The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World

When I saw this blog tour, I jumped at the chance to participate. Debbie Taylor Williams' book, The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World is just what I needed right now! There are SO many times when our Plan A lives just do not follow what we thought - that is when they turn into Plan B. And what I am personally learning right now - which was reiterated over and over in this book - is that God can use Plan B and it can become a sort of "Plan A" for us! We just have to let Him have it and He can turn it into a Plan A. It really is an inspiring and encouraging read for any of us that have had disappointments - little or big!

About the Book:
(Kerrville, TX) – From the beginning of time women have dreamt about their “Plan A” - the perfect husband, cute children, immaculate home, size six wardrobe, prestigious job, fabulous friends. But it doesn’t take much of real life to set in before compromises, changes and disappointments manage to cloud those dreams. The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan encourages women to re-evaluate the Plan B route and discover the blessings of God’s Plan A.

Using nine landmines that often claim the God-given plan for women, author/speaker Debbie Taylor Williams helps women reclaim hope and teaches them how to manage those sabotaging thoughts that claim many minds. Sprinkled with humor, an obvious love for God’s Word, and discussion starters for small group study, The Plan A Woman promises to help woman believe that God does have special plans for her, even in this Plan B world.

About the Author:

Debbie Taylor Williams is the founder of Hill Country Ministries, an organization dedicated to spreading God’s Word and ministering to women. Best known as a passionate biblical expositor, Debbie uses humor and practical illustrations to communicate spiritual truths to women throughout the nation. She is the author of Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion, Prayers of My Heart, and other books. She and her husband make their home in Kerrville, Texas. Learn more by visiting her popular Web site: www.debbietaylorwilliams.com

Interview Questions:

1. Your book focuses on living the Plan A life God designed specifically for you. What encouragement can you give for the woman who feels she's lived far too long on Plan B? Is there hope?

With God nothing is impossible! The Spirit who moved over the surface of the deep and created light and life is the same Spirit who abides in every believer. We can live the Plan A life God has for us because Christ lives in us and He is our hope of glory. Col 1:2

2. In your book you talk about hazardous landmines. What are a few common landmines women fall into?

Bitterness, discouragement, being fixated on the past, fear, feeling shaken by our circumstances, having expectations of how others should act are but a few of the land mines we can experience in a Plan B world. Left unattended, these land mines can cause devastating harm to us and others. God's Plan A is not for us to ignore these land mines, nor is it His plan for us to tip toe around them. Rather, He directs us to address and de-mine them. When we do, we can walk in bold assurance, confident of the ground upon which we walk. We're able to carry out the good works and plans God has for us; those that bring purpose and joy.

3. Talk about your P.R.A.Y. conferences and how women can learn more about your prayer ministry.

April 2, 2008 God woke me up at 4 a.m. and told me that I wasn't doing all that He wanted me to do. He then directed me to one of His Plans for my life: to take the principles from my book, Pray with Purpose — Live with Passion, to a church in every state in the United States. He told me to waive my speaking fee and travel expenses; that He had freely given me the keys to prayer that can change women's lives; and that I was to freely take them to my sisters. P.R.A.Y. with Passion Conference was birthed as a ministry of my non-profit ministry. It has been a joy to see God powerfully open doors through women who hear about the conference and pass the word to their women's ministry leader or event planner. Women are coming to salvation. Spiritual breakthroughs and repentance is taking place among believers. A "pink heart s" club is spreading across America, one composed of women and men who come forward and receive a heart on which they write how God has spoken to their hearts. And God is speaking. If I haven't been to your church/state, contact lauren@debbietaylorwilliams.com ministries, call toll free 888.815.9412, or visit my web site for more information www.debbietaylorwilliams.com

4. In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I love being with my husband. Whether we go for a walk, watch the sunset, take a hike in the country, travel, play golf (sort of...I'm a beginner :), or go for a drive and breakfast on Saturday mornings, he's my honi and love of 35 years. Our two adult children and their spouses are so much fun to be with; as is our 17 month old grandson. Family, friends, sharing the Lord - for what more could we ask?

-Used by permission Leafwood Publishers

-Review Copy provided by Kathy Carlton Willis Communications

Take Me With You

Carolyn Marsden's Take Me With You is such a great read. It is written for the Junior High age reader - a touching story of two girls that have lived in an orphanage in Italy for as long as they can remember. Their stories and reasons why they are there are completely different, but they become fast friends. When Susanna's dad comes to claim her, that lives Pina dealing with her feelings of being left behind. It is really a sad story - of how the girls were treated while in orphanage care and even the parents' reasons for abandoning their daughters. But through it all, the girls come to learn about identity and what it really means to have a home. Marsden shines in this novel - you come to feel for these girls and the tough lives they have to live. The story is actually based on a friend of Marsden's that grew up in a home for unwanted girls in Naples - it is one that will stick with readers for some time!

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Having read all of the Twilight Saga - I could hardly let this short novella go without a quick read. In my humble opinion - it was a bit disappointing - although, always interesting to see life through the eyes of one of the "baby" vampires. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner is the story of Bree who was actually introduced in Eclipse, so it is intriguing to go back and read her story. Not horrible by any means, but just not as good as I was hoping for! I am sure that her die-hard fans will not be disappointed however!

Prayers for Sale

Sandra Dallas' Prayers for Sale is such a touching story - I will be recommending this one in our library!! Hennie is a dear elderly lady that lives in Middle Swan, Colorado - a mining town that is way up in the high country. Her story is bittersweet - she has survived two husbands and now enjoys a life helping others. She has just been told by her daughter, however, that this will be her last year in Middle Swan because she wants her to move in with her and not spend another winter on her own. Hennie makes the most of that last year - she befriends Nit - a 17 year old girl that is new to Middle Swan and has so much to learn. Hennie shows her the ropes and cares for her like a mother. When Hennie finds out that Nit is expecting, that is her last wish, to be able to see the little one born before she leaves to live with her daughter. I really loved this story - touching to the very last page.

Bloodroot

Amy Greene's novel, Bloodroot, took me a bit to get into - I read for a few chapters before I really was "hooked". In fact, for me, a few times I caught myself thinking - should I finish or not??? BUT, I am glad I did. And yes, it did pick up. It is a tough read - that almost works its way backwards through generations. It is hard to watch woman after woman and man after man make really bad choices all down through generations of a family. You can see how their choices affect those that come after them and how this cycle will have a difficult time ever ending. But it is also a powerful read - you become attached to the characters, and I found myself silently cheering, "No, don't do that" or "Yes, do that". It is hard to watch all of these women, in particular, struggle but it is a read that opens our eyes to how people really do live and the cycle they get themselves into.