Israel Souvenirs

After taking a suitcase full of clothes for the orphanage in Bethany we were left with a suitcase to fill with treasures from the Holy Land.

So what did we pack home?

Here's just a few items that caught our eye:

BYU Jerusalem Shirts! They aren't selling these babies at the local bookstore ~ what a find.

Sea of Galilee necklaces that the owners of the boats make using shells from the sea.

My widow's mite necklace! I was so happy to have one of these. And while it is just a replica, I'm thrilled. A real widow's mite was about $120 / replicas were around $35 (I haggled got this one cheaper than that)

Oil lamps that look very much like the ones from 2000 years ago, just not as expensive. There were several antiquities shops that had the real McCoy - they were amazing, but these pleased me just as much. And they will work with a wick and olive oil. A great reminder to keep our lamps full.

We purchased a few pieces of Olive Wood, but this was the one that I liked the most. The carvings are done in Bethlehem from branches pruned from the local olive trees. We also purchased a Noah's Ark, a Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and a Lion and Lamb carving.

We did pick up some cool things for the boys too. Josh got a ram's horn (same kind that Joshua used when the walls of Jericho fell). Ethan got a mosaic kit in remembrance of all the FABULOUS mosaics that we saw. And Emma got a lamb which is in remembrance of the Good Shepard who loves the children.

What a great trip we had ~ and how much more I am enjoying the holiday season this year. I'm a crying mess every time a Christmas Hymn is played and I see in my mind the places of the Holy Land. SUPER COOL!