Bon Jour! Ahhhh.... Paris! The city of Love! :) I once visited there as a 19 year old awestruck student. I went to help a friend move back to the States but before we returned I had the rare opportunity to see Paris, not as a tourist, but as a native Parisian would. Eye opening and enlightening! Never before and not since have I been in a place like the church steps (MonMont?) where so many languages were spoken, so many cultures were represented, yet they were all brought together in harmony and mutual respect as one person sat in the middle of the crowd playing a guitar, singing and interpreting for all.
I felt so ignorant because I could only speak one language fluently (and not very effectively I might add)... when those around me knew an average of 3 languages! I knew then that if I ever had children, they would learn another language because it would open the world to them.
(So far, Obi-Wan speaks French and knows some Japanese & sign language, while the younger two know some sign language, some Japanese and are learning Spanish. I have to say... it is much easier to learn a language when you are young... my brain cells just aren't working like they used to! I guess I should teach at least one of them Chinese so that we could travel just about anywhere and not have to hire an interpreter! ha ha)
Which brings us to our next study in
Countries and Cultures!
Our "journey" in Europe took us to France... the country of art, poetry, food, museums, and amazing architecture.
In true Disney World Showcase style, we embraced our inner artist (in berets)!
"Padme" is a natural.... well let's just say she naturally likes to draw and paint on anything she gets her hands on.... walls, tables, furniture, toys....
"Luke"? Well he embraced the French gift of flattery and "wooing"!! ha ha. He won over the girl who was signing his passport... with LOVE! :) Must take after Daddy!
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Back in our home town, our little ones learned to order in French at La Madeline's Restaurant.
Of course, their favorite French food was the "cheesy" bread and the desserts! (Did I mention their favorite chef is Ratatouille?)
It felt like they were in a real Parisian cafe complete with French composers!
We also studied the Eiffel Tower and other great symbols of France. We even made our own towers out of whatever materials were around the house....
No... not this one.... this one was at the Mother/Son Dance, aptly themed "Around the World".
"Padme" (5yrs old at the time) made hers out of Wikki Sticks.
"Luke" (9yo) made several towers using K'Nex, Bionicle pieces, and Legos... He wants to be an engineer when he grows up. Makes sense. His structures were all solid and withstood quite a bit of... shall we say "resistance" from little sister. :)
I had the opportunity to tell the kids the story of when, during my trip to France as a teenager, I was visiting a small out of the way museum and heard a "ruckus" in the adjoining room. My friend and I went to investigate when we saw a crowd of people around 2 young men. One had his hands on his head and was speaking in German very loudly as if he had just been robbed (or seen a ghost). The other was very calm and had a look of concern. Suddenly the second man saw me and came towards me. I had no idea what to do. Should I be concerned myself? Should I help? I didn't speak German, if that was even what he was speaking.... well, he walked right up to me and asked if I was P_____ H_____ (which was the name I went by in high school a few years before that trip). He smiled a huge smile (you can imagine my look of shock at a stranger knowing my other name in the middle of Paris, France!).... He turned to his friend and said in perfect English "yes, it is her!" I was even more shocked that the one who was causing the rucus was my old friend and class exchange student from high school, Bjourn! Imagine, I'm from Arkansas... he is from Germany... and we meet at the exact same time on the exact same day in the exact same out of the way museum in France!!! What are the odds?
The kids love that story. It helps me prove the point that it IS a small world after all... and that we never know when God will have us cross paths with someone again either in this lifetime or eternity.
From France, we moved on to a very brief visit to Italy. We mainly stopped to admire the Italian artists, composers, and of course enjoy the FOOD!!! Love Lasagna!!!
The Disney World Showcase had Italy of course...
however, due to the tropical storm that blew in during our visit... we only got to see the outside of the buildings before it poured rain and things shut down.
The weather did not dampen the spirits of little "Padme" who sang and danced in the middle of the Italian outdoor stage!
Since we missed out on the great Italian food at Disney, we came home and set up our own Bistro.... pasta , candlelight, music, the whole thing!
(It reminded us of the Lady and the Tramp... movie)
Of course... an Italian dinner is not complete without Italian Ice or Gelato!
So many flavors.... how do you choose?
oh... they managed! Then they got to eat their treat near an Italian water way.
The next best thing to being there!
Even Big Brother got in on the tasty treats during one of his rare trips home from college!
As we say Au revoir and Chow to France and Italy.... we have fond memories and hopes to see them one day in person.
We left Europe to pursue an adventure in a new continent.... Africa!! Join us for the continuing journey....
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They were amazing experiences for him and we could tell he was a changed young man each time he returned. 
He had grown closer to God as he met the practical needs of the people who lived in these villages. 
He grew stronger in his faith and gained confidence in his God-given gifts. He was praised for his servent-leadership skills as he lead one of the mission groups in building a ramp for a new hospital. 
He was also lifted up and praised for his compassion and encouraging spirit not only toward those they came to help but also towards his team members.
Doesn't this say it all.... with God we have "Limitless Potential"!!! This was his mission team's motto. Couldn't we all use a good motto like this one?! :)
