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Mary Lenaburg

Writer, Speaker, Woman of God

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“i will love”…

25 Oct

I saw this quote recently on a friends Facebook timeline and it just spoke to me…


“Many are called to do great things, but few do great things. Why? Because very few will take the responsibility for the call. It doesn’t end with a call… First comes the call, then comes the work, then comes the sacrifice, then comes the never giving up, then comes the going all the way through.” 
– Joyce Meyer

Y’all, I left my job with the church three weeks ago and in those 21 days I have never worked harder in my life. Since we are now living on one income again, my family continues to sacrifice so that I can follow this calling. I have felt like giving up every single day as I struggle to find the words to complete future talks and two books I am currently working on. I continue to be amazed at God’s daily provision. Truly, He is so very good. 


This past weekend, I spoke to a large group of high school students at our Diocesan Youth Rally. My talk was called “What is a Life Worth?”. It addressed not only the scourge of abortion but also the new horror of legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide. I spoke of my life with Courtney and how we must care for and protect our most vulnerable citizens. 


I felt like Courtney was smiling down on her Mama while I spoke. There were a few emotional moments for myself and those who attended as I spoke of my daughter’s last days here on earth. Even the boys had tears. I couldn’t make eye contact at that point or I would have lost it. 



Afterward there were hugs and words of encouragement given to these young warriors who are on the front lines everyday, fighting to defend their faith and what it teaches. It’s hard to be a teenager today in this culture that values instant celebrity over authentic friendships, death over life, and skepticism over faith. 


The Diocesan Youth Ministry theme for this coming year is “I will love” a direct quote from Mother Teresa (now St.Teresa of Calcutta). Bishop Loverde gave beautiful homily at Mass about taking up this challenge, one day at a time. It’s a challenge he himself has taken and his personal encouragement to 600 plus teenagers was incredibly moving and I have no doubt it landed on very fertile soil. 


As I looked around that auditorium, I was struck by the joy and openness on the faces of the teens. They are so hungry for the truth and I was incredibly humbled to be a very small part of the truth telling experience that afternoon. Let not your hearts be troubled my friends. I have seen the future of the church and it is beautiful my friends. 


It made all the hard work of prayerfully finding the words and crafting the talk worth it. Every moment of doubt, gone in 20 minutes. Thank the good Lord for his bountiful mercy and grace these past few weeks and for your prayers as well my friends. I don’t know where I would be without either.  


There are more talks to write and more truth to speak my friends. This new career path is not going to be easy but God is good ALL the time. 

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Comments:
5 Comments
Categories:
Uncategorized
Tags:
abortion, physician-assisted suicide, public speaking, youth ministry

« our litany of saints…
the bend in the road… »

Comments

  1. Kerry says

    October 25, 2016 at 4:14 am

    Awesome! I wish your talk was recorded so I could share it with my daughter who will be a young adult soon!!!

    Reply
  2. Heather Anderson Renshaw says

    October 25, 2016 at 4:48 am

    "Every moment of doubt, gone in 20 minutes." Praise our good God. Love you, sister! ❤️

    Reply
  3. Laura @ A Drop in the Ocean says

    October 25, 2016 at 5:00 am

    I love hearing what you're doing, Mary. Go you! Thanks for sharing these messages with teens. Anyone who doubts the future of the Church/America/world just needs to take a look at groups like this. There are so many young people taking on the world. Sometimes they're just the quiet fighters you don't know about. I can't wait to see what becomes of this generation.

    Reply
  4. Beth Cotell says

    October 25, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    So happy for you Mary! God will continue to provide!!

    Reply
  5. Rachel and Family says

    October 25, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    It's very wonderful for you to go and speak these truths. One thing I think of when reading your story, is that the disabled among us are really such a gift aren't they? I believe God uses them to stir up within us – compassion, self sacrifice, and a great understanding of love. What a ruthless, hardened culture we become when instead we abort or suicide them. Life and death is something we must leave to God and allow Him to adjust us. If you ever make it to Anchorage, let me know, I will be there to hear God's exaltation in your story.

    Reply

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Writer, speaker, woman of God. Chasing the dream of the perfect cup of coffee with a side of laughter. Read More…

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Instagram post 2196039018600693265_19538962 🎉🎉 GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED 🎉🎉
Mary’s Crazy Christmas Giveaway - Day Two!! 🎅🏻
Y’all, I am beyond excited to spend this week doing nothing but giving away ALL THE THINGS!! 🎅🏻
Today’s giveaway is all about the Moms. I have curated a fabulous collection of some of my favorite books, art work and a few treats to help sustain you in your mission of motherhood. Each photo is tagged with the creators of the products. 🎅🏻
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⭐️PSA. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Instagram. I will chose a winner on Friday (Dec 13) morning 🎅🏻
#maryscrazychristmasgiveaway #booksandmorebooks📚 #funstufftoo #catholicgiftgiving ##bebraveinthescared #lovealwayswins💛 #happyhalfbirthdaytomybook🎂 @avemariapress  #maryiscrazy #butfun #givingawayallthethings #catholicart #liturgicalliving #celebrationofhope #joyfulheart #merrychristmasyall
Instagram post 2195339764924071047_19538962 🎉🎉GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED 🎉🎉
Mary’s Crazy Christmas Giveaway starts today🎅🏻🤶🏼🎄
🎁
Y’all, I am beyond excited to spend this week doing nothing but giving away ALL THE THINGS🎅🏻🤶🏼🎄
🎁
Today’s giveaway is all about the kids. I have curated a fabulous collection of some of my favorite books, both for kids and to inspire and encourage Mom’s, stunning art work inspired by my book “Be Brave in the Scared” and Catholic toys inspired by my own kids. Each photo is tagged with the creators of the products. 🎁
Rule of Engagement:
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🎁 follow @marylenaburg and at least THREE of the following creatives: @bonnieengstrom @lisahendey @brightlyhude @providential_co @katherine.bogner @whenbeautymettruth @schroederstitchery @lightofsunday @thatcatholicdesign @saintly_heart @chewslifeshop @babymylove.etsy
🎁 tag a Mom who inspires you (up to 5 tags) 🎁participants must reside in the USA
PSA. This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Instagram. 🎁
I will chose a winner on Thursday (Dec 12). 🎁
Are you ready for the CRAZY??? Let’s do this friends!!! Come one come all!! Check back tomorrow for Giveaway #2!! It’s gonna be awesome!! 🎁 
#bebraveinthescared #lovealwayswins💛 #happyhalfbirthdaytomybook🎂 @avemariapress @sophiainstitute #maryiscrazy #butfun #givingawayallthethings #catholicart #liturgicalliving #celebrationofhope #joyfulheart #merrychristmasyall #maryscrazychristmasgiveaway
Instagram post 2194134991222645147_19538962 Lights ✨ I love them. This year I took a deep dive into battery powered twinkle lights and I am not mad about it friends. Not at all. .
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Typically our tree would be covered in multi-colored lights but this year, we went all white. I love it. .
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How about you? Team Colored lights? Or Team White lights? Let me know in the comments. .
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It’s beginning to look like Christmas 🎄 In the Lenaburg house. .
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#christmas🎄 #teamcoloredlightsforlife #butthisyearisdifferent #twinklelightsmakemehappy #decoratingelfbrigade #santaiscoming🎅🏻🤶🏻🎄❤️ #babyjesustoo #happyhomefilledwithlight #somanylights✨ #happinessisachoice #deathdoesnotwinfriends #courtneyschristmaslegacy
Instagram post 2189521883971719485_19538962 Advent, a time of preparation as we wait for the Infant Jesus to come, bringing with Him our Hope and Salvation. .
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Advent also brings with it a powerhouse of emotions in our home. Grief, joy, anticipation and dread as we walk toward December 27, the day our sweet Courtney went home to Heaven. .
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Joy and Sorrow go hand in hand in this life my friends and as we walk toward the fifth anniversary of Courtney’s death, we would like to offer our grief and suffering for you and those you love. .
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So beginning today, through this season of Advent and Christmastide, our family would love to intercede for you, also asking our beautiful saint to intercede for you as well, bringing your needs before the Lord in this time of waiting. .
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We will write down every prayer request received between now and Epiphany, placing it Courtney’s Stocking, praying for those intentions each day. On the Feast of the Epiphany, we will burn those prayers collected, allowing the smoke to rise to Heaven like incense. .
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This is our way of reclaiming this season that was once devastatingly hard to walk, offering joy and praise to the ONE who gave us the gift of our daughter Courtney to begin with🎄❤️
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Today begins Operation Courtney’s Prayer Stocking. You can DM me, email me at lenaburgmary@gmail.com or write them below this photo. PLEASE pass this along to anyone you know could use the prayer assist. ALL prayers requests are welcome friends. .
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Time to put our girl to work interceding for ALL. I know she’s ready and waiting...
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Instagram post 2189017549601340062_19538962 Home. .
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Filled with hand me downs, yard sale finds, Goodwill treasures and even a few new pieces. The walls covered with photographs with so many stories to tell. It’s a place where many memories have been made, some good and some not so good, but either way, they belong to us as a family. .
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Hospitality in my home is not about making it Pinterest Perfect, it’s about keeping the door open and a seat at the table for who ever needs a safe place to land. It’s a place of warmth and welcome, a place of faith and fun, a place where the weary are always welcome. .
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Home is wherever we are together 💛
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So happy to be home again. Now to make it all purty for Christmas. Santa’s Bootcamp is underway. 🎅🏻🤶🏼 🎄
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#homeiswheretheheartis #family #placeofpeace❤️ #doorisalwayswelcome #placeatthetable #christmasiscoming🎄 #hopeneverfails #lovealwayswins💛 #bebraveinthescared #myhomesweethome #welcome #capecodhome #nowtodolaundry
Instagram post 2188160468216390508_19538962 I have been on quite the journey when it comes to my skincare. I have had rosacea my entire life but it was post-baby when things really got out of hand. .
I have tried every ointment, lotion, and dermatological procedure, including lasers,  to try and lesson and even get rid of my red chin, cheeks and the painful cysts that go with them. I have used EVERY makeup brand, from drug store to high end, trying to find anything that would help. .
Not much has helped, until now. .
About 18 mos ago I started to see @beautycounter ads pop up on my social media feeds. Several people I know became consultants and I began to experiment with the different skincare products. .
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Over time the redness lessened and the rosacea cysts went away. My skin no longer felt like burning sand paper but is now actually soft to the touch. .
As I began my book tour back in May, which included an intense fall speaking schedule, I started wearing makeup everyday. I tried the @beautycounter makeup line and was thrilled with its coverage and wearability as well as the ease with which I could remove it without irritation. So important for sensitive skin. I was very happy with the results. .
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So happy that last week, I made the decision to become a consultant for @beautycounter!! I know...insane right? But I really do believe in the product, the company that makes it and their message of clean beauty. .
I know you have so many options when it comes to purchasing your personal care items my friends and I do appreciate your encouragement and support with this new venture of mine. .
I am happy to answer any questions you may have or assist you in any way to take advantage of the BEST SALE of the year (15% off site wide with free shipping for any order over $50 through Dec. 1... DM me or use the link in my bio to shop directly. .
Blessings and Grace...Mary .
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