Tickle Me Tuesdays, 40th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Striped Canvas Purse from Milloo

Get in Line Wrap from Fransesca's Collections

Fingerless Gloves from ReflectionsByds

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span></p><p style="line-height: 18px; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br></span></p><p style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 18px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=111111" type="text/javascript"></script></span></p></div></div><p></p>

Missionary Kid Monday: Leaving

{To see how this series started, click here. To see why we decided to move to France, click here.}

I was only seven when my family moved to France.

I had no idea what kind of faith it took for my parents to leave behind everything and everyone they knew to move to a foreign country for the sake of the gospel.

I had no idea how drastically my life would change because of my parents' decision.

I was just excited because my mom told me that they had this chocolate peanut butter stuff over there that I was really going to LOVE.

Plus, I was going to go on a PLANE. I felt very popular during first grade recess.

The day before we left, we all stayed overnight at my grandma's house. My siblings and I slept on the floor in the office. Our flight left really early in the morning, and I have a distinct memory of my mother standing in the doorway to wake us up, the dim light in the hallway behind her making her look like just a dark shadow.

The plane ride itself was a blur. My parents must have been a special kind of crazy to drag all three of us kids (and all of our luggage) on a super long flight. Our first "term" was going to be for four years. After that, we would come back to CA for one year, then return to France for another term. And so on and so on. I'm impressed with my folks for being so brave!!

When we landed in Paris, a nice missionary couple picked us up from the airport and drove us to their apartment in the suburbs of the city.

We stopped at a little grocery store on the way to get some supplies. My first encounter with French culture? Having to deposit a coin into the shopping cart in order to use it! (If you've been to Aldi, you know what I'm talking about!). At the time, it cost 1 Franc - about 25 cents-

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This was the first of many culture shocks - these first few years redefined what I came to believe as "normal."

{Stay tuned for more next Monday when I'll be sharing about our year in language school!}

First World Problems

Last Friday I decided to treat myself to a tall pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.

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I went to a different Starbucks than I usually do because I was on my way to do some errands. When I walked in, there were four people working behind the counter, and two people ahead of me in line.

Even so, I waited SIXTEEN minutes for my drink. (Yes, I'm the crazy person who times people when annoyed.)

When I got my drink and walked out to my car, I realized that the cup felt a little light. I opened the lid and, sure enough, it was only filled two thirds of the way. I should have walked right back in there and asked them to fill it to the top.

I was in a hurry, though (see the above 16 minute wait), so I just sipped my drink and made it last as long as I could.

And I was in a bad mood.

How dare they not fill my drink to the top? How dare they make me wait? I was so annoyed and disappointed.

And then I realized that God was listening to my mental temper tantrum.

And then I realized what a selfish and petty jerk I must sound like.

And then I realized what a very FIRST WORLD kind of problem it was to have.

And then I realized I really ought to be grateful that I have the $3.75 to drop on a drink. A drink I didn't have to walk miles to get. A drink made with clean water. A drink I don't even need in order to live.

And then I thanked God for His forgiveness!!!

The Meaning of Red

Three words came to mind when I heard Gussy's prompt for today's Inspiration Workshop.

Red is....

Festive

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Sexy

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Romantic

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What do you think of when you think of red?

Three's 4 Me GIVEAWAY

Meet Nicole!

Hi there, all! My name is Nicole Cisneros and I blog over HERE. I'm a wife and mama to a 21-month-old little man, and have another one due to make his or her precious appearance in a few short months! I'm so glad to be able to offer you a few of my pouches today, and to let you in on a little secret of mine: I used to hate crafting. There! I said it! Glue guns made me think of that burn I got in second grade. I literally repelled creativity. Then one day I thought, "Hey, you know what? What's with this attitude? How about you just give it a shot, and if you like it GREAT! But if not, oh well. It will be a fun project either way." So that very same day I loaded my toddler in the car, took a short drive to my parent's house, stole my mom's sewing machine, and have been hooked ever since. It.Was.Amazing. Do you have a similar story?

Anyway, I do so hope you love these pouches, because the journey I've taken to get to this point in crafty-land has definitely been an exhilarating one, and I couldn't be more proud to present these babies! Enjoy!

Isn't she a sweetheart? She creates some BEAUTIFUL things (I wish I had her talent!!)
Nicole is offering this set of four pouches to one LUCKY winner!

MANDATORY entry:

 

Check out Nicole's shop and leave a comment here letting me know your favorite item. Be sure and leave a way for me to contact you if you win!

 

OPTIONAL entries:

 

+1 Heart Nicole's shop on Etsy

+1 Follow her blog

+1 Like her on Facebook

+1 Follow her on Twitter

+1 Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (leave one comment for each - maximum once each day)

Sample tweet: Win a lovely set of four ruffle pouches from @threes4me over on @yes_teacher 's blog! http://tiny.cc/r8sw6

 

This giveaway will end 10/19 at 11:59 PM and is open to U.S residents only. Winner will be notified via email as well as announced on my blog! Good luck!

Tickle Me Tuesday, 39th edition

Welcome to the latest edition of Tickle Me Tuesdays, where we all share what's been tickling our fancy!

If you'd like to participate (and you know you do!!), here are the rules:
  

1. Write a short post with anywhere from one to five items that have been tickling your fancy recently. Please include pictures and links :)

2. Make sure to link back to the party in your blog post (you can grab the button or include a text link)

3. Come back here and link up your blog post!  

4. Visit some other links and HAVE FUN!

Sugar, Salt, and Pepper Set from Paulova

Whale Tissue Holder from Gnome Sweet Gnome

Pleated String Lights from Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Now it's your turn! What's been tickling your fancy?

<a href="http://yesteachercrafts.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s92/french_mk/tickle.jpg" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="text-align: center;padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: table; border-collapse: separate; "><tbody id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318077204146104" style="width: 596px; "><tr id="yui_3_2_0_1_1318077204146101" style="display: table-row; vertical-align: inherit; "><td valign="top" id="yui_3_2_0_1_131807720414698" style="display: table-cell; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font: inherit; "><div style="text-align: left;"></div><span class="yiv1291732139Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_2_0_1_131807720414695"><br><font class="Apple-style-span" face="'Times New Roman'"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=111110" type="text/javascript"></script></span></font></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p></div></div><p></p>

Missionary Kid Monday: Thank You Bob Barker!

{For more info on this series, click here}


"JAN KENT... COME ON DOWN!!!!"
It may as well have been God's voice booming through the microphone, calling my family to be missionaries in France.

Like any Missionary Kid (MK) story, it all begins with my parents. They were happily living in southern California: my dad teaching high school chemistry, my mom at home with me and my sister.

My mom had this crazy wish to be a contestant on The Price is Right. When she showed up to the set, she noticed that an employee was holding brief interviews at the doorway before everyone took their seat.

"What do you do for a living?" he asked when it was her turn.

"I volunteer!"

"You volunteer doing what?"

"I volunteer to clean and cook for my husband and children!" my mom answered enthusiastically.

She must have made an impression because it wasn't too long before she was called down. We have this episode on videotape, and although I've watched it a few times, I can never remember what game she played. I just remember how she looked coming down to the front - smiling ear to ear, giddy, enthusiastic, and a borderline nutcase!

She ended up winning a Jacuzzi and some other small prizes. My parents sold her winnings and decided to take a second honeymoon to France.

When they were there, they visited a lot of beautiful and EMPTY churches. At one such church, an English-speaking pastor struck up a conversation with my dad. Upon learning that my dad was going to seminary, he asked him if he would move to France to pastor a church.

My dad's reaction, understandably, was "Ummm, no. I'm a chemistry teacher. I don't speak French. I'm just going to seminary for my own spiritual growth."

But, long after their return to California, my parents were haunted by the empty churches. They spent months praying about what to do. Two years later, after much prayer and financial support raising (and the addition of my little brother!), they moved our little family to France.

{Stay tuned for more next Monday!}