Feature from Week 12 {Matrimonial Monday}

Date: December 3, 2012

Author: Exceptionalistic

This week was a slower week for marriage posts. If it’s like my situation, the holidays are also taking over my life! I’m so busy I can barely see straight some days. I, however, was still encouraged by each of you this week!

Before I feature the posts I chose, I want to say a huge thank you to Kendra over at A Proverbs 31 Wife for all her hard work to make this link up what it is. If you haven’t thanked her, won’t you take a moment to do so now?

Thanks for your hard work Kendra!!! <—- Tweet this

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I only chose to highlight one post this week. It’s one that is near and dear to my heart.

For me it’s one of those posts that I’ll save and continue to reference. In fact, I printed it out to keep in my calendar. It’s that important to have right in front of us.

Heather over at Upside Down Homeschooling hit the nail on the head with this one.

She started a list on how to be an intentional wife. I say she started a list because each of us has different needs in our marriage. Can you imagine an all inclusive list that would work for each marriage?

How boring would that world be?!?

Thank you Heather for linking up your post!

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Pursuit of Proverbs 31 by Amy Bayliss {book review}

Date: July 12, 2012

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Bible Study, Book Review, Faith, Jesus, Proverbs, Proverbs 31, Pursuit of Proverbs 31, Reading, Uncategorized

Comments: 5 Replies

Proverbs 31 woman. Just hearing the words makes me frantically review my entire life for what I need to work on. I think of my grandmother when I think about this woman. She was early to rise, cooked from scratch, didn’t drive, waited on my grandfather and so on and so on. She did this while raising three children! She was everything I’ve always wanted to be.

I’ve been studying Proverbs 31 for the past nine weeks. It’s amazing just how much information there is about this woman. She is the image of perfection. I’ll repeat it. She’s the image of perfection. Before actually studying this in depth I thought I was supposed to be all of these things all the time.

Pursuit of Proverbs 31 is a great resource. Amy Bayliss walks us through her personal story which really does help us realize we aren’t alone. Have you ever thought you were the only one that wasn’t the perfect mom, wife, daughter or woman? If this thought has ever crossed your mind you should check out this book. You will quickly realize that you are not alone in this.

Her chapters on how to create a biblical marriage and being a mother are definitely bookmarked on my Kindle for future reference. I’ll need these in my journey to incorporate Proverbs 31 into my life. Before actually studying this woman I always thought she was just perfect. I was a little intimidated (okay, a LOT intimidated) by her. Then I realized through this book and my bible study that she isn’t a real woman. You heard that right. She isn’t an actual woman. King Lemuel’s mother described these traits to him as she described the woman she wanted her son to marry.

What a relief! We’ve been comparing ourselves to an ideal. It’s great to strive toward that but we shouldn’t beat ourselves up for not being all of these things all the time. Ecclesiastes 3:1 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” We don’t need to do everything all the time. A little planning goes a long way. Amy mentions this in a way that called out to me. She says ‘planning is a good thing when used properly.’ Yes this makes perfect sense. I was planning, planning and planning but in a way that didn’t make sense to the flow of our lives.

Pursuit of Proverbs 31 is a wonderful addition to this bible study. Amy has ten easy to read chapters that include real life applications. Each chapter has additional information at the end. Focused Thoughts, Scripture for Memory, Essential, Useful and Bonus exercises which are available to aid you in any additional deeper study.

Click the book cover below to order yours today!

About Amy Bayliss

I’m an indie author, web publisher, blogging, digital publishing, and social media consultant, and I am a small business owner but my favorite job is being a wife to Ryan and mama to my four, rowdy boys!

Most of all, I’m just me. I make mistakes (quite often). I don’t always get it right. Hopefully I learn my lesson the first time. If not, I have an awesome savior who doesn’t give up on me.

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Going it alone.

Date: June 27, 2012

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Bible Study, Into the Word Wednesday, Proverbs 31, Uncategorized

Comments: 4 Replies

Are you like me? Do you try to do everything on your own without asking for help?

I’ve been really working on how to start asking for help. Letting some things go so I’m not overwhelmed. Saying no, not because I don’t want to but because it truly isn’t the right thing to do. I wouldn’t say I’m a people pleaser but I do always try to help when I can, go the extra mile and genuinely make others lives better.

At the risk of sounding selfish…what about making my life better? What about what I’ve wanted to do, what I’ve put off to help others?

I’m pondering though that maybe, just maybe I haven’t been doing all of these things to glorify Him. Maybe I’m just trained to do so. I was raised this way and I believe it’s the right way to live my life but am I taking it too literally?

Am I making good decisions on a daily basis that will benefit my family or just jumping to help another before thinking it through? I’m casting my cares on Him this week. Taking a step back to really listen to what He has to tell me. I need clarification on what direction my life needs to head in. I want to follow His plan and right now I can’t see what that plan is.

I’m in a bible group right now to study Proverbs 31 and it really isn’t helping right now!! That. Woman. Is. Amazing. She does it all. She is who I want to be more like but not at the risk of it being for ‘show’ or taking me out of line with what God has in store for me.

Matthew 11: 28 has really helped me realize that I have been heavily burdened these past few weeks. I need to rely on Him and pray about this season of my life because there are decisions to be made.

I’d love to hear if you have or are going through this right now!

By the way I’m linking up with a few other awesome bloggers today for Into The Word Wednesday.

Becky *hostess* at Beauty For Ashes

Sarah *co-host* at Fontenot Four

Falen *co-host* at Upward Not Inward

Into the Word Wednesday Blog Hop Rules:

1. Write a post about what God is teaching you this week.

2. Follow the host and hostess via GFC.

3. Grab a button to put on your blog – the more the merrier!

4. Check out (and comment) other people’s blogs and be blessed by all the sisters and brothers around the world!

If you are interested in co-hosting in the future, send Becky an email and let her know!

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A four letter word.

Date: June 9, 2012

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Bible Study, Exceptional, Fear, Freedom, Life, Purpose

Comments: 1 Reply

A four letter word. A teeny tiny four letter word. Fear.

I found this photo I took years ago just recently. The find came at the perfect time. So appropriate for this week. We just completed week 4 of the Good Morning Girls bible study.

Wow…4 weeks.

These 4 weeks went by so quickly that I can hardly believe it. Week one brought a ton of emotions. I was nervous that I wouldn’t have any time at all to even complete this now I’m looking forward to it on a daily basis. I’m finishing it before anything else, early in the morning before my kids are up. Something I’ve wanted to do for a while. This study helped me make that happen!

This little word tries to hold me back. A small four letter word. Fear.

It didn’t hold me back from this. I’m looking forward to even more adventures now that I’m staring fear in the face and walking the other way.

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Ladder to growth.

Date: May 24, 2012

Author: Exceptionalistic

Categories: Bible Study, Proverbs 31

Comments: Leave a reply

Am I extraordinary? Am I a woman of character? Am I a priceless jewel to my husband?

Midway through the second week of the learning about the Proverbs 31 woman and this woman is so far up on a pedestal I may never reach but I’m creeping up on her. I’m on rung two of this journey and learning that this woman is astounding! Will I ever be so noble, so rare? Many of us already ‘know’ about the Proverbs 31 woman. By that I mean we’ve probably heard of her but have we studied intently about her to promote change within? To be completely transparent, I honestly have not.

I am loving every minute this study. I’m struggling less and less to find the time during my already busy day to make this happen. I’m making the time! It’s true that when you truly have the desire you find the time. The deeper we delve into learning about her the more I want to know, the more more questions I have. Creating a hunger for the Word with a group of Godly women is something I have craved for a while now.

Are you craving too? Are you looking to work on yourself, change your life? Are you looking to become a better wife, daughter, sister, mom, friend?

It is not too late to get started. It’s a 3-month journey up this ladder and we’re only at rung number two.

If you are reading this and feeling a nudge or feeling a little sick to your stomach after reading this it’s not heartburn from breakfast. It’s God saying He’s ready for you!!

It’s not too late to join us!! You can do so at my friend Kayse’s blog Finding-Hope. You will be welcomed with open arms!

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