Shemaiah Gonzalez
@shemaiahng
Followers
6,812
Following
3,686
Media
4,612
Statuses
36,917
Storyteller and essayist Undaunted Joy collection of essays on joy @zondervan 2025 Married up to @muchojusto who I met the 1st day of high school
From LA lives in Seattle, WA
Joined December 2015
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
jeonghan
• 144509 Tweets
#KAMIGATA_BOYZ
• 140569 Tweets
#SingaporeGP
• 135053 Tweets
ALRIGHT ON TMC STAGE
• 124076 Tweets
#光る君へ
• 89162 Tweets
XIAO ZHAN RISING MOON CONCERT
• 61456 Tweets
ananの表紙
• 52606 Tweets
ジャック
• 51442 Tweets
Lando
• 49446 Tweets
Norris
• 46171 Tweets
あんスタ
• 42358 Tweets
ぱしゃっつ
• 30821 Tweets
#だれかtoなかい
• 21871 Tweets
COACH STELL WANTS YOU
• 21541 Tweets
ツイステ
• 19080 Tweets
#行列のできる相談所
• 17276 Tweets
Albon
• 14784 Tweets
スイング
• 11083 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
We have a cover reveal!
Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight will be out April 22, 2025 with Zondervan.
Share far and wide!
In this collection of short essays, Shemaiah Gonzalez recommends a fresh view on life, through her own experiences and
26
31
159
My 11 yr old: Wait Chili's is a real place? I thought it was just a fictional restaurant on The Office
19
35
2K
My parents on their wedding day.
They were 18 and 19.
I’m in the picture too.
30
5
1K
We think we are Jesus cracking a whip in the temple, but we are Saul passing out stones to throw at Stephen.
23
102
961
Let's talk about how libraries were magical places to us as children.
115
62
926
One of the saddest things I have seen. It is now a cafeteria
81
50
682
Since my husband’s accident and surgery we have heard from long lost friends, law school buddies, old babysitters mom, LiveJournal friends and many of you have stepped up.
You know who has not been a part of this team?
The two parishes we have been a part of for 11yrs & 17yrs
71
35
696
When I tuck my 11 yr old into bed he whispers into my ear “we’ve been trying to contact you about your car’s extended warranty.”
Who is this kid!?
25
17
426
@Cernovich
My grandpa taught me to keep the original bill on top of the cash tray until the customer was satisfied with the change. It was more so I wouldn’t get grifted. He taught me this at age 6 with a play cash machine. It happened often when i was a teen. i was able to point to the 5
0
6
383
Every time I spend time in Europe, I think to myself, what the heck do they put in our food in the States? At home I work so hard to keep my weight under control. Here I am not bloated, eating more (def more carbs) and no I am not exercising more, in fact less and have lost.
62
15
380
My sister uses our old sheets whenever one of her kids is sick. They are “comfort sheets.” But we can’t remember for the life of us, who this Sesame Street character is. Does anyone know?
50
3
353
My son has been playing violin for 8 yrs. Two years ago he was dropped from his studio because I slipped to the back of the recital room to pull down my mask (this was after the instructor knew I had a medical condition that is exacerbated by the mask)
She told us, my then 10
15
18
331
@PaulSchlienz
@davidtheirl84
@seattlesymphony
For me if was the insistence to wear masks long after mask mandate was lifted. Even when it was “recommended” but not required the staff was so insistent that it made the whole experience unpleasant and not worth it.
3
5
322
I have thrilling news. I have been praying for this for years.
We have new neighbors and they are Christians.
This is a sort of unicorn here in Seattle.
This week we ate dinner at their house and talked about our faith.
Tonight m y teen is over there playing monopoly
17
2
318
BIG NEWS! I have signed a contract with
@litpress
to write a biography on BRIAN DOYLE for their People of God Series.
Looking forward to getting to know Doyle even better as I contemplate his life and writing.
43
14
301
When CBS showed The Wizard of Oz once a year on television it was an EVENT at my house. Was this true of your home too?
63
9
289
Every Friday before my husband goes to work he makes dough for our pizza night.
Every Friday he draws a different face on the plastic wrap.
I adore this man.
8
2
234
It has been over a month since I emailed the Superintendent of Catholic Schools and our school parish priest here in Seattle to let them know Gender Theory was being taught at my children’s Prek-8th Catholic school.
30
53
214
Started off Lent with a challenge. My husband had an accident that led to surgery. He will be immobile for the next 3 months. My sons and I knew how much he did for us but now we really know. We are up for the challenge. Prayers appreciated.
33
8
206
@Cernovich
I live in Seattle. When riots were happening on my streets, a religious sister sent me texts defending those destroying my city. I said “you know they would kill you right?” She had no idea of the history of these ideas. She didn’t want to even look to see what she’d find.
1
20
195
I’m not into Turkey so my husband made Beef Wellington.
26
1
194
It turned out perfectly
I’m not into Turkey so my husband made Beef Wellington.
26
1
194
19
4
187
Snake by William Baer
Read this aloud and tell me your reaction
23
21
181
Happy 21st anniversary to us!
I met Justo my first day of public high school 35 years ago. We did not date until 13 years later but for 35 years he has been the constant in my life.
He taught me to drive. He kept in contact with me each time I moved away. My life has been so
31
0
176
If you guys could please pray for me. I am having trouble with my eyes. They are itchy and bruised. I cannot read or write. I had this issue a few years ago and the doctors could not help me. I am just sitting here with ice packs on my eyes to keep down the swelling and pain
47
10
171
@Babygravy9
Had to show this to my teen sons. They have never seen such a positive depiction of masculinity.
2
1
164
A magical thing happened while I was visiting the Basilica of St Zeno in Verona, Italy today.
14
23
157
I’m ecstatic to share that I just signed a contract with
@HarperCollins
@Zondervan
for Undaunted Joy, a collection of essays on JOY!
The essays explore joy in both ordinary and mysterious and joy as an act of defiance.
40
11
151
My father would have been 67 today had he not abused drugs, alcohol, food and me. Strangely I am grateful. He taught me to question everything. His life was Romans 7. He did what he did not want to do. Our God forgives and loves and I believe my father is w Him.
9
2
141
God bless my sons on their Confirmation.
May they rest in God’s love for them.
12
0
137
13 yrs ago. This is one of my favorite pictures. My sons and I, who are now taller than me.
9
0
136
Arrived in Cambridge! Haven’t really explored yet as travel took most of the day. But I had time before check in at my Airbnb so I of course sat inside a Catholic Church. I was journaling and praying when a nun came in. I smiled at her and she came over to chat. I told her I was
16
6
134
I have placed my children in Catholic school as a haven from this demonic teaching, yet it is being promoted within the walls of the church as well.
I am trying to raise my sons to be holy, to be Saints. I have no one to turn to for support in my church.
31
12
125
Morning spent helping my son pick out his first full size violin! He’s been playing for 6 yrs and is ready to move to the next level. What a joyous process to watch him decide.
10
0
125
I wore my favorite shirt to a literary conference last week and no one commented on it. My husband said it was because they were all afraid. I believe him. This makes me want to buy other esoteric literary tshirts.
Whatcha got?
Bonus if it’s a good Brideshead Or Cheever tee
37
2
122
My oldest is on lockdown at his high school. Someone was shot in the parking lot at lunch.
This is the 4th shooting this school year.
As soon as the doors are unlocked, I am going to pick him up.
49
6
123
Today I took the bus out to visit C.S. Lewis’s house. It is not a museum but houses students and fellows working on various projects. I was honored to get a tour set up. It was just me and my tour guide on the tour.
This home is not preservation but a reconstruction of what it
10
6
120
Forgive me but this woman was too fabulous not to take a picture. The world is a better place because she lives here.
3
4
118
This is what writers do when something cool happens and there is no one in the office, coffee shop or library to share it with…
I have finished my manuscript for Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight! This book is a collection of essays on JOY.
The seeds
16
4
113
The glorious cottage I was gifted to write in for the weekend. I am so grateful I could cry.
14
0
114
My husband was able to attend Mass with us today!
First time since Ash Wednesday!
10
1
111
Each year my sons, now teens, take turns putting on the Angel on the top of the tree. My youngest said it was his year. He put it on to much cheering. Then I saw an On This Day picture and noticed he put it up last yr too. I started looking through the pictures and my oldest has
14
2
112
Why yes I am the only one with ashes at SeaTac airport.
Thanks for asking
5
0
114
My 11 yr old called me out to see the sunset. Teaching him to see in this way and hold these moments sacred is one of my biggest parenting successes.
8
4
110
Please pray for me.
Something is coming and I am not looking forward to it.
21
2
111
Our principal said my rejection of GT was a difference of opinion. In my email, I laid out why it is not simply a difference of opinion but heretical and against Catholic teaching and the theology of the Incarnation.
2
6
101
Thank you for sharing my good news, finishing my manuscript for Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight. I figured it has been a while since I have done some introductions.
I’m Shemaiah Gonzalez. I grew up in Los Angeles and have been living in Seattle for
17
7
109
I’ve been feeling it for a while, loneliness. I’ve been pushing it away for months, focusing on the book, the next holiday, the children but it is catching up with me.
I lost most of my friends and community in Seattle during the pandemic. And now that things have settled down,
31
2
109
Happy to share that I have been accepted to University of Saint Thomas Summer Writers Institute.
I am looking forward to sharpening my writing skills this summer with a team that I have so wanted to learn from.
See you in June!
13
1
109
A friend of my 14 yr old drew this picture of my son and I 😭
6
1
109
Just remembered last night my 10 yr old said “if I have a son, I’m going to name him Jame. People will ask, don’t you mean James? And I’ll say, no there is just one of him”
3
4
106
Why isn’t society engaging with classical music?
I have some ideas but want to hear what you think.
109
5
106
I am craving more intellectual pursuits and conversations. I miss art, literature and theology and people who don’t mind talking about it.
10
2
106
I’ve decided to just eat and drink to excess until the 31st and then deal with it.
I know I am not alone in this thinking.
19
1
100
This year my husband had an injury that left him immobile for months. I lost two huge writing jobs even though my writing was celebrated. And lost trust in my faith communities.
Yet it was still the best year yet.
Those trials thrust me close to Christ and brought me
12
3
99
I’d like to be transparent about all the things that are going on with me but I cannot. Some contractually. Some I do not have words. All I know is I am exhausted in body, mind and spirit. Life me up.
29
0
96
I have my son home with me.
Word on the street is that the kid died and the teen shooter is still at large.
My oldest is on lockdown at his high school. Someone was shot in the parking lot at lunch.
This is the 4th shooting this school year.
As soon as the doors are unlocked, I am going to pick him up.
49
6
123
22
1
97
@CaliforniaFrizz
@MaggieGallaghe
She says this line several times in her films too “you’re my knight in shining armor “
0
3
97
Happy Mother’s Day from me and my tall shaggy haired men.
(I’m 5’9 without heels just for reference)
4
0
97
@D_B_Harrison
Agreed. A theology prof asked me at a conference, as a woman, what I thought about the use of feminine pronouns for God. I said those who feel the need to do so are making God about them instead of the other way around.
2
3
97
In case you were wondering, yep, the new haircut is still adorable today.
12
0
97
Prayers please. I feel I am moving into something new. It’s uncomfortable and scary but I must be fearless.
13
0
93
Each morning, I wake with a refrain in my head.
This morning: Create in me a clean heart, O God. And renew a right spirit within me.
7
2
91
Last night I received an email from a family member asking for forgiveness for not acting on the abuse they saw my sisters and I endure as children. They said the shame and guilt kept them from connecting with me throughout the years.
6
3
93
My kid’s K-8th Catholic school had a “Poetry Slam” yesterday for National Poetry Month. They teach that poetry is a tool for activism, instead of a window to transcendence. It is the saddest thing to see an opportunity for imagination and experiencing God’s immanence—wasted.
25
13
93
Related: schools and churches, please quit giving my children sweets as a reward for anything. We don’t bring that stuff into our house. It is an odd reward system that happens daily at my children’s already unhealthy, overweight school.
6
2
91
My teen son was interacting with a female teen who was wearing blush. “I thought something was wrong with her! Her cheeks were all red like Flannery O’Connor with lupus. I was so confused!”
10
0
95
I need new head shots.
My friend took a few.
This is my favorite.
Can't I just use this?
24
0
89
Today is the day! My birthday!
Share your favorite memory with me, a picture or something that reminds you of me for a gift. Life is best shared with you!
If you live close, let me know if you can stop by for a cup of coffee or tea this morning
33
1
91
I think someone pointed my priest to this tweet. He texted me and when I said all the things I did here and in the comments, he said we just aren’t that kind of parish.
Since my husband’s accident and surgery we have heard from long lost friends, law school buddies, old babysitters mom, LiveJournal friends and many of you have stepped up.
You know who has not been a part of this team?
The two parishes we have been a part of for 11yrs & 17yrs
71
35
696
60
3
87
Over 90 uneven, 400 yr old steps to our apartment but I ain’t mad.
6
0
93
We were quite poor growing up. Once, when I was about 6, both parents picked me up at school.
This was not regular. It was because our house had been broken into while I was at school. They wanted to tell me and prepare me.
The house was a mess and our television, among other
7
3
91
Getting ready for fancy dinner with my husband for our 20th anniversary. I bought a new dress for the occasion. Now that I have it on a realize it has a clear Beetle Juice vibe going on. I’m not really mad.
5
0
27
10
0
88
My son is turning 12 in two weeks. He just wants books. He reads at a high school level and mostly rereads A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and James Herriot books. What should I put on his Wish List?
64
1
88
Someone asked for a selfie.
Here I am at King’s College Chapel
6
0
90
I recently sat in on a graduate level literature Zoom class. Instead of trying to learn a bit about the writers from over 100 yrs ago, the students consistently wanted to look at them through today’s lens. The instructor let them. No one learned anything.
14
5
87
My husband just surprised me with the t-shirt I’ve been wanting—forever!!
14
6
87
I have arrived in Oxford.
I don’t know how to tell you this but my Airbnb has books in the bathroom!
And they are good ones too! All classic authors.
11
0
88
My husband is going on a business trip so last night, while we were sleeping, he smoked a brisket. He knows I’m not very good at cooking or feeding myself and our children. Now all I have to do is warm it up. I’m unsure what I truly bring to this marriage except a good attitude.
9
0
88
During this past month my sons have told me they feel pressured at school to be gay. Not from their peers but from the teachers at their Catholic school. As they move into manhood, the narrative they hear is that they are toxic, predators and not to be trusted.
4
15
80
My 10 yr old cannot wait till Tuesday because that is when $15.99 worth of mechanical pencils he ordered from an old Amazon gift card will be delivered. The anticipation is overwhelming all of us.
7
2
82