What do you look forward to this year while filling this roll?: Meeting a lot of new people!

What do you like about TWF?: The opportunity to be encouraged spiritually and connect with other women who are in the same life season as I am:)

Advice or encouragement to new wives: EnJoY this season! The things my husband is learning influence me as well-----growth and education is so God-honoring and so GOOD:)