A to Z April Challenge

So, I have decided to join the A to Z April Challenge.  This challenge entails posting 26 posts, one for every letter of the alphabet, starting on Sunday, April 1st.  Every day {no Sundays, except for 4/1}, I must write a post about a topic beginning with that letter for the day.

While many individuals who are completing this challenge have themes, I have not decided if I will do a theme yet or not.  If I do, it will most likely be a "blogging" theme {I have been blogging for less than a year, so I am no expert, but I will give my opinions on several topics - 26 to be exact}!

Is anyone else going to complete the challenge?

Update:  I have decided I am going to complete my A to Z Challenge on blogging.  I may have trouble with some of the letters {I may have to get very creative for certain letters}, but I am going to have fun completing this challenge.  

Each day I am posting for this challenge, my blog titles will begin with "Blogging:" followed by the letter for the day and the word that corresponds to that letter.  I have a couple of posts already in mind, and some already written and scheduled to be posted.

I hope you all enjoy!

Church Sign

"Been taken for granted?  Imagine how GOD feels!"

I saw this on a church sign, and all I could think was "Wow, this is so true!"

Yes, I have been taken for granted.  Several times.  Too many times to count.  Yes, it hurt.  A lot.  Sometimes it hurt so much that I thought my heart was breaking in two.  Sometimes I thought I would never be able to forgive the person who took me for granted.  But, I did.  

I lived, and I am a better person today because of what has happened to me.  I have learned from my experiences and my past.

But, I could never imagine how GOD feels.  Who could?

I can, however, reflect on this the next time I feel used or taken for granted.  I will know that it is a temporary pain, and it will go away.  I know that as long as I am doing the Lord's will, I am on the right path.

I also know that I must follow God's words.

Matthew 6: 14 - 15 (KJV), "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Mind of a Child

Oh, if we all thought the way that children do!

I absolutely l.o.v.e. how children think.  I love hearing them talk and explain everything, especially when they are still young, innocent, and untainted by the world and all the events occurring around them.

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So, why am I all of a sudden writing about this?  Well it is because of something that happened back on Tuesday, March 20th.  And come to think of it - being that this was the first day of Spring, I now realize an even deeper meaning to what happened.  {Spring brings new life and blessings all around us!}

So around 4 P.M. on Tuesday, March 20th, my mom and I went to Cook-Out to get some dinner to take home.  Well, if you have ever been to Cook-Out you know that you can either go through the drive-thru or walk up to the window to order.  I wanted to walk up to the window because the drive-thru was busy, and I did not know exactly what I wanted, yet.

After deciding what we were going to get and placing our order, we stood by the window waiting on our order.  Well, a car was coming from the drive-thru around the building, and in the backseat, there was a little girl about 1.5 or 2 years older {guessing here, but she was still in a booster type car seat}.  As the car passed us, the little girl waved at my mom & I, so we waved back and smiled.  Then, she blew us kisses.

My smile got even bigger, and I all I could think was that God was sending me a blessing through this little girl.  I saw His love and grace in this little girl's face, and I sent up a prayer for the little girl and her family and a thank you from me for the small blessings in life.

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You see, children {at a younger age} do not see race, gender, social or economic class, or cultural differences.  I love this!

I wish we could all have the mind of children, so that we could all learn to love and accept each other the way we are!

Goodreads

I recently found out about goodreads and decided to join.

 

I thoroughly enjoy reading, so obviously I am going to join a website that allows me to mark the books I have read, what I want to read, and what I am currently reading.  In addition, I get suggestions for new books from the website and from the individuals I follow and am friends with.

If you are a member of goodreads, add me as a friend or follow me by clicking here.  By doing this you will be able to see the books I am currently reading, along with the books I have already read.

Thank you to all my beautiful readers!

Blog templates and layouts

So, I am playing around with different blog templates and layouts.  I need to spruce up my blog some, and I want something fresh and inviting.

So, for the next couple of weeks or so (until I decide on a final template and layout), you may notice that my blog is going to be changing a lot.

If at any point, you like one of the templates or layouts I have chosen, please let me know because I am doing this not only for me, but for my readers and followers.

Thanks!

Spring has sprung....

But, it feels like Summer!

{& has for two weeks now!}

So, the official first day of Spring was Tuesday, March 20th, but here in NC, we have had temps in the high 70's and low 80's for about two weeks.

It has felt a.m.a.z.i.n.g.!

And, it is so pretty outside, with the trees and flowers blooming.

But, I have serious b.e.a.c.h. fever.  I really just want to hop in the car and drive the four {only 4} hours to get down on the coast, with my feet in the sand!

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Isn't it gorgeous?  I don't think I am going to be able to wait until Summer!

Anyone else having beach withdrawals? :)

Update: This post was supposed to be published Wednesday, but for some reason I have had problems with Blogger, so I was not able to publish this until today.

So, today at lunch, my mom asks me to look up some hotels at the beach to see what prices will be like for the end of April.  Yes, I said the end of April!  I am so ecstatic!  Yay!  I might not have to wait until Summer after all! :)

#29 of My 101 in 1001

#29.  Pay for the person behind me at the drive-thru

So, I completed this a while back and posted it on my Twitter & Facebook accounts, but did not have the time to write a post about it.  Here is my post from Facebook:

 

Kayla Ann Yow

Just paid for the person's food behind me in the drive-thru! Kindness-Pass It On!

Like · · @KaylaYow on Twitter

· February 2 at 11:59am via Twitter

I did not get the receipt for this.  I actually did not think about it until after I drove away because I paid in cash.

Another item marked off My 101 in 1001 list!  I have several more posts I need to write for items I have completed, and I am actively working on my list! :)

Until next time....

Time keeps slipping away

I cannot believe that March is here already.

Well, actually I can.

It is just that time is really flying by (as usual, but still)!

 I mean really, we have to "spring forward" this Saturday night/Sunday morning.  Really?  Already?  No Way!

What can I say?  It is really my fault that I let time slip by without realizing it.  I mean, I don't watch the clock (well, sometimes I do!) or the calendar, but I am now getting busier, so it seems that time is moving faster.

I have started doing more of my observations that are due for my Bachelor's program, so everyday I am in a classroom watching the teacher(s) instruct the students.  I am really enjoying doing these observations, and I believe they will help me when I start student teaching and get my first teaching job.  Along with those observations comes the paperwork.  It seems endless what I have to have the teachers fill out and sign, then I have to scan it into my computer, and I have to write up my summary of the observation.  It is a never ending cycle, but it is one that I must complete to obtain my Bachelor's degree and my teaching license.

Well, I do have some fantastic (at least I think they are fantastic, you might think they are horrible) ideas for blog posts, but they will have to wait a little bit longer.  I will keep posting as often as I can though, but rest assured, if I go missing for a few days or even a week or so, it is because I am busy!

Until next time my lovelies!

Again, I want to thank all my readers/followers!  You all mean the world to me! :)

Severe Storms and Tornadoes

I have been constantly watching the weather today, keeping a check on these storms.  Here is the link to the news article about the tornadoes and all the devastation that has been wreaked today.  While I am happy to see that the storms are weakening as they move towards the East, I am very sad and disheartened over the damage that has taken place where these tornadoes and storms have hit.

My heart and prayers goes out to these individuals and families who have been affected by the storms.  I am sorry for the loss that all of you have suffered, and I pray that the Lord watches over you and guides you during this time of need.  I also pray that you are granted strength, courage, wisdom, faith, and hope during these trials.

While I cannot imagine losing everything I own (I cannot even imagine losing one item that I own), I do know the heartache and pain associated with losing a loved one.  I hope and pray that God lifts your spirits during this time, so that you can deal with the pain and continue to carry on with your lives.

Again, my heart goes out to all of you, and I am praying for all those affected by the tornadoes and severe storms.

UPDATE:  Here is the link for another article I found about the tornadoes.  Of course it is from the American Red Cross, and at the top of that page there is a DONATE NOW button.  You can hit this button to donate to the disaster relief fund, or you can use the link I have set up on the red words "DONATE NOW."  The minimum donation is $10.  Please everyone donate if you can.  And if you don't think you can, skip buying a couple of coffees or fast food lunches/dinners, and you will have the minimum $10 needed to donate.