Suffering can be a teacher, this couple learned. Although they made many mistakes in marriage, a change of heart led to a way to not only help themselves, but others. Jerry and Mary Lenaburg are from Fairfax, VA.

Mary - In 2000 we took our daughter to Lourdes, France, on a healing pilgrimage. Even though she was not miraculously cured of her physical ailments, Jerry and I began a healing journey that brings us to this present moment. While in Lourdes we each had experiences where God was very direct with us, letting us know that He had forgiven us for our mistakes, but that we needed to forgive each other and ourselves. We rededicated ourselves to our marriage, God, and our family. Upon returning to the states, Jerry sought help to overcome his issues, we both confessed our sins, and began attending a weekly prayer group. We looked into reversing the tubal ligation but it was a $10,000 surgery that was far beyond what we could afford with all the medical expenses for our daughter.

Then in 2002 I was diagnosed with severe pre-cancerous fibroids and had to have a partial hysterectomy. This was unavoidable, but it was hard as I had come to realize fully how precious a woman’s fertility is, a true gift from God.

Jerry - About a year ago, our pastor asked us to become marriage mentors, counseling young couples from our parish as they go through marriage preparation. Father also wanted us to be trained in Natural Family Planning (NFP) and the Church’s teaching on love, sex and marriage. As you can imagine, we were a bit surprised. We had never practiced NFP ourselves and we had made so many mistakes in our married life. Why would he possibly think we would be a good mentor couple? He chuckled and said, “Sometimes your life is an example of what not to do. Augustine turned himself around and so did you. I want you to be honest and tell the truth. God redeems all things and He will use you to speak to these young couples.”

In the summer of 2009 we learned everything we could about NFP and began practicing it ourselves even though Mary cannot conceive. We took the series of classes that you are now taking as well as beginning a year or more of instructor training. In September of that year, we took a Theology of the Body seminar and for the first time truly began to understand God’s beautiful plan for sex, marriage, and family and the true joy and happiness a couple can have with God in His proper place of sovereignty - especially blessing the marriage bed.

Reparation for Past Choices

Mary - Though I no longer have my uterus, my ovaries still go through the monthly hormone cycle and I am able to observe some fertility signs, primarily mucus. After charting our fertility for several months, we were amazed at the accuracy between the temperature rise and mucus signs.

Jerry is the chart keeper because when I see all the dots and lines my brain stops functioning, but his marvels at the scientific puzzle before him. Ah, the difference between us! We were even able to see telltale signs of pre-menopause as they began to appear.

During our Theology of the Body retreat, it was suggested by one of the priests on the weekend that we follow the NFP rules and abstain one week a month in reparation for our past choices. We agreed and started immediately to abstain when my signs pointed to fertility and continue that practice to this day. I understand that it may sound odd to many of you, given that there is no way we could become pregnant, but we have found that the love and respect God has chosen to restore within our marriage blesses us more than words could say. This practice has completely transformed how we look at our intimate life together and we are blessed beyond measure. As part of this renewal, we had our home blessed and our marriage bed was completely restored. God was back in the picture.

Suffering Can Be a Teacher

Jerry - Today, we are still learning so many things we wish we would have known in 1988, and we hope you will have an open heart and mind about what you are going to learn in this class. We agreed to teach NFP because we were presented with an opportunity to teach what love is about. We know now what we should have known over twenty years ago and we don’t want other couples to get caught in that same trap. But God’s timing is perfect timing.

This is not a comfortable place for us to be. We are as flawed as anyone-probably more so-but we have learned through great suffering that your fertility should be cherished and your marriage bed respected. This is where you see each other as God sees you - perfect and beautiful. He is present as you give yourselves freely and wholly to one another.

Mary - There is a Scripture in Revelation we cling to: “And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Did we do things right? No, not by a long shot, so we are amazed and grateful that God has given us the opportunity to share the beauty of NFP with you in these classes. (Read the first part of the Lenaburgs’ story.)

Jerry and Mary Lenaburg share this witness talk when they teach Natural Family Planning. They were recently certified by the Couple to Couple League (CCL), the leading organization providing Natural Family Planning (NFP) instruction in the United States. This article appeared in the March/April 2011 issue of CCL’s Family Foundations.

CCL is always in need of couples willing to stand up for marriage and share the message of NFP with others. If prayerful discernment calls you to learn more about volunteer ministry, visit www.ccli.org/educate.

Natural Family Planning Classes Taught

Classes in Natural Family Planning sponsored by the Couple to Couple League (CCL) are taught in 17 locations in the Chicago metro area, including southeast Wisconsin and northwest Indiana. Each series is taught in three classes. The beginning dates are below. Go to our map page.

• Sun., May 1st, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Resurrection Medical Center, 7435 West Talcott Ave., Chicago IL. Classes will be taught by Dave and Mona Cattapan.
• Sun., June 12, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Family Hall, Holy Trinity Catholic Church
  111 S. Cass Ave., Westmont IL. Classes will be taught by Christopher and Debbie Lillig.
• Sun., July 24th, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. at Resurrection Medical Center, 7435 West Talcott Ave., Chicago IL. Classes will be taught by Dave and Mona Cattapan.

To register, and for a list of classes throughout the U.S., go to the CCL registration (800) 745-8252.

The method taught is the Sympto-Thermal Method, which is also taught via CylePRO software. Sign up for a membership with the Couple to Couple League International at www.ccli.org, and receive “Family Foundations.”