Hola familia!!

Long time no see.  I wanted to show you all what I have been working on all year in my Instructional Technology 486 class (using technology in the classroom).  

To visit my website visit:

http://web.utk.edu/~lwatson6

or visit my reflective blog at:

http://linzwatson.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think!

Although this is a little bit late, this is my picture for "Tradition."  Last spring break, my sister and I painted canvases for the house that I now live in.  This spring break, my roommate Brittany and I decided to spend one night painting to add some color to our walls.  This is what we came up with!  I painted the yellow and green ones, and the yellow's my favorite...maybe I'm biased!  

(Yes...Levi got all the artistic gene in the family)

Has everyone seen the Holiday when the two characters switch places and Cameron Diaz goes to a little getaway cottage in England?  The past few days I came home to spend some "getaway" in my new room, and I felt just like her!  I woke up the first morning to a house to myself, my favorite cinnamon rolls and coffee already ready for me, and a free morning to coup myself up in my new room with books, my ipod, my bible, the works!  It was incredibly refreshing to spoil myself...some much needed renewing of the spirit.  And my new room just embodies tranquility and gives it so freely!  The rest of my time at home has included McKay's (with a couple of great finds that they didn't have in Knoxville!), a run with my mom, time with Levi, Kelly, Dad, and Lily, and a fresh sunburn that was worth every minute I got to soak up the sun.  

I can't wait to participate in Sheryl's scavenger hunt!  Firstly, I took this picture last summer...but as I was thinking today of what would be my "Can't live without,"  I realized that the most accurate photo would have to be one of the sun, particularly when it was showing off.  I could not live without sunshine and seeing God's glory through its beauty.  I truly do believe I am somewhat more joy-filled in the summer and spring months than the winter.  Hence, photo submission #1

Shermidab

RIP  March 9, 2009

We had an honorable ceremony for him.  Allan wore the snuggie and gave a reading from Ecclesiastes as me and Brittany translated into Spanish, his native tongue.  He lived a long and fulfilling life and there is now a cross monument at his grave.  

Sad day.

ATTENTION FAMILY:

Jenny Ann will be featured on "On the Home Stretch" a radio show on Monday March 9th at 10:15 am CENTRAL time!  Tune in to hear her talk about the greatly anticipated upcoming release of her first publication, Unwritten Travels.  You can listen online at http://OnTheHomeStretch.com (during the interview) or you can call in LIVE at 877-474-3302

Make sure you listen in!

Song of the day:  "Sliding Down" by Bela Fleck.

Listen!  It's absolutely beautiful.

In other news, on Friday I spoke with a Spanish Pastor about serving with the children at his church.  The next day while I was working at Lifeway 6 different Spanish families came in that I got to help!  One family gave me a cd of their daughter singing, while another actually goes to the church that I visited!  What a grace it has been to see God making His work and presence in my life known.  I sometimes lose sight of the power of the gospel to change people; I forget that God chooses to use me even though He's not served by human hands (Acts 17:25).  I forget that He cares enough to lead me in the good works He has planned in advance for me to do.  I'm excited that He graces me with the opportunity to bring Him glory through something I love so much! 

Hear no evil.  See no evil.  Speak no evil.


The Roomies, Allan, and I before Tiff's Black and White Birthday party!!  It was so fun and Tiffany definitely had a fun 21st.  I forgot how much I like to dress up!

My sweet family!!  I have been absent from the blogging world for oh so long!  I apologize for my unplanned leave.  I wish everyone a happy valentine's day and I hope you all feel so loved.  I love Valentine's Day because it gives me the excuse to let myself feel loved by God.  So often I see how undeserving of His love I am and I feel selfish to let myself enjoy it fully, but yesterday I had the excuse to just let Him love me all day.  It is so sweet when you stop and look at how much you love someone.  It makes you long for time with them, it makes you want to do anything you can to preserve your love for them, and it makes you feel like you are the richest person alive.  I got to enjoy the benefits of love yesterday so fully.  He who created me is He who can know and love every little thing about me!

It also made me look at the way I love others.  So often I think about the friends that love me well, without paying much attention to the ways I can be loving them well.  When you look at what love is, say from 1 Cor. 13, I feel as if I don't represent it well at all.  

If I were to say that I was a good example of love, I would be lying:

"Lindsey is patient, Lindsey is kind.  Lindsey does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud.  Lindsey is not rude, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs.  Lindsey does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth..."  And it goes on and on, exaggerations and fibs.  I want to love like God does.  The only way I can describe it is EXTRAVAGANTLY.

Yesterday was also a day of laughter and joy.  Allan surprised me with chocolate covered strawberries (my favorite!) and flowers.  We personally hand-made sushi (yes, we MADE sushi!!) and it tasted just like the real thing.  And we went to the river walk and ate ice-cream.  Now I am suffering the consequences of my "play before work" theology this weekend.  I have to read all of Richard III (Shakespeare) by tomorrow--yes, tomorrow!!  Pray for me, please!

YOU ARE ALL LOVED DEARLY AND EXTRAVAGANTLY!  Don't ever forget :)