7 Quick Takes and a contest…
Hi Guys,
It has been a century or more since I have done Quick Takes but since I’m doing a little giveaway this week, I thought I’d jump in.
#1 –
There are only FOUR more days left to take part in the pre-order for the “Be Brave in the Scared” t-shirt sale. This short was designed by Lorissa Horn of Catholic Threads in honor of our sweet daughter Courtney. Part of the proceeds will go to our debt relief. We have worked so hard over the past three years to retire as much as we could of the debt we incurred while caring for Courtney. We are so thankful to Lorissa and her team for helping us with this fundraiser. The pre-order ends on November 21.
#2 –
I cannot believe Thanksgiving is this week! This year we will be with my Mom. It will not be your typical Thanksgiving meal though. She asked if it was OK if we had an “alternative” Thanksgiving menu. “There will be good wine, good food and you won’t have to do the dishes” she said.
OK then. Sign me up. It’s my own little Thanksgiving adventure. I’ll keep you in the know for sure and for certain. I just really hope it’s not Chinese food. I want save that indulgence for New Years Day.
#3 –
Last week I asked y’all for suggestions on sleep aids, from supplements to routines, and wow did you deliver. I am putting together a separate blog post containing all of your suggestions as well as what worked for me and what didn’t. The HUGE response makes me think that no one is sleeping anywhere. I’m glad I am not alone.
#4 –
I am humbled and honored that Annie and John-Paul of Pray More Novenas asked that I participate in this years Advent Retreat. It’s an on line retreat that you can sign up for on their website. Each week during Advent, videos all be sent to your email for you to watch. There will be questions to ponder with each one. This year I have the honor of joining the fabulous Johanette Benkovic, Father Nathan Cromly, and Jon Leonetti. How did this get to be my life? So humbled friends. Truly. You can sign up for the free retreat on the Pray More Retreats website.
#5 –
Friday night dance party’s are becoming a thing in my house. After a busy week, I get home and put on some happy music and dance it out. It’s a great stress reliever and cardio workout all rolled into one. Cheaper than therapy people. This week I was joined by my favorite six year old. You can check out my instagram feed for a little video evidence that Mary still got some moves. What are your favorite dance songs? Comment and let me know. I’m building my play list.
#6 –
There is still time to purchase Rooted in Hope, the Advent journal from Take Up and Read. I wrote two essays in this journal. Its’ a beautiful way to spend advent walking along with Jesus’s ancestors. We begin the online portion of the study on November 30. Join us won’t you?
#7 –
I love to give gifts. Especially those with meaning and purpose.
I LOVE supporting Catholic artisans and especially women who are being brave stepping out in faith and using their gifts and talents to build the kingdom of God. Christy and Kassie are two BFF’s living in Houston who decided to create a Sunday Mass journal. Here are the details from their website Every Sacred Sunday:
“Say yes to God, one Sunday at a time.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the Mass is the “source and summit” of our faith (CCC1324). Each week at Mass, we encounter Christ through the Holy Eucharist, Sacred Scripture, and faithful community.
But do you ever catch yourself going through the motions?
Every Sacred Sunday is a Mass journal designed to help Catholics celebrate the Mass.
Inside you will find full Mass readings for each Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation in the 2017-2018 liturgical year (December 3, 2017 – November 25, 2018). After each set of readings, there is journaling space to reflect on scripture, take notes on the homily, and center your upcoming week around Christ. With original watercolor illustrations, a gold foil linen hardcover, and eco-friendly printing in the USA, this journal is designed to reflect the beauty of the scriptures printed inside.
Y’all this is a beautiful book that celebrates digging a little deeper into the beautiful love letter that God has written us with the Bible. It allows you to really mediate upon the Sunday readings and really drink in ALL the goodness contained within. I have had the privilege to meet these two beautiful souls in person and I am just so excited to see where God is leading them with this ministry. It’s so awesome to watch the Holy Spirit at work.
I have four copies of the journal to give away. I took part in Every Sacred Sunday’s Kickstarter this past summer so these books were purchased by me and this post is not sponsored by anyone. Due to the shipping costs I can only take entries from the continental United States.
Here’s what you need to do to participate:
#1 – Write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) on what “Being Brave in the Scared” means to you. Whatever you are facing, tell me how you are being brave.
#2 – Email your paragraph to lenaburgmary@gmail.com. In the memo line put “Every Sacred Sunday” and make sure you include your snail mail address in case you win. Please also include your Instagram name as I will be giving you a shout-out on social media.
#3- Entries must be received NO LATER THAN midnight 11/20/2017. I will be checking the time stamps. I will also take into account the different time zones so no worries there.
#4 – We will then read them all, and then my committee and I will pray about it and on Thanksgiving Day announce the four winners. I will publish their paragraph here on the blog sharing just their first name. I will mail them their book along with a jar of my famous Christmas Jam, a letter of encouragement handwritten from me to you and a few other personal touches. They should each have it in their hands during the first week of Advent.
There you go. Let’s talk about being brave this Advent. Lets stand with one another and lift each other up before the Lord, knowing we are seen, known and loved.
Send me those entries Y’all. Ready. Set. Go!