This months woman in the spotlight has a true passion for seeing women set free from the clutter that keeps them from being the women God intended them to be. For over a decade, she has been a student of simplicity—learning to declutter her own life and helping others to do the same. Through her speaking and writing, she fulfils her dream of inspiring women to give God the best they have to offer. She is the the Editor of Counting the Cost, a newsletter and website dedicated to simple and abundant living. Her Name is Nancy Twigg. Nancy is no stranger to Woman2Woman she has been submitting attention grabbing articles to us for the past few months. She is also the author of three books, From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life from the Inside Out; Celebrate Simply: Your Guide to Simpler, More Meaningful Holidays and Special Occasions; and A Month of Mites: 31 Devotionals on Simple Christian Living.
Nancy says she and her family enjoy the simple pleasures in life like, ice cream cones, picnics, and Saturday morning yard sales. A perfect day for Nancy includes quiet time with a cup of tea, an early morning jog, an afternoon nap, and at least one piece of chocolate before bed. Again, we welcome Nancy to our team, it is a blessing to showcase her column here at the Woman2Woman Lounge were she will continue to be an encouragement and an inspiration and further reach other women through all that she writes.
W2W: Welcome Nancy, and thank you for granting us this interview. Please share with us a little bit about yourself.
Nancy: This shouldn’t take long, because I am actually a pretty simple person. J I am an author, speaker, freelance writer, helper to my husband in his business, and a home schooling mom. Although these pursuits keep me busy, my goal is to embrace simplicity in all areas of my life. I love exercising, bargain shopping, and soaking in a hot bath. My idea of a perfect day includes quiet time with a cup of tea, an early morning jog, an afternoon nap, and at least one piece of chocolate before bed. I live with my husband Michael and daughter Lydia Grace in Knoxville, Tennessee.
W2W: What has been your motivation and inspiration all these years to write and publicly speak to women?
Nancy: I have a passion for seeing women set free from clutter that keeps them from being the women God intended them to be. From over a decade, I have been a student of simplicity—learning to declutter my own life and helping others to do the same. Through my speaking and writing, God allows me to fulfill my dream of inspiring women to give God the best they have to offer.
W2W: With the holidays just around the corner it brings to mind your first book, Celebrate Simply. Will you share with us a little bit about your book and how the information you provided can help us simplify things in the coming season.
Nancy: Celebrate Simply is basically a guide to making holidays and special occasions what you really want them to be: low-cost, low-stress yet highly meaningful and memorable. The book is packed with ideas and inspiration to help you create holiday celebrations that leave you overjoyed, instead of overworked and overwhelmed.
W2W: With three books to your credit, the other two being, From Clutter to Clarity and A Month of Mites: 31 Devotionals on Simple Christian Living. Can we expect another book from you soon?
Nancy: I’ve been asking God the same question myself recently. J For the past several years, I thought God’s plan for me was to continue devoting my time and energy to my writing and speaking ministry. I actually began work on a devotional book for young mothers, but it seems God is leading me in an entirely different direction in my life. I am not sure where this new direction will lead, but I am excited about the possibilities.
W2W: In our daily walk with God trials and tribulations will come but thanks be to him we have Jesus to lean upon. Which scriptures do you draw strength from during times such as these?
Nancy: One of my favorites is II Corinthians 2:14: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. I love that word “always”! Even when we can’t see the final outcome or we don’t feel victorious at the moment, we can trust that He always leads us in triumph. Not only is He leading us to victory, but He uses our lives—with all their challenges and hardships—to spread the sweet fragrance of His love to others.
Another favorite is Isaiah 49:15: "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” This verse holds special meaning because my years of breastfeeding Lydia are very special memories for me. This verse reminds me that as much as I love Lydia, God loves me even more. And just as I could never forget Lydia or ignore her needs, God will never forget me or forsake me during my time of need.
W2W: What can we be in prayer about for you for in 2008?
Nancy: It looks as though God is calling me into ordained ministry. That most likely would include going to seminary. The thought of trying to juggle the demands of school along with all the other demands of my life is scary. Please pray that God will show me the way to be faithful to all the areas of responsibility to which He has called me.
W2W: In closing, do you have any final thoughts to share with our readers?
Nancy: My motto (and for my ministry) in life is “K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple, Sister!” When things get crazy, this mantra helps me to tune out the static and stay focused on what’s most important.
The Woman2Woman Lounge sincerely thanks Nancy Twigg for giving us this interview. You can read more about her, order her books, and read her newsletters @ http://www.countingthecost.com/index1.htm
Sherri Walker
Woman2Woman Lounge, Editor & Founder of
http://www.momsworkingforthekingdom.blogspot.com
